Dermatologists prescribe products to their patients all day long, but have you ever wondered which ones they personally use? Welcome to Derm Diaries, a new series where dermatologists share their skin woes—and solutions—so you can steal secrets from their skincare routines.
Making a career out of healing the world's skin issues doesn't necessarily make you immune to dealing with those of your own. Just ask triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist (a.k.a. she specializes in diseases of the skin) Dr. Mamina Turegano.
"I used to lay out by the pool a lot as a teenager and have been dealing with the consequences with increased hyperpigmentation on my face," she said. "I’m also working on keeping texture smooth and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I also get the occasional acne breakout."
Much like the rest of us who learned to commit to a healthy skincare routine during adulthood, Dr. Turegano spends a decent amount of time trying to understand her own skin and what works best for it. A graduate of Centenary College with a degree in neuroscience and piano performance, her desire to establish a career in medicine has been with her since she was young, though she didn't decide to go to medical school until college — and her interest in dermatology didn't form until she enrolled in medical school at Louisiana State University School of Medicine.
"When I was doing my medical school rotations, I was assigned to rheumatology, which deals with autoimmune diseases," she said. "There are a lot of autoimmune diseases that show up on the skin. And I had a strong affinity for these patients suffering with these various autoimmune skin conditions, and that's what prompted me to look more into dermatology."
She continued, "I have a special interest in evaluating how nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, and other environmental factors can play a significant role in inflammation, aging, and cancer. I enjoy incorporating holistic practices in my patients who deal with anything ranging from acne to warts."
Dr. Turegano's own skincare routine incorporates a several products of both the drugstore and luxury variety. Read ahead to check out some of her favorite products and to find out how she cares for her skin.
She starts her day off with a cult favorite.
After washing her face in the morning, Dr. Turegano hydrates her skin with the Tatcha Essence Boosting Treatment, which contains a fermented complex of rice, algae, and green tea. "This has moisturizing and skin tone brightening properties," she said. "I also love the feel of a liquid, and I feel that it preps my skin for the products I follow it with."
She applies an antioxidant serum every morning.
Dr. Turegano is a huge fan of using antioxidants like Skinceuticals Phloretin with Ferulic Acid to combat hyperpigmentation. The product contains 10 percent phloretin, 10 percent vitamin C, and 0.5 percent ferulic acid. "This synergistic collection of antioxidants work to protect the skin from environmental damage, and help with the appearance of discoloration, fine lines, and uneven skin tone," she said.
She loves a good double cleanse.
She knows better than anyone that clearing your face of makeup and product at the end of a long day or night using just soap and water won't always cut it, though that's what a cleansing balm is for. One of the first steps in her nighttime routine involves getting rid of her makeup with the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm.
"This has the best texture," she said. "It literally feels like I’m dipping my fingers in a fluffy cloud."
She follows her cleansing balm with a drugstore favorite, the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Wash. "I love this cleanser for people with sensitive skin," she said. "This contains La Roche-Posay's prebiotic thermal spring water, niacinamide, and ceramide."
At night, she does a deep clean with a liquid exfoliator.
"I use the philosophy microdelivery resurfacing solution. I look at this as a gentle, nourishing, exfoliating toner. There is a low concentration and combination of glycolic, lactic and citric acid, which makes it tolerable for most skin types. I love that it is multi-purpose and also contains hydrating (hyaluronic acid, glycerin), soothing (cica), brightening (vitamin C, niacinamide), and anti-aging ingredients (peptides)."
Philosophy Microdelivery Resurfacing Solution with 4% AHA's, Cica and Vitamin C
Philosophy Microdelivery Resurfacing Solution with 4% AHA's, Cica and Vitamin C
Her routine features a mix of luxury and drugstore items.
Both of her daily routines are a mix of products that are affordable and others that are worth the splurge. At night, for example, Dr. Turegano uses the ultra-hydrating Neutrogena Rapid Firming Triple Lift Serum before following it with the Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream with TFC8® Face Moisturizer, which retails for over $250.
"This cream has a nice blend of moisturizing ingredients, including glycerin, squalane, and evening primrose oil, soothing ingredients, including hydrolyzed rice protein, and anti-aging ingredients. peptides, which help build collagen," she said.
She makes sure to take good care of the skin around her eyes.
We've never met a dermatologist who didn't consistently emphasize how important it is to invest in a good eye cream. A favorite of Dr. Turegano's is the Emepelle Eye Cream.
"This eye cream checks all the boxes of what I look for in an eye cream: caffeine, peptides, antioxidants, humectants, and moisturizers," she said. "But it also has a really cool technology called MEP technology [or Methyl Estraodiolpropanoate]. It is considered to be a NERA (Non-Hormonal Estrogen Receptor Aide) that works to non-hormonally help stimulate the estrogen receptor pathway in the skin."
She continued, "In a clinical study published in the JDD, MEP was found to help increase fibroblast expressed receptors and promote significant visible improvements in skin dryness, laxity, atrophy, dullness, thickness, fine lines and erythema — all the issues that are apparent in estrogen deficient skin."
She’s a fan of one of today’s trendiest ingredients.
Tranexamic acid is a rising star in the skincare community, and Dr. Turegano even recommends using it in order to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
She never forgets SPF.
She loves mineral-based sunscreens, and one of her favorites happens to be the Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30.
"I love that this sunscreen blends in so well, so it appears sheer, something that's hard to find with zinc-based sunscreens," she said. "I also love the moisturizing component with squalane. I use a sheer or non-tinted sunscreen first and cover my face, neck, ears, and hands with it."
She’s also a big fan of the La Roche Posay Anthelios Tinted Sunscreen SPF 50 and SkinBetter SunBetter Tone Smart Lotion SPF 7. "They both match my skin tone well, which is the number one priority with tinted sunscreens," she said. "I use this because iron oxide, the ingredient that gives sunscreens their tint, can help block visible light, which can play a role in hyperpigmentation."
Danielle is the beauty editor at Women's Health. Her apartment is currently littered with beauty products, but when she's not testing them all out, you can find her watching facial ASMR videos on YouTube, binge-watching The Golden Girls on Hulu, and reading rom-coms.
