Ask Our Consulting Dermatologist, Dr. Meghan O’Brien

Dr. Meghan O'Brien
Dr. Meghan O’Brien is a board certified dermatologist specializing in comprehensive medical and cosmetic dermatology. She graduated as cum laude from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and completed her advanced medical training in dermatology at Drexel University College of medicine. Dr. O’Brien is a Clinical Instructor at Weill Cornell Medical College and is practicing with one of the most prestigious skin care clinics in the country, Tribeca Park Dermatology group in New York City.

We have assembled below a list of commonly asked skin care questions that Dr. O’Brien has answered and made available to you. If you don’t see your question below, click the “Submit Your Own Question” button and it will be answered as soon as possible.

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I have dry skin, but I’m also concerned with aging. Which regimen should I use?

The anti-aging regimen consists of products that are gentle and hydrating enough even for dry skin in addition to providing anti-aging benefits. The Deep Wrinkle Corrector Day & Night cream is a product in the anti-aging line that you should incorporate into your regimen if you have dry skin. Using the Deep Wrinkle Corrector cream will ensure that your skin stays hydrated while you treat the signs of aging.

Is SPF 15 enough protection in my daily moisturizer? My dermatologist told me to always wear an SPF 30 when exposed to the sun

Using a daily moisturizer with sun protection factor (SPF) 15 is adequate protection for daily incidental sun exposure. Incidental sun exposure is the sun that we get 365 days a year while going about daily activities such as going to and from work and driving in the car. When you are planning on being outside for an extended period of time, such as spending a day at the beach, you will need at least an SPF 30 and will need to reapply every 2 hours.

I’ve never heard of some of the cosmeceutical ingredients used in these products. Are they safe and thoroughly tested?

All of the Physicians Formula skin care products include cosmeceutical ingredients that have proven benefits. These ingredients are used at the concentration at which their effectiveness has been proven. In addition, all the products themselves have undergone rigorous testing and have been studied on human subjects with impressive results.

Can I use a cleanser from one regimen and a moisturizer from another?

Absolutely. Mixing and matching different products from different lines will make your regimen personalized to treat all of your skin concerns. With visible ingredient labels and documentation of clinical studies, Physicians Formula has provided you with the information to prescribe yourself the perfect regimen.

I have extremely sensitive skin and rosacea and I’m under the care of a dermatologist. Is the redness/relief regimen safe for me to use or should I first check with my doctor?

All Physicians Formula products are hypoallergenic and are fragrance free. The redness relief products were designed for and tested on patients who have rosacea and sensitive skin and they incorporate very well into a prescription regimen. In fact, the Redness Correcting Moisturizer and the Instant Skin Calming Spray will provide components to your regimen that prescription treatments usually don’t include. When you go to see your dermatologist you should describe your skin care regimen but it is usually not necessary to do so prior to starting our products.

I have rosacea, but also very dry skin. Will the sensitive/redness relief regimen help with the dryness?

Yes. The redness relief regimen is both very gentle and extremely moisturizing. Maintaining the skin’s hydration and barrier function is an important piece of avoiding irritation that can cause rosacea to flare.

I currently get botox treatments twice a year. Will the anti-aging line interfere with this at all? I see that they both address wrinkles.

Botox prevents muscles from contracting and producing the wrinkles that result from those muscle movements. Botox alone is not enough to fight the signs of aging. Physicians Formula has created an anti-aging skin care line that addresses the components of aging that we use as clinical markers of aging in scientific studies, including fine lines, deep wrinkles and pigmentation. Even if you get anti-aging treatments or procedures in a physician’s office you still need a skin care regimen to augment the treatments you are receiving. Using the anti-aging regimen will make your skin look even more youthful than with Botox alone.

I am very interested in the anti-aging line and would like to try all of the products, but it seems like a lot. In what order should I apply the products?

The backbone of the anti-aging regimen is the Wrinkle Corrector & Firming cleanser, the Wrinkle Corrector and Daily Moisturizer with SPF, the Deep Wrinkle Day & Night Cream and the Intensive Wrinkle Eye Cream. The cleanser can be used twice daily as the first step in the regimen. In the morning, after cleansing, apply the Wrinkle Corrector and Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15. At nighttime, apply the Deep Wrinkle Corrector Day & Night cream followed by the Intensive Wrinkle Corrector Eye Cream. Now that you have that basic regimen, add to it the products that address your concerns. The Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Brightener can be used day and night to the affected areas. The Firming & Lifting Booster would be applied at nighttime after the Day & Night cream and Eye cream. The best thing about this regimen is that you can take the basics and tailor it perfectly to your concerns with the treatment products.

I am in my early 20’s, but I am concerned with aging. Would the anti-aging line be appropriate for me?

The anti-aging line is appropriate for women who are truly in the preventative phase of the anti-aging process. For you, starting with the basic regimen of the Cleanser, Daily Moisturizer with SPF in the morning and the Cleanser, Day & Night Cream and Eye cream at night will be ideal. If you have started to notice some of the issues that the treatment products address, then add those as well.

I have combination and oily skin at times. Are any of the Physicians Formula skin care products suitable for my skin type?

The Physicians Formula products are very lightweight and feel great on your skin. The Day & Night Creams are thicker as they provide ultimate moisture to the skin. For someone with oily or combination skin, use the Day & Night Creams only at night and stick to the lighter Daily Moisturizers for the morning. This will prevent any feeling of oiliness that can happen during the day when thicker creams are applied in the morning.