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Derm-Approved: The Best Skin Care Products According to Professionals
In a sea of cult favorites and hyped-up launches, it can be quite tricky to tell which skin care products can walk the talk. That’s why, here at Dermstore, we keep a close eye on the best skin care products that don’t just promise your skin the moon and the stars—they seriously get the job done. Our carefully curated list of skin care MVPs is backed by skin care pros and hundreds (if not thousands) of glowing reviews from our users, so you can be sure each of these items is tried-and-tested, safe, and effective.
From face masks and acne treatments to serums and K-beauty obsessions, these products don’t play around when it comes to delivering real, noticeable results. So, here are the best expert-approved skin care products you can find in Dermstore.
Get Healthier Skin with Expert-Approved Skin Care Products
Whether it’s to address your skin’s changing needs or it’s simply time to upgrade your skin care go-tos, you can’t go wrong with these pro-backed recommendations. But don’t just take our word for it. As always, it’s important to read up on the ingredients of these skin care heroes to get a clearer understanding of what they can do for your skin. Talk to your dermatologist or esthetician before adding or switching out products in your regimen so they can advise you on what’s best for your needs and concerns.
1. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (1 fl. oz.)
5687 reviews
$182.00
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic’s synergistic and super-concentrated blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid is second to none. Providing up to 8x the skin’s natural antioxidant protection and lasting up to 72 hours, this Allure Best of Beauty 2021 winner is loved by Dermstore beauty experts and users alike (just check out its over 4500 five-star reviews). It’s your skin’s best defense against free radical damage and oxidative stress and signs of premature skin-aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, dullness, and discoloration.
2. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (1.7 fl. oz.)
5209 reviews
$43.00
This lightweight and oil-free sunscreen has earned the approval of celebrities, dermatologists, and estheticians and is a definite must-have. Featuring micronized zinc oxide, sodium hyaluronate, lactic acid, and niacinamide, this New Beauty Awards 2023 winner is formulated for all skin types, including acne-prone and sensitive skin. It protects skin from breakouts, soothes conditions like rosacea, and helps refine discoloration—all while delivering comprehensive protection against UVA and UVB rays.
3. Supergoop!® PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract 5.5 fl. oz.
38 reviews
$36.00
With its classic and traditional formula, this sunscreen is packed with all the super-good stuff that makes it a true OG in the sunscreen arena. Featuring sunflower, rosemary leaf, and rice bran extracts, it protects the skin from UV and environmental stressors while hydrating and conditioning your skin. The best part? It’s non-comedogenic, absorbs quickly, and won’t leave your skin feeling sticky!
4. Colorescience Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy SPF 35 (0.23 fl. oz.)
518 reviews
$79.00
This potent eye treatment stops dark circles, crow’s feet, and sagging right in their tracks. Just how good is it? In a clinical study, 97 percent of respondents claimed their eyes looked and felt more rejuvenated after just four weeks. That’s no surprise considering this brightening treatment is formulated with powerful proprietary blends that combine antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. But what makes it extra special is its vitamins C and E, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide combo that works together to defend the skin against free radicals and UV damage.
5. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (6 oz.)
1069 reviews
$48.00
If you’re the type who loves sharing your best skin care finds with your besties or SO, then you’re in luck. This gentle cleanser is packed with powerhouse antioxidants like chamomile and centella asiatica and pore-unclogging white willow bark. But that’s not all. It’s also formulated to work on men and women of all skin types and ages, making it perfect not just for cleansing your skin and removing makeup, but also for achieving a smooth shave.
6. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (3.38 fl. oz.)
369 reviews
$25.00
New to K-beauty? Then there’s no better product to start with than this glass skin staple. Infused with snail mucin, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate, this anti-aging essence—a.k.a. your serum’s less-concentrated relative—balances and evens your complexion; diminishes wrinkles, breakouts, and scarring; and hydrates and nourishes your skin like no other.
7. PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum (1 fl. oz.)
315 reviews
$125.00
This serum takes skin hydration several notches higher by combining its proprietary hyaluronic acid blend with other intensely nourishing ingredients like ceramides and peptides. It quenches parched skin and repairs the skin barrier, allowing it to retain moisture better and prevent future damage while plumping up fine lines, wrinkles, and creases.
8. Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment 1.7oz
733 reviews
$122.00
This lactic acid treatment is one of those elite products that deserves all the praise and hype surrounding it. With solid clinical studies, immediate results, and rave reviews from users and skin care pros, it's in a league of its own. Its classic formula of purified-grade lactic acid, licorice, lemongrass, and aloe has proven itself repeatedly to significantly fight the signs of aging, brighten and refine discoloration, and enhance radiance.
9. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum (1 fl. oz.)
576 reviews
$295.00
In search of some serious skin rejuvenation? This one’s for you. With its advanced formula and trademarked ingredients, including powerful blends featuring growth factors, botanicals, peptides, and marine extracts, this targeted serum addresses wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin while improving your complexion’s tone and texture.
10. EltaMD AM Restore Moisturizer (1.7 fl. oz.)
867 reviews
$44.00
Don’t let this moisturizer’s lightweight formula fool you. Packed with niacinamide, willow bark extract, and hyaluronic acid, this sheer and non-comedogenic formula makes sure your skin stays moisturized throughout the day without weighing down your skin while stimulating skin cells to improve absorption, moisture retention, and cell turnover. The result? A smoother and healthier complexion with all-day radiance and glow.
11. Kate Somerville KateCeuticals Total Repair Cream 1 fl. oz.
1 reviews
$145.00
Skin-restoring peptides are the heroes we all need, and they also happen to be the power players behind this anti-aging wonder. With impressive clinical results and an all-star list of ingredients, led by a peptide-infused ceramide complex and supported by squalene, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and botanical oils, this nighttime moisturizer is a guaranteed hit for your skin. It visibly diminishes signs of aging, delivers long-lasting hydration, restores the skin barrier, and improves redness and skin texture.
12. Avène Retrinal 0.1 Intensive Cream (1.01 oz.)
254 reviews
$79.00
With over 700 five-star reviews on Dermstore, this skin-preserving moisturizer is a skin care essential for the pros. Infused with a potent dose of vitamin A in the form of retinaldehyde, a faster-acting and more advanced retinoid, it targets and visibly improves the look of fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, and other signs of aging. Not to mention, it protects your skin against free radicals and other environmental stressors.
13. Neocutis LUMIÈRE FIRM Illuminating & Tightening Eye Cream (0.5 fl. oz.)
132 reviews
$114.00
Nobody likes excess baggage, especially under our eyes. This hardworking eye cream is infused with peptides, caffeine, vitamin C, and an advanced complex of growth factors that all work together to brighten and nourish the extra-delicate skin under the eyes. It works by encouraging your skin’s production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, helping to lift and firm sagging skin, delivering antioxidant protection, and improving circulation to reduce puffiness.
14. Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Masque 2 fl. oz
164 reviews
$62.00
Eminence Organic Skin Care is known for highly potent formulas and superfood ingredients, and this deep-cleansing mask is no exception. Formulated with yogurt-derived lactic acid and nutrient-packed botanicals, kaolin clay, and an antioxidant-rich BioComplex, it calms inflamed skin and breakouts, reduces irritation, deeply cleanses pores, and enhances the skin’s natural functions, resulting in a healthier, naturally radiant complexion.
15. Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch - Original
$12.99
It’s true that not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, they come in the form of tiny, unassuming patches. With close to 4500 five-star reviews on Dermstore, this pimple patch is a true skin savior—thanks to its fast-acting, hydrocolloid-infused formula that protects and heals your skin overnight.
16. Paula's Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2 BHA Liquid Exfoliant (4 fl. oz.)
854 reviews
$35.00
Infused with green tea and 2 percent salicylic acid—an oil-soluble BHA easily absorbed by the skin—this gentle yet highly potent exfoliant sloughs off dead skin cells both on the surface and deep within the pores, dissolving the glue-like bonds that attaches old cells to your skin. This encourages faster cell regeneration and refines the appearance of discoloration, blemishes, large pores, and wrinkles, while adding antioxidant protection.
17. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (2.6 oz.)
400 reviews
$66.00
Several things make this gentle exfoliant a cut above the rest. For starters, its one-of-a-kind rice-based enzyme powder formula is loaded with micro-exfoliants that instantly smoothen and brighten skin without any of the usual risks that come with exfoliation. It’s also infused with papain, salicylic acid, and rice actives that hasten cell renewal; green tea and colloidal oatmeal to ease inflammation; and bearberry, licorice, and grapefruit that evens and brightens tone.
18. Eminence Organic Skin Care Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer 2 fl. oz
229 reviews
$65.00
This acne-clearing moisturizer is a game-changing addition to your skin care routine with a formula that’s packed with breakout-fighting super-ingredients yet gentle and light on your skin. Powered by oils and botanicals, probiotics and a powerful antioxidant complex, it delivers thorough rejuvenation to acne-prone skin. Its exfoliating, moisturizing, and astringent properties get rid of bacteria, soothe inflammation, clear and tighten pores, and nourish and balance the complexion.
19. Obagi Medical Hydrate Light Weightless Gel Cream(1.7 oz.)
1 reviews
$58.00
This moisturizing gel from derm- and celebrity-favorite Obagi Medical is an ultra-lightweight and long-lasting power hydrator designed to help skin gain and retain moisture. Formulated with tara seed extract, ceramides, glycerin, and polyglutamic acid, it smooths and plumps up the skin and provides antioxidant and barrier support without clogging your pores or adding extra grease to oily skin.
20. Murad Clarifying Cleanser 6.75 oz
52 reviews
$36.00
With ingredients like green tea, salicylic acid, silver citrate, and citrus oils, this clarifying cleanser delivers total support and protection to acne-prone skin. It soothes and calms inflammation, regulates oil production, unclogs pores, and provides continuous gentle exfoliation with its slow-release salicylic acid that works overtime to give you a smoother, clearer complexion.
21. Dermalogica AGE Smart Renewal Lip Complex (0.06 fl. oz.)
115 reviews
$31.00
Your lips are covered with ultra-delicate skin and can easily look rough, dry, and chapped, so it only makes sense to pamper them with this lip-nourishing treatment. Infused with moisturizing and replenishing ingredients, like cocoa butter, hyaluronic acid, and avocado, rice bran, and wheat germ oils, it conditions your lips and lavishes them with nutrients while boosting collagen production. The result? Softer, plumper, and more luscious-looking lips.
Janeca Racho Writer and expert
Janeca Racho is a Journalism graduate with over 15 years of writing experience. After getting her start in public relations and advertising, she made the switch to freelance writing and began working for various lifestyle, fashion, and travel brands. Her love for all things skincare has led her to beauty reporting and research for the last ten years. Writing for several hair and beauty blogs, she reports on anti-aging staples, trending brands and products, must-have ingredients, and health and wellness.
