A vision becomes reality

At almost 50 years old, I see aging as a natural, even beautiful process. We all want a long, fulfilling life—full of experiences, challenges, and personal successes. Aging means living, growing, and evolving. But honestly, just because we are getting older does not mean we have to look old, right? For my part, I want to look healthy and fresh. This not only reflects my inner energy, but also influences how I feel and how others perceive me. It is about finding balance: accepting and appreciating that we are getting older while doing our best for a youthful appearance.

First and foremost, I am incredibly proud to have become German Taekwondo Champion three times. This discipline and ambition have also helped me greatly in other areas of my life. I completed my medical studies and specialist training in plastic and aesthetic surgery with excellent results, which provided the professional foundation for my future career. One of my most significant achievements is undoubtedly founding my own practice more than ten years ago. Becoming self-employed and realizing my vision of individual, empathetic care for female patients by a woman was a major step. My areas of expertise include breast procedures (breast reduction, breast augmentation, breast lift), eyelid lifts, labiaplasty, tummy tucks, and wrinkle treatments with Botox and fillers. I have a job that I love above all else, and I am so grateful that I can help women gain confidence and positivity every day. The experience and trust I have built over the years inspired me to take a further step and found my own skincare line. Developing and launching DOC BERGER EFFECT  was a project close to my heart, combining my passion for science, beauty, and well-being. But what eclipses each of these achievements is undoubtedly the birth of my daughter. Being a mother has given me a completely new perspective on life and my work and has enriched me at every level. Being able to witness how we have been through thick and thin together, and how Eleonora has developed into an intelligent, independent young woman, is my greatest happiness.

As a woman and single mother in professional life, twice as much is often expected of you. You have to prove yourself and fight prejudice and additional challenges every day. But I believe: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” I always wanted to become a plastic surgeon and entrepreneur—there was never a Plan B for me. 

Above all, I wanted to be a role model for Eleonora. I wanted not only to preach values such as independence, self-confidence, and inner strength, but first and foremost to show them by example. It was important to me to show her that, despite every obstacle, you can achieve anything in life if you believe in yourself and do not give up. 

My advice to all women and mothers out there: Do not let anything or anyone keep you from your path! Your courage and strength can truly move mountains.

Japanese beauty culture has profoundly influenced my views and approaches to skincare. I find certain habits and principles that I came to know in Japanese skincare routines particularly inspiring:

• Consistent skincare instead of short-term solutions: In Japan, regular skincare is highly valued. The focus is often on preventing visible signs of skin aging and maintaining a well-cared-for, natural-looking complexion in the long term. This relies on a consistent routine with selected active ingredients.
• Start early: Skincare is seen as a long-term investment that should begin as early as possible. The goal is to protect and care for the skin continuously, rather than only addressing its needs once visible changes have appeared.
• Double Cleansing: Double cleansing is a two-step cleansing method. In the classic version, an oil-based cleanser is first used to dissolve makeup and sunscreen. This is followed by a water-based cleansing foam to remove excess sebum and other impurities. A facial tonic can then complement the cleansing step and prepare the skin for subsequent skincare.
• Glass Skin: The trend toward “Glass Skin” aims for a particularly even, radiant, and intensely hydrated complexion. But how do you achieve this coveted glass-skin look? The key lies in consistent skincare that combines gentle cleansing, hydration, and exfoliation tailored to your skin type. Facial serums and eye patches with hyaluronic acid are particularly popular, as hyaluronic acid binds moisture intensively and can make the skin appear plumper and smoother. Regular facial exfoliation, used in a skin-compatible way, can additionally remove dead skin cells and contribute to a more even complexion.
• Sun protection: Avoiding sun damage is an essential aspect of Japanese skincare philosophy. Daily sun protection is particularly important to protect the skin from premature UV-induced skin aging and other sun damage.
• Green tea: This traditional drink plays an important role in Japanese culture. Green tea is rich in polyphenols, especially catechins such as EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which are known for their antioxidant properties. For me, green tea is therefore a natural part of a conscious lifestyle.

In the morning, I start with Foam Intense, an intensive cleansing foam, followed by Tonic Intense, to clarify my skin and prepare it for the following skincare steps.

I then apply two of my favorite anti-aging serums: the Vit C + Spilanthol Serum for a radiant, even complexion, and the Hyper Hyaluron Serum to intensely hydrate my skin and soften fine lines. I then use Lifting Eye Wonder to care specifically for my eye area. My morning routine concludes with Four Seasons Day Cream with SPF 50+, which moisturizes my skin and protects it against UV radiation every day.

In the evening, I cleanse my skin again to remove makeup, sunscreen, and impurities accumulated throughout the day. I then use my Platinum Elixir every evening. This luxurious longevity serum combines platinum with innovative peptides, Clarivine™, and antioxidant active ingredients to counteract visible signs of skin aging and support skin quality in the long term. It has become an essential part of my evening routine.

I then apply one of our retinol serums to support skin renewal, soften fine lines, and refine the appearance of my skin. My absolute finishing highlight is Time Machine, which intensely nourishes and moisturizes my skin and supports its natural regeneration overnight.

I have never drunk alcohol or smoked in my life, and for good reason. Alcohol can dehydrate the skin and impair its natural regeneration. Smoking, in turn, damages the skin in various ways: nicotine constricts blood vessels, while other components of tobacco smoke can promote oxidative stress and collagen breakdown. This can significantly accelerate premature skin aging.

Another aspect I adopted from Japan is consistent sun protection. In Germany and on social media, you often see people proudly showing off their sunburn. But honestly, that is anything but cool or funny! UV radiation is among the most important external causes of premature skin aging and also increases the risk of skin cancer. Daily sun protection, ideally with SPF 50+, is therefore not only a matter of beauty, but also of skin health.

Last but not least, I try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, drink enough (preferably green tea), get sufficient sleep (even if I do not always manage that amid everyday stress ;D), and exercise at least once a week.

To stay up to date, I browse specialist articles, research findings, and studies on new active ingredients and technologies every day.

What makes it especially exciting for me is exchanging ideas with my daughter Eleonora. Through her, I have a direct connection to the trends and views of younger people. We complement each other perfectly: Eleonora brings fresh ideas and perspectives, while I focus intensively on scientific findings, innovative active ingredients, and modern skincare concepts. Together, we have a broader understanding of the diverse needs and wishes of our customers and can address different generations and skincare needs in a targeted way.

I wanted to create products that can achieve a visible effect and are based on scientific findings, without compromising on quality or the considered selection of ingredients.

With DOC BERGER EFFECT, I want to close a gap in the market and offer skincare that combines highly concentrated active ingredients, innovative formulations, and a consistent clean-beauty approach. From the outset, it was especially important to me not to rely on individual trend ingredients, but to develop well-considered formulations whose ingredients are meaningfully coordinated and complement one another within a skincare routine.

There are many myths circulating in the world of skincare. Here are five that I would like to clarify:

1. Myth: Natural or organic active ingredients are always better for the skin.

Reality: Natural does not automatically mean better or more tolerable. Plant-based ingredients can also trigger allergies or skin irritation, while synthetically produced active ingredients can be very well tolerated. What matters instead is the quality, concentration, formulation, and scientifically studied effect of each ingredient. High-quality active-ingredient skincare therefore relies on specifically selected and meaningfully combined active ingredients.

2. Myth: Daily exfoliation makes skin healthier.

Reality: Exfoliating too often or too intensively can irritate the skin and weaken its natural protective barrier. Chemical exfoliants with AHAs and BHAs can help remove dead skin cells, refine pores, and make the complexion appear more even. However, the right concentration and application tailored to the skin type are crucial. Everything in moderation!

3. Myth: Large pores can be permanently reduced.

Reality: Pore size is influenced, among other things, by genetic factors, sebum production, and age-related changes in the skin. Good cleansing and targeted skincare, for example with niacinamide, salicylic acid, or retinol, can improve the appearance of enlarged pores. However, skincare cannot make pores disappear permanently or reduce them indefinitely.

4. Myth: Oily skin does not need moisture.

Reality: Oily skin can also be dehydrated! Increased sebum production does not automatically mean that the skin is sufficiently hydrated. Especially for oily skin, suitable moisturizing care is important to hydrate the skin without unnecessarily weighing it down. Active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide can help.

5. Myth: UV protection is only necessary in summer.

Reality: UV radiation reaches the skin all year round, even on cloudy days. UVA rays in particular contribute to premature skin aging and can even penetrate window glass. Daily broad-spectrum sun protection is therefore one of the most important steps in preventing UV-related skin damage and premature skin aging.

I understand that everyone would prefer to see results immediately when it comes to skincare—who would not? But it is important to me to emphasize that skincare is not a sprint, but a marathon. Our goal is to keep the skin looking healthy, radiant, and youthful in the long term. Visible, lasting improvements in the complexion often require several weeks to months of regular use. So be patient!

Nevertheless, we also have products that can achieve visible effects in the short term. An absolute highlight is our viral Glowing Eye Patches. Within 15–20 minutes, they intensely hydrate the delicate eye area and can make it appear fresher, plumper, and smoother.

Our Hyper Hyaluron Serum can also deliver visible results after a short time. In an instrumental study using PRIMOS® High-Res. with 20 participants, an average reduction in wrinkle depth of 6.2% was measured after just 15 minutes. After 28 days of regular use, the average reduction was as much as 17.0%.

This shows that well-coordinated active-ingredient skincare can support both short-term effects and long-term improvements in the complexion.

1. Start with the basics: Gentle cleansing with a foam, a suitable tonic, one or two serums tailored to your skin, a day cream with sun protection, and a nourishing night cream form the foundation of a well-considered skincare routine. I also recommend targeted eye care. Above all, it is important that you use your products regularly and do not overwhelm your skin with too many active ingredients at once.

2. Get to know your skin type: Distinguish between dry, oily, normal, sensitive, and combination skin. Every skin type has different characteristics and needs. With our free skin analysis, you can quickly and easily find out which skincare products suit your skin type and your individual skincare needs.

3. The right order: Start by cleansing with a suitable foam, followed by a tonic. Then apply your serums, followed by targeted eye care. In the morning, finish with a day cream with sun protection; in the evening, use a suitable night cream. If needed, you can add a retinol serum to your evening routine. If you are unsure, remember the rule of thumb: from liquid to solid!

First and foremost, it is very important to me to emphasize: Skincare is not just for women! Everyone gets older, and everyone wants to look healthy and fresh for as long as possible. It does not matter what gender you are—skincare and the desire for a well-cared-for, youthful-looking complexion are universal. So embrace giving yourself the best care!

Start with the basics: proper cleansing. Especially if you wear a beard, it is important to cleanse your skin every day. This can help prevent skin irritation and ingrown hairs. Also use a clean, sharp razor blade and then care for your skin with a soothing moisturizer.

An absolute secret weapon against tired eyes, and especially popular with our male customers, is Lifting Eye Wonder from DOC BERGER EFFECT. With a high-quality combination of caffeine, Argireline®, hyaluronic acid, and ectoin, it can reduce the appearance of puffiness and fine lines around the eyes and make the eye area look fresher and more awake.

Another step I particularly recommend is using retinol in the evening. Retinol is a true all-rounder in active-ingredient skincare. It can support skin renewal, soften fine lines and wrinkles, improve the appearance of enlarged pores, and contribute to a more even complexion. It is important to start with a concentration suited to your skin, introduce retinol into your skincare routine gradually, and use sun protection consistently during the day.

So men, it is time to give yourselves what you need to feel comfortable in your own bodies. Skincare is an investment in your well-being and your radiance.