Welcome to Polished with Elise Wilson, where FEMAIL’s qualified makeup artist and hair stylist answers your questions, shares advice and trials the up-and-coming beauty and skincare trends so you don’t have to.
I love it when my friends come to me with beauty dilemmas – most things I like to give my two cents on, but skin issues? I think it’s best to consult the real pros.
I don’t think I’ve thought about it much before, but I’ve come to realise that I’m kind of obsessed with dermatologists – let me remind you these earth angels dedicate their lives for our quest to find perfect skin, hair and nails!
So, if I ever meet one (or get to interview them through work), you can bet I’ll be picking their brains about every weird skin concern I’ve ever had.
Last year, I found myself on the set of a No.7 skincare campaign, sitting in the makeup chair next to Dr Shreya Andric, who just so happens to be one of Australia’s most highly regarded dermatologists.
Between takes, she generously shared some of her best skincare secrets with me, and I couldn’t scribble notes fast enough.
Then, just a couple of weeks ago, a friend posted a story that caught my attention featuring a rather handsome American derm, Dr Mark Strom.
Naturally, I deep-dived his Instagram page (research, of course), and his tips were so clever that I slid into his DMs to ask for more.
Below, I’ve rounded up just a few of their brilliant dermatologist-approved beauty hacks that will level up your routine and might just save you a small fortune in the process.
Dermatologist’s really are my industry heroes, and in my years of interviewing them I take everything they say as bible… which is most definately the reason why I’m wearing this new light-up hat here. More on that below, though
Dr Mark Strom and Dr Shreya Andric shared insider beauty hacks that could transform your skincare routine – and save you serious cash
Deodorants
Natural deodorants don’t get rid of odour, they mask it: I personally only use natural deodorant, so these facts spoke to me personally.
Dr Mark said that most natural deodorants just mask smells with fragrance. They don’t stop the bacteria that cause the stink.
Apply antiperspirant at night, not in the morning: This was a game-changer and something I now personally do every day.
‘Antiperspirant works best when it is applied to super dry skin. For most people this is at night rather than during the day,’ Dr Shreya told me.
By applying before bed, the active ingredients have time to fully block sweat glands overnight, making it up to ten times more effective the next day.
Pantry helpers
Dilute bleach baths can help eczema: It sounds intense, but dermatologists have used this trick for years.
‘People with eczema have an impaired skin barrier, which then allows it to become infected more easily; bleach baths can help to reduce the bacterial load on skin,’ Dr Shreya informed me.
Think of it like a mini antibacterial soak for sensitive skin, but it’s best to always follow a derm-approved dilution ratio.
Vinegar soaks are a cheap way to treat toenail fungus: I’ll be honest, this one also came from my podiatrist Kate McArthur, and it’s brilliantly budget-friendly.
Dr Mark said that diluted vinegar can help treat mild toenail fungus at home – just soak regularly and be consistent.
Top tip: have vinegar in a little spray bottle to apply straight after the shower (but make sure your feet are completely dry first).
Vinegar soaks are a cheap way to treat toenail fungus and dilute bleach baths can help eczema
Surprising skin plumpers
Retinol doesn’t thin your skin, it thickens it: Retinol gets a bad rap for being ‘too harsh’, but Dr Shreya set the record straight.
‘Retinol has the ability to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production.’
The result over time is thicker, plumper and more resilient skin that stays looking youthful for longer.
Hyaluronic acid serum plumps lips (without any needles): A slick of hyaluronic acid serum before balm can make lips appear fuller and more hydrated according to Dr Mark.
‘Hyaluronic acid with topical application absorbs moisture from the deeper layers of your skin into the lips, leading to a fuller, plumper appearance,’ he added.
Interestingly too, most actual injectable lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid-based materials.’ Who knew?
Face and body beautifyers
Gentle cleansers aren’t just for your face: If you suffer from hand eczema or dermatitis, swapping your regular soap for a gentle, soap-free cleanser can be life-changing.
‘If you have hand dermatitis, or dermatitis elsewhere on the body, you should use a soap-free wash instead of soap,’ Dr Shreya recommends.
Benzoyl peroxide kills armpit odour (seriously): ‘Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the odour-causing bacteria that live in the armpit and are responsible for causing body odour,’ said Dr Mark.
He even claims this trick works better than actual deodorants. A thin layer under the arms (or even on smelly feet), and it can do wonders.
Hair enhancers
Red light can stimulate hair growth: Yes, those LED masks aren’t just for glowing skin, apparently this illuminating science extends to our scalps too.
‘Regular use of red light devices has been shown to improve hair growth and density. Best results require regular, consistent use, though,’ Dr Mark informed me. So, no slacking off.
Minoxidil will help grow back your eyebrows: Those who got a bit tweezer-happy in their teens need to hear this the most.
Topical minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine) is considered a safe and effective treatment for some hair loss conditions.
However, it’s important to apply it carefully to the eyebrow area with a spoolie or cotton swab because you might start hair in very unwanted areas.
Dry skin fixers
Urea cream will fix cracked heels: ‘Urea is good for this because it is a chemical exfoliant but also a humectant which means it attracts water and helps to hydrate [and] moisturise the skin,’ said Dr Shreya.
It’s better (and cheaper) than most fancy foot creams. Apply overnight, pop on socks, and wake up to baby-soft feet.
Wash your face with anti-dandruff shampoo: This is a derm favourite for skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis – which are those flaky, scaly patches that often show up around your nose, brows and hairline.
Dr Mark recommended using a zinc-based shampoo (like this one from Head & Shoulders) as a short contact wash a few times a week to clear it fast.
SPF that goes above and beyond
Tinted sunscreen beats regular sunscreen for pigmentation: I had never heard this before, but according to Dr Shreya, ‘the iron oxide in tint blocks visible light which is a significant trigger for the pigment cells in our skin.’
If you’re treating melasma, freckles or post-acne marks, this is a must-try.
Know your acids
Salicylic acid is perfect for unclogging pores because it’s oil-soluble ‘which means it has the ability to enter the pores and clear them out,’ Dr Shreya said.
Glycolic acid on the other hand is best for anti-ageing, especially for lines wrinkles and sun damage.
‘However, it has the smallest molecule size of the AHAs, so it penetrates the deepest into the skin, meaning it can cause more irritation,’ warned Dr Mark.
This is a good reminder to use skincare acids wisely and not to mix everything at once.
So, there you have it.
After years of interviewing the best in the business, I’ve learned that dermatologists often give the most practical, no-nonsense advice.
It’s rarely glamorous, sometimes a bit unexpected (bleach baths, anyone?) but these tips really work.
And honestly, that’s what good skincare is about, right? Smart science, not hype.
