How to Improve & Protect Your Skin Health & Appearance | Dr. Teo Soleymani
Dr. Teo Soleymani, a double board-certified dermatologist, dives into the science of skin health. He discusses the crucial role of sun exposure versus skin cancer risk and the benefits of using mineral-based sunscreens. The conversation covers effective skincare routines, the impact of stress and lifestyle choices on skin, and innovative treatments like red-light therapy. Listeners learn about nutrition's effect on skin conditions and common treatments for issues like acne and rosacea, providing actionable tips for better skin health.
Top snips
Skin: a renewing organ
6:41 – 7:13
Your skin totally renews about every 28 days — surface cells turn over monthly while stem cells stay.
Stress speeds visible aging: acute stress alters blood flow; chronic cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin. Reduce stress to see faster improvements — your skin can reflect change within weeks.
You have brand new skin the same way you have new gut lining every 28 days.
— Teo Soleimani
Sun exposure: useful but nuanced
51:54 – 53:44
Short sun time (≈15–20 min on arms) makes vitamin D and boosts mood, but don't burn.
Sunlight improves well-being and can help conditions like psoriasis, yet excessive UV causes premature aging and DNA mutations. Use reasoned sun exposure and protect when you’d burn.
I don't think sun avoidance is a healthy thing.
— Teo Soleimani
Sunscreen: pick minerals first
1:16:02 – 1:19:12
Prefer mineral (zinc oxide / titanium dioxide) sunscreens — they act like physical shields and have a long safety record.
Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octocrylene) absorb into blood and may have endocrine concerns. For extra internal protection, consider polypodium supplements to raise UV tolerance (50–480 mg studied).
I tend to only recommend mineral zinc or zinc and titanium sunscreens for several reasons.
— Teo Soleimani
Cleansers & moisturizers: keep it simple
33:31 – 35:32
Cheap, fragrance-free cleansers (Dove, Cetaphil, CeraVe) work well — avoid over-cleansing that strips oils and upends your skin microbiome.
Moisturizers: choose non-comedogenic products matched to your skin (ointments for dry/eczema; lighter lotions for oily/acne-prone). Fewer steps = fewer irritants.
Prescription retinoids + lasers = real remodeling
1:43:50 – 1:45:42
Prescription retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene) dramatically shorten turnover, stimulate collagen, reduce precancers, and improve aging — stronger than over‑the‑counter retinol.
Fractional lasers (non‑ablative) can also rejuvenate skin and reduce skin‑cancer risk by clearing damaged cells. See a dermatologist for personalized plans.
Acne: diet, mechanics, and scars
2:16:30 – 2:17:25
Acne = sebum + bacteria + immune reaction. High‑glycemic foods and skim/processed dairy can worsen it.
Don't pick pimples — trauma recruits matrix metalloproteinases that eat collagen and cause scars. If you must act, use warm compresses; avoid peroxide/topical OTC antibiotics.
If you're going to do it, generally what we recommend is if there is no tip, don't even think about it.
— Teo Soleimani