RHONJ star Dolores Catania, 53, breaks down her $1,000 skincare routine

By Jane Herz For Dailymail.Com 16:11 03 Jul 2024, updated 16:35 03 Jul 2024

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Dolores Catania, 53, has revealed the behind-the-scenes secrets to her ageless skin - and the exact products she uses to achieve that glowing complexion.

Catania revealed her $1,000 skincare routine in a new two-part series that was posted to her TikTok account this month.

The reality star, who has been a part of the Bravo series since 2016, has been open about her looks since being in the spotlight, and has shared some of the cosmetic procedures she's decided to have with fans of the show.

In 2019, the mom-of-two underwent a facelift, neck lift, and eyelid surgery with Dr. Mark Karolak in New Jersey, and a temporal lift in 2023.

She also underwent liposuction on some areas of her body, like her arms, in May 2021, as well as a tummy tuck and thigh lift in 2020. 

Having good skin is extremely important to Catania, and she gave viewers a step-by-step look at what she does every day - starting off with a good double cleanse, of course.

But Catania doesn't use a traditional cleanser - she begins her routine with the $48 Cleansing Balm by Oak Essentials, which works to take off makeup.

'It kind of loosens up all that gunk and makeup on your face, or, say you were out in the sun, whatever it is that you have on your skin that's gonna be hard to get off,' she explained, as she rubbed the balm all over her face.

She revealed that she liked this product as the first step in order to really clean the skin before she applied other topicals.

Once she's done with the cleansing balm, she wipes it off with a face towel, and then goes in with the $75 RéVive Foaming Cleanser.

'This is my cleanser, it has a little exfoliating in it, which is a big deal for me, because listen, let's face it, I haven't always taken care of my skin like this,' the fitness franchise owner said.

As Catania washed off the cleanser, she joked that she felt like she had lost weight from getting rid of all the junk.

After that, she uses the $92 Daily Peel Pads from Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare which consists of two steps - a pad for exfoliating, and a pad for neutralizing and hydration.

The Bravo stars rubs this peel not only on her face, but on her neck as well.  

However, Catania warned viewers not to use these every day, as they can dry out the skin a bit. 

'You're gonna thank me for this, these products are, for me, the bomb,' she admitted.

Then, it's time for all of her lotions and potions - like the $87 Vitamin C Serum also by Dr. Dennis Gross.

'Don't forget to use your Vitamin C, it firms the skin, and brightens it, you almost feel like a new person,' she said. 'Take the time out for yourself, it's really important.'

'So, now that my peel has kicked in, my Vitamin C is working, I have my RCA Skin hyaluronic acid, it's for hydrating and smooths out fine lines and wrinkles,' Catania continued.

She added that the $125 serum was great to use during the morning and the night.

Catania highlighted that taking care of the skin was an essential for her, and urged people to start doing so when they're young - joking that maybe you wouldn't end up needing a facelift later. 

'Start it young, and maybe you won't need a facelift later on,' she said.

One of her final steps was using a moisturizing cream that contained SPF, specifically the $140 ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream with SPF 30. 

'I am ashamed to say I have never used SPF before, and I've paid the price, because I've had to have some work done because of my fine lines and wrinkles,' she shared.

She urged viewers not to leave the house without wearing SPF, even if you're not going outside or to the beach.

Catania also suggested wearing SPF while driving and putting it on your hands to avoid sun damage later.

Finally, Catania plumped up her lips with the $45 gloss by Dr. Dennis Gross.

But, at the end of the clip, she surprised viewers by showing them her absolute favorite product, which was a $455 red light therapy face mask by the doctor, which she uses at night.

Red light therapy is a treatment that involves putting red light on the skin, as it's thought to have anti-aging benefits, like reducing wrinkles and scars, per Cleveland Clinic. 

'Even Dr. Mark Karolak, my facial surgeon who everyone knows, recommends this,' she said.

'This is great for healing, production of collagen, I mean, it's just so beneficial, and it's cute!'