Q+A with Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Loretta Ciraldo has been working with patients directly for over 40 years, giving her decades of experience studying skin and learning about the Four Factors that contribute to aging. With this deep-rooted understanding, she's also gone on to found her own skincare brand, Dr. Loretta, which is a host to an entire line of products with formulas that protect exposed skin from damage caused by pollution, light, climate, and irritants — Skincare for the Real World. Read on to hear more from Dr. Loretta about her skincare philosophy, the environment's effects on our skin, and more.

Q: First and foremost, we would love to hear about your journey in the skincare space. How did you first get started, and how did you get where you are today?

I've been a pioneer in the field of cosmetic dermatology, having started one of the first cosmetic dermatology teaching clinics for dermatology residents at University of Miami in the 1980's. Then, in 1993, recognizing that there was a need for dermatologist-formulated skincare to be used in medical aesthetic practices, I started formulating skincare for professionals only, which I have continued to do for these thirty years.

Q: With years of experience in dermatology, what was it that inspired you to create a skincare line of your own? Can you share a bit about the product development process with us?

I have truly relied on the consistent use of clinically proven skincare, using only products that I have formulated, since the age of 40. Now that I am in my late 60's, I wanted to create a product line that would reflect the ethos behind all of my formulations. Basically, I recognized that over 80% of all changes we attribute to chronologic aging, from wrinkles to aging spots to sagging, are found only in exposed skin. I literally search the globe for the most innovative ingredients to protect skin from external aggressors and create formulations that I believe will do the job well enough to show visible improvement in these parameters. I combine my experience as a busy cosmetic dermatologist where I have my own patients' challenges to monitor and my experience as a skincare formulator, where I am abreast of the latest developments in cosmetic ingredients, to develop clinically meaningful and effective products to create visible improvement on skin no matter what your age.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your career thus far?

Helping people to look and feel more self-confident about their appearance at all ages.

Q: Your product line shields the skin against key environmental Four Factors. Can you expand upon this ideology and how your products work to combat the effects of these factors?

In dermatology we have the Skin Exposome. These are the external aggressors that cause more than 80% of the unwanted changes that we typically associate with chronologic aging. Some of these factors, like stress, cannot be addressed with skincare alone. But the four aggressors that we can shield skin from when using novel skincare are: Pollution, Light, Climate, and Irritating Ingredients. A few examples of our approach to formulation to ensure maximum protection from these aggressors are:

- Our Dr. Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser features a marine algin that absorbs pollution particles before they penetrate into living skin where they can cause age spots and wrinkles. It features a super-hydrating peptide so you get a moisture surge as you cleanse, since our skin is always in a state of water loss due to climate-controlled environments we live in. This cleanser, like all our Dr. Loretta formulations, is free of known irritants, including sulfates, parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrance, and color to name a few.
- Our Intense Replenishing Serum contains bioidentical lipids to trap in moisture as it repairs the skin barrier, and it features the strongest of all antioxidants, lipochroman, to protect against free radical damage from pollution and light.

Q: When it comes to environmental stressors on our skin, what do you think people should be talking about more that might not be getting as much emphasis as it should?

There is not enough emphasis on the role of environmental aggressors as the cause of most skin aging. I've performed tens of thousands of total body exams in my dermatology practice. The constant finding is that it is only the skin that is exposed to the elements that ages. Even ninety year olds have buttock skin that remains flawless. Historically, dermatologists have blamed the sun for all the unwanted changes, coining the term "photoaging", but we have very limited exposure to the sun in our lifetime compared to, for example, pollution. The EPA tells us that pollutants are more concentrated indoors than outside, so our exposed skin (not covered by clothing) is bombarded by damaging pollution 24/7. We dermatologists also estimate that up to 80% of facial skin issues we see in our practices can be traced back at least in part to irritating ingredients our patients use on their skin.

Q: A huge part of your philosophy is making women feel confident at every age. How does skincare play a role in this, and how do you recommend women evolve their routines over the years to support the growth of and maintain their confidence?

My recommendations are simple: consider using only clinically tested and proven skincare that addresses the specific issues that concern you, whether it is a matter of prevention or correction of these issues. Before you start any new regimen or product, take selfies and retake these every 2 weeks for at least 8 weeks. If you don't have visible improvement, search for other clinically proven products. Once you find products that work for you, continue to use those consistently. I believe that each of us really wants nothing more than to look like a youthful, fresher version of ourselves. This is best achieved with skincare over image-altering procedures.

Q: What’s next for the Dr. Loretta brand?

We have some exciting things in the works for the Dr. Loretta brand launching very soon! I can't give too much away, but we can't wait to share it with the Dr. Loretta community.

Rapid Fire Round

Q: Worth the splurge:

Ouai Hair Mask.

Q: Favorite drugstore or budget find

CeraVe Moisturizing Creme (for dry legs).

Q: Latest beauty empty:

Morphe Matte Liquid Lipstick.

Q: Recent discovery:

Aquaphor Itch Relief Ointment with 1% Hydrocortisone.

Q: Product you can't leave home without:

Morphe Complexion Blending Beauty Sponge.

Q: Brand you wish more people knew about:

Biased, but I have to say Dr. Loretta!

For more of Dr. Loretta's favorite products, check out her shop below: