Dr. Shereene Idriss's Must-Have Products
Dr. Shereene Idriss's Must Haves: From Silk Pajamas to a Nappy Rash Cream
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Renowned board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD, otherwise known as PillowtalkDerm on TikTok to her 752K followers, has had a passion for medicine since she was a little girl. It was fuelled by a love of artistry, specifically painting and sculpting, which helped her develop a keen eye and attention to detail. Now, as a seasoned professional, her favourite part of practicing dermatology is witnessing her patients' transformations. "Watching how they've evolved [and] how they're becoming more confident, not just in their looks, but in their personalities" is something that Dr. Idriss finds very fulfiling.
Her journey on social media started in 2018 when she wanted to find an outlet to help people outside the walls of her office. She wanted to replicate that feeling she gives her patients in office to a wider audience, especially those who might not have the privilege of seeing a dermatologist. Her goal was to "give people information so they don't get taken for a ride," Dr. Idriss tells POPSUGAR. "I just started answering questions and not caring about what I looked like or sounded like. I was literally in bed with my retainer and my glasses, and I didn't care. It was so liberating and freeing."
She also wanted to help people find affordable and effective skin-care products. "To get a message from somebody in Europe telling me I've helped them overcome their insecurities, or a teenager because I helped with their acne — I was shocked that I could have an impact beyond a face-to-face connection. That's what drove me," she says. It was that connection to her audience that also inspired her to create her own namesake skin-care line, Dr. Idriss.
When she's not treating her patients at her practice and demystifying the world of skin care on TikTok, Dr. Idriss loves to spend her time experimenting with cooking and travelling. Ahead, you can check out her current must-have products, including an unconventional skin-care product, her favourite pajamas, and more.
Dr. Shereene Idriss's Affordable Must Have
Dr. Idriss discovered the versatility of the Triple Paste Nappy Rash Cream ($17) as a skin-care product through motherhood. "It is a cream that is designed for your baby's bottom, especially when they have irritation," she says. Dr. Idriss likes to use it as an overnight treatment mask, or for "face basting," when her skin feels inflamed or irritated. "It's a combination of petrolatum, which is like Vaseline, and zinc oxide, which is very soothing and has anti-inflammatory properties," she says. She recommends this product for anyone who wants to lock in hydration, whether you have really dry skin or an inflamed skin barrier.
Pro Tip: Dr. Idriss notes that because it is thick and leaves a white cast, it's best not to use it in the morning. "A little bit goes a very long way," she says.
Dr. Shereene Idriss's Investment Must Have
Dr. Idriss deems the Eight Sleep Pod Cover ($2,245, originally $2,295) a "marriage saviour" because it allows her and her husband to control the temperatures of their respective sides of the bed. It works by heating or cooling a water pipe that runs through the mattress, subsequently adjusting the temperature of the bed. "You don't even hear it happening," she says. It can cool to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or warm to as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and throughout the night, it will adjust the temperature to your ideal setting.
Pro Tip: This also comes with an app that can track your sleep stages, heart rate, respiratory rate, and more, so it's great for those who are looking for insight into their health.
Dr. Shereene Idriss's Morning Routine Must Have
As soon as Dr. Idriss wakes up, she uses Dr. Idriss The Depuffer ($38) from her own brand around her eyes. "It really gives me that head start to getting ready in the morning," she says. The Depuffer contains arnica, which helps reduce the look of swelling, and centella asiatica, which calms the skin. "It helps with the look of redness, which is key because I also suffer from allergies." The rest of her morning skin-care routine features her brightening Major Fade Hyper Serum and Major Fade Active Seal Moisturiser. After those products absorb into the skin, she goes in with a sunscreen.
Pro Tip: She recommends putting The Depuffer in the fridge for an extra-cooling and soothing effect.
Dr. Shereene Idriss's Sleep Must Have
Although Dr. Idriss notes that she wants to get better at staying off her phone before bed, her nighttime routine consists of answering questions for her PillowtalkDerm followers. She gets cosy and embraces her inner luxe self in her Olivia Von Halle Silk Satin Pajamas ($672). Dr. Idriss loves the lightweight feel and breathability of these pajamas. "They're just beautiful, and I've worn them out, actually. I feel like Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,'" she says. These pajamas are made from silk and come in a variety of patterns and colours.
Pro Tip: You can choose from silk satin, cotton silk, crêpe de chine, or silk velvet, depending on your sleep needs.
Dr. Shereene Idriss's Travel Must Have
Dr. Idriss loves the functionality of the Tumi Just in Case Backpack ($150). In fact, she's had it for more than eight years. "It's a bag that folds into a pouch, and when you unfold it, it becomes a backpack," she says. "You can use it when you need it and hide it if you don't." She appreciates that it's lightweight, too. It has two compartments for organisation, making it a perfect personal item on flights. It comes in five chic colours as well.
Pro Tip: When travelling, Dr. Idriss creates her own glycerin mist to keep her skin hydrated. She also recommends packing extra SPF for the plane.
