'Brown Skin' Expert Dr. Susan Taylor
by Nikki Clifton
A leader in research and treatment for skin of color, Dr. Susan C. Taylor is a Harvard-trained dermatologist and clinical researcher in ethnic skin care and dermatology. She is board certified in both internal medicine and dermatology. The creator of a variety of products, tools and resources to treat and care for brown skin, she has led advances in the field of skin of color.
Dr. Taylor has been featured as a medical expert in numerous magazines, newspapers and national news programs such as the Today Show and Good Morning America. She’s regularly quoted in Essence magazine and considered one of the top female physicians. Dr. Taylor is the Founding Director of the Skin of Color Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, the first of its kind for the diagnosis, treatment and investigation of diseases in individuals with skin of color. She serves as a board member of the American Academy of Dermatology, and is the immediate past president of the Skin of Color Society. Dr. Taylor also maintains a private practice at Society Hill Dermatology in Philadelphia.
We had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Taylor about her career, her new skin line for brown skin and even got a few skin care tips from the expert.
Hi, Dr. Taylor, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Before we get into the specifics of what you’ve done as it relates to “brown skin care” share with me what the defining moment was that made it click for you, that made you decide that "skin" was what you wanted to do. Did you wake up with a pimple?
Well, I’ll tell you Nikki, it wasn’t a pimple but there were two things. I was a medical student at Harvard interning in hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. The fourth year I decided to look into dermatology, and I loved it! I liked the diversity of skin, and the way it looked at different ages. I did finish in internal medicine, but I included dermatology as well because I was so interested in it. The second thing was that time after time I’d hear the question, ‘what should I be using [on my skin]?’. Ironically, I got a call from a cosmetics company about creating a skin-care line and they wanted to know if I’d help them. I thought, ‘I can do this myself and maybe even do a better job at it’. I connected with two chemists, one on the east coast and one on the west, and what we developed was the Rx for Brown Skin.
So we shouldn’t put toothpaste on breakouts. Is that what you’re saying?
That is absolutely what I’m saying! (laughs) Actually, the fluoride in toothpaste burns the skin and makes it worse. No Crest, Nikki (laughs).
How did you come to build this “brown-skin” empire coming from a medical background as opposed to a business background? Well, running a private dermatology business, you get to learn lots of things by working with different companies-including identifying a retailer and extensive research. I wanted to brand Rx For Brown Skin at a prestigious retailer as opposed to being ‘massed’ and available at Rite Aid. We introduced to our concept in 30 Sephora stores and now we are in 132 around the country, and we just launched in 10 Dillard’s in the south. We’re also preparing to launch in Dubai.
Wow, congratulations! What would you say is the number one concern for brown-skinned individuals, and when should you go to see a dermatologist?
Dark discolorations and hyper pigmentation is number one. Acne is a close second. If there is a skin problem that’s not getting better after a month of traditional over-the-counter treatments, go see a dermatologist. If it’s a rash, one week. If there is a mole or growth that has changed in size, color or shape go immediately.
Why are your products best?
Brown skin is sensitive and easily irritated, so we created products eliminating irritating ingredients. You won’t find alcohol, fragrance, lanolin or dyes. But what you will find are three ingredients not in any other line: hyralauric acid, which combats ashiness, pomegranate, which is an antioxidant, and soy, which smoothes out hyper pigmentation.
Tell me about the "Taylor Hyper pigmentation Scale" please.
As I was working on clinical studies, there wasn’t an existing scale by which to measure the effectiveness of medications on dark marks on brown skin. So I developed a scale of varying hues for that particular measurement and it’s used in study settings.
How can we "Winterize" our skin and keep it healthy in frigid temperatures?
Well, there are several things.
- Limit baths from 20 minutes to 4 minutes.
- Instead of hot water, bathe in luke-warm water. Hot water strips the skin of oils.
- Use a mild cleanser, and don’t over use it. You don’t need a lot of soap, actually. You just need to use it in "strategic" places.
- Pat skin dry, and while it’s still damp, that’s when you put on your moisturizer. The dampness traps it in.
- If the air is dry, invest in a humidifier-or place plants and pans of water in the room. They keep the air moist as well.
You’ve invested so much of yourself into helping others take care of themselves. What do you do for Dr. Taylor?
I work out for me-time 2-3 times a week, I enjoy reading so I’m part of a book club, and I like getting my hair done-as most women do (laughs).
Which of your products is your favorite? My favorite product is the Absolute Radiance. Every Monday I used to literally stand in front of the mirror and give myself a chemical peel. The Absolute Radiance is a “peel in a bottle”-it takes off the layers of dead skin on the face.
Who are you listening to musically nowadays?
I like jazz so I’ve got some Winton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, John Legend…and Beyonce.
What’s your favorite song by Beyonce?
It’s kind of old, but I like “Soldier”…and that’s what I love about “us’ you can find a little of “us’ everywhere. It’s beautiful.
Dope! What is it you like most about being a Black woman?
There are so many things but I’d have to say the culture that comes along with being Black. What I mean is, I like saying something to another Black person and they not only know what I mean, but they understand what I mean. There’s something about that that’s just so warm, welcome and family-like.
So tell me: what’s your reaction to the first ever African American President Elect, Barack Obama?
Nikki, it’s just unbelievable. How I feel is so much more visceral than I can describe. I was watching Dr. Maya Angelou the other day on television and she said that she felt ‘that he was chosen by a higher authority for this job’ and I believe it. His ability to pull people together from all countries and backgrounds is something that is just phenomenal-and I’m glad I’m alive to witness it.
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