“I’m A Dermatologist With Dry, Sensitive Skin—Here’s Exactly What I Use”
Dermatologists prescribe products to their patients all day long, but have you ever wondered which ones they personally use? Welcome to Derm Diaries, a series where dermatologists share their skin woes—and solutions—so you can steal secrets from their skincare routines.
Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist in Cambridge, MA, got into dermatology in a "roundabout path that included an interest in space and becoming an astrophysicist and astronaut with a pit stop in entrepreneurship," in her own words. Her biggest skin issue is dryness and according to Dr. Hirsch's mom it's something she's been dealing with "since the early days of Ranella."
Her lifelong journey with dry skin has also resulted in sensitive, irritation-prone skin as well. "I'm very careful with sun protection and always choose products aimed at dry and sensitive skin. Plus I'm on a forever quest to find rich skin creams that hydrate but don't irritate." Keep reading to see exactly what she uses to keep her finicky skin happy on the regular.
She sticks with a hydrating cleanser.
"I pick cleansers that are rich and hydrating so they give me a clean face without stripping the moisture barrier that protects my skin. With dry skin it's really easy to overdo it, these help prevent that."
She invented this customized serum that she uses every day.
"The goal of a serum is to provide a boost for specific active ingredients that you want to help penetrate the skin. For me, they are brightening and hydrating ingredients like B5 and vitamin C."
She opts for hydrating sunscreens.
"It’s all about the base. I look for creamy formulas that are hydrating."
She mixes between a prescription retinoid and an OTC retinol.
"Prescription strength retinoids keep cells turning over and build up collagen. I use mine two to three times a week and alternate it with an over the counter retinol that isn't too harsh on sensitive skin."
She looks for rich moisturizers.
"When needed, like wintertime, I'm always looking for rich moisturizers that keep my face hydrated for hours. Especially when I'm using a retinoid, they keep dryness and flaking at bay."
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