The beauty experts behind scientifically-advanced skincare lines Colbert MD, Dr. Barbara Sturm, and 111SKIN share their immaculate complexion mantras and the high-tech breakthroughs shaping the skincare industry today.

Dr. David Colbert

Skincare brand: Colbert MD
Expertise: Dr. Colbert MD is considered New York’s ‘Dermatologist to the Stars’. The founder of New York Dermatology Group, a state-of-the-art spa-like skincare clinic with an integrated health and wellness wing, Colbert is a highly skilled and experienced physician specialising in medical and cosmetic dermatology, internal medicine, and acne and wound healing.

My skincare philosophy is to embrace change, technology, and science.

“Advances in science have allowed us to turn back the ageing clock by a decade, thanks to a combination of technologies that tighten facial muscles, increase collagen production and resurface the skin without the need for any ‘downtime’.

“The technology behind Colbert MD Skincare is the triad delivery system that delivers ingredients, nutrients and antioxidants in their potent active state, deep into the dermis where collagen is produced to slow ageing and restore skin radiance.

“The best skincare advice I can give is to make your skincare choices based on science rather than marketing. Many marketing campaigns are misleading and everyone now seems to be a skincare expert online. With the right products for your skin’s concerns and type, it will have the ability to heal itself. It’s also important to protect the skin by applying SPF 30 daily and to use healing products like COLBERT MD Tone Control Discs which soothe irritation and redness, lighten dark spots and evens skin tone.

“The breakthrough high-tech treatments that are non-invasive and effective at stimulating collagen and reversing ageing are Ulthera, Endymed, Fraxel and light fruit acid peels. Ulthera uses ultrasound waves to penetrate deep beyond the skin surface to tighten facial and neck muscles. Endymed uses radiotherapy to eliminate fine lines and deep wrinkles on the face and performs full-body tightening and contouring to eliminate loose skin and cellulite. Fraxel is the leader in laser treatments offering gentle skin resurfacing, wrinkle reduction, pigment and brown spot correction, and acne scar healing with minimal redness, flaking and ‘downtime’.

“Our clinic integrates IV programmes into treatments. IV therapy is a great way to introduce powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories directly into the bloodstream, giving cells instant access to healing molecules.

Hero product: Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil, a retinol and vitamin C oil that delivers instant long-lasting radiance, seals in moisture and acts as a makeup primer. I’d recommend massaging a few drops into the skin morning and evening on a cleansed skin.

Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil by Colbert MD

Dr. Barbara Sturm

Skincare brand: Dr. Barbara Sturm Molecular Cosmetics
Expertise: Dr. Sturm is a German physician who specialises in aesthetic medicine and skin rejuvenation. Her clinic in Düsseldorf is considered a leading centre for anti-wrinkle treatments, molecular skin therapies, and holistic anti-ageing.

“A good skincare routine should focus on anti-inflammation. It should be healing - not aggressive - and effective at deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin to maintain the healthy function of cells.

“Beauty does start from within. Inflammation is caused by sun and pollution exposure, smoking and excessive alcohol, acid-based peels, retinol and glycolic treatments, high stress levels, and consuming lots of sugar, fried foods, and processed meats. My advice is to use anti-inflammatory skincare, sleep well and eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fatty fish like salmon, berries, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, olive oil, and nuts. Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops are SPF 50 enriched with vitamin E, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and chamomile extract, protecting skin from UVA and UVB rays, wrinkles and other visible signs of ageing.

“The biggest beauty breakthrough is the move towards science-driven efficacy and science-based ingredients - and away from marketing-in-a-jar. Dr. Barbara Sturm skincare is based on the interplay of science-based ingredients - like the ‘fountain of youth’ enzyme telomerase - which act to nourish, hydrate, reduce inflammation, and support cellular health and skin function.

“The most important ingredient in our line is the anti-ageing powerhouse purslane, a vitamin- and mineral-rich herb championed by scientists for its strong regenerative effects and potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, nourishing and healing functions. Skullcap is another ingredient renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, which clinically improves skin’s texture, elasticity, and firmness. Both are present in Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream, a firming 24-hour moisturiser that revitalises the skin.

“People are overdosing on skincare products without paying attention to the ingredients. Our products are non-toxic and free of irritants like mineral oils, fragrance, and paraffin. These nasties are what trigger the inflammatory process and can cause break-outs, acne, perioral dermatitis, enlarged pores, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and premature ageing.

“The best high-tech anti-ageing treatments are vampire facials, micro-dermabrasion, micro-needling, jade rollers, and dry brushing, which all have anti-inflammatory, pro-skin benefits. In moderation and in the right hands, Botox, fillers and other minimally-invasive procedures can combat the signs of ageing and maintain the skin matrix and structure.

Hero product: Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum. This hyaluronic acid-based product is formulated with balanced high and low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, to provide superficial and deep cellular hydration while strengthening the skin’s natural barrier function.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum by Dr. Barbara Sturm

Dr. Yannis Alexandrides

Skincare brand: 111SKIN
Expertise: Dr. Alexandrides, with his London clinic on Harley Street, has been a cosmetic surgeon for over 20 years. His difficulty in finding effective reparative skincare for his patients post-surgery prompted him to develop his own formulation with space scientists - coming up with the groundbreaking NAC Y2.

“My approach to skincare is science-led my medical background means I look at and treat skin as an organ. I assess skin as a 3D healing system and developed 111SKIN to offer the most advanced, clinically-led skincare on the market. There is no end goal because clinical research will never stop evolving.

Celestiral Black Diamon Serum by 111SKIN

“Beware of brands that look at skin aesthetically. Thankfully there has been a clear shift away from flowery, overly-marketed skincare as consumers are increasingly educated and are now investing in science-based trustworthy brands with facts and figures to back up their products.

“I am inspired by the latest medical innovations in skincare. My focus is to create products that achieve clinical results and replicate in-clinic treatments through innovative ingredients, administering procedures, and cosmetic manufacturing advances.

“There are so many skincare myths. The biggest mistakes are not cleansing properly and skipping serum. Applying skincare products and make-up to an unclean complexion can cause blemishes, blocked pores, and dullness, so cleansing day and night is crucial. Our best-selling 111SKIN Lift Off Exfoliating Cleanser has a hydrating formula that removes dead skin cells and cleanses deeply to unclogs pores and fight free radicals.

Y Theorem Repair Serum by 111SKIN

“Prevention not intervention is my mantra. Treating and healing skin with professional skincare and non-invasive treatments is always my initial recommendation. If customers want to push their treatment beyond skincare, our clinic has board-certified surgeons and registered nurses to perform skin rejuvenating, non-surgical treatments, such as anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, Fraxel, thermage, and mesotherapy. Many of these are combined for subtler aesthetic enhancement.

“There’s an interesting new trend towards ingestible skincare products. 111SKIN Radiant Beauty Dose capsules contain vitamins and minerals based on the original supplement combinations given to astronauts to protect them from rapid ageing in the extreme environment of space. They work to boost levels of glutathione, the body's most potent antioxidant, to delay ageing.

Hero product: 111SKIN Y Theorem Repair Serum, which contains our star ingredient NAC Y2, a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vitamin C complex that improves skin resilience and rejuvenation, brightens dull complexions and protects against pollution. 111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Serum and 111SKIN Cryo Energising Face Serum, are nutrient-rich, low viscosity products that work to combat ageing, and revive and resurface the skin.