Looking for skin-care advice? Skin-care expert and certified Physician Assistant, Ally Eisenberg is here to share some of her favorite tips. Ally Eisenberg is a board-certified Physician Assistant at Mandel Dermatology located in New York City. Ally has been pursuing her interest in dermatology for the past seven years and currently practices medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology with a strong focus in injectables, acne, and acne-related scarring. 

We asked PA Ally to share some of her top skin-care advice with us:  

• Always wash your face in the morning and night: You want to make sure to clean off all the dirt and debris on the skin to reduce acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.
• Don’t use too many products: Using a lot of products can be harsh on the skin resulting in acne and clogged pores.
• Avoid touching your face: Touching your face can be a source of bacteria for the skin and can cause acne as well as scarring and pigmentation.
• Always wear sunscreen: Sunscreen is so important and helps prevent skin cancer and visible signs of aging. 
• Consider using teledermatology: Don’t wait if you have a potential skincare concern. Online platforms make dermatology more convenient and affordable than ever before. My favorite is DocBright Telehealth. It’s only $59 and their dermatologists will get you a complete diagnosis and treatment plan within 24 hours without having to leave your home.

2. Tell us about your skincare and beauty regimen.

Skin Type: Normal to dry (with a focus on hydration and anti-aging)

Approach: With my skin I try not to use too many products. I take the approach that “less is more” when it comes to skin care. I have sensitive skin, so I tend to stick with gentle products with not too many active ingredients. My morning routine is focused on protection and preventing sun damage and my nighttime routine is focused on repairing the skin. 

Morning skincare routine: 

• Wash face with Mandel Skincare’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser which is an all-natural cleanser that’s soothing for all skin types. It contains the active ingredient Rose Hip which helps to reduce redness and inflammation.
• Apply Vitamin C Serum. Mandel Skincare’s Vitamin C All In One Serum contains antioxidants and helps protect the skin from sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
• Follow with a moisturizer. To retain some extra moisture, I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water-Gel Moisturizer which contains hyaluronic acid and keeps the skin hydrated.
• Apply Sunscreen: I switch off between EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and Mandel Skincare’s Tinted Moisturizing Sunscreen. The tinted moisturizing sunscreen is perfectly tinted to smooth out and conceal minor blemishes for both women and men. 

Evening:

• Makeup Remover: I start with La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra on a cotton pad to remove my makeup from the day. It is gentle, effective, and fragrance free.
• Re-wash face (same cleanser)
• Moisturizer: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion which contains three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide in an oil-free, non-comedogenic formula that hydrates and calms the skin.
• Apply Revision D.E.J. Eye cream which reduces the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and helps shield against free radicals that cause premature aging.
• Apply a retinoid: Tretinoin .05% cream 1-2x a week helps prevent acne breakouts, reduce the appearance of clogged pores, fine lines/wrinkles, and helps with the texture of the skin.
• Always finish with Aquaphor on the lips to keep them hydrated and plump!
• I also take Nutrafol hair supplements to improve the growth and strengthen the hair. 

 Additional Treatments: 

• Before an event: CO2 Lift Mask which hydrates and rejuvenates the skin through cellular re-oxygenation leaving the skin with a long-lasting glow. 
• Once a month: Hydrafacial which improves the overall skin texture, tone, and appearance by deep exfoliation that cleans the pores and removes debris. 
• Every two months: Clear & Brilliant to help stimulate collagen production, improve texture, and reduce the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles. 

 

 3. Which foods in particular help promote beautiful, glowing skin? 

What we eat daily can have a direct impact on the skin. Here is my grocery list of foods for maintaining healthy, glowing skin.

• Salmon: Fish is a source of protein that is essential for collagen and elastin production and contains omega 3-fatty acids which are known to promote healthy skin and reduce inflammation.
• Fruits and vegetables: Blackberries, oranges, and leafy greens are antioxidants, and a great source of Vitamin C. Antioxidants help fight free radicals which may cause damage to our skin and early signs of aging.
• Avocados: Bring on the guac! Avocados are high in healthy fats and contain vitamin C and E which are important to protect the skin from sun damage. 
• Nuts: Walnuts are a good source of essential fatty acids which act as a natural moisturizer for the skin and improve elasticity.

4. What is the best sunscreen to use and why? 

There are so many sunscreens on the market and finding a sunscreen that is perfect for your skin can be challenging. Ever wonder what sunscreen is easy to apply, absorbs quickly without leaving white strips on your face, and offers a powerful protection? EltaMD is your answer. EltaMD is a zinc-based sunscreen which blocks UVB (burning) and UVA (aging) rays that have been linked to photoaging and skin cancer. My favorite sunscreen from EltaMD is the UV Clear Broad-Spectrum 46 which is oil-free, fragrance free, and contains 5% niacinamide. As a runner up to EltaMD, I love Mandel Skincare’s Tinted Moisturizing Sunscreen for Broad-Spectrum SPF 45 protection and a natural tint that’s great for hiding blemishes on all skin types. 

5. Why is it important to consistently follow a skin care regimen?

The skin is the largest organ in the body and is our primary defense against all biologic pathogens, radiation, and environmental pollutants. The skin helps regulate body temperature and permits the sensations of touch, heat/cold, and pain which allows us to avoid harmful stimuli. It is important to invest in a skin care regimen to maintain all the above biologic functions and to keep the skin looking hydrated and youthful. Washing your skin can help eliminate the germs, dirt, oil, and unwanted debris that accumulates on your face during the day and night. If you go to sleep without washing the skin it can be more prone to acne, susceptible skin diseases, and signs of aging. As we grow older our skin loses its collagen and elastin. When we take care of our skin by cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and using sunscreen it can help prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles as well as sun damage and skin cancer. 

6. How can we keep our skin glowing throughout the hot, dry summer months?

The best advice for skin care during the summer months is to stay well-hydrated, use an oil-free moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen. During the summer months our skin may be oily, and it is best to use a lightweight moisturizer, and incorporate a toner to keep the skin oil-free and clean. Also, with the heat and humidity our oil glands can become hyperactive, which can result in excessive sebum on the face. My advice is go natural, leave the makeup at home, and let the skin breathe. 

7. In your opinion, what is the one thing about skin we should all know? 

Ultraviolet exposure is responsible for approximately 80% of visible signs of aging. However, you can protect against 97% of these harmful UV rays by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Always use sunscreen! 

To learn more about PA Ally Eisenberg be sure to visit Mandel Dermatology online, and check out DocBright Telehealth for accessible, affordable dermatology care online. 

Looking for more? Check out our founder Melissa's exclusive Instagram Live with PA Ally, to learn more skincare and health tips!