8 Philly Women on How Their Skin Gets Its Glow
These are the services they swear by and the holy-grail products they can't live without.
Ever see a woman and wonder why her skin looks so gorgeous and glowy? We asked eight Philly women to share their skin care stories.
Melissa Magee
6 ABC meteorologist and host of FYI Philly; 40, Center City
Photograph by Dave Moser
Service I swear by: The oxygenating facial at Cure de Repos.
Holy-grail product: I really saw a difference when I started drinking a gallon of water a day.
Grocery-store hack: Vitamin E. I pop the capsules and squeeze the gel onto a cut that I don’t want to leave a scar. Or if my lips are super-chapped, I’ll apply it overnight.
Erum Ilyas
Dermatologist; 44, Wayne
Photograph by Dave Moser
On my bathroom counter: CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Neutrogena Hydro Boost serum, and a prescription retinoid called tazarotene.
When I started Botox: 37. I do half the recommended amount. You can still see that I’m surprised or mad.
Best-ever skin-care decision: A course of Accutane at 35. I don’t worry about consistent breakouts anymore.
Jesse Lucas
Event planner and stylist with Clover Event Co.; 32, Roxborough
Photograph by Dave Moser
Holy-grail product: Garnier micellar water. When I’m feeling lazy, I use it as a replacement for washing my face.
My best tip: Instead of rubbing on serum from my hands, I apply it directly and pat it in. Then I hold my hands up against my face. Body heat helps it absorb into your skin.
K-beauty buy: Peach Slices Water Crystal hydrating mask. It’s incredibly hydrating, and it’s also fun to walk around with a chrome blue face in the morning.
Sage Cifaloglio
NBCUniversal internal auditor and former Eagles cheerleading captain; 29, Fairmount
Photograph by Dave Moser
My skin is: Dehydrated. I use Living Libations Best Skin Ever sea buckthorn face oil instead of a cream.
Holy-grail product: My jade gua sha tool. It helps absorb oil and evens out my skin tone.
Amazon beauty buy: My Beauty Diary squalene sheet masks are the most hydrating things ever.
What I spend on instead of facials: Workout classes at Unite Fitness.
Ruth Snyderman
Retired gallerist, former owner of Snyderman-Works Galleries; 82, Old City
Photograph by Dave Moser
What keeps me radiant: Always being active and having friends who are younger.
On my bathroom counter: Ahava moisturizer — I like the creaminess — and any kind of soap that’s handmade, for no reason except that I want to support the person making it.
What I spend on instead of facials: Going to Miami. To me, it’s the liveliest place in Florida. We love the Latin culture; we love the music.
Morrisa Jenkins
Co-founder of Freedom Apothecary; 34, Northern Liberties
Photograph by Dave Moser
What I don’t do: Use a cleanser every day. Maybe four times a week, I wash with Botnia’s Gentle Cleanser.
On my bathroom counter: Lilfox Sandalo toning mist, Botnia’s Replenishing Facial Oil and Berlin Skin Sandalwood Cream when it’s colder, and Black Girl Sunscreen, which doesn’t leave a white residue.
My best skin tip: Don’t let your mask dry completely. Spray hydrosol along the way to keep it moist before removing it.
Ileana Saldivia
Owner of Sugar Realm Fine Bakery & Cake Design; 47, Haverford
Photograph by Dave Moser
On my bathroom counter: A Clarisonic brush. I use it religiously — even when it runs out of batteries.
Holy-grail product: La Roche-Posay Anthelios tinted mineral sunscreen in lieu of foundation. I apply it multiple times a day.
Grocery-store hack: Using milk of magnesia like a mask—get the regular kind, not peppermint. It helps eliminate redness and prevent breakouts. My teenagers use it on acne with great results.
Diane Oliva
Owner of Ellie Main Line boutique and an operations analyst with Brandywine Realty Trust; 55, West Chester
Photograph by Dave Moser
Skin issue I struggle with: Sagging. I wish I could repeal the law of gravity.
What I do every night: Double-cleanse with DHC Deep Cleansing Oil followed by Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser.
Service I swear by: Jessica Sager’s custom facials at Claytor Noone Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr.
Holy-grail product: Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM. My skin looks tighter and smoother and like it has fewer pores.
Published as “My Skin Story” in the February 2020 issue of Philadelphia magazine.
