Nine dermatologists explain how they care for their skin—and the beauty wisdom they pass along to their kids.
Understanding what information to trust when it comes to skincare can be difficult. After all, several factors can contribute to your skin health, and no one product or method will always work for everyone the same.
If you’re overwhelmed by the many product and regimen options, these experts are here to help. Health asked nine dermatologists for their best skincare tips. They shared what they use on their skin and what skincare advice they give their children.
Ellen Marmur, MD
Board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare; mom to Jonah (24), Julien (17), Sasha (16, pictured), and Ezra (14); IG: @dr_ellen_marmur
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What’s your best beauty secret? Take the anxiety out of skin care. Start a simplified, consistent routine with an all-in-one serum with antioxidants, moisturizers, and microbiome ingredients—like the MMBalance Serum from my line—plus sun protection. I love at-home LED light treatments, like the MMSphere 2.0, but not the ones that touch your face due to potential glare on the eyes.
Is there an in-office treatment that you swear by? I cannot live without my yearly Thermage FLX [radio frequency] to tighten my skin and my Sciton Joule BBL [intense pulsed light] to reduce rosacea and freckles.
Do you find your kids’ generation has a different attitude toward beauty? Yes, they’ve all been burned by the too-good-to-be-true trends, and now they’re over it. They’re much more attuned to overconsumption and prefer clean skincare that still feels and looks beautiful and is earth-conscious.
What skincare lesson do you hope to pass down? I want Sasha to respect her skin like any other vital organ and protect it from harmful UV and chemical assaults.
Caroline Robinson, MD
Board-certified dermatologist; mom to Corinne (8) and Elle (5); IG: @crobinsonmd
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What’s your desert-island beauty product, and why? Definitely the Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%. With tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (vitamin C) and patent-pending MelaPATH technology, it is one of the market’s most advanced vitamin C products. It brightens and evens skin tone.
What’s the number one skincare question your friends and family ask you? I constantly get asked about dark spots. Most people think there’s a quick answer. We first have to determine the cause of the hyperpigmentation and then find the proper treatment. Above all, the skin must be sun-protected. My answer is always, “Are you wearing sunscreen daily?”
What is the best change you’ve made to your skincare routine? At the end of high school, I hated how dull and tired my skin and under-eyes looked, probably due to all that studying. I started to pay more attention to my skin. I wore SPF daily, and with that change alone, I saw improvement. Those habits stuck with me.
What skincare lesson do you hope to pass down to your daughters? Whether with cleansing, moisturizing, or sun protection, I want them to understand that consistency matters most.
What’s your philosophy on beauty? I believe confidence is beautiful. I used to spend a lot of time wondering what other people thought of my hair, makeup, or outfits. Now I feel most beautiful when I love these things about myself—no validation needed.
Mona Gohara, MD
Board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine; mom to Kiran (14) and Jai (12); IG: @monagoharadermdoc
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What is one beauty lesson your mom passed down to you? Less is more. My mom always kept it simple but has great skin. Never a believer in the latest lotions and potions, she just sticks with the basics.
What is your skincare routine? My morning routine is all about protection. I cleanse, apply a vitamin C antioxidant, a hyaluronic acid, and then a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher. At night, it’s all about restoring and repairing. I start 15 minutes before bed, so the products have time to soak in on my skin, not the pillow. I cleanse, use a retinoid, and moisturize, then apply products to the neck and eyes.
What’s your best beauty secret? I give myself a mini-mani every day. I moisturize my hands by slathering on excess sunscreen. I build collagen using extra retinol and keep my nails looking glowy and soft by using Vaseline along my cuticles and nails. I apply excess facial products to my hands—it works like a charm.
What skincare lesson do you hope to pass down to your children? A skincare routine should be approached like toothbrushing—it isn’t elective.
What is the one skincare product you and your children share? Though they often tempt fate and try tween products, they return to the Dove Beauty Bar because they know it makes their skin feel soft!
What skincare sin do you wish you would have avoided? No harsh, drying toners and alcohol-based products to singe off my teenage zits—and skin, oops. I should have just seen a dermatologist.
Dendy Engelman, MD
Board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and Health Advisory Board member; mom to Gadsden (5) and Ellis (3, pictured); IG: @drdendy
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What’s your current go-to skincare routine? In the morning, I cleanse and remove any impurities. Then, I apply the Isdin Flavo-C Ultraglican 30 Ampoules for antioxidant protection. I open one of the Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum for hydration.
I love the Skinbetter Science Sunbetter Tone Smart SPF 68 Sunscreen Compact to protect my skin. I keep the Isdin Mineral Brush handy for easy reapplication. At night, I double-cleanse to remove makeup. I finish with a powerful glycolic serum and a strong moisturizer.
Do you need to spend a lot on products to get good results? You don’t have to spend much on cleansers, moisturizers, mascara, blush, and eyeshadow. You should invest in active products like antioxidants, exfoliants, and retinol/retinoids.
Is there an in-office treatment you swear by? I do fractionated CO2 laser once a year, which is the best way to keep skin looking youthful. It improves the appearance of tone and texture and prevents fine lines.
What skincare lesson do you hope to pass down to your daughter? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Growing up down South, I used to worship the sun. I hope Ellis learns to protect her skin and, if she wants to look tan, will rely on sunless tanners instead of UV exposure. That will keep her beautiful skin looking young for decades longer than any cream or procedure.
Is there anything your children have taught you about beauty? They’ve taught me that it’s OK if everything isn’t just perfect.
Deanne Robinson, MD
Board-certified dermatologist and president and cofounder of Modern Dermatology; mom to Dermott (14), Teagan (12), Callan (7), and Garrett (5), and wife to Dave; IG: @deannemrazrobinsonmd
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What lifestyle choices do you make to better your skin? I love my yoga practice for supporting my overall health and skin. The twisting postures are excellent detoxifiers. The mind-body connection helps lower my cortisol levels; cortisol is a common inflammation trigger and can exacerbate skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and acne.1
What’s the number one skincare question your friends and family ask you? “Where should I start?” and “What treatments do I need?” are the biggest two. The answers are never one-size-fits-all, but what is universal is a solid, medical-grade skincare routine. All the Botox in the world can’t fix bad skin. Lay a strong, healthy foundation, then increase the volume with treatments.
Do you find your kids’ generation has a different attitude toward beauty? I’m excited to see their generation appreciate individuality. While there’s still work to be done, seeing a wider representation of color, shape, and size is reassuring.
What is the one skincare product you and your children share? If I had to choose one, I’d say Vanicream Moisturizing Ointment. This is a great multitasker for everyone in my house, from helping to heal cuts and skinned knees to spot-treating dry, cracked knuckles and cuticles.
Is there anything your kids have taught you about beauty? Nothing gives your skin a nice glow like a good belly laugh.
Kavita Mariwalla, MD
Board-certified dermatologist; mom to Shyer (9), Ashar (6), and Ayan (5), and pup Lucy (9); IG: @mariwalladermatology
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What’s your skincare routine? As a busy mom, I keep it simple, especially because I’m in a mask all day. In the a.m., I gently cleanse and hydrate with IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Gel Lotion.
In the p.m., I cleanse and exfoliate with the SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight and top off with Alastin Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar to strengthen and repair. To finish, I lather my legs and arms with AmLactin Daily 12% Lactic Acid Moisturizing Body Lotion.
What’s your desert-island beauty product? Aside from a wide-brimmed hat, Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40. It goes on easily and leaves no white cast. Also, Dermablend Professional Cover Creme in Honey Beige, in case a boat comes to rescue me and I need to conceal my under-eye circles!
What’s your best beauty secret? I commit to one session of micro-needling every year. It truly makes a difference in my skin texture.
What lifestyle choices do you make to better your skin? I take turmeric—I believe in its anti-inflammatory effects—and vitamin D since I avoid the sun like a vampire.
What skincare lesson do you hope to pass down to your sons? I try to teach them to take care of themselves. Keeping nails trimmed and hands looking neat is a big one in our home.
Tiffany Libby, MD
Board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, director of Mohs Surgery at the Brown University Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology; mom to Sam (4), Charlotte (2), and Jules (2 months), and wife to William; IG: @dermdoclibby
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What’s one beauty lesson your mom passed down to you? So many! Avoid the sun—I was that crazy kid at summer camp in a farmer’s hat and long-sleeve shirt playing soccer outside. And always, always moisturize after bathing!
What’s your desert-island beauty product? Assuming SPF will be included, I would choose Aquaphor Healing Ointment. It hydrates everything from lips to body skin. If I get a scrape, I’m covered.
Is there an in-office treatment you swear by? I love Botox. It is so versatile. My favorite thing is treating someone for the first time and seeing how happy they are upon their return visit.
Do you need to spend a lot on products to get good results? I feel you can buy everything for an effective skincare regimen at the drugstore. Sure, you may want to splurge on brands that invest in scientific studies, but you can always find a comparable equivalent for less.
What is the one skincare product you and your children share? SPF! I love kid sunscreens because they have high zinc oxide content and are typically hypoallergenic and fragrance-free!
What do you hope that your kids’ idea of beauty will be? I hope that they see the beauty in everyone. My kids are of mixed race, me being Chinese American and my husband of Eastern European descent, and I think it is an important lesson to teach our kids from a young age.
Whitney Bowe, MD
New York–based board-certified dermatologist and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin; mom to Maclane (9); IG; @drwhitneybowe
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JULIA DAGS
What’s your skincare routine? In the morning, I cleanse with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser, then apply vitamin C serum, a moisturizer, then sunscreen.
In the evening, if I’m wearing makeup, I use micellar water to remove it and follow with a water-based cleanser. I alternate between nights where I use active ingredients like retinol and AHAs and focus on repairing my skin barrier using a moisturizer with prebiotics, squalene, and jojoba oil.
What’s your desert-island beauty product? Skinfix Remedy+ 911 Ointment. It’s soothing, hydrating, and nonirritating. I use it on my lips throughout the day and even mix it into my moisturizer when my skin feels especially dry.
What lifestyle choices do you make to better your skin? The gut-brain-skin connection is so critical when it comes to healthy skin. I always take deep breaths while I massage the moisturizer on my face to lower my cortisol levels and prioritize sleep. I also eat a plant-heavy diet rich in prebiotics and probiotics to help keep my gut microbiome healthy.
Is there anything your child has taught you about beauty? Especially over the past year, being a mom has taught me that there is beauty in having the opportunity to teach my daughter about self-love and having patience with yourself. Nothing is more beautiful to me than seeing my daughter embracing all the different aspects that make her her.
Rose Ingleton, MD
Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Rose Ingleton MD; mom to Niles (22) and Kendal (20); IG: @ingletondermatology and @rosemdskin
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What’s one thing that bugged you about your skin growing up that you’ve learned to love? When I was young, I thought my lips were too big for my face. Ha! Now I embrace my full, defined, well-shaped lips as one of my strongest facial features. I love my lips!
What skincare sin do you wish you would have avoided? I recall one pimple on my nose that I repeatedly squeezed as a teenager, leaving a scar that I still stare at today. If only I knew then what I know now.
Is there an in-office procedure you swear by? I’m a big believer in having periodic chemical peels or microdermabrasion to exfoliate superficial dead, dull cells and bring out your skin’s radiance. I love the benefits that chemical peels give my skin, and there is no downtime.
What skincare lessons did you pass down to your sons? Even though they have melanin-rich skin, they still need to protect and nurture their skin by wearing sunscreen regularly. Also, I’ve tried to pass down a ritual from my mother of cleaning their skin daily. She’s 95 and lives with us. Her skin is unbelievably beautiful and wrinkle-free. We all want to age like Mommy.
Do you find your kids’ generation has a different attitude toward beauty? They generally have a broader view of what is beautiful. They’re more apt to appreciate the beauty in nonconventional facial and physical features. Gone are the days when only European ideals of beauty were the benchmarks.
The standard of beauty is evolving with this generation. They see classically African features—thick, tightly coiled hair, big lips, wide noses, dark skin, big butts—as beautiful. It’s all evolving.
A Quick Review
Finding a skincare regimen that meets your health and financial needs can be difficult. These nine dermatologists share product recommendations and skincare tips you may be able to try to see what works best for you. Consult a healthcare provider if you have skin concerns.
