7 radically honest skin rules from a dermatologist that everyone should know

Skin rules: A dermatologist explains what really protects our skin.

We smear, lather, shop. We exfoliate, care for, and post. And yet, many of us have no idea what our skin truly needs from a medical perspective. Dr. Estefanía Lang is a specialist in dermatology and venereology, founder of Dermanostic, Europe's largest digital dermatology practice, and radically honest: "The skin is not just an outer shell. It protects, regulates, produces hormones, and reflects our health and our emotions."

Skin is communication. It shows how we're feeling, what we eat, and what's bothering us. "Skin condition and skin diseases are often linked to internal factors, including nutrition , hormones, intestinal health , and psychological well-being," explains Lang. Nevertheless, skin health continues to be underestimated: medically, socially, and politically. Skin diseases are considered "harmless," skincare a beauty zone, and preventative care is considered negligible.

Lang wants to change that. With digital education that delivers diagnoses within six hours and radically simple recommendations. "My love for skin came first. Dermatology is a highly visual discipline. Making a diagnosis with the naked eye, without the need for diagnostic equipment, has always fascinated me," she says. "After seven years of specialist training at the University Hospital of Düsseldorf, I thought: Improving the system is easy. It just takes courage."

Dermanostic works incredibly simply: Three photos of the affected skin area and a short questionnaire are transmitted via the app, followed by a specialist assessment, including a treatment recommendation and prescription. Available 24/7, throughout Germany, with no waiting room. For her work, Lang was recently nominated for the Bold Future Award by Veuve Clicquot, an award for entrepreneurs who prefer to act rather than wait. Here, she shares seven rules that could fundamentally change our relationship with our skin—if we're willing to listen.

#1 You shower too often – and too hot

"If you take hot showers every day, you're damaging your skin. Period," says Lang. Too much, too often, too hot, and then with perfumed shower gels that completely disrupt theskin's barrier . The acid mantle, the skin's natural protective layer, is more sensitive than many people think. If it's regularly attacked, the skin reacts with dryness, irritation, or even eczema. Lang's recommendation is radically simple and likely a bit of a culture shock for some: "Take a skin-friendly, lukewarm shower, not so often, in winter only every other day (except for the genital area), and only use mild, pH-neutral products." Why don't many people want to hear that? Perhaps because body care is still too often confused with cleanliness rituals rather than self-care.

#2 Fewer products. More trust

While social media throws new glow boosters, glass-skin trends, and 10-step routines at us every day, Lang observes one thing above all in her practice: overwhelmed skin. "Many people shower with too many surfactants. This attacks the skin's natural protective film." And: "Overuse of skincare products is a problem – it irritates the skin more than it helps." Her credo: minimalism instead of masking. It's better to use fewer products, but in a targeted way. It's better to trust your skin than to constantly tweak it. If you get emotional about it, that's understandable. But: "Our skin doesn't want to be polished. It wants to be left alone."

#3 Moles are not a beauty issue

"A small mole can be life-threatening if detected too late," says Lang. Skin cancer doesn't always look dangerous. And that's precisely the problem. The most worrying changes are often subtle. That's why prevention isn't optional, but vital. Lang recommends seeing a dermatologist at least once a year. And in addition, it's a conscious and frequent self-check. "Checking your skin regularly isn't a hassle; it's self-care." And why hasn't this been taught in schools for a long time? "Using UV protection, recognizing warning signs, and being aware of your own skin health are just as much a part of the curriculum as dental hygiene or nutrition."

#4 Tomato paste beats many expensive boosters

Long-term skin strengthening doesn't necessarily have to look like a laboratory experiment or a luxury. For Estefanía Lang, tomato paste is an underrated classic: "If only I could do one thing: take tomato paste every day. It's rich in lycopene, which has a high antioxidant effect and is therefore good for the skin and the rest of the body." A teaspoon a day – that's all it takes. Combined with a little oil, the body can optimally absorb the active ingredient. Not a trendy product, not complicated application. Just a silent active ingredient with a noticeable effect.

#5 Aloe vera is a natural miracle cure

For Dr. Estefanía Lang , aloe vera isn't just a hype, but a proven remedy, medicinally effective and versatile. Growing up on Gran Canaria, she learned early on about the plant's soothing power: "There, we solved many problems with aloe vera. It has a cooling, anti-inflammatory effect, ideal after sun exposure or for irritated skin." Today, the gel is an integral part of her practice, for example, after laser treatments. The dermatologist also uses it daily in her private life: "To calm, after sun exposure, or simply when the skin has experienced too much. It works fantastically."

#6 Not every skin wants retinol

Retinol is one of the superstars of the anti-aging industry, recommended by dermatologists and celebrated by beauty journalists. But Lang remains skeptical: "As effective as it is in theory and in studies, it's just as irritating in practice. Especially for sensitive, irritated, or barrier-prone skin." Instead, she recommends gentler active ingredients like bakuchiol or resveratrol. Or, simply: nothing at all. "Redness, flaking, or micro-inflammations are common side effects and often a sign that less would be more."

#7 It doesn’t work without UV protection

Sun protection isn't just a summer issue, but a daily preventative measure, and for Dr. Lang, it's absolutely essential. "UV radiation is one of the main causes of premature skin aging and skin cancer. Unfortunately, this is still underestimated," she says. Therefore: SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days, especially on the face, neck, and hands. "If you want to avoid a trip to the dermatologist, start with protection – not treatment."

Tip: Skin check via app. This is how Dermanostic works

Being able to reach a dermatologist via app sounds like the future. But it's already a reality. Dr. Estefanía Lang and her team have built Europe's largest digital dermatology practice: Dermanostic. The idea arose from everyday life and a familiar pattern: "Family and friends would send me skin photos via WhatsApp, asking for an assessment. I was often able to help quickly, but the prescription was the problem," Lang explains.