How a Top Dermatologist Cares for Her Skin

Dermatologists spend the majority of the day caring for their patients’ skin needs, but that doesn’t exempt them from skin concerns of their own. Believe it or not, even the industry’s best can suffer from breakouts, under-eye bags, and dull, tired-looking skin. But most of the time, you see the exact opposite—bright, glowing complexions that are virtually blemish-free. It’s not for nothing that their skin looks that good; they heed their own advice and stick to a robust, personalized skin care regimen. What goes into it? We asked board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman to share a glimpse inside her morning and evening skin rituals to find out. 

MORNING ROUTINE 

After cleansing and toning, Engelman applies eye cream. Next, she uses a cult-favorite vitamin C serum that has Skincare.com’s seal of approval, too. “I use SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic every morning,” she says. “I have terrible seasonal allergies and will get pretty significant under-eye circles as a result. I lean on Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer to help camouflage these away. In addition to excellent coverage, the formula is extremely blendable—plus, it’s water and sweat-proof for up to 16 hours, which is a huge benefit during warmer months.”

EVENING ROUTINE 

“In the evening, it’s all about removing the day’s grime and gunk off your face. I follow a double-cleansing ritual. Step one involves removing the day's cream, makeup, and dirt with a nutrient-rich towelette. Step two is drawing out sebum and impurities using a gentle oil cleanser and lukewarm water. Oil eliminates impurities without drying out your skin. I use an oil-based cleanser first and then a gentle exfoliating cleanser that’s similar to a water-based chemical peel. Your complexion looks radiant when it’s smooth enough to reflect light. But when dead skin cells pile up, the flaky layers can diffuse that light and make skin look dull. Exfoliation can slough off that buildup in the shower. Then, I move on to my serum. I pick one formulated with antioxidants that help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin texture, and tone. I follow up with Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5. This vitamin A derivative is the ultimate multi-tasker. It helps with fine lines and wrinkles, improves the appearance of discoloration, and sun-induced damage. Lastly, skin can lose a lot of water while you sleep, so I like to use hydrating products that are specifically formulated for overnight use.”