Q&A With Dr. David Colbert of Colbert MD

How did Colbert MD begin.  Why? Colbert MD skincare is a combination of my scientific research with luxurious scents and textures. It fills a niche for a simplified system that delivers results. It is a daily system that compliments the skin’s natural biorhythm. Instead of a vast skincare line with a la carte products, I wanted a cohesive system.

What is the one product from your line that you recommend women try out?  Why? There are 3 core products. Nutrify and Protect Day Lotion, Stimulate The Serum and Heal and Soothe Night Cream.  Stimulate The Serum is a big favorite, because my research uncovered a unique delivery system, Qusomes, that trick the skin into accepting active ingredients.  It’s like a Trojan horse that releases the actives deep within the skin.  Stimulate The Serum promotes collagen and elastin production via Gotu Kola and glycolic acid while improving pigmentation.  The hallmarks of youthful skin!

3. Should our skincare routine change each season?  What shall we do to get ready for Fall? Skincare regimes naturally must change with the seasons. As fall approaches we must first repair the summer sun skin damage.  For some this requires Fraxel or Intensed pulsed light (IPL) or a series of TRIADS. Get back on Retin A if you are over 40 & add a bleaching agent for brown spot. Autumn is also good time for a skin cancer screening.  As for products we shift to heavier moisturizers and more gentle cleansers. We should probably exfoliate less often and more gently as winter approaches. Sunblock should be used year round and my favorites are Laroche Posay Anthelios and Skinceuticals 30.  From my own line, I suggest using the Intensify Discs two times a week during the colder months. They contain glucosamine and a superfine microdermabrasion sheath to softly exfoliate.  Use gylcolic cleansers only a few times a week and learn to mix it up a bit.  Your skin can sometimes be like your moods and sometimes requires minor adjustments to get it right.  I think having a variety of seasonal changes in skincare is important. Add a lip balm in the fall. I love Rodin Lip Balm, because it seals in moisture 24-7.

What are the top 3 mistakes women make when it comes to skincare?

1. Believing that sun damage and aging skin cannot be treated.
   I’m always surprised when people believe they can’t achieve beautiful even-toned dewy skin. With all the new dermatologic technology it is possible to have flawless skin into your later years.  It does take some education and work, but the rewards are worth it.
2. Overworking the skin: Status Cosmeticus.
   Often, women will try, or use so many different products that the skin will revolt. The immune system part of our skin sends warrior cells to fight off the “invaders”.  This means we get red, irritated and whatever we use just makes it worse. That’s why it is crucial to intelligently choose a limited number of products that work together with the skin’s natural processes. Haphazard skincare without a plan won’t give you the results you want. Using a simplified, but effective, skincare system will.
3. Not really understanding what it is their skin needs.
   It’s a bit like psychoanalysis. Sometimes we need to delve deeper to find out what will make our skin look better.  This means seeing your dermatologist (not your shrink) and getting educated. For example- you have tanned all throughout your 20s and 30s.  Likely now you need RetinA, a few light peels… as well as a serum and richer night cream because your skin is more damaged and needs extra TLC.  Skincare is a science with thousands of choices. Get some guidance from a board-certified dermatologist.  Lastly, women have mistakenly shied away from facial oils until recently. Once you hit your mid 30s or early 40s its essential to use a weightless oil to replenish our waning internal supply.  That’s what will assure supple vibrant skin.

What ingredients should we look for in skincare?  

• In your 20s:  Sunblock! SPF 30 daily.
• In your 30s.  Hyaluronic acid, retinol and gylcolic acid
• In your 40s.  Light facial oils to seal in moisture. Look for essential oils like yangu
• In your 50s.  Retinoids and oils

In general Qusome – containing products will deliver molecules like vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid deeper into the skin. This means a more potent product.  Look for Silk Peptides, Gotu Kola, antioxidants, glucosamine, horse chestnut, shea butter and angelica sinensis, vitamin C and vitamin E.

What’s next for Colbert MD?

This month we are launching ILLUMINO- the first ever Qusome transdermal anti-aging luxury facial oil.  It contains a unique blend of 8 essential “weightless” oils and topical actives.  Make-up goes on flawlessly and tiny lines are effaced instantly.  We are excited to expand our distribution into the Asian market and to continue working on our product offerings for 2013. For now we are sold at Colette in Paris, Liberty of London, Barneys NY, Fred Seagal and Beauty Cube in Madrid.

 

David A. Colbert, MD is the founder and head physician of New York Dermatology Group. He is board certified by the American Academy of Dermatology and board eligible in Internal Medicine. Established in private practice in New York City since 1995, Dr. Colbert began his medical studies at La Faculty Libre de Medicine de Lille in France, earned his degree from New York Medical College and completed his dermatology residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York. In addition to being a highly skilled and experienced physician specializing in both medical and cosmetic dermatology, Dr. Colbert has a degree in Internal Medicine, and a Fellowship in Acne and Wound Healing from Boston University. Before establishing himself in private practice in Manhattan, Dr. Colbert studied and lived in Paris, where he was a dermatological research consultant for Chanel.