The Skin Recovery Routine That Helped This Viral Patient Heal

Victoria Nelson has spent the past year documenting her recovery after a cosmetic treatment she says left her with burns and permanent scarring, a case that recently resulted in celebrity aesthetician Sonya Dakar surrendering both her California aesthetician and establishment licenses. Now, Nelson is answering one of the questions followers ask her most often: What's in her skin-care routine?

“I think it goes without saying, none of this is sponsored,” Nelson recently shared with her TikTok followers. “I’m probably more psychotic about what goes on my face than many people, so this is only stuff that professionals have recommended.” She also notes that what works for her may not work for everyone, but after years of procedures, her routine has become intentionally simple, focusing on cleansing, hydration, barrier repair and sun protection.

The Products in Her Current Routine

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iS Clinical Cleansing Complex ($49)

Nelson says this cleanser has been part of her routine since she began seeing a new aesthetician after the incident. “I love this stuff so much,” she says, adding that it remains one of the staples she uses every morning.

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iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion ($116)

“This is my ride or die,” Nelson says. She uses it morning and night and says it’s been “the only moisturizer that’s touched my face for like three years.” Though lightweight, she says it’s “super moisturizing.”

• BUY NOW – $116

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SkinMD's Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 ($103)

When she wants a tinted sunscreen, Nelson reaches for this formula from Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Monika Kiripolsky, MD. ”If I want a tinted one, I use Dr. Monika’s Daily Tinted Antioxidant Mineral Sunscreen,” she says. Otherwise, she'll use another SPF and add tinted moisturizer or concealer if she wants extra coverage.

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iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 30 ($86)

For non-tinted days, this is Nelson’s SPF of choice. She says it gives her skin “this beautiful glow” and often wears it on its own before deciding whether she wants additional coverage.

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Obagi Nu-Cil Eyebrow Boosting Serum ($125)

Nelson uses this serum over the area where the burn affected her eyebrow growth. “I’ve been trying to grow back my eyebrow right here over where the burn was,” she says, adding that while it hasn’t completely solved the issue, it’s helped camouflage the area.

• BUY ON DERMSTORE - $125
• BUY ON OBAGI - $150

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Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($145)

This is the only active treatment Nelson highlights in her routine. She describes it as her “retinol exfoliant” and says she uses it two to three nights a week, scaling back whenever her skin feels particularly sensitive.

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Anfisa ÂN-BALM Radiant Hydra-Balm ($150)

The final step in her nighttime routine is Anfisa Balm, which she uses to “seal it all in.” Nelson says that "it’s not cheap," but it lasts a long time and has become especially helpful while her skin is dry from ongoing treatments with her dermatologist.

• BUY ON ANFISA – $150
• BUY ON DERMSTORE – $150

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