by Anne Dimon
On a recent Caribbean cruise on Holland America Line, I met Dr. Maurice Diaz (MD) is a licensed medical spa physician and cosmetic medicine specialist specializing in improving appearance through non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments and procedures. Since 2025, he has been working at The Greenhouse Spa & Salon in Holland America.
While I didn’t experience the spa, I did take the time to meet with Dr. Diaz to discuss the growing interest in anti-aging and how many of us would definitely like to reverse aging facial skin. On this topic, I asked Dr. Diaz for his best advice for basic skin care and slowing the signs of aging.
First and foremost, he says, “the best tool we have to prevent skin damage is sunscreen.” With a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, he says sunscreen should be applied every three to four hours throughout the day, and surprisingly, even when we’re indoors. In addition to the damaging effects of sunlight, he explains, “the blue light emitted by digital screens has also been shown to cause hyperpigmentation.”
Second, he notes that “injectables are the most popular treatment because they produce immediate results. One example he mentioned is hyaluronic acid injections, which draw moisture from other parts of the body to achieve effects like smoothing wrinkles or plumping lips. The brand of product he uses on board is Restylane.”
Finally, he told me that in addition to sunscreen, the basic and necessary skin care products that can help prevent or at best delay future damage are cleanser, toner, and moisturizer (for eyes, face, neck, and hands respectively).
The other two steps are the mask and exfoliation. Use a mask that works best for your individual skin type at least twice a week, he says. And, exfoliate at least once a week, and again, whatever works best for your skin type. Regarding skin type, he says it’s best to consult a dermatologist or esthetician first.
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Holland America cruise passengers can enjoy a 25% discount when booking a spa or salon treatment before boarding the ship. Holland America Greenhouse Spa and Salon