The older I get the more interested I am in longevity and in keeping my organs healthy. The skin is a big one. It’s actually the largest one in our body. The skin, which is made of millions of cells, water, proteins, fats and minerals, has 3 main layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. As we age, our collagen and elastin production naturally declines and the middle layer of our skin (the dermis) becomes thiner, resulting in a loss of firmness and wrinkles. Those are some of the reasons why our skin becomes less firm and we get wrinkles. Now, the key to maintaining healthy skin and slowing down aging is to use the right active ingredients and brands that know how to formulate to deliver results. I’ve been sharing my favorite French pharmacy products, but it’s time to talk about some of my favorite US skincare brands. You’ll find a list of brands and products below. Most of them are medical-grade skincare products. They contain higher concentrations of active ingredients and are backed by science when it comes to delivering visible results. These are the products I like and use. Let’s dive in!

OBAGI

Founded in 1988 by dermatologist Dr. Obagi, this brand is a pioneer in the field of medical-grade skincare. Their products are designed to address a variety of skin concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. They use active ingredients that are formulated to penetrate the skin barrier effectively, promoting skin health and rejuvenation. I love their Professional C Peptide Complex Serum, which I have been using for many years. It contains 2 powerful active ingredients that are essential to support healthy skin, peptides, which promote collagen synthesis and skin firmness, vitamin C, which brightens the skin and fights oxidative stress. I've also started using Obagi Retinol 0.5 recently and I’m glad to report it doesn’t dry out my skin. Retinol boosts cell turnover and reduces wrinkles. It’s another key active ingredient to rejuvenate the skin. I’ve been using their Professional C Serum 20% too, which is a powerhouse Vitamin C serum that protects the skin from external stressors that damage skin cells and contribute to premature aging such as UV rays and pollution. Talking about Vitamin C serum, some say that Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum is the best. Have you tried it? Let me know in the comments below. One last thing about Vitamin C serum, make sure to use a sunscreen after it, as it increases sun sensitivity.

SUPERGOOP

Speaking of sunscreen I have to mention my absolute favorite brand out there! They are THE BEST in formulating lightweight face sunscreen in my opinion. I wished I discovered them much earlier. I hated applying sunscreen on my face when I was younger because of their heavy textures that made me feel very uncomfortable and made my skin feel oily. I hated them so much that I preferred not having any on my face….which was a terrible mistake when we know that sun exposure is the number one cause of premature aging. So, young people out there make sure to ALWAYS use a sunscreen if you want to avoid having winkles earlier than expected!

I discovered Supergoop when I moved to the US 10 years ago. I absolutely love their 100% mineral and “oily-free" sunscreen: Matte Screen that I use every day as a ‘makeup foundation’ because it’s slightly tinted. Otherwise, for beach or pool days I go with their Unseen Sunscreen for my face. The texture is so light that you have the impression that nothing is on your skin. It’s just amazing! For the body I use their PLAY Everyday Lotion. An important point to mention is that their sunscreens do not contain harmful or toxic ingredients. They have a “No List” of ingredients they don’t use that you can check on their website.

MURAD

This is another medical-grade skincare brand, founded in 1989 by a dermatologist and pharmacist: Dr. Murad. He’s the one who pioneered the concept of cellular hydration and its importance for the skin and overall health. I could not agree more with his philosophy that skincare is healthcare, by promoting a holistic approach to skin health. I use the Essential C Overnight Barrier Repair Cream when I’m out of the other Vitamin C serums I mentioned above (Obagi). I like to alternate products when I finish a cream or serum. The next product by Murad I want to try is the Nutrient-Charged Water Gel, which is packed with minerals, vitamins and peptides to intensely hydrate and strengthen the skin’s barrier.

REPLENIX

This brand has been around for over 40 years but was only available through dermatologists. You basically needed a prescription. Now, for the first time in 40 years Replenix is available directly to consumers. They are a leader in antioxidant-powered medical grade skincare. Replenix is known for its use of green tea polyphenols. I like that the brand combines powerful ingredients with calming botanicals. I’ve been using the Age Restore Brightening Moisturizer and I love it! This cream contains 3 active ingredients: hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin, niacinamides to reduce inflammation, even skin tone, regulate oil production, minimize pores and ceramides to replenish the skin barrier by creating a protective layer that limits moisture loss.

IS CLINICAL

This Californian brand was founded in the early 2000’s by a biochemist. Their products use pharmaceutical-grade ingredients for high efficacy and botanical extracts. “Pharmaceuticals-grade” ingredients mean that they've met additional purity and quality standards set by the FDA. Their formulations are super powerful and deliver visible results. I love their Active Serum and can see the difference on my fine lines when I use it! This serum is made of botanical lighteners to even skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Botanical lighteners or extracts are other powerful active ingredients you want to include in your skincare routine, as they promote a more radiant complexion by helping with dullness and hyperpigmentation. I’ve tried Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum in the past, but personally I prefer the IS Clinical Active Serum because I see results right away.

DR. LORETTA

The last brand I’m sharing is a family owned business created by another dermatologist in 2018. Dr. Loretta has over 40 years experience and she first started by formulating skincare products that were only sold in physicians offices. She now manages the Dr. Loretta brand with her daughters. I really like the Intense Replenishing Serum that I use to provide extra moisture to my skin when it feels dehydrated. The serum is formulated with ceramides, which are key ingredients to replenish moisture, improve elasticity and strengthen the skin’s barrier.

One take away from this article is that you want to make sure you’re incorporating the following active ingredients in your skincare routine or that the products you’re using have these ingredients:

Peptides
Retinol
Vitamin C
Hyaluronic Acid
Niacinamides
Ceramides
Botanical Lighteners

These ingredients are essential to protect, strengthen and rejuvenate your skin, which as a result help to slow down the aging process. I learned that by watching the YouTube channel of a plastic surgeon: Dr. Amir Karam, who educates people on maintaining healthy skin. I like his content and approach. He also explains the proper way to use and apply those active ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, etc..It’s very informative!

If you like this beauty subject, you might want to check my previous article about hair products: Hair Care Routine. I also talked about my favorite french pharmacy products that you can read here .

I want us all to remember that they are many facets to healthcare, such as what we eat and how we exercise but don’t forget to take care of your largest organ, your beautiful skin!

XO from your favorite French Girl! 😉