This summer, many of us will be heading to the beach or to the park to soak up some sun, but it’s absolutely essential to protect our skin at the same time. In preparation for this outdoorsy season, we decided to check out Skin Rules, a new book by renowned New York dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman. Skin Rules is a fabulous, easy-to-use, quick read that gives 77 simple guidelines for healthy skin.
Dr. Jaliman is one of the top experts on skincare. In addition to having her own private practice, she’s an associate professor at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. She has been featured on shows like 20/20 and Nightline, and she has been quoted in publications such as Allure, Cosmopolitan, O magazine, Vogue, and The New York Times—just to name a few!
We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to ask Dr. Jaliman some questions about her book and her skincare expertise. Here’s what she had to say!
Lucille Roberts: Your book has 77 great skincare rules, all of which are important. But if you had to come up with a top 5 list, what would those top 5 rules be?
Debra Jaliman:
- Rule 14. It’s the sun that ruins skin, not age. Most of what we call aging changes are really sun damage.
- Rule 62. Tighten before you cut. I’ve had Thermage CPT radio frequency skin tightening, and it’s very effective to make you look younger.
- Rule 24. Tanning beds and salons should be made illegal. I’ve seen too many skin cancers on young people.
- Rule 8. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. Even the best skin doesn’t look its best with dead skin on the surface.
- Rule 5. Remove makeup before going to sleep. Cleansing the right way is crucial.
LR: In your book, you say you’ve never seen a case of acne that you haven’t been able to beat. That’s amazing! Is this really true?
DJ: I’m very interested in acne, as I have had it all my life. So I’ve made it a point to learn everything there is. I have seen some of the worst cases of acne, but no one needs to suffer anymore. There are so many great treatment options. People come to my office and tell me they have been everywhere and have done everything and it didn’t work. Then I still clear them up.
LR: How do diet and exercise affect skin?
DJ: Diet and exercise are so important to good health. Your skin is a reflection of your overall health. I really don’t believe that someone should just take care of the outside. For a good complexion, you need to eat well: fruits, vegetables, lean protein, limit the white flour, eat whole grains, limit sugar intake, drink green tea. Exercise daily if you can for an hour. (I do.) Exercise is so important for blood flow to the skin.
LR: Do you have any skincare tips for women at the gym?
DJ: Don’t wear makeup at the gym. Wipe your face after exercise. Try to shower right away. Bring your own yoga mat. Wear shoes—don’t walk barefoot. Wipe off exercise equipment with antibacterial wipes. You can see I’m a bit germ-phobic!
LR: What’s the minimum SPF that anyone should use, and does this vary with one’s skin tone?
DJ: Always use an SPF 30 no matter what your skin color. Anyone can get skin cancer. And we can all get sun damage. Make certain your sunscreen is broad spectrum—that it blocks UVA and UVB.
LR: What is the most common skincare mistake made by women that you see at your practice?
DJ: People buy skincare products and then overuse them and get red and peeling skin. So they are doing it to look better and end up looking much worse. This often happens before a big event.
LR: Unfortunately, some women don’t have health insurance and may worry that they can’t afford to see a dermatologist. What advice for getting proper care would you give to someone in this situation?
DJ: That’s why I wrote “Skin Rules”—for just this woman—so she doesn’t need to see a dermatologist. The book is only fifteen dollars on Amazon, and the products recommended in the book are very affordable.
In this fast-paced world, I know people don’t have a lot of time, and that’s why I wrote a simple, easy-to-follow book. Anyone can have better skin, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
