Dermatologist, 62, Shares 3 Things to Do Now to Keep Skin Youthful

The board-certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day has 242,000 followers on Instagram — and many of them are desperate to know how the 62-year-old has so few wrinkles and plump, smooth skin.

Day, who is based in New York City and a professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Business Insider that she can partly thank her genetics and access to a “variety of advanced treatments” for her youthful skin. For example, twice a year she gets neuromodulation injections (such as Botox) and Sofwave ultrasound treatments to tighten and lessen fine lines, various fillers once a year, and has had an upper eyelid lift.

But healthy lifestyle choices and a consistent skincare routine can also play a big role, she said.

“Anyone can achieve and preserve beautiful, healthy skin throughout their life” with a “blend of consistent care, the right products and treatments, and a commitment to overall wellness,” she said.

The key is to be consistent with healthy habits — although “the skin is forgiving and recovers well if you’re good most of the time,” she said.

Day shared the habits that she thinks people in their 20s and 30s should start following now to protect their skin as they age.

Use an SPF every day

“Sun protection every day, all year round, is key,” Day said. “I always say nothing looks more beautiful in your 50s than sun protection in your 20s.”

She recommends people use sunscreen every morning, with an SPF of at least 30, to protect against UV damage. This should be reapplied every two hours when in the sun, including your neck, she said.

BI previously reported on how to reapply SPF when wearing makeup.

To shield her skin from UV rays, Day also tries to stay in the shade and wears a hat and clothing made of UV-resistant materials.

This is because sunscreens available in the US can protect against the more dangerous UVB rays, but aren’t as effective against UVA rays that are linked to skin aging, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Clothing with UV protection can help to block both UVA and UVB rays, Dr. Heather Kornmehl, a board-certified dermatologist and skin cancer surgery fellow, previously told BI.

Follow a simple skincare routine

It’s a good idea to establish good habits in your 20s and 30s, such as taking makeup off at the end of the day and following a simple skincare routine, with hydration and sun protection as foundational elements, Day said.

She recommended using a hydrating moisturizer and sunscreen, and antiaging products such as retinol and peptides can be included later down the line.

Day also recommended visiting a dermatologist for a general skin check-up and to review your skincare routine.

Retinol is widely acknowledged to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Meanwhile, peptides, considered an alternative to retinol for more sensitive skin, have anti-inflammatory properties, can help skin maintain plumpness, and reduce sun spots, BI previously reported.

Dr. Abby Waldman, a certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard University, previously shared a simple skincare routine for people in their 20s that incorporates these principles.

Don’t smoke and eat healthily

“Overall wellness” helps with skin health, in addition to specific products and skincare habits, Day said. She tries her best to sleep eight hours each night, do a mixture of cardio and strength training at least three times a week, and minimize the amount of processed food she eats.

Specifically, she recommends not smoking and limiting alcohol consumption — both of which, research shows, contribute to premature facial aging.

Day co-authored a 2019 study involving over 3,200 women aged between 18 to 75 who hadn’t used a retinol cream or had any anti-aging treatments, such as plastic surgery, Botox, or chemical peels.

Those who smoked or had more than eight alcoholic drinks a week were found to have more noticeable wrinkles, puffier under-eyes, and deeper lines around the corners of their mouth than those who didn’t smoke and drank less.

Day said that drinking enough water, eating a balanced diet, and regular exercise can also slow skin aging.