Celebrating Second Annual National Dermatologist Day with Launch of EltaMD’s ‘Derm Difference’ Campaign

March 13 marks the second annual National Dermatologist Day. Established by EltaMD in 2024,¹ the day honors the expertise and dedication of dermatologists who play a crucial role in skin health.

This year, EltaMD is continuing its efforts with the launch of the Derm Difference campaign—a series of conversations with leading dermatologists aimed at showcasing the life-saving, problem-solving, and confidence-restoring impact of dermatology.²

“At EltaMD, dermatologists are at the heart of everything we do,” said Echo Sandburg, Chief Brand Officer, CP Skin Health.¹ “As experts in skin health, they play a vital role in guiding consumers. Through this content series, we aim to showcase the Derm Difference by elevating their voices, inspiring greater recognition for their expertise, and encouraging more people to visit a skin health professional.”

The Derm Difference: Recognizing the Impact of Dermatologists

The Derm Difference campaign highlights board-certified dermatologists through 3 key themes:

• Derms Save Lives – Mona Gohara, MD, and Dustin Portela, DO, emphasize dermatologists' role in skin cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.
• Derms Solve Skin Issues – Elyse Love, MD, FAAD, and Andrea Suarez, MD, FAAD, address how dermatologists manage chronic skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation.
• Derms Give Confidence – Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, and Noelani González, MD, explore how healthy skin and cosmetic dermatology impact self-esteem.

Portela shared how his own experience with acne led him to dermatology.
“I didn’t even know about the specialty of dermatology growing up in a very small farming community in Idaho,” Portela said. “And I know that it impacted my self-confidence. So I love that I’m able to give that confidence to somebody else with my knowledge in how to treat and help the skin look better.”

This patient-centered approach is crucial, particularly given the increasing burden of skin cancer and chronic skin conditions.³

“National Dermatologist Day is important because it highlights the unique expertise dermatologists bring to patient care,” Engelman told Dermatology Times. “As board-certified physicians with extensive training in skin, hair, and nail diseases, we undergo rigorous education: 4 years of medical school, 1 year of internship, and 3 years of dermatology residency. I, and many of us pursued additional fellowship training in specialized areas, such as Mohs micrographic surgery and procedural dermatology.”

Board-certified dermatologists featured in EltaMD's Derm Difference campaign | Image Credit: © EltaMD

Battling Misinformation: The Role of Dermatologists in Skin Care Education

With an overwhelming amount of skin care misinformation circulating online, dermatologists play a key role in dispelling myths and guiding consumers toward evidence-based care. The Derm Difference campaign provides a platform for dermatologists to counter misinformation and advocate for clinical-backed skin care.

“Despite the vastness of the skin care industry and the numerous platforms offering skin care information, there remains a significant gap in awareness regarding the importance of seeking out products and ingredients that deliver proven results,” Sandburg told Dermatology Times. “Dermatologists, as skin experts, recommend clinically-backed products to address skin concerns for a reason. By collaborating with Elle.com to raise awareness on this topic, we can further educate patients and showcase the expertise of dermatologists to a wider and more engaged audience.”

Engelman outlined some of the most common skin care myths she encounters:

• Myth 1: Natural ingredients are always safer than synthetic ones.

“This binary thinking is scientifically inaccurate. Many natural substances (poison ivy, for example) can cause severe reactions, while many synthetic ingredients have excellent safety profiles,” she said. “I address this by explaining that safety depends on specific ingredients, their concentration, formulation, and individual skin types—not whether they're natural or synthetic.”

• Myth 2: You need a 10-step routine for healthy skin.

“This misconception drives unnecessary product purchases and can actually damage the skin barrier,” Engelman noted. “I emphasize that most people need just 3-4 products: cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and potentially 1 targeted treatment.”

• Myth 3: DIY remedies are as effective as dermatologist-recommended treatments.

“While some home remedies have merit, many (like lemon juice or baking soda) can harm the skin,” she said. “I address this by acknowledging the appeal of DIY approaches while providing context about pH balance, skin barrier function, and evidence-based alternatives.”

• Myth 4: Sunscreen is only needed on sunny days or at the beach.

“This dangerous myth contributes to skin cancer rates," Engelman cautioned. “I counter it by explaining that UV damage occurs year-round, even on cloudy days and through windows, making daily sunscreen essential.”

Dermatologists as Life-Savers: A Story of Early Detection

Beyond treating skin conditions, dermatologists are often the first line of defense against deadly skin cancers. Engelman shared a powerful case from her practice:

“One of the stories that comes to mind is an 81 year-old who came to me for removal of a ‘barnacle’ on her face. I biopsied it and it was Merkel cell carcinoma, which can be quite deadly,” she said. “I removed it surgically with 2 cm margins and repaired the defect with a favorable cosmetic outcome. I followed her 12 years after her initial diagnosis without any recurrence or metastasis.”

EltaMD is reinforcing this life-saving mission by partnering with the Melanoma Research Foundation. When 313 stories are shared on social media as part of the Derm Difference campaign, EltaMD will donate $100,000 MSRP of sunscreen and skin care products to support the foundation’s patient and caregiver program.

“We are always looking for ways to give back and support research and prevention of all skin cancers, and we have been big supporters of the Melanoma Researcher Foundation for years now,” Sandburg said. “By partnering with them, we hope to help provide sun protection to those who do not have access to SPF and are receiving treatment for melanoma.”

Beyond National Dermatologist Day: A Year-Round Commitment

While National Dermatologist Day takes place annually on March 13, EltaMD remains committed to dermatologists throughout the year. The brand continues to advocate for skin cancer awareness, sun safety, and evidence-based skin care during Skin Cancer Awareness Month, peak sun season, and beyond.

“To us, Derm Day is every day,” Sandburg said. “We are committed to supporting this community day in and day out to help consumers understand a dermatologist's role and the difference they can truly make. They are the ones working daily to help prevent, diagnose, and treat skin cancers and provide education around sun safety.”

To further commemorate National Dermatologist Day, EltaMD and dermatologists will ring the Closing Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. The Derm Difference video series will be released on EltaMD’s Instagram channel throughout March and April.

“Our goal with this campaign is to help patients see their skin beyond the surface in order to see the difference a derm can make,” Sandburg emphasized. “Derms don’t just see skin differently—they save lives."

References

1. EltaMD establishes March 13th as National Dermatologist Day, building a healthier future for all. News release. PR Newswire. March 13, 2024. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eltamd-establishes-march-13th-as-national-dermatologist-day-building-a-healthier-future-for-all-302087401.html
2. EltaMD commemorates second annual Dermatologist Day with the launch of 'Derm Difference' campaign to empower consumers with expert insights. News release. PR Newswire. March 13, 2025. Accessed March 13, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eltamd-commemorates-second-annual-dermatologist-day-with-the-launch-of-derm-difference-campaign-to-empower-consumers-with-expert-insights-302400611.html
3. Zhou L, Zhong Y, Han L, et al. Global, regional, and national trends in the burden of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: insights from the global burden of disease study 1990–2021. Sci Rep 15, 5996 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-90485-3