Essex Skin Chicago

Ranking the sunscreen you think you're wearing...
SPF built into your foundation isn't nothing, but usually the issue is the amount people actually apply. Sunscreen you only reach for when it's sunny isn't really a sunscreen habit.
The makeup SPF earns its keep once it's layered on top of real sunscreen, not standing in for it.
The only S tier is sunscreen as its own step, every single morning.
People just don't put enough makeup SPF on, that's the real issue.
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Real rule or internet myth, skincare actives edition.

Niacinamide and vitamin C do not clash. You can definitely use them together. Higher strength retinol is not automatically better either. The best strength is always the one you can tolerate.

A 10-step routine means spending more money and having more product to irritate your skin with. Natural does not mean more effective or better for your skin.

The one that is very real is sunscreen every day. Sun damage is a lifetime accumulation thing and it starts with your face. Don't forget your neck.

Comment GUIDE and I'll send you the 10 most common questions my patients ask me.

My first question when a patient with more melanin comes in with side effects after a treatment somewhere else...

Did they pre-treat you?

People with more melanin in their skin are at higher risk of hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, especially with laser treatments.

So ask your provider: do you know how to deal with colored skin? Are you pre-treating me? What settings are you using? You should get a thorough answer to all of them. If you don't, run and find someone else.

Melanated skin can get treatments done. You just need the right provider.

Follow along if you want more practical skincare tips.

Rating everything people tell you helps wrinkles, one to ten...
Collagen cream is a one, it sits on your skin and can't get through your skin barrier. Collagen supplements get a five, there's some evidence they may work, but I wouldn't rely on them to prevent wrinkles.
The boring routine you actually finish gets a 7.5, as long as there's a retinol in it. Without one, it's helping your skin, not your wrinkles. Microneedling is an eight, it builds collagen, so it helps with fine lines and wrinkles (and acne scars too).
Botox is a nine for the wrinkles it can fix. If you've ever thought about it, book a consultation. Doing it once will put your mind at ease.
Comment LIST and I'll send you a list of the things I think actually work for wrinkles.

I've been taking biotin for my hair. Is it actually doing anything?

Most people don't have a biotin deficiency. It's really, really hard to have one. So when you take it, your body just metabolizes it and gets rid of it.

There are other things on the market that actually have scientific evidence behind them. Pumpkin extract is one of the things I tell my patients most to take. It has clinical significance and it really does help with hair loss.

I'm definitely not anti-supplement. Figure out what the right supplement is instead of just grabbing random bottles off the shelf. Even if the bottle says hair and nails in big letters, that doesn't mean the ingredients in it are the ones that are going to help you.

Comment LIST and I'll send you the supplements I actually tell my patients to take.

Will starting Botox young keep you from aging?

Botox doesn't stop you from aging. That's one of the biggest misconceptions out there. Botox prevents wrinkles. Your skin is still going to age, even if you get a facelift.

What I love about it is that it keeps wrinkles from forming, so everything looks smoother and more youthful.

But if you're still smoking, not using sunscreen, no retinols, no real skincare foundation, honestly, save your money.

If you're already doing all of that skin upkeep and you want to consider Botox, I'd say give it a try.

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Is medical grade skincare actually regulated, or is that just a sticker...

Medical grade is not an actual class of skincare.

You don't need to buy medical grade. As long as you know which active ingredient you need, you can buy a product that's probably cheaper than what you're being sold at med spas.

Follow along for more on which skincare products are actually worth it.

Rating acne fixes from toothpaste to the stuff that actually works.

Toothpaste gets a one and no explanation from me. Drying your skin out on purpose is a two, because once you damage your skin barrier everything after it gets harder. Chocolate lands at a five, not the zero everyone wants, because the actual evidence is a lot more nuanced than the myth.

Spearmint tea is an eight and there is real scientific evidence behind that one. Benzoyl peroxide is a nine, gold standard for starting acne treatment.

The ten is the unglamorous one. Not picking at your skin. Stop, and you will thank me.

Follow for real skincare talk, no smoke and mirrors.

Skincare that burns versus skincare that actually works...

Burning is usually irritation, not proof something's working, and that squeaky, tight feeling after washing can mean you stripped your barrier instead of cleaning it.

Stinging doesn't mean it's working. Look at your skin, that tells you.

Skin first, that's rule one for me. Whatever aesthetic stuff you want, it waits its turn.

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Expensive skincare or the cheap stuff? I'm a derm NP, here's how I decide what to actually recommend to my patients.

Expensive serum or the cheap one? Get the cheap one, save your money. You don't have to spend the same amount on something that has the same clinical ingredients. You can get the cheaper bottle and still get the same results.

Cheap serum or the one that says clean? I would still get the cheap one, because clean really doesn't have any backing behind it. We don't know what clean means.

Skincare or Botox? Skincare and Botox. You always want to take care of your skin first, and if you're interested in Botox and have wrinkles, try it at least once so you're not wondering.

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General skincare education, not medical advice for an individual.