No, I Didn't Get A Facial — This New Skin Care Duo Is Just *That* Good 

I can credit many of my skin-healthy habits to board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, M.D. I've followed her skin-cycling regimen ever since I saw—and covered—her four-day cycle on TikTok. (I even convinced my partner to hop on board; he's a huge fan of night No. 2.) My skin has never looked more vibrant and even. So when Bowe announced a new skin care line, Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty, I could not wait to get my paws on it.

Bowe is no stranger to the gut-skin connection; she frequently raves about her favorite high-fat, water-dense foods for a brighter glow. And in true holistic derm fashion, Bowe found it crucial to create a skin care ritual that enhances skin health from the inside out. 

We'll start with the outer skin care portion: the Bowe Glowe Microbiome Nourishing Cream. This lightweight, luxurious, refillable moisturizer contains targeted ingredients to nurture the skin microbiome, such as pre- and postbiotics, squalane, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. You won't find any exfoliators or ingredients to promote cell turnover (she even skips niacinamide, which can be irritating when used in excess). Rather, this moisturizer acts as a blanket for your skin barrier, perfect for days you'd like to focus solely on recovery. 

"No new skin care product that comes to market can claim to benefit the skin without keeping the microbiome in mind, using ingredients that support a healthy microbiome and avoiding ingredients that disrupt or damage the microbiome," Bowe tells mbg about the skin barrier. That includes your skin and gut microbiomes, as the bacteria in your gut influence the balance of bacteria on your skin. 

Of course, I had to ask Bowe how to incorporate Bowe Glowe into my skin-cycling routine. You can layer the gentle moisturizer over any potent actives without fear of irritation, as the formula only features calming, nurturing ingredients for the skin microbiome; however, Bowe says it's especially great to use on recovery days when you want to pamper the skin.

I also decided to forgo my hydrating serums as I tested the formula since it already includes high-powered hydrators like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and ceramides. To my delight, my skin appeared bouncy and plump from the nourishing cream alone (that also makes it worth the steep $95 price tag, as it essentially combines two skin care steps). And because of the breathable, lightweight texture, Bowe Glowe makes a fabulous daytime moisturizer: It wears exceptionally well under makeup with almost the consistency of a functional primer—it grips onto the skin without feeling tacky.