From Lab Coats to Luxury: Celebrating Dr. Stuart Kaplan This Doctors' Day
On National Doctors' Day, we’re proud to celebrate Dr. Stuart Kaplan, the founder of Kaplan MD and a leader in the field of dermatology. With over 35 years of experience in private practice in Beverly Hills, Dr. Kaplan has dedicated his career to helping patients achieve healthy, radiant skin and his expertise extends far beyond the treatment room.
A Legacy of Expertise and Innovation
Dr. Kaplan’s journey into dermatology began with a deep understanding of the science behind skin health. Born and raised in New York City, he excelled academically from a young age, earning a full scholarship to the prestigious Horace Mann School. His passion for science inspired him to pursue a career in medicine, and after completing his undergraduate studies at New York University in just two and a half years, he attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine at age 20.
Dr. Kaplan’s decision to specialize in dermatology was guided by his desire to help improve his patients’ confidence and quality of life. “If your goal as a doctor is to have your patients live forever, you will fail 100% of the time,” he explains. “But if your goal is to improve people’s lives and help them feel happy about themselves, you can succeed every single time.”
The Inspiration Behind Kaplan MD Skincare
Dr. Kaplan founded Kaplan MD with a clear vision: to create a simple, science-based skincare line that delivers real results. He wanted to simplify skincare without sacrificing effectiveness.
“If an ingredient doesn’t exist, I’ll create it,” Dr. Kaplan explains. “I’ve travelled the world to find the right ingredients, and the right delivery systems to make my formulas work the way I want. In fact, I have one laboratory in South Korea that produces a single ingredient just for my eye serum and I am the only person using this ingredient in the entire world.”
His hands-on approach to formulation ensures that every ingredient is carefully selected for maximum clinical efficacy. “For me, it’s not about a product story, it’s about the ingredients,” he says. “I carefully choose the most effective combination for each formula so you get the benefits of multiple ingredients in one product.”
Dr. Kaplan believes that effective skincare shouldn’t require a complicated routine. “Why have 10 products that each focus on one ingredient when you can have one product that gives you the benefits of all 10 ingredients?”
What Makes Kaplan MD Stand Out
Kaplan MD is known for its luxurious yet clinically effective products that are all independently lab-tested to guarantee results. Dr. Kaplan’s direct involvement in the research and formulation process ensures that every product meets his high standards for performance and quality.
“Many doctor-founded brands rely on outside labs to create their formulas,” Dr. Kaplan explains. “They’ll pick a product, choose the color of the box, and put their name on it. That’s not how we do things at Kaplan MD. Every ingredient is tested, researched, and approved by me.”
Kaplan MD products are designed to deliver powerful, lasting results while remaining easy to use, combining high-performing ingredients into products that simplify skincare without compromising efficacy.
The Science Behind the Philosophy
Dr. Kaplan’s approach to skincare is guided by his trademark method, Diamond ContourⓇ Technology. He believes that just like a perfect diamond, youthful skin is defined by its ability to reflect light. And just as a diamond has facets to optimize its brilliance, Dr. Kaplan created the concept of the 4 facets necessary for youthful, beautiful skin: Smoothness, Plumpness, Radiance, and Rejuvenation. When creating his products, every formula is designed to improve all 4 facets of beautiful skin.
His passion for ingredients drives his constant innovation. “I’m an ingredient nerd,” he admits. His dedication to quality means that he will go to extraordinary lengths to secure the best possible ingredients for his products.
One of his favorite ingredients is crushed diamonds, which are included in every Kaplan MD Diamond Contour product. “I take real diamonds and finely mill them to a very specific size, so that this substance, which is the hardest material in the world, is transformed into the softest, silkiest powder. It is my favorite skincare ingredient because it can singularly improve all 4 facets of beautiful skin,” he says. “Depending on the concentration I choose, I can have them exfoliate and polish the skin, to bring fresh new cells to the surface, while also enhancing skin radiance and rejuvenation.”
A Doctor Who Cares
While Dr. Kaplan’s success is rooted in science, his approach to skincare is deeply personal. He understands that skincare is about more than just looking good, it’s about feeling confident in your skin.
“I wasn’t born a doctor,” Dr. Kaplan says. “I learned and was taught the science behind skin in a way that made sense to me. My goal is to translate that understanding through my products, so you feel confident in your skin.”
This personal connection to skincare drives the brand’s authenticity and effectiveness. Dr. Kaplan’s products are more than just formulas, they are a reflection of his expertise, care, and dedication to his patients.
Honoring Dr. Kaplan
On National Doctors' Day, we are proud to celebrate Dr. Kaplan’s dedication to skincare and patient care. His work has not only transformed the skin of thousands but also redefined what it means to combine medical science with luxury skincare. Thank you, Dr. Kaplan, for your expertise, innovation, and unwavering commitment to skin health.
