“Marula oil can help dry, dehydrated skin (found in eczema and psoriasis), has anti-aging properties, and can help your sunscreen in defending against free radicals; it even has antimicrobial properties and may be helpful in your fight against acne,” says Dr. Pierre. “It’s also lightweight, absorbs easily, and can even help your hair and nails [8].”

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Hand sanitizer, if you read the ingredient list, is mostly alcohol. That doesn’t mean it should be your new favorite cocktail to take into the shower, but rather should teach you how alcohol’s chemical properties help sanitize your hands. According to Dr. Peterson Pierre, founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute, alcohol acts to break down the lipids or fats in bacteria and virus’ cell walls, effectively killing them. But there is a flip side to this germ-killing superpower. “Alcohol and propylene glycol draw moisture out of the face,” Dr. Pierre told The List. “It’s the process of osmosis; the moisture is going to travel from your skin to where it’s needed, and since alcohol has less (moisture) it’s going to go in that direction.”

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There are a few different ways to try facial exercise — but experts differ on how long and how frequently to do it. Based on the results of the aforementioned JAMA study, it may require 20 to 30 minutes daily for a few months to notice a change, and then the same timeframe a few times a week to maintain results, which may not be sustainable for some. However, as Peterson Pierre MD of the Pierre Skin Care Institute explains, if you’re able to add on this time to your daily/weekly routine, there is some reward for your efforts. “If you thrive on structure and think you can be committed and consistent with this program, you can reap the benefits of firmer skin, fuller cheeks, and a younger appearance,” he says.

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So, what are the added benefits of using this ingredient? Dr. Peterson Pierre of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California (www.pierreskincare.com) shares just why probiotics are worth including in your daily skincare regimen. It’s all about restoring and balancing the skin’s natural microbiome. “All of this helps to reduce inflammation,” Dr. Pierre explains.

“They also fight free radicals produced by the sun and pollution and may possibly even protect against skin cancer,” he continues. “Probiotics can build up our skin’s natural defenses and promote healthy function. These properties allow probiotics to be very useful for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis, and in preventing premature aging.”

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“As we age, our brains shrink in volume, particularly the frontal cortex and hippocampus, areas involved in higher cognitive function and encoding new memories,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California, and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute.

The Rx: “It’s important to keep the mind stimulated, and one of the best ways to do that is with the brain training app Lumosity,” says Pierre. “This app is personalized and trains key areas of your brain. Just a few minutes a day can help your mind stay sharp and can even help you improve in certain areas.”

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Biotin, a B vitamin that helps stimulate keratin production, has a reputation for being beneficial for your hair, skin, and nails, so it makes sense that you’d be interested in using a biotin shampoo. But the best biotin shampoos are complimented by other, high-performing ingredients to promote strong hair and a balanced scalp, like “zinc to decrease inflammation; ketoconazole to fight the hair-thinning properties of DHT; antioxidants to minimize free radical damage; castor oil or olive oil to increase scalp circulation and condition the scalp and hair; and keratin, amino acids, and pantothenol to strengthen the hair,” explains Dr. Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist who spoke to Elite Daily for this article.

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“Whether you’re on the phone, texting or emailing, put it away and give the doctor your undivided attention. You took time away from your life, drove to the office, paid your copay for some valuable information but you’re too busy to listen to what the doctor has to say? Respect your time and respect the doctor’s. I’ve had to walk out on patients who expected me to wait for them to finish their conversation. I have other patients waiting so I move on,” says dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre, of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, CA.

“The appointment time is set aside for you and your concerns. Don’t waste it by trying to get medical advice for someone else: spouse, child, parent, sibling, friend. It doesn’t matter,” says Pierre.

“The doctor has set time aside to focus on you and your health. Why ask medical questions about the person who came with you when that person doesn’t even have an appointment? It’s using up your appointment time, it’s disrespectful of the doctor’s time, it puts him in an awkward position of providing medical advice with limited information, and it takes time away from other patients who have scheduled appointments,” says Pierre.

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There’s a reason retinol is still a star of the skincare world and the go-to recommendation of derms everywhere, even after more than three decades in the mainstream market: It works. “I always say if there are only two things you’re going to use as part of your regimen, it should be sun protection and retinol,” says Peterson Pierre, M.D., a dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California.

Retinol is the cousin of prescription retinoids, such as tretinoin. Both are retinoids and therefore both a vitamin A derivative. “Tretinoin was first used primarily to treat acne, until we saw that it also improved tone and texture and stimulates collagen, which helps with fine lines and other signs of aging,” he explains. Tretinoin and other prescription retinoids, however, aren’t for everyone; they can make skin extremely dry, red and sensitive, plus they require a derm visit to get an Rx. Retinol became popular and continues to be because it’s an effective alternative.

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It all has to do with the change in temperature and lack of moisture in the air during the cold weather months.

“Without enough protective oils, moisture escapes from the skin which leads to dryness, an effect that intensifies as the temperature and humidity drop during the winter months,” explains Peterson Pierre, MD, dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California. Wind and indoor heaters contribute to this problem as well, he adds.

“Unfortunately, dryness can lead to itching and cracks in the skin which can predispose you to infection and it can also cause eczema to flare,” says Pierre. “Lack of hydration can also accelerate wrinkle formation.”

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You know that rosy flush you get after exercise? That is a sign that your skin is being infused with oxygen and nutrients.

“Exercise can be very beneficial to your skin and overall health by increasing blood flow,” says Pierre. “This not only improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, but will also accelerate the removal of waste products and free radicals, thereby protecting the skin from further damage.”

Another benefit of that rosy flush? You can skip the blush and let your natural beauty shine through!

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I’m a fan of exfoliating a few times a week because it’s known to increase collagen production and polish away dead skin cells (those can make your skin look dull). However, I’m not a fan of super-gritty exfoliants that tend to irritate my skin. In my teens and 20s, I was all about an intense physical exfoliation, but these days, it’s too harsh for my nighttime skincare routine. “When you’re first starting out, you should probably exfoliate once a week, especially if you have sensitive skin,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre of the Pierre Skin Care Institute tells Byrdie. “This is primarily to assess tolerability and efficacy. After two weeks, you can progress to twice a week. Ultimately, two to three times a week is ideal.”

My top pick is Tatcha’s The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder ($65) because it’s created with rice and papaya enzymes to deliver a creamy foam that softens and gently exfoliates. The secret is in Hadasei-3–a trio of anti-aging Japanese superfoods green tea, rice, and algae that promote youthful radiance. Also, this non-abrasive formula also combats uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.

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“Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause pimples similar to acne as well as broken capillaries that cause flushing and blushing,” explains dermatologist Peterson Pierre, MD, founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. “It can also affect the eyes, resulting in a dry, gritty sensation, or cause an overgrowth of the oil glands on the nose leading to a deformity.”

There are four types of rosacea, including erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (flushing and redness), papulopustular rosacea or acne rosacea (acne-like bumps with redness), phymatous rosacea (large and red nose), and ocular rosacea (dry, red, burning eyes).

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“Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause pimples similar to acne as well as broken capillaries that cause flushing and blushing,” explains dermatologist Peterson Pierre, MD, founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. “It can also affect the eyes, resulting in a dry, gritty sensation, or cause an overgrowth of the oil glands on the nose leading to a deformity.”

There are four types of rosacea, including erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (flushing and redness), papulopustular rosacea or acne rosacea (acne-like bumps with redness), phymatous rosacea (large and red nose), and ocular rosacea (dry, red, burning eyes).

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Expert take: Once among the most daunting of services (cue the image of one blistering and veiled Samantha Jones on Sex and the City), chemical peels have certainly made strides when it comes to mainstream skincare. But even when accompanied by numbered products and user-friendly guidelines, experts say to proceed with caution.

“Factors such as peel type, strength, skin prep, the amount of time the peel is left on the skin, and the method of application can all affect the outcome. Without proper training, one can very easily burn themselves and even create scars,” warns Peterson Pierre, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, Calif.

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Newsflash: Baby soap isn’t just for babies. Babyganics’s Foaming Dish Soap is a plant-based formula that’s free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a widely used cleansing agent that’s found in soaps and hair products, which New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Howard Sobel says is a common skin irritant. While SLS is an effective foaming agent, it can strip your skin of beneficial oils, according to California-based board-certified dermatologist Peterson Pierre. Losing these oils in your products can compromise how well skin is protected, causing irritation if you have sensitive or allergy-prone skin.

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Botox injections are primarily cosmetic, which makes them ineligible for insurance coverage. Because Botox isn’t approved by the FDA as a TMJ treatment, it is unlikely insurance would cover it. However, if the TMJ is severe enough to cause migraines, insurance may cover Botox as a treatment. Botox is FDA-approved for migraines.

Pierre encourages patients to contact their insurance companies. “Unfortunately, the insurance company is the one who gets to determine medical necessity,” he says, “So there are no guarantees. However, some insurance companies cover Botox for hyperhidrosis so there’s a chance you can get coverage for TMJ.”

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“Both Botox and Dysport are excellent options for someone dealing with hyperhidrosis,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California.

So is one better than the other? Per a study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Botox and Dysport are similarly effective, with Botox just barely taking the edge over Dysport.

For the study, a patient was treated with 100 units of Botox on the left side of their face and 300 units of Dysport on the right side, without knowing which was which. Botox kicked in quicker, with the patient noticing a reduction in sweating after one week on the left side of their face. Dysport, on the other hand, took about two weeks to take effect.

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Ditch your face scrub (sorry, but scrubs are generally too aggressive for skin that’s prone to dark spots and hyperpigmentation), and get yourself a chemical exfoliant/acid, instead. One chemical exfoliant that Dr. Pierre recommends for dark spots is glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps dissolve and shed the “glue” between dead, discolored skin cells, leaving you with a clearer, brighter, all-around glowier face.

Plus, by chemically exfoliating away surface-level dead cells, your skin will be better able to absorb any spot treatments or brightening serums you apply afterward, which helps make them more effective. Win-win.

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Dr. Pierre explains that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, injuries, bug bites, or scratches can fade naturally in a few weeks or months, but things like sun damage or melasma (hyperpigmentation caused by hormones and sun exposure) will need topical or laser intervention, if you’re trying to get rid of them.

How do you get rid of dark spots fast?

Fortunately for you (and me), we’ve got a few treatments. Buuut that being said, this is the part where I remind you that the first step to getting rid of dark spots is to see a dermatologist who can identify what type of discoloration you’re working with, figure out the cause, and determine the best treatment options for your skin. “The cause of the dark spots is actually an important consideration,” Dr. Pierre explains. “Although there is definitely an overlap in treatment plans, different combinations will be used depending on the factors at play.”

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According to Dr. Peterson Pierre, a dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California, common PHAs used in skin care products include:

gluconolactone
lactobionic acid
galactose

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