How can you tell someone’s age? Is it (a) their ability to find their way around anything more techy than sending an email and using a printer (guilty); (b) whether they can recite all the lyrics to a Central Cee/Taylor Swift/Kool the Gang song; or (c) how wrinkly their faces are?
Not that it matters one bit, but the answer is definitely not (c). As a 56-year-old woman, I find it impossible to tell anyone’s age between about 25 and 40, so furrow-free are their foreheads, and as for the over 40s, from Sienna Miller to Demi Moore to Naomi Campbell, I am fascinated at just how healthy, beautiful, and vibrant women of all ages are looking these days (before thinking, I want what she’s having).
Women are having it all, and not necessarily in the way that Helen Gurley Brown’s 1982 book of the same name intended us to. That was published a mere seven years before the arrival of the now famous injectable Botox, and what we’re actually having is, globally, about $3.5 billion worth of Botox this year alone. It’s not just Botox either: More than 14.9 million surgical and 18.8 million nonsurgical procedures—everything from so-called tweakments through to full-on facelifts—were performed worldwide in 2022. One happy side effect of all this? Beauty brands are now teaming up with dermatologists, aesthetic doctors, and plastic surgeons in a mutual love fest that’s the beauty equivalent of “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em”—and the results might just be giving us our best skin ever.
Patricia Ogilvie—whose clinic, Skinconcept Munich, includes two private dermatology and laser medicine practices—thinks so. Working with around 14 different laser systems, from ablative (which evens out the skin by removing its top layers) to non-ablative (which creates heat and tightens the collagen without irritating the epidermis), her laser specialty was of interest to Dior, which found that 50% of premium customers, including its own, undergo aesthetic procedures such as laser. For Dr. Ogilvie, a dermatologist and member of Dior’s Reverse Aging Board, introducing Dior’s La Micro-Huile de Rose Activated Serum to these otherwise potentially aggressive treatments was irresistible. “To a certain degree, all these procedures rely on creating damage to the skin,” Dr. Ogilvie explains. “It’s an induced healing process, and we want to orchestrate that as much as possible while also getting the benefits of collagen production. It’s a balance.”
Botox- and Laser-Friendly Products
Dr. Ogilvie is excited about how this might benefit her own patients: “My clients find it very difficult in social situations to [publicly] show any signs of redness posttreatment,” she says, “and so even just reducing the downtime by a few degrees is great for them.”
Dior isn’t the only skin-care brand to be on the laser trail. Shiseido’s new Bio-Performance Skin HiForce Cream was modeled on how laser treatments propel our skin into crisis mode, prompting it to focus on maximum recovery and regeneration. And it was tested by a dermatologist specializing in non-ablative fractional laser treatment, who found it helped the skin heal faster afterward.
Meanwhile, Orveda’s new Youth Glove Protocol Hand Care Trio was inspired by aesthetic hand rejuvenation procedures, such as fillers. Our hands often bear the brunt of aging and receive a cursory slathering of hand cream if they’re lucky, but Orveda’s new daily cream and weekly pro-grade procedure is applied at home under medical-grade silicone gloves so that the complex can fill the volume in the dorsal hand area. It promises to increase plumpness by 23%.
As for Botox? Natura Bissé’s Inhibit High Definition Lifting Cream is designed to reduce the need for injectables and is recommended by many dermatologists and aesthetic doctors. SkinCeuticals’s P-Tiox is a wrinkle-minimizing serum rich in peptides that claims to work on nine different types of lines. Crow’s-feet, undereye wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and cheek folds, among others, were all reduced after 12 weeks, while skin texture overall appears more smooth and glass-like.
So what’s the best way to combine skin care with aesthetic treatments? “Getting your skin care right is the first step towards getting the best out of in-clinic treatments,” says Catherine Borysiewicz, consultant dermatologist at Galen. At the new clinic off London’s Harley Street, patients can choose from aesthetic procedures such as Sofwave nonsurgical lifting, Fraxel laser, or Morpheus 8’s radiofrequency, or opt for gentler HydraFacials with mineral-rich Omorovicza products. Dr. Borysiewicz recommends starting a new skin-care regimen several months before any clinical treatments. Posttreatment, she favors a facial spray or mist to help soothe and cool the skin immediately, as well as a super hydrator such as ZO Skin Health Hydrating Creme. She cites hygiene as the most important concern post-procedure: “Following aesthetic treatments or surgical procedures, you are dealing with a very disordered skin barrier and you do not want to have a negative impact on healing. In the immediate postsurgical phase, wound product packaging is also important to avoid the risk of bacterial contamination of products.” Emma Craythorne, consultant dermatologist with SkinCeuticals, likes to use the Phyto Corrective Gel straight after treatments to cool the skin and also topical antioxidants such as CE Ferulic or Silymarin CF in combination with LED devices.
According to Mark Gruszynski, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, occlusives are also key for post-procedure skin repair, particularly after resurfacing treatments. After CO2 lasers, microneedling, IPL, BBL, or any chemical peel, Mariana Vergara, a board-certified NP and the founder of Beauty Villa Vergara in Beverly Hills, frequently recommends a carboxy gel treatment.
“After Botox or any laser treatment—and really every single day—broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen is essential,” says Robert Schwarcz, MD, a double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon in New York. “It protects healing skin and helps prevent post-inflammatory pigmentation and UV damage.”
Will any of these stop us from beating a path to the derm’s door and get us to give up our laser or Botox altogether? Dior’s studies show that when La Micro-Huile de Rose was used alongside laser treatments, skin appeared eight times plumper than with laser alone. As for Botox? “I don’t think people will be having less Botox,” says Dr. Craythorne, “but there are some studies that suggest P-Tiox makes Botox last longer, so it can be used in combination with injectables and will nicely support the medical treatments that happen in-clinic.” Good news for derms, then, and—if we can perhaps delay the regularity with which we go back for treatments—even better news for our pockets. Ahead, a look at some of these aforementioned products and more that bolster the effects of your favorite in-office tweakments.
Dior La Micro-Huile de Rose Activated Serum
- Why We Love It: A serum rich in omegas, made from the naturally hardy Rose de Granville and a patented bio-peptide complex designed to boost collagen, this has the potential to double skin recovery in three days. Dior conducted tests on 69 laser patients in China before treatment and up to three months afterward, and found that using the serum alongside laser therapy not only accelerated recovery but also maximized results. It also helps minimize redness and discomfort immediately posttreatment.
- Key Ingredients: Nutri-rosapeptide, rose micronutrients, omegas, hyaluronic acid
- Best for: Recovery after laser and resurfacing treatments, boosting collagen
- Size: 1.7 oz., 2.5 oz.
Natura Bissé Inhibit High Definition Lifting Cream
- Why We Love It: The Spanish-made cream is designed to defy gravity—literally. Made with a proprietary GravFusion complex that improves skin’s structure, it helps minimize visible signs of aging, such as sagging and loss of firmness. Also intended to complement fillers and Botox, it helps keep the skin plump and hydrated, boosting the effects of the treatments. How so? It can help smooth forehead lines, plump crow’s-feet, and add definition to the jawline.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Best for: Hydration, firming, complementing the results of Botox and fillers
- Size: 1.7 oz.
SkinCeuticals P-Tiox
- Why We Love It: Physician tested for use with neurotoxin injections, this peptide-rich serum promises to elevate skin texture and give it a smooth, glass-like appearance. “Peptides are one of the most important topical ingredients to use around neuromodulator treatments because they help signal collagen production and can provide visible plumping when wrinkles are no longer being actively creased,” says Kseniya Kobets, MD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. “When combined with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, peptides can improve skin hydration and smoothness almost immediately, while consistent use over several weeks supports dermal collagen remodeling.” She notes that peptide serums are best started the night after treatment and continued morning and night to support optimal neuromodulator results.
- Key Ingredients: Advanced Peptide Complex, PHA, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, laminaria extract
- Best for: Hydration, firming, complementing the results of Botox and fillers
- Size: 1 oz.
Dr. Whitney Bowe P46 Peptide + HA Plumping Serum
- Why We Love It: One of Dr. Kobets’s go-to peptide serums, Dr. Whitney Bowe’s formula was inspired by in-office, collagen-boosting procedures. The serum’s star ingredient is a proprietary 4-CLGN complex that combines hydrating beta-glucan with signaling and neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides. The multitasking serum smooths skin, bolsters the results of rejuvenation treatments, and speeds recovery time. What’s more, the serum boosts radiance while reducing redness.
- Key Ingredients: 4-CLGN Complex, hyaluronic acid
- Best for: Hydration, plumping, expediting recovery
- Size: 1 oz.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
- Why We Love It: “Post-procedure skin can be temporarily sensitized, especially when topical numbing creams are used, so I always recommend gentle, non-stripping cleansers,” Dr. Kobets says. “Supporting the skin barrier not only improves comfort but also enhances overall skin health and treatment outcomes.” Infused with soothing, antioxidant-rich thermal water and moisturizing ceramide-3, this derm-approved cleanser is creamy, fragrance-free, and easy to rinse off.
- Key Ingredients: La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water, ceramide-3, niacinamide
- Best for: Gentle cleansing, moisture
- Size: 13.52 oz.
Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar
- Why We Love It: Designed to complement laser treatments, microneedling, and chemical peels, Alastin’s Regenerating Skin Nectar has a stamp of approval from board-certified dermatologist Nazanin Saedi, MD. “This is one of my favorite post-procedure serums,” she says. “It will help your skin heal faster after in-office treatments. It contains Alastin’s TriHex Technology, a patented blend of peptides that clears out damaged collagen and elastin, allowing new, healthy skin to emerge.” She recommends beginning use a week before treatment and continuing to apply the serum throughout the post-procedure healing process.
- Key Ingredients: TriHex technology
- Best for: Post-procedure skin repair
- Size: 1 oz.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
- Why We Love It: “Following ablative or aggressive fractional resurfacing, protecting the compromised skin barrier becomes the top priority,” Dr. Gruszynski says. “Occlusive balms are used in the first 48 to 72 hours to seal in moisture, reduce transepidermal water loss, and shield healing skin from environmental exposure.” A tried-and-true drugstore gem, Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment forms a protective petrolatum barrier on the skin to support healing. Its versatile uses range from nourishing the lips to caring for minor wounds, helping maintain hydration along the way.
- Key Ingredients: 41% petrolatum
- Best for: Locking in moisture, protecting skin
- Size: 14 oz.
CO2 Lift Carboxy Gel Treatment
- Why We Love It: This medical-grade carboxytherapy gel mask is designed to hydrate and tighten the skin while reducing swelling and redness. “This triggers the Bohr effect, which is when the increase of carbon dioxide in the skin causes hemoglobin to release more oxygen into the treated skin,” Vergara says. “This helps to reduce erythema and heat, improves oxygen delivery to the injured tissue, supports faster healing, decreases downtime and discomfort, and enhances posttreatment glow.” She recommends using the gel mask the same day or as directed post-procedure, letting it sit for 45 to 60 minutes.
- Key Ingredients: Carboxy gel
- Best for: Post-laser skin repair
- Size: 2 treatments per box
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
- Why We Love It: “Physical sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are typically best tolerated post-procedure,” Dr. Schwarcz notes. One of his go-to formulas is this Isdin pick, which he describes as a lightweight mineral sunscreen with antioxidants and DNA repair technology. Its quick-absorbing formula feels weightless on the skin—a plus in sensitive, posttreatment times.
- Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, DNA repairzomes, vitamin E
- Best for: UV protection
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Meet the Experts
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, is the director of cosmetic dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care in New York.
- Mark Gruszynski, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Dr. Mark Plastic Surgery in Scottsdale.
- Mariana Vergara is a board-certified NP and the founder of Beauty Villa Vergara in Beverly Hills.
- Robert Schwarcz, MD, is a double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon in New York.
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist based in Pennsylvania.
