The Ultimate Routine to Improve Your Skin’s Tone and Texture

If you’re in search of a smoother, brighter complexion, help is at hand — literally. A consistent DIY at-home skincare routine followed morning and evening can produce luminosity and brilliance to rival the effects you’d get from a dermatologist’s in-office treatment.

Morning Routine

Step 1: Cleanse

Wash your face with a gentle cleanser containing pore-refining alpha and beta hydroxy acids (try Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel) to help keep your complexion smooth and clear.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliation is an essential part of refining your complexion’s appearance. By getting rid of dead surface cells, you immediately create a more even surface texture. Plus, you make it easier for subsequent treatment products to penetrate deeply into skin. Chemical exfoliation, using a combination of hydroxy acids, is gentler on skin than physical exfoliation (using a scrub or tool), which can rip off cells before they’re ready. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel contains a blend of five alpha and beta hydroxy acids that work synergistically to boost radiance right away, as well as over time.

Step 3: Serum

Help dissolve dark patches with a potent vitamin C serum, such as Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum. Beyond being an ultra-powerful antioxidant and collagen-builder, vitamin C also blocks the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme that kicks off melanin manufacture. Not only does 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum contain a bonkers amount of vitamin C, it’s also packed with licorice and mulberry extracts—two more skin brighteners. 

Step 4: Moisturize

Every face needs moisture. But a moisturizer can do more than just hydrate. When it also contains alpha and beta hydroxy acids, like Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Moisturizer, you’ll get additional textural improvements, thanks to the cell turnover-speeding acids. 

Step 5: SPF

You didn’t think we’d let you get away without sunscreen, did you? Don’t undo all your hard work by going outside unprotected and allowing UV rays to generate more skin discoloration and dullness. A mineral block with an SPF of at least 30 (try Dr. Dennis Gross All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30) is the finishing touch on anyone’s a.m. skincare regimen. 

Evening Routine

Step 1: Cleanse

Get rid of the day’s dirt, oil, and makeup by washing with your gentle morning cleanser, Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel.

Step 2: Serum

You only need to do a chemical peel once a day. However, you can continue to encourage textural improvements in skin by using retinol at night. (Find it in Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum.) Retinol has been clinically proven to increase cellular turnover and collagen production, plus it also inhibits tyrosinase. Small wonder it’s on every dermatologist’s must-have list.

Step 3: Eyes

If you’re noticing darkness and discoloration around your eyes, now’s the time to apply a vitamin C-based eye serum, like Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic Firm & Bright Eye Treatment. Just like vitamin C can fade spots on your face, it can do the same for the eye area as well. As an added bonus, Firm & Bright Eye Treatment is also formulated with tranexamic acid, an amino acid derivative that helps hinder melanin production.

Step 4: Moisturize

Time for more moisturizer! Since you addressed texture in your a.m. application, tackle tone in the p.m. by applying a cream rich in vitamin C (try Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream) to get even more of the ingredient’s complexion-evening benefits. 

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