Dr. Sam Ellis is a board-certified dermatologist who reviews serums, moisturizers, and cleansers with honest, real-world clinical context. Her 800K+ followers love the mix of credentialed expertise and candor, she's happy to recommend a drugstore staple or wave you off a dud.
Why Are They A Guru?
Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Prequel who pairs clinical expertise with real-world candor, equally happy to back a drugstore staple or wave you off a dud.
Founder · Prequel
239Products
214 approved95% approval rate
11 skippedDoesn't pull punches
5 hot takesWhere they break from the pack
The hall of fame
Dr. Sam Ellis's top picks.
The products Dr. Sam Ellis has crowned best in their category, and brings up again and again.
Starting off with the holy grail of antioxidant serums for the past 20 years, Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic, which will run you about $185 a bottle. This product paved the way for every other vitamin C serum on the market because this exact formula has been clinically proven to enhance sun protection, reduce fine lines, and fade dark spots. When you hear dermatologists and aestheticians talk about how amazing vitamin C is for your skin, it is because of the studies done on C E Ferulic specifically. For those reasons, it's not a bad place to spend your money, and I actually carry it in my own practice because it is the gold standard.
I think that one of the best alpha hydroxy peeling products that exists and it has been on the market for a long time are the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads. They come as a two-step system. This is sort of their like original strength. They also have a stronger strength and then they have a more gentle version, but the stronger one has seven acids. This one has five acids. Their more gentle version has three acids. So you could kind of cater it based on what your skin can tolerate. And the first step has all the acids which you put on, you let it dry down and then you have a neutralizing step with a bunch of antioxidants which is also a really helpful thing when it comes to fighting hyperpigmentation because oxidative stress breeds melanogenesis. It makes you produce pigment. And so when you can stop that process in its tracks by both exfoliating and then calming the skin, you're going to be in a really good spot. I find these incredibly convenient, very satisfying to use. I love that there's different strengths, so it caters to a lot of different skin types and tolerances. But the other thing I like about this is there's quite a bit of product. So when you're swiping it over your face, there's leftover juice in there. And I will always bring that onto my neck, my decollete, the back of my hands.
For my face, I am obsessed with the Tatcha Rice Polish. It is these super super fine granules and you can just buff it into your skin and it's not irritating. It's not harsh. It doesn't flare my rosacea, but afterward my skin immediately feels smoother than a baby's butt.
One of my favorite relatively affordable peptide serums is the May Love Peptide Squad. This one just has some of the most proven peptides when it comes to anti-aging.
The one that I have repurchased the most by far is the KP Bump Eraser from First Aid Beauty. Although they market this for KP, which is keratosis pilaris, sort of the chicken skin that people can get on their upper arms or on their thighs and buttocks, I use this on my skin everywhere. I think the reason I keep going back to this one so much is that the grit in there is just so particular. It's very gritty, but it's not sharp. So I get a lot of incredible buffing when I use it. I do like small circular motions over my whole body, but my skin doesn't feel irritated or stripped when I'm done with it. Also, this formula is not just physical exfoliation. It has alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid in there. So you're getting this dual chemical and physical exfoliation. I use this in the shower one to two times a week. And I actually like to do my exfoliation towards the end of my shower once the hot water has been on my skin and helped soften up the cells a little bit so that they just exfoliate off much easier. And I'm pretty generous with this. Like I'll squeeze a lot out of the tube because I want it to feel like a full spa experience. And I always use it on a day that I'm going to shave because it helps remove some of those surface dead skin cells so they don't clog my hair follicles and make me more likely to get ingrown hair.
By the numbers
What they review most.
Against the grain
Dr. Sam Ellis'shot takes.
Products where their take diverges from the rest of the gurus.
On one hand, these are safe, relatively painless. You might see some like subtle snatchess right afterward. But on the con side, there's really no evidence that they provide a lasting result of any kind. And they're generally quite expensive, usually in like the $200 to $500 range. And for me, for the lack of evidence that exists, that's not worth it.
Promoting any type of rosemary oil, castor oil, or rice water to grow your hair, I would say at best there's strong anecdotal evidence for these things, but if you look at the scientific literature these oils don't really seem to help. I feel like these types of interventions are sort of like a coverup or a way to buy time as your hair naturally starts to regrow. A lot of people turn to things like rosemary oil and castor oil after they have a big shed event in their life, for example after childbirth or a big physical stressor or emotional stressor. Several months later you will have something called telogen effluvium in which you will lose a lot of hair very quickly, but that is not permanent hair loss, your body will naturally start to regrow that hair and stop shedding over the course of a year. But I also find that is the timeline when people are reaching for rosemary oil or castor oil to regrow their hair, and yes they are applying it and yes their hair is regrowing, but it's unlikely to be from the oil itself and much more likely to be due to your natural physiologic processes.
Promoting any type of rosemary oil, castor oil, or rice water to grow your hair, I would say at best there's strong anecdotal evidence for these things, but if you look at the scientific literature these oils don't really seem to help. I feel like these types of interventions are sort of like a coverup or a way to buy time as your hair naturally starts to regrow. A lot of people turn to things like rosemary oil and castor oil after they have a big shed event in their life, for example after childbirth or a big physical stressor or emotional stressor. Several months later you will have something called telogen effluvium in which you will lose a lot of hair very quickly. Now that is not a permanent hair loss, your body will naturally start to regrow that hair and stop shedding over the course of a year. But I also find that that is the timeline when people are reaching for rosemary oil or castor oil to regrow their hair, and yes they are applying it and yes their hair is regrowing, but it's unlikely to be from the oil itself and much more likely to be due to your natural physiologic processes.
Every take, in full
Every review.
All 239 products Dr. Sam Ellis has reviewed, grouped by product type. Click a product to see the full guru consensus.
"I have a small obsession with the Unite 7 Seconds detangler. I have been talking about this product on this channel for years because it just is so consistently amazing and nothing has really topped it for me. Not only does it detangle your hair really well, it makes styling so much more easy because it reduces the breakage when you are brushing your hair and it has heat protection up to 450 degrees. I love that this is in a nice spray bottle, so it's really easy to get an even coat of my hair. And this is particularly good if you have fine or limp hair. A lot of heat protectants can make the hair feel oily or weigh it down. And this just keeps your hair having all the volume it was naturally going to have, but it also protects it and it doesn't feel sticky or gross afterward. I use it on my son. I use it on me. It's really good for kid hair and it doesn't have a really overwhelming scent. I will spray this through my hair and then go in with a wide tooth comb or sometimes even just my fingers to rake out any knots or tangles and it helps so much with that process."
"Minoxidil is the only FDA approved topical for scalp hair regrowth and it works by prolonging the anagen phase or the growth phase of the hair follicle and also driving better blood flow to the follicle. When I am using Minoxidil on my eyebrows, I'm technically using it off label, but we actually have many good clinical papers now that show that consistent application of Minoxidil to the brows helps with growth there as well. For me, I just find this to be a very easy, high yield thing I can do in my routine. If you're trying to help promote brow growth or regrowth, minoxidil is a really nice, safe, well-tested option."
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All 3 takes on Minoxidil 5% Foam
"Weird" Things I Do for My Skin + Body That Make a HUGE Difference | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Minoxidil is the only FDA approved topical for scalp hair regrowth and it works by prolonging the anagen phase or the growth phase of the hair follicle and also driving better blood flow to the follicle. When I am using Minoxidil on my eyebrows, I'm technically using it off label, but we actually have many good clinical papers now that show that consistent application of Minoxidil to the brows helps with growth there as well. For me, I just find this to be a very easy, high yield thing I can do in my routine. If you're trying to help promote brow growth or regrowth, minoxidil is a really nice, safe, well-tested option."
Dermatologist Explains How Minoxidil Works for Hair Loss (How to Use, Results, & More)
"Topical minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication and it is the only FDA approved topical medication for the treatment of androgenetic hair loss also known as male pattern or female pattern hair loss. Rogaine is just the original brand name for minoxidil but now it's available generically as minoxidil. Although minoxidil is FDA approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, dermatologists will often recommend it for people with other types of hair loss including things like alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and some types of scarring hair loss such as lichen planopylaris as well as frontal fibrosis alopecia. If you're experiencing pretty much any type of hair loss or shedding you're a good candidate. Studies have consistently shown over and over again that you respond much better to hair growth interventions when you have more of your hair. Minoxidil tends to be a lifelong treatment, so you don't want to be using it forever if it's not going to work for you."
Is This Hair Loss Treatment Right for You? | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Topical minoxidil has been around since the 1980s. It used to be known as Rogaine, and now that patent is over and you can get it as a generic form minoxidil from most drugstores, you can get it at Costco. The benefit of it is that it's very convenient, you can get it over the counter, it's not particularly expensive, and it's quite effective. If someone is going to be using topical minoxidil, I always recommend they use the 5%. There is 2% available over the counter, but 5% is so much more effective. So if you're going to go through the time and effort of applying minoxidil every day, you might as well go with the one that's going to work better. In rare cases someone may have side effects from 5% minoxidil but be able to tolerate 2% minoxidil, and that is essentially the only case where I would recommend that lower concentration."
"Clear and Brilliant, which is also known as Baby Fraxel. It's made by the same company that makes Fraxel, is a fractional laser that creates these microscopic treatment zones within your skin to stimulate a wound healing response similar to micro needling. It also helps a bit with melasma and pigmentation. So that's just like another bonus of that resurfacing treatment."
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All 3 takes on Clear + Brilliant Laser
"Weird" Things I Do for My Skin + Body That Make a HUGE Difference | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Clear and Brilliant, which is also known as Baby Fraxel. It's made by the same company that makes Fraxel, is a fractional laser that creates these microscopic treatment zones within your skin to stimulate a wound healing response similar to micro needling. It also helps a bit with melasma and pigmentation. So that's just like another bonus of that resurfacing treatment."
Anti-Aging Laser Treatments That Change the GAME | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Clear and Brilliant is the little sister of Fraxel, they are made by the same company, but Clear and Brilliant is just a lot more gentle, less power. You need more treatments to see results, but the downtime and the cost is a lot less. If you have someone who's just starting to see those signs of skin aging, or someone who isn't seeing those signs of aging but wants to prevent them from really ever showing up, that's where this type of laser really has a role. These lasers are targeting the very superficial aspects of the skin, so you can get some brightening and some very subtle lightening of pigment. Then there is a deeper setting on the Clear and Brilliant where you can get more pore refinement and some improvement in texture, but when I'm talking texture, I'm talking about the earliest of fine lines. I am not talking about treating acne scars, for example."
Anti-Aging Laser Treatments That Change the GAME | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Clear and Brilliant is a safe laser for you to get and it can help temporarily with your melasma. Other lasers that are more aggressive like a Fraxel laser can actually flare somebody's melasma, so if I have a patient who's struggling with melasma pigmentation and maybe we have them on a medical protocol but they're also wondering what else they can do to improve their pigment, Clear and Brilliant is often what I recommend. Plus they're going to get some additional anti-aging benefits as well. These are quite gentle. They are performed in a series because you're not really going to see results from just one treatment, but when you do a series you'll really go, okay, this was like worth my spend. Treatments are typically spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. These lasers are so popular in my practice and in other people's practices because they also have basically no downtime."
"Radio frequency micro needling is not a bad technology. It's just very operator dependent. Although I would happily have superficial radio frequency micro needling done on me to keep my pores tight, to keep my skin glowy, I would not have deep radio frequency micro needling. The problem with a lot of these RF micro needling devices is they are found in med spas with very little supervision. There are a lot of people operating them that don't know how to pick the appropriate settings to achieve the aesthetic outcome that their patients want or they've promised their patient an aesthetic outcome that this type of device really can't achieve, namely significant skin tightening."
"Plain Vaseline will work the exact same way when it comes to efficacy, and you're not subjecting yourself to any risk. If you want your minor wounds to heal the best, we want to wash them regularly and keep them moist. So every day, you're going to use an antibacterial soap to gently wash the area. And then you can apply your Vaseline and then keep it covered."
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All 4 takes on Original Healing Jelly
Products I Would Never Let My Family Use (Dermatologist Approved NO List) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Plain Vaseline will work the exact same way when it comes to efficacy, and you're not subjecting yourself to any risk. If you want your minor wounds to heal the best, we want to wash them regularly and keep them moist. So every day, you're going to use an antibacterial soap to gently wash the area. And then you can apply your Vaseline and then keep it covered."
Dermatologist Explains How to Treat Minor Burns & Minimize Scarring | Dr. Sam Ellis
"There's a few different things that you can apply to a burn wound you can apply plain Vaseline or some type of protective ointment."
Dermatologist Explains Slugging: How to Add it to Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If we are talking slugging 101, this is typically done with 100% pure petroleum jelly, and the petroleum jelly product that most people are familiar with is good old-fashioned Vaseline. This has been around since the 1800s and has a very long proven track record. This proven track record isn't just for efficacy but also for safety. Cosmetic grade petrolatum that is used in products like these is completely safe. The reason that 100% pure petroleum jelly is so amazing is that one, it is inert, meaning that it doesn't bind with proteins in your skin that can induce an allergic reaction. So anytime you're using anything else in your skincare, whether it's preservatives, fragrance, etc., there's always a potential for allergenicity, but when you're looking at pure Vaseline, you just don't become allergic to it."
"The value of Vaseline is that it keeps your stitches kind of supple. The stitches they use can feel kind of pokey, almost like fishing lines, so if you keep them soft with Vaseline they're less likely to poke and irritate you. You can just apply this a couple times a day to the area after you go to the restroom and clean with a peri bottle."
"For patients who are immunocompromised, for example those on steroids or with diabetes or on chemotherapy or with a wound on their lower extremity at high risk of infection, we will recommend Polysporin because it doesn't contain neomycin. You can buy Polysporin over the counter at your drugstore or Target."
"Latisse has prostaglandins. So for most people, I do not recommend it. Now there are some people who have a lot of excess skin around the eyes that have a good amount of fat around the eyes, they're going to be fine with using something like Latisse. But if you've been using Latisse and you're noticing like, hey, my eyes are looking darker or more hollow, that is often why. The prostaglandins are incredibly effective for growing longer, thicker lashes, but for some people will cause fat loss around the eye and discoloration around the eye, which as you get older can be a lot more obvious and be more of a detriment to your appearance."
~Mixed
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All 3 takes on Latisse
Products I Would Never Let My Family Use (Dermatologist Approved NO List) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you are using a lash growth serum with prostaglandin analogues for a cosmetic purpose, the risks far far outweigh the benefits. They can cause increased vascularity of the skin, meaning growth of new blood vessels. Often people will find that when they use these really consistently, the margins around their eyelashes become red or purple. They can also change the color of your eye, lead to drooping of the eye, and cause hyperpigmentation around the eyes. Basically none of the things people want. That said, there will always be exceptions to this rule. I actually have patients in my practice who have been using them for over a decade and their skin looks totally fine around their eyes. They have not been subject to these side effects or at least not in a way that's negatively impacting their cosmetic outcome. If you've been using a lash growth serum with prostaglandin analogues, you should check and see if you have any of these side effects. Do your eyes look more hollow? Do you have more redness? Because those might not be worth the trade-off of having longer, fuller lashes."
5 Ways I'm Updating My Eye Makeup Now! Anti-Aging Makeup | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Latisse has prostaglandins. So for most people, I do not recommend it. Now there are some people who have a lot of excess skin around the eyes that have a good amount of fat around the eyes, they're going to be fine with using something like Latisse. But if you've been using Latisse and you're noticing like, hey, my eyes are looking darker or more hollow, that is often why. The prostaglandins are incredibly effective for growing longer, thicker lashes, but for some people will cause fat loss around the eye and discoloration around the eye, which as you get older can be a lot more obvious and be more of a detriment to your appearance."
Aging Eyebrows: Get Thicker, Fuller, Youthful Brows | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Latisse works by extending the growth phase of your hair so your hairs are able to grow more before they fall out and it helps thicken up and darken your hairs to give them more of a presence on your face. I love Latisse, it's actually really powerful when used in the right places. I have patients use it on their brows, I also have them use it in their hair and on their hairline so when used in the appropriate locations it does wonders. There is a risk of irritation so it's something to keep an eye out for but in general it tends to be well tolerated in the brow area and if you do happen to notice side effects you can always stop using it and the side effects should resolve."
"For my face, I am obsessed with the Tatcha Rice Polish. It is these super super fine granules and you can just buff it into your skin and it's not irritating. It's not harsh. It doesn't flare my rosacea, but afterward my skin immediately feels smoother than a baby's butt."
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All 4 takes on Rice Polish
Skincare Mistakes I Will NEVER Make Again as a Derm | Dr. Sam Ellis
"My favorite scrub of all time is the Tatcha Rice Polish. If you have not used this and you like a physical exfoliation but you might have sensitive skin, highly highly recommend it. It actually comes as a powder so you pour it out in your hand, you add a little bit of water and it creates this beautiful rich plushy foam that still somehow has like a little bit of scrub and grit to it. And afterward your skin feels like baby butt smooth but not stripped. It doesn't flare my rosacea. It's just fantastic."
My Real Routine: What I Tell Patients vs. What I Do Myself | Dr. Sam Ellis
"For my face, I am obsessed with the Tatcha Rice Polish. It is these super super fine granules and you can just buff it into your skin and it's not irritating. It's not harsh. It doesn't flare my rosacea, but afterward my skin immediately feels smoother than a baby's butt."
Holy Grail Skincare Gift Guide 2024 from a Dermatologist | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Their rice polish is a super nice gentle exfoliation product. This rice polish is so fine and gentle it gives such a beautiful exfoliation. Your skin feels baby but smooth afterward and it won't flare your skin if you're more sensitive or have something like rosacea going on. I always gift this to myself because it's one of my Holy Grail products."
Dermatologist Shares Exfoliators for Your Skin Type: Dry, Oily, Combination, Normal, & Sensitive
"I've tried a lot of physical exfoliants in my day and the reason I love the Tatcha Rice Polish so much is how fine the exfoliation is. It starts out as a powder that you put in your hands and then you add a little bit of water and work it into sort of like a grainy lather that you can gently massage into your skin. I like it because it's very hard to overdo it, there are not big grains that are going to tug on your skin or cause irritation. How much you're using of this product and how often you're using it are going to determine how much exfoliation you actually get. If you have really robust skin that you find is craving exfoliation on a regular basis, I do think this is actually gentle enough to use every day as one of your cleansing steps. As someone who has more sensitive skin, I would use this maybe one to two times a week to just help lift off that outer dead skin cell layer."
"You want to make sure that you are using 5% minoxidil. If you're just like walking down the drugstore aisles, you will see that 5% minoxidil and 2% minoxidil exist. And classically, the 5% has been approved for men and the 2% has been approved for women. But the reality is 5% works better in both men and women. And 5% minoxidil is safe for both men and women. The reason the 2% exists and is approved for women is when you bump up the strength of minoxidil to 5%, although you get much better hair growth on your head, there does come with that small risk of a side effect of getting a little bit of facial hair growth. But the reality is it's usually not much facial hair growth. That can also happen with the 2%. So you might as well just get the better results. Also, the 5% is usually cheaper than the 2%."
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All 4 takes on Topical Minoxidil 5%
Dermatologist Explains How Minoxidil Works for Hair Loss (How to Use, Results, & More)
"Topical minoxidil is an over-the-counter medication and it is the only FDA approved topical medication for the treatment of androgenetic hair loss"
Is This Hair Loss Treatment Right for You? | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I recommend topical minoxidil to so many of my hair loss patients"
Is This Hair Loss Treatment Right for You? | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Topical minoxidil has been around since the 1980s and now that the patent is over you can get it as a generic form from most drugstores, you can get it at Costco. The benefit of it is that it's very convenient, you can get it over the counter, it's not particularly expensive, and it's quite effective. If someone is going to be using topical minoxidil I always recommend they use the 5%. There is 2% available over the counter but 5% is so much more effective. If you're going to go through the time and effort of applying minoxidil every day you might as well go with the one that's going to work better. In rare cases someone may have side effects from 5% minoxidil but be able to tolerate 2% minoxidil and that is essentially the only case where I would recommend that lower concentration."
Minoxidil Hacks for Faster, Long Lasting Results | Dermatologist Explains | Dr. Sam Ellis
"You want to make sure that you are using 5% minoxidil. If you're just like walking down the drugstore aisles, you will see that 5% minoxidil and 2% minoxidil exist. And classically, the 5% has been approved for men and the 2% has been approved for women. But the reality is 5% works better in both men and women. And 5% minoxidil is safe for both men and women. The reason the 2% exists and is approved for women is when you bump up the strength of minoxidil to 5%, although you get much better hair growth on your head, there does come with that small risk of a side effect of getting a little bit of facial hair growth. But the reality is it's usually not much facial hair growth. That can also happen with the 2%. So you might as well just get the better results. Also, the 5% is usually cheaper than the 2%."
"The liquid tends to be more irritating than the foam. One of the reasons for that is the liquid has propylene glycol, and a lot of people actually have an allergy to this ingredient. So if you're having a lot of itchiness and flaking from your minoxidil, transitioning from liquid to foam is an easy first step. Some people's scalp adapts to the minoxidil. When I first started using it, probably for the first few months, I did have what looked like more dandruff, more flaking, but as I continued to use the minoxidil, my scalp seemed to be able to receive it and work with it better, and all of that went away on its own. It's very hard to be consistent if you're dreading putting it on because of what it's going to make your scalp feel like or look like. So strategizing with your dermatologist using these tips should help you get better results because it's going to allow you to be more consistent."
"If you cannot tolerate vitamin C in its ascorbic acid form because these are just going to be too irritating for certain sensitive or acne prone skin types, may I recommend the Revision Skincare C++ Correcting Complex. I am obsessed with this. They have really good clinical data on this specific formula. It is lovely. This formula uses tetrahexyl ascorbate, also known as THD ascorbate, which is just a different form of vitamin C, less irritating and a little more stable too. You'll see that this is white, whereas most vitamin C serums are going to be slightly yellowish, and that's from the vitamin C starting to oxidize a little bit. But this is so beautiful. I would put this on in the morning before I do my sunscreen."
"These hydrocolloid pimple patches help draw a little bit of fluid to the surface so they can actually help shrink your pimples faster. I really like the Mighty Patch. Whatever works for you, whether you want the little star-shaped or the heart-shaped or you want the ones that are more invisible like me, go for the Mighty Patch and you're going to be in good shape."
"Allies of Skin is another one where the products are a little bit more expensive but it's because they contain lots of different active ingredients and they're doing some clinical testing on how effective they are."
"In my office we offer something called HydraFacials and our patients love them. The reason I like a HydraFacial is because there's a very strict protocol of how it's administered, so every time I know that my patients are going to be getting something consistent, and if there needs to be a tweak, there's a protocol to do that too. A HydraFacial is not a relaxing type of facial, it's like a medical facial."
"The biggest appeal of oral minoxidil is just convenience, it's so much easier to take a pill every day than to apply a foam to your scalp every day and deal with the hair styling consequences that come with that, particularly for women, for people who have longer hairstyles, or for people who have a decent amount of hair but are just starting to notice thinning. Sometimes topical minoxidil can feel just like not worth it for how much benefit they're going to get compared to taking something oral where they might even get better hair growth with less of a chore involved. Oral minoxidil is not FDA approved for the treatment of hair loss, it's used as an off-label treatment. When we give oral minoxidil for hair loss we are using it at much, much lower doses, like one-fifth to one-tenth or even one-twentieth of the dose that we would give to treat hypertension. For men the max dose I usually use is 2.5 milligrams a day and for women 1.25 milligram a day. Topical minoxidil has the potential to cause irritation, flaking, and itch on the scalp, whereas if you're taking it orally you sort of avoid all of those."
"Something I like about Viviscal, and the reason I tend to recommend it to my patients, is because it has done clinical testing to show that their supplementation is actually effective for hair growth. So it's not just theoretical, but the people who have taken this supplement have actually seen benefits in their hair."
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All 2 takes on Viviscal
Haircare Products that Are Totally BOGUS | Dr. Sam Ellis| Dr. Sam Ellis
"Something I like about Viviscal, and the reason I tend to recommend it to my patients, is because it has done clinical testing to show that their supplementation is actually effective for hair growth. So it's not just theoretical, but the people who have taken this supplement have actually seen benefits in their hair."
How To Grow Longer, Healthier Hair Fast | Hair and Scalp Tips | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you are going to go the supplement route pick a supplement that has been vetted and has gone through clinical trials. The two hair growth supplements that I recommend the most in my practice are Nutrafol and Viviscal. To my knowledge these two supplements have not been compared head-to-head but they both have clinical trials showing successful hair growth when taking them for six months or more."
"Promoting any type of rosemary oil, castor oil, or rice water to grow your hair, I would say at best there's strong anecdotal evidence for these things, but if you look at the scientific literature these oils don't really seem to help. I feel like these types of interventions are sort of like a coverup or a way to buy time as your hair naturally starts to regrow. A lot of people turn to things like rosemary oil and castor oil after they have a big shed event in their life, for example after childbirth or a big physical stressor or emotional stressor. Several months later you will have something called telogen effluvium in which you will lose a lot of hair very quickly. Now that is not a permanent hair loss, your body will naturally start to regrow that hair and stop shedding over the course of a year. But I also find that that is the timeline when people are reaching for rosemary oil or castor oil to regrow their hair, and yes they are applying it and yes their hair is regrowing, but it's unlikely to be from the oil itself and much more likely to be due to your natural physiologic processes."
"CO2 lasers go a bit deeper and are a bit more intense. If you have deep etched-in lines and wrinkles, the best chance you have to minimize them is to do CO2 or an erbium laser, though most lasers are not going to completely erase your lines and wrinkles. However, with great results come great responsibility. The downtime of a CO2 laser can be 1 to 2 weeks, and it's not casual downtime like you have with a fraxel where it's a little flaking and peeling. We are talking about bright red raw skin. Usually within the first 48 hours of having a laser like this, you're having to clean your skin every 2 to 3 hours, and this includes in the middle of the night, because you are vaporizing channels of skin, you have lots of raw skin exposed, and it puts you at a high risk for infection. If you're having this type of treatment done, you are typically placed on antiviral medication, oral antibiotics, and sometimes antifungals. Aside from infection, you also run the risk of hyper or hypopigmentation and you also run the risk of prolonged erythema where the skin is reactive or red for many months after the procedure. These risks aren't that common, but they do happen."
"Another brand is Moxy. If you have someone who's just starting to see those signs of skin aging or someone who isn't seeing those signs of aging but wants to prevent them from really ever showing up, that's where this type of laser really has a role. These lasers are targeting the very superficial aspects of the skin so you can get some brightening and some very subtle lightening of pigment, and then there is a deeper setting where you can get more pore refinement and some improvement in texture. When I'm talking texture, I'm talking about the earliest of fine lines."
"The brand name of pulse dye laser that you may have heard of is called Vbeam. With any laser that is targeting redness in the skin, it's going to work the best if you have a visible superficial vessel. Lasers are targeting hemoglobin, they need to see that little tiny red blood cell in order to hit it. So if you just have kind of pink diffused skin, the laser can't really figure out where to go. That being said, most people who have flushing do have some dilated blood vessels, so by going in and treating those dilated blood vessels it will help with the flushing to some degree. Usually you're going to need several treatments to get the best results."
"Daxi and Dysport both kick in faster for me than Botox, so if I was kind of behind on my injection schedule and I'm leaving on vacation in a few days and I really need it to be kicked in, I might reach for something like Dysport. But in general I kind of just use whatever I have."
"The most common chemical depilatory cream out there is Nair and you have to be careful with using this on your face you want to start by patch testing it maybe on your inner arm to make sure it's not causing too much irritation to your skin. For some people they find a lot more success and a lot less irritation when they're using a chemical depilatory cream compared to shaving. Most of these chemical depilatories utilize an ingredient called thioglycolic acid which essentially dissolves the protein in your hair so you do have to be careful if you're using it on your face you don't want to put it anywhere near the hair you want to keep like your eyebrows."
"I take the supplement Neutral to help with my hair growth but it also has biotin in it and before I noticed it helping with my hair growth I actually noticed how much better my nails looked."
"If you are going to go the supplement route pick a supplement that has been vetted and has gone through clinical trials. The two hair growth supplements that I recommend the most in my practice are Nutrifol and Viviscal. To my knowledge these two supplements have not been compared head-to-head but they both have clinical trials showing successful hair growth when taking them for six months or more."
"There are other brands besides Botox you may have heard of them disport zamin juvo daify I'm going to be saying Botox but you mentally can be replacing that with any other bot linum toxin a brand that you want"
"There are other brands besides Botox you may have heard of them Dysport, Xeomin, Juveau, Daxxify. Botox is an injectable that when injected into specific muscles causes them to be paralyzed and you can paralyze them to varying degrees depending on the dose of Botox used. Cosmetically this is often done in muscles of the face to reduce the intensity of muscle contraction because it is repeated muscle contractions that lead to the skin creasing over and over again which in turn leads to fine lines and subsequent etched in permanent wrinkles."
"For really uncomfortable or itchy hemorrhoids, you can use Preparation H. This usually has an anti-inflammatory in it as well as something to help with itching as well as constriction of those swollen blood vessels."
"The most commonly used oral antifungal medication is terbinafine, also known as Lamisil. It's also available in topical formulations. This is active against many different types of fungus. It also treats some molds and kills yeast. Terbinafine offers the highest chance of cure, so about 75 percent of people who take this medication for 12 weeks, which is how you take it for your toenails, or six weeks, which is how long you take it for your fingernails, will have what we call a mycologic cure. Mycologic cure, which happens 75 percent of the time with terbinafene, is different than complete cure, and that is where you have a clinically normal appearing nail, and that only happens about 38 percent of the time for the toenails and 59 percent of the time for fingernails."
"I also have the Living Proof Full Dry Volume and Texture Spray. This is probably what I will be using most today since my hair does have volume, just to give it a little extra oomph and a little bit of grit. I don't need my hair to be super soft and touchable. I need it to last all day. This is like a work shape."
"This also contains a serum called Discoloration Defense which helps combat irregular pigment in the skin. Both the vitamin C topical in the Florentin CF and the Discoloration Defense are working to brighten the overall complexion. These are both really thin liquidy serums and they layer very well with one another."
"Another nail product that I really like is actually the Carousel Intensive Foot Repair. If you've watched some of my other Instagram videos you know that I love this for dry cracked heels, but it's also actually amazing around the nails. The way I would apply this is to just take a very small amount and apply it to the cuticle and around the proximal nail fold a few nights a week. That's going to help soften the skin around your nails as well as make it more moisturized. I find that if you're dealing with a lot of hang nails or ragged cuticles, this is a really good way to calm them down quickly."
"This is the Prequel Universal Skin Solution, it is hypochlorous acid. It's a very gentle refresher for the skin, it's antimicrobial, it's anti-inflammatory, and it's what I use every day in my own clinic to prepare my patient skin for procedures. It helps cleanse the skin. I found that sometimes people who have very sensitive skin have low-grade irritation going on from their environment or they have an unusual microbiome, so the bacteria and fungi and viruses that sit on their skin sensitize it, and using something like hypochlorous acid in your routine can be so helpful. I love this one in particular because the mist is just so beautifully fine. I often will use this after I work out, but it's also so gorgeous in a nighttime skincare routine and it's so refreshing. We launched this product over a year ago now, and since then so many of my patients have come in and said that this truly saved their skin, whether they were dealing with perioral dermatitis or a little eczema patch. People put this on bug bites and just random rashes."
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All 8 takes on Universal Skin Solution Dermal Spray for Face and Body
My Sensitive Skin Nighttime Skincare Routine as a Dermatologist | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is the Prequel Universal Skin Solution, it is hypochlorous acid. It's a very gentle refresher for the skin, it's antimicrobial, it's anti-inflammatory, and it's what I use every day in my own clinic to prepare my patient skin for procedures. It helps cleanse the skin. I found that sometimes people who have very sensitive skin have low-grade irritation going on from their environment or they have an unusual microbiome, so the bacteria and fungi and viruses that sit on their skin sensitize it, and using something like hypochlorous acid in your routine can be so helpful. I love this one in particular because the mist is just so beautifully fine. I often will use this after I work out, but it's also so gorgeous in a nighttime skincare routine and it's so refreshing. We launched this product over a year ago now, and since then so many of my patients have come in and said that this truly saved their skin, whether they were dealing with perioral dermatitis or a little eczema patch. People put this on bug bites and just random rashes."
Dermatologist Explains Hypochlorous Acid: How to Use it in Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Prequel version of hypochlorous acid is called Universal Skin Solution to denote how universal it can really be. I really love the spray mechanism on this, one issue I found with hypochlorous acid sprays in the past is you don't get a nice fine mist when you spray, it's more of a squirt, and so I really find that this has a beautiful application on the skin. I do want to make it very clear that the Prequel hypochlorous acid is not considered a drug, it is really a cosmetic, so we really think of it as calming, soothing, purifying the skin, but it is not a treatment or cure for things like acne or rosacea."
Dermatologist Explains Hypochlorous Acid: How to Use it in Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I'm such a fan of hypochlorous acid and I've seen so many of my own patients benefit from it over the years, so it was really important to me that when I created my own skincare brand Prequel, we had a hypochlorous acid product as well. The Prequel version is called Universal Skin Solution to denote how universal it can really be. I really love the spray mechanism on this because one issue I found with hypochlorous acid sprays in the past is you don't get a nice fine mist when you spray, it's more of a squirt, and so I really find that this has a beautiful application on the skin. I do want to make it very clear that this is not considered a drug; it is a cosmetic, so we really think of it as calming, soothing, and purifying the skin, but it is not a treatment or cure for things like acne or rosacea."
GRWM Skincare & Makeup Routine: Sharing Our Trip to Japan (Tokyo & Kyoto) | Dermatologist
"This is so amazing for like sensitive irritated skin. If you have irritated skin, if you have reactive skin, it's just fantastic."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Hypochlorous Acid Spray, Universal Skin Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This skin solution spray has hypochlorous acid, and hypochlorous acid is something that I use in my practice many many times a day pretty much on every single patient that I'm doing any type of procedure on. Hypochlorous acid is an antimicrobial ingredient that we really use to cleanse the skin, reduce inflammation, and prepare it for any treatment. For many years doctors just use alcohol to prep skin for procedures, but as we all know alcohol can be irritating and drying, and so there's been this big shift towards hypochlorous acid, which has all of those great antimicrobial properties but without the irritation that can come with alcohol or other cleansers. Hypochlorous acid is something that dermatologists have been recommending to patients with eczema and atopic dermatitis for years because it really helps reduce inflammation on the skin and remove microbial agents that can be irritating or cause inflammation. Even though I use hypochlorous acid spray in my clinic all the time to prepare my patients for procedures, it's not just a cleanser, it is a multi-purpose spray that you can use in your day-to-day life to accomplish so many things when it comes to skin care. I really wanted a hypochlorous acid spray in Prequel's lineup because of its versatility, and I feel like there are so many people out there who have sensitive skin who want to cleanse their skin, prep their skin, soothe their skin."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Hypochlorous Acid Spray, Universal Skin Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I find that when I incorporate this into my routine my skin just feels more fresh over the course of the day it looks calmer my pores look more refined it actually does a lot more than I even ever expected it to do. I like to use this hypochlorous acid spray before I go in with any of my serums sunscreen. It's perfect for that soothing and visual reduction in redness without having to put a thick layer of another product. I also feel like it really is great for reviving the skin throughout the day because you can spray this on top of sunscreen on top of makeup to sort of refresh and also calm the soothe the skin. I also personally think this is a gym bag staple because you can use it to prep your skin before a workout but also afterward if you can't jump in the shower right away spraying it in the armpits or on your chest and back places where you might be prone to congestion or texture. Hypochlorous acid is effective yet gentle and I think sometimes when people hear the word acid in anything they just assume that it could irritate their skin but hypochlorous acid is different and especially at this concentration it is gentle."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Hypochlorous Acid Spray, Universal Skin Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"You can use it on your face and your body and really get all of the value that you need from it. Dermatologists have understood that hypochlorous acid is incredible, and I want to help you understand how to use hypochlorous acid to be the most beneficial for you. This mist when I tell you it is so fine, you put it on your skin it sits there for a second and then it flashes off so that you're not really sitting there wet or sticky from its application. It just makes it so easy to use on the go. We formulated the skin solution spray to be incredibly stable because hypochlorous acid can be a little bit finicky and it is so important that the processing is correct so that that hypochlorous acid remains effective in solution and can continue to work its magic in the packaging and then when it's on the skin. I like to put it on after the shower, I towel dry after the shower I spritz it on especially in my armpits because I don't love wearing antiperspirant all the time and this is a really nice way for me to control body odor. I spray it on my face, usually one two one two like three spritzes on my face, it dries down in like two seconds and then I go in with my antioxidant usually my vitamin C. A lot of people wonder can you use something like hypochlorous acid and then follow it up with an antioxidant like vitamin C and yes you can, you just have to let this one dry which happens pretty much instantaneously and then you can proceed with the rest of your routine. I also like to have one of these in my to-go bag because it is really nice to refresh the skin midday."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Hypochlorous Acid Spray, Universal Skin Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is formulated with electrolyzed water and hypochlorous acid, and that balance has to be perfect to ensure that it does everything that you want it to. It's also formulated with a soothing mineral concentrate which is a little bit higher in magnesium to really ensure skin hydration when this is applied. Someone might look at a hypochlorous acid spray and say oh that's just bleach and water, no, it's so much more than that. You have to get the perfect concentrations, you have to stabilize it, and this is really a hero product that I feel like has been undervalued for so long. You can use it everywhere, it's great for sensitive skin. This product is fragrance free, alcohol free, pH stabilized, safe for all skin types, safe for those who have sensitive skin and eczema and psoriasis. It's really meant for all skin. This is something that's part of my everyday life both in my Dermatology office and outside the office."
"The tier tier ceramic milk ampule, I found the name kind of intriguing but it didn't disappoint. One of the reasons this is in my current faves is because I've never really tried a product quite like it before. I would describe it as if you took a moisturizer and a face oil and they had a love child. So it has this beautiful hydrating moisturizing property to it, but it's quite liquidy so it rubs in beautifully to the skin and then leaves this lasting glow the same way when you put on like a body oil. If you're someone with really dry skin where you put your moisturizer on, finish your skincare routine, and your skin still feels thirsty, it still wants something more, I am obsessed with this. I personally would use this more in my nighttime skincare routine, though if you're going for that really glowy glass skin look during the day you could use it during the day as well. I don't love face oils because they feel a little bit too heavy, but this where it's kind of like you get that oil effect but it's got more of that moisturizing milky quality."
"Starting off with the holy grail of antioxidant serums for the past 20 years, Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic, which will run you about $185 a bottle. This product paved the way for every other vitamin C serum on the market because this exact formula has been clinically proven to enhance sun protection, reduce fine lines, and fade dark spots. When you hear dermatologists and aestheticians talk about how amazing vitamin C is for your skin, it is because of the studies done on C E Ferulic specifically. For those reasons, it's not a bad place to spend your money, and I actually carry it in my own practice because it is the gold standard."
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All 7 takes on C E Ferulic
I Tested The World's Most Popular Vitamin C Serums — These are the Best | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I could not do a global bestsellers vitamin C list without including SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. This is probably some of the most expensive vitamin C you can buy, running about $185 for a bottle, but it is truly the gold standard when it comes to vitamin C. What I mean by it being the gold standard is SkinCeuticals did the original clinical trials on vitamin C and its efficacy with this exact formula. So when we make the generalization that vitamin C helps with collagen production and brightening of the skin, we are not actually saying that all vitamin C products do that; we are really saying that SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic does that and has proven to do so. This has 15% L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, which is sort of the holy trinity of antioxidants. This was actually the first vitamin C that I ever used. I started using it in my 20s when I was a dermatology resident because they give you tons of products to try, and this one really stood out to me. It's kind of a watery, slightly oily texture and it's very hydrating on the skin. It's definitely effective and I have no qualms recommending it to someone who does not have budgetary constraints. But I don't love that it's $185, and I also don't love that it comes in a dropper bottle. That does make it oxidize a little bit faster. And dropper bottles are also a problem for me."
Hyperpigmentation Morning Skincare Routine with Hydroquinone | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is like prestige antioxidant skin care. The texture is super nice, it's a lightweight serum but it's not as watery as some of the ascorbic acid-based serums like Skinceuticals C E Ferulic, which I also really love, that one's super watery, this one's thicker than that. Vitamin C is helpful for helping you produce collagen and it also slows the breakdown of collagen. When it comes to addressing melasma and hyperpigmentation, it also inhibits an enzyme in your skin called tyrosinase, and tyrosinase is what makes melanin, the pigment in your skin. So when you slow that process down or reduce it, you're able to get your pigmentation under better control. In addition to having vitamin C in here in the form of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, which is an oil-soluble form of vitamin C, this also has so many other antioxidants in it. Yeah, it's a pricier vitamin C for sure, but I think it's not just a vitamin C. To me, this is a very comprehensive antioxidant serum."
Science-Backed Skincare Dupes Saving My Patients Thousands | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Starting off with the holy grail of antioxidant serums for the past 20 years, Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic, which will run you about $185 a bottle. This product paved the way for every other vitamin C serum on the market because this exact formula has been clinically proven to enhance sun protection, reduce fine lines, and fade dark spots. When you hear dermatologists and aestheticians talk about how amazing vitamin C is for your skin, it is because of the studies done on C E Ferulic specifically. For those reasons, it's not a bad place to spend your money, and I actually carry it in my own practice because it is the gold standard."
I Tried 16 Ways to Boost Collagen —Here’s What Actually Worked To Firm My Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Pretty much all the good data we have when it comes to using topical vitamin C was done on this specific product, Skinceuticals. I think pretty much every dermatologist would agree with me that this is the gold standard sort of holy grail. It's probably one of the most expensive vitamin C's you can buy, but it is also the best studied vitamin C in the world."
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The undisputed king of vitamin C is Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. This is the vitamin C that put this antioxidant on the map. It's what proved vitamin C can be efficacious in skincare. It is the most well-studied formula when it comes to vitamin C ever. If that's the vitamin C you want in your routine, you're going to pay for it, it's like $180, but for so many people that is worth the spend in your routine because that is the most proven version of this product. If you can use vitamin C and it's within your budget, I recommend it. It helps with collagen production, it helps with brightening and dark marks, and it helps enhance the efficacy of your sunscreen."
"The most popular L-ascorbic acid or topical antioxidant product of all time is the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. The clinical studies that prove L-ascorbic acid's efficacy were actually done on this specific patented formula. This contains 15% L-ascorbic acid as well as Vitamin E and ferulic acid, which are other antioxidants that help keep that L-ascorbic acid stable and effective. I've been using this topical antioxidant for years. For a long time there really weren't any dupes or competitors, and because of that instability of L-ascorbic acid, I was always a little nervous about using a different product that wasn't using that exact patented formula. SkinCeuticals has increased the price of this yet again, it used to be in the $160s and it's now $182 in the US, which is steep and a big ask for most people. I still think it's an awesome product. It's still in my skincare cabinet and I still use it, but it is expensive."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The gold standard antioxidant is vitamin C. It's why SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is so renowned because they did the initial pioneering research to determine that L-ascorbic acid, that specific form of vitamin C, when formulated as they have formulated it really helps with things like brightening the skin but also protecting against things like collagen breakdown."
"One of the most respected products in this space is Neod's copper amino isolate serum. It's around $65 and is formulated with a 1% copper peptide complex that can help improve skin elasticity and structural anti-aging. It's a great product, but it also offers something quite similar to the multipeptide plus 1% copper peptide serum from The Ordinary. I actually think the one from The Ordinary is better because not only does it have that 1% concentration of copper peptides, it also contains a multitude of other anti-aging peptides. So, you're getting a much more comprehensive serum at half the price."
"One of my favorites for this is the Timeless Coenzyme Q10 Serum. This not only has the coenzyme Q10, but also has Matrixyl 3000, which is probably the best anti-aging peptide. So you get a peptide, you get coenzyme Q10 in this really luxurious, non-irritating serum that you can use morning or night. It's also super affordable."
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4 Alternatives to Vitamin C You Should NOT Sleep On | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my favorites for this is the Timeless Coenzyme Q10 Serum. This not only has the coenzyme Q10, but also has Matrixyl 3000, which is probably the best anti-aging peptide. So you get a peptide, you get coenzyme Q10 in this really luxurious, non-irritating serum that you can use morning or night. It's also super affordable."
I’m Changing How My Patients Do Anti-Aging Skincare (5 Key Upgrades) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The other antioxidant serum that I will often recommend especially if someone is on a tighter budget is the Timeless Coenzyme Q10 Serum. This not only has coenzyme Q10 but it also has Matrixyl 3000, which is a great anti-aging peptide. So this is a powerhouse peptide and a powerhouse antioxidant in one very affordable serum."
"I am also a big fan of the La Roche-Posay Mela B3 serum, which has 10% niacinamide. That texture is a little bit richer. It almost feels like a lightweight lotion rather than a true serum. So, I like it for more mature or dry skin. And because it not only contains niacinamide, but also mel, which is a patented pigment fighting ingredient from L'Oreal, it's particularly good if people are trying to fight pigmentation by incorporating niacinamide in a higher concentration within their routine."
"Things like Bio-Oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, these really prey on a person's insecurity about developing stretch marks, but they have never been shown to actually be effective in preventing them."
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All 2 takes on BIO Oil
Products I Would Never Let My Family Use (Dermatologist Approved NO List) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Things like Bio-Oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, these really prey on a person's insecurity about developing stretch marks, but they have never been shown to actually be effective in preventing them."
Skincare Trends That Need to STOP | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Any time I talk about stretch marks I will always get comments that are like well I used Bio Oil on my belly during pregnancy and I didn't have a single stretch mark that is so wonderful but that's not the Bio Oil that is just what your body is naturally doing."
"The Timeless 20% vitamin C serum typically costs under $25 and has that same holy trinity of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. It has a lightweight, watery texture and comes in a pump bottle, which I really appreciate. This one has 20% L-ascorbic acid, which for some people is going to be amazing and their skin's going to tolerate it super well, but for others may be too irritating. I find this serum works really well for me for about a month and then as I continue to use it, my skin starts to feel a little bit sensitive. It's nothing horrible, but if you lean more sensitive with your skin, it's just something to be cognizant of. If you want that skin-suitcase vitamin C and ferulic effect without the price point, this one comes the closest to doing that."
"This is going to run you about $24 to $30 depending on which retailer you are purchasing it from. It is 10% L-ascorbic acid, so a slightly lower concentration than your average vitamin C product. And what I really like about it is the consistency. It's sort of like a thicker gel. And a lot of vitamin C serums are very watery, which makes them great for layering, but it can also make them kind of messy. Aside from that L-ascorbic acid, it also has those skin barrier supporting ceramides that CeraVe is super well known for. I would have to say this is one of my absolute favorite budget friendly vitamin C serums. It's very fairly priced. It's good for travel. It still has the most proven form of vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, at a slightly lower concentration. So if someone does have slightly sensitive skin, but still wants to be using the most proven form of vitamin C, it's an excellent option."
"The Ordinary just came out with a volufiline product which is essentially a molecule that has been shown to increase fat cell growth in the skin. So you can imagine if you have hollow under eyes or the fat pads under your eyes are sort of shrinking down, doing anything possible to sort of add fat or volume back to that area would be amazing. Now the clinical trials around volufiline are not super impressive, but it's a very affordable product. So I think there's very little harm in trying it and something like this I would probably think about using for at least 6 to 9 months before I really had a good understanding of whether or not it was benefiting me. This is a very concentrated serum, so you don't put it directly on dry skin. You can either mix it with your moisturizer or you can apply it on top of your moisturizer. And the way I would recommend using it if you're volufiline curious is to apply your normal eye cream and then put a little drop of volufiline right on top."
"One of my more affordable recommendations is the Maelove Peptide Squad that has arjolene. It's got Matrixyl 3000. It has copper peptides. So like the main heavy hitters."
"I did try the Plated exosome serum just out of personal curiosity. I used it every day for 3 months. And I do feel like it helped with the redness of my rosacea and maybe my skin looked a little bit less textured, but it wasn't enough of an impact for me to feel like, yeah, I feel confident recommending this or selling this to my patients."
"I also really like the one from Medik8 if you have a little more room in your budget and you want to incorporate a wider buffet of peptides."
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All 4 takes on Liquid Peptides Advanced MP+
Dermatologists' NO FAIL Anti-Aging Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is also quite hydrating. This is also another product that they've done their own clinicals on it to show that it helps with fine lines and wrinkles."
I Tried 16 Ways to Boost Collagen —Here’s What Actually Worked To Firm My Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you have a little more room in your budget and you want a more comprehensive peptide product, I really love the Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP. This has 13 different peptides. It has Metatricxel 3000. It has the copper peptides, but some additional skin boosting peptides in there as well. Really nice lightweight texture. You can layer this before or after your retinoid in the evening. You could use it in the morning if it works better in your routine there. It's very versatile."
My Real Routine: What I Tell Patients vs. What I Do Myself | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I also really like the one from Medik8 if you have a little more room in your budget and you want to incorporate a wider buffet of peptides."
Dermatologist's Favorite Skincare Products of 2023! Vitamin C Serum, Sunscreens, & More
"The other serum that I've been using a ton this year is by Medik8 and it's their Liquid Peptides. Peptides are one of those things in skincare that often feel a bit vague because there are so many different types of peptides, but the reason I like this one from Medik8 is they've really taken the most proven peptides and incorporated them into one serum that to me is relatively affordable for how much goodness is packed into one product. Peptides can do a lot of different things, they can help with collagen production, they can help with fine lines, they can smooth the skin, they can plump the skin, and the blend that is in this particular product I think is really wonderful. I also like that this is a pretty lightweight serum so again it layers well with other products and when I'm thinking about serum steps I just never want my skin to feel heavy or feel weighed down and I never want my products to peel up or ball up on the skin when I apply my sunscreen for example, and this really plays nice with others. The one thing I'll say about this and this is really only if you're like a real stickler for texture is occasionally it feels a bit tacky or like sticky on the skin and some days I'm like oh I don't really love that and other days it really doesn't bother me, but that's just something I think that's worth pointing out."
"One of my favorite relatively affordable peptide serums is the May Love Peptide Squad. This one just has some of the most proven peptides when it comes to anti-aging."
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My Real Routine: What I Tell Patients vs. What I Do Myself | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my favorite relatively affordable peptide serums is the May Love Peptide Squad. This one just has some of the most proven peptides when it comes to anti-aging."
10 Anti-Aging Skincare Routine UPGRADES! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my all-time favorite peptide serums I talk about it all the time on this channel is the May Love Peptide Squad. This serum has a really nice blend of procollagen and anti-inflammatory peptides. It incorporates seamlessly into a routine and it's nice and lightweight, so if you already have other serums that you like and you love the moisturizer that you're using, you can kind of slip this one right in between those two steps."
Make Your Retinoids Work BETTER | Easy Retinol Hacks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Peptides and retinoids are very complimentary when it comes to anti-aging benefits. The May Love Peptide Squad, the peptide serum from Medicate Love, has a really good peptide blend. You could put that right under your retinoid and now you're getting multiple skin enhancing benefits plus you're getting a little bit of protection from that serum."
"If you like the idea of azelaic acid but don't have a prescription for it, you could try an over-the-counter version, like a 10% azelaic acid. The Ordinary has a great azelaic acid emulsion that layers very beautifully with other products and is incredibly affordable. Azelaic acid is really nice because it inhibits excess pigment production. It's an antioxidant. It helps smooth the skin. And for people who have easily irritated skin, for people who are pregnant, azelaic acid is an incredible option."
"The Allies of Skin Tranexamic and Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum is a very very good hyperpigmentation serum. Yes, it is on the pricier side, but it's not just because they're expensive. It's because they tend to have multiple efficacious ingredients at efficacious levels. I feel like Allies of Skin just does a really good job at balancing their products, but they're not putting too much in, and they're really being mindful of the pH of the products and the appropriate efficacy levels. This one is really fantastic and people see great results. This formula has 2% alpha arbutin, which is a really strong pigment inhibitor. I love to see it in a hyperpigmentation product. It's also a precursor to hydroquinone, which is the gold standard topical for treating any form of hyperpigmentation."
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All 2 takes on Tranexamic and Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Allies of Skin Tranexamic and Arbutin Advanced Brightening Serum is a very very good hyperpigmentation serum. Yes, it is on the pricier side, but it's not just because they're expensive. It's because they tend to have multiple efficacious ingredients at efficacious levels. I feel like Allies of Skin just does a really good job at balancing their products, but they're not putting too much in, and they're really being mindful of the pH of the products and the appropriate efficacy levels. This one is really fantastic and people see great results. This formula has 2% alpha arbutin, which is a really strong pigment inhibitor. I love to see it in a hyperpigmentation product. It's also a precursor to hydroquinone, which is the gold standard topical for treating any form of hyperpigmentation."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Allies of Skin just does a really good job at balancing their products, being mindful of the pH of the products and the appropriate efficacy levels. This formula has 2% alpha arbutin, which is a really strong pigment inhibitor. I love to see it in a hyperpigmentation product. It's also a precursor to hydroquinone, which is the gold standard topical for treating any form of hyperpigmentation. Having a precursor of hydroquinone in the form of alpha arbutin allows you to have a lot of those similar pigment blocking abilities without the irritation without the big hit of hydroquinone to your skin. It also has 3% tranexamic acid in it which can be helpful for pigmentation as well particularly through an anti-inflammatory pathway. This also has a brightening licorice root extract."
"This product is genius. I feel like I haven't talked about it enough and it deserves more attention. So this has 1% oxyresveratrol which is a very potent yet gentle antioxidant that has all of the beneficial antioxidant effects but it also has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase which is an enzyme in our skin that produces melanin that produces pigment. So when you block that enzyme from functioning you reduce that excess pigment formation. In addition to the oxyresveratrol this also has tetrapeptide 30 which is a peptide that also blocks tyrosinase. So, specifically for people who have hyperpigmentation and especially for those who are too sensitive to use vitamin C, which is also great for hyperpigmentation, I highly, highly recommend you try this. I also feel like I should say since this bottle looks incredibly small, that one package of this comes with two bottles and you activate them separately so that you go through one entire bottle and then you activate the second bottle because the big issue with antioxidants is they can be quite unstable. Medik8 has done a very smart thing here and they have you go through half the product at once and then you can activate the other half of the product so that what you're using is always going to be in its most efficacious form."
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All 2 takes on Oxy R Peptides
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This product is genius. I feel like I haven't talked about it enough and it deserves more attention. So this has 1% oxyresveratrol which is a very potent yet gentle antioxidant that has all of the beneficial antioxidant effects but it also has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase which is an enzyme in our skin that produces melanin that produces pigment. So when you block that enzyme from functioning you reduce that excess pigment formation. In addition to the oxyresveratrol this also has tetrapeptide 30 which is a peptide that also blocks tyrosinase. So, specifically for people who have hyperpigmentation and especially for those who are too sensitive to use vitamin C, which is also great for hyperpigmentation, I highly, highly recommend you try this. I also feel like I should say since this bottle looks incredibly small, that one package of this comes with two bottles and you activate them separately so that you go through one entire bottle and then you activate the second bottle because the big issue with antioxidants is they can be quite unstable. Medik8 has done a very smart thing here and they have you go through half the product at once and then you can activate the other half of the product so that what you're using is always going to be in its most efficacious form."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This has an antioxidant that also has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase, which is an enzyme in our skin that produces melanin and pigment. When you block that enzyme from functioning, you reduce that excess pigment formation. In addition to the oxyresvératrol, this also has tetrapeptide-30, which is a peptide that also blocks tyrosinase. So specifically for people who have hyperpigmentation and especially for those who are too sensitive to use vitamin C, which is also great for hyperpigmentation, I highly, highly recommend you try this. One package comes with two bottles and you activate them separately so that you go through one entire bottle and then you activate the second bottle because the big issue with antioxidants is they can be quite unstable. Medik8 has done a very smart thing here and they have you go through half the product at once and then you can activate the other half of the product so that what you're using is always going to be in its most efficacious form."
"Peach and Lily makes a super nice, relatively affordable lactic acid serum, and it also has a ton of peptides in it. So if you're looking for something to gently exfoliate, but also give you a peptide step in your routine, maybe you're trying to streamline a little bit, highly recommend."
"I really like azelaic acid. This is antimicrobial. It's anti-inflammatory. It helps with pigmentation. It's kind of like a jack of all trades when it comes to clearing your skin. So it can be a nice add-on to your retinoid routine or you can use it on its own. I love the one that Polish Choice makes."
"This is a peptide and growth factor serum. You just need one pump for my entire face and neck. This is definitely a more expensive skincare product, and I always say if you're going to invest a hundred or more dollars in your skincare product, they should generally have some type of clinical trials or something showing its efficacy. So, this has good clinical data to show that it helps with fine lines, wrinkles, and even skin sagging. There's not a lot in skincare that helps with sagging. Now, it's not going to lift your jowls up, but I do find that for people who apply it to their neck or around their eyes, they do notice noticeable improvements. And this is just a product I really enjoy using, especially someone who has rosacea and more reactive skin, I also find this quite calming and not irritating. So, I'm a big fan."
"The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is a combination growth factor peptide serum that is a Holy Grail for so many people who take their anti-aging game very seriously. You would apply it to your bare clean skin ideally twice a day, and it's been shown to help with fine lines and wrinkles, but it's also been shown to help with sagging. Sometimes people are just starting to notice their skin is getting a little bit saggy, a little less firm, and tons of people swear by this in terms of seeing really truly visible results when it comes to tightening things up. There's not a lot of stuff in skincare that can really do that. This is another one of those products that has clinical testing behind it, so it's not just like cross your fingers and hope. They did a really nice 24-week study, so that is longer than a lot of skin studies most end at like 12 weeks. It showed progressive improvement of the skin starting at 2 weeks and getting better all the way through 24 weeks. I have a handful of patients within my cosmetic practice that I would consider super agers, these are women in their 60s and 70s who just look incredible, and I think every single one of them uses this product."
"It has a bakuchiol complex and that's great for pigmentation and anti-aging, so tons of heavy hitters here. It also feels really nice on the skin, it's like a milky serum. You could use it once a day or twice a day. I usually say twice a day if you're dealing with lots of hyperpigmentation and your skin isn't particularly sensitive. For some people, AIC acid twice a day is going to be a little intense, and I would layer it in your routine where you normally put your serums. Yeah, huge fan of this."
"Because vitamin C is relatively unstable it can be problematic with a lot of different things if not considered. People wonder about combining it with niacinamide because there are tons of posts on social media saying you shouldn't combine them, but that misconception is based on very old data and it has been dispelled time and time again. Vitamin C and niacinamide are completely fine together and in fact they actually work quite nicely together to combat hyperpigmentation."
"I have been loving the Nutrium Multipeptide Rich Cream. I already liked their normal peptide cream and now they've made a richer version of it and it is so good if you need an affordable moisturizer that's nice and thick."
"I like to use the OGX Coconut Miracle Oil, which is such a good product. Using something like this still gives you the benefits of using a coconut oil but it's a much lighter product, so I find that it rinses a lot cleaner in the shower. I will apply it to kind of the dry ends and then usually I'm going to work out, which allows it to kind of sink in. I like to keep it in for at least like an hour, but that's a personal preference, you could use it overnight if you wanted to and then rinse it off in the morning. When I shower and wash my hair, I just find that my ends are a lot smoother."
"Promoting any type of rosemary oil, castor oil, or rice water to grow your hair, I would say at best there's strong anecdotal evidence for these things, but if you look at the scientific literature these oils don't really seem to help. I feel like these types of interventions are sort of like a coverup or a way to buy time as your hair naturally starts to regrow. A lot of people turn to things like rosemary oil and castor oil after they have a big shed event in their life, and several months later their hair is regrowing. But yes they are applying it and yes their hair is regrowing, but it's unlikely to be from the oil itself and much more likely to be due to your natural physiologic processes."
"Promoting any type of rosemary oil, castor oil, or rice water to grow your hair, I would say at best there's strong anecdotal evidence for these things, but if you look at the scientific literature these oils don't really seem to help. I feel like these types of interventions are sort of like a coverup or a way to buy time as your hair naturally starts to regrow. A lot of people turn to things like rosemary oil and castor oil after they have a big shed event in their life, for example after childbirth or a big physical stressor or emotional stressor. Several months later you will have something called telogen effluvium in which you will lose a lot of hair very quickly, but that is not permanent hair loss, your body will naturally start to regrow that hair and stop shedding over the course of a year. But I also find that is the timeline when people are reaching for rosemary oil or castor oil to regrow their hair, and yes they are applying it and yes their hair is regrowing, but it's unlikely to be from the oil itself and much more likely to be due to your natural physiologic processes."
"I love The Virtue hair oil especially if you have thinner fine hair."
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All 4 takes on Healing Oil
How To Grow Longer, Healthier Hair Fast | Hair and Scalp Tips | Dr. Sam Ellis
"My hands down favorite hair oil is the Virtue Healing Oil. I have tried so many other hair oils and the reason I like this one so much is that it feels incredibly lightweight on my hair. I think one of the most annoying things is when you go to put hair oil in and your hair's looking pretty good and you're just trying to refresh it and then your hair comes out looking greasier and worse than it did before and I have never had that issue with the Virtue Healing Oil."
Dermatologist's Haircare Routine: How I Style & Care for My Hair While Traveling | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love The Virtue Healing Oil. I talked about this all the time. Their actual bigger version of this is also travel size friendly but I thought this one was just like so cute. I'm going to focus it mostly on like the bottom thirds of my hair, just to keep everything nice and nourished."
"One of my favorite healing oils of all time is the Virtue Healing Oil. I love this one so much because it's very lightweight and if you have fine hair and you're worried about hair oils making your hair look greasy or heavy, this doesn't do that. Plus it has this really nice light coconut scent which to me is just so beachy and heavenly."
Easy Ways To Improve Aging Hair | Fix Brittle, Dry, Wiry Hair | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love The Virtue hair oil especially if you have thinner fine hair."
"Castor oil is something that has traditionally been used in a lot of cultures to aid in hair softening and hair growth, but there are no scientific studies that show that it actually improves hair growth or eyelash growth. As an oil it can make a nice coating on the hair that can maybe improve the luster of the hair a little bit, and it might be able to soften brittle eyelashes a bit, but it's still never been shown to actually help with those things. There is a small ophthalmology study that shows that castor oil might help with blepharitis, which is inflammation along the lash line, so if you're struggling to grow your eyelashes because you have chronically irritated red itchy eyes, using castor oil might help reduce that inflammation and allow you to grow better lashes, but I feel like that is a very niche use of this oil. As much as TikTok would like you to believe that castor oil is the miracle oil when it comes to hair care, it's just not. When it comes to hair health and helping with hair brittleness, by far and away the most studied and most proven oil is coconut oil."
"My absolute favorite vitamin C product that utilizes a vitamin C derivative is the SkinBetter Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum. The reason I love this antioxidant serum so much and why I think it's sort of worth that higher price point is because this not only includes that vitamin C derivative THD ascorbate but also so many other incredible antioxidants. I also really appreciate that SkinBetter has done some clinical studies on this exact product to show that it helps with skin integrity as well as discoloration. This is a very creamy yet lightweight serum and I find that it plays well with a lot of other skincare products and builds well in a routine."
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All 2 takes on Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum
Hyperpigmentation Morning Skincare Routine with Hydroquinone | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is like prestige antioxidant skincare. This texture is super nice. It's a lightweight serum but it's not as watery as some of the ascorbic acid-based serums, so it's thicker than that. Vitamin C is helpful for helping you produce collagen and also slows the breakdown of collagen. When it comes to addressing melasma and hyperpigmentation, it also inhibits an enzyme in your skin called tyrosinase, and tyrosinase is what makes melanin, the pigment in your skin. So when you slow that process down or reduce it, you're able to get your pigmentation under better control."
Best Vitamin C for Sensitive Skin | No More Irritation! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"My absolute favorite vitamin C product that utilizes a vitamin C derivative is the SkinBetter Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum. The reason I love this antioxidant serum so much and why I think it's sort of worth that higher price point is because this not only includes that vitamin C derivative THD ascorbate but also so many other incredible antioxidants. I also really appreciate that SkinBetter has done some clinical studies on this exact product to show that it helps with skin integrity as well as discoloration. This is a very creamy yet lightweight serum and I find that it plays well with a lot of other skincare products and builds well in a routine."
"The Nutrium Vitamin C Complex is a product that not only has L-ascorbic acid but it also has sodium ascorbyl phosphate in it, so you're getting the biologically active form of vitamin C in there as well as a derivative. Something that's a little bit unique about this Nutrium Serum is that their L-ascorbic acid is conjugated with gold, meaning it's attached to gold in the serum. This helps enhance the stability and the penetration of the vitamin C into the skin and it also allows the pH of the product to be a little bit higher, so for people who are sensitive to traditional L-ascorbic acid products because of that acidity level, this might be a good option. The texture is really nice but a totally different texture from other L-ascorbic acid serums, it's a little bit thicker on the skin and feels a little bit more like a traditional hydrating serum."
"By SkinFix, it is their Barrier+ Triple Lipid + Peptide Cream. I just think this is a great moisturizer, especially if you have really dry skin. This is a super rich, emollient, dense cream, so I feel like going into winter, if you're looking for a not crazy expensive moisturizer but something that feels very lux and high-end and really locks in moisture, I feel like that one's really nice."
"Prequel's vitamin C serum is more of an evolution of the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic because instead of having vitamin E, it has a different antioxidant called erathionine. It was still formulated with the same goals of giving brighter, healthier skin and it's under $25."
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All 11 takes on Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum
I Tested The World's Most Popular Vitamin C Serums — These are the Best | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Even though I love it and it is the vitamin C that I use day-to-day, we're not a global bestseller yet, so we're not talking about it in this video."
Dermatologist's Favorite Affordable Anti-Aging Skincare Products! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"My absolute favorite affordable vitamin C is from my brand Prequel and it's called Lucent-C. I truly have not seen a better, more effective vitamin C at this price point. I consider myself a true connoisseur of vitamin C, so if I was going to make or formulate a vitamin C product, I knew it had to be exceptional. It not only had to include evidence-based ingredients but also be effective as well as a joy to use, and to me that is what the Prequel Lucent-C really is. It has 15% L-ascorbic acid, which is the studied strength of L-ascorbic acid that has been proven to be the most effective. It also has ferulic acid and something called ergothioneine, which helps prevent the vitamin C from oxidizing and keeps it in its most effective form for longer. I like this serum because it's creamy. It's formulated with ceramides and so it feels a little bit more moisturizing and rich than your average antioxidant serum."
Science-Backed Skincare Dupes Saving My Patients Thousands | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Prequel's vitamin C serum is more of an evolution of the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic because instead of having vitamin E, it has a different antioxidant called erathionine. It was still formulated with the same goals of giving brighter, healthier skin and it's under $25."
Dermatologist's Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Beginners (Morning & Night!) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The vitamin C I'm using today is by my brand Prequel, it's called Lucent-C. There are many benefits to topical vitamin C, one being a protection factor, so it protects you against free radical damage. As your skin is assaulted during the day, these little oxygen-free radicals form in the skin and they can bump around on important structures in your skin and prematurely break them down, so vitamin C guards against that. Aside from the protective abilities of vitamin C, it also has these other benefits like brightening the skin, helping with hyperpigmentation, also helping support collagen synthesis. Anything that's going to help us make new collagen, make new structural support proteins in the skin, is going to help with anti-aging."
Dermatologist's Favorite Skincare Products of 2023! Vitamin C Serum, Sunscreens, & More
"Lucent-C is the vitamin C that I have used all year long. I'm a huge stickler when it comes to vitamin C: I want it to have good strong actives, I want it to be gentle on the skin, and I wanted it to be science backed. This has 15% L-ascorbic acid, which is the most studied form of vitamin C. The whole point of this is to fight off oxygen-free radicals, those little damaging molecules that happen over the course of the day from external factors like UV radiation and pollution as well as your normal skin cellular metabolism. Having an antioxidant in your skincare routine that consistently protects your skin is going to help with things like premature skin aging. Vitamin C is also known for helping with clarity of the skin, brightening of the skin, reduction of brown spots as well as producing collagen, which is going to make your skin less wrinkly, more plump, and just more radiant. In addition to having the 15% vitamin C, this also has something called ergothioneine, which is another type of antioxidant."
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"When I created my brand Prequel, I knew I would want to offer an affordable vitamin C if I felt like we could do a really really good job with it, and I kind of feel like we hit our Lucent-C out of the park. I am obsessed, this is the only vitamin C I use now."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This product has become Holy Grail in my routine. It is in my morning skincare every single day. Vitamin C stimulates collagen, which is the main structural protein in our skin that gives our skin bounce and suppleness. It also decreases collagen breakdown so there are enzymes in our skin called Matrix metalloproteinases that vitamin C can inhibit so that they aren't doing damage within the skin on a regular basis. Over time our collagen naturally wants to break down and as we get older we don't make as much collagen, so anything that we can be doing for our skin that helps us make collagen and prevent loss of collagen is going to be beneficial."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Not only when you put this on is it not sticky, but when it dries down you just get this instant luminosity to the skin. This is fragrance-free and allergy tested and it's really been pH optimized so the pH is between 3 and 3.5, which is the perfect pH to maintain vitamin C's efficacy but also reduce any irritation that people might get from other vitamin C products. The ingredients are incredible, the formula feels so good on the skin, but I think one of the most incredible parts about this product is the price point. I am a vitamin C snob and also a vitamin C connoisseur. I have tried so many out there and I've personally paid over $150 for a bottle many times over because I was willing to do that for a great antioxidant product, but now I have this and it is $23. Having an affordable vitamin C does not compromise the efficacy or the potency or the results that you will see with this product. I like to apply this on clean skin before I apply any of my other serums or moisturizer or SPF. It's sort of the foundation or base of my morning skincare."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This product is gentle and allows it to be used in a wider variety of skin types that may not be able to tolerate other ascorbic acid formulations. It has absolutely fantastic ingredients and is just so beautiful from a textural standpoint. I look forward to putting it on my skin every day. One issue when you formulate with ascorbic acid is that it can sometimes feel sticky or a little bit tacky on the skin, but there is none of that in this formula. It is waterweight, it is slippy and hydrating when you put it on the skin, it spreads effortlessly and then it dries down quickly without any stickiness or residue. The fact that this is a pump means I don't have to worry about throwing it in my bag or having it out on my vanity, which makes it that much more easy to use and helps me keep my product safe. When it dries down you just get this instant luminosity to the skin. This is fragrance-free and allergy tested and it's been pH optimized. The pH of this is between 3 and 3.5, which is the perfect pH to maintain vitamin C's efficacy but also reduce any irritation that people might get from other vitamin C products. The ingredients are incredible, the formula feels so good on the skin, and I think one of the most incredible parts about this product is the price point. I am a vitamin C snob and have tried so many out there. I've personally paid over $150 for a bottle of vitamin C because I was willing to do that for a great antioxidant product, but now I have this and it is $23."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I like to take my vitamin C down my neck, my chest, definitely the backs of my hands, and if I have anything left over onto my forearms. Because this is $23, you can actually afford to use vitamin C in other places besides your face. It is incredible. It is such a beautiful compliment to anything else in your skincare routine. It is truly truly fantastic."
Dermatologist's Guide to Skincare in Your 40s: Skincare Recommendations, Anti-Aging Treatments...
"The reason I love the Prequel Lucent-C Brightening Vitamin C Serum is because it has 15% L-ascorbic acid as well as ferulic acid and another antioxidant called ergothioneine that helps stabilize the vitamin C within that formula. Not only does this make for a super effective product, but it also makes it a bit more tolerable, so for people who have sensitive skin and are interested in trying a very effective vitamin C, this is a great option. In my experience as a dermatologist, I've noticed that a lot of topical antioxidants are really expensive, so I wanted to make a product that was affordable and accessible. If you already use vitamin C and you understand the benefits that it can have on your skin, incorporating this into your routine will be amazing. If you've thought about incorporating a topical antioxidant but you've been intimidated because you're worried that it's going to cause irritation or it was out of your budget, this is a great option for you as well."
"I've seen so many creators on TikTok, on YouTube using the Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer under makeup, especially if they have oily skin. And I think that's because this is almost like if a milky toner got a plushy boost. So you get this beautiful amount of hydration, but it's not heavy on the skin. It's not going to break up the makeup, and it just adds the hydration that even oily skin needs."
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All 7 takes on Half and Half Peptides and Ceramides Fluid Moisturizer
Blur Pores and Texture With These Makeup Hacks for Oily Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I've seen so many creators on TikTok, on YouTube using the Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer under makeup, especially if they have oily skin. And I think that's because this is almost like if a milky toner got a plushy boost. So you get this beautiful amount of hydration, but it's not heavy on the skin. It's not going to break up the makeup, and it just adds the hydration that even oily skin needs."
Makeup + Retinol: The Hidden Conflict You’re Ignoring | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love my Prequel Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer if I want something that's a little bit silkier and thinner."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Retinal Renew Retinaldehyde Gel 0.1% & 0.2% | Dr. Sam Ellis
"You could take the Prequel Half and Half fluid moisturizer, pat that onto the skin, go in with the retinol, and then do another layer of Half and Half on top. A perfect sandwich."
Introducing Prequel's NEW AM/PM Modern Moisturizer | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This layers so well over the Prequel Half and Half Fluid moisturizer."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Half & Half Fluid Moisturizer With Peptides + Ceramides | Dr. Sam Ellis
"It is so good for when you get out of the shower if you want to put on something quick to moisturize but you're not ready for a whole lotion routine. Once it's absorbed then you can go in with any richer moisturizers if that's desired. I find that this layers particularly beautifully under the Skin Utility Balm and that's one of my favorite ways to use it in the evening. When this absorbs into your skin it's not shiny or greasy, it is a true skin-like finish. I love this product so much because when I use it my skin is instantly softer, smoother and more supple. Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer is fragrance-free, allergy tested and suitable for all skin types including those with sensitive skin or eczema prone skin."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The moisturizer I use by far and away the most these days is my Prequel Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer. It is such a good lightweight moisturizer. I cannot get enough of this. It's a fantastic lightweight moisturizer and if you want to be able to layer lots of products but you still need a moisturizer, this allows you to get that extra boost of moisture without feeling heavy. If you've been looking for something that gives a little boost to your skin, but doesn't mess with all the other products you've layered underneath it and still sits well under makeup and sunscreen and all those things, this is it."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The moisturizer I use by far and away the most these days is my Prequel Half and Half Fluid Moisturizer. I'm almost done with this bottle. It is such a good lightweight moisturizer. I just had a patient in yesterday who works for a very well-known skincare brand and she's like, I work in this space and I cannot get enough of this. And I agree, it's a fantastic lightweight moisturizer. If you want to be able to layer lots of products but you still need a moisturizer, this allows you to get that extra boost of moisture without feeling heavy. It gives a little boost to your skin, but doesn't mess with all the other products you've layered underneath it and still sits well under makeup and sunscreen."
"The Allies of Skin Peptides and Antioxidants daily treatment is one of the best multi-purpose moisturizers I have ever tried. It not only is an amazing moisturizer, but it also replaces multiple steps in your skincare routine. It is packed with antioxidants and peptides. So, if you're someone who normally does an antioxidant step, a peptide step, and moisturizes, this takes all of those products and condenses it into one. It's a super nice midweight lotion, so you can use it in the morning and at night. It is the moisturizer that I travel with because when I travel, I don't pack up my entire multi-step skincare routine. I want to wash my face, moisturize, put my sunscreen on, be done, and so this is what I use because I still feel like my skin is getting tons of helpful ingredients on it without having multiple steps. I love this product so much."
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All 4 takes on Peptides and Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment
My Most Purchased Skincare Products as a Derm | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Allies of Skin Peptides and Antioxidants daily treatment is one of the best multi-purpose moisturizers I have ever tried. It not only is an amazing moisturizer, but it also replaces multiple steps in your skincare routine. It is packed with antioxidants and peptides. So, if you're someone who normally does an antioxidant step, a peptide step, and moisturizes, this takes all of those products and condenses it into one. It's a super nice midweight lotion, so you can use it in the morning and at night. It is the moisturizer that I travel with because when I travel, I don't pack up my entire multi-step skincare routine. I want to wash my face, moisturize, put my sunscreen on, be done, and so this is what I use because I still feel like my skin is getting tons of helpful ingredients on it without having multiple steps. I love this product so much."
Skincare Products Truly Worth the Hype (According to a Derm)| Dr. Sam Ellis
"I really like the Allies of Skin Peptides and Antioxidants moisturizer. I love the idea of having a multitasking product. So you have a moisturizer, you have an antioxidant in there, and you have peptides. So if you're someone who wants a more streamlined routine that is a more expensive product, but it covers multiple steps."
Anti-Aging Skincare Products Worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY | Dr. Sam Ellis
"They are peptides and antioxidants Advanced firming daily treatment. Great moisturizer has antioxidants has peptides so very multitasking. This formula is so packed, and if you're looking for that efficient routine where you're going to tackle your antioxidant step and your peptide step and your moisturizer all in one, something like that would be perfect. I'm a huge fan of this."
Make Your Retinoids Work BETTER | Easy Retinol Hacks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love this one from Allies of Skin, so many good peptides in here. In particular, this one has palm oil tripeptide 8, which is anti-inflammatory, so it's particularly good if you're using a retinoid and you're worried about getting irritation from that, because this is also going to be calming and soothing."
"I am a big fan of my Prequel Multi Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. This uses polyglutamic acid, which not only helps draw water to the skin surface and plump it immediately, it also helps with skin barrier support and repair."
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10 Tricks to Look WAY Prettier (That No One Talks About) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Applying a hydration serum is going to instantly plump the skin. Serums that have hyaluronic acid are really good at doing this. The Prequel Multi-Quen Serum is also very good at doing this because it uses poly glutamic acid, but these are molecules that essentially draw water to the surface of the skin. So, it's going to fill in those little fine lines, make the skin look more hydrated and juicy, and that's instant prettiness in my book. These tend to work the best when you apply them to damp skin. So, right out of the shower is a great time to apply them, and then you follow it with your moisturizer and then your sunscreen if it's during the day."
Makeup + Retinol: The Hidden Conflict You’re Ignoring | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I am a big fan of my Prequel Multi Quench Plumping Hydration Serum. This uses polyglutamic acid, which not only helps draw water to the skin surface and plump it immediately, it also helps with skin barrier support and repair."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Retinal Renew Retinaldehyde Gel 0.1% & 0.2% | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you're using the Multi Quench Plumping Hydration Serum or Redness Reform, I would clean my skin, apply those, then go in with Retin Renew, and then moisturize on top."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"What I love about Multi Quench is that it actually uses a different humectant called polyglutamic acid, also called PGA for short. Similar to hyaluronic acid, the molecular weight of the polyglutamic acid is going to determine how it works in your skin. In this serum, we use two different weights of polyglutamic acid, which is why it's called a dual weight serum. We use a low molecular weight PGA to act as an antioxidant and to penetrate the skin, and a high molecular weight PGA to enhance water retention and binding in the skin. Our 1% pure PGA plus our 3% PGA complex not only hydrates and smooths the skin but also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and boosts the skin's natural moisturizing factor. By utilizing multiple molecular weights of PGA, this serum provides multi-level hydration for optimal results. For me, polyglutamic acid just provides this very unique plumping ability of the skin that I haven't seen with all of my hydrating serums."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Polyglutamic acid just provides this very unique plumping ability of the skin that I haven't seen with all of my hydrating serums. I actually love hyaluronic acid and use many products that have it, but I've realized over the years that people are also looking for hydrating serums that bring something new, and some people do have a sensitivity to hyaluronic acid or it's not their favorite ingredient to work with. What really takes Multi Quench to the next level is the inclusion of osmolytes, which are molecules that regulate water retention within cells to prevent dehydration. When used on the skin, osmolytes restore water balance, provide immediate and long-term hydration, and support the skin barrier function. The specific osmolytes within Multi Quench are ectoin, erythritol, and betaine from wild rosella. The serum is also made with 10% glycerin for added humectant properties. You get this deep but lightweight hydration that literally everyone can benefit from."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The thing that makes Multi Quench so special is you get this deep but lightweight hydration that literally everyone can benefit from. I've tried a lot of hydrating serums over the years and I knew when I wanted to create one for Prequel that I wanted it to be lightweight to layer beautifully with other things and to really not leave any type of heavy residue on the skin. When I put on Multi Quench it's so good, it glides so effortlessly, it's nice and slippy and then it just melts into the skin. Not only does this feel good right when you apply it and throughout the day, but it also allows you to layer other products over it and not let your hydrating serum compromise the rest of your skincare. A great hydrating serum supports the rest of your skincare regimen and doesn't interfere with it. If you're already used to incorporating a hydrating serum within your routine, this is going to fall so seamlessly within your skincare lineup. But also, if you've played with the idea of incorporating a hydrating serum but you didn't know how it was going to potentially work with the rest of your skincare, you can rest assured that this is going to complement everything beautifully. If you apply Multi Quench to damp skin, it's going to help bind that water to your skin and give even more of a plumping effect."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Multi Quench has long-term benefits to the skin, it's not just that instantaneous plumping. When you apply this in your routine you're going to see how slippy it feels, how effortlessly it glides on and absorbs into the skin, and really how beautiful your skin looks afterward. This product leaves the skin looking glowy, healthy, radiant, plump like all the things we want our skin to look like. In true Prequel fashion, Multi Quench is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy tested. It's suitable for all skin types including those with sensitive skin or eczema-prone skin. If you have been dealing with dry, dull, dehydrated skin, you will love Multi Quench."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Quench Plumping Hydration Serum | Dr. Sam Ellis
"In true Prequel fashion, Multi Quench is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and allergy tested. It's suitable for all skin types including those with sensitive skin or eczema-prone skin. If you have been dealing with dry, dull, dehydrated skin, you will love Multi Quench."
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Plumping Hydration Serum from my brand Prequel Multi Quench, which is very quickly becoming our bestseller, has won multiple Beauty Awards this year for the hydration category and it's $28 for 1.7 oz and it's gorgeous and effective and gives you that instant juicy oomph to your skin."
"One thing I've added to my dermaplaning routine is I've started incorporating hypochlorous acid in the beginning to cleanse my face as well as in the end to soothe it. I've been using the one from my brand Prequel."
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All 2 takes on Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Dermatologist's Ultimate Beauty Hacks for Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One thing I've added to my dermaplaning routine is I've started incorporating hypochlorous acid in the beginning to cleanse my face as well as in the end to soothe it. I've been using the one from my brand Prequel."
Fix Redness on the Face and Body | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Hypochlorous acid is a really gentle topical but it also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties so if someone kind of has chronic low-grade inflammation of their skin incorporating hypochlorous acid spray one to two times a day may help calm some of that inflammation and in turn reduce visible signs of redness. I recommend it so much and it's something that has done wonders in my own skincare routine."
"An occlusive formula when it comes to a foot ointment is so important because moisture is constantly wanting to be drawn out of that thick dead skin on your heels and being able to lock it in there is going to ensure that the formula actually works and penetrates the way it's supposed to. This is truly the best foot product I have ever used and really the thing that makes this so exceptional is that you can see results in just one use. I almost never say that about a skin thing because the skin honestly takes a long time to respond to treatments but this works literally overnight. This is a dense rich ointment that still spreads very easily and absorbs into the skin but I really wanted this to be thick enough that when you apply it it stays in place. Your foot skin needs a lot of help and you need something that's really going to hold on to the skin and work where it's placed. This really is thicker and richer and we want it to be that way. It has those added exfoliating and nourishing ingredients for the specific skin on your feet. Something that's quite convenient is that you actually don't need to use it every single day. It is so effective that using it two to three nights a week alone will get you the results that you need. I apply this on the weekends and that is enough to keep my heels really supple and soft."
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All 2 takes on Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment
Introducing Prequel's NEW Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment | Dr. Sam Ellis
"An occlusive formula when it comes to a foot ointment is so important because moisture is constantly wanting to be drawn out of that thick dead skin on your heels and being able to lock it in there is going to ensure that the formula actually works and penetrates the way it's supposed to. This is truly the best foot product I have ever used and really the thing that makes this so exceptional is that you can see results in just one use. I almost never say that about a skin thing because the skin honestly takes a long time to respond to treatments but this works literally overnight. This is a dense rich ointment that still spreads very easily and absorbs into the skin but I really wanted this to be thick enough that when you apply it it stays in place. Your foot skin needs a lot of help and you need something that's really going to hold on to the skin and work where it's placed. This really is thicker and richer and we want it to be that way. It has those added exfoliating and nourishing ingredients for the specific skin on your feet. Something that's quite convenient is that you actually don't need to use it every single day. It is so effective that using it two to three nights a week alone will get you the results that you need. I apply this on the weekends and that is enough to keep my heels really supple and soft."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment | Dr. Sam Ellis
"As a dermatologist over the years I have tried, recommended, experimented with so many different foot creams and ointments and various treatments and this is truly the best foot product I have ever used. The thing that makes this so exceptional is that you can see results in just one use. I almost never say that about a skin thing because the skin honestly takes a long time to respond to treatments but this works literally overnight. This is a dense, rich ointment that still spreads very easily and absorbs into the skin, but I really wanted this to be thick enough that when you apply it it stays in place. Your foot skin needs a lot of help and you need something that's really going to hold on to the skin and work where it's placed. This really is thicker and richer and we want it to be that way because it has those added exfoliating and nourishing ingredients for the specific skin on your feet. Something that's quite convenient is that you don't need to use it every single day. It is so effective that using it two to three nights a week alone will get you the results that you need. I like to apply this on the weekends and that's kind of like my two days on, five days off, and that is enough to keep my heels really supple and soft."
"The Isentry Hyaluronic Acid Moist Cream has a really unique formula. I like it because it feels very lightweight but it is so so nourishing. For people who have dry skin who don't like putting on a thick cream but feel like they really need that moisture and they actually want to feel their moisturizer on their skin, this is what that does. It sits on your skin, it absorbs in, but then you can still feel that it's there and you don't feel like you're drying out. You feel like you have a nice supportive moisturizer barrier on the outside of your skin. This is too rich to use during the day because I wouldn't want to go on and put sunscreen on top of it, but at night if my skin is really suffering or I just feel like I want that little hug of moisturizer and to feel it on me, this is what I use."
"The Augustinus Bader Rich Cream is excellent. It is incredibly nourishing and contains a patented peptide olopeptide 177 which is designed to promote skin cell renewal. Drier and more mature skin types tend to find it particularly luxurious and effective. It has a very similar texture to Augustinus Bader's butter because both are reverse emulsions, meaning that there are water droplets suspended in oil, which gives that rich but not greasy feel."
"It is incredibly nourishing and contains a patented peptide olopeptide 177 which is designed to promote skin cell renewal. Now, how much of its benefit actually comes from the patented peptide versus just the exceptionally rich oil heavy formula is not totally clear. What I can tell you is drier and more mature skin types tend to find it particularly luxurious and effective. It has a very similar texture because it's a reverse emulsion, meaning that there are water droplets suspended in oil, which gives that rich but not greasy feel."
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All 2 takes on Extreme Cream Firming and Lifting Moisturizer
Dermatologists' NO FAIL Anti-Aging Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is the In Beauty Project Extreme Cream. It's quite rich with a little bit of wetness to it type of moisturizer. The technology in here is something called a reverse emulsion, so it just has a very special texture and it applies beautifully. You could use it morning or night. It's boosted with peptides and ceramides, so you're getting some extra skin care goodies in here. A very lovely cream that I just think gives you such a pretty glow. Like if you want to really go full glazed doughnut at the end of the day, you got it."
Science-Backed Skincare Dupes Saving My Patients Thousands | Dr. Sam Ellis
"It is incredibly nourishing and contains a patented peptide olopeptide 177 which is designed to promote skin cell renewal. Now, how much of its benefit actually comes from the patented peptide versus just the exceptionally rich oil heavy formula is not totally clear. What I can tell you is drier and more mature skin types tend to find it particularly luxurious and effective. It has a very similar texture because it's a reverse emulsion, meaning that there are water droplets suspended in oil, which gives that rich but not greasy feel."
"If you want more of a traditional exfoliating body lotion, the AmLactin with 12% ammonium lactate is my go-to. It's affordable and it has that higher concentration of lactic acid, so you're going to get exfoliating smoothing and skin thickening benefits. Fair warning, it has a slightly sour smell, which some people don't notice at all, but some people will not be able to get past. But if it doesn't bother you, this is a tried and true affordable option for skin anti-aging and glowiness."
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All 2 takes on Daily Moisturizing Lotion 12%
How to Fix Dull, Crepey Body Skin | Firm Glowing Skin Tricks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you want more of a traditional exfoliating body lotion, the AmLactin with 12% ammonium lactate is my go-to. It's affordable and it has that higher concentration of lactic acid, so you're going to get exfoliating smoothing and skin thickening benefits. Fair warning, it has a slightly sour smell, which some people don't notice at all, but some people will not be able to get past. But if it doesn't bother you, this is a tried and true affordable option for skin anti-aging and glowiness."
Stop Dullness: How to Use AHAs for Real Radiance | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Even though I like amlactin for your body, aside from the kind of nasty smell, and that's very personal, when it comes to face, I don't really like a lactic acid lotion, I prefer it in serum form."
"For years, it has been one of my go-to recommendations if someone with oily skin wants a moisturizer because it feels luxurious and kind of rich on the skin, yet dries down in such a weightless, hydrating way. It's perfect and it does so well under makeup."
"So in a world of kind of overpromised skincare ingredients, tininoan deserves its good reputation."
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All 2 takes on Cream
How to Hack Tretinoin to Make it Work 10x Better | Derm Office Hours | Dr. Sam Ellis
"So in a world of kind of overpromised skincare ingredients, tininoan deserves its good reputation."
Dermatologist's Favorite Affordable Anti-Aging Skincare Products! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"My personal Holy Grail anti-aging topical retinoid is prescription tretinoin and that is relatively affordable considering how potent it is. Occasionally it's actually covered by your insurance so you might pay as little as $5 to $10 for it, and even if it's not covered by your insurance you can go out of pocket and get the generic version and that's usually around $50. Topical tretinoin can be a bit irritating, but it's very effective for anti-aging benefits."
"Follow that with what I would consider a bland moisturizer, a moisturizer that does not have active ingredients in it -- for example, the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, something that is just there to soften the skin and hold water and moisture within your skin."
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Best Way to Repair Your Skin Barrier? Dermatologist Verdict
"Follow that with what I would consider a bland moisturizer, a moisturizer that does not have active ingredients in it -- for example, the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, something that is just there to soften the skin and hold water and moisture within your skin."
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"Using a thicker body moisturizer like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is super nourishing and not as thick or heavy or as greasy as a petrolatum based ointment but can still nourish the skin really well."
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This narium multipeptide moisturizer it's such a beautiful midweight moisturizer and I think it's like 20 bucks it's perfect under makeup it's lightweight it's creamy it feels luxurious without costing a lot of money"
"Neosporin contains an antibiotic called neomycin and over 10% of the population is or will become allergic to that antibiotic in their lifetime. We see this all the time in dermatology where someone has been using Neosporin their whole life and then suddenly they're treating a cut or a scrape or some stitches after plastic surgery and now they're getting a red, irritated, blistering reaction. They have developed allergic contact dermatitis and it was totally avoidable. You don't actually need Neosporin to heal wounds. Plain Vaseline, Aquaphor will work the exact same way when it comes to efficacy, and you're not subjecting yourself to any risk."
"The SkinBetter Science AlphaRet is one of my tippy top favorites. Right now, you can only get it in dermatology clinics or from an aesthetician, and it is one of the pricier retinoids on the market. But when it comes to being spendy with skincare, it is one of the things that I think is truly worth the investment if you have really sensitive skin. If you want a clinically tested retinoid that has shown to be good for sensitive skin and yields really efficacious results, it is absolutely worth trying."
"It's really touted as just a great everyday moisturizer. You can use it in the morning, you can use it in the evening, you could use it at both. It doesn't have any unique peptides or retinol or anything that makes it specifically anti-aging, though it does have niacinamide which can help with brightening of the skin and can help with barrier strength. And the reality is it can be anti-aging in terms of appearance if your skin just looks really well moisturized. I know for people as they get older, they don't hold on to as much oil in their skin. They really struggle with their skin looking as plump and firm and youthful. And having a great, really solid moisturizer in your routine can help. This cream has also been shown to offer 24 hours of hydration. So for those drier skinned people out there, $36, not bad."
"It has a bit of a unique texture. This particular cream is what we call a reverse emulsion where you have drops of water suspended in oil. And when you do that, it gives a very luxurious texture that a lot of brands don't offer. Particularly for mature skin that tends to be a bit more dry, these sort of oil dominant formulations can just feel extra moisturizing for them. It is a really beautiful effective moisturizer, but for me personally, having that extra TFC8 complex in there really isn't enough for me to want to spend $300 on it. If you're using Augustina Bader Rich Cream for that textural element as your main driver of wanting to use it, you do have other products that offer that. If you are trying to stretch your budget or you have to be financially conscious for certain reasons, this might not be the place that I choose to spend the most in my anti-aging skin journey. I will say I have received this product as a gift from the brand a couple of times. And do I use it up every single time? I sure do."
"On the nights that you are not using your retinoid, don't just use your regular moisturizer on your skin, use a true barrier support and repair product. The Lar Ro Pose Sea Plast Balm is going to be thicker, richer, more skin-supporting, more reparative, more soothing to your skin so that on the next night when you go in with your retinoid, your skin is actually ready to receive it and benefit from it."
"The Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair is a moisturizer that I'm obsessed with. It's like vanilla pudding, so beautiful. It's a serum and cream combined. The one thing I will say is that Tatcha tends to have pretty good sales around the holidays, so I might wait till the Tatcha sale because you might be able to get some other goodies with that, rather than picking it up at the Sephora sale."
"La Mer helps soften the skin and helps your skin hold on to hydration, and it certainly can make your skin look better, but you could achieve similar results with something that is so much more affordable. If you're someone who is saving up for your skin care or for your skin care procedures, this is not the place to invest. However, if you're someone who has a lot of disposable income and you like these products and you enjoy using them, go ahead, but I don't think you can expect miracle results from these types of moisturizers."
"First Aid Beauty, which is a brand I really love, has something called a firming cream and it has collagen in it and I actually love that cream. It's a wonderful moisturizer, but it's not going to firm up your skin because it has collagen in it. Collagen as a skincare ingredient acts as a humectant, something that binds and holds water in the skin surface, so you can get some temporary plumping and it can help soften the skin, but it's not going to help you form new collagen."
"One of my favorite moisturizers for people who have oily sensitive skin or skin that is like very reactive needs to be soothed is the Purito Deep Sea Pure Water Cream. When it comes to skincare products that have oats in them or oat-based ingredients tend to be quite soothing. Oats have an anti-inflammatory property so I love that about this particular gel. It also has panthenol which is incredibly soothing for the skin. I envision the person who uses this and loves this is someone who is oily has sensitive skin doesn't like to feel a lot of products sitting on their skin. If I think about my acne prone patients who have oily skin I think they would love something like this especially if they're using like prescription acne medications and their skin's being a bit reactive. This will calm their skin and also play nice with the oily skin tendencies that they have. The texture on this is so beautifully lightweight. If you live in a more humid climate or you're traveling somewhere more humid this is lovely. It's also 3.38 oz so travel friendly."
"This is a true midweight moisturizer that is really good for combo to dry skin. The claim to fame of this moisturizer is that it is very rich in ceramides and ceramides are a lipid that exists within our skin barrier, so when you put on something that is rich in ceramides it helps replenish the skin barrier, it helps support it, it's often very comforting on the skin. When you apply it, it glides on, it's very silky smooth, and then you can really feel it absorbing into the skin. Often I find richer moisturizers can sometimes sit on top of the skin and you're like, well is this absorbing and really doing anything, but this really melts in which is so beautiful. When you look at it there's these little ceramide capsules that are suspended within the cream, and you don't feel them when you rub in, they melt away so seamlessly. This also contains some lightweight silicones which give it that really silky smooth feel on the skin. I think this cream is particularly good for people who have acne who need something that's a bit richer."
"For years I have used the Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. This is hypoallergenic, it's fragrance-free, and it does really well with hair everywhere but especially if you're going to be putting it down there. So many times I hear people say oh I just shave with soap, which is fine, but if you're dealing with razor burn, ingrown hairs, itching after you shave, like up your game and use a shave gel."
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Dermatologist's Favorite Body Skincare Products: Cleanser, Exfoliator, Sunscreen, & More!
"My favorite shave gel is the Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. I have been using the shave gel for gosh I want to say like 10 years. It's just such a tried and true basic shaving lotion but it's really nice. It's not fragranced, it's great for sensitive skin, it's super affordable. I really like to have a shave gel because that actually allows me to see exactly where I've already shaved so I don't repeat spots and I don't miss spots. When people are learning to shave, using a shave gel as a guide is also really helpful because a lot of mistakes that happen with shaving like missing spots or razor burn or cutting yourself have to do with inadequate lubrication or repeating shaving over the same spot too many times."
Best Bikini Shave Ever | No More Razor Burn, Ingrown Hairs or Irritation | Dr. Sam Ellis
"For years I have used the Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. This is hypoallergenic, it's fragrance-free, and it does really well with hair everywhere but especially if you're going to be putting it down there. So many times I hear people say oh I just shave with soap, which is fine, but if you're dealing with razor burn, ingrown hairs, itching after you shave, like up your game and use a shave gel."
"I'm also a really big fan of CeraVe Healing Ointment that's 46.5% petrolatum and then also has additional moisturizing ingredients like ceramides that CeraVe is known for as well as panthenol and even hyaluronic acid to help draw water to the skin surface so a lot of people find that product to be extra moisturizing."
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All 2 takes on Healing Ointment
Dermatologist Explains Slugging: How to Add it to Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I'm also a really big fan of CeraVe Healing Ointment that's 46.5% petrolatum and then also has additional moisturizing ingredients like ceramides that CeraVe is known for as well as panthenol and even hyaluronic acid to help draw water to the skin surface so a lot of people find that product to be extra moisturizing."
Dermatologist Shares How to Protect & Grow Healthy, Strong Nails (Nail Care Tips) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you're worried about acetone being too drying, you can apply something like CeraVe Healing Ointment around your cuticles as well as the edges of your nail before you apply your acetone so that it's not drying out the skin around your nail, which can also lead to further nail damage."
"Using a thicker body moisturizer like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream are also super nourishing body lotions that are not as thick or heavy or as greasy as a petrolatum based ointment but can still nourish the skin really well."
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All 2 takes on Ultra Repair Cream
Dermatologist Explains Slugging: How to Add it to Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Using a thicker body moisturizer like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream are also super nourishing body lotions that are not as thick or heavy or as greasy as a petrolatum based ointment but can still nourish the skin really well."
Dermatologist's Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Beginners (Morning & Night!) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is probably one of the very first skincare products that was ever a holy grail for me, the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. The texture is amazing, your skin is going to be so moisturized after that. And I love it because it has oatmeal so it is very soothing. I'm a big oatmeal gal. It can help with irritation and it can help with a disrupted skin barrier. I'm just a huge fan of this moisturizer all around. I recommend it to so many people. You can use it on your face and your body, which I also like because it's a multi-purpose type of product. If you are really prone to dry skin, flaky skin, even without a retinoid in your routine, if that's just something that you deal with because you might have mature skin or eczema or you're just dry, this is an excellent moisturizer."
"This is super super affordable body lotion but is also very effective if you have dry creepy skin. It's a little bit thicker than other moisturizing milks, so if you're really dealing with dry skin and you like to feel the product on your skin, to feel like you're kind of getting a little hug from your moisturizer, this one's nice."
"I really just think it's genius that they took an ointment that usually feels so heavy and greasy and put it in a spray applicator to really just make it easier to apply a very thin even layer. If you struggle with super dry skin you might realize that using a regular body moisturizer on a day-to-day basis isn't really enough, so I really like this as like a final coat over whatever body moisturizer you're already using. Because it has this really nice fine misty spray it's easy to cover a large body surface area quickly and reach areas that might be hard to get like your back. This is one of my top recommendations for my patients who have eczema. Oftentimes they need a lot of skin hydration and this is a really nice thing to have in their routine to prevent transepidermal water loss."
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All 2 takes on Healing Ointment Body Spray
Dermatologist's Favorite Body Skincare Products: Cleanser, Exfoliator, Sunscreen, & More!
"I really just think it's genius that they took an ointment that usually feels so heavy and greasy and put it in a spray applicator to really just make it easier to apply a very thin even layer. If you struggle with super dry skin you might realize that using a regular body moisturizer on a day-to-day basis isn't really enough, so I really like this as like a final coat over whatever body moisturizer you're already using. Because it has this really nice fine misty spray it's easy to cover a large body surface area quickly and reach areas that might be hard to get like your back. This is one of my top recommendations for my patients who have eczema. Oftentimes they need a lot of skin hydration and this is a really nice thing to have in their routine to prevent transepidermal water loss."
"Another petrolatum based product that I absolutely love and I feel like it was genius for Aquaphor to come out with is the Aquaphor Healing Ointment Body Spray. This is basically an ointment spray, and the tricky thing about ointment is that they are really thick and they're not the most desirable greasy texture. But when you refine it into a little sprayed mist like Aquaphor has so expertly done, it's a really nice way to apply something that is very skin protective, that is very nourishing without a sticky mess. I particularly love this product for my patients with eczema or atopic dermatitis who struggle with moisturizing their skin. Sometimes just dipping their hand into cold moisturizer, especially if they're a kid, is super unappealing. So being able to incorporate a really helpful product into a spray application which is a little more fun and playful and honestly just easy is awesome."
"One of my favorite moisturizers especially for skincare newbies is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. The reason I like gel cream moisturizers in general so much is because they feel incredibly lightweight on the skin but they still add that layer of hydration that a lot of people are craving. I'm probably a little partial to this Neutrogena one because it was the first moisturizer that I feel like I could get my dad to use consistently and even though I get sent all types of skincare and I want to buy him all sorts of things he still requests the Neutrogena Hydro Boost."
"One moisturizer that I will often recommend to my patients who have perioral dermatitis who want to use a moisturizer is the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. This is a pretty basic gentle moisturizer and it's fairly lightweight, and that's why I like it because it's unlikely to exacerbate the perioral dermatitis. But it might not be your favorite moisturizer to use every day all the time, but again this is just while you're dealing with the perioral dermatitis and eventually you may go back to other moisturizers that you prefer."
"I really love the Aveeno Calm + Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer. It's creamy but it's not so heavy that you couldn't wear it during the day under your makeup or under your sunscreen. I really love this one for dry or irritated skin, and it's really nice that it's available at the drugstore."
"The Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer is a bland moisturizer, a moisturizer that does not have active ingredients in it. It's just there to soften the skin and hold water and moisture within your skin."
"I'm going in with the Prequel Skin Utility Ointment for my lip area. I am about to go in with a topical retinoid, which is next. And retinoids can be quite irritating for the lips. So, I like to protect them ahead of time. It acts as a little buffer. If you have any other areas that are prone to irritation with your topical retinoid, you can go ahead and put that ointment there as well. Some people will apply it further out here or on their chin or around their nose where they tend to get peeling from their retinoid. This is a perfect little buffer. It serves as like a little nighttime lip mask."
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All 10 takes on Skin Utility Ointment
Dermatologists' NO FAIL Anti-Aging Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I'm going in with the Prequel Skin Utility Ointment for my lip area. I am about to go in with a topical retinoid, which is next. And retinoids can be quite irritating for the lips. So, I like to protect them ahead of time. It acts as a little buffer. If you have any other areas that are prone to irritation with your topical retinoid, you can go ahead and put that ointment there as well. Some people will apply it further out here or on their chin or around their nose where they tend to get peeling from their retinoid. This is a perfect little buffer. It serves as like a little nighttime lip mask."
Introducing Barrier Therapy, A Rich Skin Protectant Cream For The Face & Body | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Part of the initial Prequel launch was our skin utility ointment which was a petrolatum based skin protectant but this is not an ointment, this is truly a rich velvety luxurious cream that you can apply head to toe. I find that for so many of my eczema patients and other patients who I just recommend regular moisturization to, they're really hesitant to use body lotions because they don't like any residue on their skin or they don't want it to feel heavy, and I feel like this is such a perfect balance of rich nourishing cream that doesn't leave that kind of residue. It's not just about the ingredients, it's about the formula overall and creating something that people are inspired to use that they want to use on their body so that they can be consistent because ultimately it is about being consistent with your skin in order to get it to its healthiest state. You can use this on your face and your body, so if you're experiencing any types of irritation or sensitivity this is amazing, but also if you just need a day-to-day head to toe moisturizer this is fantastic."
Dermatologist Explains How to Treat Minor Burns & Minimize Scarring | Dr. Sam Ellis
"There's a few different things that you can apply to a burn wound. You can apply plain Vaseline or some type of protective ointment whether that's Aquaphor or Cica balm or even Prequel skin utility ointment, but you can also apply things like Aesculapius, so that can help it heal a little bit faster, and also Manuka honey which you can usually find on Amazon is also really great for burn wounds."
Dermatologist Explains Slugging: How to Add it to Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I do want to give a shout out to my skincare brand Prequel and our Skin Utility Ointment. When I was launching the brand I really wanted one of the first products I created to be a petrolatum based ointment because it is such a staple not only in my own skincare routine but in what I recommend to my patients. This is 45% petrolatum and it also contains a unique shielding polymer which allows it to continue to have that really nice even seal over the skin but still feel a bit more breathable. This is probably the most lightweight of the ointments that I have mentioned and feels the least greasy on the skin. Some people love a lot of grease when they're slugging, some people don't, so if you've maybe been thinking about slugging and you're a little intimidated by going full on with Vaseline or something like that, I definitely think you should look into this. I think it might be worth a try."
My Favorite Makeup as a Dermatologist | Makeup for Clear Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I absolutely love this under makeup and I've actually had a few very well-known makeup artists tell me that they love this too so that felt very validating. Once I started working with professional makeup artists, one thing that they all do is put ointment on your lips at the very beginning of your makeup session. So I'm using my Prequel Skin Utility Ointment, and the reason for this is while you're getting your makeup done this is sitting on your lips hydrating, moisturizing, getting rid of those little crusties, and then as the last step of their makeup on you they'll take off that ointment and go in with your lip liners and your lipsticks and they sit so much nicer on your lips because you've been marinating in some goodness for however long it took you to do your makeup."
Introducing My NEW Skincare Brand Prequel | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I call this the skin utility ointment because it's incredibly versatile and you can just use it in a multitude of ways. I like to use this ointment on my lips when they're feeling chapped, I love using it on my hands and around my nails to keep my nails really healthy and supple, and my cuticle is nice and smooth. I love it on my heels and my elbows. It is the perfect texture. It's all of the occlusive petrolatum-based ointment that I want without that greasy heavy texture. Even though I personally don't do a full face slug, I do sort of like a selective slug, and I wanted a product that was good for that, that you could still achieve that great skin barrier support without feeling like you were going to bed super sticky. This skin utility ointment is also incredibly good for aftercare. When I do a laser on a patient and they have to go home and take care of their skin, I'm really strict about keeping their skin barriers supported and protected, and I often recommend a petrolatum-based ointment. But I get pushback because they don't really want to put it on their entire face because it's really a textural issue and they feel like they're slimy and greasy without having a moisturization aspect. That's what this utility ointment is really for: to be used to help support that skin barrier, to feel good on the skin, and to help heal the skin. This utility ointment is formulated with USP grade petrolatum, which is highly purified and incredibly safe, and it also has this unique shielding polymer which helps form a breathable flexible film."
Summer Skincare Empties: Tower 28, K18, Prequel, & More! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is a petrolatum based ointment so if you think of like Aquaphor, CeraVe healing ointment, good old Vaseline, this sits in that same category but since this final formula was put together I have not really reached for the other ones because this serves the same purpose as those other ointments. It's occlusive, it prevents trans epidermal water loss so it helps maintain the water balance of the skin, but this is more than that. It also truly moisturizes the skin, it calms the skin. It's not quite as greasy. It has like a lighter finish on the skin. Someone described it as like a dry oil finish which I think is kind of amazing because it still has all those nourishing capabilities but just a little less greasy. I feel like everyone can benefit from a petrolatum based ointment in their routine but for a lot of people it's like a textural issue so I really tried to address that with this specific product."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Skin Utility Ointment is 45% petrolatum, so it has a thicker, denser, richer texture. As someone who's dry-skinned, I love to use it on my lips and my cuticles and over the top of my nighttime skincare, but I would probably never use it during the day on the top of my skin. I would use it maybe on my elbows, my knees, my feet, and of course my lips, but that's more of a nighttime product to me. Because that Skin Utility Ointment has that petrolatum base, I personally don't love that feel all over my face. I like to do more of a selective slug with the ointment where I'm just going over my driest, most irritated areas."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love the ointment, it serves a huge purpose in my routine. I use it on my lips and cuticles multiple times a day, but in terms of what's going on my skin the most, it's the skin utility balm as my nightly moisturizer and what I use to slug over the top of anything else. The utility balm also contains a lipophilic skin hydrator which is going to help maintain the water balance in the skin and give long-lasting relief. I use the skin utility balm postprocedurally as a dermatologist, I'm constantly doing light laser resurfacing things like Clear and Brilliant or microneedling, and I really like to use this particular balm to help me recover from those treatments. The other way this has made it into my regular routine is as a nighttime moisturizer, especially since it's been cooler and drier outside. This balm really does comfort the skin in the evening. It's truly a utility balm, so even though I've been discussing it for use on the face, you can use it anywhere on the body. I really like it for elbows and knees. It's great for eyelids, so anywhere on your body."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Foot Rescue Advanced Restorative Treatment | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is a dense, rich ointment that still spreads very easily and absorbs into the skin. It's much more lightweight than Prequel's other ointment intended for use from head to toe, but for the feet you really do want it to be that thick and rich so it stays in place. It has those added exfoliating and nourishing ingredients for the specific skin on your feet. You don't need to use it every single day, it is so effective that using it two to three nights a week alone will get you the results that you need. If you're struggling with a really thick callous or really thick dry cracked heels, I would apply this in the evening and use it consecutive nights until your heels feel better, then you can start spreading out use to just a couple nights a week. I would also recommend the soak and smear method, after your feet have been soaking in a bath or shower, that's really the best time to put this on. It will really lock in that moisture and give you some added hydration benefits."
"This gel is a multi-purpose skin protectant. The difference between just a moisturizer and a skin protectant is that a skin protectant is going to help soothe your skin barrier and it's going to help with skin barrier recovery. For the people out there who want something that's lighter in texture that goes onto the skin so smoothly that it's almost undetectable but at the same time your skin feels nourished and replenished, this gel is for you. There are different active ingredients that can make a product a skin protectant, for example petrolatum or dimethicone, and this one uses glycerin. I don't think a lot of people realize that glycerin can be used as a skin protectant. People are really familiar with glycerin as a humectant, something that's going to draw water into the skin surface and help with plumping, but at a high concentration, and this gel is made with 20% glycerin, it actually serves as a skin protectant and is going to help with things like skin recovery and skin soothing."
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Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This gel is a multi-purpose skin protectant. The difference between just a moisturizer and a skin protectant is that a skin protectant is going to help soothe your skin barrier and it's going to help with skin barrier recovery. For the people out there who want something that's lighter in texture that goes onto the skin so smoothly that it's almost undetectable but at the same time your skin feels nourished and replenished, this gel is for you. There are different active ingredients that can make a product a skin protectant, for example petrolatum or dimethicone, and this one uses glycerin. I don't think a lot of people realize that glycerin can be used as a skin protectant. People are really familiar with glycerin as a humectant, something that's going to draw water into the skin surface and help with plumping, but at a high concentration, and this gel is made with 20% glycerin, it actually serves as a skin protectant and is going to help with things like skin recovery and skin soothing."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This gel is a multi-purpose skin protectant, and the difference between just a moisturizer and a skin protectant is that a skin protectant is going to help soothe your skin barrier and it's going to help with skin barrier recovery. This is a gel, so for people who want something that's lighter in texture that goes onto the skin so smoothly that it's almost undetectable but at the same time your skin feels nourished and replenished, this gel is for you. This one uses glycerin as a skin protectant. At a high concentration, and this gel is made with 20% glycerin, it actually serves as a skin protectant and is going to help with things like skin recovery and skin soothing. I think sometimes people are worried about products that have a high concentration of glycerin because they're worried about it feeling sticky or tacky, and this has none of that. The finish of this is beautiful. I also think people associate a skin protectant with something that's heavy or occlusive or feels greasy, and this product is going to show you that that does not have to be the case."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This isn't your typical gel cream or watery gel. It starts as a gel but as you work it into the skin it forms this very light veil on the skin that is just special. I have not touched something like this before in the best way. This could layer in multiple different places in your routine, you could do it as the first thing on your skin or over your moisturizers. Because of this lightweight texture, this product is so ideal for people who like the idea of slugging or skin protectants in concept but maybe have acne-prone skin or oily skin and they've never been able to get on board with that. This will allow you to still help your skin and heal your skin in that way but with something that feels more comfortable to you. Even though this is a skin protectant and it has some occlusive properties, it's still very breathable and so it's very comfortable on the skin. If you want your skincare to be working but you don't want to necessarily be aware of the presence of it, if you want that nice comfort to your skin and want that skin barrier to be restored but you don't necessarily want to feel the product on your skin, this gel is fantastic. It comes out as sort of a milky gel and then as you work it into the skin it works in super quickly."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Gel Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Now I have a gel that I can use on the rest of my skin to still protect my skin and help it recover. This gel is also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested, non-comedogenic, and it has the eczema seal of acceptance as well as the national rosacea Society seal of acceptance. This is safe for sensitive skin, for eczema prone skin, as well as for acne prone skin. I am so excited that this skin utility gel is finally here. This is truly just such a special product. I have never felt anything like it."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Skin Utility Balm Multi-Purpose Skin Protectant | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This balm really sits in between the utility gel and the utility ointment for me. It's kind of like the Goldilocks formula. There are people who are going to love that gel because maybe they have more oily skin or they're looking for a really lightweight skin protectant, and there are going to be certain times that I reach for that more than I reach for the balm, for example in the summer or when I'm traveling to more humid climates. But in terms of what's going on my skin the most, it's the skin utility balm as my nightly moisturizer and kind of what I use to slug over the top of anything else. The utility balm contains something called a lipophilic skin hydrator which is going to help maintain the water balance in the skin and give long-lasting relief. It also contains shea butter which has a unique fatty acid profile that gives it special moisturizing properties, and this balm is absolutely stacked. It also has centella asiatica as well as aloe and chamomile to soothe, calm, and comfort the skin. The way I use the skin utility balm in my routine is twofold. One, postprocedurally as a dermatologist I'm constantly doing light laser resurfacing things like Clear and Brilliant or micro needling, and I really like to use this particular balm to help me recover from those treatments. The other way this has made it into my regular routine is as a nighttime moisturizer, especially since it's been cooler and drier outside. This balm really does comfort the skin in the evening, and I like to use it as the last step in my skin care."
"The Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream is a moisturizer that was really designed for face and body. It has oatmeal in it to help soothe the skin, but the reason I love this so much and the reason I'm bringing it into this routine is the number of DMs I've gotten on Instagram saying this is the product that helped me tolerate my retinoid better, this is the product that allowed me to finally use tretinoin or retinaldehyde or whatever has been like overwhelming."
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Introducing Barrier Therapy, A Rich Skin Protectant Cream For The Face & Body | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This contains a lantoine which I absolutely love it moisturizes and soothes the skin and also adenosine which has similar properties. This is truly a rich velvety luxurious cream that you can apply head to toe. I find that for so many of my eczema patients and other patients who I recommend regular moisturization to, they're really hesitant to use body lotions because they don't like any residue on their skin or they don't want it to feel heavy, and I feel like this is such a perfect balance of rich nourishing cream that doesn't leave that kind of residue. It's not just about the ingredients, it's about the formula overall and creating something that people are inspired to use, that they want to use on their body so that they can be consistent because ultimately it is about being consistent with your skin in order to get it to its healthiest state. You can use this on your face and your body so if you're experiencing any types of irritation or sensitivity this is amazing, but also if you just need a day-to-day head to toe moisturizer this is fantastic. This cream is really amazing if your skin is feeling at all sensitive in any way or if you're craving something a little bit more rich and silky."
Dermatologist's Affordable Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream is a moisturizer that was really designed for face and body. It has oatmeal in it to help soothe the skin, but the reason I love this so much and the reason I'm bringing it into this routine is the number of DMs I've gotten on Instagram saying this is the product that helped me tolerate my retinoid better, this is the product that allowed me to finally use tretinoin or retinaldehyde or whatever has been like overwhelming."
"The Purito Dermide Relief Barrier Moisturizer is a gorgeous luscious moisturizer that is packed with ceramides, ingredients that naturally exist in our skin that help keep our moisture barrier intact and keep our skin barrier supported. This is an incredible fall and winter time moisturizer or if you have really dry skin I think this could be used year round. The other really nice thing about this Purito moisturizer is that it's huge like for a face moisturizer, 3.38 ounces, so that is a lot of value."
"The hair really does look washed. There is some grit to this product, and if you touch it, you're going to be able to tell that this is not freshly washed hair, but it looks like it. Definitely of all the dry shampoos I have ever tried, this one makes oiliness disappear the most effectively. And you don't need a ton of product. You just do like one little spritz into each section of your hair, wait like 30 seconds, massage it in. It's pretty magical. If I had to rate this on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it like a 9.5. The only thing I dock points for is that when you spray it, it can leave a little bit of white residue. So, if you're wearing dark clothing or you have dark countertops, you will see a little bit of that fallout. But in terms of what it actually does for your hair, 10 out of 10."
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My Most Purchased Haircare Products as a Hair Loss Expert | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The hair really does look washed. There is some grit to this product, and if you touch it, you're going to be able to tell that this is not freshly washed hair, but it looks like it. Definitely of all the dry shampoos I have ever tried, this one makes oiliness disappear the most effectively. And you don't need a ton of product. You just do like one little spritz into each section of your hair, wait like 30 seconds, massage it in. It's pretty magical. If I had to rate this on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it like a 9.5. The only thing I dock points for is that when you spray it, it can leave a little bit of white residue. So, if you're wearing dark clothing or you have dark countertops, you will see a little bit of that fallout. But in terms of what it actually does for your hair, 10 out of 10."
10 Tricks to Look WAY Prettier (That No One Talks About) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"For so long, my go-to dry shampoo was from Crown Affair, and I actually still love their dry shampoo so much, but the K18 dry shampoo, I thought it was all hype. This is fantastic. So I've been reaching for it more. You don't need a lot of this. Spritz, spritz, spritz. I will rub it through my hair and basically get my hair looking clean and not oily."
"It helps me tolerate my minoxidil better. Before I started using this, my scalp would get quite itchy with my minoxidil, which I could use a topical steroid for. But once I started incorporating this, I tolerated my minoxidil so much better. When we're thinking about hair and scalp longevity, this is the serum that comes to mind because it's not just about stimulating hair growth, but also making the scalp a more favorable environment to grow healthy hair."
"Niserol shampoo is great. It's super affordable. It can help with dandruff and hair thinning. And if you have dandruff and hair thinning, this is the single best thing I think you could have in your routine. The main downside of ketoconazole shampoos is that they tend to be kind of drying, so I really try to focus it just on my scalp and avoid it really getting washed up in my mid-lengths and ends. You do want it to sit on your scalp for a little while, so I like to make sure I focus it on the roots and massage it there and then let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes."
"I really like my Move full follicle shampoo. I also like ketoconazol shampoo to help with hair growth. So, I often will go in with that as my second cleansing step."
"At the tippy top of my list is ketoconazol shampoo. You can get this in a 2% formulation via a prescription or you can buy it over the counter. It's usually branded under Nizoral. And this is best known as an antifungal shampoo. We use it to treat seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff. But there is some evidence to show that it helps with female and male pattern alopecia by blocking DHT and reducing overall inflammation on the scalp. So I will typically recommend that my patients do this at least a few times a week, really focusing the lather up on the scalp, leaving it there for at least 2 minutes and then rinsing out. Now ketoconazol shampoos tend to be quite drying. So it's also really important that after you wash with those, you're going in with a good conditioner to refortify your hair."
"WOW Dream Coat, an incredible hair product when it comes to making your hair soft and shiny and kind of resistant to water, that uses a heat activated silicone polymer system to coat the hair when you apply that. And if you're going to use it, you need to apply it really generously. And then you put tension on the hair and you blow dry the hair. It essentially creates this film that sticks to the cuticle and protects the hair. So if you struggle with your hair being frizzy or humid or you need your hairstyle to last a really long time, maybe you're going to be a little sweaty on the dance floor, something like that, the Dream Coat product is exceptional."
"For so long, my go-to dry shampoo was from Crown Affair, and I actually still love their dry shampoo so much. You don't need a lot of this. Spritz, spritz, spritz. I will rub it through my hair to basically get my hair looking clean and not oily."
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10 Tricks to Look WAY Prettier (That No One Talks About) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"For so long, my go-to dry shampoo was from Crown Affair, and I actually still love their dry shampoo so much. You don't need a lot of this. Spritz, spritz, spritz. I will rub it through my hair to basically get my hair looking clean and not oily."
Holy Grail Skincare Gift Guide 2024 from a Dermatologist | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Their dry shampoo is my all-time favorite dry shampoo."
"If someone has a really flaky or oily scalp, one of the first things I do is incorporate an anti-dandruff shampoo. Most of the time we start them with Head and Shoulders. When using these anti-dandruff shampoos, you really want to think of them as a scalp wash. They are there to cleanse your scalp and yes they will cleanse your hair as well, but you want to focus them right up on the skin on your head so you can press that shampoo down to your scalp down to the roots where it's going to exert its best effects."
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How to Shower Like a Dermatologist for Your Smoothest Skin Ever | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Head and Shoulders is really meant to get in there suds up and lift buildup off of the hair. I started using Head and Shoulders and what I noticed is aside from my dandruff getting a lot better and having fewer flakes my hair just felt so much cleaner afterward and so it has been a staple in our shower for years now. Zinc pyrithione, which is the active ingredient in Head and Shoulders that treats your dandruff, doesn't need to sit on your skin for a prolonged period of time to give you benefits."
Why Your Hair Isn’t Growing: 5 Mistakes You’re Making | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If someone has a really flaky or oily scalp, one of the first things I do is incorporate an anti-dandruff shampoo. Most of the time we start them with Head and Shoulders. When using these anti-dandruff shampoos, you really want to think of them as a scalp wash. They are there to cleanse your scalp and yes they will cleanse your hair as well, but you want to focus them right up on the skin on your head so you can press that shampoo down to your scalp down to the roots where it's going to exert its best effects."
"I've used a ton of different purple shampoos over the years and they all kind of get the job done in terms of toning down the brassy notes in the hair but the reason I just repurchased the one from Olex and I like it so much and I recommend it is because one it foams up really well so you don't have to use a ton of it to evenly distribute it throughout your hair. The other thing I really like about it is it doesn't leave my hair feeling super dry or stripped and a lot of purple shampoos will do that so that was a big win for me."
"I feel like I have to give Crown Affair another shout out here because the microfiber towel that they make is so good. I'm obsessed with this particular towel now. The beauty of the Crown Affair one is one, it's gorgeous, but two it's big, so if you have a lot of hair you're going to be able to get it all wrapped up in there and totally coated. If you have a lot of hair I think Crown Affair is like unmatched in how effective and nice it is. It's definitely a very luxurious towel."
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Dermatologist's Healthy Haircare Upgrades for 2025 | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I feel like I have to give Crown Affair another shout out here because the microfiber towel that they make is so good. I'm obsessed with this particular towel now. The beauty of the Crown Affair one is one, it's gorgeous, but two it's big, so if you have a lot of hair you're going to be able to get it all wrapped up in there and totally coated. If you have a lot of hair I think Crown Affair is like unmatched in how effective and nice it is. It's definitely a very luxurious towel."
"The huge like towel that you use for your hair especially if you have long hair or if you have thick hair or curly hair this is so absorbent and just absorbs so much water out of your hair that it makes blow drying or even air drying afterward faster."
"I love hair towels that help absorb additional moisture or water from the hair. One of my all-time favorites is the Crown Affair Microfiber Hair Towel. It's really big but very light, so it's great if you have a lot of hair and even if you don't have a lot of hair it's great at removing that moisture and it's super comfortable. The added value of a hair towel is that it doesn't just not add additional friction to your hair but it also will reduce your heat styling time. It'll make your hair air dry or blow dry faster so that you don't have to apply as much damage to it later on in your styling routine."
"The Dyson Airwrap is something that is absolutely an investment but I truly feel like has leveled up my hair care routine. I do a lot of heat styling for my hair and my hair is also bleached so it's very prone to damage, and by incorporating the Dyson Airwrap into my routine I feel like I don't have to heat style it as often because the style really lasts and it has gentle heat for my hair so it's less damaging. If you find your hair to be a bit more limp or fine, the Dyson Airwrap is such a good way to get a lot of volume. I use the Big Barrel attachment and I blow dry it away from my face and I get so much height when I do that. There are so many different styling things you can use the Dyson for. I use it as my main blow dryer, I also use it to give myself a blowout, and if I just want loose bouncy curls, the Dyson is great for that. I also find that when I use it to style my hair it really lifts my hair up and off of my head, which not only gives me volume but it also means I don't have to wash my hair as often because I find that it doesn't get greasy as fast. This is a pricier gift but if you have a mother, a sister, or a personal desire to use the Dyson, I think you cannot go wrong."
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Holy Grail Skincare Gift Guide 2024 from a Dermatologist | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Dyson Airwrap is something that is absolutely an investment but I truly feel like has leveled up my hair care routine. I do a lot of heat styling for my hair and my hair is also bleached so it's very prone to damage, and by incorporating the Dyson Airwrap into my routine I feel like I don't have to heat style it as often because the style really lasts and it has gentle heat for my hair so it's less damaging. If you find your hair to be a bit more limp or fine, the Dyson Airwrap is such a good way to get a lot of volume. I use the Big Barrel attachment and I blow dry it away from my face and I get so much height when I do that. There are so many different styling things you can use the Dyson for. I use it as my main blow dryer, I also use it to give myself a blowout, and if I just want loose bouncy curls, the Dyson is great for that. I also find that when I use it to style my hair it really lifts my hair up and off of my head, which not only gives me volume but it also means I don't have to wash my hair as often because I find that it doesn't get greasy as fast. This is a pricier gift but if you have a mother, a sister, or a personal desire to use the Dyson, I think you cannot go wrong."
Top 6 Beauty Investments For Fuller Hair and More | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I invested in a Dyson Airwrap because I do style my hair a lot, my hair is also bleached so it has a lot of damage to it, and I really wanted to be using heat on my hair in a more responsible way. Even if I'm not using the Dyson throughout my hair every single day, I will use it to refresh the front pieces every day just so that it lays a little bit nicer. The front of my hair is not only an area that gets a lot more heat because it needs to be styled more often, but it's also where all my postpartum regrowth is coming in, so I want to be extra careful with those pieces. I use all the attachments actually, but the blow dry attachment I use every single time I'm blow drying my hair, and the round brush is the other one that I use a lot. It has been so amazing for my hair."
"For a drugstore option I find that Dove makes a very nice shampoo and conditioner that is incredibly nourishing for the hair and whether or not your hair is aging I really like their products."
"One of my favorites that I have tried is by K18. I find that their Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo strikes a really nice balance of making my scalp and hair feel really clean but not dried out. I will often use this K18 clarifying shampoo in conjunction with a detox spray, and I do that about once a week where I'm going to do the spray first, let it sit at least 15 minutes, and then go into the shower and use my clarifying shampoo. That combination keeps my scalp feeling good and keeps my dandruff and flaking at bay."
"The other thing I pack for my hair is the Aquis hair towel. This is another thing that just like stays in my luggage. It is so light, it is so absorptive, so it really helps remove moisture from my hair. I usually do not travel with a blow dryer and rely on the hotel blow dryer which is usually pure trash. Because a lot of these hotel hair dryers are just a ton of hot air and not a lot of actual moving air, I want to remove as much water as possible so that it's not just boiling my hair strands."
"I'm gonna use my Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and conditioner. I bought big ones of these and then as part of that I got mini ones which is perfect because then I can just keep refilling these from the bigger bottle."
"I have the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean dry shampoo. I even use this on clean hair at the root to give me a little more volume, especially if I'm in a climate where my hair is just looking a little bit flat or maybe I get to the hotel and because of the hard water or something my hair feels very weighed down and just doesn't have the fluff that I want. This is really nice to have."
"Something I like about Nutrafol and Viviscal and the reason I tend to recommend those two brands to my patients is because they have done clinical testing to show that their supplementation is actually effective for hair growth. So it's not just theoretical, but the people who have taken these supplements have actually seen benefits in their hair. If you decide that you want to use a supplement to help with your hair growth journey, you want to make sure you're choosing from a brand that has clinical data to support their claims."
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All 3 takes on Hair Growth Supplement
Proven Treatments for Hair Thinning & Loss Besides Minoxidil | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Nutrafol has done several internal clinical trials to show that their product actually does help with hair density and growth. Their ingredient blend is proprietary to them, but really the heavy hitters within their formulation are the marine collagen that they have, the ashwagandha, and saw palmetto, which is a DHT blocker. I've had many patients over the years have success with Nutrafol. I've also had patients over the years who didn't find it helpful. So, it's something that may be worth trying. The biggest downside of Nutrafol is that the pills are huge and you have to take four a day. And if you're someone where that's just one of the many supplements or other things you take, maybe it's not a big deal. But I feel like that is a dealbreaker for a lot of my patients."
Haircare Products that Are Totally BOGUS | Dr. Sam Ellis| Dr. Sam Ellis
"Something I like about Nutrafol and Viviscal and the reason I tend to recommend those two brands to my patients is because they have done clinical testing to show that their supplementation is actually effective for hair growth. So it's not just theoretical, but the people who have taken these supplements have actually seen benefits in their hair. If you decide that you want to use a supplement to help with your hair growth journey, you want to make sure you're choosing from a brand that has clinical data to support their claims."
Top 6 Beauty Investments For Fuller Hair and More | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Nutrafol is a hair supplement that I've been recommending to my patients for years as a dermatologist to help with hair density and to help decrease hair shedding because it has been shown to do both of those things. It has really helped with my hair density. Before, if I would pull my hair back, there was really nothing going on, and now I have all this increased thickness, which just makes me feel a whole lot better, especially if I'm wearing my hair back. I really like that this is drug-free because I respect that not everyone wants to use a pharmaceutical intervention when it comes to their hair issues. As a dermatologist and someone who doesn't want to be wasting time or money on something that doesn't work, I really like that Nutrafol has done the clinical trials to prove its efficacy. When you have issues with your hair and you see it fall out and see that pile near the drain, it is so distressing. When I got to see that hair shedding start to slow down and to see that thickness really come in, I knew this is my supplement. I would recommend at least six months of Nutrafol because nothing when it comes to hair happens quickly and you need to really stick with it."
"Trader Joe's has a practically identical product for $9 instead of 38. Their daily facial sunscreen SPF 40 is a very similar formula with that same gel primer texture and 40 minutes of water resistance."
"The Super Group Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 was considered very innovative when it first launched because unlike other sunscreens that are white creams or lotions, this is a clear silky gel that doubles as a primer and is invisible on all skin tones. It's also very popular with men because it's not shiny and it doesn't cling to facial hair. And as a dermatologist, I will be the first person to tell you that sunscreen is the most important step in your anti-aging skincare routine. So, if this product helps you be consistent with your sunscreen application, it is worth every penny."
"The Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Airyfit sunscreen, more for combination skin, feels like a midweight moisturizer, and I often will just use this and not even use a moisturizer on my skin."
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All 2 takes on Black Rice Moisture Airy Fit Daily Sunscreen SPF 50
Blur Pores and Texture With These Makeup Hacks for Oily Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Airyfit sunscreen, more for combination skin, feels like a midweight moisturizer, and I often will just use this and not even use a moisturizer on my skin."
HANDS DOWN! Best Korean Beauty Products of the Year: 2025 | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is creamier and less wet feeling than other sunscreens, but still really moisturizing with a beautiful matte finish. Exceptional in terms of performance under makeup. I've gone through tube after tube of this. I reached for it again and again. No Korean sunscreen I've tried has come close to how much I loved this one."
"This is an SPF 50 broadspectrum sunscreen where if you want something that is moisturizing but not oily, hydrating but not heavy, I would go for this every single time. I would say if you have combination to dry skin or dry mature skin, this is a pretty perfect sunscreen. It layers beautifully under makeup. It's not going to have a white cast on the vast majority of skin tones because it contains some really advanced UV filters different than the UV filters that are available for a lot of US sunscreens. Korean sunscreens tend to have a lot lighter textures than a lot of European sunscreens. I also love this for my body. I've purchased like 20 tubes of this because I can put it on me, I can put it on my son, I can force it onto my husband and I don't feel like I'm wasting it or I'm spending a ton of money protecting myself because these are so affordable as well as cosmetically elegant."
"The Ultraviolet Future Screen SPF 50 is an Australian-based sunscreen company that just recently launched in the United States. You can find it in Sephoras. They call this a modern mineral sunscreen. It's SPF 50. It is just an absolute delight to apply it. This is very slightly tinted. If you have super pale skin, the tint is going to be too dark. But if you are paler than me or my tone, it's going to be just fine. It's incredibly liquidy, so you have to be careful when you take it out of the bottle cuz you could make a mess real quick. And then as you're applying it, it feels almost like a face oil with some slip to it. It feels nice. It feels nourishing. And then when you get it totally distributed, it is quite dewy, quite shiny on the skin. As someone who has dry skin, I don't really mind that. It makes my skin look healthy and glowy. And I will take a little bit of translucent setting powder and just kind of blot it down. If you were going to try to wear this with zero powder, zero makeup, it's not going to be everyone's look. You're going to look a little sweaty. But if you feel comfortable with makeup and sort of manipulating your sunscreen by blotting down some of the sheen with powder, I think this is a really nice product."
"Another Korean sunscreen that I really love around the eyes and had zero eye stinging with is the Haru Haru Wonder sunscreen I really like this because it's quite creamy so it almost feels like an eye cream"
"The Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 is water resistant for 80 minutes. It's a top recommendation from a lot of my dermatology colleagues. It's got that classic thick whitish slightly paste-like effect of typical zinc and titanium dioxide based sunscreens, but I almost like that in a way because if my son is going in the water I kind of want to be able to see just a little bit exactly where I've put the sunscreen and this allows me to do that. I've definitely tried thicker and pastier zinc oxide sunscreens that I absolutely cannot get behind and a lot of the ones I found at the drugstore kind of are like that, so that's why I've opted for Blue Lizard so many times."
"One of my favorite super affordable sunscreens that you can use on your face and your body is from Eucerin, it's their Daily Hydration Cream and it's SPF 30. I personally use this more as a body sunscreen because it's kind of on the thicker side for the face, but if you have dry skin I think it's totally fine to use this on your face as well. I really like this body sunscreen because one, it addresses the fact that anti-aging skincare is not just for your face, you don't want to neglect the rest of your body. But two, you get so much product so you don't have to skimp or save, which is a huge issue with sunscreen since people underapply it and you're not going to get all of those protective anti-aging benefits if you're not using enough sunscreen."
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All 2 takes on Daily Hydration Cream SPF 30
Dermatologist's Favorite Affordable Anti-Aging Skincare Products! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my favorite super affordable sunscreens that you can use on your face and your body is from Eucerin, it's their Daily Hydration Cream and it's SPF 30. I personally use this more as a body sunscreen because it's kind of on the thicker side for the face, but if you have dry skin I think it's totally fine to use this on your face as well. I really like this body sunscreen because one, it addresses the fact that anti-aging skincare is not just for your face, you don't want to neglect the rest of your body. But two, you get so much product so you don't have to skimp or save, which is a huge issue with sunscreen since people underapply it and you're not going to get all of those protective anti-aging benefits if you're not using enough sunscreen."
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"Another body sunscreen I really like is the Eucerin Daily Hydration Cream, this is SPF 30 and it's really meant to be like a body lotion that happens to have sun protection. This is nice because it doesn't have fragrance and sometimes people will ask well is SPF 30 really enough, absolutely. One thing that's important to note about this user in sunscreen though is that it's not water resistant, so I prefer this more on a day to day basis rather than for outdoor hiking activities or being in the pool or things where I'm going to be sweaty. This is also fragrance free which is extra great for sensitive skin."
"The Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence is an SPF 50 sunscreen and is probably one of the most popular Asian sunscreens. It dries down pretty much instantly and it just works so beautifully for reapplication. It's also my favorite sunscreen for reapplying over makeup because you can kind of stipple or pat it on the skin without it building up or leaving a white cast. This is a chemical sunscreen and does have quite a high alcohol content, but I really think that adds to the performance of the product. Just note for people who are sensitive to fragrance, this does have fragrance."
"One of my favorite sunscreens for people who are new to skincare or maybe a little bit apprehensive about incorporating a sunscreen into their routine is the Olay Complete SPF 30. This is a two in one moisturizer and sunscreen, so you might not have to apply a moisturizer before your sunscreen and that saves you a step. This sunscreen is really user friendly because it has no white cast, it rubs in super well to the skin, it's very affordable, and it's accessible at most drug stores."
"The Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50 flecks are much more heavily pigmented. If you try to wear the flex on its own and you're actually using the proper amount or a quarter teaspoon of product for your face, it's going to be too thick and too heavily pigmented. So what I like to do is put one full layer of the original Colorescience on my skin that's really serving as my protective layer, and then I mix in equal parts a little bit of the fair shade of the Face Shield Flecks and the medium shade, and that's what gives me really good coverage. This is probably one of my favorite ways to wear makeup in the summer but still be super super protected. I also like that these are water and sweat resistant. If I was going to a pool party and I actually wanted to look cute, this combo of sunscreens is what I would wear."
"Another untinted mineral sunscreen that I really like is the Isdin Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50. It goes on really seamlessly and plays well under makeup. It does leave a little bit of a white cast on my skin, but I'm typically wearing it under a little bit of foundation or tinted moisturizer and that cancels that out. This uses 11% zinc oxide as the mineral filter and it's water resistant for 40 minutes. This is actually probably the most common mineral sunscreen that I use on my son when we're going into the water or going to the pool or the beach. One thing that's important to note about this sunscreen is that it's not a particularly moisturizing sunscreen, so I think it's actually really nice if you have oily skin, but if you have dry skin I would put a good layer of moisturizer on first before layering this on top."
"EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is the sunscreen I have recommended the most consistently to my patients over the last decade of my practice. It has great broad-spectrum coverage, so it's going to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays, but it also has niacinamide, which is a fantastic antioxidant that's anti-inflammatory and can help with things like acne. This is a really good sunscreen if you are acne prone. This was one of the first broad-spectrum sunscreens to incorporate niacinamide in a really intentional way. Niacinamide helps with pigment brightening. It helps calm inflammation. So when you combine it in a sunscreen, it makes for a product that is very good for people who have sensitive skin and acne prone skin. If I have a patient who has struggled to find a daily sunscreen that their skin really agrees with, EltaMD UV Clear is my go-to because it is beloved by so many people and very, very consistently."
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All 4 takes on UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Answering Your Biggest Skincare Questions From The Comments Section | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The most well-known of the sunscreens I recommend for acne is EltaMD UV Clear. This formula has been around for over a decade. It was one of the very first sunscreens I ever truly fell in love with, first as a consumer and then as a dermatologist. This formula is so beautiful. It's very lightweight on the skin. It's meant to not clog your pores. I find that a lot of people who are acne prone do really well with it. This was one of the first sunscreens to really lean into the ingredient niacinamide. EltaMD was very much a pioneer with incorporating this into a formula. Niacinamide helps with barrier function. It helps with oil control. It acts as an antioxidant. So having that within a sunscreen can be very helpful if you are acne prone or you feel like your sunscreen tends to make you oily."
My Most Purchased Skincare Products as a Derm | Dr. Sam Ellis
"EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is the sunscreen I have recommended the most consistently to my patients over the last decade of my practice. It has great broad-spectrum coverage, so it's going to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays, but it also has niacinamide, which is a fantastic antioxidant that's anti-inflammatory and can help with things like acne. This is a really good sunscreen if you are acne prone. This was one of the first broad-spectrum sunscreens to incorporate niacinamide in a really intentional way. Niacinamide helps with pigment brightening. It helps calm inflammation. So when you combine it in a sunscreen, it makes for a product that is very good for people who have sensitive skin and acne prone skin. If I have a patient who has struggled to find a daily sunscreen that their skin really agrees with, EltaMD UV Clear is my go-to because it is beloved by so many people and very, very consistently."
Is Expensive Sunscreen Really Better? A Dermatologist Tells All | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 sunscreen was literally the first sunscreen I ever used and was like, 'Oh, this is awesome.' And it really did make me want to use sunscreen more. This is my go-to sunscreen rec. When someone's like, 'What's a sunscreen that I can buy in the US that performs well, that's good for sensitive skin?' I lean on this so often and I feel like it's absolutely worth that slightly elevated price tag. When you apply it, it feels like it's between a lotion and a cream. It's a little heavier than a lotion, but not as rich as a cream, which I really like because I find that it's supportive of the skin barrier without weighing your skin down or making your skin look oily or feel greasy throughout the day, which is also why I love this for people who are acne prone. It is my top rec basically for my acne prone patients who are looking for a sunscreen to incorporate into their skincare routine. I love it. I don't think I will ever stop loving it."
Is Expensive Sunscreen Really Better? A Dermatologist Tells All | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Their UV Clear SPF 46 sunscreen was literally the first sunscreen I ever used and was like, 'Oh, this is awesome.' And it really did make me want to use sunscreen more. This is my go-to sunscreen rec. When someone's like, 'What's a sunscreen that I can buy in the US that performs well, that's good for sensitive skin?' I lean on this so often and I feel like it's absolutely worth that slightly elevated price tag. When you apply it, it feels like it's between a lotion and a cream. It's a little heavier than a lotion, but not as rich as a cream, which I really like because I find that it's supportive of the skin barrier without weighing your skin down or making your skin look oily or feel greasy throughout the day, which is also why I love this for people who are acne prone. It is my top rec basically for my acne prone patients who are looking for a sunscreen to incorporate into their skincare routine. I love it. I don't think I will ever stop loving it."
"I love my Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. This is a Korean sunscreen, not the American version. The reason I like Korean sunscreens so much is one, they have advanced UVA filters. So filters that we don't have access to in the United States that are superior and if you deal with hyperpigmentation, you are going to be more sensitive to UV than your average person. The other reason I like these products is a lot of Korean skincare routines are like 10 steps long. And so they've designed their sunscreen to layer well over a lot of products and not feel heavy. What I will do with this is I will take one finger length, I will apply it, and then I will take a second finger length and apply it. And the reason I do it in two layers is because I find that if you do two at once, you're just doing a lot of smearing. And I feel like a lot of it ends up on like your hands or just like mushed around. And so I feel like you get a much better coating when you go in with two layers."
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All 4 takes on Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++
Dermatologist's Favorite K-Beauty Sunscreens & Moisturizers (Korean Skincare Picks!) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ makes it into basically all of my sunscreen videos. This was really the first sunscreen I ever tried that gave me that moment of like whoa sunscreen can be incredible because it's lightweight, it's moisturizing, there's no white cast on me, it doesn't aggravate my rosacea, and for that reason I feel like this is such a go-to recommendation not just for me but from so many people in the skincare community whether they're estheticians or dermatologists or creators. It's just fabulous."
Summer Skincare Empties: Tower 28, K18, Prequel, & More! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I've run through the entire tube this summer. This was in my Holy Grail skincare last year and I still love it. So many of you have tried it and say this was the first sunscreen that made me love sunscreen. The texture is incredible, it's just like a lightweight moisturizer. For many people this is the first sunscreen they've ever tried that just feels like lotion on the skin. It doesn't feel heavy or sticky like traditional sunscreen and also doesn't have that sunscreen smell."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love my Beauty of Joseon sunscreen. This is a Korean sunscreen, not the American version. The reason I like Korean sunscreens so much is one, they have advanced UVA filters. So filters that we don't have access to in the United States that are superior and if you deal with hyperpigmentation, you are going to be more sensitive to UV than your average person. The other reason I like these products is a lot of Korean skincare routines are like 10 steps long. And so they've designed their sunscreen to layer well over a lot of products and not feel heavy. What I will do with this is I will take one finger length, I will apply it, and then I will take a second finger length and apply it. And the reason I do it in two layers is because I find that if you do two at once, you're just doing a lot of smearing. And I feel like a lot of it ends up on like your hands or just like mushed around. And so I feel like you get a much better coating when you go in with two layers."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love my Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++. This is a Korean sunscreen, not the American version. This is from overseas. The reason I like Korean sunscreens so much is one, they have advanced UVA filters. So filters that we don't have access to in the United States that are superior and if you deal with hyperpigmentation, you are going to be more sensitive to UV than your average person. The other reason I like these products is a lot of Korean skincare routines are like 10 steps long. And so they've designed their sunscreen to layer well over a lot of products and not feel heavy. This is one that I reach for a lot."
"The Summer Fridays Shade Drops SPF 30 is a zinc-based non-water resistant sunscreen that comes out as a very thin liquidy milk and I just love how lightweight it is. I do like to wear a moisturizer underneath because it can be pretty drying if worn on its own, but I really love how it rubs into the skin. The finish on this is quite natural so you're not really dewy or glossy but it's also not a matte finish, and that's why I like it because you can kind of wear it on its own, you could wear it under makeup which I do a lot, and it's actually pretty easy to reapply and that's pretty hard to find in a mineral sunscreen."
"In the morning, I would start with a very simple routine, a gentle cleanser like the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, and then follow that with a bland moisturizer. At night, you would use that same gentle cleanser."
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All 2 takes on Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Best Way to Repair Your Skin Barrier? Dermatologist Verdict
"In the morning, I would start with a very simple routine, a gentle cleanser like the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, and then follow that with a bland moisturizer. At night, you would use that same gentle cleanser."
Dermatologist's Anti-Aging Skincare Routine for Beginners (Morning & Night!) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is a really nice gentle cleanser. I recommend it all the time to my patients who have more sensitive skin. Still really effective but non-stripping, nice and nourishing. Doesn't sting around the eyes."
"A gentle cleanser, whether that's like Prequel cleanser or the Cetaphil hydrating cleanser or the La Roche-Posay gentle cleanser, and then following that with what I would consider a bland moisturizer, a moisturizer that does not have active ingredients in it."
"I know if they go in with this, they're going to do a great job and they're going to enjoy the cleanse and it's not going to leave their face feeling stripped. Because a lot of times if you have a really thorough cleanser, your skin feels a bit depleted afterward. And that doesn't happen with this at all. This is 10 out of 10."
"I will use my Bioderma micellar water on a cotton pad, and I typically will do this if I'm wearing like a ton of makeup, and then I'll go in with my prequel cleanser. The beauty of a double cleanse like this is that all the steps, all of the products you're using are super gentle, so you're not stripping your skin even though you're cleansing twice and very thoroughly."
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All 6 takes on Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
STOP This Now—Your Anti-Aging Routine Depends on It | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my absolute favorite ways to remove makeup quickly is with micellar water. If you've been on this channel for any amount of time you know I have a love affair with the Bioderma water. You basically just shake it onto a cotton pad, wipe wipe wipe. It's just so much more gentle than a makeup wipe. Yeah, I would rather you use a makeup wipe over nothing, but I would prefer that you use something like micellar water, which is a lot more gentle and doesn't leave your skin feeling tight or irritated."
My Sensitive Skin Nighttime Skincare Routine as a Dermatologist | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my absolute favorite cleansers for sensitive skin and honestly just like favorite cleansers in general is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. I go through one of these probably once every four to six months. I particularly love this for sensitive skin because it has very few ingredients, so very few things to potentially be sensitive to. If you're potentially trying to sus out if you have an allergy or an irritation reaction to something in one of your products, if you're working with something that has 10 or fewer ingredients, that does make that process a little easier. This is also fragrance-free. There are a lot of people that have sensitivities to fragrance or it can make you sensitive to other things in your products, so why not just take it out of the equation. You can think of it like a makeup remover, gentle cleanser all in one. I like to put it on a cotton round, saturate the cotton round with it, and then gently swipe it over my face."
Dermatologist's Ultimate Beauty Hacks for Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love using my micellar water to take my makeup off on a day-to-day basis but it doesn't really travel well so having these pre-soaked pads is perfect."
6 Skincare Hacks I Would Do NOW for Better Skin in 30 Days | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I will use my Bioderma micellar water on a cotton pad, and I typically will do this if I'm wearing like a ton of makeup, and then I'll go in with my prequel cleanser. The beauty of a double cleanse like this is that all the steps, all of the products you're using are super gentle, so you're not stripping your skin even though you're cleansing twice and very thoroughly."
Summer Skincare Empties: Tower 28, K18, Prequel, & More! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Bioderma micellar water was part of my Holy Grail skincare and it continues to be a staple for me. I use this as a first cleanse to remove makeup or sunscreen. I often put it on a cotton pad and swipe it over my face or eyes, and if I have heavy eye makeup, it's really nice to go in with something like this first to get a lot of the gunk off, and then I'll go in with a more gentle cleanser to finish things off. I really like micellar water if you're on the lazier side when it comes to cleansing your face because you can leave this by your nightstand with some cotton pads there, and instead of makeup wipes, this is a nice substitute that's a little less irritating and a lot more gentle on your skin. The thing with micellar water is you actually can leave it on your skin and you don't have to rinse it off. I still like to go in with a double cleanse most nights and rinse it off afterward, but if you're using this as your only cleanse or on the go, you don't have to rinse it off."
Dermatologist's Skincare Tips for People Who Don't Like Skincare | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of my favorite super easy cleansers to use is the Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. You essentially take some of the micellar water, pour it onto a cotton round, and swipe it over the face to help you remove things like sunscreen and the dirt and oils that accumulate on the face over the course of the day. The reason I like this one so much is it's very satisfying to use because if you have any dirt or debris that's on your face you can actually see it come off on the cotton round, and the fact that you see how effective that cleanser is being makes it more likely that you're going to stick with it. I also really like micellar water because it's less messy than washing your face, you're not worried about splashing water all around, and you can also do this anywhere, you don't have to do it in your bathroom. For people who are really bad about being consistent about washing their face, I tell them to just leave some cotton rounds in micellar water on their bedside table and even if they've jumped into bed at night they realize they didn't wash their face, they can reach over and do a two second skincare routine. The other thing that's really nice about micellar water is you don't have to rinse it off."
"This is the most effective cleansing balm that I have ever used. You really don't need a lot, so even though this probably has half as much product as the other one, it took me the same amount of time to go through it. As soon as I opened this, I don't think I touched another first cleansing step until this was completely gone. I've already repurchased another one because it is so so good. If you have sensitive skin, I think this is an amazing cleansing balm. It's incredibly effective so you don't have to push really hard or really rub or scrub at your eyelid skin, which is really nice. It also doesn't have any fragrance. It's calming, like all of the things you would hope for in a cleansing balm the Tatcha one has. It is a little pricier, it's definitely a little bit more of an investment, but if you don't like washing your face and you feel like that's such a chore, this makes it so effortless. It is incredible. I feel like if I could only use one first cleansing step for the rest of my life based on all the products I've ever tried, it'd be this one."
"Another cleanser that I absolutely love is the SkinFix Barrier Foaming Oil Cleanser. One thing I really love about it is that it has a little bit of slip and hydration to it, so it doesn't feel like it's stripping your skin or leaving your skin depleted, but you also get this really satisfying lather when you use it. It's great at removing makeup as well as sunscreen. This is probably one of my favorite cleansers to bring with me on a beach vacation because on days when I'm applying a lot of sunscreen or I have a lot of product build up on my face, I know it's going to get my face clean without leaving it feeling dry or tight. The reason I love this so much for people who maybe have a very minimalist skincare routine is because it has that hydrating factor to it, so you may not need to follow it with a moisturizer to keep your skin feeling really good."
"The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser isn't like a rich lathery super luxurious cleansing experience but it gets the job done and is not likely to cause problems. You probably hear dermatologists recommend it all the time."
"The CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser has four percent benzoyl peroxide and it's a really nice once a day wash to help fight acne. Benzoyl peroxide products don't just have to be used on the face, they're great for acne that's on the body like on the chest or the back or the buttocks, or if you struggle with bacterial folliculitis benzoyl peroxide products can be really helpful for that too."
"Another sulfur product that I really like, it's probably a little bit more cosmetically elegant, is the Kate Somerville Eradicate Daily Cleanser. This has three percent sulfur, which is a solid concentration of sulfur that can help reduce things like blackheads and whiteheads, and again address that oiliness that a lot of people struggle with."
"This cleanser is formulated with protective acacia senegal gum colloid, which is essentially a molecular complex that helps improve the dispersion and efficacy of sulfur within the formula and helps reduce the odor of sulfur. People often associate sulfur with that strong unpleasant smell of rotten eggs, but this cleanser is actually very pleasant because of the mindful formulation. While there's just the slightest hint of sulfur, it's not off-putting. And that matters because using your products consistently is how you get the best results. In addition to sulfur, this cleanser is also formulated with a full stack of soothing ingredients. There's azelaic acid in a hydrosoluble patented form to support clearer, more even tone. Shea to calm sensitized skin and support the skin barrier. Alphitol, a potent antioxidant that soothes and brightens. Panthenol for improved hydration and elasticity. And aloe vera to soothe immediately. There are also a few calming ingredients like fitins osmanthis, a unique antioxidant with proven calming properties, neocensil, a targeted soothing complex for sensitive skin, and guazelene, known for soothing and responsible for the cleanser's natural green tint. Every ingredient here is doing something intentional. This is an ultra plush foaming cleanser that creates a gentle cushiony lather. When I use this, I feel clean and refreshed but never stripped, tight or dry. You could use this as a morning cleanser or an evening cleanser. I've actually been loving using it in the morning because it sets my skin up to look its best throughout the day."
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All 4 takes on Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser
Introducing Prequel's NEW Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This cleanser is formulated with protective acacia senegal gum colloid, which is essentially a molecular complex that helps improve the dispersion and efficacy of sulfur within the formula and helps reduce the odor of sulfur. People often associate sulfur with that strong unpleasant smell of rotten eggs, but this cleanser is actually very pleasant because of the mindful formulation. While there's just the slightest hint of sulfur, it's not off-putting. And that matters because using your products consistently is how you get the best results. In addition to sulfur, this cleanser is also formulated with a full stack of soothing ingredients. There's azelaic acid in a hydrosoluble patented form to support clearer, more even tone. Shea to calm sensitized skin and support the skin barrier. Alphitol, a potent antioxidant that soothes and brightens. Panthenol for improved hydration and elasticity. And aloe vera to soothe immediately. There are also a few calming ingredients like fitins osmanthis, a unique antioxidant with proven calming properties, neocensil, a targeted soothing complex for sensitive skin, and guazelene, known for soothing and responsible for the cleanser's natural green tint. Every ingredient here is doing something intentional. This is an ultra plush foaming cleanser that creates a gentle cushiony lather. When I use this, I feel clean and refreshed but never stripped, tight or dry. You could use this as a morning cleanser or an evening cleanser. I've actually been loving using it in the morning because it sets my skin up to look its best throughout the day."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is an ultra plush foaming cleanser that creates a gentle cushiony lather. When I use this, I feel clean and refreshed but never stripped tight or dry. You could use this as a morning cleanser or an evening cleanser. I've actually been loving using it in the morning because it sets my skin up to look its best throughout the day. It contains calming ingredients like fitins osmanthis, a unique antioxidant with proven calming properties, neocensil, a targeted soothing complex for sensitive skin, and guazelene, known for soothing and responsible for the cleanser's natural green tint. I take a pretty generous amount, work it into a rich lather, and apply it to my face in the areas that I tend to get red, which is my cheeks, my nose, my chin, sometimes my forehead. Because this contains sulfur, I do keep it away from the eyes. Most days, I'll work it into my skin for 30 to 60 seconds and then rinse. But if I have a little bit more time, I will actually let it sit on my skin for 2 to 3 minutes, almost like a mini masking moment. I'm so glad that this cleanser is launching because I've been wanting to talk about it for so long. I have turned using this into a bit of a ritual because it's so enjoyable to use."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is an ultra plush foaming cleanser that creates a gentle cushiony lather. When I use this, I feel clean and refreshed but never stripped tight or dry. You could use this as a morning cleanser or an evening cleanser. I've actually been loving using it in the morning because it sets my skin up to look its best throughout the day. I have turned using this into a bit of a ritual because it's so enjoyable to use. I'll take a pretty generous amount, work it into a rich lather, and then apply it to my face in the areas that I tend to get red, which is my cheeks, my nose, my chin, sometimes my forehead. And because this contains sulfur, I do keep it away from the eyes. Most days, I'll work it into my skin for 30 to 60 seconds and then rinse. But if I have a little bit more time, I will actually let it sit on my skin for 2 to 3 minutes, almost like a mini masking moment. Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and clinically tested for rosacea prone skin."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love that this is an ultra plush foaming cleanser that creates a gentle cushiony lather. When I use this, I feel clean and refreshed but never stripped tight or dry. You could use this as a morning cleanser or an evening cleanser. I've actually been loving using it in the morning because it sets my skin up to look its best throughout the day. I'll take a pretty generous amount, work it into a rich lather, and then apply it to my face in the areas that I tend to get red, which is my cheeks, my nose, my chin, sometimes my forehead. And because this contains sulfur, I do keep it away from the eyes. Most days, I'll work it into my skin for 30 to 60 seconds and then rinse. But if I have a little bit more time, I will actually let it sit on my skin for 2 to 3 minutes, almost like a mini masking moment. Redness Reform Sulfur Cleanser is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested, suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and clinically tested for rosacea prone skin."
"I'm using such a gentle cleanser, my Prequel cleanser, which is 50% glycerin, it's just a very non-stripping, hydrating cleanser. I find it's a good balance of setting my skin up for success, getting that refresh in the morning, but not making my skin feel dry or tight."
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All 7 takes on Non-Drying Glycerin Cleanser
How to Shower Like a Dermatologist for Your Smoothest Skin Ever | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I am often reaching for my Prequel cleanser. It is the most popular product in our line. It's a glycerin-based cleanser and it's huge. I leave one in the shower because it's meant for face and body."
6 Skincare Hacks I Would Do NOW for Better Skin in 30 Days | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I will either use my Prequel cleansing oil and then go in with the Prequel cleanser or I will use my biodermaicellar water on a cotton pad and then I'll go in with my Prequel cleanser and the beauty of a double cleanse like this is that all the steps all of the products you're using are super gentle so you're not stripping your skin even though you're cleansing twice and very thoroughly."
Dermatologist's Favorite Body Skincare Products: Cleanser, Exfoliator, Sunscreen, & More!
"This is actually designed to be a face and body cleanser but I love it so much because it has so much glycerin in it that it really nourishes and protects the skin while it cleanses without feeling sticky or clinging to the skin. We designed this cleanser to be ultra hydrating for the skin but without leaving any type of residue behind. One of my biggest pet peeves with hydrating cleansers is when I can still feel them on my skin afterward and this one washes completely clean. We also had this cleanser clinically tested for its moisturizing capacity and it keeps the skin moisturized for 24 hours after use. I love how much this lathers up. I feel like sometimes people associate a foaming cleanser or a lathering cleanser with something that's stripping but in reality having a nice lather to me is just an amazing sensorial experience."
GRWM Skincare & Makeup Routine: Sharing Our Trip to Japan (Tokyo & Kyoto) | Dermatologist
"This is my cleanser from Prequel and it's so good. This is the Prequel Universal Skin Solution. I couldn't bring this to Japan because this is a 4 oz bottle, but it's so amazing for like sensitive skin."
Introducing My NEW Skincare Brand Prequel | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I worked with formulators to ensure that this is a plushy luxurious beautiful formula it lathers incredibly well. This cleanser has really become my cleanser staple in my routine for both my face and body. In addition to being formulated with over 50% glycerin, this also contains inulin, oat, arginine, and aloe to soothe and comfort the skin as well as cleanse it."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Gleanser + Glycolic Non-Drying Glycolic Acid Cleanser | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is Cleanser Plus Glycolic, our non-drying glycolic acid cleanser for face and body. It has 5% glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is the gold standard alpha hydroxy acid. It is a small molecule that's highly water soluble, and it penetrates the skin very well. It makes it great for things like boosting skin cell turnover, brightening the appearance of dark spots, and doing things like smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. In my own clinical practice as a dermatologist, I recommend glycolic acid all the time because I have so many patients who want to improve dullness, give their skin that really healthy glow, start to smooth the texture of their skin."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I'm using such a gentle cleanser, my Prequel cleanser, which is 50% glycerin, it's just a very non-stripping, hydrating cleanser. I find it's a good balance of setting my skin up for success, getting that refresh in the morning, but not making my skin feel dry or tight."
"I'm pretty consistent with how I double cleanse. I will either use my Prequel Pre-Cleanse Cleansing Oil and then go in with the Prequel cleanser, or I will use my Biderma micellar water on a cotton pad. The beauty of a double cleanse like this is that all the steps, all of the products you're using are super gentle so you're not stripping your skin even though you're cleansing twice and very thoroughly. This is particularly helpful if you struggle with things like clogged pores or you don't feel like your products are absorbing that well at night, because sometimes that's because there's leftover gunk on your face that's not getting appropriately cleaned off. When you go in with the double cleanse, you are really prepping your skin for anything else you're putting on after."
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All 7 takes on Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil
Introducing Prequel's NEW Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Prequel Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil is an oil-based first cleanser that can be used before your water-based cleanser. It helps break down sunscreen, waterproof makeup, and sebum before you go in with your water-based cleanser, so that ultimately you're ending up with a more thorough cleanse. By using an oil cleanser and then a water-based cleanser, you are more gently dissolving what's on your face without causing extra trauma to your skin, so it's a gentle way to thoroughly cleanse your skin. As a dermatologist and as someone who has sensitive skin and rosacea, I can tell you that how you cleanse your skin really matters, and using a first cleansing step is a very efficient yet gentle way to remove debris from your skin."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"What makes Prequel Pre-Gleanse so special is that it also utilizes glycerin which I love and sorbital derived surfactants that instantly emulsify so you get this very clean rinse with no film left behind but your skin still feels really soft afterward. I've gone in with Prequel and then almost forgotten to go in with my second cleansing step because my skin feels so perfectly cleansed and nourished. Prequel has such a lightweight oil texture like when I feel it on the skin it's light but it still feels plushy and what I really like about this is when I'm massaging it into my skin it still has this beautiful slip. Sometimes people rush through the cleansing process but this really allows you to kind of pause and be a little bit more ritualistic because you want to massage this into your skin it feels that good. I start with dry hands and take about three pumps or so, distribute it on my palms and then massage it into my face including around my eyes where I might have any eye makeup. I do that for about 30 seconds until I can see that my makeup has been thoroughly broken down and then I add just the tiniest bit of water to emulsify the cleanser at that point you're going to see it transform from clear to kind of milky and then rinse it off completely. Oil cleansers are also such a beautiful way to break down sunscreen not only on the face but also."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"What makes Prequel Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil so special is that it also utilizes glycerin which I love and sorbital derived surfactants that instantly emulsify so you get this very clean rinse with no film left behind but your skin still feels really soft afterward. I've gone in with Prequel and then almost forgotten to go in with my second cleansing step because my skin feels so perfectly cleansed and nourished. Prequel has such a lightweight oil texture like when I feel it on the skin it's light but it still feels plushy and what I really like about this is when I'm massaging it into my skin it still has this beautiful slip. Sometimes people rush through the cleansing process but this really allows you to kind of pause and be a little bit more ritualistic because you want to massage this into your skin it feels that good. I start with dry hands and then I take about three pumps or so I distribute it on my palms and then I start massaging it into my face including around my eyes where I might have any eye makeup I do that for about 30 seconds until I can see that my makeup has been thoroughly broken down and then I add just the tiniest bit of water to emulsify the cleanser at that point it transforms from clear to kind of milky and then you go in and rinse it off completely. Oil cleansers are also such a beautiful way to break down sunscreen not only on the face but also on the body."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"When I'm massaging it into my skin it still has this beautiful slip like I actually kind of want to put this on my face right now. Sometimes people rush through the cleansing process but this really allows you to kind of pause and be a little bit more ritualistic because you want to massage this into your skin it feels that good. I start with dry hands and then I take about three pumps or so I distribute it on my palms and then I start massaging it into my face including around my eyes where I might have any eye makeup I do that for about 30 seconds until I can see that my makeup has been thoroughly broken down and then I add just the tiniest bit of water to emulsify the cleanser at that point it transforms from clear to kind of milky and then you rinse it off completely. Oil cleansers are such a beautiful way to break down sunscreen not only on the face but also on the body. It's like my dermatologist pro tip to use something like this if you have sunscreen on your skin because sometimes it can feel like it's hard to get it off in the shower. One issue I've had with cleansing oils over the years is that sometimes they can either sting my eyes or leave like a cloudy film on my eyeballs and I was very much not about that, so when we developed this I really wanted to make sure that it rinse clean not just from my skin but also from my eyes."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Removing body sunscreen can be kind of tricky so in the bath I will rub this over his arms and chest anywhere that he has sunscreen and then I'll rinse it off and it's a really nice way to get a thorough cleanse that's still super gentle. I know it feels kind of weird as someone who has oily skin or who is acne prone to go in and put something like an oil cleanser on your skin but this has been clinically tested to be non-comedogenic or non-pore clogging so this is not going to break you out or exacerbate any existing acne that you might have. Using a double cleanse when you have acne can actually be really beneficial. This is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested, and suitable for all skin types including people who have sensitive skin or who are eczema prone. Since this was developed I have not stopped using it in my routine."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Pre-Gleanse Cleansing Oil! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Using a double cleanse when you have acne can actually be really beneficial. What you can always expect from Prequel products is that they're fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, allergy tested, and suitable for all skin types including people who have sensitive skin or who are eczema prone. Since this was developed, I have not stopped using it in my routine."
6 Skincare Hacks I Would Do NOW for Better Skin in 30 Days | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I'm pretty consistent with how I double cleanse. I will either use my Prequel Pre-Cleanse Cleansing Oil and then go in with the Prequel cleanser, or I will use my Biderma micellar water on a cotton pad. The beauty of a double cleanse like this is that all the steps, all of the products you're using are super gentle so you're not stripping your skin even though you're cleansing twice and very thoroughly. This is particularly helpful if you struggle with things like clogged pores or you don't feel like your products are absorbing that well at night, because sometimes that's because there's leftover gunk on your face that's not getting appropriately cleaned off. When you go in with the double cleanse, you are really prepping your skin for anything else you're putting on after."
"The first step of my double cleanse is going to be with the Haru Haru Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil and ooh she's a goodie. Like so many delicious oils in here, macadamia, jojoba, sunflower, rice bran. I mean amazing on the skin, not just to remove makeup and sunscreen but also to nourish the skin at the same time. I think if you have a cleanser that actually can give something back to your skin and not just take away, that is a huge win, and this definitely does that."
"The Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Body Lotion is another very affordable option and one that I often recommend because it is widely available at the drugstore."
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All 2 takes on Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body and Face Lotion
How to Fix Dull, Crepey Body Skin | Firm Glowing Skin Tricks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Body Lotion is another very affordable option and one that I often recommend because it is widely available at the drugstore."
I’m Changing How My Patients Do Anti-Aging Skincare (5 Key Upgrades) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you want something that's super affordable that you can get at pretty much any drugstore, Gold Bond makes a really nice retinol body lotion. Having a retinol body lotion at least a few times a week in your routine is definitely recommended by me."
"Black Rice Night Retinol Serum for Beginners is so good. It is an exceptional retinol if you have sensitive skin or you are new to retinol in general. The serum one is texturally beautiful. It also contains encapsulated retinol which means that the way the retinol is released into the skin is more slow and controlled. So that really helps with penetration but also reduces the irritation potential of a product like this. If I have a patient who is new to retinoids and they're like where do I start? I recommend this one all the time. Also for my patients who have rosacea, they're prone to peroral dermatitis, they have seborrheic dermatitis, so like dandruff of the face, and they just find that their skin is really reactive and doesn't tend to do well with active ingredients that are promoting skin cell turnover, which is something that retinol does. I will have them start with this."
"The Medicaid Crystal Retinal is a formula so the main job of this is anti-aging, reversing fine lines and wrinkles, helping with pigmentation, helping with dullness. This is a topical retinoid, a form of topical vitamin A that helps with skin cell turnover, helps you make new collagen, and helps slow down the breakdown of the collagen you currently have. Number one, it's a retinaldehyde, so in your skin retinol gets converted to retinaldehyde which gets converted to retinoic acid, which is actually the active molecule that's exerting all those positive effects on your skin. When you start with something like retinaldehyde you're already one step closer to the active version when you're putting it on your skin. Secondly, they have a patented way that they introduce the retinaldehyde into this formula and thus determines how that retinaldehyde interacts with your skin. It's better absorbed, it's more stable. The huge issue with topical retinoids is that they're very unstable, so sometimes the formula that you get and what it says on the packaging is not really what's actually making it to your face because that product is breaking down or becoming destabilized while it's sitting on the shelf."
"Adapalene, also known as Differin, is a third generation retinoid and it's very stable in the presence of benzoyl peroxide. So often when I'm counseling my acne patients and they want to be using two anti-acne things in one part of their routine, I'm having them use benzoyl peroxide and adapalene together. Now that does have the potential to be irritating, but they're not going to inactivate one another."
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All 4 takes on Adapalene Gel 0.1%
My Holy Grail Retinoids List | Dermatologist Picks!
"Adapalene, also known as Differin Adapalene 0.1% gel, used to be a prescription retinoid you could only get from your doctor but it's now available over the counter and that is so wonderful. If you're looking for a retinoid that's available over the counter to help you with your acne, this is absolutely my number one choice. Do not bother with retinols or retinoic acid. Adapalene is known as a third generation retinoid so it's going to work on those retinoic acid receptors within your skin but it's considered to be a lot more gentle and people tend to have less irritation when using something like adapalene compared to tretinoin. There are studies showing that 0.1% adapalene is just as effective as 0.025% tretinoin. Within the US, this is the most potent retinoid that you can get over the counter without a prescription."
My Holy Grail Retinoids List | Dermatologist Picks!
"Adapalene is known as a third generation retinoid so it's going to work on those retinoic acid receptors within your skin but it's considered to be a lot more gentle and people tend to have less irritation when using something like adapalene compared to tretinoin. There are studies showing that 0.1% adapalene is just as effective as 0.025% tretinoin. Within the US this is the most potent retinoid that you can get over the counter without a prescription. I love my adapalene when I'm looking for something super potent to use as my retinoid."
Skincare You CAN and CANNOT Use Together | How to Layer Skincare| Dr. Sam Ellis
"Adapalene, also known as Differin, is a third generation retinoid and it's very stable in the presence of benzoyl peroxide. So often when I'm counseling my acne patients and they want to be using two anti-acne things in one part of their routine, I'm having them use benzoyl peroxide and adapalene together. Now that does have the potential to be irritating, but they're not going to inactivate one another."
Dermatologist Explains Body Hyperpigmentation: What Causes It, Best Treatments, Prevention, & More!
"Adapalene 0.1 percent gel is a topical retinoid so it sort of fits in the same category as tretinoin but you can get it over the counter under the brand name Differin or Effaclar by La Roche Posay and I would have my patients apply this the same way they would apply topical tretinoin and so to the entire hyperpigmented area ideally nightly."
"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal is more potent than the average retinoid product that you can get and it's also very well formulated, it's well stabilized. It's fantastic."
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All 2 takes on Crystal Retinal 6
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal is more potent than the average retinoid product that you can get and it's also very well formulated, it's well stabilized. It's fantastic."
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"Another topical retinoid that I really love is by Medik8 and it's their Crystal Retinal. The reason I like the Medik8 Crystal Retinal is because one, Medik8 is sort of a pioneer when it comes to formulating really stable effective retinoids that can be accessible to many different people, but I also love that this system incorporates various strengths so it has five different strengths of retinol so you can start with something a lot more gentle and as you see the progress and as your skin begins to tolerate those stronger retinoids you can work your way up in the system."
"Retinoids are notoriously irritating to the skin and can cause a lot of dryness and peeling with quite a long acclimation period somewhere between weeks and several months. The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 is exceptional because I find that you can acclimate to it quite quickly but it's also very very effective. It is a retinal derivative product, so that's a step up in potency and efficacy from retinol, but it's level one and this goes all the way up to level 20. I really like that Medik8 creates their retinoids in gradients so you can start with something less potent if you have sensitive skin or you're a beginner and then work your way up as you tolerate it. Retinal is traditionally tricky to formulate with, hard to keep stable and effective, but Medik8 has a great technology approach to this and their products with retinal are wonderful. It's nice and creamy and you just need a really thin layer, one pump for your entire face. I really like this because you can use it on your neck. A lot of people can't use prescription retinoids on their neck because it's too irritating, but this one's fantastic. Once someone with sensitive skin is able to tolerate this every single night on their skin without issues, then they could go up to the next strength."
"If you're looking for a retinol that's a little more lightweight, I am a huge fan of the Narium Retinol Complex Cream. This cream almost feels more like a thick serum on the skin and in addition to retinol it also has an ingredient called bakuchiol. Some brands will refer to bakuchiol as a plant derived retinol but really it's a molecule that can mimic some of the positive skin effects that retinol offers. It's much less studied than something like retinol or tretinoin for example but there still is good evidence that it can be efficacious for the skin when it comes to anti-aging. This product also has some other really great skin barrier support ingredients that are going to help you tolerate the retinol better, for example it has things like dimethicone and shea butter. It also has glycerin and squalane and sunflower seed oil, which is one of my favorite plant oils to support the skin."
"One of the best retinol products that I have ever tried is the Shani Darden Retinol Reform. This product doesn't just have retinol in it but it also has lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that's used in exfoliation. You might be thinking that putting together a retinoid plus an acid is going to be too irritating, but whatever they've done with this formula it is not irritating at all and it makes your skin look so beautiful and glowy. Lactic acid is also a humectant that helps bind water in the skin, so I find that you get more immediate results with using a product like this because you're getting that skin plumping effect. You're also getting that more immediate exfoliation with the lactic acid and then that gives the retinol some time to kick in. If you're not just trying to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles but you're also using your retinoid to help with things like texture and discoloration, having it combined in a strategic way in a good formula with some type of exfoliant like Shani Darden has done here is the way to go. If you're someone who has more sensitive skin or you want a more streamlined skincare routine, this is the retinol for you."
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All 2 takes on Retinol Reform
My Holy Grail Retinoids List | Dermatologist Picks!
"One of the best retinol products that I have ever tried is the Shani Darden Retinol Reform. This product doesn't just have retinol in it but it also has lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that's used in exfoliation. You might be thinking that putting together a retinoid plus an acid is going to be too irritating, but whatever they've done with this formula it is not irritating at all and it makes your skin look so beautiful and glowy. Lactic acid is also a humectant that helps bind water in the skin, so I find that you get more immediate results with using a product like this because you're getting that skin plumping effect. You're also getting that more immediate exfoliation with the lactic acid and then that gives the retinol some time to kick in. If you're not just trying to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles but you're also using your retinoid to help with things like texture and discoloration, having it combined in a strategic way in a good formula with some type of exfoliant like Shani Darden has done here is the way to go. If you're someone who has more sensitive skin or you want a more streamlined skincare routine, this is the retinol for you."
My Holy Grail Retinoids List | Dermatologist Picks!
"One of the best retinol products that I have ever tried is the Shani Darden Retinol Reform. This product doesn't just have retinol in it but it also has lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that's used in exfoliation. You might be thinking that putting together a retinoid plus an acid is going to be too irritating, but whatever they've done with this formula, it is not irritating at all and it makes your skin look so beautiful and glowy. Lactic acid is also a humectant that helps bind water in the skin, so I find that you get more immediate results with using a product like this because you're getting that skin plumping effect. You're also getting that more immediate exfoliation with the lactic acid and then that gives the retinol some time to kick in. If you're not just trying to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles but you're also using your retinoid to help with things like texture and discoloration, having it combined in a strategic way in a good formula with some type of exfoliant like Shani Darden has done here is the way to go. If you're someone who has more sensitive skin or you want a more streamlined skincare routine, this is the retinol for you."
"If you have really sensitive skin but you still really want to incorporate a retinoid into your skincare routine, I would try the Olay Regenerist Retinol. This is a little bit more gentle, it's in a more creamy base, and you still get those skin strengthening retinoid benefits."
"Another skincare product that you could pick up during the sale that I think would be really nice is the Necessaire Body Retinol. I've spoken about this many times before. I feel like your body is a little bit neglected like we're all about the retinoids and the exfoliants on our face and then our body skin is like hey what about me, I'm getting kind of crepy and saggy also. So having something like a body retinol I think is amazing. This also has alpha hydroxy acids. It's kind of like this plushy creamy serum and you can apply this like head to toe. It's 0.1% retinol which is like a good concentration and then a 10% blend of alpha hydroxy acids, I think it's glycolic acid and maybe mandelic acid. This is really nice if you're trying to kind of up your body care game and you want some actives in your body care."
"One of my favorites is the Rock Retinol. Rock is sort of one of the OG brands when it comes to developing a stable retinol that can be incorporated into a variety of products, but they make an excellent face cream that I think is great for beginners. The other thing that I really like about this is that it's formulated in a really rich moisturizing base so you're sort of achieving two skincare steps in one. It can act as your topical retinol and your moisturizer."
"Retinol is one conversion step away from retinoic acid. So when you put it on, your skin has to convert it into essentially retinoic acid in your skin for it to be effective. But that also makes it more gentle. And the thing I love about Medik8 Crystal Retinol is that they have multiple strengths. You can start with something very low potency, using it a few nights a week, working your way up to daily, and then once you get through a whole tube of that nightly without irritation, you move up to the next strength. When it comes to using retinoids, which we use for fine lines and wrinkles, supporting our skin, keeping our skin plump and rejuvenated and even over time, it is a marathon, not a sprint. So if you have to spend 6 to 9 months getting your skin reacclimated to your retinoid, to me that is absolutely worth it."
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All 2 takes on Crystal Retinol 20
Answering Your Biggest Skincare Questions From The Comments Section | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Retinol is one conversion step away from retinoic acid. So when you put it on, your skin has to convert it into essentially retinoic acid in your skin for it to be effective. But that also makes it more gentle. And the thing I love about Medik8 Crystal Retinol is that they have multiple strengths. You can start with something very low potency, using it a few nights a week, working your way up to daily, and then once you get through a whole tube of that nightly without irritation, you move up to the next strength. When it comes to using retinoids, which we use for fine lines and wrinkles, supporting our skin, keeping our skin plump and rejuvenated and even over time, it is a marathon, not a sprint. So if you have to spend 6 to 9 months getting your skin reacclimated to your retinoid, to me that is absolutely worth it."
I Tried 16 Ways to Boost Collagen —Here’s What Actually Worked To Firm My Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I use this one by Medik8. This is their Crystal Retinol 20. Quite potent but just way less irritating. I love this formula. It's really nice and creamy. So you get kind of like a moisturization and anti-aging situation all in one. But I do a pump of this on my neck and a pump of this on my décolletage pretty much every single night. The other thing that I love about this is it comes in multiple strengths. So like I said, this is the 20, she's pretty strong. You could start at the level three or maybe even the level six and then as you go through a tube of that, you can graduate to the next strength and the next strength and maybe one day you work all the way up to prescription tretinoin. And if you can't quite get there, it helps you find the most effective and the most potent retinoid that you can handle."
"The Haruharu Wonder Night Retinol Serum is a beautiful beginner retinol serum that is incredibly affordable."
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All 2 takes on Black Rice Night Retinol Serum
I’m Changing How My Patients Do Anti-Aging Skincare (5 Key Upgrades) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Haruharu Wonder Night Retinol Serum is a beautiful beginner retinol serum that is incredibly affordable."
Make Your Retinoids Work BETTER | Easy Retinol Hacks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Night Retinol Serum and it's so good. They even put it directly on their packaging for beginners, and I love that they're owning that this is truly a formula designed with sensitive skin and newbie to retinol skin in mind. Not only does it have that 0.8% microencapsulated retinol, and that microencapsulation is really great because it helps keep the retinol stable and penetrating the skin really evenly, but this formula has so many other skin supporting goodies in there. It's got 1% bakuchiol, which is another really nice anti-aging skincare ingredient that's sort of going to piggyback off of and enhance the benefits that you're already getting from your retinol. This formula also has ceramides and sunflower seed oil and that black rice ferment that Haruharu Wonder products are so well known for, and those are going to work together to keep your skin soft and smooth and protected and hydrated while you're building up that retinol use. The texture of this is also gorgeous. It is like a true milky serum, it just blends so perfectly on the skin, it layers well with other skincare products. Plus this product is affordable. I'm a huge fan, and I have no doubts that if you try this you will not be disappointed."
"Another oily skin friendly foundation that I love is the Dior Backstage Face and Body. I used to be a huge MAC Face and Body girl, but I feel like I've been gravitating more towards the Dior Backstage Face and Body, which is good for dry skin like mine if I do a lot of prep underneath it. But if you don't put a lot of moisturizer and heavy products underneath, it is beautiful on oily skin. And it is also sweat resistant. So, it's great if you have a more active lifestyle. If you're just more of like a sweaty girly, it's nice to have something that is just going to hold up. If you're going to be like dancing or at a wedding or you're in a humid climate, it just handles so well over time. They have an incredible shade range. I often will pick a couple of shades and sort of mix depending on how much fake tan or real tan I sometimes have. But a beautiful, beautiful product that works on so many different skin types."
"I'm also a big fan of the Dior Forever Matte Foundation. This one has more coverage, but still doesn't look super makeupy in person. So, if you have a more formal event or you want to just look fully glammed out and you want something that's going to photograph super beautifully, an awesome option, too."
"One of my favorite oily skin friendly foundations from the drugstore is the Maybelline SuperStay 24-hour skin tint. What I like about this is it's light to medium coverage. And to me, that is the sweet spot for foundation coverage."
"I love the L'Oreal Lumi Glotion. You just need the tiniest bit, but it gives you this really beautiful luminosity to your skin. And especially if you wear like a medium or more full coverage foundation, having a luminous product underneath makes the skin read less flat and just more radiant."
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All 2 takes on Lumi Glotion
10 Tricks to Look WAY Prettier (That No One Talks About) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I've been starting out by applying my L'Oreal Lumi Glotion. And this just adds the most beautiful radiance to your skin. I would not use it if you're super oily, but if you have dry skin or your skin's looking dull, this just adds a gorgeous luminosity and wakes up your whole complexion. I truly apply it just like lotion. I'll squirt a little bit into my fingertips and then just rub it over my entire face and a little bit down my neck. Once that dries down, which is essentially instantly, which is another reason why I like it. It totally sets up on your skin so you're not transferring it throughout the day."
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"I love the L'Oreal Lumi Glotion. You just need the tiniest bit, but it gives you this really beautiful luminosity to your skin. And especially if you wear like a medium or more full coverage foundation, having a luminous product underneath makes the skin read less flat and just more radiant."
"I'm also a really big fan of the Hourglass Skin Tint. This doesn't have as much coverage as the CL, but gives a really beautiful wash of color on the skin. And I find it's really not irritating to the skin, which is important as well."
"One I hadn't used for a while, but I recently brought back into my rotation and I forgot how good it is, is the Dermatology Universal Tinted Moisturizer. It's SPF 46. It's really hydrating. It helps kind of cancel out some of my hyperpigmentation and my redness. So, to me, that's such a great multitasker."
"If you have oily skin or you live in a very humid climate or you often need a more longwear foundation just based on the nature of what you're doing over the course of the day or the night, may I recommend the Maybelline SuperStay 24-hour skin tint? This has basically replaced my Dior foundation because it is equally as beautiful and it doesn't have fragrance which just gives it like an extra point for me. Through trial and error, I have found for me this applies best with a brush and I will generally buff it starting in the center of my face working towards the periphery and really work it into the skin. I just pick up a little bit at a time, working in layers. You can always go back in and add another layer of foundation in the area that you need more coverage or you can maybe go in with concealer, but you can always add more. If you do find that your foundation is looking a little bit heavy, what I recommend doing is taking a damp beauty blender that's clean and just bouncing it over your skin. That's going to help pick up some excess product, shear out whatever is on your face, and also help resolve any little streakiness that you may have."
"I reach for my Dior Forever Skin Glow Foundation when my skin is acting up, maybe I'm breaking out, my rosacea is going nuts, or if I want fuller coverage makeup. I recommend this one all the time to my patients who have more mature skin who have maybe more imperfections that they're trying to cover up. It has medium coverage and it's 86% skincare ingredients. I just love how it wears on the skin, that it's super long lasting so it's not like breaking up on the skin over the course of the day, especially if you have like dry maybe even combo skin. This is just phenomenal."
"I'm obsessed with this foundation brush. I just love how densely packed these bristles are and how soft they are so when you're buffing in foundation it's not streaky."
"If you have been on the beauty side of the internet anytime in the last like 10 years, you have heard of Paula's Choice 2% salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. It dives into your pores and can help clear them out. So, this is a really nice prep step if you're going to be applying makeup and something you can do anywhere from everyday to just a couple times a week depending on what your skin can handle."
"The one that I have repurchased the most by far is the KP Bump Eraser from First Aid Beauty. Although they market this for KP, which is keratosis pilaris, sort of the chicken skin that people can get on their upper arms or on their thighs and buttocks, I use this on my skin everywhere. I think the reason I keep going back to this one so much is that the grit in there is just so particular. It's very gritty, but it's not sharp. So I get a lot of incredible buffing when I use it. I do like small circular motions over my whole body, but my skin doesn't feel irritated or stripped when I'm done with it. Also, this formula is not just physical exfoliation. It has alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid in there. So you're getting this dual chemical and physical exfoliation. I use this in the shower one to two times a week. And I actually like to do my exfoliation towards the end of my shower once the hot water has been on my skin and helped soften up the cells a little bit so that they just exfoliate off much easier. And I'm pretty generous with this. Like I'll squeeze a lot out of the tube because I want it to feel like a full spa experience. And I always use it on a day that I'm going to shave because it helps remove some of those surface dead skin cells so they don't clog my hair follicles and make me more likely to get ingrown hair."
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All 3 takes on KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub with 10% AHA
My Most Purchased Skincare Products as a Derm | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The one that I have repurchased the most by far is the KP Bump Eraser from First Aid Beauty. Although they market this for KP, which is keratosis pilaris, sort of the chicken skin that people can get on their upper arms or on their thighs and buttocks, I use this on my skin everywhere. I think the reason I keep going back to this one so much is that the grit in there is just so particular. It's very gritty, but it's not sharp. So I get a lot of incredible buffing when I use it. I do like small circular motions over my whole body, but my skin doesn't feel irritated or stripped when I'm done with it. Also, this formula is not just physical exfoliation. It has alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid in there. So you're getting this dual chemical and physical exfoliation. I use this in the shower one to two times a week. And I actually like to do my exfoliation towards the end of my shower once the hot water has been on my skin and helped soften up the cells a little bit so that they just exfoliate off much easier. And I'm pretty generous with this. Like I'll squeeze a lot out of the tube because I want it to feel like a full spa experience. And I always use it on a day that I'm going to shave because it helps remove some of those surface dead skin cells so they don't clog my hair follicles and make me more likely to get ingrown hair."
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"My favorite is probably the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser. It's got some alpha hydroxy acids in there in addition to the physical exfoliation, but I find that it just makes my skin and my booty so smooth and it prevents ingrown hairs like that has been tried and true for me for so many years."
How to Shower Like a Dermatologist for Your Smoothest Skin Ever | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The one that I reach for over and over and over again because it makes my skin so smooth is the First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser. It's got a good sized solid grit to it but the grit isn't sharp. I've found in other body exfoliants sometimes the little particles themselves are sharp like I've cut myself on them before, and it also has alpha hydroxy acids in it which is chemical exfoliation so you're getting a dual action exfoliation, the physical and the chemical. It's so satisfying to have that instantly soft smooth skin. I think the KP Bump Eraser is too rough for use in more delicate areas like the genital region or the armpits so I recommend using a little exfoliating mitt for prepping those areas for shaving."
"I think that one of the best alpha hydroxy peeling products that exists and it has been on the market for a long time are the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads. They come as a two-step system. This is sort of their like original strength. They also have a stronger strength and then they have a more gentle version, but the stronger one has seven acids. This one has five acids. Their more gentle version has three acids. So you could kind of cater it based on what your skin can tolerate. And the first step has all the acids which you put on, you let it dry down and then you have a neutralizing step with a bunch of antioxidants which is also a really helpful thing when it comes to fighting hyperpigmentation because oxidative stress breeds melanogenesis. It makes you produce pigment. And so when you can stop that process in its tracks by both exfoliating and then calming the skin, you're going to be in a really good spot. I find these incredibly convenient, very satisfying to use. I love that there's different strengths, so it caters to a lot of different skin types and tolerances. But the other thing I like about this is there's quite a bit of product. So when you're swiping it over your face, there's leftover juice in there. And I will always bring that onto my neck, my decollete, the back of my hands."
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All 6 takes on Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads
Anti-aging Skincare: When to Spend and When to Save | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads are super convenient. I always think it's worth it to pay for convenience, and these are peel pads you can take on the go. They're not going to go bad because they're each individually wrapped. They also have multiple acids in them that are going to exfoliate your skin and brighten your skin. It's got retinol, it's just such a good formula overall. The results are very tangible when you use them. Even though these are expensive, they also last a really long time. I use these one to two times a week and a box this size can last me like six plus months. If you want to invest in your skincare, these are the types of products that are worth the investment."
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"The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads, I absolutely love them, and I think I love them the most for the convenience of it being like an individually wrapped pad you can go in and apply. There's always a little extra on there so I like to bring it down onto my body. To me this is just like a really nice blend of acids that is also super effective for the skin."
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"One of my favorite all-around exfoliants are the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads. The reason for this is they're sort of individually wrapped and kind of like foolproof because they give you a measured dose, you're not going to overdo it with these. Start by exfoliating just once a week. On the night that you're exfoliating you're going to skip your retinoid so you're not going to be using two irritating products at the same time. You should notice within a few weeks of starting to exfoliate that your skin just has a better glow and more radiance to it."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I think that one of the best alpha hydroxy peeling products that exists and it has been on the market for a long time are the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads. They come as a two-step system. This is sort of their like original strength. They also have a stronger strength and then they have a more gentle version, but the stronger one has seven acids. This one has five acids. Their more gentle version has three acids. So you could kind of cater it based on what your skin can tolerate. And the first step has all the acids which you put on, you let it dry down and then you have a neutralizing step with a bunch of antioxidants which is also a really helpful thing when it comes to fighting hyperpigmentation because oxidative stress breeds melanogenesis. It makes you produce pigment. And so when you can stop that process in its tracks by both exfoliating and then calming the skin, you're going to be in a really good spot. I find these incredibly convenient, very satisfying to use. I love that there's different strengths, so it caters to a lot of different skin types and tolerances. But the other thing I like about this is there's quite a bit of product. So when you're swiping it over your face, there's leftover juice in there. And I will always bring that onto my neck, my decollete, the back of my hands."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The first step has all the acids which you put on, you let it dry down and then you have a neutralizing step with a bunch of antioxidants which is also a really helpful thing when it comes to fighting hyperpigmentation because oxidative stress breeds melanogenesis. It makes you produce pigment. And so when you can stop that process in its tracks by both exfoliating and then calming the skin, you're going to be in a really good spot. I find these incredibly convenient, very satisfying to use. I love that there's different strengths, so it caters to a lot of different skin types and tolerances. There's quite a bit of product, so when you're swiping it over your face, there's leftover juice in there. And I will always bring that onto my neck, my décolleté, the back of my hands. If you struggle with hyperpigmentation in other body sites like armpits, groin, elbows, knees, absolutely take whatever is left over on that pad and put it on that spot as well. These are not the cheapest thing you will ever purchase, but they are so good. I never worry about recommending these because they are just amazing and everyone loves them."
Dark Spots GONE: My Ultimate Routine for Hyperpigmentation & Radiant Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"It caters to a lot of different skin types and tolerances. The other thing I like about this is there's quite a bit of product. When you're swiping it over your face, there's leftover juice in there. I will always bring that onto my neck, my décolletage, the back of my hands. If you struggle with hyperpigmentation in other body sites like armpits, groin, elbows, knees, absolutely take whatever is left over on that pad and put it on that spot as well. These are not the cheapest thing you will ever purchase, but they are so good. I never worry about recommending these because they are just amazing and everyone loves them."
"I do recommend light therapy masks if you can be consistent with them. They're not a total waste of money. The two I typically recommend are by Omnilux and by Current Body. Those masks both have the right specs to get you the right results. They have the right power to get you the right results. And they're both really high quality masks. I have used both and loved both."
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All 3 takes on Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
I Tried 16 Ways to Boost Collagen —Here’s What Actually Worked To Firm My Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I like the CurrentBody. I like the way this one fits the face a bit more. I love my red light devices. Even though I have every device at my fingertips, I don't always have time to do them. And so, having an at-home maintenance treatment that I can do that's easy, that I also find so relaxing, it's such a win for me."
Minoxidil Hacks for Faster, Long Lasting Results | Dermatologist Explains | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The ones I typically recommend to my patients are either I Restore or CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask. You just want to make sure that it's FDA cleared. And I usually tell my patients to look for something like a money back guarantee because not everyone is going to respond to these. So you want to make sure that it's actually an appropriate investment for you and you're not going to lose money on something like that."
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"I do recommend light therapy masks if you can be consistent with them. They're not a total waste of money. The two I typically recommend are by Omnilux and by Current Body. Those masks both have the right specs to get you the right results. They have the right power to get you the right results. And they're both really high quality masks. I have used both and loved both."
"The K18 Bond repair treatment is kind of my holy grail for many many years. I'm a huge fan of that product."
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All 2 takes on Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Summer Skincare Empties: Tower 28, K18, Prequel, & More! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"K18 is really kind of my go-to. It is a peptide treatment that is meant to penetrate into the hair shaft to help repair damaged bonds. Within your hair shafts you have thousands, millions of keratin protein and those keratin proteins can get damaged and they can become unstructured in a way where it makes the hair look dry and frizzy and prone to breakage. The whole point of the K18 peptide is really to get in there and repair those keratin chains as well as repair disulfide bonds, which is another type of bond in the hair that gives it integrity. If someone has dry hair, damaged hair from heat styling or color treating or sun exposure, then using something like K18 in your regimen I think could be amazing."
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"The K18 Bond repair treatment is kind of my holy grail for many many years. I'm a huge fan of that product."
"One of my favorite exfoliants for oily skin is the Peach Slices Acne Exfoliating Toner. You don't have to have acne to benefit from this toner, but I think they call it an acne toner because it has 2% salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that's good at delving into the pores and breaking up those clogs within them because salicylic acid is much better than alpha hydroxy acids at removing oils from the skin. I find that oily-skinned individuals tend to lean into salicylic acid products because it helps with their oil control. There are tons of different 2% salicylic acid toners out there on the market, but I just think this overall formulation is really lovely. It also has a little bit of glycolic acid and lactic acid in there as well, so you're not just getting that removal of oil from the skin but it also does still help remove that outer dead skin cell layer as well so you can really glow. This also has some nice soothing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial ingredients so that if you do struggle with acne or your skin is more irritated, maybe from some acne products that you're using, this toner is not going to overdo it."
"It's 15% glycolic acid, so it's a little spicy when you first apply it, but if you have dull or crepey skin, this will level you up so quickly. I like to apply it right after the shower on clean, dry skin, just like a body serum. You do not need to rinse it off. And then I follow almost immediately with a body lotion. I do this about two times a week."
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All 15 takes on Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution
How to Fix Dull, Crepey Body Skin | Firm Glowing Skin Tricks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"It's 15% glycolic acid, so it's a little spicy when you first apply it, but if you have dull or crepey skin, this will level you up so quickly. I like to apply it right after the shower on clean, dry skin, just like a body serum. You do not need to rinse it off. And then I follow almost immediately with a body lotion. I do this about two times a week."
Blur Pores and Texture With These Makeup Hacks for Oily Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is my skincare brand. Our multi-acid milk peel has 15% glycolic acid plus a mixture of other alpha hydroxy acids. And what was really cool about this product when we did the clinical testing is that in 100% of the participants when they applied this to their facial skin for just 4 weeks, they all had a reduction in their visible pore size. And this wasn't a consumer perception study where they just say, "Oh, it's my opinion that my pores look smaller." No, on camera, everyone's pores measured smaller. Now, as a dermatologist, I will be the first person to tell you that you cannot permanently shrink your pore size, but you can do so temporarily by regularly exfoliating the pores and letting them clear out because that oil and dead skin cells that get trapped in your pores can stretch them over time. So, if you're just trying to stay on top of your oiliness and your pores in general, incorporating this into your skincare routine a couple of nights a week could be really beneficial. A lot of people say they put it on at night and then they wake up in the morning with sort of that glass skin and that's because everything has sort of cleared out and tightened up."
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"I love my Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel. It's 15% glycolic acid, which can be used on the face, but I think is even better utilized sometimes on the body after your shower a couple times a week. Applying that everywhere will make your skin so soft, so smooth. And when you do this consistently over the course of months, you will notice that your skin is more supple as well."
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"My Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel has been an absolute game changer for my body exfoliation. This is 15% glycolic acid. So this is pretty spicy and not everyone is going to be able to use it on their face, but it is a huge bottle and I actually find myself reaching for it even more for my body because not only is it going to help exfoliate off dead skin cells, but glycolic acid also helps boost collagen over time, it helps with crepey skin. So it gives you like an instant glow, but it has long-term benefits as well. And this is super easy to use. I literally just dump it into my hands and then I will rub it all over my upper body and then I'll dump it again and I'll do my right leg, my left leg. Use this on your feet as well if you just want smooth heels and it's going to sting a little bit. It'll feel a little spicy for probably a minute and you might even feel a little itchy with it. That is the exfoliation in process and then it will settle. Yes, you can use this on your face. It is meant for both. But if you have super sensitive skin, you might want to go with a glycolic acid cleanser instead of this. But the number of DMs I've gotten about this product being like, 'Oh my gosh, when I use this and I wake up in the morning, my skin is next level gorgeous.'"
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"I apply this from my collar bones down my entire body. Although I'm not quite at the point in my life where I have a lot of crepey or saggy skin, I do feel like it has really helped with my skin firmness and the overall texture, especially for the little bumps on my arms and on my thighs. For my patients who do have more mature skin, they've reported that it has helped so much with the smoothness and the quality of their skin. If you have not tried using this on your body, I highly recommend."
STOP This Now—Your Anti-Aging Routine Depends on It | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love my Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel. This has 15% glycolic acid so it's a more intense exfoliant, but if you use it with less frequency you're not going to overdo it. Really the key here is that exfoliation in moderation is going to give you the best skin."
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"I was so excited for us to launch our Multi-Acid Milk Peel. I decided to create that because when I have patients come into my office and they want to level up their anti-aging skincare routine, adding an exfoliation step is low hanging fruit that most people can tolerate. And this milk peel is beautiful because it's 15% glycolic acid so you're getting true rigorous exfoliation, but then it has a gentle blend of other acids and that really nice supportive milky formula so it's not too irritating. What a lot of people don't know about glycolic acid is that it's not just an exfoliant, it's also a humectant that helps the skin hold on to water and it helps stimulate collagen, so it's anti-aging in so many ways. I like to use this on my face and my body, and even though I have rosacea, I don't feel like it flares it, which is a huge problem with other acids for me. So I have been so excited to have this product in the Prequel arsenal."
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"I use retinoids and exfoliants together in my skincare regimen. I will use my tretinoin usually five to six nights a week and then on those off nights if my skin is feeling okay, which usually it is, I will go in with my Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel. This has multiple exfoliating acids in it and it's actually pretty potent, but I love what it does to my skin. I have that tretinoin working in the background on the collagen production and then I have the multi-acid milk peel giving me that immediate glow. And when I follow that routine up with a good moisturizer, my skin does just fine."
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"I love our Prequel Multi-Acid Milk Peel. It's 15% glycolic acid and then it also contains a few other alpha hydroxy acids, but it also contains squalane which helps it be more moisturizing and barrier supportive. So it allows you to tolerate a high potency of glycolic acid without irritation. I also like that it's only $23 and it comes in a huge bottle so you can use it on your face and your body and not feel guilty about it."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Our multi-acid milk peel is an exfoliating solution that will give your skin an instant glow and leave it feeling silky soft. Plus with consistent use over time you will also see an improvement in the appearance of skin discoloration and overall texture. This is definitely one of those products that has both short-term and long-term benefits. This multi-acid peel is a milky solution that exfoliates, brightens, and smooths the skin without sensitizing the skin barrier. It's formulated with multiple alpha hydroxy acids including 15% glycolic acid to boost skin cell turnover as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brighten the appearance of dark spots. A beautiful thing about glycolic acid is that it helps promote collagen in the skin so it doesn't just help with bumpy texture but also papery, creepy texture as well. This milky emulsion is coupled with skin soothing ingredients and emollients to give you meaningful exfoliation while still protecting your skin."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Our multi-acid milk peel is an exfoliating solution that will give your skin an instant glow and leave it feeling silky soft. With consistent use over time, you will also see an improvement in the appearance of skin discoloration and overall texture. This is definitely one of those products that has both short-term and long-term benefits. This multi-acid peel is a milky solution that exfoliates, brightens, and smooths the skin without sensitizing the skin barrier. It's formulated with multiple alpha hydroxy acids including 15% glycolic acid to boost skin cell turnover as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brighten the appearance of dark spots. Glycolic acid helps promote collagen in the skin, so it doesn't just help with bumpy texture but also papery, creepy texture as well. This milky emulsion is coupled with skin-soothing ingredients and emollients to give you meaningful exfoliation while still supporting and moisturizing the skin."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I usually exfoliate once a week but I found with this milk peel I'm actually using it twice a week not only because it's gentle enough to do that but because the glow that I have the next morning is so good. I like to apply this at night right after I've cleansed my face. I usually take like two shakes of this and then I will rub it between my palms and then press it into my face and then bring it down to my neck and my chest. I love that when I apply it it absorbs really easily and it leaves this very nice little veil on the skin but I can move on with the next steps in my skincare pretty much immediately. You can also apply it to a cotton ball or a cotton round and swipe it over the areas that you want to treat and the next day you will wake up with the most radiant glowy skin. I also love applying this peel on the body so many people think about exfoliation when it comes to the face but if you have texture or dullness on your body skin use this there too. On the nights that I'm using this exfoliator on my face I skip my topical retinoid so I'm not doing two heavy hitters at once."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I found with this milk peel I'm actually using it twice a week not only because it's gentle enough to do that but because the glow that I have the next morning is so good. I apply this at night right after I've cleansed my face, about two shakes of this, and then I rub it between my palms and press it into my face and bring it down to my neck and my chest. When I apply it, it absorbs really easily and leaves this very nice little veil on the skin, and I can move on with the next steps in my skincare pretty much immediately. You can also apply it to a cotton ball or a cotton round and swipe it over the areas that you want to treat, and the next day you will wake up with the most radiant glowy skin. I also love applying this peel on the body if you have texture or dullness on your body skin. One important note is that on the nights I'm using this exfoliator on my face, I skip my topical retinoid so I'm not doing two heavy hitters at once. I have tried so many different glycolic acid based products over the years and one issue that I often have is that when you apply them they really sting or burn, but although this gives you a little bit of spice, it is still really comfortable so you actually want to put it on and you're not scared of it. This multi-acid milk peel is fragrance-free and alcohol free."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"When I apply it, it absorbs really easily and leaves this very nice little veil on the skin, but I can move on with the next steps in my skincare pretty much immediately. You can also apply it to a cotton ball or cotton round and swipe it over the areas that you want to treat, and the next day you will wake up with the most radiant glowy skin. I also love applying this peel on the body, so many people think about exfoliation when it comes to the face, but if you have texture or dullness on your body skin, use this there too. I have tried so many different glycolic acid-based products over the years and one issue that I often have with glycolic acid-based products is that when you apply them they really sting or burn, they are not comfortable to put on the skin. Although this gives you a little bit of spice, it is still really comfortable, so you actually want to put it on and you're not scared of it. The multi-acid milk peel is fragrance-free, alcohol-free, and allergy-tested. On the nights that I'm using this exfoliator on my face, I skip my topical retinoid so I'm not doing two heavy hitters at once, and if you are using this product or any type of exfoliation, it does make you a bit more sun-sensitive, so you always want to make sure that you are wearing sunscreen when you're outside or protecting your skin from the sun in other ways."
Introducing Prequel's NEW Multi-Acid Milk Peel AHA Exfoliating Solution | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I have tried so many different glycolic acid based products over the years and one issue that I often have with glycolic acid-based products is that when you apply them they really sting or burn like they are not comfortable to put on the skin and although this gives you like a little bit of spice it is still really comfortable so you actually want to put it on and you're not scared of it. Our multi-acid milk peel is fragrance-free alcohol free and allergy tested. If you are using this product or any type of exfoliation that does make you a bit more sun sensitive so you always want to make sure that you are wearing sunscreen when you're outside or protecting your skin from the sun in other ways."
"The one I recommend for this is the L'Oreal Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist. It really does lock everything in place. It doesn't sting your eyes. I think this performs just as well as Sephora setting sprays at a fraction of the cost."
"It's an incredible primer. It's beautiful under makeup and especially if you have oily skin, but it can be used on its own. This has an ingredient called upselite in it, which is a really unique molecule that is very good at absorbing oil and sweat and moisture. So if you're someone who gets really shiny over the course of the day, you can take a little bit of this and use it on sort of like your oily spots and it will help keep the shine down whether or not you decide to put makeup on top of it or not. This is the universal shade. It's translucent. There's zero pigment here, so it's really just for pores and oil control, but they do have it in a ton of different shades. So if you wanted it to be your foundation and primer all-in-one, especially if you wanted something that just sort of has a light touch for a little bit of color correction without having to do so much makeup, a super nice option."
"I take my Hourglass Ambient Powder and kind of swipe all the colors together and buff it over my entire face. I feel like it gives this beautiful glow to the skin without making you look oily or shiny. It also acts to sort of set things in place without having to apply a heavy powder. It gives you this lit from within radiance that just makes your skin look healthy."
"The Charlotte Tilbury setting spray does a really good job of just locking in your makeup. It has a very nice natural finish. It's not going to make you look too oily or too glowy. It's definitely not going to mattify you."
"I've used for over 10 years, and this is the mini. It goes with me when I travel, is by Laura Mercier. It's their translucent loose setting powder. This one is not tinted, but just incredibly sheer and makes for a very flawless application and finish. Now, the key with any loose setting powder is you don't want to just pack it on. I like light layers. If you're sensing a theme, light layers is the way to work for mature skin. So, what I will do is I will pour a little bit of powder into the cap and then I will take a densely bristled brush and I will swirl it in the powder and then tap off the extra. Swirl and tap. And I will actually be pressing that powder into the brush so that when I go and distribute it on my under eyes or on my midface, I'm just getting the slightest but very even sprinkle of powder. Less is more. It will still work beautifully, but you're going to have a lot less cakeiness."
"My go-to is from E.L.F. This is their Power Grip Primer. It's quite sticky when you first take it out of the tube, and you just need the smallest amount. I will just press it with my fingertips into the areas around my nose, my mid cheek, forehead, chin. I will let that set for about 30 seconds or so, and then I'm ready to go in with foundation."
"The one from One Size does a really good job of just locking in your makeup. It has a very nice natural finish. It's not going to make you look too oily or too glowy. It's definitely not going to mattify you."
"I'm a huge fan of Lumify eye drops. You essentially put them in and it instantly makes your eyes look more white and less red."
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All 2 takes on Redness Reliever Eye Drops
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"I'm a huge fan of Lumify eye drops. You essentially put them in and it instantly makes your eyes look more white and less red."
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"If you prep your eyes with one drop, that's all you need in each eye, your makeup will look so much better and you will just look more awake and more youthful. The good thing about Lumify is that it works on the veins in your eye. So it does not disrupt blood flow or oxygen flow to the surface of your eye the way old school Visine or Clear Eyes did. And the problem with Visine and Clear Eyes is it would cause this rebound redness and this dependency and you don't get that with something like Lumify. So although I still try to only use it sparingly, I feel much safer using something like this long term. And I also fact checked this with my bestie who is an ophthalmologist at Vanderbilt and she was like, 'Yeah, if you're going to use an eye brightener, like we always recommend Lumify.'"
"I feel like I'm a pretty big connoisseur of under eye products, both for my job and the fact that I'm prone to dark circles as well. And I have really fallen in love with the Tarte under eye corrector. It just looks so seamless under the eyes. It pairs well with makeup, but also if it's a day where I'm just wearing skincare and don't really want to put the rest of my makeup on, I can just pat that under the eyes and they instantly look brighter, but it's undetectable."
"I actually really like the Ordinary under eye solution that has 5% caffeine. It's a super runny fluid. So, what I love about that is you could use it on its own, or if you have an eye cream that you already love or are incorporating to help with other under eye issues, you could layer them."
"The Inkey List also has a super affordable caffeine under eye cream. So, if it's something where you just want to get a sense of does caffeine work for my under eye, I think that's a nice option."
"I'm a really big fan of the Rock Revive and Glow Eye Balm. This is a stick form. So, I like it for people who have more sensitive eyes or find that their eyes sting or burn from a lot of eye creams. I find the balm is just generally better tolerated. This has vitamin C and a special peptide that helps strengthen the skin and it's really meant to target under eye dark circles. It's also a little more of a budget option if you can't splurge on an eye cream."
"They launched an M4 eye cream with a higher concentration of estriol and added peptides, which I think is a really smart option for a more targeted treatment, especially because this is an area where we see thinning skin and crepey texture appear first."
"I have a forever obsession with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. This one isn't waterproof, but I don't think you need the waterproof version. It is so good at lifting, lengthening, adding fullness to the lashes without them looking clumpy. If you need a drugstore option, this is fantastic. It has this beautiful, perfectly curled little wand. It doesn't put too much product on your lashes. It holds all day. It keeps your lashes curled. Just cannot say enough good things about this mascara."
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All 2 takes on Lash Sensational Mascara
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"I have a forever obsession with the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. This one isn't waterproof, but I don't think you need the waterproof version. It is so good at lifting, lengthening, adding fullness to the lashes without them looking clumpy. If you need a drugstore option, this is fantastic. It has this beautiful, perfectly curled little wand. It doesn't put too much product on your lashes. It holds all day. It keeps your lashes curled. Just cannot say enough good things about this mascara."
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"This is the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara, my most used mascara by far. It's probably what I have on in like 85 of my YouTube videos. I personally cannot put on false eyelashes, I just don't have that magic touch, so if I'm going to be filming or on camera or going to an event or I just want my eyelashes to pop as much as possible, in my lack of skills in applying false eyelashes this is as close as I can get. Part of it is the formula but I also think part of it is the brush. It has this little curve and you can really wiggle it and get up into the lashes. It gives me great volume and a little bit of length. My eyelashes are already pretty long but they're sparse, so something that thickens them and gives that sort of full fan effect without looking super clumpy, which I hate that look, this is amazing. It also doesn't transfer, which is really important. Over the course of the day I don't find that I see fallout or flaking below. It's a very reliable mascara."
"Big fan of the Kosas Air Brow. I think this holds really well. It has a really perfect shade for me, taupe."
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All 2 takes on Air Brow
5 Ways I'm Updating My Eye Makeup Now! Anti-Aging Makeup | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Big fan of the Kosas Air Brow. I think this holds really well. It has a really perfect shade for me, taupe."
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"This is the Kosas Air Brow in shade taupe and it's one of my absolute favorite brow gels. It just paints every single brow hair without looking too thick or muddy in the brows, and when you have stronger brows it just helps frame the rest of your face."
"Products like Grande Brow are very effective for growing brow hairs. These over-the-counter products work because they have something called a prostaglandin analog that functions similarly to what's found in prescription lash serums. Anytime you're applying a topical product like this there is a risk of irritation, so it's something to keep an eye out for, but in general it tends to be well tolerated in the brow area. If you do happen to notice side effects, you can always stop using these topicals and the side effects should resolve."
"I'm going in with the Tower 28 MakeWaves mascara in the shade Drift, which is their brown shade. This is a waterproof mascara, but the thing I like about waterproof mascara is that it curls your lashes a lot better than non-waterproof and it doesn't flake at all over the course of the day. Look how that just lengthens my lashes and thickens them up so easily, and being a blonde, I just tend to like how a brown mascara looks on my face. This is such a good mascara."
"This powder is so beautiful on the skin. I use it as my kind of finishing powder, almost like a setting powder, and it just adds a nice luminosity to the skin but it's not glittery. Whenever I use this I get compliments on my skin and I know in my heart of hearts that I haven't done anything new to my skincare except put on that very nice makeup setting powder. There's three different colors and I just sort of blend them all together and apply broadly. You wouldn't want to use a heavy hand with this but just a little light dusting over the top of your makeup and everywhere on your face looks really nice. I've had that palette for multiple years and it's still going and I use it a lot so it's been a very nice investment."
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All 2 takes on Ambient Lighting Palette
Dermatologist's Ultimate Beauty Hacks for Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This powder is so beautiful on the skin. I use it as my kind of finishing powder, almost like a setting powder, and it just adds a nice luminosity to the skin but it's not glittery. Whenever I use this I get compliments on my skin and I know in my heart of hearts that I haven't done anything new to my skincare except put on that very nice makeup setting powder. There's three different colors and I just sort of blend them all together and apply broadly. You wouldn't want to use a heavy hand with this but just a little light dusting over the top of your makeup and everywhere on your face looks really nice. I've had that palette for multiple years and it's still going and I use it a lot so it's been a very nice investment."
Dermatologist's Ultimate Beauty Hacks for Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This powder is so beautiful on the skin. I use it as my kind of finishing powder, almost like a setting powder, and it just adds a nice luminosity to the skin, but it's not glittery. Whenever I use this, I get compliments on my skin, and I know in my heart of hearts that I haven't done anything new to my skincare except put on that very nice makeup setting powder. You wouldn't want to use a heavy hand with this, but just a little light dusting over the top of your makeup, and everywhere on your face looks really nice. There's three different colors and I just sort of blend them all together and apply broadly. I've had that palette for multiple years and it's still going, and I use it a lot, so it's been a very nice investment."
"I love a milky toner. I don't think most dermatologists would say you need a toner, and in fact, most would say don't bother. But I love it. It adds this layer of hydration to my skin. I usually do it in the morning. I just splash some water on my face. I don't cleanse. I put my milky toner on and then I proceed with the rest of my skincare routine. I think they do milky toners so well. It's just a really nice add-on for me personally."
"This is such a wonderful calming toner. If you have redness, you're easily irritated, this is the toner I would pick for sure. It feels like water. So, it's incredibly lightweight. But that heartleaf in there is a plant extract that has a ton of flavonoids in it. So, that's going to be soothing. That's antioxidant rich. It's really there to just calm the skin down and allow it to tolerate things that you put on top of it."
"This is a very milky toner, but still quite lightweight. The goal of this toner is really to be brightening. It has niacinamide in it, which not only helps with dark spots, but also helps fortify the skin barrier. And remember, when it comes to mirror skin, we want the barrier to be strong and we want it to be clear."
"One of the most affordable topical glycolic acid preparations that I have used is by The Ordinary and it's their 7% Glycolic Acid Toning Solution. This is super cost-effective you get a pretty large bottle for under $15. I don't typically use this on my face because it feels a little bit too spicy to use on my face but I think it's amazing for your body. You can actually buy a little spray top from Amazon and attach it to this bottle and then just spray it on the body and then go in with whatever lotion you like afterward."
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All 2 takes on Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Dermatologist's Favorite Affordable Anti-Aging Skincare Products! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"One of the most affordable topical glycolic acid preparations that I have used is by The Ordinary and it's their 7% Glycolic Acid Toning Solution. This is super cost-effective you get a pretty large bottle for under $15. I don't typically use this on my face because it feels a little bit too spicy to use on my face but I think it's amazing for your body. You can actually buy a little spray top from Amazon and attach it to this bottle and then just spray it on the body and then go in with whatever lotion you like afterward."
Dermatologist's Favorite Body Skincare Products: Cleanser, Exfoliator, Sunscreen, & More!
"One of my favorite body exfoliants is by The Ordinary and it's their seven percent glycolic acid toning solution. This product was designed for the face but I actually prefer it as a body toner. Seven percent glycolic acid is sort of a mid potency glycolic acid and there are other things besides the concentration that contribute to the potency of glycolic acid, for example the pH that it exists at. I find that if you spray this or put it on your body once a day for a week or two your skin will glow. If you have sensitive skin I would probably start off by applying this just once a week to your skin and kind of building up, but I find that some of the best effects with using something like this are when you're using it at least a couple times a week. You can use it on your arms and your legs and your trunk, and you can also consider using it in your armpits or in your groin, these are areas that people tend to have excess pigmentation and a lot of times using a glycolic acid exfoliant can help reduce that pigment and make people a little more confident with those areas. It comes with a little narrow cap dispenser which is fine if you're going to put it on a cotton pad and swipe it over your skin, but you can actually get a spray nozzle off of Amazon or borrow it from one of your other skin care products and put it on the top of this bottle and that makes distributing this over a larger body surface area a lot easier."
"I really love a toning step if you have sensitive skin because working in layers of added hydration can really make the skin not just look better, look more plump and supple, but also feel a lot better. A hydrating toner like this can kind of act as a gentle buffer between your skin and any skincare actives that might be irritating, like retinoids or acids. It's nice and liquidy, layers very nicely under other products, it's super lightweight on the skin. The Haru Haru products are also fragrance-free, so with people who have sensitive skin, me included, sometimes fragrance can just set things off, and so going in with things that are fragrance-free just helps eliminate that variable from the sensitive skin equation. Already my skin just feels juicier. I would consider that my first layer of hydration, just kind of nourishing the skin, babying it a little bit."
"Another blush that I love for oily skin, not only because it mattifies, but it also sort of has a blurring effect, are the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blushes. Just gorgeous shades. Also very pigmented."
"You can put it on anyway. You can put it onto a brush. You can literally take it out of the tube and dab it on your skin and it will blend out into perfection. And so it's just a very easy blush to work with and look so natural. This is one of my favorite colors that they have, shade Bahadi. But the colors that they have are also just so beautiful. If you do have really oily skin, I don't feel like this will have the same lasting power on you. These are highly pigmented, though. So what I recommend doing is putting a little bit on like the back of your hand or the back of like a palette and then going in and dipping your brush in before you put it on your face. If you put it straight on your face, you're going to end up with like a streaky application. It's going to be oversaturated in certain areas."
"One cream bronzer that I think is phenomenal is the Makeup by Mario Soft Sculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer, and this is shade light medium. They have a good shade range. It's such a good medium tone bronze. It's not too cool. It's not too warm. It's certainly not orange, which I think is another huge mistake with bronzer. The texture is gorgeous. The way it blends on the skin is just effortless. It looks very skin-like. It doesn't look too glowy or too oily. It's not shiny. It doesn't dry matte or get patchy. It is just perfection in my opinion. This is makeup for dummies, meaning if you're newer to makeup and you want products that are just going to blend really effortlessly, you don't have to have a lot of artistry to make them look good. It's great for mature skin because mature skin tends to lean dry and can look a little bit dull and so this adds some natural radiance and luminosity."
"I do recommend light therapy masks if you can be consistent with them. They're not a total waste of money. There are tons of LED mask brands out there. The two I typically recommend are by Omnilux and by Current Body. Those masks both have the right specs to get you the right results. They have the right power to get you the right results. And they're both really high quality masks. I have used both and loved both."
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All 3 takes on Contour Face
Dermatologist's Ultimate Beauty Hacks for Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I love my red light Omnilux mask that helps with rejuvenation and fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps calm my skin, so that is part of a 10-minute routine that I do every day."
How to Fix Lip Lines: Dermatologist Tips, Skincare Products, & Treatments for Lip Wrinkles
"I do really love my LED red light mask. Red Light helps with things like collagen production so I do feel like using my red light mask at home keeps the integrity of my skin optimized. I personally use the omnilux mask and I have an entire video dedicated to red light therapy if you're interested in knowing more about that as a technology."
I Tried the Most Popular At-Home Beauty Devices - Here’s What Works | Dermatologist Dr. Sam Ellis
"I do recommend light therapy masks if you can be consistent with them. They're not a total waste of money. There are tons of LED mask brands out there. The two I typically recommend are by Omnilux and by Current Body. Those masks both have the right specs to get you the right results. They have the right power to get you the right results. And they're both really high quality masks. I have used both and loved both."
"The best thing I have ever found to conceal a blemish, and I know a lot of makeup artists agree with me here because I see it recommended on their channels all the time, is the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer. I love this because it is super pigmented. They have a ton of great shades and it's not as wet as a lot of concealers, so it builds and then it stays. It is so good for covering an acne spot. There are a lot of days where I'm not wearing a full face of foundation but I still don't want my big acne spot on my face, and what I will do is dip into this concealer with a little flat brush. You can just dip a little bit into the pot, swipe any excess off, and then tap and dot it on any blemishes, redness, or discoloration. If I am wearing foundation, I will do my foundation first, and then if there's any residual redness or brown spot that I can see through my foundation that I don't want to see, I will go in afterward and put this on."
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All 2 takes on Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Blur Pores and Texture With These Makeup Hacks for Oily Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"The best thing I have ever found to conceal a blemish, and I know a lot of makeup artists agree with me here because I see it recommended on their channels all the time, is the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer. I love this because it is super pigmented. They have a ton of great shades and it's not as wet as a lot of concealers, so it builds and then it stays. It is so good for covering an acne spot. There are a lot of days where I'm not wearing a full face of foundation but I still don't want my big acne spot on my face, and what I will do is dip into this concealer with a little flat brush. You can just dip a little bit into the pot, swipe any excess off, and then tap and dot it on any blemishes, redness, or discoloration. If I am wearing foundation, I will do my foundation first, and then if there's any residual redness or brown spot that I can see through my foundation that I don't want to see, I will go in afterward and put this on."
10 Tricks to Look WAY Prettier (That No One Talks About) | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you truly just have a few little red acne marks or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer -- I love this stuff. And if I ever just have a few little choice blemishes that I really need to cover up and I don't want that product to move around throughout the day, I always go in with this. You want to make sure you have a perfect match to your skin tone. We're not trying to highlight or contour with this concealer -- we are just trying to even everything out really quickly."
"The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser, I like this one a lot. The only thing I don't like is the little spongy applicator that starts to get gross. But in terms of a formula, very, very nice."
"I have been loving serum concealers. I feel like a ton of brands are doing this now and they just tend to be a little bit more liquidy, they're less detectable on the skin. The Tower 28 concealer is particularly nice for under the eyes. It just sits and looks so creamy and smooth. I won't say it never creases, there is not a concealer in the world that doesn't crease under the eyes, but this one looks really good all day. It keeps the area hydrated. This has hyaluronic acid in it, it also has caffeine so going to help with the eye bags, and it has centella asiatica which is soothing on the skin."
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All 2 takes on Serum Concealer
My Favorite Makeup as a Dermatologist | Makeup for Clear Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I have been loving serum concealers. I feel like a ton of brands are doing this now and they just tend to be a little bit more liquidy, they're less detectable on the skin. The Tower 28 concealer is particularly nice for under the eyes. It just sits and looks so creamy and smooth. I won't say it never creases, there is not a concealer in the world that doesn't crease under the eyes, but this one looks really good all day. It keeps the area hydrated. This has hyaluronic acid in it, it also has caffeine so going to help with the eye bags, and it has centella asiatica which is soothing on the skin."
"The Tower 28 Serum Concealer is such a stunning formulation, it's so creamy and blends so effortlessly on the skin. I would say it leans a little bit warm, but I just love this. I think it's great for spot concealing if you have an exact shade match or kind of using all over as like a light foundation."
"This is a wetter formula, like it's super full coverage but you can actually blend it. I will often use this more like for under eye brightening, some kind of highlighting, and then I'll use like a slightly darker concealer on the periphery of my face. I think that this concealer is such an amazing pair, I mean they just look so good together."
"SK-II is a Japanese brand with a decades-long cult following and their hero product is this lightweight watery essence that you pat into your skin after you cleanse but before you apply your serums. People who have used it for years describe their skin becoming progressively more even, radiant, and resilient over time. I actually love recommending this for sensitive skin types who maybe can't tolerate vitamin C or exfoliating acids. It works through a completely different mechanism than other anti-aging products and it's very well tolerated. The main ingredient of this essence is Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, a yeast ferment discovered when sake brewery workers were found to have super young-looking hands. It's thought to be so effective because the fermentation produces a concentrated mix of amino acids, organic acids, and vitamins that support the skin's natural renewal process."
"Something like the Rhode Glazing Milk would work really well here. I love using this because it keeps the under eyes hydrated but allows your concealer to still set in place."
"Another hydrating serum I really like is the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. I know snail mucin sounds absolutely foul so you kind of have to separate yourself from the concept, but it works really well at hydrating your skin. But always remember to follow with a moisturizer."
"Tower 28's SOS spray is really what put hypochlorous acid on the map when it comes to using it in skincare. The reason hypochlorous acid gained so much traction outside of a dermatology office is because people were seeing immense benefits in their skin with regular use. One issue I found with hypochlorous acid sprays in the past is you don't get a nice fine mist when you spray it, it's more of a squirt, and so I really find that this has a beautiful application on the skin."
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All 2 takes on SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Dermatologist Explains Hypochlorous Acid: How to Use it in Your Skincare Routine | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Tower 28's SOS spray is really what put hypochlorous acid on the map when it comes to using it in skincare. The reason hypochlorous acid gained so much traction outside of a dermatology office is because people were seeing immense benefits in their skin with regular use. One issue I found with hypochlorous acid sprays in the past is you don't get a nice fine mist when you spray it, it's more of a squirt, and so I really find that this has a beautiful application on the skin."
Summer Skincare Empties: Tower 28, K18, Prequel, & More! | Dr. Sam Ellis
"This is a hypochlorous acid spray. Hypochlorous acid is actually a compound that is naturally made by our leukocytes or our white blood cells to help defend against things like bacteria and viruses and fungus, but you can use it in a topical form externally to kind of achieve the same thing. So in my mind this is like a true antimicrobial anti-inflammatory multitasker. I see people put this on their face, which I think is a great thing if you have acne or you even struggle with rosacea. It's a huge staple in my regimen but it's often with me on the go. I actually keep this hypochlorous acid spray in my son's diaper bag because he has really delicate skin and I use it to wash his hands."
"I do Botox both for anti-aging and for beautification or facial balancing. When I was pregnant I didn't have Botox for almost a year and I could really see the difference in what my face looked like when I had Botox and when I didn't, and I preferred my face when I had Botox in it. To give myself a brow lift and to really prevent these lines from forming between my brows, I inject Botox into the corrugator muscles, which naturally pull your brows down and in, so when you relax them the brows are able to float up and out and give you a more open appearance. I also inject the procerus muscle, which pulls your brows straight down. Some people have a very bulky procerus muscle that makes them look almost Neanderthal-like, and when you inject that muscle with Botox it can actually decrease the bulk of that muscle and give someone a much more feminine appearance to their upper face. For myself I usually use somewhere between 18 and 20 units."
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All 3 takes on Botox
What is Sculptra? Dermatologist Explains Sculptra Face Injections & Treatment Tips | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Botox is a neuromodulator that decreases the intensity of repeated muscle movements to help with fine lines and wrinkles."
Exactly Where I Get Injections and Why | Best Botox and Filler Placement | Dr. Sam Ellis
"I do Botox both for anti-aging and for beautification or facial balancing. When I was pregnant I didn't have Botox for almost a year and I could really see the difference in what my face looked like when I had Botox and when I didn't, and I preferred my face when I had Botox in it. To give myself a brow lift and to really prevent these lines from forming between my brows, I inject Botox into the corrugator muscles, which naturally pull your brows down and in, so when you relax them the brows are able to float up and out and give you a more open appearance. I also inject the procerus muscle, which pulls your brows straight down. Some people have a very bulky procerus muscle that makes them look almost Neanderthal-like, and when you inject that muscle with Botox it can actually decrease the bulk of that muscle and give someone a much more feminine appearance to their upper face. For myself I usually use somewhere between 18 and 20 units."
Botox Brow Lift? Lip Flip? Dermatologist Explains the Ways You Can Use Botox Cosmetically
"It is the thing I do the most of in my clinic, I mean many many many patients a day all ages and stages of life, all different types of cosmetic concerns can be addressed with Botox. Not everything can be addressed with Botox and that's also really important to note, but it is a very versatile product and you can use it in a lot of ways if you are experienced. Most people are familiar with using it for your frown lines in the glabella area, and when you put Botox there to relax it the brows go up and out, so this really helps to soften the 11 lines that people get when they scowl. If you do Botox regularly there..."
"Sculptra the skin actually thickens up a little bit and you can get a little bit more natural looking fullness. Sculptra is a great injectable for people who are sinkers because you can kind of use it throughout the face to just add a little bit of volume without making it look like the patient is puffy. I have had Sculptra in my temples because that's an area that gets quite hollow in people as they get older, and I don't have like a huge filled out temple now. I'm not trying to look like a light bulb head either. I don't want to add too much volume because I feel like that becomes detectable. I'm just trying to restore a little bit. I also have a little bit of Sculptra just like right through this area here so that I don't get too hollow and it's not going to be perfect and I'm not trying to look perfect. I'm just trying to restore volume in areas that I tend to lose it so that I look more just like myself and more refreshed."
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All 4 takes on Sculptra
What is Sculptra? Dermatologist Explains Sculptra Face Injections & Treatment Tips | Dr. Sam Ellis
"So many of my patients opt for Sculptra treatments because it looks incredibly natural. No one is ever going to look at you and go, did you have a Sculptra treatment? They also really like the fact that it's based on their own collagen, so this is their own collagen to keep once you make it. Sculptra results last for two or more years after you have your injections. I find patients actually look the best when their Sculptra injections are combined with other anti-aging cosmetic procedures. There's a balance between Botox or other neuromodulator injections and Sculptra and hyaluronic acid-based fillers and resurfacing. They all play their role, and when they're used appropriately and correctly in the right patient, it's beautiful."
What is Sculptra? Dermatologist Explains Sculptra Face Injections & Treatment Tips | Dr. Sam Ellis
"So many of my patients opt for Sculptra treatments because it looks incredibly natural. No one is ever going to look at you and go, did you have a Sculptra treatment? They also really like the fact that it's based on their own collagen, so this is their own collagen to keep once you make it. Sculptra results last for two or more years after you have your injections. I find patients actually look the best when their Sculptra injections are combined with other anti-aging cosmetic procedures. There's a balance between Botox or other neuromodulator injections and Sculptra and hyaluronic acid-based fillers and resurfacing. They all play their role and when they're used appropriately and correctly in the right patient it's beautiful. Sculptra has an incredibly high satisfaction rate."
What is Sculptra? Dermatologist Explains Sculptra Face Injections & Treatment Tips | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Sculptra has an incredibly high satisfaction rate if you do the recommended amount. I often have patients who say they did it five years ago and it did absolutely nothing, but when I find out they only had one or two sessions when they really needed three full sessions to see the result they wanted. In addition to getting that collagen support with Sculptra, people will notice that their skin looks a little bit more luminous, which is called the Sculptra glow, and they'll have a little bit of decreased laxity or sagging, so for a lot of my patients who are just starting to see an early jowl, Sculptra is a great option. The other thing is Sculptra doesn't just have to be used in the face because it adds natural looking volume and enhances tissue quality. You can use it in other places like the upper inner arm and in the buttocks to enlarge the buttocks without doing a fat transfer. Sculptra can also be used in the chest to improve skin quality there and help with those vertical wrinkles that a lot of women notice over time. You have to be so patient with your Sculptra treatments because it really can take months to see those amazing results."
Exactly Where I Get Injections and Why | Best Botox and Filler Placement | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Sculptra the skin actually thickens up a little bit and you can get a little bit more natural looking fullness. Sculptra is a great injectable for people who are sinkers because you can kind of use it throughout the face to just add a little bit of volume without making it look like the patient is puffy. I have had Sculptra in my temples because that's an area that gets quite hollow in people as they get older, and I don't have like a huge filled out temple now. I'm not trying to look like a light bulb head either. I don't want to add too much volume because I feel like that becomes detectable. I'm just trying to restore a little bit. I also have a little bit of Sculptra just like right through this area here so that I don't get too hollow and it's not going to be perfect and I'm not trying to look perfect. I'm just trying to restore volume in areas that I tend to lose it so that I look more just like myself and more refreshed."
"Dysport and Daify both kick in faster for me than Botox, so if I was kind of behind on my injection schedule and I'm leaving on vacation in a few days and I really need it to be kicked in, I might reach for something like Dysport. But in general I kind of just use whatever I have."
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All 2 takes on Dysport
Exactly Where I Get Injections and Why | Best Botox and Filler Placement | Dr. Sam Ellis
"Dysport and Daify both kick in faster for me than Botox, so if I was kind of behind on my injection schedule and I'm leaving on vacation in a few days and I really need it to be kicked in, I might reach for something like Dysport. But in general I kind of just use whatever I have."
Botox Brow Lift? Lip Flip? Dermatologist Explains the Ways You Can Use Botox Cosmetically
"When I am saying Botox throughout this video I am using that really as a catch-all term for any of the botulinum toxin A's that are used cosmetically so there are other brands besides Botox you may have heard of them Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxi. Botox is an injectable that when injected into specific muscles causes them to be paralyzed and you can paralyze them to varying degrees depending on the dose of Botox used. Cosmetically this is often done in muscles of the face to reduce the intensity of muscle contraction because it is repeated muscle contractions that lead to the skin creasing over and over again which in turn leads to fine lines and subsequent etched in permanent wrinkles."
"If you like a body scrub, the Necessaire Body Exfoliator is one of my absolute favorites. It comes in a fragrance-free version, but I actually really like the one with the eucalyptus scent, as long as you're not sensitive to fragrance because it really makes you feel like you're at the spa. It combines volcanic pumice for physical exfoliation, and it has salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid for some chemical exfoliation as well, but it's not harsh."
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All 2 takes on Body Exfoliator
How to Fix Dull, Crepey Body Skin | Firm Glowing Skin Tricks | Dr. Sam Ellis
"If you like a body scrub, the Necessaire Body Exfoliator is one of my absolute favorites. It comes in a fragrance-free version, but I actually really like the one with the eucalyptus scent, as long as you're not sensitive to fragrance because it really makes you feel like you're at the spa. It combines volcanic pumice for physical exfoliation, and it has salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid for some chemical exfoliation as well, but it's not harsh."
Dermatologist's Favorite Body Skincare Products: Cleanser, Exfoliator, Sunscreen, & More!
"The Necessaire Body Exfoliator is actually a chemical and physical exfoliator. The physical exfoliator comes from the little scrubbing particles within the product, and it also has chemical exfoliators like lactic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid. It comes in a fragrance free version but there are also three fragranced versions as well, and this is actually one of the cases where I prefer a fragranced product. I really like the eucalyptus scented one because it makes me feel like I'm in a spa. This is definitely my most used body exfoliator and I use it probably once a week in the shower with small circular motions. I do like how clean and smooth my skin feels after using this. I feel like this one really hits the sweet spot where the exfoliating particles aren't too small so they actually have a little bit of grit and they're doing something, but they're not so big and gritty and sharp that I feel like they're causing trauma to my skin."
"I recommend people start bringing a glycolic acid based body lotion into their routine. Glycolic acid helps the skin hold on to water, it's gently exfoliating, and it helps stimulate more collagen, so if you have that crepy texture it's going to help with that as well. One of my most common recommendations for this is the Alpha Renewal Body Lotion. It has 12% glycolic acid. It's quite comfortable when you apply it, sometimes glycolic acid is really spicy and tingly and it doesn't really do that, and it's really effective."
"If you want more of a straight up body moisturizer with no active ingredients, I also really like the Necessaire Body Lotion. This is a really mid-weight easy to apply body lotion that I think works great in a lot of different routines and with a lot of different skin types."
"Using a Biotin supplement to grow your hair is a hair care myth that just won't go away. If you are truly deficient in biotin, supplementing with biotin will help you grow your hair, however it is exceedingly rare, so rare that I have never had a patient be biotin deficient. The reality is that a product doesn't work because it has biotin in it; it's because of the entire complex that exists."
"There's been some really nice systematic reviews that have consistently shown that collagen does benefit your skin health. For me it's kind of like two birds one stone, I'm getting the protein that I would want to get in my diet but struggle to get through regular food sources plus this added collagen boost. I tend to reach for the one by Vital Proteins just because you can get it in quite a large container, it's quite affordable, and it's quite easily accessible online as well as at large retailers like Target and Costco. I tend to blend it into a smoothie."
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All 2 takes on Collagen Peptides
Dermatologist's Ultimate Beauty Hacks for Glowing Skin | Dr. Sam Ellis
"There's been some really nice systematic reviews that have consistently shown that collagen does benefit your skin health. For me it's kind of like two birds one stone, I'm getting the protein that I would want to get in my diet but struggle to get through regular food sources plus this added collagen boost. I tend to reach for the one by Vital Proteins just because you can get it in quite a large container, it's quite affordable, and it's quite easily accessible online as well as at large retailers like Target and Costco. I tend to blend it into a smoothie."
Can Oral Collagen Supplements Improve Your Skin, Hair, & Nails? Dermatologist Explains!
"I've recently been trying out the Vital Proteins collagen, which has both bovine and marine collagen, and I've really been enjoying it. I think the biggest thing that surprised me is how well it kind of just mixes into coffee or water and essentially just disappears. That's very different than any of the other protein supplements I've ever tried."
"Polypodium leucotomos comes from a fern so it's a plant-based ingredient that offers antioxidant properties that help with UV protection. When you're taking this as a supplement it's in oral form you can take it as a pill it also comes in gummy form and it offers additional UV protection that extends beyond what your sunscreen or UPF clothing could offer. These supplements have a rather immediate effect so I usually take it the morning of when I'm going to be doing those activities. I've been taking a polypodium leucotomos supplement for years but I did not take it when I was pregnant and when I was breastfeeding it's just not studied in those populations and it wasn't something I personally felt comfortable with."
"On one hand, these are safe, relatively painless. You might see some like subtle snatchess right afterward. But on the con side, there's really no evidence that they provide a lasting result of any kind. And they're generally quite expensive, usually in like the $200 to $500 range. And for me, for the lack of evidence that exists, that's not worth it."
"When used consistently you can see small bits of tightening and reshaping of the face, however you need to use them incredibly consistently and continuously to maintain those results. If you're willing to do it for 15 or 20 minutes every day and keep up with it, go for it, but in terms of all the things that could be helping your skin or getting you the results you want, that's not going to move the needle the same way an in-office treatment would."
"When used consistently you can see small bits of tightening and reshaping of the face, however you need to use them incredibly consistently and continuously to maintain those results. You really have to know yourself. If you buy a multi-hundred-dollar device, will you actually do it for 15 or 20 minutes every day? Will you keep up with it? How long do you intend to do this? If you're like yeah, I've got 30 minutes for my routine every night, this is really important to me, I'm going to stick with this, go for it. But in terms of all the things that could be helping your skin or getting you the results you want, that's not going to move the needle the same way an in-office treatment would."
"Benzoyl peroxide is one of the most popular anti-acne ingredients I recommend it all the time to my patients but it doesn't play nice with everything. These products work via oxidation, it's almost like they create a little mini chemical explosion on the skin, so you generally don't want to combine them with other ingredients or other products that are considered unstable or less stable and you don't want to combine them with antioxidants since they are prooxidant and are going to deactivate your antioxidant effects. You would want to avoid using benzoyl peroxide with things like retinol and prescription tretinoin since they're both very unstable, but adapalene, also known as Differin, is a third generation retinoid and it's very stable in the presence of benzoyl peroxide. So often when I'm counseling my acne patients and they want to be using two anti-acne things in one part of their routine I'm having them use benzoyl peroxide and adapalene together. That does have the potential to be irritating but they're not going to inactivate one another."
"PanOxyl is an acne wash that I have been prescribing for years and it's wonderful for people who have facial acne but it can also be brought onto the body and into the groin area. Benzoyl peroxide works by not only destroying bacteria but it also can help unclog your pores. Another benefit of using an antimicrobial wash is that bacteria on the skin are what cause odor in that area so if you struggle with body odor and you feel like it might be emanating from your groin area maybe a benzoyl peroxide wash is right for you."
"Tazarotene is a third generation retinoid and it binds to the retinoid receptors in your skin with more affinity than tretinoin and it's a little more specific in terms of which receptors it binds to and we have great data when it comes to how it helps with photoaging and acne. The tradeoff is that tazarotene in studies has consistently shown to be more irritating than tretinoin. So it's not that it's ineffective, it's very effective, but often times it is more poorly tolerated. For that reason, it is the general practice of dermatologists to start patients on tretinoin first. But there are going to be a subset of patients who tolerate tazarotene more successfully. If someone is not able to tolerate tretinoin or has a particular interest in starting with tazarotene, I have no qualms about that. You start it the exact same way you start tretinoin. You're looking out for all of the same side effects and sometimes insurance covers one better than the other."
"I dropped her down to the retinaldehyde from Prequel, which is a newer product, and it's less intense. And she's tolerating it now beautifully. She's so happy with how her skin is doing. I do this all the time for my patients. I will transition them from tretinoin down to retinol or retinaldehyde. It's the whole reason with Prequel I wanted to create a retinaldehyde product because I had so many patients struggling to tolerate their tretinoin either on their face or on their neck and chest. And I wanted them to have options where they could still be really successful and see great anti-aging benefits but not put their skin through it constantly with tretinoin."
"Dazzle Dry is a nail polish brand that's known for being a little bit more gentle on nails. The thought is this nail polish doesn't contain an ingredient called nitrocellulose which can be a little bit damaging to the nail plate. Dazzle Dry kind of meets this nice niche of getting a little bit of longevity out of your nail polish but not being a traditional gel or dip polish."
"The Derma Nail Conditioner is something that you apply to the cuticle every single day. I was actually recommended it by one of my patients and I have since recommended it to so many people who also love it."
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