Q+A with Dermatologist Dr. Annie Gonzalez

Dr. Annie Gonzalez is a board-certified dermatologist based out of Miami, FL. When she's not practicing in-office with her patients, she can often be found in the media where she's called on to provide her expertise. She's been featured in publications like Allure, Byrdie, New York Times, and several others. Read on to hear more from Dr. Gonzalez about her time in the industry, the discipline and consistency needed in skincare, and so much more!

Q: First and foremost, we’d love to hear about your journey in the dermatology space. How did you get started?

Since I was a child I felt passionate about science and art, so it was no surprise that later in life, dermatology was the perfect field in medicine that merged the two. Growing up watching my mother being a physician shaped my career choice pretty early on. My career path was further solidified during my teenage years as I felt very self-conscious by my acne, which sparked a greater interest in beauty and skincare.

Q: What do you love the most about what you do?

The skin tells a story and it is deeply connected with our psyche and mental well-being. Being a professional that can create not only a visual impact but a psychological breakthrough by boosting someone’s self-esteem makes dermatology uniquely rewarding. This multidisciplinary specialty allows me to integrate clinical expertise, surgery, and aesthetics, all of which are my passions.

Q: What is a myth about skincare that you want to debunk?

There are so many myths about skincare that need to be debunked and are being debunked by myself and many wonderful colleagues that have expanded their reach through their social media platforms. But a common misconception is that many people think they only need sunscreen when they go outdoors. UV exposure happens every day, even on cloudy days, and we become exposed as we drive, walk to the supermarket, or work near a window, so we must wear it every day and reapply it accordingly.

Q: What is one product everyone should be using, no matter what their skin type?

Sunscreen should be a basic staple in everyone’s skincare regimen. UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80% of visible facial aging signs. So if you don’t use it daily, you might as well not invest in any other forms of skincare or skin procedures at the dermatologist’s office. I’ve tried to increase awareness about this amongst my Hispanic community, as many individuals with a darker complexion think that they are immune to the harmful effects of the sun and
are less likely to use sunscreen.

Q: What is your best advice for someone who is struggling to find a skin routine that works for them?

Less is more, so don’t overcomplicate your skincare routine with ten steps and introduce tons of actives simultaneously that only lead to irritation. Don’t follow TikTok trends or other trendy fads, and definitely don’t delay seeing a dermatologist if you suffer from a skin condition.

Q: What do you wish people were talking more about in skincare?

Skincare requires discipline and consistency. Motivation will get you started, but if you don’t put in the continuous efforts and patiently wait for the results (at least 3 months), then you simply won't see any results. A similar principle applies to a maintenance phase, which translates into understanding that once your skin improves, it doesn’t mean you stop using it! Simply put, treat skincare as part of your lifestyle.

Rapid Fire Round

Q: Worth the splurge:

SkinBetter Science AlphaRet: worth every penny. A revolutionary gentle formula that combines the power of retinol and alpha hydroxy acid. It is a staple in my nightly routine.

Q: Favorite drugstore or budget find:

La Roche-Posay Double Repair Moisturizer.

Q: Latest beauty empty:

My Silymarin CF antioxidant from SkinCeuticals. This formula is great for more oily and acne-prone skin.

Q: Recent discovery:

Colorescience Flex Sunscreen — different shades that bloom with your skin color.

Q: Product you can’t leave home without:

IT Cosmetics CC Cream+ and Dior Addict Lip Glow.

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