SHOP MY BAG: DR. DAN BELKIN
The doctor is in. These are magic words when the dermatologist in question looks after some of New York’s most photogenic faces. “Get back here I need you—oh and happy birthday,” Jenna Lyons teasingly commented on Dr. Dan Belkin’s recent Instagram post about a 40th birthday trip to London. A fixture at New York Dermatology Group since 2021 and a member of the VG Committee, Dr. Belkin is known for his subtle aesthetic finesse and eminently sensible approach—what his longtime patient Martha Stewart would mostly certainly describe as a “good thing.” In a world awash in less-than-subtle tweaks, Dr. Belkin stands out as a voice of reason. Having a “healthy fear of filler” is wise, he says, though a deft physician can use it judiciously; UV exposure is another cause for concern, which is why he recommends a bevy of sunscreens for every texture need and zone of the face. He is constantly surveying the latest in skin care and beauty tech. “There’s a lot of fluffery and non-evidence-backed claims,” he points out—which is why his opinion on a rosacea-calming moisturizer or a best-in-class home laser is worth its weight in gold. After all, in-office procedures are a valuable assist, but an everyday routine can really boost one’s skin. With an LED mask, as with SPF: “The more you do it, the better.” Here’s what’s in his rigorously edited BAG.
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Most people can benefit from using vitamin A—i.e., retinol or one of its stronger prescription derivatives, which we call retinoids. Retinoids can be hard to tolerate for some people. This is a really nice and nonirritating retinol for those with sensitive skin or rosacea, like me.
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This is probably the only cleanser I’ve ever used that makes you feel more hydrated after. I try a ton of products, and it’s rare for me to find a texture that I haven’t quite experienced before.
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This is the best home device available. Near-infrared light at certain wavelengths has been shown to both reduce inflammation and activate mitochondria in fibroblasts to promote collagen production. Red-light masks are nice, but they use LED light, which scatters and diffracts off the skin relatively superficially. LYMA, on the other hand, delivers this energy as a laser, which penetrates much deeper, through the entire dermis and below.
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Supergoop! does a great job of creating a variety of SPF formulas for different occasions and even different areas of your face. If I had to pick only one sunscreen to use for the rest of my life, it would be this one. It is colorless, odorless, silky, and truly pleasant to use.
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I feel like vetiver is trendy right now, and I am into it. This smells masculine and fresh.
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I have some patients who tell me that this is the only moisturizer they will use—either that it doesn’t break them out or has just the right consistency. This formula absorbs perfectly and doesn’t feel oily. Using it at night makes your skin look bouncy and dewy in the morning.
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I do admit that a tan looks good. Unfortunately, every natural tan represents DNA damage and the upregulation of collagen-destroying enzymes, which means you will pay for it later with wrinkling, brown spots, scaly spots, and skin cancers. If you don’t want to make that trade, mix some of these drops in with your moisturizer, and it will create a really nice natural-looking and golden tan.
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Of all the home LED masks available, this is my favorite. Red and near-infrared light of specific wavelengths have been shown to stimulate collagen production and to reduce inflammation. This one is sturdy and comfortable to use. It also has a blue-light setting, which is helpful for destroying the bacteria that cause acne.
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