THE ART OF THE FRESH START

Written by LAURA REGENSDORF

The chance to begin anew is always at your fingertips—a year-round open invitation—but the turn of the calendar puts it into focus. January is a time of self-study, starting with the most elemental routines: skin care. The London-based aesthetician Melanie Grant, whose New York treatment studio sits conveniently above VIOLET GREY, advises on a tailored-to-fit regimen, from morning to night.

THE MORNING EDIT:
Preservation and Defense

CLEANSER
Biologique Recherche Lait E.V.
“Wake up the skin with an intentional cleanse. This vitamin-enriched milky formula gently removes oil, sweat, and residual product from the night before. It leaves the skin perfectly clean and prepped while preserving the acid mantle, ensuring the skin feels plump and hydrated, rather than stripped.”

ANTIOXIDANT SERUM
Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum
“Apply a protective antioxidant serum to shield the complexion from harsh pollution and environmental aggressors. I love a vitamin C serum as it not only works to neutralize free radicals but also firms, brightens, and reduces dark spots. A true multitasker.”

EYE CREAM
Valmont V-Firm Eye
“I’m a huge fan of eye cream. The fragile skin around our eyes has little to no oil glands, so an eye cream will give the skin a supple finish—prevent creasing and padding out fine lines while boosting hydration to ensure optimal light reflection. This honey-gold gel specifically targets loss of density, reinforcing the dermis to provide a firming effect.”

MOISTURIZER
Auteur Definitive Density Cream
“A high-performance architectural treatment for the skin. Engineered with a potent concentration of growth factors and a specialized oxygen carrier, it works at a cellular level to restore lost volume and redensify the complexion. It creates a firming, protective veil that mimics the natural lipid barrier, ensuring the skin is resilient and intensely hydrated throughout the day.”

SPF
Noble Panacea The Energist Multi-Defense SPF 50
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to the skin. This is a non-negotiable, no matter the weather. This formula is a feat of molecular engineering, utilizing OSM™ technology to deliver timed-release protection and hydration. It acts as a complete urban shield, defending against UV, blue light, and pollution while leaving a sheer, weightless finish that doubles as a perfect makeup primer.”

THE EVENING EDIT:
Correction and Repair

DOUBLE CLEANSE
Victoria Beckham Beauty Cleanser Duo
“A good evening routine always begins with a double cleanse. First up, a cushioning oil to dissolve SPF, makeup, and debris. Next, an acid cleanser to further purify, gently exfoliate, and refine the pores, ensuring the skin is perfectly prepped for the serums and creams to follow.”

CORRECTIVE SERUM PER SKIN NEEDS
For Improved Texture & Tone:
Auteur Definitive Retinol Serum
“A good evening routine always begins with a double cleanse. First up, a cushioning oil to dissolve SPF, makeup, and debris. Next, an acid cleanser to further purify, gently exfoliate, and refine the pores, ensuring the skin is perfectly prepped for the serums and creams to follow.”

For Longevity & Cellular Senescence:
Biologique Recherche Progeskin
“A breakthrough in skin science, this serum targets progerin—the protein responsible for cellular aging. It works to firm and tone, redefining facial contours and promoting cellular longevity for a fresher, more rested appearance.”

For Structural Density & Lines:
Biologique Recherche Collagène Originel
“The ultimate redensifying treatment. It stimulates the four primary types of collagen to strengthen the skin’s framework, visibly reducing the depth of established lines and plumping the skin from within.”

For Firming & Anti-Glycation:
Biologique Recherche Sérum A-Glyca
“Designed to combat the glycation process, where sugar fibers stiffen collagen and elastin. This serum protects the skin’s structural proteins, reducing deep lines and signs of fatigue while restoring a radiant, firm bounce.”

EYE CREAM
Valmont V-Firm Eye
“Re-apply this in the evening to support the delicate periorbital tissue during its peak regenerative phase, ensuring you wake to a well-rested, firmed appearance.”

TARGETED CREAM PER SKIN NEEDS
For Dry or Compromised Skin:
Biologique Recherche Crème Masque Vernix VG
“A cult-favorite ‘second skin’ treatment. Rich in fats, proteins, and antioxidant peptides, it mimics the protective barrier of birth. When applied as a night cream, it provides unmatched healing and hydration for a total barrier reset.”

For Dull, Uneven Complexions:
Biologique Recherche Crème PIGM 400
“A powerhouse brightening cream that targets existing pigment while preventing new spots from surfacing. It unifies the skin tone and enhances radiance, ensuring you wake up with a lit-from-within glow."

For Oily, Blemish-Prone Skin:
Biologique Recherche Crème Dermopurifiante
“The ultimate regulator. This formula purifies the epidermis, tightens pores, and calms redness. It balances sebum production without dehydrating the skin, refining the skin’s grain for a clearer, matte finish.”

THE WEEKLY EDIT:
Renewal and Glow

EXFOLIATION
Auteur Definitive Enzyme Cleanser
“I love to use this product off-label as a gommage a couple times a week. This high-performance powder-to-foam treatment utilizes a complex of enzymes and AHAs to metabolize dead skin and debris, revealing a fresh, polished, illuminated complexion. Dispense 6 to 8 shakes into the palm, adding water to create a creamy emulsion. Massage into the skin for 60 seconds—or leave on for up to 5 minutes as an express mini-peel—to thoroughly detoxify, refine, and brighten.”

MASK
For Instant Refinement:
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
“This red-carpet mask is a triple-threat: It detoxifies, lifts, and tones. Formulated with white clay and antioxidant-rich oils, it tightens pores and mattifies the complexion without stripping moisture. It’s the ultimate prep for clear, firm, and radiant skin.”

For Nourishing Renewal:
Valmont Prime Renewing Pack
“A cult favorite for a reason. This cream mask is eight hours of sleep in a jar, erasing signs of fatigue and stress in minutes. Whether used as a thick 20-minute treatment or massaged in as a thin veil, it re-energizes the skin with a cocktail of peptides, leaving it plump, fresh, and glowing.”

For Pro-Level Plumping:
Valmont Regenerating Mask Treatment
“The gold standard in collagen masks, this 98% pure collagen sheet is a hallmark of my clinical facials. It works in 30 minutes to intensely hydrate, soothe redness, and smooth lines by delivering a surge of active minerals directly into the skin. The result is an immediate, transformative plumping effect that mimics the results of an in-clinic procedure.”