There's no one more qualified to talk about skincare than a dermatologist. When that dermatologist has been practicing for over 40 years, well, you know you're getting the most elite and experienced advice. That's the case with board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD. You might know her by another moniker—one that comes from the name of her skincare brand: Dr. Loretta.
"I am passionate about helping others have true self-confidence," she says. "To do this, I set out to fill a gap in the skincare market. There wasn't a brand that focused on protecting skin from the whole spectrum of causes of some of the preventable aging changes. We dermatologists coined the term 'photoaging' to describe how it is generally just the skin that is not covered by clothing that shows the unwanted signs of aging including lines and wrinkles, age spots (solar [lentigines]) redness, coarse texture, and the like. I recognized that we needed to update the term 'photoaging' to encompass all damaging external exposures that cause unwanted aging changes in areas of uncovered skin like our faces, neck, hands, and chest. As a 71-year-old dermatologist with a nearly 50-year research background, I felt I needed to fill a huge void in the market with clinically proven products that can both prevent and often reverse unwanted skin aging changes caused by the whole spectrum of external aggressors including pollution, light (from the sun and our screens), climate conditions, and irritating ingredients."
Thus, the Dr. Loretta skincare brand was born. And, yes, Ciraldo personally believes in (and uses) the products she's created. "As a practicing, board-certified dermatologist of 40+ years, I rely much more on my skincare than procedures to stay youthful. Everyone has a different aesthetic goal, and mine is to look like myself as I age! My commitment to my skincare routine, which has included only products I've formulated since I turned 40—a full 30 years now—is probably the number one reason I feel so confident and fortunate as I age! When it comes to procedures, I do use filler about once a year. I have never had any laser, facelift, or other procedures done."
Even though Ciraldo's skincare routine is effective, it's surprisingly simple, and she recommends the same for her patients. "In the morning, I recommend a cleanser, a vitamin C serum, a barrier repair moisturizer, and sunscreen with at least SPF 30, up to 50." At night, she recommends swapping the vitamin C serum for a retinol or exfoliating serum. "Once or twice a week, I recommend a physical and/or enzyme scrub." That's it—no 20-step skincare routines here.
Just be sure to cleanse your skin both morning and night. "When we're sleeping, tiny pollution particles, like dust mites, are present on our pillowcases and can seep into our pores. It's so important to wash your face morning and night!" Still not convinced? Ciraldo says pollution is "arguably the most damaging aggressor on our skin," which only emphasizes the importance of regular cleansing (and antioxidant skincare). "Skin that isn't covered by clothing is exposed to pollution 24/7 since levels of indoor pollution are even higher than outdoors, according to the EPA. So the most effective way to prevent the free radical damage that leads to wrinkles, age spots, and other unwanted changes is to apply antioxidants on our skin 24/7!"
Finally, Ciraldo says the true efficacy of a skincare product comes down to the visible signs of improvement it makes in the skin. That's why she encourages her patients to take progress pictures when testing new products. "Don't waste your time with skincare products that you aren't sure benefit your skin! … Start by taking 'before' photos when you start any new product or regimen. Retake photos every two weeks. If by eight weeks, the photos don't show any visible improvement in the issues that you're focused on (like crow's-feet or under-eye puffiness for an eye product), do not repurchase but instead spend some time researching products that have some clinical testing proof that they may help you." Ahead, see the 18 beauty and wellness products she trusts to use herself.
Dr. Loretta's Beauty and Wellness Essentials
"I'm a huge advocate of washing your face morning and night. Our Gentle Hydrating Cleanser, featuring marine peptides, washes away everything from dirt and makeup to tiny pollution particles without stripping your skin of its natural oils. It's a great staple to anyone's skincare routine."
"I've found that for most of us, our eyebrows start to thin as early as our 30s. I even see this with my own patients! The RevitaBrow Eyebrow Conditioner has been a total fan favorite for my patients as well as myself. I started off using this every night and now use it two times a week!"
"Besides sunscreen, the one ingredient I recommend you apply every morning is vitamin C. Our vitamin C serum features 3% tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, a gentle yet powerful oil-soluble form of vitamin C that supports collagen levels and evens skin tone. I wanted to create a product that would be great for all skin types and that we could prove in clinical studies would help reduce lines and wrinkles, even skin tone, and increase skin's elasticity. We've proven just that with our Anti-Aging Repair Serum."
"This runs a close second to a salon blowout. I love the volume and definition it gives to my hair. Plus, it's so easy to use!"
"I believe we all deserve to have one product that can give us instant visual improvement. This is it! Resurfacing Enzyme Polish is a dual-action resurfacing leave-on mask that uses the dynamic combination of physical and enzymatic exfoliators plus panthenol and niacinamide for plumping out fine lines and wrinkles. I leave this on for five to 10 minutes and use it two to four times a week—even on my neck! I also love to use it on my lip lines and when my lips need some polishing or as a targeted treatment for dark spots."
"I use this mask once a week to restore hair health and shine, and I love it! I saw results after only a few weeks. It's 100% worth the price."
"Universal Glow Daily Defense gives skin a beautiful luminosity, which is typically not what you'd expect from a mineral sunscreen. Additionally, it protects from both visible and infrared light, and it features Ectoin—a multifaceted super ingredient that provides instant barrier repair and leaves you with a healthy glow, and the silky texture absorbs quickly and seamlessly into all skin tones. It's lightly tinted with iron oxides, which help it blend out super well! I apply this every morning."
Editor's note: This is one of my all-time favorite sunscreen formulas.
"As a dermatologist, I discourage using sunbathing as your source of vitamin D. This plant-based vitamin D supplement is paired with vitamin K for optimal absorption and benefits."
"I love applying our clinically proven Tightening Detox Mask in the morning to my neck, chest, and hands and leaving on throughout the day. It's not your typical detox mask since it's a jelly consistency and super nourishing plus is proven in clinicals to increase skin elasticity around 40% in just four weeks. For context, we lose around 1% of collagen a year in our 30s and on. It features advanced peptides to tighten and uplift while seawater algin and yeast extract detoxify pores while providing a boost of hydration. When I'm not wearing it during the day, I love it as an overnight mask, too!"
"I love to pair this Gua Sha by De La Heart with our Dr. Loretta Tightening Detox Mask on days I'm looking a little puffy. The stainless steel provides a nice cooling and calming effect (I keep mine in the fridge!), and it's great for sensitive skin types, as it's your best bet to avoid any type of allergic reaction."
"Pillowcase wrinkles are real. I'm a huge advocate of a silk pillowcase not just for the benefits it provides to your hair but to also wake up with smoother facial skin."
"This mascara is coined the 'Miami-proof mascara' and for good reason! Living in Miami myself, mascara tends to smudge with the heat and humidity, but the Vast Lash lasts all day. I love the length and fullness it gives my lashes!"
"After decades of searching for a no-smudge, no-run eye liner, I finally found a liner that stays put all day long! My dear friend and beauty expert extraordinaire Sarah Brown recommended this product to me, and I couldn't recommend it enough!"
"This liquid lipstick stays on all day; Chanel wasn't exaggerating when they named this ultrawear! I have this in so many different colors, and it gives my lips a beautiful, long-lasting shine."
"This color palette complements my hazel eyes so nicely. It's definitely a staple in my makeup routine."
"This is another product that complements my hazel eyes! After trying dozens of different brow products and colors, I happily landed on this one. I use the shade Auburn to give my brows a soft, natural look."
"Flora has become my go-to, everyday fragrance. I have a beautiful flower garden at home, and wearing this scent makes me feel like I'm bringing the joy of my garden with me as I go through my day!"
"This blush by Nudestix provides the perfect glow. It's very hydrating and blends seamlessly into my skin. The dual-ended design makes it easy to throw into my purse and freshen up on the go!"
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