Celebrated in L&rsquo;Officiel Philippines&rsquo; Beauty Awards, Dr. Coreen Copuyoc represents the new wave of authority-meets-authenticity in beauty.

PHOTOGRAPHY JV Rabano
CREATIVE DIRECTION Loris Pe&ntilde;a, Maura Rodriguez, and Frances Laman
Dr. Coreen Copuyoc has emerged as the go-to dermatologist for the TikTok and Reel era, seamlessly bridging expertise with relatability. Inspired by a close family friend who was a dermatologist, she recalls, &ldquo;Dermatology became the natural path for me because it combined all the things I loved: science, skincare, my visual and aesthetic side, and the joy I find in helping people transform and glow.&rdquo; Her transition online began naturally: sharing snippets of life and skincare tips, she never set out to become an influencer. She emphasizes, &ldquo;Authenticity and sincerity are non-negotiables&hellip; I aim to be your &lsquo;bestie derm.&rsquo;&rdquo; This approach resonates strongly, making her advice approachable while rooted in science. Even amidst the pressures of algorithms and fast-moving trends, she stays grounded: &ldquo;I am a board-certified dermatologist first, and that won&rsquo;t change.&rdquo; Through her content, Dr. Coreen educates, empowers, and inspires a new generation to embrace informed, confident skincare routines.
Here, we sat down with Dr. Coreen for a short chat about what drives her vision for the Philippine dermatology landscape and what sets her apart from general &ldquo;DermTok.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Hi Dr. Coreen! What first inspired you to pursue dermatology, and how did you transition from building your practice to also becoming a trusted voice online?
I struggled with acne in high school, and I was fortunate to have a close friend whose mom was a dermatologist. She guided me with so much care, and that made such a huge difference in my confidence and inspired me deeply. At that time, I wasn&rsquo;t sure about medical school because it felt like such a long journey! But I was always a science nerd growing up, I joined science olympiads and quiz bees &mdash; and slowly, with my mom&rsquo;s encouragement, I realized medicine was something I wanted to pursue.
Dermatology became the natural path for me because it combined all the things I loved: science, skincare, my visual and aesthetic side, and the joy I find in helping people transform and glow. The transition into the online space happened quite naturally too. I downloaded Instagram back in 2012 and started sharing little snippets of my life, photos, and tips. I didn&rsquo;t consciously think of myself as an influencer, it was more of a passion project and a way to connect. Over time, as I received so much support from the community and even recognition from agencies, I realized the impact I could have. Becoming a trusted voice online is something I&rsquo;m very grateful for, and I see it as a responsibility I hold with care.
Many people know you through your social media platforms &mdash; what do you think makes your online approach to skincare and dermatology resonate so strongly with your audience?
For me, authenticity and sincerity are non-negotiables. I only share what I truly believe in, whether it&rsquo;s a personal discovery or a collaboration. I think people sense that honesty. I&rsquo;ve also always aimed to be approachable, more like your &lsquo;bestie derm&rsquo; than someone striving for the title of &ldquo;the best.&rdquo; I believe trust is what builds lasting relationships online. Trends come and go, but trust and genuine care create loyal followers who really value both you and your expertise.
As a dermatologist who&rsquo;s also highly visible online, how do you balance being informative and scientific while still remaining approachable and relatable?
I think the balance comes from showing different sides of myself and staying authentic at the core. My followers know that behind the feed, my love for dermatology and the care of my patients always come first. Over time, my platform has evolved. These days, I find myself doing a lot of live events and speaking engagements compared to just short-form videos, and I think that helps strengthen the credibility of the content I share online. But I still keep things light, relatable, and true to myself, because I want people to see not just the doctor, but the person behind the doctor too.

"My role, I hope, is to be a bridge: making science understandable, skincare relatable, and the field of dermatology more interesting and accessible to anyone who&rsquo;s curious or in need."

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in establishing yourself as both a respected dermatologist in real life and a sought-after figure in the digital space?
Wearing both hats &mdash; being a board-certified dermatologist and a content creator, is already a huge challenge. Like anyone, I juggle so many responsibilities (adulting included!). And I&rsquo;ve definitely faced anxiety, especially in the digital world where things move so fast and can sometimes feel toxic and overwhelming. There&rsquo;s constant pressure to keep up with trends, but I&rsquo;ve learned to step back and remind myself: I am a board-certified dermatologist first, and that won&rsquo;t change because of an algorithm.
Another challenge is that not everyone in our society views social media in the same light. There can be differing opinions on its role in our field and our right to freedom of expression, but I personally see it as a tool: one that, when used thoughtfully, can really expand education and accessibility.
Despite those challenges, creating content has been a source of joy for me. It has pushed me to grow, to adapt, and to learn skills I never imagined I&rsquo;d use as a dermatologist. Most importantly, it&rsquo;s helped me build a supportive community and meaningful friendships in the creator space, which makes the journey even more fulfilling.
How do you see the future of dermatology in the Philippines evolving with the rise of social media, and what role do you hope to play in shaping that conversation?
I think the future of dermatology in the Philippines will depend on how well we integrate with social media, because it&rsquo;s only going to become more ingrained in daily life. Social media can be a powerful tool as it can expand accessibility, build credibility, spread knowledge, and influence in meaningful ways. Of course, it has its drawbacks, but with the right approach, it can really uplift the field.
Personally, I hope to use my platform to empower both patients and future dermatologists by sharing accurate, approachable information, championing skin health, and showing that dermatology is not just about aesthetics, but about overall well-being. My role, I hope, is to be a bridge: making science understandable, skincare relatable, and the field of dermatology more interesting and accessible to anyone who&rsquo;s curious or in need.
PRODUCERS Loris Pe&ntilde;a, Maura Rodriguez, Knelle Rosario, and Frances Laman
MAKEUP&nbsp;Pam Robes (for Lake), Jazthine Manaloto (for Sally)&nbsp; and Don De Jesus (on Alex and Ivana)&nbsp;
HAIR Carlo Roblico (for Lake and Sally) and Miggy Carbonilla (for Alex and Ivanna)&nbsp;
FASHION Suit It Up Manila
PRODUCT STYLING Chila Zialcita
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Anne Quiogue &amp; Mel Estillore
MODELS Lake Trystynne and Alex from Monarq, Sally and Ivanna from Luminary Models
SHOOT ASSISTANT Tere Gabat
INTERN Jeron Ellana

Beauty Awards 2025: Meet the Go-To Filipina Dermatologist for the Digital Age

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