Tea with MD

Hi everyone, my name is Dr. Joyce Park and I am a dermatologist, content creator, and founder of Skin Refinery, a virtual dermatology clinic.

Find me on YouTube, Tiktok, Pinterest, and Instagram I'm born and raised in sunny California where I did my undergrad and medical school training at Stanford. In the middle of med school I took a leap of faith and spent one year exploring journalism, working at NBC News in NYC to create medical pieces for Nightly News and The Today Show. My adventure in social media started back then as a blog, and through the years, my interest in content creation grew to include platforms such as Instagram TikTok and YouTube. Think of me as your friendly neighborhood doc that you can ask anything to, even questions you don't want to ask your real life physician. Hope you find this helpful!

02/20/2026

You bought the same serum… but it doesn’t feel the same anymore 👀

If you’ve used Kérastase Genesis before and thought something changed, you’re not imagining it. The U.S. version was reformulated and Aminexil is no longer included.

Aminexil, also known as 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-3-oxide, is a patented L’Oréal molecule. It is related to minoxidil but does not convert into minoxidil and works differently. Instead of increasing scalp circulation, it has been studied for helping prevent collagen from stiffening around the hair follicle, which may help support the anagen growth phase.

In the U.S., Aminexil is not FDA-approved to market as a hair regrowth ingredient. When you cannot legally make certain claims, formulas sometimes change.

That does not automatically mean the new version is ineffective. But if you felt like the previous formula worked better, this could explain why.

Have you noticed a difference between bottles?

VC: on TT

02/19/2026

Who wants to join us for skin treatments? 🙋🏻‍♀️ I went to Seoul twice in 3 months and have lots to share!

02/18/2026

Let’s talk about 🍷⁠
⁠
Like 30 to 50% of East Asians, I get facial flushing when I drink. My husband does not.⁠
⁠
It comes down to a genetic variant in ALDH2, the enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol. When it does not function efficiently, acetaldehyde builds up 🔥 leading to flushing, warmth, and sometimes palpitations.⁠
⁠
⚠️ That same acetaldehyde buildup is associated with increased esophageal cancer risk with regular alcohol use.⁠
⁠
A small study even looked at topical brimonidine to temporarily reduce alcohol flushing. It reduced redness for about 90 minutes by constricting blood vessels, but it did not lower acetaldehyde levels. In other words, it hides the redness, not the toxin.⁠
PMID: 31799996⁠
⁠
So… do you have Asian glow? What have you tried for it in the past?⁠
⁠
Video credit:

02/17/2026

I flew to Korea to find out I’ve been doing my makeup wrong for decades.

Not wrong products. Wrong prep, wrong colors, and wrong placement.

The biggest difference was how much emphasis was placed on skin prep. Calming pads were left on my red areas for 30 minutes while multiple layers of hydration were applied to rebuild my barrier. My redness was neutralized with green color correction and targeted concealer instead of heavy foundation.

My color analysis placed me in a spring palette, so peach and pastel tones were used instead of the cooler shades I usually wear. My brows were softened and straightened, liner was focused on the outer tail to elongate the eye, and individual lashes were used for a more natural finish.

Even contour and blush placement were different. The goal wasn’t sharp cheekbones, but balance and proportions, including visually shortening the midface.

It wasn’t about using more makeup. It was about using the right tones, the right placement, and prioritizing skin first. Comment “glam” and I’ll DM you the full product list 🤍

02/16/2026

Rating viral skincare trends from a derm ☕️⁠
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🧴 Slugging? 8.5/10. Elite for barrier repair and sealing in moisture, especially if you’re dry or on retinoids. Acne-prone? Proceed with caution.⁠
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🧊 Ice rolling? 6/10. Feels amazing and can calm puffiness temporarily, but it’s more vibe than long-term treatment.⁠
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🥩 Beef tallow as moisturizer? 0/10. Not formulated for skin, can clog pores, and there’s no solid derm data to support it. Beef tallow SPF? I cannot. Hard pass.⁠
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💡 LED masks? 8/10. Red light can support collagen, blue light can target acne. Results take time and consistency and not all devices are created equal.⁠
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Trendy does not always mean effective. Science first. Always.

02/12/2026

Day 30 of 30 Days of Derm Hacks ✨
Wow. That went fast.
If you’ve been here since day one or just found this series somewhere along the way, thank you. This was never about trends or complicated routines. It was about what actually works for your skin, hair, scalp, and nails when you stay consistent.
If you simplified your routine, stopped wasting money, or finally understood what matters and what doesn’t, that’s the win.
I’ve loved building this with you and watching this community grow. And we’re not stopping here.
Drop your questions below and tell me what you want to see next. 🤍

02/11/2026

Day 29 of 30 Days of Derm Hacks ✨

No-nonsense routines for common skin concerns → because skincare does not need to be complicated.

🫧 Acne-prone skin
Keep pores clear, use a lightweight non-comedogenic moisturizer, tinted SPF daily, and adapalene at night.

🌿 Sensitive skin
Keep it simple. Creamy cleanser, soothing moisturizer, mineral SPF. Skip the extras.

🌸 Rosacea
Gentle cleanse, niacinamide to calm, azelaic acid for redness, green-tinted SPF to neutralize.

☀️ Skin longevity
Vitamin C in the morning, tinted SPF daily, peptides for support, retinoid at night.

Different concerns. Different goals. Same derm logic.

💌 Want my free glow-up guide? Comment “glow26” and I’ll DM it to you.

02/10/2026

Day 28 of 30 Days of Derm Hacks ✨

🪥 Breaking out around your mouth?
Brush your teeth before washing your face. Toothpaste residue can trigger perioral breakouts. You’re welcome.

🖐️ New scar you want to heal better?
Massage it 5–10 minutes a day in circles, up and down, and side to side. This can help soften and smooth the scar over time.

🌞 Dark spots that won’t fade?
Use a tinted sunscreen with iron oxides. Visible light is a major trigger for melasma and hyperpigmentation, and iron oxides help protect against it.

🫧 Dealing with body odor?
Benzoyl peroxide wash isn’t just for acne. It reduces odor-causing bacteria when used on the body.

02/09/2026

Day 27 of 30 Days of Derm Hacks ✨

2026 is about doing more with less. Smarter products. Fewer steps. Better results.

These are the derm multitaskers I actually reach for because they solve multiple problems without complicating your routine 👀

🧴
More than dandruff shampoo. Targets yeast, which means it can help with scalp flakes, itch, inflammation, and even shedding when yeast is part of the issue. Can also be used on the body for things like fungal acne or tinea versicolor.

✨ Hypochlorous acid like
A quiet overachiever. Helps calm inflammation and reduce bacteria without disrupting the skin barrier. Great post-workout, for acne-prone or eczema-prone skin, irritated skin folds, and hairline flares.

🫧 Benzoyl peroxide like
Not just for face acne. Also helps with body acne, folliculitis, and odor-causing bacteria. Works quickly and works well.

🌿 Sulfur like
Not trendy, but effective. Helps reduce oil and inflammation and is especially useful for acne and rosacea when stronger actives aren’t tolerated.

02/08/2026

30 Days of Derm Hacks Day 26 . Taking care of your skin at the gym isn’t just about what you do after your workout, it’s about making smart choices before and during, too! 🧼💪
Here’s my top gym advice:

🚫 Skip Makeup at the Gym: Wearing makeup can trap sweat and oil, leading to breakouts. Let your skin breathe while you work out!

🧴 Bring Your Own Towel: Using a personal towel avoids exposure to harsh detergents and bleach that can irritate skin. Plus, you know it’s clean!

🦠 Wipe Down Equipment and Your Phone: Shared surfaces are breeding grounds for bacteria. Sanitizing equipment and your phone can help reduce breakouts .

✨ Use Hypochlorous Acid Mist Post-Workout: This gentle mist kills bacteria on your skin without harsh chemicals, keeping breakouts at bay.

💧 Wash Your Face Before Working Out: Removing makeup and impurities pre-sweat helps prevent clogged pores, keeping your skin fresh and clear.

02/07/2026

Day 25 of 30 Days of Derm Hacks ✨

Drugstore hair care that deserves way more hype 👀

✨ Gentle shampoo + conditioner that actually cleans without stripping
EverPure

❄️ Hydrating anti-dandruff that treats flakes and protects the scalp barrier

💧 Bond-strengthening serum for breakage

🔥 Lightweight heat protectant because heat damage is cumulative

📈 Minoxidil = the true drugstore gold standard for hair regrowth

🫧 Ultra-gentle, fragrance-free options for sensitive or inflamed scalps

02/06/2026

Day 24 of 30 Days of Derm Hacks ✨

Things I will NEVER do to my skin in 2026 ⛔️

🚫 Pick, squeeze, or pop breakouts
This fuels inflammation, slows healing, and increases the risk of dark marks.

🚫 Use harsh physical scrubs
Scrubs and tools disrupt the skin barrier and irritate the skin.

🚫 Wash my face with hot water
Hot water strips the barrier and worsens redness and irritation. Lukewarm only.

🚫 Test too many new products at once
Layering new products together makes it harder to spot irritation and can trigger flares.
What are you ditching in 2026?

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http://www.teawithMD.com/

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