What Dermatologist Angelo Landriscina Buys at the Drugstore
Here at the Strategist, we love hearing about everyday stuff that actually works. That line of thinking extends to the drugstore beauty products in our medicine cabinets, shower caddies, and makeup bags. In our series “Beauty Aisle,” we’ll be talking to folks in the beauty industry — aestheticians, hairstylists, makeup artists, dermatologists, and the like — about the go-to affordable products they keep stocked. For this installment, Strategist beauty writer Krista Bennett DeMaio chatted with dermatologist Angelo Landriscina about the drugstore products he loves.
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L’Oréal Paris Elvive 8-Second Wonder Water
The first thing that instantly comes to mind for me is Wonder Water. It’s lamellar water, which is a technology that was hot maybe four or five years ago, but it’s something I still stick by. You put it on after you shampoo, and it makes your hair extremely shiny. I’ve tried other brands’ versions, but this one is still my favorite — and it’s only $12, so it’s a great buy.
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A lot of these lightweight moisturizers and hydration creams end up being thicker than they say or they’re just a gel consistency. Gels are good if you have oily skin, but I’m more of a combination type and they’re too light. This really amps up hydration without feeling too heavy.
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This is a legendary line from Neutrogena, and they have so many iterations. I really like this one as a day moisturizer. It has SPF 50, which is on the higher side. And if you use the right amount of it — about half a teaspoon for the face, neck, and ears — you’re going to get the SPF listed on the bottle. It feels superlight for an American sunscreen, so that’s a win for me.
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The only safe tan is a sunless tan! This product has been around forever — and for good reason. It’s basically foolproof. You don’t have to worry about streakiness. If it’s a little uneven, it’s fine because it’s subtle. You apply it every day until you reach your desired shade. I’m always in a rush, so I don’t necessarily have the time to make sure it’s perfectly applied, so this works well for me.
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This is a controversial one, but these are totally fine if used correctly, according to the instructions. Bioré has a special technology that allows these to preferentially bind to blackheads and sebaceous filaments. It’s not something I think people should turn to every day. It’s more of a quick fix. If my nose is looking congested, I’ll use one of these and it really does the trick. And seeing what comes out gives me that gross satisfaction I get when I watch pimple-popping videos.
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Yes, it’s a thick ointment, but it’s probably the best thing I’ve ever used for lips. It’s also multipurpose. It’s good for minor cuts and scrapes and extremely dry skin. I do a lot of hand-washing when I’m working, so at night I’ll slather my hands in Aquaphor. It’s one of the few all-purpose tools we have in dermatology.
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A lot of people are interested in using retinoids on the body. I think it’s a great idea, especially if people are looking to smooth their skin or deal with discoloration. I like this one because it doesn’t break the bank and it has a nice, semi-rich texture. It’s really good after an evening shower when you’re getting ready for bed. You want something that’s thicker at night, but you’re also getting all of the benefits of retinol overnight.
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
