We love hearing the real story behind innovative beauty brands and products. This month, we quizzed Dr. Fredric Brandt, the celebrity dermatologist who founded his own line after being disappointed by one too many over-the-counter products. Designed to mimic in-office procedures, his formulas are coveted by celebs (Gwyneth Paltrow, for one) and beauty newbies alike. Learn more about the busy doc (who sees up to 30 patients a day!) and find out the one product he’d take to a desert island.
We’re currently obsessed with your Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant, where do you find inspiration for new products?
My office is my best laboratory because I see all types of skin conditions and problems, and develop solutions from there. I’m always getting inspiration from reading about what causes ageing.
What dream product would you love to invent?
I would love to see some kind of shield that you could put on the skin, like a spray-on polymer, so that when you went outside you were absolutely protected 100 percent from the sun. A skin umbrella!
If you were trapped on a desert island with only one of your products, which would it be and why?
I’d use my CC Glow Cream. It will give you radiance, and also protect you from the sun.
But if no one can see your radiance…
At least if I’m rescued, I’ll be looking good on the rescue boat.
If you could force people to follow one skincare rule, which would it be?
Be consistent. If you can spend a couple minutes in the morning and a couple minutes at night, you’re going to see an improvement in your skin.
How long should you stick with a new regimen to see if it works?
You’ve got to give it a month or two.
Do your celebrity clients have a favourite product?
I think the new Do Not Age with Dr. Brandt Transforming Pearl Serum is becoming a big, big hit. Also, the BB cream has become extremely popular. A lot of celebrities want to prevent shine and make their pores less apparent, and if they’re not wearing makeup they want that matte finish because it’s so popular at all the fashion shows. Plus, it has sun protection.
What’s the biggest skincare mistake people make?
Overmoisturisation. Everyone thinks they’re dehydrated, but a lot of what we’re seeing in the skin is inflammation, not dryness.
How can you tell the difference?
Inflammation usually presents as peeling and flaking, whereas dryness is not so red and irritated. It’s more of a diffuse loss of moisture in the skin and an overall tightness. That’s why many of my new products have ceramides (like the Do Not Age With Dr. Brandt Time Reversing Cream), because the cellular lipids are both moisturising and anti-inflammatory.
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– Amary, Birchbox US
