What was the last skincare product that you bought?

DDG: Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream—as a doctor, I am frequently washing my hands and using hand sanitiser. This hand cream helps prevent dryness and cracking.

Are there any new skincare trends that you’re excited to try?

DDG: In general, I am not really into “trends”—but there are some newly popular ingredients I am excited about. You may have been hearing about bakuchiol—this is a clinically studied ingredient that can strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. When combined with retinol it prevents further irritation and dryness, which is why I added it to my Phyto-Retinol Blend. Launching October 7, my new Advanced Retinol + Ferulic technology franchise, which includes Texture Renewal Serum, Triple Correction Eye Serum, Overnight Wrinkle Treatment and Overnight Texture Renewal Peel, combines the antioxidant benefits from bakuchiol plus the collagen-stimulating benefits of retinol as well as rambutan and ferulic to give all ages the access to retinol without any irritation. Retinol is the gold standard in cell turnover and directly improving skin texture. The addition of studied ingredients that further enhance the effects of retinol and reduce irritation is a “trend” that everyone can benefit from.

When did you start paying extra attention to your skin?

DDG: When I started college, I was eager to study chemistry. I have always been fascinated by science—while my friends were reading comics, I was reading scientific journals. One article inspired me to reach out to the author, which happened to be the president at Memorial Sloan Kettering—a top cancer hospital in New York City. I had no idea his title when I reached out, but I persisted in getting in touch with him to answer some of my questions. Long story short, he gave me a job in skin cancer research. Studying the skin’s extracellular matrix ignited my passion for skin health.

What’s one skincare must-have you’ve “influenced” others to purchase?

DDG: Over 20 years ago, I introduced the first effective at-home peel: Alpha Beta Daily Peels. The results really speak for themselves—this peel gives you an immediate glow while also giving long term benefits. This was a big shift from physical exfoliation (manually scrubbing the area to buff away dead skin cells) and extreme chemical exfoliation (using high doses of acids to remove layers of skin). I am proud to offer this clinically based peel that has remarkable improvement immediately after one use and accumulative effects of increased collagen, fewer fine lines and wrinkles and reduced skin laxity with daily use.

The key to this product is how effective, yet gentle it is on the skin. Using a cocktail of alpha and beta hydroxy acids at low concentrations is ideal because it allows you to target multiple concerns at the same time more effectively and without irritating skin. In our Alpha Beta Daily Peel, step one exfoliates the skin revealing healthy, younger skin cells. Step two neutralises the alpha and beta hydroxy acids in that first step and delivers powerful anti-ageing ingredients to firm fine lines and wrinkles, texture, and dark spots, among other benefits. These anti-ageing ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin because of the exfoliation in step one.  

What’s a skincare product you can’t live without?

DDG: The Alpha Beta Daily Peels! These peels use multiple acids at low concentrations to target many skin concerns at the same time and the second step delivers powerful anti-ageing ingredients necessary to maintain skin health.

What’s the most important skincare step to you?

DDG: Protection from the sun should be the top priority in your regimen. As a former skin cancer researcher, I have had a first-hand look at how damaging the sun can be to the skin. SPF protects skin against early signs of ageing, like dark spots and fine lines, as well as protects against skin cancer.

Where and what is your go-to facial?

DDG: The Professional Alpha Beta Peel is still my favourite professional treatment even after over 20 years. Lucky for me, I have it right in my practice! Because there is no downtime, I can even have the peel done during my lunch break and see patients right afterwards.

Is skincare the new self-care? What are your thoughts on this?

DDG: Absolutely—more and more, skin health has been equated more and more with overall health. Taking care of your skin with a consistent morning and evening routine is a moment of self-care where you can slow down and focus on yourself—even if it is just five minutes.

What is one piece of skincare advice that you live by?

DDG: Never stop being curious and creative when it comes to science in skincare.

What is your beauty tool of choice?

DDG: Just like topical ingredients, your skin cells have receptors for LED. This technology is the key to younger-looking skin and can be conveniently done at home. This inspired my DRX Spectralite devices, specifically the FaceWare Pro. When red LED connects to a receptor, it generates energy in the cell, stimulating collagen production while blue LED kills acne-causing bacteria and regulates oil chemistry. I use my FaceWare Pro daily for three minutes to see improvement in fine lines, and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and inflammation while preventing breakouts.

What is the most unique beauty treatment you tried overseas?

DDG: When I am travelling, I love to find time to relax and reflect at local spas. In Mexico, they offer temazcal—an ancient steam bath ritual that involves herbs and fragrant steam. The history of temazcal represents renewal and re-birth, which is how I feel after experiencing their unique ritual.

Have you tried out aesthetic treatments? Why or why not?

DDG: Of course—I extensively test every product and treatment before bringing them to my patients or consumers. There is not a single treatment or product I have not tried myself—as a doctor, safety and efficacy are my top priorities.

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