Brooke and Lauren, otherwise known as The Skin Sisters, are like the sister or best friend that you always wanted when it comes to skin care product recommendations.  We started following them a couple of years ago when we met them….and have been HOOKED ever since.  And what we love most?  They REALLY know what they’re talking about.  Together, they have over two decades of clinical dermatology experience between them. Keep reading and find out why you MUST follow The Skin Sisters on Instagram!

Name: Brooke Moss and Lauren Sundick (their sisters!)

Age: 37/38

Kid(s) and Ages:

Brooke:  Zoe (2) and Micah (5mo) Lauren: Madeline (7) Marvin (5)

Where do you live?

We both live in Edina, MN

Tell us about The Skin Sisters!

Together, we share information about skincare, skin health and products via Instagram @TheSkinSisters. We have over two decades of combined clinical experience as Physician Assistants specialized in Dermatology. Through our social media channels (including Instagram, TikTok, Clubhouse), we use our expert skincare knowledge to share scientific information in an easy to understand, quick to read, engaging and fun way. We share everything from product recommendations to understanding the basic chemistry behind ingredients – everything you need to know to keep your skin looking great!

But you both also see patients too…?

We both see patients for skin health and aesthetics at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants in Edina, MN. We bring our many years of clinical experience and love of the skin to this setting to offer aesthetic treatments including neuromodulator injections (ex. Botox), skincare consultations, and we also treat conditions like acne, rosacea and rashes.

How did you start your business? 

We started our business in the summer of 2017. We were having dinner at Lauren’s house; both of our phones were dinging nonstop with texts from friends and family members asking about skincare products. “I’m at Target and going on vacation – what’s the best sunscreen?”, “My skin is so dry, what should I buy?” Right then and there, we decided to share our expert knowledge and inside scoop through Instagram. We had the answers to all of the little questions you may not schedule a medical visit to discuss, but the questions that people wanted answered when it came to skincare. We wanted to offer the general public the same access to our expert knowledge in the intimate way our own little sister has access, and ‘The Skin Sisters’ was born!

What piece of advice would you give to other women who are looking to start their own business or make a career shift or pivot?

Go for it! Have fun, practice open communication with your business partner, and have a plan. Don’t underestimate the value that your expertise has for someone else and the impact that you can make.

You give such amazing tips on your Instagram account for skincare—you really spell it out, offering great product options etc.  What are three easy tips you give to moms when it comes to skincare?

1. Less stuff & better stuff! Don’t spend a ton of time (which you don’t have!) or money on buying every trending product. Understand your skin, choose products targeted to your goals, and be consistent with them.
2. Look for products that offer multiple benefits. Ie. if you use a Vitamin C product and a peptide product, there might be ONE product that offers both ingredients in a single step.
3. If nothing else, wear sunscreen. Even if you’re home all day on Zoom or with your kids, don’t skimp on the SPF. The short bursts of exposure throughout the day (letting the dog out, running to pickup, even sitting near the window) add up to hours of sun exposure throughout the week!

What are your five products you use every day without fail?

Brooke:

Circcell Vitamin C ampoules

Circcell ABO Oxegenating Eye Cream

Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm

Cerave PM Lotion

Supergoop! Superscreen

Lauren:

Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Serum

Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser

Aquaphor for my lips

EltaMD UV Clear Sunscreen

Revision Skincare DEJ Eye Cream

Finish this sentence. I can’t live without…….

Brooke: My fuzzy Birkenstock sandals!

Lauren: Coffee with almond milk.

How do you balance it all?  Do you have any #momhacks to share that makes this easier?

B:

Well, I’m not sure that I AM balancing it all but what I try as best I can. As cheesy as it sounds, my #momhack is to not beat myself up if I simply cannot do every single thing I could do before kid(s). I love to champion women and give major props to the super moms who can truly ‘do it all’, but allowing myself the headspace to realize on some days I just can’t do it all has been not only comforting but has allowed me to change my perspective of success and failure in a good way.

L:

The best #momhack I have is to make a plan. What needs to happen the next day and what do I need to have ready to make it happen. Also, an early childhood specialist once advised me to identify conflict spots before we get there. Is there always a battle over shoe choice? Remove the shoe choice and just have one pair for your child. This could be applied to a million different topics, but it’s made everything easier! Lastly, ask for help.

Talk to us about mom guilt…do you have it?  How do you combat it?

B:

The mom guilt is REAL! I was so lucky to stay home with my daughter Zoe during most of the pandemic, while I was also pregnant with our son. We spent every.single.minute.together. And that caused me to have major guilt about having a new baby, going back to work, hiring help. It’s so hard to fight it! I try to combat it by carving out at least a little time, even if its just ten minutes, every day for “Special Zoe Time” when the baby is sleeping or if Dad is home and can watch him. I try to do the same with the baby too so that he can get some dedicated 1:1 Mom time. But UGH…the guilt!!!

L:

It’s impossible to escape mom guilt. But it’s also impossible to be there for every moment while simultaneously working to achieve my own goals AND set a good example for my kids. My kids were distance learning most of the fall, which made the guilt even worse, because they were home while I was needing to do work. In past years, I could get in most work hours while they were at school, but suddenly I was needing to work in front of them. Scheduling in quality time and making sure it was doing something that the kids love really helps.

What’s at least one regular family routine you have implemented to keep your family running smooth (i.e. family dinner time every night, family meeting every Sunday night etc)?

B: Dinner at 5:30p, every night.

L: Reading together before bedtime is a favorite. They read to us and then we read to them. 

Who is in your mom tribe and how did you meet them?

B: I am lucky to also have several friends who had babies at the same time(s) as I did and those women have become my closest friends. Some are women I’ve known my whole life and some are new friends and they are all amazing and such a wonderful support system. They keep me accountable to take care of myself while also taking care of kids, family, patients, etc.

L: The ‘tribe’ is made up of many women around the country. Some are my closest friends from my early 20’s in NYC and we compare parenting experiences from around the country. Some are lifelong friends who are back in MN with me and we’re navigating the day-to-day together. And some are the parents of my children’s best friends – these bonds are quite deep as we watch our kids grow together. All of these friends are a part of the puzzle and I cherish so much the many multigenerational friendships that we lean on.

What is one piece of advice for new moms that you wish someone told you before motherhood?

B: It’s OK if you don’t read any of the books😊

L: Every hurdle is just a phase. Be patient and kind to yourself.

When you have time to yourself, what do you like to do?

B: Well, before Pandemic I would have said travel and explore new restaurants! But in our new reality if I have 20 minutes I love to take a bath with tons of products, read a great historical fiction novel on my Kindle or talk a walk with friends/family.

L: My favorite activities are playing tennis, skiing, and trying new restaurants – but these days, I often take the moments to myself to organize something that’s been bugging me or just sit and watch Netflix or look at spring clothes and remember this crazy time will pass.

One silver lining that came from the pandemic.

B: Appreciation for the small everyday wonder of boring ol’ daily life.

L: Quality time with my kids. I never would have imagined seeing them every day all day and observing them in (virtual) class. It was trying, but I got to know them in a way I never would have otherwise.

Make sure you follow The Skin Sisters  for more and check out their website here. 

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