Skin Innovations 2018
8 Huge Skin Innovations Derms Are Thankful For This Year
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Nobody at the Thanksgiving table needs to know that what you're really grateful for this year is the elastic waistband on your pants or that the long holiday weekend has finally given you an excuse to not shower for four days — that's between you and your maker. But in the name of self-reflection, we're going to do some looking back on beauty trends, especially within the world of skin care.
After all, no other category has seen so many new ingredients (bakuchiol!), facial tools (gua sha!), and products, so we asked top dermatologists across the country to share the biggest skin innovations of 2018 they're particularly thankful for this year. Take a peek at their answers ahead. . . then pass the pie, please.
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum
"The Discoloration Defense Skin Discoloration Serum ($98) by SkinCeuticals contains tranexamic acid, an ingredient now being used as a pill and topically for lightening dark spots. Although it's main purpose is to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, it has been shown to improve brown spots when used topically or taken as a pill. We are excited to have this available topically for those who aren't candidates or don't want to take a pill." — dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD
Neutrogena Skin360 Tool
"I am thankful for the Neutrogena Skin360 Tool ($60) because I know how long it takes for products to work and what to expect, but often times my patients do not. This tool can help analyze your skin and show your progress that you might not be able to see with your naked eye. In the end, it helps keep you on track and stop you from giving up on your skincare products too early." — dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD
A Cure For Eczema
"Dupixent (available at dermatologist's offices) has been a game changer for dermatologists and life-changing for many patients with atopic dermatitis [eczema]! There had been nothing of its kind until this drug came out, and it's changing how we treat this disorder." — dermatologist Sarah Grekin, MD
Isdin Melatonik 3-in-1 Night Serum
"I'm grateful for Isdin Melatonik 3-in-1 Night Serum ($150) because it's a hydroquinone-free alternative for treating hyperpigmentation and melasma. I also love that women who are pregnant can use it, since the ingredients are safe." — dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD, FAAD
SkinMedica Lumiveve Day/Night System
"SkinMedica Lumiveve ($265) is an innovative system that protects against blue light and pollution during the day, and revitalizes and restores the skin at night. There's nothing else like it, and it's powered by science!" — dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD
Candela Vbeam Prima Laser
"I am super thankful this year for the new Vbeam Prima Laser (prices vary by location) by Candela, which was FDA cleared in July 2018. The Vbeam Prima is an updated version of the gold standard Pulsed Dye Laser, which has been used for more than 20 years to treat facial redness related to rosacea, broken blood vessels, and vascular birthmarks in children. The laser also improves the appearance of spider veins, red discolored scars, and certain types of stretch marks. This type of laser works by sending a bright beam of light into the skin that selectively destroys blood vessels that cause red discoloration. The Vbeam Prima is especially exciting because it incorporates two different lasers into one platform. This increases the types of lesions we can treat safely and effectively. As a board-certified dermatologist with extensive laser training, I'm extra excited about the updated platform with all the bells and whistles, including two ways to cool the skin's surface, more laser power, ease of switching between laser settings, and longer life of the consumables." — dermatologist Lauren Meshkov Bonati, MD
La Roche-Posay My Skin Track UV Sensor
"I like how tech is becoming part of healthcare. La Roche-Posay has a new My Skin Track UV Sensor ($60) device, and it will be fun to see what comes next and how patients will benefit."
Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
"I'm thankful for newer sunscreens that protect from not only ultraviolet rays, but also against other harmful environmental exposures like blue light from our cell phones, pollution, and infrared. Colorescience just came out with a new formula of the Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50($65) powder with Enviroscreen, which is not just zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — this new formulation protects against all of the environmental pollutants." — dermatologist Anne Marie McNeill, MD, PhD
