Simply put, it’s our job to find the best beauty products out there for you. From the newest serum to the hottest lipstick color to the dry shampoo that will change your life, we will find it, test it, and let you know what we think. We’re not complaining. It’s a pretty fun gig, and we’ll volunteer to be beauty guinea pigs any day.
But one of the cool things to come out of this is finding out what products you’re loving and buying. It helps us figure out what you want to learn more about and what you’re into so we can bring even more personalized recs to you.
Because we share a lot of our favorites with you every single day, we recognize it might be hard to keep up. So we’ve decided to put together a handy weekly list of what we love and what you love—consider this a CliffsNotes, one-stop shop of what’s really trending and worth adding to your cart at this very moment.
This week, we’re discussing all the skincare products that dermatologists recommend over and over. These derm-appproved products just really work, so you’re going to want to take notes here. Take a look at what the Who What Wear universe (including editors, staffers, and readers) is obsessed with right now, and if you don’t see a new favorite on this list, we’d love to know. Send us a DM.
Sign up for The List where you’ll find exclusive discounts, opportunities to co-create products for our fashion brands, and a central place to manage your Who What Wear newsletters. Additionally, as you “heart” products and authors and “bookmark” articles on our site, they’ll populate in your Favorites Lists. As we roll out new features, you’ll always be the first to know.
Ask any dermatologist about sunscreen, and chances are the brand EltaMD will be mentioned. All of the brand’s sunscreen options are highly recommended, but the UV Clear is one that I always hear about. It’s a lightweight and fragrance-free formula that has zinc oxide and SPF 46 protection. It also contains moisturizing sodium hyaluronate and pore-clearing lactic acid.
This eye cream may be $100, but many dermatologists have told us it’s worth the splurge. The formula contains blueberry extract to strengthen the skin and prevent wrinkles and fine lines, Proxylane to restore water, and flavonoids and synergistic peptides to diminish the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags.
Derms love this prescription-strength retinoid, especially for treating acne. A thin layer of the gel will clear clogged pores and reduce inflammation.
Salicylic acid is a powerhouse when it comes to removing dead skin cells and decreasing oil and sebum, so it’s especially useful to people who are acne prone. This drugstore cleanser has the exfoliating benefits of salicylic acid paired with hydrating and soothing ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide.
Here’s another drugstore cleanser that’s always a dermatologist favorite. It works for all skin types, even sensitive and dry skin. The formula is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Another bonus? You can use it on your body, too.
This is another pricey option, but Corey Hartman, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology, told us it’s an all-in-one product that does so much. It provides hydration, prevents redness and hooding, and protects from free radicals.
This eye cream targets dark circles, crow’s-feet, and puffiness. Ingredients include vitamin K (which treats darkness), Haloxyl (to improve firmness), and hyaluronic acid (to improve hydration).
This rich and creamy night cream absorbs quickly to hydrate and smooth the skin. Board-certified dermatologist Ife Rodney, MD, FAAD, of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics, told us that it’s a potent formula but that the niacinamide in it will soothe the effects of the retinol, so you won’t experience irritation.
Many dermatologists love this moisturizer. Rodney said it’s her favorite anti-aging moisturizer for sensitive skin. It has nourishing ingredients such as vitamin E, ceramides, and glycerin.
Drugstore brand La Roche-Posay is another line that is beloved by dermatologists. This milky cream cleanser doesn’t contain soap, so it won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. It will leave your skin feeling clean, refreshed, and moisturized.
Hartman told us this one is worth the splurge for its anti-aging properties. “It contains an update on the original groundbreaking TNS technology of patented growth factors to improve fine lines and wrinkles,” he said.
When I asked dermatologists for the main skincare products everyone needs, they said sunscreen, antioxidant serum, and retinol. When it comes to serums, SkinCeuticals’s C E Ferulic is legendary, with many derms and editors singing its praises. It’s a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid to brighten, smooth, and protect the skin.
If you’re looking for an affordable nighttime moisturizer, take a look at this one from CeraVe. It’s fragrance- and oil-free, so it won’t cause irritation or clog pores. It has hydrating and strengthening ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
Derms recommend this toner that works on all skin types. It’s alcohol-free, so it’s gentle enough to use on the regular. A blend of plant and algae extracts works to condition and hydrate the skin.
It can be tough to look for a moisturizer if you have oily skin because you want something that won’t clog your pores or make your skin feel even oilier. This one from PCA Skin is formulated specifically for oily skin types since it contains niacinamide, which can control oil and curb excess production.
Both a serum and moisturizer, Vichy’s formula is another derm favorite for oily skin types. The main ingredients are hyaluronic acid and mineral-rich water, so it’s ultrahydrating and refreshing.
This foaming gel face wash will not only cleanse the skin, but it will also remove dead skin cells thanks to AHA and BHA. It’s formulated for normal, combination, and oily skin types.
If you are especially sensitive to retinol but still want to reap its anti-aging benefits, many dermatologists recommend this product from Paula’s Choice. It contains just a small percentage of retinol, and it’s paired with bakuchiol, which is a plant-derived ingredient that has many benefits similar to retinol. Peptides and antioxidants in the formula will strengthen and soothe the skin.
Here’s another find that dermatologists say is worth the price tag. It has five different hydrators that work to replenish the skin’s hyaluronic acid. It will balance moisture levels and provide eight hours of hydration.
Whenever I ask dermatologists about retinol, I always hear about Skinbetter Science’s overnight cream. The formula combines alpha hydroxy acid, a retinoid, and antioxidants to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize, and neutralize free radicals. Next, The Y2K Beauty Capsule: Every Iconic Product You Loved and the 2021 Versions
