Dermatologists prescribe products to their patients all day long, but have you ever wondered which ones they personally use? Welcome to Derm Diaries, a series where dermatologists share their skin woes—and solutions—so you can steal secrets from their skincare routines.
Sheila Farhang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Tucson, Arizona, always knew what she wanted to be. “I am a very visual person and extremely detail-oriented—two important qualities in a dermatologist,” she says. Her flex is that she’s one of the few doctors in the United States who is double fellowship trained (the highest level of training) in both cosmetic surgery and reconstructive Mohs micrographic surgery, the gold standard technique for treating non-melanoma skin cancers.
Considering her areas of expertise, it’s no surprise that she’s obsessed with sunscreen. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to protect your skin,” she explains. “Sunlight can cause significant damage, leading to premature aging, sunburn, and an increased risk of skin cancer.”
EltaMD is a sun-care brand that Dr. Farhang recommends to her patients often. “Finding a good sunscreen is tough,” she says. “What I love about EltaMD is that the formulas have great ingredients and are cosmetically elegant, plus there are so many different options.”
Which sunscreens does she use in her personal routine? Keep reading for her EltaMD faves, plus other key steps in her regimen to keep her skin healthy and glowing in the hot, dry Arizona sun.
She starts with a gentle cleanser.
“A fresh canvas is necessary to reap the benefits of all the products you layer on afterward,” says Dr. Farhang. “I don’t usually need anything too active or aggressive on my skin in the morning, so I opt for a formula that is good for my sensitive skin.” The EltaMD Oil-In-Gel Cleanser is among her staples because it’s formulated to remove impurities without stripping skin’s moisture and is bolstered by antioxidants to defend against free-radical damage.
She uses an antioxidant serum to help combat damage from sun exposure.
“A vitamin C serum helps brighten and fights all the free radicals our skin gets exposed to during the day from the sun,” says Dr. Farhang. She’s a fan of PCA Skin C&E Advanced, which she says works wonders in correcting skin discoloration and damage that can result from environmental stressors.
Of course, SPF is non-negotiable for her.
Dr. Farhang uses the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 every day as the final step before makeup. “I have acne-prone skin, so I have to be so careful and selective with the products I use,” she says. UV Clear is non-comedogenic (so it won’t clog her pores), contains niacinamide to help visibly improve discoloration, and is formulated to calm sensitive skin.
The EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ is another key item in Dr. Farhang’s arsenal. She keeps the mess-free stick in her bag for reapplication (every two hours!) throughout the day. “And for my body, I like the EltaMD UV AOX Mist, especially when I’m going on a walk or hike,” she says. The mineral sunscreen spray goes on white but rubs in clear, so you can see exactly where you’re applying it.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
She exfoliates at night.
“I use the PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum one to two times per week,” she says. It contains a cocktail of alpha hydroxy and polyhydroxy acids to improve skin texture, as well as minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles from elements like sun damage. Because these acids can cause sun sensitivity, she sticks to nighttime use.
She applies retinol before bed.
“Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that increases collagen production as well as the rate of skin-cell turnover,” she says. “This is why retinol products have long been considered the gold standard for anti-aging.”
Her pick here is PCA Skin Retinol Treatment for Sensitive Skin because it’s gentle enough for her sensitive skin and contains niacinamide, an antioxidant that helps hydrate and offers yet another line of defense against free-radical damage.
Daley Quinn is a Connecticut-born, Texas-bred beauty & wellness writer living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Family Circle magazine, WWD.com, TheCut.com, TheFinancialDiet.com, and San Antonio magazine. In her off hours, you can find Daley stalking her queen, Vanessa Carlton.
