Eight Things Your Dermatologist Wishes You Knew About Skincare...
In the age of AI and Google, it's easy to find answers about all kinds of concerns online. What's less simple to pick up in a search are the basic tenets of good skin health and skincare that your dermatologist shares when you're in the office. In honor of November, which is National Healthy Skin Month, we thought we'd share the things we wish more patients knew about their skin.
Sunscreen: using the proper amount and remembering to reapply is vastly more important than the brand or the SPF number.
When it comes to sunscreen, we often focus on the wrong things. We compare brands, debate SPF 30 versus SPF 50, and search for the latest product with the most advanced ingredients. But one of the most important factors in protecting your skin from the sun is much simpler: how much sunscreen you apply and how often you reapply it. Even an excellent sunscreen cannot provide the protection you expect if you apply too little or fail to reapply. A general rule of thumb is you can expect a 50% reduction in protection over 6 hours in normal circumstances, but that can accelerate to a 50% reduction over 90 min when swimming or sweating.
Sunscreen is the best anti-aging product you already own.
If there's one skincare product your dermatologist wishes you would use every single day, it's sunscreen! Sun exposure is one of the biggest contributors to premature skin aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Even on cloudy days or when you're spending time near windows, harmful UV rays can affect your skin. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily not only helps keep your skin looking youthful but also reduces your risk of developing skin cancer. Oral vitamins containing polypodium leucotomos (one brand is Heliocare) can also help prevent sunburn when used along with sunscreen. Remember, expensive skincare products and treatments can only do so much if you don't protect your skin from the sun. Consistency is key, and your future skin will thank you!
Neosporin is not a universal cure all and can often cause more harm than good.
Neosporin or it’s generic equivalent, triple antibiotic ointment, contains three different antibiotics: neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin. There is evidence that this combination can be effective at preventing infection in the case of a traumatic wound that has been contaminated (think cuts with dirt in them). But there is no evidence that it is superior to plain Vaseline in the case of clean cuts (think surgical wounds). And there is virtually no “rash” that will improve with Neosporin use. Indeed, up to 10% of the population can develop an allergy to an ingredient in Neosporin, potentially worsening a rash and slowing wound healing. Our advice? Reach for Neosporin when infection is a real risk, and follow the post-surgical instructions from your dermatologist.
Not every skin concern can be fixed with a skincare product.
With endless skincare trends and viral products on social media, it's easy to believe that the next miracle serum will solve all your skin concerns. But the truth is, more products don't always mean better skin. Conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and persistent pigmentation often require a personalized treatment plan rather than an overflowing skincare cabinet. In fact, using too many active ingredients can damage your skin barrier, leading to irritation, redness, and breakouts. Your dermatologist wants you to know that a simple, consistent routine tailored to your needs is often more effective than chasing every new skincare trend. When in doubt, ask your dermatologist before adding another product to your routine!
You can develop an allergy to a product you’ve used for years.
One of the most common misconceptions about allergic contact dermatitis is that it must be caused by a new product. In reality, you can develop an allergy to an ingredient you’ve been using for months—or even years—without any problems.Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when your immune system becomes sensitized to a particular substance. Once that sensitivity develops, repeated exposure can trigger redness, itching, scaling, or a rash. Common culprits include fragrances, preservatives, cosmetics, hair products, and ingredients in topical medications. If you develop an unexplained rash, don’t automatically rule out your favorite moisturizer, shampoo, or skincare product simply because you’ve used it for years. A dermatologist can help identify the cause, and patch testing may be recommended to pinpoint the specific allergen.
Social media popularity is not equivalent to skin care expertise.
Social media has made skincare information more accessible than ever. Unfortunately, it has also made it difficult to distinguish reliable medical advice from marketing, personal anecdotes, and misinformation. A popular influencer may have beautiful skin, an impressive following, and a convincing skincare routine. However, having great skin or a large audience does not necessarily mean someone understands the science of dermatology.
Dermatologists undergo years of medical education and specialized training to diagnose skin conditions, understand skin biology, evaluate clinical research, and recommend treatments based on scientific evidence. What works for an influencer may not be appropriate for your skin, particularly if you have acne, rosacea, eczema, sensitive skin, or a history of skin cancer. Be cautious about elaborate routines, miracle-product claims, and advice to combine multiple active ingredients without understanding their potential side effects. When evaluating skincare recommendations, consider the source, look for scientific evidence, and remember that sponsored content may prioritize sales over your skin’s health.
The Bottom Line
Your skin is unique, and what worked yesterday may not work forever. New reactions can develop to familiar products, and not every popular skincare recommendation is medically sound. When it comes to protecting your skin and choosing the right treatments, trust evidence-based medicine over assumptions and online trends. Your dermatologist is your partner in making informed decisions for healthier skin.
Your skin is your largest organ--and it deserves to be treated like one!
When you think about taking care of your health, you probably think about eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and keeping up with routine medical appointments. But how often do you think about your skin as an essential part of your overall health? Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it is vital. It acts as a protective barrier against pathogens and environmental irritants, helps regulate body temperature, prevents excessive water loss, and provides important sensory feedback. Because your skin is such an important organ, it deserves the same attention and care you give to the rest of your body.
Changes in your skin, hair, and nails should never be ignored because they can be a window into your overall health.
Your skin can sometimes provide clues about what is happening inside your body. Certain rashes, changes in pigmentation, unusual dryness, persistent itching, or changes in your hair and nails may be associated with underlying medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, environmental exposures, hormonal changes, or medication effects. For example, new or worsening skin discoloration may sometimes be associated with hormonal changes or excessive dietary pigment intake (yes, you really can get an orangish glow if you eat a lot of carrots!). Persistent itching without an obvious cause can be due to a failure of your internal filters, the liver or your kidneys. Changes in your hair, such as increased shedding or thinning, may be related to thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, hormonal fluctuations, or other health concerns. Similarly, brittle nails, changes in nail shape, or unusual discoloration may sometimes provide clues about nutritional deficiencies or other medical conditions.
Some of the most common inflammatory skin conditions we see In the dermatology office, such as psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea, can be associated with broader health concerns such as metabolic disease, asthma, and ocular rosacea respectively. A flare-up in a condition you already have treatment for may be a message from your body that it's time for a new visit. Recognizing these connections means your dermatology care team can make these diagnoses earlier and ensure you have sooner follow up with other specialists if needed.
Of course, not every skin, hair, or nail change indicates an underlying health problem. However, persistent, unexplained, worsening, or unusual changes deserve attention rather than being dismissed as purely cosmetic. Your skin is not simply the surface of your body; it is an organ that works hard to protect you every day and can sometimes offer important clues about your overall well-being. Give it the attention it deserves!
Any tan is a sign of UV damage to your skin. Even your "base tan."
We understand the appeal of an easy fix to avoid a burn on vacation, but that is, unfortunately, not how it works. A tan is a sign that your skin has responded to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Even if you do not burn, UV exposure still damages your skin.
And that so-called base tan? It does not provide meaningful protection against sunburn. When UV exposure triggers your skin to produce more melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color, it is akin to roughly an SPF of 2–4 for a natural tan and only SPF 1.5 for a sunbed tan. This is far below the level of protection recommended for everyday sun safety. For comparison, SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB, This means a tan’s protection is negligible compared to actual sunscreen and, in fact, puts you at more risk for additional UV damage by giving you false confidence about protection in high UV situations. The effects of UV exposure accumulate over time, contributing to premature skin aging with dark spots and fine lines and significantly increases your risk of developing skin cancer. Importantly, UV damage can occur even when it is cloudy or cool outside. You do not have to experience a painful sunburn for damage to occur, and people of all skin tones can experience UV-related skin damage. The good news is that you can still enjoy vacation safely by following sun-safe tips of SPF use and reapplication, UPF clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding outdoor activities during the peak hours of 10am - 4pm when possible. And if you want a sun-kissed appearance, sunless tanning products can provide color without the UV exposure associated with tanning!
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