Dr. Nicholas V. Perricone: 'Wrinkled, sagging skin is a disease, and you can fight it'

Dr. Nicholas V. Perricone

AKA: Father of the Inflammation Theory of Aging

Home: New York City, New York

Derm distinction: Completed medical school in just three years, graduating with distinction.

The doctor is also a bestselling author: Published three New York Times #1 Best Sellers — The Perricone Promise, The Perricone Prescription, and The Wrinkle Cure, as well as the New York Times bestseller The Perricone Weight Loss Diet. Most recent books are Dr. Perricone’s 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity, and Ageless Face, Ageless Mind.

Breakthrough discovery: After years of research Dr. Perricone concluded that cellular inflammation may be the underlying cause of wrinkles. This inflammation is not the redness visible to the naked eye but rather microscopic irritation that takes place in your cells leading to cellular damage. He believes that this inflammation is responsible for skin-related problems like breakouts, wrinkles, and loss of firmness.

Anti-aging philosophy: His holistic approach to aging treats inflammation in three ways: through diet, nutri-ceutical supplements, and his award-winning line of skincare products and cosmeceuticals.

Favorite NV Perricone MD products: Advanced Face Firming Activator, Advanced Eye Therapy and Face Finishing Moisturizer

Skincare tips and secrets:

• Eating an anti-inflammatory diet. The Perricone program consists of high-quality protein (found in Wild Alaskan Salmon), antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, essential fatty acids (found in nuts, seeds, flax, salmon and other coldwater fish), probiotics (such as yogurt and kefir), polyphenolic-rich foods and beverages (such as extra-virgin olive oil and green tea) and drinking eight to 10 glasses of pure spring water daily.

• In addition to your complete daily vitamin, Dr. Perricone advises taking nutritional supplements that act as natural anti-inflammatories such as alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C ester, DMAE, CoQ10, astaxanthin, tocotrienols, and acetyl-L-carnitine.

• Applying topical antioxidants that work synergistically with your diet and supplements, enhancing the natural health and beauty of your skin.

Celebrity fan base: Uma Thurman, Heidi Klum and Hilary Swank are all longtime users; Oprah raves about the Advanced Face Firming Activator; Renee Zellweger loves the aromatherapy Synergy anti-aging serum so much she bought 12 bottles at once and begged the brand to never discontinue it.

Best Sellers Active Tinted Moisturizer

Key ingredients: SPF 15, Alpha Lipoic Acid, vitamin C ester, DMAE

Recommended for: Blotchy, uneven skin, those who want sheer coverage instead of a “full face of makeup.”

What it does: Helps protect skin from damaging UVA and UVB rays and free radicals; minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; visibly enhances skin tone and contours.

Face Firming Activator

Key ingredients: Alpha Lipoic Acid, NTP Complex with DMAE, glycolic acid

Recommended for: Surface imperfections such as large pores, scarring, discolorations, lines, wrinkles and irregular texture.

What it does: Stimulates energy production in skin cells to encourage renewal, protects inner and outer portions of the skin cell against damage, provides skin with a firmer and more youthful appearance, helps gently resurface skin to minimize fine lines, enlarged pores and scarring.

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NV Perricone Cosmeceuticals are available at Rustan’s Essenses.