Skin
The sought after dermatologist answers our reader’s most-pressing skin care questions
ByLauren Stachiw and Jené Luciani Sena
Once we hit our 40s and enter perimenopause, there can be an onslaught of new skin concerns that arise. Thanks to the fluctuations in hormones and daily wear and tear of skin, you might be dealing with anything from dry skin to discoloration, redness and more. That’s why we turned to New York City board-certified dermatologist Doris Day, MD, FAAD to answer our most-pressing skin care questions for women in their 40s and beyond. Dr. Day also serves as a professor of dermatology at New York University Langone Medical Center, has authored three books and shares her wealth of skin care knowledge on her social media accounts—check out one of her Reels below! To see Dr. Day’s skin care advice that’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine, keep scrolling.
Editor’s note: Dr. Day is a contributor to First for Women magazine and you can find more skin care advice from her in the print publication, which is available for purchase online here. To ask her a skin care question, send an email to beauty@firstforwomen.com.
Beauty
I’ve Been a Dermatologist for More Than 25 Years – These Are My Go-to Products I Use on My Own Skin
Q: I’m dealing with hormonal acne. What’s the best way to clear it up?
"I’m a big fan of topical probiotics for hormonal acne—they’re a game changer! They calm redness, strengthen the skin barrier and target acne-causing bacteria for a clearer complexion. A probiotic mist, such as BIOJUVE Activating Mist, is easy to use. Just spritz it on twice a day before moisturizing," explains Dr. Day. "In the mornings, I like to add a retinol to gently exfoliate the skin and keep pores clear. Acne-specific options, such as La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Topical Retinoid Acne Treatment, work well. The key? Consistency! Stick with it and you’ll see results."
Q: What’s the best way to treat eczema flare-ups?
"Eczema comes in many variations, so seeing a dermatologist is the best way to pinpoint your type. But no matter the form, keeping skin hydrated and strengthening its barrier are key. Look for products packed with ceramides and oatmeal," Dr. Day says. "Ceramides lock in moisture and reinforce the barrier, while oatmeal hydrates and calms inflammation." Two of her top picks: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream. "If bacteria is a factor, try a product with hypochlorous acid, like Tower 28 Beauty SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray—it’s antibacterial yet gentle on skin."
Q: What’s the best way to add vitamin C to a skin-care routine?
"The type of formula you use depends on your skin type. For those with rosacea or sensitive skin, creams tend to work better as they have a lower concentration of vitamin C, meaning they’re less likely to irritate skin," says Dr. Day. "Try my Doris Day MD Skincare Revitalizing Vitamin C Cream. Normal, oily or dry skin types can benefit from using a vitamin C serum, such as BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner, since skin can withstand a more potent dose. I prefer using vitamin C products in the morning because it enhances the effects of SPF in minimizing damage from pollution and UV rays."
Q: I’m not a fan of body scrubs, what do you recommend for exfoliating?
“Try dry brushing! It gently sloughs off dead, dry skin cells. This technique also unclogs pores to prevent body breakouts and stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins, puffiness and bloat,” says Dr. Day. For the best results, she advises choosing a brush with bristles made of natural fibers, as synthetic ones can irritate skin. “I like TADA Body Brush, which has a hand strap for better grip. To use, start with clean, dry skin and move the brush in gentle, short strokes all over your body, especially the feet, elbows and knees, avoiding areas with broken skin. And don’t forget to moisturize afterward!” Repeat once or twice a week (cut back if your skin is sensitive).
Q: Are there ingredients I should avoid when my rosacea flares up?
“It’s best to keep it simple and not overwhelm skin with too many products, especially anything irritating like salicylic acid, glycolic acid and retinol,” says Dr. Day. “I suggest washing skin with a gentle cleanser, patting dry, then tapping a cream that contains hydrating, soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide and glycerin into skin rather than rubbing it in, which can exacerbate redness. I like La Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer since it calms a flare-up pretty quickly.”
Q: Can slugging exacerbate oily skin?
“Slathering petroleum jelly on top of skin after applying skin care, aka ‘slugging,’ is a big trend on TikTok, as it provides a boost of moisture to dry, mature skin. For some, though, slugging can lead to clogged pores, so skip it if you’re acne-prone,” notes Dr. Day. “Otherwise, apply your nighttime skin-care regimen as usual. I like using a hydrating serum, like CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, followed by a richer night cream. Next, layer on Vaseline to act as a barrier that locks in skin care.” Tip: Place a towel over your pillowcase to protect it from the jelly while you sleep. “You’ll notice soft, plump skin the next morning,” she says. “For dry skin, you can slug nightly, but for combination or oily skin, keep it to two to three times a week to avoid breakouts.”
Q: Do I need to massage in my face serum?
“In short, no. Massage isn’t the most effective way to ensure serums absorb, says Dr. Day. “That’s because as we age and develop more vellus hairs, or peach fuzz, massaging can cause serums to simply glide over these hairs rather than penetrating the skin.” The best method according to Dr. Day is to gently press your serum into your skin to break through that peach fuzz barrier. “But don’t give up on massage just yet! There is one beneficial facial massage called lymphatic drainage that reduces puffiness,” notes Dr. Day. “If you want to try it, note that many beauty videos suggest massaging upward, when really you should use your fingers or a facial roller to gently massage downward, pushing fluid away from your face.”
Q: Is it possible to diminish deep wrinkles without Botox?
“You can soften them! First, notice if you frequently raise your eyebrows, squint or crinkle your eyes and try to minimize these habits, as they cause wrinkles in the first place,” explains Dr. Day. “Hydration is also key to aid skin self-repair, helping to soften and prevent lines. This is easy to do; just apply a moisturizer daily, like Laneige Water Bank Moisturizer, which preserves collagen by preventing moisture loss. And top with SPF 30 or higher to keep creases from worsening.”
Q: For a nose that’s always red, how can I tone it down?
A red nose is a frustrating chronic issue due to the dense network of blood vessels and strong blood supply to the area, says Dr. Day. “I suggest applying an eye cream that contains caffeine, which constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow, and niacinamide, an antioxidant that decreases inflammation and redness. I like Olay 10 Years Younger Day Eye Cream, which has both ingredients. In addition, certain triggers such as alcohol, spicy foods and stress can exacerbate the redness—so try to avoid those and you’ll likely see a big benefit.”
Q: How can I brighten dark spots?
“I recommend using a combination of three ingredients and products to target dark spots,” says Dr. Day. “First, cleanse skin morning and night with a glycolic acid-infused cleanser, which will gently exfoliate skin and remove dead, discolored skin cells. Next, in the morning, apply a vitamin C cream, like La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin C Face Cream.” It will brighten skin, and the antioxidant properties will ward off new spots, she says. “At nighttime, add a retinol to your routine to help with skin cell turnover and even out skin tone. Consistency is key when using this regimen.” When used daily, you’ll begin to see results in two weeks for surface discoloration and in four to six weeks for deeper spots.
Q: My scalp is so itchy. What can help soothe it?
If the itchiness is caused by dandruff, you’ll want to use an antifungal shampoo, such as Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, says Dr. Day. "These formulas have ingredients such as ketoconazole that kill dandruff-causing bacteria on the scalp." If you have a dry, itchy scalp but no signs of dandruff, try a salicylic acid-infused shampoo, such as Neutrogena T/Sal Therapeutic Shampoo. "The acidic ingredient gently exfoliates the scalp to remove any dry patches," she says. "It’s also a good idea to take stock of the products that you’re using, and how often. For example, using dry shampoo more than twice a week can clog hair follicles, leading to inflammation and even shedding."
Q: How do I prevent my nails from chipping and breaking?
"The key is hydration," says Dr. Day. "Use an ointment that contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid, which penetrate cuticles and the nail bed to ensure both stay strong and moisturized." She recommends CeraVe Healing Ointment; it’s made with both ingredients and is ultra moisturizing. Another great nail tip from Dr. Day: "Regular polish helps nails retain moisture," she says. "The problem is in the removal process, which is why it’s best to skip gel manicures as they require soaking nails in acetone for long periods of time. This leads to dryness, which weakens nails and causes them to become brittle over time."
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