“I am looking for skin-care product advice,” I wrote to ChatGPT at the end of November. “I have dry, rosacea-prone skin and a good amount of hyperpigmentation. I’m looking for a full skin-care overhaul. Please provide me with recommendations.” After a few entries where I altered my prompts, adding that I liked “clean” products and was willing to splurge, ChatGPT gave me the rundown of what I should be using and avoiding, along with short product descriptions not unlike those you’d find on your favorite beauty retailer’s website:
Morning Routine
Cleanser: Tata Harper Refreshing Cleanser ($88)
A gentle, moisturizing cleanser ideal for sensitive skin, made with natural ingredients.
Toner: Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner ($38)
Alcohol-free, hydrating, and soothing with antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 and hyaluronic acid.
Serum: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum ($78)
A vitamin C serum to help with hyperpigmentation, brightening, and firming, made with clean ingredients.
Moisturizer: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream ($300)
Luxurious and deeply hydrating, perfect for dry skin, with cutting-edge skin rejuvenation technology.
Sunscreen: Supergoop! Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 ($44)
A lightweight mineral sunscreen that’s gentle on sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.
Night Routine
Cleanser: Use the same Tata Harper Refreshing Cleanser.
Toner: Use the same Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner.
Serum: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Serum ($370)
This luxurious face oil is formulated with a blend of plant-based oils and antioxidants. It’s designed to nourish, hydrate, and protect sensitive and dry skin. [Ed. note: ChatGPT originally offered me a less expensive rose-spiked serum, but rose scents don’t agree with me, so I asked for a replacement.]
Moisturizer: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Overnight Cream ($75)
Rich in nutrients and natural botanicals for deep overnight hydration. [Ed. note: Originally, ChatGPT recommended Goop by Juice Beauty Replenishing Night Cream, a product that was discontinued in 2020 — a reminder that Chat GPT doesn’t deliver up-to-the-minute information — so I chose the next-closest option.]
Treatment (optional, two to three times a week): Herbivore Botanicals Blue Tansy Resurfacing Clarity Mask ($50)
A gentle exfoliating mask perfect for sensitive skin types.
Tips
- Introduce new products gradually to monitor skin reactions.
- Consult a dermatologist for personalized advice, especially for conditions like rosacea.
- Consistency is key for seeing results, but also listen to your skin and adjust as needed.
The Results
Impressed by the breadth of information ChatGPT shared with me and refreshed to see that none of the suggestions were sponsored or ad-driven as we’ve become accustomed to with Instagram, I had my eight new products in tow and was ready to get started — but not without first consulting a couple of dermatologists to get their take on what I was about to use.