Confessions of a Dermatologist: An Expert Shares His 3 Skin Care Secrets

Have you ever wished you could pick a dermatologist’s brain and learn all their secrets? Well, we certainly have. And thankfully, working at Skincare.com affords us exactly that opportunity. We spoke with board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com consultant, Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali and asked him to reveal his biggest skin care confessions. If you’re just as curious as we are—or simply interested in all things skin care—keep reading to find out all three of his skin care secrets.

Confession #1: Dermatologists Make Skin Mistakes, Too

We tend to think of dermatologists as the be-all and end-all when it comes to skin care knowledge, but there are some things even derms don’t always know from the get-go. As Dr. Bhanusali revealed, it can take going through medical school for them to realize some of the most important things about skin care. Dr. Bhanusali let us in on a major secret from his past: prior to his dermatology days he didn’t realize that patients with dark skin tones could get skin cancer.  

Of course, now he knows—and you do too—that skin cancer can affect absolutely anyone regardless of skin tone or ethnicity. To help protect against skin cancer, wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen each and every day is a must for everyone. Speaking of sunscreen, believe it or not, Dr. Bhanusali also confessed that he didn’t start to wear sunscreen until becoming a dermatologist.

Confession #2: Sunscreen Is the Key to Anti-Aging Skin Care

We’re happy to say, Dr. Bhanusali clearly learned his lesson on the importance of sunscreen. His second confession makes it all too obvious that he has. According to him, aside from sunscreen being essential for cancer prevention, there’s another reason it’s a critical skin care product to use. He says, “Sunscreen is the best anti-aging measure you can take.” As much as you love potent anti-aging serums and creams, they won’t override your need for SPF. To help avoid premature signs of aging and lower your risk of developing skin cancer, slather your skin with sunscreen every single day and take additional measures such as seeking shade and wearing protective clothing when outdoors.

Confession #3: The Right Routine Makes All the Difference

Skin care isn’t always as complicated as it seems. You may be under the impression that every problem requires intense treatments and a multitude of visits to the derm, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Half the battle in maintaining a healthy-looking complexion is keeping up with a good skin care routine. It can even be something simple, comprised of a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, eye cream, and sunscreen, but a consistent routine is key. “A good skin care routine and gentle laser can literally make a 10-year difference in your skin,” Dr. Bhanusali says. If you’re struggling with your skin, try adopting a new, targeted skin care routine to see if it makes a difference.