Best Medical Skincare Brands Backed by Dermatology and Science

Best Medical Skincare Lines

Medical skincare brands are science-based skincare lines that are sold in clinics by dermatologists like me. You can find a list of these evidence-based medical brands in this blog.

I explain what cosmeceutical technologies each brand is known for. For some of these brands, I provide links to videos where I interview cosmetic scientists about product science and research topics.

To make sure you buy the right clinical quality brand, take our skincare quiz. We help you incorporate products from these science-backed brands into your medical skincare routine.

We combine the best products from the world’s leading medical skincare brands to create a customized skincare routine for you.

Medical Skincare Brands

Below I have listed the best medical skincare lines recommended by dermatologists. Many of the professional skincare products listed below are developed by dermatologists.

The tips in this blog about finding the best doctor-prescribed skincare brands are for reference only. You will receive further personalized information after your skin type test.

We recommend a personal skincare routine for you to choose from a variety of medical brands. You can find the best science-based skincare lines below in alphabetical order.

Alastin®

Alastin is by plastic surgeon Dr. Alan Widgerow.

This product uses several interesting peptide technologies, including Tri-Hex, which helps the skin break down unwanted, degraded collagen and make room for new collagen.

My interview with Dr. Widgerow. You can hear Dr. Widgerow discuss the science and evidence-based research surrounding Alastin products on our YouTube channel:

Defenage®

Defenage is the only skincare brand that uses defenage to activate LGR6+ stem cells in the hair follicles.

These stem cells repopulate the entire epidermis and ensure younger-looking, more radiant skin in just two weeks. My favorite product is the Defenage 8-in-1 Bio Essence.

While it’s pricey, if you want to even out your skin tone and don’t want to wait the usual 12-16 weeks to see results from skincare products, using this product will get you results faster, as we show you in our skin type test post.

Derma Made Skincare®

Derma Made products were developed by dermatologist Dr. Amy Brodsky. They are both effective and affordable.

Watch my interview with Dr. Brodsky on our YouTube channel.

Element 47®

Element 47 is a brand developed specifically for people with acne to be used along with acne medications.

It uses natural ingredients to make the skin less vulnerable to acne-causing bacteria without drying or irritating the skin. My favorite product is the Element 47 Skin Strengthening Spray.

Essopi®

Essopi is a science-based brand with the most important skincare products to prevent skin aging and promote skin health.

These basic and important skincare products should become the “standard operating procedure” or “SOP” of your morning and nighttime skincare routine. (That’s where the brand name “SOP” comes from.) Essopi products contain sunscreen, antioxidants, and retinol – the most important products for treating skin aging. This brand is great for mature skin.

Nolio®

Nolio is a brand developed specifically for oily skin. It contains cleansing products that clear pores, prevent blackheads, and remove excess oil.

Plated SkinScience

Plated SkinScience skincare products use the latest anti-aging technology called exosomes.

This product works like PRP in a serum.

My interview with Dr. Atta Behar. You can listen here:

Revision Skincare

Revision Skincare uses medical-grade ingredients and technologies that target the microbiome and skin aging. It also contains ingredients that soothe and relax the skin.

It is primarily an anti-aging skincare brand that contains peptides. DEJ Night Cream contains retinol. Watch this video to learn more about how this medical skincare brand supports the microbiome. Interview.

Sente®

Sente is the only skincare brand that contains a heparan sulfate analog, also known as heparan sulfate (HS). Heparan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan that occurs naturally in the skin.

It supports cell communication. If you choose an expensive growth factor skincare product (which I don’t), you are wasting money if your skin cells can’t “hear” the growth factor signal.

HS helps cells receive growth factor signals better by surrounding the growth factors and helping them reach their target receptors.

HS also has a moisturizing effect, as glycosaminoglycans are powerful humectants. My favorite is Sente Dermal Repair Cream.

Always do a skin type test to know at which step of your daily skincare routine you should use this cream. If you use them in the wrong order, you are wasting your money on the product.

Skinceuticals®

Skinceuticals was founded by dermatologist Sheldon Pinnell, who discovered that ascorbic acid can stimulate skin cells to produce collagen.

He also discovered that vitamin C has a hard time penetrating the skin and penetrates best at a pH of 2-2.5.

Best Skinceuticals Vitamin C Serum

My favorite Skinceuticals Vitamin C serum is the Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+.

5 Reasons Why Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+ is the Best SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Serum:

This is the most affordable serum from SkinCeuticals. This makes it affordable and can be used 1-2 times a day. The bottle can be replaced once a month to ensure it is always fresh.

It contains 10% ascorbic acid.

It has the right pH for maximum absorption.

It is non-greasy, so it is suitable for all skin types.

It contains 0.2% ferulic acid, an antioxidant.

Skinceuticals offers many quality serums, but Skinceuticals C E Ferulic is the best-selling vitamin C serum because:

It is the best-known.

It contains a high concentration (15%) of L-ascorbic acid.

It contains 1% vitamin E.

It has the right pH for optimal absorption.

It contains 0.5% ferulic acid, an antioxidant that stabilizes vitamin C, thus prolonging its action.

SkinMedica®

SkinMedica is the first brand with growth factors. Its founder is dermatologist Dr. Fitzpatrick.

Click here to learn more about the company’s interesting history and to see Dr. Baumann’s favorite SkinMedica products.

Buy skinmedica products online from authorized retailers.

Zerafite

As its name suggests, Zerafite repairs the skin barrier. (Xerophytes are plants that prefer dry climates, such as cacti.)

Zerafite was developed by dermatologists for extremely dry and eczema-prone skin.

Each Zerafite skincare product repairs and protects the skin barrier. There are four hydrating barrier-repairing moisturizers,all of which feature the Maltese cross pattern of high-quality moisturizers.

Learn more about barrier-repairing moisturizers and the Maltese cross pattern in my interview with Dr. Youm, the inventor of Zerafite.

How to Find the Best Medical Skin Care?

There are three ways to find medical skincare solutions:

Find a doctor here and visit his clinic.

Schedule an online consultation.

Or schedule a free consultation now. Take the test and find the best medical skin care for your Baumann skin type. You can have healthy skin in just 5 minutes.

A dermatologist may recommend a medical skin care product for one of 16 skin types, but not for the others. You should consider your Baumann skin type when buying.

How to find affordable medical skin care products?

Take the test and we’ll show you step-by-step a skin care routine that’s right for your skin type.

For each step, you can browse a list of suitable products.

There are many price ranges, so you can easily find an affordable option.

You can also get points for free products and special offers – especially when you buy a complete skin care routine.

We know that a complete skin care routine works better than just one product.

We know: if it’s affordable, you’ll probably use it.

We want you to achieve the best results. That’s why we do everything we can to help you find affordable skin care that really works!

Take the test

Good Doctor Skin Care Series

How do you find dermatological reviews of science-based skin care products?

Are you looking for dermatological reviews of SkinCeuticals, Skin Medica, Alastin, Derma Made, Sente, Defenage, Plated or other medical products?

You can find my reviews near the ingredient list on the product page. Since we offer thousands of medical products, I haven’t reviewed all of them yet, but I try to review a few every day.

My dermatologist partners and I test all medical skin care products, regardless of brand. We do not accept dermatology fees for any brand for product reviews and recommendations.

It’s the science that matters – not the brand!

But here’s the point:

You have to know your Bowman skin type to choose the best medical brand for your skin concerns.

Learn your skin type with our skin care quiz and create a medical skin care routine with our routine builder. You’ll only see products that dermatologists recommend based on your skin type.

It’s better than reading our skin care product reviews on the product page because you’ll receive personalized recommendations tailored to your skin type.

Check your email for more personalized tips on how to use medical products properly.

Take the Quiz

Buy Medical Skin Care Products

It depends on the product. Click on the image below to learn more about when you should refrigerate medical skin care products.

How does the FDA classify medical skin care products?

The FDA classifies skin care products into three categories:

Drugs

Over-the-Counter (OTC)

Cosmetics

Drugs are used to treat medical conditions and go through a comprehensive and expensive FDA approval process.

Examples include Retin A®, Tri-Luma®, Aczone®, Onexton®, MetroGel®, and other prescription drugs.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs – These drugs are not protected by law and can claim to be drugs if they contain certain ingredients in certain amounts.

The rules and requirements for over-the-counter skin care products are outlined in FDA monographs. Examples include sunscreen or over-the-counter acne products.

In order to prove the effectiveness of a skin care product in fighting a skin condition, companies must meet the requirements set forth in a monograph.

For example, for a product to be considered effective in fighting acne, it must: have gone through the FDA approval process or contain a monograph ingredient.

Examples of monograph ingredients used to treat acne include salicylic acid 0.5–2%, benzoyl peroxide 2.5–10%, resorcinol 2%, and sulfur 3–10%.

If a product does not meet these standards, the company cannot claim that the product is effective for the skin.

Cosmetics are products that improve the appearance of the skin without affecting the biology of the skin.

Examples include makeup, moisturizers, serums, and cleansers.

Of course, many cosmetics affect the biology of the skin, but the regulations are based on their claims, not actual biological processes.

This means that many cosmetic skin care products contain ingredients that affect cellular processes.

These are called medical-grade skin care products, professional skin care products, doctor-prescribed skin care products, or cosmeceuticals—but these are not terms recognized or regulated by the FDA.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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