Inside the Beauty Routine of a Dermatologist’s Wife

Bella Pelle’s Michelle Reyes-Navarro talks about the perks of living with a derma, her favorite skin care brand, and her extensive beauty routine.

Dec 7, 2020

If there’s one thing Michelle Reyes-Navarro can talk about for hours on end—and from the perspective of a true beauty expert, too—it’s skin care. Married to Dr. Maximin Navarro, a dermatologist and fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society, she’s been her husband’s “guinea pig” for many years, and has tried all sorts of beauty products, treatments, and machines.

This, along with her always flawless skin, easily made her the go-to skin care expert within her circle, with friends and acquaintances always asking for her beauty tips. Inspired by their trust, she decided to launch Bella Pelle in June 2018, starting with a humble Instagram shop. In August 2019, the official website went live, and has since evolved into a full-blown e-commerce site specializing in premium, high-quality skin care products. The best part? Michelle remains at the helm of customer service, still generous with her expert advice and recommendations.

Here, the mom of two and yoga practitioner (she’s also the co-founder of Yoga Manila) spills all about her beauty secrets, particularly her jaw-dropping beauty routine.

What do you love most about having a husband who’s a dermatologist?

As a wife of a dermatologist, I get to be updated with the latest beauty and skin trends—the latest machines and products developed for the major concerns of the market. I don’t get pimples anymore but when I do get the occasional zit, I can have it extracted or injected any time of the day at the comfort of my home! I also have an on-call dermatologist wherever I go, even while traveling. I get to try so many products and I know which ones really work, so in a way I know more than my husband! [laughs] But of course, for medical advice, he’s still the best person to ask.

What derma treatments do you usually get?

Honestly, I am too lazy to do treatments! I can’t even remember my last facial because it was many years ago. We have the latest machines at the clinic but it’s in Makati and just thinking of the drive makes me lazier. Sometimes, I try a new machine but I never continue with the sessions. I am just big on having a daily skin care routine and I really stick to it. I commit myself to my regimen and do it even if I am so sleepy or even tipsy from a party. But when I open my Biologique Recherche Center—hopefully soon, when the pandemic situation improves—for sure, I will be having more frequent facials.

What’s your favorite skin care brand ever?

Hands down, Biologique Recherche! I have tried so many skin care brands and most of them are really good, but nothing has changed my skin the way Biologique Recherche (BR) has. My friends tell me, ‘You’ve always had good skin, so how can you tell the difference?’ Well, it’s really only you who will be able to tell, especially when you retire at night and you have nothing on except for the BR products.

BR products feel so luxurious on the skin but the thing is, most of them don’t really smell good. This is because there are no fragrances added and they use raw ingredients. The smell fades away anyway, and it’s the effect on the skin that is important. Sometimes, people think I have makeup on but I don’t. It’s all skin care.

I love so many products and I really recommend my favorites to Bella Pelle customers because I know they really work (In fact, you can message us on Facebook or Instagram —I’m the one who answers!). But I try to use only one line because the products are made to work synergistically. That way, you’ll get the best results.

Tell us about your current skin care routine.

My regimen depends on my skin condition so it varies depending on the weather or climate, especially when I’m traveling; my personal circumstances (like, if I am stressed or not); as well as my hormonal situation, which is dependent on my period. People tend to think that they should have one regimen forever, and then wonder why some products stop working for them. The truth is it’s not exactly the product’s fault; most likely, their skin has changed. At BR, they have this term, “skin instant,” which basically refers to the condition of the skin at any given moment. Their products are formulated for specific skin instants, which is why they’re so effective.

For my current skin instant, these are what I use:

A.M. Routine

When I wake up in the morning, I massage my face, neck and decolletage with Lait VIP O2. It purifies and oxygenates my skin and leaves a soft film. It’s a good way to start the day and make the skin radiant. In the morning, instead of using the Lotion P50 (which is the BR “holy grail”), I prefer using the Serum 3R, a serum that also exfoliates and at the same time calms redness, firms, hydrates and protects the skin. I apply Serum Amniotique all over for hydration, then Serum Dermopore on my T-zone. I use Serum Erythros around my nose because that’s where I have redness, and this calms skin and reduces the sensitivity. Then, I apply VG-Tensil for an instant lift, as well as for smoothening and tightening. When layering serums, I wait for 30 to 45 seconds to let the product penetrate first before applying the next one.

Sometimes, I go straight to sunscreen especially when it’s hot and humid. But the weather these days is kind of cool so I use Crème VIP O2 (for protection against external aggressors and irritation caused by mask-wearing) and I mix a bit of Crème PIGM 400 for that glowing effect. If I feel like I need extra protection, I also use Fluide VIP O2, which is also a good makeup base. Around my eyes, I apply Crème Contour Des Yeux VIP O2 for a fresh look—it fights dark circles and tiredness.

If I won’t be exposed to the sun too much or if I’m just staying indoors, I use Serum de Teint in N3 shade. I don’t use foundation so this serves as my sheer makeup; it doesn’t give much coverage but it unifies the skin tone and gives it a natural glow. On days when I’m out in the sun, however, I instead use Tizo 3. It has a matte effect and is lightly tinted, so it doubles as my makeup base and UV protector.

I use Rapid Brow to condition and brush up my eyebrow, then apply Infracyte Luscious Lips in Cinnamon Crush, a nude shade, on my lips to soften. It’s a great lipstick base—my lips don’t chap the whole day, and it delivers anti-aging and plumping effects. I spray L’ Eauxygenante as a finishing touch and mist it whenever I need to quickly freshen up during the day.

I know it sounds like a lot but it’s actually pretty quick! Since I’m so used to doing it, it just takes me around 5 to 6 minutes.

P.M. Routine

At night, I try to feed my skin more as it is when blood circulation is optimum and when collagen repair happens. As we sleep, the skin recovers from the stresses of the day, so might as well make the most of it with the help of skin care.

If I have make up on, I remove it with Eau Micellaire Biosensible—it’s very gentle even for sensitive skin. I massage Lait VIP O2 to cleanse skin thoroughly. I dab on Lotion P50 PIGM 400 for exfoliation, brightening, and prevention of hyperpigmentation. I apply Rapid Brow again on my eyebrows and MD Lash Factor Eyelash Conditioner on my upper lash line.

For my serums, I use Serum Amniotique for hydration, then Serum-A-Glyca for anti-aging and anti-glycation especially because I like eating sweets! I also use Serum Splenodermine for firming and cell renewal. I pat Serum Oligo-Proteines Marines on my under-eye area to reduce and prevent dark circles, then use Serum Erythros around my nose.

I always put crème at night and I alternate between the La Grande Crème, which is known for delivering serious anti-aging benefits by reversing DNA damage, and the Crème Grand Millesime, which improves elasticity and is also good for regeneration and rejuvenation. I apply Crème Contour Yeux et Levres Biofixine around my eyes and lips, then Biokiss on my lips.

Unlike in the morning when I sometimes skip the crème and the finishing serum, I never fail to apply these at night. I use Le Grand Serum, which plumps, tones and leaves skin luminous, after the La Grande Crème, or the Grand Millesime Serum after Creme Grand Millesime. If my skin feels more dehydrated than usual, I use Serum Yall-O2 or Serum T.E.W.L after my crème.

I am not so diligent when it comes to masques but I try to use them two to three times a week. I use Masque Vivant a week before my period because this is when I get a bit oily. Plus, Vivant also makes dull skin glow. When I feel dry, I use Masque Visolastine +. I like mixing it with Vivant because it balances the “drying” effect.

Then twice a week, I apply a booster after my Lotion P50 PIGM 400: I use the Lotion MC 110 N1, which gives added exfoliation and smoothening of fine lines.

It is actually a quick routine! The products are targeted and you only apply some of them on specific areas of the face so it’s not really an overload of products.

At least once a week, I try to find time to do a full body regimen, too, literally from head to toe. I use Lotion P50 Capillaire to balance the scalp and control sebum, then mask with the Masque Bain de Plantes because my scalp tends to be on the oily side. I also use the Masque Biologique Capillaire as a hair treatment.

I shampoo with Shampoo Traitant Sebo-Reequilibrant for oil regulation and scalp detoxification, and use Baume Capillaire as conditioner for my hair tips. I also alternate this shampoo with Free & Clear Shampoo and Conditioner, which are paraben-free, sulfate-free, preservative-free, and gluten-free. These are what I use every day as well.

After bathing, I use Body Oxygenant. I do the same daily regimen for face, neck, decolletage plus the masques. For my body, I spray Lotion P50 Corps all over and massage with the body glove (Gant de Massage Corps). I use Lipogen AC on my thighs and buttocks area to prevent cellulite. I apply the Masque Gommage Mains on my hands once a week, then use the Emulsion Renovatrice Mains on my hands daily. For my feet, I use the Kamedis Hydrating Foot Gel.

My nighttime regimen—from head to toe—takes around 15 minutes. So it’s really not too long!

What are your top skin care tips?

1. Exercise regularly. I think this is one thing that I do that detoxifies my body and skin from within. This is what daily yoga does for me. Blood circulation is optimum and it balances hormones. Yoga relieves stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, and really affects your overall attitude.

2. Commit to a skin regimen. Do it day and night without fail. Cleanse. Exfoliate. Tone. Moisturize.

3. Drink lots of water!

4. Be positive and practice kindness. Believe in the goodness of others. It will show on your face, your skin, and your smile.

You can shop all the skin care products in Michelle’s routine here at Bella Pelle Philippines. You can also book a virtual consultation with our resident dermatologist, Dr. Maximin Navarro, for a customized skin care routine or management of skin issues.

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SHOP OTHER PRODUCTS:

La Grande Crème	Crème VIP O2
Lotion P50 PIGM	Emulsion Renovatrice Mains