Trends come and go and when we remember the trends we used to follow in the past, we would cringe and recall how ridiculous they were. As much as we dermatologists would like to just cringe at skincare trends and laugh them off, we would rather you know why they need to be stopped because of the real danger they pose to the skin.

Are you ready for 2021? What about your skin? A new year is a good place as any to start some healthy skin habits. As a dermatologist, here are a few things I recommend to get better skin on 2021!

Do any of you take supplements with supposed skin benefits? Like maybe some oral collagen sachets and glutathione capsules? Have you ever wondered if they are really effective or did you just buy into the hype and hope for the best? Fret not, for today I collectively summarized the scientific researches I’ve read on the different skin, hair and nail supplements for you. You’ve read and heard about the brands’ marketing ads and claims on them but what does science really say?

Since I became a dermatologist, there have only been two topics that strangers consistently ask me when they find out what I do for a living. The first one is all about achieving that smooth and younger-looking skin, and the second one is about warts. For today, let me discuss the latter!

Warts are mostly skin- or dark-colored growths on the skin caused by a virus, the Human Papillomavirus. And just like the flu, this virus has several strains.

Part of the new normal now includes proper hand hygiene and stringent disinfection rules around the home and work area. That means frequent hand washing, use of alcohol, and cleaning – all of which will have your skin in contact with either a detergent, soap, or other irritating solvents. Some can tolerate these harsh chemicals and not have any reaction to them. On the other hand, some with sensitive and dry skin can develop a scaly, itchy and red reaction as a consequence which leads to me to today’s topic, eczemas.

I’ve talked about acne last time but now let me discuss one of the two dreaded consequences from having a breakout – post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH. This happens because any inflammation to the skin (e.g. acne, eczema, irritant/allergic reaction, trauma, etc.) will have inflammatory cells causing a cascade of events that will lead to melanocytes (pigment-producing cells of the skin) to produce more melanin – what’s causing the skin pigmentation.

Q: My maskne is out of control! I didn’t have pimples before on my chin and jawline area, but since I started wearing a mask, I’ve started to get these pimples that just won’t seem to go away. What can I do to get rid of these? - Kristina

A: Hi Kristina! That’s a question that’s been frequently asked of me and a big percent of my patients now come in for consult for that reason. What’s being called “maskne” is actually a kind of acne we identify as Acne Mechanica, caused by friction from repetitive rubbing of masks against the skin and obstruction of the pilosebaceous unit, leading to congested pores.

A few months ago, I started using adapalene, a third-generation retinoid that was recently approved for over-the-counter use. Supposedly, a Reddit user banished her textured skin and blackheads in just one month, using daily exfoliation and this “miracle” retinoid gel.

Despite the warnings every single website about adapalene mentions that it’s really only for cystic acne, and that skin will become dry and sensitive for up to two months - a process that is called “retinization” - I bought the product, began using it, and experienced the four worst weeks of my life, skin-wise.

Thanks to the popularity of the 10-step Korean skincare routine, we are definitely learning to pay more and more attention to our body’s biggest organ and how to properly care for it. Many a beauty girl can reel off the various actives, acids, and -ides to look for to solve problems such as dark spots, fine lines, dry skin, and more. But while DIY-ing one’s personal skincare has never been easier, nothing quite beats medical advice, especially for more serious concerns such as milia, allergies, or premature signs of skin aging. In a sense, it’s like comparing WebMD to a visit with the doctor: the former may be useful for minor or short-term issues, but when facing major crises or long-term maintenance, you’re better off going in for that physical checkup.