Skincare Success Story: From Clogged & Congested to Clear & Controlled

Abigail Poole refused to leave her house without caking on makeup because she believed people could only focus on her breakouts. She was embarrassed by her acne and uneven complexion; every day was a battle. Tired of feeling uncomfortable in her own skin, she visited a local Sephora and asked the cast for help.

Their advice? To try Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peels. From there she began to explore the rest of the DDG product line and in a matter of months her skin cleared. Abigail was hooked.

She recently reached out to us on Instagram explaining how our "Alpha Beta Extra Strength peel literally saved my skin!!" and how her "favorite thing about this product is not only has it cleared up my acne but the dark spots have significantly faded." Most importantly, Abigail's confidence has been restored, and so the DDG team had to get the full scoop on her remarkable skincare journey.

In the before photo, what was your skincare regimen like?

Oh gosh, my skincare regimen was a nightmare! Looking back I can’t help but wonder “What was I thinking?!” I was trying several products - never being able to stick to a solid routine. Something would work for a little while and then my skin would go right back to where it was. Prior to this photo my skincare routine consisted of a strong Benzoyl peroxide face wash that I believed was helping at first. Later it turned out to be extremely irritating to my skin. My face felt tight and dry and became so bad that I ended up having to put a rich cream on my face typically used for eczema to soothe discomfort. It was a never ending battle of extreme dryness and oiliness!

To achieve your amazing, dewy skin in the after photo, what changes did you make to your routine?

I tossed out my old face wash and heavy moisturizer and made the switch over to Dr. Dennis Gross products!

What was the length of time between your before and after shots?

These photos are exactly 3 months apart!

How did you find out about Dr. Dennis Gross products? And what convinced you to begin a skincare journey with us?

I was at the point in my life where I hardly ever wanted to look in the mirror anymore. I cried before going to work because I no longer wanted to leave the house - my face was so dry and flaky. I caked makeup on and I was constantly worried about talking people, fearing that they weren’t actually looking at me when chatting but staring at my acne instead. Finally one day after work

I decided to visit the Sephora near my workplace and asked what they recommend for my skin. They told me about the Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel and even showed me the reviews online about what others had said about the peel from their own personal experiences. I was definitely impressed. The price wasn’t bad either. Especially when taking into consideration how much money I had spent on the useless products before. I figured I could at least give the 5 treatments a shot before diving all in.

How long did it take for you to see a significant change in your skin using our products?

I honestly feel like after the first treatment there was a difference. I used the peel before going to bed and normally when I would wake up the next morning I would take a quick look in the bathroom to see what new breakout appeared on my face overnight, but to my surprise after the first night of peeling I didn’t find anything! By the fourth day I noticed the texture on my face was significantly smoother and more even. I knew I had to go back to Sephora and buy the full size box!

Are you makeup free now? Wear less makeup?

Not makeup free but I definitely wear less makeup. When I do wear makeup it’s usually no more than once a week or if there is a special occasion. I’m finally comfortable enough to go out and complete daily errands without having to apply a full face of makeup. 

In your opinion, what is the best way to handle oily/acne-prone skin?

Stop using products that over strip your skin and avoid oil-based products - and definitely take a closer look at the ingredients in your face wash and moisturizers. Sometimes the products we think will be a quick fix for skin issues are actually what’s causing us to break out more!

What are you DDG product essentials? And what is on your product wish list?

I can’t live without my Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel and of course the Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel. They have become a necessity in my skincare regimen.

I’ve been dying to try the DermInfusions Plump + Repair Lip Treatment, especially with winter approaching it might be some thing I’ll have to use for drying lips. 

What is your current AM/PM routine? And what is your favorite skincare step? 

My morning routine consists of 3 items: a gentle cleansing towelette infused with retinol, the Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel, and the Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion.

The first thing I do when I wake up is grab one of my towelettes to wipe off any oil and impurities from sleep. Next, I use the cleansing gel. I use one pump of the AB cleanser mixing it in my hands with warm water to create the perfect lather and making sure that I not only wash my face but bring it a little further down to my neck. Once I’ve rinsed that off I follow up with the Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion to lock in moisture which leaves my skin looking dewy for the rest of the day.

My nighttime routine is similar. I use Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel - again bringing it down to my neck.  Afterwards, I use the Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel. This is my absolute favorite part of my skincare routine because you can feel the peel working its magic! I gently apply step one using it in circular motions all over my face and especially around my jaw line until the pad starts to feel dry. Once I’ve completed the first step I wait two minutes before starting step two.

Once those two minutes are up I apply step two using the same technique in step one. After step two, I wait a couple of minutes until I feel my skin has absorbed those antioxidants and then apply the Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer.

Winter is coming! How are you prepping your skin for the change in season?

Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! The temperature is starting to drop quickly here. Just the other morning it was 17°! On days like that I tend to have the heat full blast in the car which definitely dries the skin - whoops! Moisturize as needed! Drink those extra glasses of water! And I’ve got a humidifier to help keep the moisture in the air at home!

And finally, what is some of the best skincare advice you’ve ever received?

Always apply sunscreen before heading outside, and not just when it’s sunny out! Also, this one is probably obvious, but never go to bed with your makeup on!

Thank you for sharing your amazing story, Abigail! You are GLOWING.

Before & After photos courtesy of Abigail Poole

Originally published 9/10/2021. Updated on 9/22/2023.