Everything I've Ever Done to My Face

My nuanced approach to skincare.

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you already know that I am the founder of MARA. Or, maybe you don’t. Being an entrepreneur takes a healthy dose of delusion, and for better or for worse I fear it’s a trait I’ve always seemingly had. Don’t worry, this isn’t an entire musing to sell you on my devotion to everything I’ve created. But if you haven’t tried MARA, perhaps this will point you in our direction, along with some other easy practices that I follow to achieve youthful-looking skin.

As of late, I do get more questions about my diet and exercise, which you can find here. But if I look at my years on earth in totality, the number one question I get asked online and IRL is: what I currently do and what have done to my face. And I get it. As the creator of a skincare line it’s only fair to be totally up front with all four categories: genetics, skincare rituals, diet / wellness and yes, enhancements.

I remember when I launched MARA back in 2018, one of the first interviews I did on my skin maintenance for The Zoe Report I included my amazing friend and injector Sari Hoban, crediting her devoutly for keeping my deeper wrinkles at bay. To this I was met with mixed feelings… “Do your products even work?” “Oh, she does Botox that’s why her skin looks good” etc. Several people close to me told me it wasn’t a good idea to disclose that, but I’ve always felt the need for transparency. I’d say even more so now that I am somewhat of an authority in my field. Society’s evolution and disposition towards injectables has advanced drastically since then, and arguably has gone even too far, but I’ve always subscribed to the idea that I never want to sell a false narrative. So, without further adieu, an in depth look at everything I do and have done to my face, starting back when I was 22 years old.

Injectables

Dysport / Botox:

If you’re anti-neuromodulators then you’re going to want to sit down for this one. I started getting “baby” botox when I was 22 years old. And yes, my mother knew and supported this decision. You see, I started working on camera right when I graduated college, and thanks to my parents I was gifted a forehead that loves to express itself. Before you come at me, facial expression is beautiful and natural. It allows us on an innate level to pick up on social cues, feelings and temperament and gives us the mobility to laugh and cry. All of this which I fully still have, by the way. What I didn’t love is I noticed that the expression lines hung around long after the moments passed. At 22, I was already forming deeper wrinkle lines above my eyebrows and on my forehead. So, I decided to do something about it, and I haven’t looked back.

I have been getting about 60 units of Dysport (translation: 20 units of botox) in my forehead and 11’s since then. And this I feel is one of my biggest skin health advantages. I have upped the dosage slightly more in recent years, but we go as conservative as possible and most importantly, always allow movement because I never want to look frozen. But, there is a method I follow and many injectors will disagree with me, but here it goes. I wait for the neuromodulator to fully wear off before I get more. This is my biggest secret. Back then, I was averaging about 1 appointment every 12 months until my early 30s, and now I go around every 6-8 months. This is crucial as neuromodulators essentially stun the muscle, and if you’re constantly keeping the muscle frozen, like any other muscle, it will weaken and atrophy. Which in theory means you will need more and more overtime to support the look you want.

I also now additionally get Dysport injected into my crows feet to soften those, although I’ll be honest I’m lucky as I have yet to develop really deep lines there. Of course, every face composition is different so what my face needs can vary drastically to another. But if you are currently getting injectables, I would urge you to allow it to wear off before you get work over work.

Fillers:

I have been accused of getting every sort of filler in the book on social media. I hate to break the news but the only filler I have gotten is lip filler, and I started just 1.5 years ago. I’ve always felt that my face was slightly off balance because I have prominent cheekbones and jawline, so I bit the bullet and went for it, albeit subtly. For the record, I do not support filler in other parts of the face. Dr. Diamond explains this way more eloquently on Siff’s podcast which you should listen to here, but essentially there is no way to control dermal fillers in the skin and I’m not looking to harbor excess hyaluronic acid in my face for any reason, and I do not want to look puffy. I do, however, support surgery and plan to do what needs to be done when the time is right, be it a pony tail or neck lift.

I also stay away from any injection trend that gains steam really fast, like Sculptra, Kybella, etc. I like the tried-and-trues and, in good time, if there is a procedure that becomes a mainstay I might consider it.

Treatments:

I do not get consistent facials. I know. I have found that my skin is happier and more balanced when I’m not getting excess resurfacing and extractions, although I fully understand and support why some get monthly facials. I recently had a facial massage with my friend Natalie in the Palisades and she is magic, my face looked so sculpted and lifted. I can’t wait to see her again.

If I do get a facial, I will absolutely not do microdermabrasion because as the name implies, it is creating micro abrasions to the epidermis and I’m here to support my skin barrier not tear it apart. I also will not do Hydrafacials. Basically, anything that dramatically tugs or tears at the skin I avoid. Now here is where I contradict myself — I absolutely LOVE lasers and micro-needling, when done by a licensed physician at a location I trust. When my dad worked with Skin Laundry, I was getting laser facials multiple times a week and really loved the results. For the past five years, I have been getting Vivace micro-needling every 4-6 months and I can’t tell you how much I love these results. There are different schools of thought on puncturing the skin repeatedly to form new collagen, but the clinicals and logic are there. I have also done PRP several times although not consistently enough to speak on it.

Modalities

LED + Red Light / Infrared

If there is one thing I sell you on, let it be investing in a LED mask. I’m legit wearing mine right now. And if you' really want to go for it, using both infrared and LED in your skincare routine. LED is wonderful on its own, but infrared is where you will see tremendous healing. I suffer from psorasis on my scalp and hands and instantly see a difference when I am doing two 45 minute infrared sessions a week, in addition to using my LED mask 4-5 nights a week. I found Huberman’s recent Skin episode really moving as he details the clinicals on photo therapy and I can say first hand I have seen a tremendous improvement in youthfulness, skin quality, texture and collagen.

Here are my favorites:

1. Dr Dennis Gross LED Mask — this is the one I personally use at home. And yes, I stand by this investment 100% and I’ll buy another one when mine dies. I do 3-4 passes (each 3 minutes) and oscillate between the first and last setting. I also use it now on my neck, hands and scalp. I also like the solo eye mask too.

2. Solawave Wand — this is what I travel with. As much as I’d love to haul my DDR mask around the globe, this is more practical and it works.

3. Solawave Mask — this is slightly more affordable than the DDR mask. Solawave was kind enough to send it to me and I have been using it perodically and can vouche for this one as well.

4. Hooga Pro300 Red Light Panel — I bought one of these after my friend recommended and wow, if you can’t get yourself into an infrared this is a great at-home option.

Micro Current

I’ll be honest, micro currents scare me sometimes because I get a metal taste in my mouth at times and for awhile, I was noticing a pattern with headaches. However, I do notice a difference particularly in my neck when I am using my NuFace device. I have been doing this more lately because I developed an overnight obsession with my neck, and haven’t noticed any headaches as of late. Just be careful and listen to your body with this one.

Skincare:

We’ve reached the time in this Substack where I sell you on my skincare. But truthfully, I make great shit and I wouldn’t waste my time or your money if I wasn’t creating something that really really works. Like I approach my diet by eating the rainbow, I approach my skincare routine by making sure I’m representing all key categories on a regular basis. The buzzy term you know now as “skin cycling” is in theory, the same concept.

Nighttime:

I wash my face every night with MARA Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil, usually while giving myself a mini facial massage. I also love Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser and MAKE Beauty’s Gel Serum Cleanser. Then, I use a treatment (either: Retinol, AHA or BHA serum) followed by a hydration step. I’ve detailed my favorites below and yes they are MARA.

Retinol:

If you buy one product from me, it should be my retinol. Of all my skincare products, consistent use of this product has changed my skin the most. I mix MARA Algae Retinol Face Oil with 0.05% prescription Tretinion at least three nights a week, all year round regardless of the season. If you have listened or read any of my interviews, you’ll know that I started using a .01% strength retinol at 13 years old. This is another big advantage I have. Retinol aka synthesized vitamin A is the most studied ingredient within the skincare ecosystem and you are doing yourself and your skin a disservice by not using it. Retinol plays the endgame, you need to be in it for the long haul to see the compounded results.

Btw, no ones skin likes retinol at first, so don’t come at me with that. You may experience a purge or sensitivity. Every chemical reaction has a corresponding reverse reaction that can occur, like when you work a new muscle or up your weight lifting and you feel sore the next day. I formulated my retinol oil for even super sensitive users and would suggest starting with one night a week and building to more frequent use.

Acids:

I love lactic acid on alternating nights of retinol. Flower Acid Algae Serum is killer, It won the Allure Best of Beauty for a reason. Great for smoothing out skin texture and wrinkles and chemically exfoliating the skin. I do stay away from glycolic acid serums as I find them to be too harsh and damage the skin barrier. I also love BHA serums to help with blackheads and whiteheads

Hydration:

Some nights I only use Universal Face Oil. Other nights I layer it on top of a treatment, or I use our new SeaDream Firming moisturizer. A few other hydration products I like are: Dieux Instant Angel and Rhode’s BCR Cream.

Morning:

I don’t wash my face in the morning. I do use an essence, I am loving Rhode’s Glazing Milk, Tata Harper’s Essence and Agent Nateur Holi Water.

Vitamin C:

Next, you’re going to need to try my MARA Sea Vitamin C. I use this every single morning. The glow and brightness you get from it is unreal and it’s great for warding off free radical damage throughout the day. It’s so hydrating you do not need a moisturizer but it does pair beautifully with SeaDream.

SPF:

I wear MARA Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum, Kosas DreamBeam, or Dr Loretta’s SPF on top.

Wellness:

I’m recently into collagen powder after listening to Huberman’s podcast, but only hydrolyzed collagen powder. I have been loving Agent Natuer HoliMane in my coffee! As for other skincare foods, I try and eat a high amount of fatty fish like salmon along with diversified proteins and vitamin A-rich foods. Exercise is amazing for your skin, so I workout at least 5x a week. Movement and sleep are beauty’s biggest secrets along with hydration so I try and do that accordingly.

And that my friends, is a very long way of telling you that I am a natural beauty! If you made it this far, I love you. Thank you for reading as I put a lot of energy into this work. There is something about this platform in particular that makes me feel so connected to you. If you have a question or a topic you’d like me to cover next, please let me know!

And as we say at MARA, can’t wait for you to Sea the Glow!

xx Allison