VBS Series | Amelia Gray's 12-Step Skin Care Routine

Ever wondered how a top model creates a picture-perfect look on off-duty days? Amelia Gray, childhood tv personality born to Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna of RHOBH, is no stranger to the spotlight. Making her mark as an ascending top model in 2024, Gray shares her secrets to a glowy complexion that is always camera-ready.


Watch her Vogue Beauty Secrets feature here:

Gray emphasizes the use of moisturizer to carry a look, adding that she, like her mother, would prefer to go without makeup than conceptualize a full look. Over time, she has curated a few favorites that she layers to create an all-day glass effect. Moisturizer and hydrating oils are essential to any skincare routine, and much more when incorporating active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide. Let’s take a look at the products she uses ^_^

1) Image Skincare ORMEDIC Balancing Facial Cleanser

This gentle gel cleanser contains key antioxidants such as green tea extract, turmeric extract, and calendula leaf extract to leave skin nourished and prepped to take in moisture. Aloe vera, pantheon [a derivative from vitamin B-5], and green tea extract work to calm skin and maintain a balanced ph level, while vitamin c and turmeric work to balance skin tone and smooth textured skin. Perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, this cleanser balances your skin’s natural pH. The formulation is alcohol-free and chock full of ingredients to protect against free radicals.

2) Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 Original 1970

Gray utilizes Biologique Recherche line to moisturize her skin. Biologique Recherche uses a unique methodology for producing its products, and consumers of their brand are matched with personalized products to reach their individualized skincare goals. Some of their products are streamlined for general consumption; Gray recommends the P50 Lotion and the Crème Dermo-RL enriching moisturizer.

The lotion–along with the entire PIGM 400 line–targets pigmentation using a blend of skin brightening, soothing ingredients, and light chemical exfoliants to enhance a supple feel. Specifically, the P50 lotion contains niacinamide and salicylic acid, both of which are extensively researched for their abilities to smooth textured skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. When combined, these ingredients create a powerful duo: salicylic acid aids niacinamide in penetrating deeper into the skin, revealing a more radiant complexion. Additionally, bioflavonoids in the formula further enhance the absorption of these active ingredients, maximizing their effectiveness and supporting the skin’s natural production of collagen.

The P50 Lotion is a cult-classic and one of the leading products in the Biologique Recherche line, but if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, the Some By Mi Miracle Serum also contains both niacinamide and salicylic acid, along with a mix of soothing ingredients to reduce inflammation.

 

3) Jan Marini Regeneration Booster

This powerful serum aids in telomerase maintenance and increased cellular renewal for aging skin. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from damage. Skin cells reproduce frequently (about once per day) and with each cell division, telomeres shorten, eventually leading to cellular senescence (the scientific way of referring to aging) or apoptosis (the programmed process of cell death that removes damaged or unnecessary cells), contributing to senescence.  Apoptosis is like the skin's way of taking out the trash. It's good because it helps get rid of old or damaged skin cells that could cause problems, but it can be bad when too much oxidative stress causes too many cells to die through apoptosis, making skin look older, less healthy, and less radiant. Factors such as DNA damage and oxidative stress through exposure to free radicals contribute to apoptosis.


Skin tip: In cancer, telomerase often becomes reactivated, enabling cells to bypass senescence and continue dividing, while in the skin, telomere shortening results in reduced cell regeneration, leading to wrinkles and loss of elasticity.


Studies suggest that antioxidants such as vitamin c and vitamin e can help delay telomere loss in skin cells. The Regeneration Booster is a patented formulation that combines a cocktail of superfoods for the skin. is highly beneficial for skin health and maintenance. The serum promotes youthful and healthy skin by activating telomerase to maintain cellular longevity and reduce aging signs. It stimulates cell growth and repair, enhancing skin regeneration and firmness. With antioxidant protection, it combats oxidative stress, preventing premature aging. The serum also hydrates, plumps the skin, and strengthens the skin barrier, improving overall texture and resilience.

Though the Jen Marini is backed by a patented formulation, the $230 price tag can scare away some consumers. There are some alternative serums on the market with similar key ingredients that provide anti-aging benefits and contribute to radiant skin. For instance, The Ordinary's Multi-Peptide + HA Serum combines multiple peptides with hyaluronic acid to target fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity, making it a powerful yet affordable option​.

Another great choice is Mad Hippie's Corrective Peptide Serum, which utilizes a blend of peptides to help improve skin texture and firmness​. Additionally, Stratia's Rewind Firming Serum includes a combination of peptides and other hydrating ingredients to support skin barrier function and overall health.

 

4) Jan Marini Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Treatment

Jan Marini's Benzoyl Peroxide 10% is a medical-grade acne treatment that effectively targets breakouts by penetrating deep into the pores. Its active ingredient, benzoyl peroxide, works as both an antibacterial and exfoliating agent, reducing inflammation and unclogging pores to prevent future breakouts. The 10% concentration is particularly suitable for persistent and cystic acne, though it may be too strong for sensitive skin types or for those looking to rebuild their skin barrier. The formulation includes deionized water as a base, which ensures the product applies smoothly without additional impurities. Fatty alcohols–cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol–act as emollients to reduce inflammation while softening and smoothing the skin. These compounds also provide a creamy texture for the base.

The treatment also contains butylene glycol and glycerine, which serve as humectants. Watch out: the formulation contains parabens to preserve the product, so individuals with sensitivities may want to patch-test this product prior to regular use.

This product is ideal for those with oily, acne-prone skin who need a powerful solution to target active breakouts and prevent future ones. Those with darker skin tones prone to hyperpigmentation, should use it with caution, as benzoyl peroxide can cause irritation and temporary redness that may exacerbate pigmentation issues.

 

5) Biologique Recherche Crème Dermo-RL

Biologique Recherche Crème Dermo-RL is a luxurious formulation that restores hydration and repairs the skin's lipid barrier. Its rich blend of plant oils and botanical extracts makes it ideal for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin, particularly after treatments like chemical peels or micro-needling.

Shea butter serves as the primary emollient, providing intense hydration and soothing dry, irritated skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce redness and irritation. The product also contains hyaluronic acid, a humectant that our skin naturally produces. Cotton oil, grape seed oil, and cranberry oil makes up a potent mix of antioxidants and fatty acids. This cocktail protects the skin from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which can lead to premature aging. They also help reinforce the skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and preventing dehydration.

Prickly pear extract and walnut extract further enhance the cream's nourishing profile. Prickly pear extract is rich in vitamin E and amino acids, promoting skin repair and reducing signs of fatigue, while walnut extract provides anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. Jojoba oil closely resembles the skin's natural sebum and helps regulate oil production, making this moisturizer versatile for different skin types.

This cream is best suited for individuals with dry or aging skin, as well as those recovering from intensive treatments. However, its rich oils [particularly jojoba oil and cotton oil, which have comedogenic ratings of 2 and 4 respectively] may not be suitable for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

The whopping $206 selling price can deter some consumers; a more affordable option that maintains a similar structure to the formulation and considers the active ingredients in the routine as a whole is easydew Barrier Repair Cream. The formula contains EDG (Epidermal Growth Factor), a patented ingredient that promotes skin regeneration, enhances elasticity, and accelerates repair processes—mimicking the effects of high-end formulas without the steep price tag. EGF has been utilized in South Korean hospitals to promote wound healing and skin regeneration. Its applications include treating burns, surgical wounds, and diabetic ulcers, where it aids in accelerating tissue repair and reducing recovery times. In dermatology, EGF is employed to enhance skin rejuvenation, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of scars and wrinkles. Incorporating EGF into barrier repair creams leverages its regenerative properties to exponentiate skin healing. Meadowfoam Seed Oil delivers exceptional moisture retention and antioxidant protection while providing a lightweight, non-greasy texture that mimics the hydration effects of jojoba oil. This alternative provides hydration, repair, and elasticity without relying on heavier oils like shea butter or cotton seed oil, which may not suit all skin types.

 

The Glow Up

Amelia Gray's skincare routine is undeniably customized to her individual skin biology and the science behind her choices offer a wealth of knowledge that can be adapted to your own regimen. On the counteractive end, Grey utilizes a vitamin C cleanser and benzoyl peroxide acne treatment powerful actives like benzoyl peroxide and vitamin C in the same routine may sound appealing, but it could actually worsen the concerns each ingredient works to solve respectively. When used together, they can cancel each other out, diminishing their benefits and potentially irritating your skin. Instead of doubling down on actives, give each ingredient the space to shine. One could alternate their use—vitamin C in the morning to brighten and protect, benzoyl peroxide at night to fight acne–or continue using the vitamin C cleanser while spot-treating acne with the treatment in lieu of applying it to the entire face.

If you’re looking to incorporate active ingredients into your routine, less is more. For a routine that brings a glassy, radiant complexion without breaking the bank, focus on pairing exfoliating ingredients with viscous, hydrating ingredients. For dry skin, this could signify things such as ceramides, beta-glucan, and peptides. For those with acne or oily skin, humectants such as snail mucin, propolis, squalane, madecassoside, and centella asiatica provide hydration in lightweight, gel-like formulations that are non-comedogenic and may actually work to smooth texture and reduce visiblity of pores on the skin; snail mucin particularly aids in improving the aesthetics of the skin barrier. These ingredients also provide anti-bacterial effects that could counteract skin inflammation and stabilize bacterial breakouts.

Contrary to popular belief, all skin concerns would benefit from proper hydration–oily skin craves hydration just as much as any other skin type. Dehydration can trick your skin into overproducing oil, leading to clogged pores and persistent breakouts. Combining skincare products rich in hydrating humectants with other acne-fighting formulations can improve dullness, fortalize your skin barrier, and stabilize oil production so your skin doesn’t feel like the pressure to overcompensate.

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