The French beauty brand founder keeps her routine so minimalistic that she also avoids washing her face in the morning. Find out more about her skincare routine below
Driven by the belief that our body is a “planet that is at risk”, cosmetic pharmacist Dr Marie Drago is paving the way for microbiome skincare. She founded the sustainable and 100 per cent cruelty-free French skincare brand, Gallinée, in 2016 to launch products that take care of good bacteria: the microbiome.
It became one of the first skincare brands to target this protective ecosystem, based on the latest research in microbiology, using a patented complex of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.
As a doctor in Pharmacy with over 15 years of experience working for various successful skincare brands, Dr Drago’s research on the microbiome and the enormous benefits of harnessing helpful bacteria gave her the vision to create Gallinée’s formulations. While biotics are well known for their positive effects on digestive health, their use in skincare has been, until now, an untapped science secret.
Dr Drago says: “We consider our products a bit of a revolution. We see skin as a living, breathing ecosystem full of wonders and it makes so much sense to work with our skin rather than against it. This is the future of beauty. With our unique understanding of the skin’s microbiome, we have created products that help our skin to help itself, for immediate results.”
Today, the brand’s two hero products—the Face Vinegar Toner, a purifying, soothing and reparative toner that brightens skin and reduces appearance of pores, and the Face Mask & Scrub that gives skin an instant radiance boost—have captivated the hearts of users and skincare specialists alike.
Below, we find out more about Dr Drago’s tried and tested skincare tips and how she keeps her daily routine simple.
How long do you typically spend on your skincare routine?
Not very long! In the morning, it usually takes less than three minutes and five minutes in the evening. What I love to do though is a bit of facial yoga in the evening while I’m watching a movie.
What is your skincare routine like for the day?
Both my morning and night routines are very simple, I’m quite minimalistic in that way. In the morning, I’ll try to avoid washing my face as the skin microbiome replenishes during the night. So, I will add our Face Vinegar Toner on a cotton pad to make my pores look smaller and skin brighter for the day. I’ll follow up with our Face Cream and a few drops of our Youthful Serum.
What is your skincare routine for the night?
Similarly, my night routine only contains a few products. I’ll wash my face with our Cleansing Bar, which also acts as a makeup remover—perfect for a minimalistic person like me. I’ll then follow with our Face Vinegar Toner, Youthful Serum and Face Cream. This combination leaves my skin feeling really plump and soft in the morning.
See also: Double Cleansing: Why it’s an Important Skincare Step and the Best Ways to Do it