A decade ago, teens dealing with acne would find it challenging to get substantial skincare suggestions. There were only tips — solicited or otherwise — from family, friends and nosy strangers who feel the need to comment on their pimples. But today, people can just log on to the internet and find countless reviews and recommendations. However, take those with a pinch of salt. There’s a lot of dubious skincare advice out there, from potentially harmful hacks to incorrect information.
So it’s very important to be discerning about where you get your skincare tips from. Who else is more credible than people who spent years studying the workings of the skin? Here are some of the skincare experts aka dermatologists from our region that you can follow on Instagram for credible advice.
Dr. Mara P. Evangelista-Huber, MD, FPDS, MClinRes
A board-certified dermatologist with a subspecialty in Dermatopathology and a Masters in Clinical Research, Dr. Mara generously shares her expertise online. On her Instagram, you’ll find detailed information presented in easy-to-digest infographics. She covers a wide range of skincare concerns. There are posts about possible causes of stubborn acne that doesn’t seem to go away, thorough explanations about buzzwords and her take on controversial skincare products like the ubiquitous “rejuvenating sets” in the Philippines. She also seeks to address skincare misconceptions. And for those who are new to motherhood, Dr. Mara’s Instagram also has some information about common skincare and haircare concerns while breastfeeding.
Know more: You can also get to know Dr. Mara on her personal account where she posts about her daily life as a mum and fur mum.
Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas, MD, FPDS
Our skin does a lot for us every day and it’s just fitting that we give it the proper care it needs. Take a cue from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Gaile’s practical skincare tips such as how to do correct skincare prep for when you’re exercising or about to go on a hike. She even talks about topics we don’t usually bring up but secretly want to know more about like dealing with dark underarms. Dr. Gaile specialises in aesthetic dermatology specifically injectables, lasers and energy-based devices so you can definitely send her a message if you’re interested to know more about these.
Know more: Dr. Gaile also has a YouTube channel where she talks more about skincare and uploads vlogs about her lectures in other countries. Another fun fact about her is that she’s the niece of Leni Robredo, the current Vice President of the Philippines and has supported her aunt in some of her initiatives.
Dr. Francesca Sy-Alvarado, MD, FPDS
A lot of us have skin insecurities that we want addressed and sometimes skincare feels less about caring for the health of our skin and more like a never-ending quest for perfection. Board-certified dermatologist (with Subspecialty in Dermatologic and Laser Surgery) Dr. Francesca reminds us that there are “beauty tips” that are beyond skin deep. Aside from helpful dermatological advice, she also posts uplifting content and promotes self-love.
Know more: Dr. Francesca also shares about her career journey. In a post, she shared some of the reasons why she wanted to become a dermatologist and opened up about her insecurities as a teenager who dealt with acne and eczema.
Dr. Angeline Yong, MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (United Kingdom)
Interested to know about skincare treatments and procedures? Follow someone who specialises in Dermatological and Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology like Dr. Angeline Yong. If you’re toying with the idea of getting one and curious about their benefits and how it’s done, Dr. Angeline Yong’s Instagram page provides helpful insights including information about aesthetic treatments such as low-level laser therapy and Tempsure Envi and Vitalia. You can also find after-care tips so you’ll know if you’re able to deal with the maintenance once the procedure is done.
Know more: Dr. Angeline Young is also a hotelier. She restores heritage houses and turns them into storied hotels with a quaint touch. One of her latest ventures is the luxurious three-storey 88 Armenian Hotel in Penang.
Dr. Teo Wan Lin, MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Want skincare advice and makeup tips from a dermatologist? Follow Singapore Ministry of Health-accredited dermatologist (specialising in both medical and cosmetic dermatology) Dr. Teo Wan Lin. Besides sharing skincare info, she also talks about her skin-friendly makeup picks from her beauty brand, Dr. TWL Dermaceuticals, like colour correctors with skin-caring benefits and personalised lip colour palette in zero-waste packaging. You will also be updated with her latest innovations such as the anti-maskne and anti-ageing UV protective fabrics mask.
Know more: Dr. Teo Wan Lin hosts her own podcast called Dermatologist Talks: Science of Beauty on Spotify where she discusses in detail many popular skincare topics including enlarged pores, hormonal acne and even trending ones like the use of gua sha (a massage tool with supposed skincare benefits).
Dr. Lim Ing Kien, M.D. (Dr. Ingky)
Perfectly mixing skincare education, creativity and humour, Dermatologist Dr. Lim Ing Kien — or more popularly known as Dr. Ingky — quickly became a popular online personality in Malaysia. He covers common complexion concerns such as large pores and dark undereye circles. But he also talks about relatable topics like haircare for hijabis and his criticisms about the skincare and cosmetic industry.
Know more: Dr. Ingky founded Malaysia's first digital skincare clinic called Skynfyx, which allows patients to consult with a dermatologist from the comfort of their homes. Malaysian residents can test it out first before committing to a treatment.
Dr. Ch'ng Chin Chwen, MBBS (UM), MRCP (UK)
Although she doesn’t use flashy visuals, dermatologist (with fellowship in cutaneous laser surgery) Dr. Ch’ng’s candid sharing about skincare issues of interest like maskne and new studies about the relation of acne and diet is very helpful for knowing more about how to maintain good skin. Aside from that, she also posts about other health topics that we may not be aware of like HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) infections, which Dr. Ch'ng warns can also spread through contact like with sharing of lipsticks.
Know more: Want in-depth skincare tips? Dr. Ch’ng published a book called 365 Dermatology about her personal stories, commonly asked skincare questions and tips and recommendations.
It’s amazing that we now live in a world where reliable skincare information is at our fingertips. Free credible skincare advice aside, the beauty of following skincare experts who are actual practising dermatologists on Instagram is you can directly contact them and schedule a consultation for your personal concerns. Isn't that convenient?
(Cover photo from: Sam Lion via Pexels)
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