Creating your own skincare routine sounds like it should be a straight-forward process but it hardly ever is. Pop into your local drugstore or boutique cosmetics store and when you’re faced with hundreds of products, it can be hard to figure out where to start. We’re not only inundated with products but with routines and methods. Some women adopt a 10-step Korean process, while others swear by daily exfoliation or use of a jade roller. One person’s secret weapon beauty cream may be available from Amazon in bulk while others love to splurge on department store brands packed with gold flecks, caviar and diamond dust.

And what about toner, serums, essences – are they all necessary? Are more products better for achieving glowing skin, or is less more? Some people prefer to purchase all of their skincare products from one brand, while others may like to mix and match although it is time consuming. Prices can also be confusing. Everyone loves a bargain, but are you getting what you pay for when it comes to skincare, or are you paying for beautiful packaging and marketing costs rather than quality ingredients?

If you don’t have the time, patience and knowledge to sift and sample through dozens of products, one of the easiest way to build a skincare routine is by purchasing a kit. This means that someone else has done all the guesswork for you, and all you have to do is open the kit and follow the directions. It couldn’t be simpler.

One brand that specializes in skincare kits is Advanced Dermatology. You may not have heard of this brand as it is not available in retail stores- it is sold directly to consumers. Direct to consumer brands are rising in popularity, thanks to companies such as such as BeautyCounter, Glossier and Rodan + Fields. These brands often have lower price points than their boutique counterparts as they don’t spend money on advertising. What they rely on is word of mouth recommendations, and online engagement. Because these companies get direct customer feedback about their products, they can control inventory and innovate products faster than traditional brands. It is a democratic approach to beauty, and by cutting out the middleman, the cost savings are often significant for the consumer.

What is Advanced Dermatology?

Advanced Dermatology is a direct to consumer skincare brand that specializes in targeting skin concerns, whether that is the signs of aging, dark spots or loss of firmness- as well as puffy eyes and under eye bags. The line is designed for all ages, whether you’re in your 20s, 30s or 60s. The goal of Advanced Dermatology is to help its users achieve flawless looking skin at a reasonable price-point.

The best way to describe Advanced Dermatology’s philosophy is that it is a no-nonsense line. The packaging is simple and streamlined, where each product is assigned its own bright color. Unlike other brands, Advanced Dermatology doesn’t promote itself by claiming to use obscure ingredients picked at the height of the full moon on a deserted island only in the month of August. Instead of hyped up claims and trendy ingredients, Advanced Dermatology brings skincare back to the basics to help users get the best possible looking skin.

All products are housed in dark, airless containers to help protect and maximize their potency as exposure to air and sunlight can weaken formulas.

What Can Advanced Dermatology Do For Skin?

Advanced Dermatology’s products are designed to tackle some of the most common skincare concerns, such as dark spots and uneven skin tone, as well as fine lines. The products can also help with dark circles and tired looking eyes, as well as under eye bags and puffiness. The neck and chest area, which often show the signs of aging first, are also addressed. The products can also help with the look of sagging skin.

Who Does Advanced Dermatology Work Best For?

Advanced Dermatology’s products are aimed at a wide variety of users, whether they are male or female, are in their 20s and are concerned about prevention and maintenance, or are in their 40s and are starting to see the first signs of aging appear. The products are ideal for people age 50 and up, who may be concerned about fine lines and wrinkles.

What Does Advanced Dermatology Sell?

The Advanced Dermatology line is streamlined, and the kit contains only six products. Here’s a closer look at the products, presented in the order they should be used.

Daily Renew Cleanser
Any good skincare routine should start with a clean palette, so cleansing your face without stripping it of its oils is a must. The Daily Renew Cleanser leaves skin squeaky clean without over-cleansing it, thanks to ingredients such as rose extract.

Super Youth Serum
A serum is the workhorse of any skincare routine- this is the product that does the heavy lifting. Advanced Dermatology’s Super Youth Serum helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to antioxidants and skin plumping hyaluronic acid.

Anti-Wrinkle Firming Night Treatment
Help fight wrinkles while you sleep with Advanced Dermatology’s Anti-Wrinkle Night Firming Cream. Ingredients such as algae extract help to give the skin a lifted appearance while lactic acid works to improve skin’s texture.

Deep Cellular Regeneration Cream
Think of this cream as a multi-tasking, do-it-all worker bee. Apply it at night and let it do its work against the signs of aging, such as dark spots, uneven texture and fine lines, by helping to regenerate skin cells..

Complete Age Defense Day Cream
Your daily moisturizer is one of the most important choices you can make. This is the cream that will keep your skin nourished and hydrated, to help preserve its youthful appearance.

Youthful Boost Eye Cream
If you need a little boost around the eyes, apply this soothing eye cream which targets the signs of aging around the eyes, including fine lines and dark circles.

What Ingredients Are in Advanced Dermatology?

Advanced Dermatology’s products are formulated with tried and true ingredients, rather than anything trendy or obscure. For example, hyaluronic acid shows up in many of its products. Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, and helps to plump up the skin and fill in fine lines.