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The Love List

The Love List

With Elyse Love, MD, Bluemercury's Dermatologist Adviser

Elyse Love, Md

Doctor's orders for This Month Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid

A beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid is a superficial exfoliant that’s very good for decreasing oiliness and preventing and resolving blackheads and whiteheads. —Dr. Elyse Love

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IS Clinical Cleansing Complex

"Salicylic acid can be excellent in cleansers, but it has to be formulated correctly so it’s not too harsh. This is a gentle, effective option."
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Skinceuticals Silymarin CF

"In addition to antioxidants vitamin C and ferulic acid, this oil-free serum also contains salicylic acid to decongest skin."
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M-61 PowerSpot Blemish Lotion

“A mix of salicylic acid, tea tree oil, witch hazel, cucumber, and aloe helps resolve a breakout quickly, but with limited irritation.”
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PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

“If you have body acne, you could use this only on those sections or as a general body wash—just avoid sensitive areas.”
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Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

“Salicylic acid can also decongest the scalp, which reduces oiliness, buildup, and the incidence of flaking.”
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Ceramides
Ceramides are lipids that help comprise the skin barrier. Not unlike shingles on a roof, ceramides can get blown off by hot water, high winds, and more, weakening the barrier. The body produces ceramides, but the amount decreases over time, making it helpful to add ceramides back with your skincare routine.

Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that binds to water, helping you hold onto moisture—although it’s not a moisturizer by itself.

Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid, but unlike many other AHAs, it’s a gentle, superficial exfoliant usually tolerated even by sensitive skin. Routine exfoliation helps promote smooth texture and even tone.

Niacinamide
Niacinamide, aka vitamin B3, is a powerhouse. It improves the appearance of dark spots and evens skin tone; it decreases oiliness but also helps the skin hold hydration; and it’s anti-inflammatory, so it reduces redness. Almost everyone can benefit from at least one of those things, if not more.

Retinol
A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is one of the most studied skincare ingredients. We know it improves skin texture and decreases the appearance of dark spots now, but it also helps prevent discoloration and stimulate collagen production to delay the appearance of fine lines later.

SPF
SPF is the most essential skincare tool for the prevention both of skin cancer and of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.

Squalane
Squalene—with an E—is an oil produced by the sebaceous glands to hydrate skin. It’s difficult to stabilize in skincare, however. Hydrogenation converts it to the more usable squalane—with an A. It's great for dryness, but I tend to recommend that patients with oily skin avoid squalane because they don't need extra oil.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant in skincare, and we know most skin damage comes from oxidative stress, like UV exposure or pollution. But vitamin C is also really good at decreasing hyperpigmentation, evening tone, and promoting overall glow. So compared with other antioxidants, vitamin C does a lot.

Meet Dr. Elyse Love

Elyse Love, MD, is Bluemercury’s dermatologist adviser, sharing her skincare expertise with our team and clients. In this role, Dr. Love provides input on new brands for Bluemercury to carry; feedback on product development for our proprietary skincare line, M-61; recommendations related to the services offered in Bluemercury spas; and general insights on topics ranging from popular ingredients to trending products.

A board-certified dermatologist practicing medical and cosmetic dermatology at Gramercy Laser and Medical Dermatology in New York City, Dr. Love graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama and received her medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. From there, she completed her residency at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health in New York City where she served as the chief of aesthetics during her final year. Dr. Love’s favorite areas of research are the impact of dermatologic issues on quality of life and ways to modernize dermatology office visits, and she’s published several peer-reviewed articles on both subjects.

Dr. Love treats a wide spectrum of ages, genders, races, and ethnicities, designing skincare programs tailored to each individual that combine lifestyle modifications, over the counter and prescription products, and minimally invasive in-office procedures.

A fitness enthusiast, Dr. Love has completed the New York City Marathon twice. Her favorite skincare product is retinol.