Sonal Chavda-Sitaram approaches the care of her skin with an impressive balance of scientific rigor and holistic awareness, adopting a double-faceted strategy that supports her complexion both from the outside and within as she continues to age gracefully. At 43 years old, this accomplished pharmacist—who earned her Ph.D. at King’s College London, focusing on the science of topical formulations such as serums and facial masks—combines her academic expertise with a personal philosophy that sees beauty not merely as skin deep but as a reflection of overall well-being. While she delights in the tangible ritual of using carefully formulated creams, serums, and balms, she places equal value on foundational lifestyle practices: prioritizing high-quality sleep, consuming nutrient-rich and balanced meals, exercising regularly, and actively managing stress levels. For her, these habits form the non-negotiable framework upon which sustainable skin health is built.
Reflecting on the way society often approaches skincare, Chavda-Sitaram observes that people tend to neglect the full complexity of the skin—the body’s largest organ—by treating it merely as a surface to be polished rather than a dynamic, living system. “We’ve truly overlooked one of the most intricate organs in the body by focusing only on superficial care,” she noted in her conversation with Business Insider, emphasizing the importance of a genuinely holistic perspective that integrates internal and external treatment.
When crafting her own skincare regimen, Chavda-Sitaram—who is also a mother of two and the founder of Complete by Dr SCS, a skincare line that merges topical treatments with nutritional supplements—examines her needs comprehensively. Her process begins with reflection: identifying what her body and skin require at a structural level and then constructing a plan that fortifies these foundations with products applied to the skin’s surface. “Every time I design a skincare routine, I start by ensuring the foundations are correct,” she explained. “Then, based on those foundations, I assess how best to complement them through topical applications.” This thoughtful layering ensures that her approach remains both effective and adaptable.
Consistency, however, is the thread that binds her philosophy together. She emphasizes that no skincare routine, no matter how sophisticated, will deliver sustained results without regular and mindful use. “For me, simplicity is key,” she shared. “My lifestyle can be hectic, so my skincare must integrate seamlessly into my daily routine.” This pragmatic view keeps her routine practical yet powerful.
Her daily skincare ritual consists of four carefully selected essentials that together create a streamlined yet comprehensive regimen. Each product serves a precise purpose, forming part of a straightforward system that supports the skin’s resilience and appearance.
The first step is a highly potent vitamin C serum used each morning to awaken and brighten her skin. As she explains, vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant—it protects skin cells from oxidative stress caused by environmental assaults like pollution while simultaneously enhancing radiance and promoting that luminous glow that so many seek. Scientific evidence supports her practice, suggesting that vitamin C not only encourages collagen production—the vital structural protein responsible for skin firmness—but can also reduce the visible signs of aging such as dark spots and photodamage. Because this nutrient is inherently unstable and quickly oxidizes when exposed to air, Chavda-Sitaram advises investing in serums housed in airtight or airless containers. A telltale indicator of degradation is a shift in color from clear to a yellowish hue, signaling diminished potency. For added stability, she recommends serums that combine vitamin C with other antioxidants like vitamin E and ferulic acid. In her own regimen, she uses Complete by Dr SCS Radiance Face Serum, which features 20% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate—a more stable derivative of vitamin C—enhanced by protective antioxidants.
Next, she never omits her daily SPF. Every morning, she applies a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 that shields against both UVA and UVB rays and re-applies it throughout the day. She observes that many people mistakenly apply sunscreen only once in the morning, allowing hours of unprotected exposure by midday as the product naturally wears off. This oversight allows UV damage to accumulate, accelerating wrinkles, age spots, loss of skin elasticity, and raising the risk of skin cancer. For that reason, she emphasizes consistency and thoroughness. Whether using a mineral-based formula or a chemical one, she insists the best sunscreen is the one that fits effortlessly into your habits and that you will genuinely use throughout the day. Although she continues testing various formulations, the principle of regular reapplication remains central to her sun protection philosophy.
In the evening, Chavda-Sitaram integrates retinol into her skincare cycle, combining it with a nourishing, ceramide-rich moisturizer to counteract potential dryness, as her skin tends toward dehydration. Originally developed to treat acne, retinol—derived from vitamin A—has since become a cornerstone in dermatology for addressing multiple concerns, including fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven texture. Retinol works by binding to receptors in the skin that regulate cell turnover and stimulate the production of collagen, revitalizing the skin from within. Among the newer variations available, she is particularly enthused by a derivative known as hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), which requires fewer conversion steps to interact with the skin’s receptors, making it both efficient and generally well tolerated. Nevertheless, she cautions users to introduce retinol gradually to mitigate irritation or sensitivity. Her own choice, Complete by Dr SCS Protect Serum, showcases HPR as its star ingredient.
Before any of these active treatments touches her skin, she begins and ends each day with gentle cleansing—a crucial first step in maintaining skin barrier integrity. She opts for a fragrance-free, alcohol-free cleanser such as CeraVe’s Hydrating Cleanser. Fragrance additives and harsh alcohols, she explains, can compromise the skin by stripping it of its natural lipids, thereby weakening its barrier function and provoking sensitivity over time. Instead, she advises choosing mild formulations that effectively remove dirt, oils, and pollutants while preserving the moisture balance essential for healthy, resilient skin. As she succinctly puts it, “You want a cleanser that purifies but does not harm your skin barrier.”
Through this carefully balanced approach—one that fuses clinical knowledge with practical daily implementation—Sonal Chavda-Sitaram demonstrates how science and simplicity can coexist. Her regimen illustrates that healthy, radiant skin does not depend on an endless array of products but on understanding one’s skin deeply, supporting it consistently, and respecting its intricate biology from the inside out.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/pharmacist-simple-skincare-routine-anti-aging-4-steps-2025-11
