Board-certified dermatologists Dr. Reem and Dr. Ali break down the viral "sunscreen contouring" TikTok trend, review Kylie Jenner's new K2O drinkable skincare, debate PDGF injections, and share their summer skincare swaps, baby skincare essentials, and Sephora Spring Sale picks.

Chapters (approximate)

• (00:00) Welcome back to Derm Nextdoor
• (01:00) What's Hot: NYC heatwave & the science of why your skin gets oily
• (03:30) Summer skincare swaps: retinol, salicylic acid, niacinamide, foaming cleansers
• (05:30) Sunscreen layering, tinted SPF & powder reapplication
• (08:00) What's NOT Hot: the viral "sunscreen contouring" TikTok trend
• (11:00) Side-Eye: platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) injections
• (14:00) Derm in the Wild: Coachella, UV index & festival sun protection
• (17:00) Kylie Jenner's K2O drinkable skincare — does it actually work?
• (22:00) Listener Q: Nutrition & skin aging (AGEs, low-carb diets, dairy & acne)
• (26:00) Listener Q: PDRN & exosomes post-microneedling — U.S. vs. Korea
• (30:00) Baby skincare 101: sunscreen, fragrance-free, soak & seal
• (33:00) Innovative brands: Bemotrizinol & postbiotics in skincare
• (36:00) Sephora Spring Savings Event picks
• (39:30) Outro & listener questions

This week we're covering what's trending (and what's tanking) in skincare right now — from the growing obsession with skin longevity to the at-home device everyone needs to put down immediately. We also weigh in on Alix Earle's new brand launch, reflect on the spectacle that was AAD 2026, and round things out with our current product picks for transitioning your routine into spring.

The Rundown

What's hot

Skin longevity is having a moment — and for good reason. We break down what "aging well" actually means from a dermatology perspective, why simplified routines are outperforming 10-step regimens, and how the science of barrier health is finally going mainstream.

What's not

At-home plasma pens. We're drawing a hard line here. We talk through why these devices are causing serious and sometimes permanent skin damage, what the risks actually look like, and why "derm-grade" marketing on a consumer device should be a red flag, not a selling point.

Side-eyeing

AI-personalized skincare is everywhere right now — but should you trust an algorithm with your skin? We get into the promise vs. the reality: what these tools can and can't assess, where the liability gaps are, and why a quiz on a brand's website is not the same as a consultation.

Derm in the Wild

Alix Earle's Reale Actives launch. Another influencer, another skincare brand — but is this one different? We look at the formulations, the marketing claims, and whether "founded by someone with acne" is a reason to buy or just a compelling story.

AAD 2026 & the sensationalization of dermatology. We just got back and we have thoughts. From social-media-ready presentations to the growing pressure on derms to perform for a public audience — we talk about what the conference got right, what made us cringe, and what it says about where the field is heading.

Product Favorites & Spring Skincare Transition

As the weather shifts, so should your routine — but not in the way most influencers suggest. We share our current product picks, talk through the swaps worth making as humidity rises and sunscreen becomes non-negotiable again, and answer the question we get every spring: do I actually need a separate spring moisturizer?

In this episode of Derm Next Door, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Ali Dempsey and Dr. Reem welcome their first ever guest: fitness trainer, Equinox instructor, and wellness influencer Ceren

Together they dive into the intersection of NYC wellness culture, skincare trends, and influencer beauty routines.

From GLP-1 weight loss medications to Sculptra, Botox, and viral skincare hacks, the conversation gets honest about what’s actually worth it-and what dermatologists are side-eyeing.

They also break down Ceren's real skincare routine (and give it a brutally honest derm score), discuss the pressure of influencer culture, and explore how wellness trends differ between New York, Los Angeles, and social media.

Plus: rapid-fire Derm Hot Takes on trending beauty and wellness topics.

Topics we cover:

• GLP-1 weight loss drugs and unexpected side effects

• The rise of Sculptra and biostimulatory fillers

• Viral skincare trends dermatologists don’t love

• Botox in your 20s-yes or no?

• Wellness culture in NYC vs LA

• The influencer brand trip world

• Ice rolling, mouth taping, red light masks, collagen supplements

• Skincare routine mistakes dermatologists see all the time

Whether you're into skincare, aesthetics, wellness culture, or dermatology, this episode breaks down what’s real vs hype.

🎧 Listen now and follow Derm Next Door for weekly dermatology hot takes.

You can now also watch the podcast on YouTube and follow us on TikTok @dermnextdoor.

Derm Next Door is back with Episode 14 and we’re breaking down Allure’s 2026 Beauty Trends Report from a dermatologist’s perspective.

Board-certified dermatologists Ali & Reem go trend-by-trend to separate marketing from medicine, including:

• The rise of retinal (retinaldehyde) over retinol
• Vitamin C upgrades and what happens now that the SkinCeuticals patent has expired
• Pre- and post-procedure skincare (and what’s actually worth the splurge)
• The future of sunscreen, luxury mineral formulas, and the new UV filter bemetrizinol (BEMT)
• The estrogen cream debate in perimenopause & menopause skincare
• Biohacking, longevity culture, and what that even means for your skin
• Injectable-inspired skincare (exosomes, PDRN, salmon sperm- yes, we went there)
• The explosion of at-home beauty devices and whether they’re worth it

We also share Ali’s real-time Fraxel experience, red light device thoughts, and our honest predictions for what 2026 will really look like in dermatology.

🎥 This episode is also available on YouTube if you want to watch the full conversation. 📲 Follow us on TikTok at @dermnextdoor for clips, skincare breakdowns, and derm hot takes.

If you want dermatologist-backed insight without the fluff — this is the episode.

Derm Next Door is back after a brief hiatus and we’re coming in hot.

In Episode 13, board-certified dermatologists Ali & Reem break down what’s actually trending in dermatology right now, what we’re officially side-eyeing, and the skincare products that earned a permanent spot in our 2025 routines.

We cover:

• Why Sculptra is having a major comeback and how it differs from traditional filler
• Who Sculptra is actually for (and when it’s not the right move)
• Why the industry is shifting toward more natural, collagen-stimulating treatments
• Our honest take on mesotherapy and why the data just isn’t there (yet)
• Whether facials are necessary if you have a solid at-home skincare routine
• Celebrity work decoded: Bradley Cooper, Andy Cohen, and subtle aesthetic tweaks
• Botox vs newer neuromodulators like Daxxify
• The skincare, haircare, makeup, and SPF products we truly loved in 2025

We also answer real clinic questions we get every day, from hair supplements and dandruff myths to when you should actually start Botox.

🎥 This episode is also available on YouTube if you want to watch the conversation. 📲 You can now find us on TikTok at @dermnextdoor for clips, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes content.

If you like honest dermatology takes without the fluff, this one’s for you.

Ali and Reem break down what’s actually worth it in beauty and skincare this week- from laser caps for hair loss to the Neutrogena makeup wipe recall to the sudden surge in GLP-1–related skin issues they’re seeing in clinic. The derms also dissect a TikToker’s “glow-up” routine (Face Gym, lymphatic massage, lash lifts), talk about brow lamination, share their current makeup favorites, and end with curated NYC restaurant and bar recommendations.

• 00:00 — Intro
• 01:00 — Laser Caps 101: What They Are & Who They Help
• 04:30 — Do Laser Caps Work? How Derms Actually Use Them
• 08:30 — Pricing, Brands & Why Amazon Caps Are… Questionable
• 10:30 — Neutrogena Makeup Wipes Recall (Pseudomonas!)
• 13:00 — Our Favorite Makeup Removal Alternatives
• 16:30 — GLP-1 Skin Side Effects: Hair Loss, Laxity & “Ozempic Face”
• 20:30 — Injection Reactions, Wound Healing & Treating Laxity
• 23:00 — Estrogen Creams for the Face: New Research Review
• 26:30 — Derm in the Wild: Rating a TikTok Glow-Up Routine
• 30:00 — Brow Lamination: Ali’s Itchy Experience
• 32:00 — Products of the Month (Makeup Edition)
• 35:00 — NYC Recs: Restaurants, Bars, Broadway & More
• 36:30 — Closing & What’s Coming Next

In Episode 11, we break down the truth about radiofrequency devices and why the FDA just issued a warning about their risks and unlicensed operators. We also debunk the newest TikTok craze: estrogen creams for facial rejuvenation- spoiler: zero long-term data, and possible melasma triggers. Then we side-eye knee Botox (do we secretly want to try it? yes). We also review the $650 “Red Sculpt Facial” celebrities swear by and share our current product obsessions and NYC fall favorites.

🎥 Watch the full studio episode on YouTube: @dermnextdoor

We hit double digits! In this milestone episode, Ali and Reem dig into why acids are everywhere right now- how glycolic, salicylic, and TCA actually work in skin and how to fit them into a skincare routine without annihilating your barrier. Then they explain (plainly) why thread lifts keep dermatologists unamused, unpack a Korean head spa visit, and break down the viral Victoria Nelson chemical-burn case as a cautionary tale about credentials and aftercare. They wrap with Asian beauty favorites and a few NYC spots they’re loving.

Chapters below for quick skipping. Rate/review if you learn something!

Chapters / Timestamps

• 00:00 — Intro & 10-Episode Mini-Party (why this is a passion project, what’s ahead).
• 00:45 — HOT: Acids 101 (OTC vs in-office, safe use, skin cycling basics) — AHAs/BHAs overview; glycolic/salicylic/lactic vs TCA depth and downtime; sane cadence (retinoid most nights, acids on off nights).
• 15:20 — BOTHERED: Thread Lifts — what they are, where they’re happening, complication risk, and why board-certified derms generally pass.
• 22:40 — SIDE-EYEING: Korean Head Spas — Reem’s first-hand rundown; what actually happens; what might help (and what’s just vibes).
• 29:45 — DERM IN THE WILD: Victoria Nelson Case — what likely happened, red flags (licensure, unknown chemicals, “come back to me” after injury), and what appropriate medical follow-up should look like.
• 36:05 — Product Empties & Favorites — Asian beauty highlights (Probioderm 3D Lifting Cream; Aestura Atobarrier Cream Mist), plus the Mise en Scène Perfect Hair Serum shout-out.
• 39:40 — NYC Favorites + Sign-off