How Dr. Rossi DERM MD Skin Care Combats Inflammatory Aging

Anthony Rossi, MD, FAAD, FACMS, a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, discussed the clinical foundations and ethos behind his skincare line, Dr. Rossi DERM MD. Drawing from over a decade of experience treating patients with skin conditions induced by inflammation, from environmental exposures to cancer therapies, Rossi explored the concept of “inflammatory aging,” a cycle where chronic inflammation accelerates collagen degradation, barrier dysfunction, and visible skin aging.

In response to the lack of targeted, medical-grade skincare addressing this cycle, Rossi created a proprietary peptide-based line aimed at interrupting the inflammatory cascade. A central innovation is a biomimetic peptide derived from sea anemone, engineered to target the TRPV1 receptor in keratinocytes. When activated by environmental stressors such as UV, pollution, and temperature, TRPV1 initiates inflammatory signals associated with redness, burning, and irritation. The peptide helps mitigate these reactions, offering a novel mechanism to treat sensitive and aging skin.

Equally important to Rossi’s formulation philosophy is the omission of known irritants and allergens. His line excludes fragrance, dyes, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, parabens, SLS, and other common sensitizers, aligning with dermatologic best practices. As a result, the products are listed by the North American Contact Dermatitis Society for their clean and non-sensitizing formulations.

“There's so many buzzwords that are used in marketing like ‘clean’ or ‘gentle’ skin care. And for me, those claims are just unfounded,” Rossi said.” For me, I really wanted to center the brand around this ethos of clean clinical science and really stick to that in the true sense.”

What further distinguishes Rossi's approach is its foundation in rigorous clinical science. The brand conducted independent clinical trials—published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology—and utilized VISIA Canfield imaging to objectively assess changes in redness, texture, pore size, and UV damage over 4 weeks. These trials demonstrated measurable improvement, reinforcing the products’ efficacy in real-world dermatologic care.

Rossi emphasizes a proactive approach to aging that focuses on calming inflammation rather than accelerating cell turnover. His products are designed to integrate seamlessly with prescription regimens, including retinoids, and are safe for pregnancy. His brand bridges clinical dermatology and consumer skincare, setting a new standard for evidence-based, barrier-supportive, anti-inflammatory formulations.

To learn more about adding these products to your practice, visit the Dr. Rossi DERM MD website.