Everyone has a particular approach to beauty and skincare: some of us are of the all-natural-all-the-time variety, some of us like that cutesy, smells-like-tween-spirit stuff, and others are fans of prescription-strength items only. People often shy away from derm-created skincare lines because the products tend to look very heavy-duty and almost clinical as opposed to luxurious, but many of these products are actually incredibly effective in treating key skin concerns without inflaming or damaging even the most sensitive skin. Here’s a quick primer on some dermatologist skincare products that are worth the hype.
Dr. Dennis Gross made his name giving Manhattan’s rich and wealthiest their first taste of low-intensity acid peels which required minimal downtime, and over the years, his expertise manifested in a at-home peel system gentle enough for daily use. The Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel ($20 for a set of 5 treatments) zaps away dead skin cells using–surprise surprise–alpha and beta hydroxy acids, and also nourishes the skin with active antioxidants and calming chamomile to deliver a balanced treatment with each application.
Dr. Brandt was one of the first dermatologists to administer botox injections, which is why it’s refreshing that his current line heavily emphasizes needle-free treatments that are nevertheless incredibly plumping. Needles No More ($110) presents with zero bells and whistles: the peptide and mineral-rich cocktail penetrates deep into the wrinkles around your frowniest bits (forehead, between brows, around the eyes) to help repair and rebuild from within.
Elta MD might not be connected to a key dermatologist, but it does specialize in dermatologist-formulated sunscreen for quite literally every skin type. If you’ve got finicky, acne-prone skin, you know first-hand how hard it can be to find sunscreen that doesn’t irritate more than it protects, and the high-purity niacinamide in the UV Clear SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen ($39) will ensure that inflammation is always kept to the minimum. (Bonus: the zinc oxide functioning as physical sunscreen is completely transparent, meaning no more worrying about that dreaded white cast.)
Dr. Jart+ made its name in Korea in 2004, the brainchild of dermatologist Dr. Sung Jae Jung and his entrepreneur friend JinWook Lee. By around 2010, the brand burst onto the scene in North America by pioneering the introduction of high-performance BB creams. Dr. Jart+’s Dermaclear Microwater ($40) is a godsend for anyone who wants to cleanse, tone, treat and brighten in one fell swoop. Hydrogenated mineral water picks up dirt while fermented yeast extract evens out skin tone and galactomyces (a type of fungus and a K-beauty favourite) works on visibly improving the radiance of your skin.
