I often get asked, “What’s your secret?” when it comes to skincare. The truth is—there is no single miracle product, no overnight transformation, and certainly no one-size-fits-all solution. Great skin is a reflection of knowledge, consistency, restraint, and a bit of indulgence when you’ve earned it. As a board-certified dermatologist and mother living in the fast pulse of New York City, I’ve spent years testing treatments, analyzing skin, and refining a regimen that blends clinical efficacy with simple pleasures.
Here’s everything I do, everything I love, and everything I believe when it comes to treating your skin with the science and care it deserves.
My Foundational Philosophy: Educate, Don’t Imitate
The most empowering thing anyone can do for their skin is learn. Understand what your skin is telling you—its texture, tone, and tendency toward dryness or oiliness all have stories behind them. My patients come to me with selfies and influencer screenshots and ask, “Can you make me look like this?” My answer is always: “Let’s make you look like the best version of yourself.”
I teach all my patients about what I call “The Five Pillars of Aging”:
- Wrinkles
- Volume loss
- Skin tone and pigmentation
- Elasticity
- Bone structure
These serve as the framework for how I approach both prevention and treatment. Most of what you see on a person’s face—tiredness, dullness, sagginess—is due to changes in these five areas. And understanding them changes everything.
My Daily Skincare Routine: From Wake-Up to Wind-Down
Morning: The Armor Layer
Mornings are about protection. My skin wakes up dehydrated, exposed, and in need of defense from the harsh elements of the city and the blue light from screens.
Cleanser (No Overwashing Allowed)
- Product: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser (\$13.99, Target)
- Texture: Creamy, silky, non-foaming
- Effect: Maintains moisture while removing sweat and oil
- Tip: I only cleanse with water in the morning unless I’ve applied heavy occlusives at night
Vitamin C
- Product: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic (\$182, Dermstore)
- Texture: Lightweight serum, slightly tacky
- Effect: Brightens, firms, and neutralizes free radicals
- Tip: Apply a few drops onto damp skin, press gently, and wait two minutes before layering
Other affordable alternatives:
- L’Oréal Revitalift 10% Vitamin C Serum (\$32.99, Ulta Beauty)
- Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum (\$78, Sephora)
Moisturizer
- Product: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré (\$29, Amazon)
- Texture: Soft, balmy cream
- Effect: Deep hydration without heaviness
- Tip: Press into the skin rather than rubbing, especially on dry patches
Sunscreen: The Non-Negotiable
- Favorites:
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (\$43, Dermstore) — light, contains niacinamide, ideal for redness-prone skin
- Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Shield SPF 50 (\$69, SkinStore) — portable and mess-free
- SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 — slightly tinted and lightweight
- Tip: Apply a generous amount and don’t forget your ears, eyelids, and hairline. Reapply every two hours if outdoors.
Evening: The Ritual Reset
Nights are for healing, restoration, and quiet. My nighttime routine is both therapeutic and functional—it’s when I honor my skin for everything it endured during the day.
Cleanser
- Product: Natura Bissé Diamond Cocoon Enzyme Cleanser (\$70, Natura Bissé)
- Texture: Rich, creamy, almost lotion-like
- Effect: Deep-cleansing but never stripping
- Tip: Apply on dry skin, massage for 60 seconds before rinsing
Exfoliation (Once a Week)
- Product: Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Wash (\$38, Sephora)
- Texture: Light gel
- Effect: Sloughs dead skin, refines texture, and reveals brightness
- Tip: Use with fingertips, never a brush or cloth, to avoid micro-tears
Treatment Serums
- Product: SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum (\$154, SkinMedica)
- Effect: Lightens hyperpigmentation, evens skin tone
- Key Ingredient: Tranexamic acid, gentle enough for pregnancy
- Alternatives:
- The Inkey List Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment (\$15, Sephora)
- Product: DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum (\$155, DefenAge) — a retinol alternative
- Effect: Stimulates collagen with defensin peptides
Moisturizers & Occlusives
- Mainstay: Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (\$29, Macy’s)
- Texture: Thick balm, slightly sticky
- Use: On lips, cheeks, dry patches
- Tip: Tap lightly on cheekbones for an overnight glow
- For Deep Nourishment:
- Weleda Skin Food (\$18, Whole Foods) — rich and herbal
- La Prairie Skin Caviar Absolute Filler (\$680, La Prairie) — a luxurious splurge, press-on moisturizer that firms and lifts
Tools, Treatments & Tech: Where Science Meets Skincare
Injectables: Subtle Is Strong
- I use Botox in small, deliberate doses between my brows and across my forehead to prevent dynamic wrinkles.
- For volume, I use a conservative amount of hyaluronic acid filler in the jawline and cheekbones.
Key Insight: “If done right, it shouldn’t look like anything was done. Just rested. Just… better.”
Lasers & Energy Devices
- Ultherapy (every 2–3 years): Uses ultrasound to stimulate collagen and tighten skin from deep within. Painful, yes, but very effective.
- Vascular Laser: I use it for broken capillaries around my nose due to rosacea.
- Fraxel or IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Once a year, for pigmentation from past sun damage.
Platforms for treatment bookings: Zocdoc, RealSelf, or your local board-certified dermatologist.
Eye Care: Where Fatigue Shows First
- Neocutis Lumiere Eye Cream (\$97, Dermstore): Contains caffeine to de-puff and peptides to firm.
- Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème (\$44, Sephora): Illuminates the under-eye for a wide-awake look.
Trick: Keep it in the fridge. The chill reduces inflammation instantly.
Acne & Blemish Rescue
- Clindamycin 1% Gel (Rx only): Antibacterial spot treatment
- Cosrx Acne Pimple Master Patch (\$6, Amazon): Transparent hydrocolloid stickers that suck out pus and reduce inflammation overnight
Makeup That Supports Your Skin
I prefer a “no-makeup makeup” look—natural, sheer, and glowy.
- Tinted Moisturizer: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (\$53)
- Concealer: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (\$32)
- Blush: Glossier Cloud Paint in “Puff” (\$22)
- Highlighter: Gucci Westman Lit Up Highlight Stick (\$48)
- Mascara: Benefit Roller Lash (\$29)
- Eyeliner: YSL Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Shocking (\$30)
Hair & Body
Body Moisturizers
- Mustela Hydra Bébé Body Lotion (\$15, Walmart)
- Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream (\$35, Avène USA)
Hair Care
- Colorist: Laurie Daniels at Marie Robinson Salon
- Leave-In: Revlon Equave Instant Leave-In Detangling Conditioner Spray (\$15, Ulta Beauty)
- Oil: Kérastase Elixir Ultime (\$52)
Scent of Self
- Perfume: Diptyque Eau des Sens (\$150, Diptyque)
- Profile: Orange blossom and juniper. Clean. Familiar. A whisper, not a scream.
When patients say, “You smell so clean,” I just smile and say, “Thanks—I shower daily.” But really, it’s Eau des Sens doing the heavy lifting.
Lifestyle Habits That Change the Skin You’re In
Skincare products work, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. What you eat, how you sleep, and how you manage stress all show up on your face.
Nutrition
I believe in nourishing from within—not obsessively, but intuitively.
- Morning Staple: Warm water with lemon or a green juice
- Lunch: Salmon and arugula salad with olive oil and walnuts
- Snack: Almonds or fruit
- Dinner: Lean protein, steamed vegetables, a small indulgence like dark chocolate
Supplements I trust:
- Omega-3s
- Vitamin D
- Collagen Peptides (Vital Proteins or Great Lakes)
No fad diets. No fear of food. Just consistency and hydration. Skin reflects internal inflammation—period.
Sleep: The Natural Retinoid
Sleep is free Botox. I go to bed early, if I can, and guard my rest like I do my moisturizer.
- Tool: Slip Silk Pillowcase (\$89) – reduces tugging on delicate skin
- Trick: Lavender oil on my wrists to calm my mind
Movement
I don’t punish my body. I move it with love.
- Preferred workouts: Pilates, long walks, light weight training
- What I avoid: Excessive cardio (inflammatory for my joints and skin)
Moving gets the lymphatic system flowing and helps eliminate toxins. Plus, post-workout glow is real and beautiful.
My Skin Rules (and Why They Work)
- Never chase trends. Skin has memory—don’t confuse it every week with something new.
- Respect the skin barrier. If your skin is inflamed, it can’t benefit from actives. Calm it down first.
- Less is more. You only need a handful of products, used consistently.
- Don’t mix without knowing. Vitamin C, retinol, and exfoliants don’t always play nice. Layer smartly.
- SPF is not optional. UV damage is cumulative and permanent.
My Top 10 Holy Grail Products (And Why)
- EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 – Acne-safe, protective, soothing.
- SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic – Proven antioxidant, clinically backed.
- Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré – Simple, elegant hydration.
- Peter Thomas Roth 20% Glycolic Wash – Real results without the flare.
- DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum – A true collagen stimulator, gentle enough for daily use.
- Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream – An old-school legend that works.
- Cosrx Acne Master Patch – Practical, powerful, and great for emergencies.
- Westman Atelier Highlighter – Clean beauty that enhances, not masks.
- Neocutis Lumiere Eye Cream – Proven to reduce puffiness and fine lines.
- Diptyque Eau des Sens – Because how you smell is part of how you feel.
Where I Shop for Skincare
Here are retailers I trust, based in or shipping to the U.S.:
| Retailer | Why I Trust It | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Dermstore | Dermatologist-backed, fast shipping | dermstore.com |
| Violet Grey | Curated luxury with clinical integrity | violetgrey.com |
| Sephora | Great for makeup/skincare hybrids | sephora.com |
| Ulta Beauty | Affordable finds and drugstore essentials | ulta.com |
| Soko Glam | Best for Korean skincare brands | sokoglam.com |
| Amazon (carefully) | For basics like CeraVe, but watch the seller | amazon.com |
| Brand websites | Authentic, freshest stock |
Skin Is a Mirror of Self-Respect
When I was younger, I wore makeup to hide. Now, I wear skincare to reveal. There’s something deeply empowering about learning to love your skin not because it’s flawless, but because it’s yours. Your freckles, your laugh lines, your under-eye shadows — they’re maps of who you’ve been.
I don’t want to erase that. I want to care for it. To nurture the story that my face tells, and give it the tools to keep glowing through every season of life.
You don’t need a million products, expensive facials, or celebrity access to great skin. You need consistency, curiosity, and kindness toward yourself.
And if you ever feel lost in the overwhelming world of skincare — start small. Start with sunscreen. Start with sleep. Start with water.
The glow will follow.
