NYC Dermatologist and Psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, 54, Shares Her Beauty Favorites

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Author and board-certified dermatologist Amy Wechsler understands the mind-beauty connection better than most.

As one of a few professionals in the country with expertise in both dermatology and psychiatry, Wechsler regularly applies both specialties at her Upper East Side practice. “The skin and the brain are formed from the same layer of embryologic cells,” she tells Bazaar. “I had pretty bad eczema as a kid and acne as a teenager, and the psychological effects of that are pretty horrible. So, it sort of rang true to me that there are a lot of connections.”

Wechsler also applies her skincare background as a consulting dermatologist for Chanel Beauty, a position she’s held since 2011. “It’s my 13th year—they’ve been the most incredible company to work with,” she says. “It’s a company where they do not rush products to market; they take their time and do it right. I’ve worked in the labs outside of Paris, and they’re the most state-of-the-art I’ve ever seen. I totally geek out when I go there.” Between her practice, her consulting work, and the advanced degree she recently completed at Columbia Business School, it seems clear Wechsler's depth of knowledge and hands-on experience will only continue to grow.

Bazaar caught up with the specialist for a short list of her tried-and-true product favorites, heirloom beauty philosophies, and professional thoughts on plastic surgery.

If you don’t mind sharing, how old are you?

I am 54.

What age do you feel you are in your head?

Oh boy—30-something. I think that I’m wiser than I was in my 20s, for sure, and I’m a mom. But in my head, I’m probably 30-something, maybe 40.

Is there a beloved beauty product you’ve worn for most of your life?

Skincare products like sunscreen and moisturizer have always been my friend, but basic stuff—nothing too crazy. And then a bunch of years ago, I co-created a cream with Chanel called Solution 10 that’s intended to be a luxurious, sensitive skin moisturizer. It’s fragrance-free, uses white tea as an active antioxidant that’s soothing, and only has 10 ingredients, which is really rare. I thought there was a real need in the marketplace for luxurious, sensitive skin products. And now I use that every day, twice a day.

What aspects of your physical appearance would you say you love more as you’ve gotten older?

I guess I had more of a baby face when I was younger—it was rounder. And as I’ve gotten older, I have a few more angles to it, so I like my cheekbones more, I’d say. I’ve also always really liked my eyes.

Which beauty products would you say have aged well?

I think sunscreens as a whole have evolved well over time, and they’re better than they used to be. But in the U.S., I think we only have 18 sunscreen molecules approved by the FDA, and in Europe, they have 30. So we’re a little bit behind, but companies are making strides. For example, there’s one from Australia called Invisible Zinc that I’ll wear for a day at the beach.

A lot of conversations around aging seem to lead to injectables and plastic surgery. What are your thoughts on the topic?

I think there’s a time and a place for those things. Of course, I do injectables in my office, and one of the things I’m known for is creating a natural appearance. I really care a lot about preserving someone’s facial expressions and having someone look like themselves, but just turning the clock back on them by a few years. I would say the most common plastic surgery procedure I refer patients to is eyelid surgery.

I have a dear friend who’s an outstanding surgeon right next to my office, Dr. Anthony Labruna. I probably send him a few patients per week—when the upper eyelids start sagging and lose elasticity, there’s really nothing a laser or injectable can do. That person probably needs what’s known as an upper lid blepharoplasty, and that’s the best bang for your buck. You can take 10 years off someone’s face with this relatively simple procedure, and no one has to know that anyone’s done it. When plastic surgery and injectables are done right, literally no one knows. I inject myself with Botox. I have filler injected every couple of years into my face. And when I say to people that I have filler, they’re like, “What? But you look normal!” I respond, “Right, when filler’s done well, you’re supposed to look normal.”

Please give us a quick breakdown of your current beauty routine.

I typically cleanse my face with Dove’s Sensitive Skin bar, then apply Chanel essentials, like the Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum, Solution 10 moisturizer, and sunscreen. My makeup favorites are each from Chanel, too: I just apply a little under-eye concealer and mascara for work. I wash my hair around three times per week and get blowouts at Julien Farel Salon in New York City with Sandrine. At home, I love using Phyto’s hair care products.

Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar

Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum

La Solution 10 de Chanel

UV Essentiel

Le Correcteur de Chanel

Le Volume de Chanel

Hydrating Conditioning Lip Balm

Nourishment Nourishing Shampoo

Nourishment Nourishing Conditioner

Phytovolume Volumizing Blow-Dry Spray

What keeps you feeling most vibrant and youthful?

My kids and my boyfriend! And getting enough sleep!

What’s the best piece of beauty wisdom you’ve ever received from someone older than you?

Probably “Get your beauty sleep,” from my grandma Gert.

Nobody can make it through life without a few scars. What’s one of yours that tells a story?

I have many, as I have had 16 orthopedic surgeries throughout my life! On my knees, hip, ankles, elbow, shoulders, and wrist—I was an injured athlete, mostly through playing volleyball.

Where do you find beauty inspiration?

From all of the amazing women and girls in my life, especially my mom and daughter.

Many people fear growing older. In your opinion, what’s the best part about it?

Ah, wisdom. The wisdom that comes from the experience of living and learning over time. I think it’s very important to be self-reflective and continue to change and grow as we get older. It’s the lived experience and wisdom that comes with growing older that’s pretty awesome.

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