These days, she finds skin care inspiration from her new dermatologist in Los Angeles (“I used to live in New York—to switch your dermatologist, it’s worse than a breakup with a romantic partner”) and from guests on her show (“When I saw Hailey Bieber in person, I was like, your skin is perfect. I went home that day and did a full skin care routine.”).
Ahead, Alex Cooper shares her favorite skin care products for Glamour‘s Drop the Routine.
My cleanser
I use two different cleansers. It depends on how my skin’s acting. If I can tell that I’ve been doing too much makeup recently for interviews, I’ll do a cleanser that’s prescribed from my dermatologist. It’s a face wash. The brand is Acella, which contains sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur with green tea and aloe. When my skin is not as irritated, I’m just using the Dr. Dennis Gross Cleansing Gel. It’s a classic that doesn’t irritate my skin.
My toner
I never used a toner until recently because I didn’t even know what a toner did, honestly. I started to use Paula’s Choice Resist Advanced Replenishing Toner, and that’s a good one. It has hyaluronic acid and helps hydrate immediately. I started trying it, and it has worked for me. I feel like my face is so hydrated, and it hasn’t irritated my skin.
My serums
I do use quite a few serums because my skin can be on the dry side. The first serum I always, always use is the Biba de Sousa Plant Stem Cell Serum with Peptides. It is incredible. It’s one of those purchases that is a little bit more expensive, but it has done wonders to my skin. I also got a little sample bottle of the Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Acid and I went and purchased my own. It’s another investment, but I have tried so many hyaluronic acids and this truly feels so different on my skin. Also, none of these people pay me to say any of this. I have no beauty sponsorship. So you can be rest assured, I’m giving you the real tea. The other one I usually use is the Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Serum. I really like the texture.
My moisturizer
Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream is phenomenal. It has the right balance—it’s sort of thick but not too thick at the same time. It just has a very good consistency. It pairs really well on top of the serums I’m putting on my skin. I also use it at nighttime. Sometimes I’ll only put one serum on and then put that on top and it feels really good. But that is a little bit heavier. The other one that I use is the one 111Skin Y Theorem Day Cream, which feels great on my skin. Sometimes, if I want to keep it super simple, I use the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, which you can get at any drug store. It makes you feel hydrated. I’ve gotten my boyfriend to use it.
My retinol
I started with a prescribed one. It is a clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin gel from Oceanside Pharmaceuticals. That’s what my doctor recommended for me. I can only put it on twice a week max, because I do have drier skin. I have noticed a difference. My skin really does look clearer, and it’s made my overall complexion a lot better. It’s way more even.
My face oil
I use the Fortuna Skin Biphase Moisturizing Oil and also the Mara Universal Face Oil with algae and moringa. Those have been pretty good for me, but I think I’m more heavy on my serums and then once in a while I’ll put on an oil. But I always learned not to do the oil when you’re super, super dry. That’s not the time to rely heavily on it.
My face mist
I use the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I’ve seen everyone use it, so I tried it. It actually smells really refreshing and nice.
My sunscreen
I use Elta MD. My dermatologist recently told me I should be wearing the tinted as much as possible because there’s something that elevates the coverage from the sun if you are outside. I was like, whoa, okay. So I’ve been trying to do the tinted one more.
My lip balm
I am using the Burt’s Bees Pomegranate. I love the color. It does the trick. I think I hold it in every single interview, in every single Instagram story, in every single video. I am not sponsored by them, everyone. It’s a genuine love. I like the way it makes my color look so I don’t have to do a lip line or anything. It looks like natural color.
My tools
I’m gonna be real with you: For a little bit, I used the jade roller. I didn’t feel like it was doing anything. I’ve had some friends recommend certain products, but I’ve tried them and I don’t use any of them. I don’t know if I’m missing out, but I feel like there’s a natural way that people have evolved without those things. I’m like, my mom looks pretty good and she’s never even had Botox. Sure, there are ways to make yourself look a little bit better, but I’m also kind of lazy with that stuff. There are some people on the internet that I’m like, you did not get that from jade rolling. That’s filler. And I totally love it—get your filler, girl. I just haven’t seen a difference when I’ve done it.
