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Dermatologists: They’re just like us!
Illustration by Stina Persson
Here, five top doctors share the skin-care routines and tips that help keep their complexions clear.
Like many of us with acne, board-certified dermatologistJenny Liu’s skin is at the mercy of hormonal fluctuations.
Even when her blemishes are under control, Dr. Liu struggles witheczemaand post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Courtesy of Jenny Liu, MD
But, she says, she’s not embarrassed to share those issues with her patients.
Cleanser:Dr. Liu likes a gentle, creamy cleanser in the morning (her current choice is e.l.f.
Cosmetics Pure Skin Fragrance Free Moisturizer).
Courtesy of Cheryl Burgess, MD
At night, she uses one with benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient that plays nicely with her topical retinoid.
Framboos Glycolic Night Serum and Medik8 Sleep Glycolic Treatment.
At the time, Dr. Burgess was dealing with chronic acne that had plagued her since her teens.
That’s when she decided to take it herself.
“I took five months ofAccutanetherapy and havent had a problem in over 25 years,” she says.
One cleanser she recommends: Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Face Cleanser, which has 2 percent salicylic acid.
At night, she uses Skinbetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream with line-smoothing retinol.
Both are available in physicians' offices, including full disclosure Burgess’s own.
“Skinbetter is an excellent line.
I use all of their products,” she says.
She suggests ones from La Roche-Posay.
Extras:Dr. Burgess saysblue lightcan also help with acne.
She suggests in-office treatments with a wavelength of 400 nm, which is backed by solid data.
New York City-based, board-certified dermatologistCarmen Castilla, MD, gets whypopping pimplesis so satisfying.
“I understand that inclination.
Cleanser:Dr. Castilla washes her face with…water.
You read that right!
Makeup-wise, I only wear mascara, so I remove that with Vaseline.
Treatment:Skinbetter Alto Defense Serum has antioxidants that help with pigmentation and acne inflammation, says Dr. Castilla.
Plus, “it doesn’t leave a sticky residue like some other antioxidant serums.”
Moisturizer:Being only human, Dr. Castilla occasionally overuses retinoids, leading to dryness.
When that happens, she gets relief from Bioderma Cicabio Cream.
Extras:In-office anti-inflammatory red-light treatments have also kept Dr. Castilla’s blemishes in check.
And she’s gotten “strong salicylic acid peels.”
Courtesy of Cheryl Burgess, MD
These in-office treatments penetrate deeply to help remove debris in pores and improve the appearance of acne.
As chief of the division of dermatology at Childrens National Hospital,A.
“I first experienced acne after puberty,” she says.
Courtesy of Carmen Castilla, MD
Moisturizer and sunscreen:One perk of being a dermatologist?
You get lots of freebies at industry conferences, says Dr. Kirkorian.
Extras:Dr. Kirkorian has had several in-officeglycolic peelsto help lighten the dark spots left behind by acne.
The ingredient sloughs away dead skin cells, helping to brighten areas of discoloration.
But after she got pregnant (she has two kids), the real battle began.
“My skin seemed to change completely during and after mypregnancies,” she says.
Her go-to is Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser Fragrance Free.
Moisturizer:Dr. Robinson uses Humanrace Humidifying Face Cream.
It’s rich without being too greasy and it deeply hydrates,” she says.
Sunscreen:A mineral-based, high-SPF sunscreen that’s truly invisible?
Dr. Robinson says she’s found it in Skinbetter Tone Smart Lotion SPF 75.
“It has a beautiful, lightweight, milky texture that gives skin a gorgeous glow.”
Courtesy of Carmen Castilla, MD
Courtesy of Children’s National Hospital
Courtesy of Children’s National Hospital
Courtesy of Caroline Robinson, MD
Courtesy of Caroline Robinson, MD
