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 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.
A photo of @leatngu in a white fluffy dressing gown, drinking a glass of water whilst wearing a sheet mask Image
(Image credit: @leatngu 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
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Breakout Corrective Gel Moisturiser £21 SHOP NOW 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
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Foaming Gel Cleanser 400ml
La Roche Posay Toleriane Foaming Gel Cleanser £26 SHOP NOW 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
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream £20 SHOP NOW 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 it’s hard to go wrong with these very simple formulas that are good for your skin in every way.
CeraVe Cleanser that hydrates
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser costs £13. This hydrating cleanser is a must-have for people with dry skin that is prone to irritation. It has important ceramides and hyaluronic acid that help repair and protect the skin barrier while getting rid of daily buildup.
Pros
- Good for all types of skin
Not good
- In stores they are often sold out frequently
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream £15 SHOP NOW This small tube has a lot of formula in it. It deeply nourishes and hydrates but it doesn’t have any scents or comedogenic ingredients so you can use it without worrying about getting irritated or clogged pores.
Pros
- Formula that hydrates and nourishes
- Safe for skin that is sensitive
Cons
- No brightening effects so it won’t help with dark circles
CeraVe Moisturising Cream
CeraVe Moisturising Cream for £18. SHOP NOW This hard-working moisturiser is highly recommended for when your dry skin really needs help. Again it uses CeraVe’s signature combination of ceramides and hyaluronic acid to give skin serious hydration that doesn’t irritate it. Over time this will make skin look and feel its best again.
Pros
- Big jar lasts a long time
- A lot of bang for your buck
- Can be used on the body or face
Bad things
- Could be too heavy for skin that is oily or prone to breakouts
3. Exuviance
Most of the other brands on this list can be bought at drugstores or regular stores but Exuviance is more of a clinical brand so you may have to look a little harder to find it. You may not have heard of it before but some of the best aesthetics clinics have a lot of Exuviance products on their shelves.
Retail Vitamin C Serum Capsules from Exuviance
Exuviance Vitamin C Serum Capsules for Sale in Stores £68 £54 SHOP NOW Dermatologists say that everyone should use vitamin C retinol and SPF. These capsules are different from many other vitamin C products on the market because they keep the formula strong and stable for the best results.
Pros
- Makes pigmentation lighter and darker
- Increases collagen production
- A little pricey
Gentle exfoliating pads from Exuviance and Skinrise Morning Glow
Exuviance Gentle Exfoliator Pads from Skinrise Morning Glow £53 £42 SHOP NOW It’s hard to find this product in stock because it’s so great. These simple pads will make your skin glow like never before because they contain polyhydroxy acids that deeply exfoliate without causing much irritation.
Pros
- Fixes uneven tone and texture
Cons
- Not good for skin that is very sensitive
Exuviance Radiance Serum
Exuviance Radiance Serum costs £68 and £54. BUY NOW This serum helps even out the skin tone and gives it a healthy glow which is good for sun damage and pigmentation. It also helps to fill in fine lines and wrinkles.
Pros
- Great for fixing sun damage and pigmentation issues
Disadvantages
- Not good for skin that is very sensitive
4. SkinCeuticals
Dermatologists do have some really good cheap options but that doesn’t mean that the more expensive ones aren’t good too. Dermatologists still recommend SkinCeuticals even though its prices are through the roof. Doctors aestheticians and facialists all love it because its highly effective formulas are some of the best you can buy.
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum costs £165 and £145. SHOP NOW The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum is probably one of the company’s most famous products. It gives skin a healthy dose of vitamin C which makes it glow and makes beauty editors and celebrities weak at the knees. Skin experts also love how this serum protects skin from ageing aggressors with its antioxidants.
Good things
- Gives skin a glow right away and for a long time
- One of the best vitamin C formulas you can buy
- Increases collagen fades spots and fills in wrinkles
Disadvantages
- Costs a lot of money
SkinCeuticals Oil Shield UV Defence Sunscreen
SkinCeuticals Oil Shield UV Defence Sunscreen costs £50. BUY NOW Another SPF that everyone loves. This stuff not only has a high SPF but it’s also very light and gives skin a nice subtle glow making it a great choice for everyday use.
Pros
- Full protection level
- Good for skin that is oily or a mix of oily and dry
Cons
- The small tube runs out fast
30 ml of Skinceuticals P-Tiox Neuro-Peptide Serum
SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Neuro-Peptide Serum £135 Buy Now Ptiox is a new peptide serum from SkinCeuticals that helps to fill in fine lines and wrinkles by targeting nine different types. It leaves your skin looking noticeably smooth and glowing.
Pros
- Makes the skin fuller
- Makes fine lines and wrinkles look less noticeable
Disadvantages
- Costs a lot
5. Bioderma
French pharmaceutical brands are very popular with dermatologists as you may have guessed. They are a favourite among people with problem skin because their formulas are easy to use and don’t require any extra work. Bioderma’s micellar water is probably best known among makeup artists but dermatologists and skin care experts also swear by its Sébium line for keeping breakouts under control.
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution for Removing Makeup costs £18. Bioderma’s well-known Sensibio H2O micellar water is a great way to take off makeup without irritating your skin. Just put some on a cotton pad and wipe it over your face to get rid of makeup. Just make sure to wash your hands well afterward too.
Pros
- Works on eye makeup that won’t come off
Disadvantages
- Quickly runs out
Bioderma Sébium Mat Control Shine-Control Moisturiser is £15. This moisturiser is great for people with oily skin that tends to break out. It controls sebum production and shine and it won’t cause any more breakouts because it doesn’t clog pores.
Pros
- Keeps skin hydrated without blocking pores
Cons
- May be too drying for skin that is very dry
Bioderma Sébium Purifying Cleansing Foaming Gel £15. This foaming cleanser is also from the same line. This product is great for people with oily skin because it cleans and purifies the skin while also controlling sebum production. The best part it is a foaming cleanser but it doesn’t have any soap in it so it doesn’t dry out the skin too much.
Pros
- Cleans skin without taking away its oils
Disadvantages
- Can make eyes hurt
6. Acnecide
Acnecide used to be only available over the counter but now you can easily find it in stores like Boots. If your skin is prone to acne or breakouts this is a great brand to check out. The range is made with active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to both treat and stop breakouts without irritating or drying out the skin.
Acnecide Face Wash £11 £10 SHOP NOW Benzoyl peroxide is a strong antiseptic that kills bacteria. This face wash can be used every day to clean your skin or you can leave it on for 15 minutes once a week as a mask to keep breakouts under control.
Pros
- Can be used as a mask or a cleanser
Disadvantages
- Benzoyl peroxide can leave stains on clothes or sheets
Acnecide Face Gel Spot Treatment is £10 £9 SHOP NOW This clear gel spot treatment works quickly and helps to get rid of cystic breakouts that are very painful and swollen.
Pros
- Works quickly to stop breakouts
Disadvantages
- Benzoyl peroxide can leave stains on clothes and bedding
Purifide by Acnecide 3-In-1 Power Patch £10 SHOP NOW These patches are different from regular ones because they have salicylic acid in them which helps calm down inflammation and clear up clogged pores for good.
Pros
- Not seen and long-lasting
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.
AESTURA Atobarrier365 Cream £29 £26 SHOP NOW 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
AESTURA Atobarrier365 Bubble Cleanser £16 SHOP NOW Thanks to its mild acidic formula this cleanser helps to remove makeup and pollution without stripping the skin or disrupting its natural pH levels completely.
Pros
- Suitable for the most sensitive skin types
Cons
- A double cleanse may be needed to remove stubborn makeup
AESTURA Atobarrier365 Hydro Essence £27 SHOP NOW 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.
