What Dermatologist Kiran Mian Buys at the Drugstore

Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
Here at the Strategist, we love hearing about everyday stuff that actually works. That line of thinking extends to thedrugstorebeauty products in ourmedicine cabinets,shower caddies, andmakeup bags. In our series “Beauty Aisle,” we talk 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, beauty writer Krista Bennett DeMaio chatted with Dr. Kiran Mian,a dermatologist in New York City, about the drugstore products she loves.
A skin-smoothing lotion

New! You can now save this product for later.
I absolutely love it. It has lactic acid, analpha hydroxy acid, which is great for exfoliating skin, but it’s also a humectant, so it help keep skin hydrated as well. I recommend it forkeratosis pilaris(KP), those chicken skin bumps we get on the thighs and backs of the arms. It also prevents razor bumps by clearing away the dead skin that forms around the hair follicle. And it can help fade post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation —thosedark spotsyou get from bug bites or scrapes. I recommend it all the time.
A healing multitasker

New! You can now save this product for later.
Vaseline is an all-time favorite. There are a million and one uses for it. It’s an occlusive, which means it’s going to help lock in hydration. If you have a cut, it’s great forhealing. They’ve actually donestudiesto show that plain Vaseline prevents infection at a similar rate to topical antibiotic. I also use it on the lips, dry elbows, even in the corner of the eyes that get irritated if you have watery eyes.
Her pick for non-greasy sunscreen

New! You can now save this product for later.
I like this for my body on beach days or when I go out for a run. It’s amineral sunscreen, so it’s going to be physically protective but it’s lightweight. It doesn’t feel greasy. It’s water resistant, so it’s going to last if you’re swimming and sweating.
Her longtime favorite mascara

New! You can now save this product for later.
I’ve been using thismascarasince eighth grade. The curved brush fits my eye shape well and gives my lashes a lift. It thickens and elongates my lashes and the curl lasts all day. It doesn’t get flaky and my lashes don’t get clumpy. I think it’s comparable toDiorshow. I used to work at Sephora, so I’ve triedallthe brands.
Her secret for dramatic lashes

New! You can now save this product for later.
This has been a game changer in my makeup routine when I’m doing a full-face glam for an event. The lash clusters have adhesive on them, so you just stick them on your water line under yourlashes. I’ll just do the outer corners and it makes such a big difference. They’re so easy. You don’t have to deal with the messy glue.
A body booster…

New! You can now save this product for later.
It’s a root plumper, so I apply it to my roots before Iblow dry. It gives you that really nice lift at the roots, but keeps your hair soft and malleable all day.
…and a trick for more texture

New! You can now save this product for later.
I also use this texture powder on myrootsfor more volume. You apply it to dry hair and it gives hair some oomph. I pump it directly onto my roots. Unlikedry shampoothat absorbs oils but still leaves hair soft, this will make hair a little gritty — in a good way. It’s great when I’m doing a curly style.
A healthy nail staple

New! You can now save this product for later.
I stopped gettinggel manicureswhen I had my baby. Now I keep my nails bare and this cuticle oil makes them look healthy and hydrated — and prevents hangnails and dry cuticles. My nails look clean and well-manicured without needing to get a manicure.
A spray for long-lasting makeup

New! You can now save this product for later.
It just works. Thesetting sprayhelps to mattify, so you don’t get oily in your T-zone, but you’re still able toadd highlighteror whatever products to your cheeks. I find it helps my makeup look smoother and last all day.
A skin-brightening concealer

New! You can now save this product for later.
I like using this under my eyes for brightening or around the mouth. South Asians and Hispanics can have darker skin on the lower areas of the face while our cheeks tend to be lighter. So this peachcolor correctorhelps to even out the skin tone.
A seal-it-all-in balm

New! You can now save this product for later.
If you’re flaking fromretinolor you’re trying to build tolerance to active ingredients, applying Cicaplast on top of your moisturizer at night can help. It’s like laying a blanket on top of everything. It’s going to help your other products absorb better, including your moisturizer. So you wake up in the morning with smooth skin.
More expert drugstore picks
New! You can now save this product for later.
Dermatologist Dr. David Kim says this is great for texture on the face, chest, and backs of hands.

New! You can now save this product for later.
Nurse injector Vanessa Lee says this serum gives her wavy-frizzy hair a glossy finish.

New! You can now save this product for later.
Nail pro Gina Eppolito swears by this rubberized base coat for a longer-lasting manicure.

New! You can now save this product for later.
Odele co-founder Lindsay Holden says it's "unbelievably effective and beyond satisfying to use."

New! You can now save this product for later.
Lash expert Dionne Phillips says this foundation is so good, she buys five at time.

New! You can now save this product for later.
Makeup artist Scott Barnes used this balm on J.Lo to keep her concealer from cracking on set.
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
The Strategistis 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 abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.





