They're Here: The 7 Skincare Brands Dermatologists Always Come Back To
The simplest skincare routine is often the best, and these are the products that dermatologists actually use.
Grace Day
The best thing about being a beauty editor is that I get the opportunity to speak with some of the world’s top beauty experts basically every single day. From celebrity makeup artists to Harley Street surgeons, I am forever picking the brains of experts in a bid to learn everything there is to know about beauty. And while picking up different makeup tips and tricks is wonderful, the one thing I am always most fascinated by is the sort of skincare products dermatologists use.
There’s no doubt that shopping for skincare can be daunting and often frustrating, and not just because of the abundance of choice. From moisturisers to cleansers and eye creams to face masks, all too often, we are let down by miracle claims that don’t live up to their promises. And while most medical skin experts and dermatologists insist that if you have serious skin concerns, you should always seek expert advice, there are a handful of accessible skincare brands that they wax lyrical about.
From super-affordable cleansers and SPFs to clinical-grade serums, there are a number of brands and products that come highly recommended time and again. With expert-approved skincare ingredients, when it comes to the skincare brands that derms love, you better believe you’ll see results. Keep scrolling to discover the brands and products that dermatologists always recommend.
1. La Roche-Posay
French skincare is known for its glowing results, but La Roche-Posay really is in a league of its own amongst French pharmacy skincare. Much like all of the products to follow, its formulas are fuss-free and contain very few what I like to call "luxe additions,” meaning there’s little fragrance and no expensive-feeling slip to the products. They just work.
![La Roche-Posay + Effaclar Duo [+] Anti-Imperfections Moisturiser](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mH5BoNDsKKwzk6uoR8GQxf-1920-80.png.webp)
Possibly the most highly recommended skincare product of all time, this moisturiser is regularly recommended for those who suffer from blemish- and breakout-prone complexions. With niacinamide to reduce the redness and appearance of blemishes, it also contains lipo hydroxy acid and salicylic acid to unclog pores and is great for sensitive skin, too. It’s virtually impossible to have a conversation with a dermatologist about breakouts without this moisturiser cropping up at least once.
Pros
- Effective but gentle
Cons
- Small tube runs out quickly
If you’re experiencing any sort of skin problem (with the exception of perhaps extreme dryness and sensitivity), this cleanser always comes highly recommended. Simple yet effective, it works to deeply cleanse without drying
Pros
- Large bottle lasts a long time
Cons
- Not suitable for extremely dry or sensitive skin
If you struggle with wearing SPF daily, this is one to add to your radar. It’s lightweight, seriously protecting and, most importantly, a wonderful choice for sensitive skin types. As someone with naturally oily, congested skin, every time I moan about greasy SPF formulas, a dermatologist pulls out the Anthelios card to show that really, there is no excuse.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Small bottle runs out quickly
2. CeraVe
For years, dermatologists raved about CeraVe as the affordable skincare brand that everyone should know about, but it was only available in the U.S. Now, though, you can buy the hero products on British soil too. Again, with incredibly simple formulas that promote skin health in every way, it’s hard to go wrong.
For those with dry, irritation-prone skin, this hydrating cleanser shouldn’t be overlooked. With essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid, it’s designed to repair and protect the skin barrier while removing daily buildup.
Pros
- Works well for all skin types
Cons
- Often sold out in stores
This tiny little tube holds one hell of a formula. It’s deeply nourishing and hydrating, but is also fragrance-free and noncomedogeni,c so you can use it without the risk of irritation or blocked pores.
Pros
- Hydrating, nourishing formula
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- No brightening benefits., so won't do much for dark circles
When dry skin needs a real helping hand, this hardworking moisturiser comes highly recommended. Again, relying on CeraVe’s signature ceramide and hyaluronic acid combination, it offers serious non-irritating hydration that, over time, will have skin looking and feeling its best again.
Pros
- Huge jar lasts for ages
- Great value for money
- Can be used on face or body
Cons
- Might be too heavy for oily or breakout-prone skin
3. Exuviance
While most of the other brands on this list can be purchased either in drugstores or via mainstream retailers, Exuviance is very much a clinical brand, and you may have to hunt a little harder to find it. It’s likely that you may not have heard of it before, but the shelves of some of the best aesthetics clinics around usually boast an impressive selection of Exuviance products.
Vitamin C is one of those ingredients that every dermatologist insists everyone should use (as well as retinol and SPF). Unlike so many other vitamin C products on the market, these capsules ensure that the formula remains potent and stable for maximum results.
Pros
- Brightens and fades pigmentation
- Boosts collagen production
Cons
- On the expensive side
This particular product is so amazing that it’s hard to catch it in stock. With polyhydroxy acids, which work to deeply exfoliate with minimal irritation, these simple pads will have skin glowing beyond belief.
Pros
- Addresses uneven tone and texture
Cons
- Not suitable for very sensitive skin
If you want to address sun damage and pigmentation, this serum helps to even the complexion while boosting the skin with a healthy hit of radiance. It also helps to plump out fine lines and wrinkles, too.
Pros
- Great for addressing pigmentation and sun damage
Cons
- Not suitable for very sensitive skin
4. SkinCeuticals
While dermatologists do have some seriously great, affordable recommendations up their sleeves, that’s not to say that the more expensive options are no good. In fact, SkinCeuticals is a brand that dermatologists continue to recommend despite its eye-watering prices. Loved by doctors, aestheticians and facialists, its highly potent formulas are some of the best that money can buy.
Probably one of the most well-known products in its offering, the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum delivers a hearty dose of vitamin C, which gives skin a glowing radiance that has beauty editors and celebs weak at the knees. Beyond that, skin experts rave about the antioxidant benefits of this serum, which work to protect skin from ageing aggressors.
Pros
- Leaves skin with an immediate and long-term glow
- One of the best vitamin C formulas out there
- Boosts collagen, fades pigmentation and plumps wrinkles
Cons
- Very expensive
Another universally adored SPF. Not only is the protection factor on this stuff great, but it’s also really lightweight and gives skin a lovely, subtle glow, making it a great everyday option.
Pros
- Thorough level of protection
- Great for oily or combination skin
Cons
- Small tube runs out quickly
One of SkinCeuticals' newest serums, Ptiox is a peptide serum that helps to plump the skin by targeting 9 different types of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your complexion notably glowy and smooth.
Pros
- Plumps the skin
- Reduces appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Cons
- Very expensive
5. Bioderma
If you haven’t already guessed, French pharmaceutical brands are a big hit among dermatologists. With simple, fuss-free formulas, they are a go-to for those with problem skin. Bioderma might be best known for its makeup artist–approved micellar water, but dermatologists and skin experts also swear by its Sébium range for controlling breakouts.
Bioderma’s famous Sensibio H2O micellar water is a great non-irritating way to remove makeup at the end of the day. Simply apply to a cotton pad and swipe over the face to dissolve makeup. Just be sure to cleanse properly afterward too.
Pros
- Works on even stubborn eye makeup
Cons
- Runs out quickly
Ideal for those with breakout-prone, oily skin that still requires a bit of daily moisture, not only does this moisturiser regulate sebum production and shine, but it is also noncomedogenic, so it won’t contribute to any further breakouts.
Pros
- Hydrates without clogging pores
Cons
- May be too mattifying for very dry skin
From the same range is this foaming cleanser. Ideal for oily skin types, it cleanses and purifies the skin and limits sebum production at the same time. The best bit? Whilst it’s a foaming cleanser, it’s also soap-free, so it doesn’t overly dry out the skin either.
Pros
- Cleans skin without stripping
Cons
- Can irritate eyes
6. Acnecide
Once an over-the-counter-only brand and now readily accessible via high street stores like Boots, Acnecide is (as its name suggests) a great brand to check out if your skin is prone to acne or breakouts. Utilising active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, the range is formulated to both treat and prevent breakouts, but without irritating or drying out skin.
Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful antiseptic which helps to reduce bacteria. Use this face wash as a daily cleanser or leave it on 15 minutes as a weekly mask to keep on top of breakouts.
Pros
- Can be used as a cleanser or a mask
Cons
- Benzoyl peroxide can stain clothing or bedding
This fast-acting spot treatment applies as a clear gel and helps to take down even the most sore and inflamed cystic breakouts.
Pros
- Works quickly to reduce breakouts
Cons
- Benzoyl peroxide can stain bedding and clothing
Unlike regular spot patches, these ones are infused with salicylic acid to help reduce inflammation and clear clogged pores for good.
Pros
- Invisible and durable
Cons
- Don't work on cystic breakouts
7. Aestura
Finally available in the UK, Aestura is the number one dermatologist-recommended brand in Korea—it's even used in hospitals. All of the products are specifically formulated to treat sensitive skin thanks to ingredients that mimic the skin's composition and structure of skin lipids for thorough skin barrier moisturisation.
Perfectly formulated for dry, sensitive skin, this nourishing cream focuses on providing deep, long-lasting hydration and barrier repair benefits for up to 100 hours after application.
Pros
- Soothing and calming formula
Cons
- Small tube doesn't last very long
Thanks to its mild acidic formula, this cleanser helps to remove makeup and pollution without stripping the skin or disrupting its natural pH levels.
Pros
- Suitable for the most sensitive skin types
Cons
- A double cleanse may be needed to remove stubborn makeup
Essence is a key feature in any Korean skincare routine—it's the perfect way to prep skin for deep hydration by adding an initial layer of moisture to skin. This light, milky solution works well for all skin types.
Pros: Provides instant hydration
Cons: An extra step in your skincare routine
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
