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Best Medical Skincare Brands Backed by Dermatology and Science
Skin Care

Best Medical Skincare Brands Backed by Dermatology and Science

18 May 2025


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 Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
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