I’m super excited to share with you this week’s Monday Muse: The Skin Sisters. Meet Lauren and Brooke. Two Dermatology PAs that also have a blog that answers all your skincare questions. They have over a decade of experience in the skincare industry and use their expertise to give you the best information to help you make informed decisions when it comes to skin, hair, and nails.

How did the two of you get into dermatology? Were you always interested in skincare? 

B: I started my career in a different field (enterprise technology public relations in San Francisco) and transitioned to medicine after about five years. I completed my masters and public health and physician assistant degrees and was very lucky to find a job in dermatology right out of school. I was lucky to have Lauren’s influence, as she had been practicing for several years at that point and encouraged me to consider dermatology as a potential career choice. I have always been drawn to jobs that are fast paced, and give the opportunity to wear many ‘hats’ throughout the day. I love dermatology because in any given day I am seeing patients of all ages for things like skin checks, acne, botox, rashes, hair concerns, skincare consultations, biopsies and minor surgical procedures, etc.

L: Prior to going to PA school, I was always fascinated by dermatology and the uniqueness of the field. Once in grad school, I kept waiting to be equally interested in other fields, but ultimately my initial instinct was correct and I took a position in a private dermatology practice on the Upper East Side upon graduating. It’s been well over a decade, and I haven’t looked back since!

If you could only choose 3 skincare/beauty products what would they be and why?

B:

• Sunscreen. This is the number one building block of any skincare routine. You can spend a million dollars on anti-aging products, moisturizers, eye creams and lip plumpers but if you don’t wear a daily SPF you are basically throwing your money away!

• Retinoid. Although I am currently breastfeeding and unable to use retinoids, in a perfect world this is definitely in my top three. These products help to brighten and smooth the skin, lighten sun damage and minimize fine lines. It’s as close to a one stop shop as possible in the world of skincare. There are similar over the counter options available (called retinol) but I prefer prescription retinoid. 

• A thick moisturizing cream. I love face creams with hyaluronic acid and/or ceramides. These creams feel thick and luxurious, and really soak into the skin without feeling heavy. 

L:

• Skinceuticals Phloretin Antioxidant serum - such a workhorse. It protects against free radical damage, brightens dark spots, and improves skin texture; plus it’s great for acne prone skin.

• Colorescience Powder Sunscreen - I keep one in my purse and one in my car. It’s the perfect way to touch up my SPF throughout the day without applying a cream.

• Cerave PM lotion - I love this lightweight lotion. It’s so affordable, great for most skin types and contains niacinamide (a calming antioxidant.)

One myth about dermatology that you'd love to debunk?

B: That we are all just pimple poppers! We do SO much more than that in the world of dermatology. Acne happens to be a condition we treat commonly and enjoy treating; however, we commonly see skin conditions that are far more ‘serious’. Many times we have literally saved a life by diagnosing melanoma, which is a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, during a skin exam or spot check. Dermatology providers are many times the first to diagnose an illness such as lupus or other auto-immune disease because of a skin manifestation. 

L: That is all about beauty. We love helping you find the best skincare regimen and giving you a smooth, natural look with Botox, but don’t forget to schedule your yearly skin check with us to look for precancerous lesions and skin cancers.

An assumption people make about you because of your profession and is it true?

B: That I must use really expensive products on my skin. So not true!! My daily skincare routine is full of products I pick up at Target.

L: People assume that I always have clear skin, but the truth is that everyone gets breakouts from time to time! The key is knowing how to prevent and treat them quickly.

Newest technology in skincare you are excited about?

B: I am really excited about the new skin pH tracker from La Roche Posay, one of my favorite low-cost skincare lines.

L: Hyaluronic acid serums are newish and growing in popularity like crazy. They are such a great way to add hydration to your skin that lasts all day and improves your skin’s texture. I don’t ever skip using mine!

Rapid Fire with Brooke:

• Product you never leave home without: La Roche Posay AOX SPF50

• Skin rule you swear by: Don’t forget your neck!

• Give me all the products or minimalist? Minimalist. 

• My skin feels the best when: It’s freshly cleaned, toned, moisturized and ready for bed!

• 3 words to describe your sister: Smart, beautiful, thoughtful.

Rapid Fire with Lauren:

• Product you never leave home without: Colorescience Powder Sunscreen

• Skin rule you swear by: Keep it simple. There’s no need for a million steps, just choose effective products that meet the needs of your skin and your goals for skincare.

• Give me all the products or minimalist? Minimalist for sure. We test out tons of products, so lately I’m using way more than I otherwise would prefer to use. I have two young kids and not a lot of extra time to commit to my morning regimen; simple is key.

• My skin feels the best when: After dermaplaning! This treatment gets rid of the dead skin cells and peach fuzz on your skin - and helps all of your products to work better. My skin feels as soft as can be in the weeks after this treatment.

• 3 words to describe your sister: Generous, thoughtful, passionate

Thanks so much Lauren and Brooke! You can learn more on their blog, The Skin Sisters, and if you live in the Twin Cities, you can find them at Zel Skin.