Can You Really Have Skin So Good You Won’t Want To Wear Makeup?

“Alongside regimen consistency and damage prevention, the pillars of great skin include using collagen-boosting active ingredients,” says Dr. Gross of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. “This means applying skincare with ingredients that stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen, which is the protein that provides the structure and framework of the skin.” Collagen levels naturally begin to decline in our late twenties, so it’s never too early to start boosting this essential skin building block. “Clinically studied and proven actives that trigger collagen production include vitamin C, retinol, LED light therapy and peptides. They’ll truly make a difference in seeing dramatic results from a skincare routine alone.”

When building any skincare routine, it’s key to use products regularly to see a difference. “You’re more likely to see desired results from a few multi-tasking skincare products that work together to treat multiple layers of the skin and prevent irritation when you apply them every day,” says Dr. Gross, who stresses that the one non-negotiable daily essential is sunscreen. “The sun is the skin’s number-one aggressor when it comes to signs of premature aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, chronic dryness, overproduction of oil, or a compromised moisture barrier. Using sun protection and antioxidants every day are important to not only treat but prevent these signs of aging from surfacing prematurely.” He recommends using a minimum protection of SPF30 in either a chemical or mineral formula, such as his All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF50.

According to Dr. Gross, just three minutes a day of light therapy will make a real difference to your skin. “In addition to topicals, LED light therapy is one of the greatest tools we have to improve skin tone and texture. It’s an incredible technology that I’ve been using in my clinic for years, and it inspired me to create the FDA-cleared DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, which uses both red and blue LED light to treat and prevent signs of aging and acne.” Specifically, red LED light targets redness, reduces discoloration and inflammation and stimulates collagen production, which helps to plump out fine lines and wrinkles, while blue LED light heals and prevents breakouts by killing acne-causing bacteria. “It’s a great solution for treating acne, because it doesn’t dry the skin or trigger sensitivity.”

After cleansing, it’s essential that your skin is completely dry, not damp, before applying your serums and creams. “Products are designed to be used on clean, dry skin, and that’s how they’re tested for effectiveness. Water can not only impair penetration and slow down absorption, but it dilutes the ingredients in the formula, too,” says Dr. Gross. When it comes to product order, “remember to layer your products from the thinnest texture to the thickest for maximum absorption and performance”.

“Nearly everyone can benefit from a professional chemical peel on a routine basis,” says Dr. Gross. “They’re a great way to support your overall at-home efforts, plus, the benefits alone are endless: smoother, brighter skin, boosted collagen production and cleared pores are just a few.” To avoid anything too aggressive, he suggests asking your dermatologist for a multi-acid peel that doesn’t require downtime. Once you’ve had a treatment, use a gentle resurfacing face mask such as Révive’s AHA and BHA-rich Masque de Brilliance one to two times a week at home to prolong the results. Or, if you prefer a more gentle but consistent approach, consider a daily buffing treatment such as La Mer’s brilliantly hydrating The Resurfacing Exfoliating Treatment or Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel pads. “New clinical research shows that [as well as working on cell turnover] they also increase procollagen levels over time (the precursor to collagen) and, with continued use, can increase skin density, so you’ll see firmer, smoother skin.”

Adhering to the rules of good skin overall counts for a lot, but for many of us, focusing a little extra attention on our individual concerns can go a long way for more even, calm and clear skin results.

“Look for nourishing, barrier-boosting ingredients such as niacinamide, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid and ectoin, which will repair the skin and help to strengthen its barrier function. You don’t need the highest concentration of these ingredients, rather a gentle formula that has precise concentrations for optimal performance.”

“Red and blue LED light therapy are a powerhouse combination when it comes to treating and preventing breakouts. Red light diminishes redness around the blemish and helps to flatten inflammation, while blue light destroys acne bacteria and purifies the lining of the pores to prevent breakouts.”

“Retinol is clinically proven to ramp up cell turnover, stimulate collagen production and smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Traditionally, retinol is known to be irritating and drying, so look for a formula that combines retinol with other soothing actives to see the best results.”

“Vitamin C is one of the few proven ingredients that can target the pigment-producing cells in the skin and disrupt hyperpigmentation. Additionally, vitamin C stimulates new collagen production, contributing to stronger, healthier skin, with fewer lines and wrinkles over time.”

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