Dermatologists and their Favorite Herbal and Botanical Skincare Ingredients

I obviously write a lot about skincare, both here and over on Babble. I'm not a dermatologist, instead I'm someone with a medical background that can understand a lot of what she reads about dermatology, but I don't have the clinical experience of a dermatologist (I spend my days treating super sick kids, rashes don't come up that often!)

I recently decided to ask a lot of dermatologists (and 1 esthetician) for their favorite herbal and botanical skincare ingredients. There isn't a great resource for me to read about these ingredients, and I'm always curious which natural skincare ingredients they think are truly worth the hype!


"Green tea is a great botanical ingredient it is high in antioxidant properties. I'm also a big fan of pomegranate flower. It is found in Lierac Magnificence Red Serum. It is very high in antioxidants."
~ Debra Jaliman, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New York City.

"Avocado, which nourishes the skin with a rich supply of Omega 3, 6 and 9. Green Tea is an antioxidant which also has anti-inflammatory properties to heal and calm the skin. Concord Grape, another powerful antioxidant, is rich in polyphenols that neutralizes free radicals to help the skin avoid the signs of premature aging. There are two organic skin care lines- GM Collins BioOrganique and Dr. Hauschka skin care, both use these ingredients."
~ Avery Kuflik, MD is a board certified dermatologist with a private practice in New Jersey.

"There are many different botanical ingredients used in skin care now a days. A really good one is cucumber extract which has calming and cooling properties that are beneficial to all skin types. Green tea extract is really rich in antioxidants and vitamins so it makes it beneficial for all skin types."
~ David E. Bank, MD from The Center for Dermatology in Mt. Kisco, NY

"Soy is great especially for people with dark spots and those who want youthful skin. One word of caution in those women with active breast cancer: there is conflicting evidence as to whether the phytoestrogenic effects in soy may help fight or worsen breast cancer. Best to discuss with your oncologist if this situation applies to you."
~ Rahat Azfar, MD of Vanguard Dermatology in New York City.

"Aloe vera for any inflamed skin eruption from acne to eczema."
~ Karen Stolman, MD is a Dermatologist in Salt Lake City and she writes Skinality

"Tea Tree Oil is a natural anti-bacteria, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory ingredient."
~ Haley Kulow is a makeup artist and esthetician in New York City