The 24 Best Skin-Care Products, According to Dermatologists: CeraVe, La Roche-Posay, First Aid Beauty, and More

“This is a great cleanser to get your skin through a transitional state as it combines the benefits of a hydrating cream cleanser to nourish the skin with the benefits of a foaming cleanser, to help eliminate any excess buildup, oil, or makeup,” says Dr. Garshick. “It effectively cleanses without drying the skin as it contains ceramides to strengthen the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration.” This cleanser also comes highly recommended by dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman, who suggests it for people with dry skin.

“[This cleanser] is good for acne-prone skin because it has 2% salicylic acid,” says Dr. Jaliman. The salicylic acid helps to effectively remove all the unwanted buildup that accumulates on your skin daily, including oils that can clog pores and cause breakouts and environmental toxins that can harm skin cells.

“The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser is a straightforward, affordable cleanser that contains gentle yet effective concentration of beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, and is great for acne-prone or oily skin,” says Dr. Nava Greenfield, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York. In addition to salicylic acid, it also contains zinc, which helps to rid your skin of excess sebum, and 0.5% strength allantoin, which soothes irritation and supports the growth of healthy skin tissue.

“This gentle cream-to-lather cleanser uses salicylic acid to help clean out pores and reduce breakouts and oil, without drying out the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “This is a good option for someone who is oily and acne-prone, but also has sensitive skin.” Dr. Greenfield also recommends this cleanser for sensitive skin “because it is, as its name suggests, gentle on the skin, while also providing an effective cleanse.”

Dr. Greenfield suggests that people with oily skin should look for a cleanser with ingredients like salicylic acid that can bind and carry the oils away from the face, while people with dry skin should opt for hydrating cleansers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, avocado oil, coconut oil, and gentle alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid to gently exfoliate. “SkinFix Acne Cleanser has both AHA, BHA, and azelaic acid which offers an exfoliating cleanse and feels very refreshing!” she says.

“If you’re looking for a witch hazel toner that is alcohol-free, Thayers Witch Hazel is a great option as it also contains soothing aloe vera as well as glycerin to help draw moisture in and keep the skin feeling hydrated all day long,” says Dr. Garshick. “It works to reduce the appearance of pores and helps to smooth the skin. Because it can help to hydrate the skin, it is a good option for all skin types and won’t leave the skin dry or irritated.” If you are incorporating a toner into your routine for the first time, Dr. Garshick suggests using it after cleansing and prior to applying subsequent serums and moisturizers.

“This toner containing rose water works to hydrate and soothe the skin while also removing excess makeup and buildup on the skin,” says Dr. Garshick. “It is alcohol-free and works to soften and smooth the skin.” It also features vinolevure, an ingredient exclusive to Caudalie that’s extracted from wine yeast which helps to retain moisture in the skin.

“Designed specifically with darker skin types in mind, this lactic-acid-containing toner helps to gently exfoliate and leave the skin glowing while also working to improve the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone,” says Dr. Garshick. People with darker skin are more prone to hyperpigmentation because of their melanin-enriched skin. This vitamin C-enriched toner addresses hyperpigmentation while also providing antioxidant benefits.

Dr. Jaliman recommends using this micellar water after your cleanser to remove any makeup that happened to stick around. For those with sensitive skin, especially around the eye area, this micellar water doesn’t sting at all. It quickly and easily removes makeup without any rubbing or tugging. 

Acne-prone skin in particular would benefit from using a toner to help balance their skin. This one from La Roche Posay effectively removes excess dirt and clears blackheads, whiteheads, and mild imperfections to leave skin feeling refreshed and even. “It’s fragrance-free and has both acids to get rid of dead skin, which clogs pores,” says Dr. Jaliman. “Good for oily or acne-prone skin.”

When looking for the best moisturizer, Dr. Garshick recommends one with SPF for the daytime. “This is a great option for daily use as it is easy to apply and combines SPF with moisturizing ingredients and ceramides to help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier,” she says. “It also contains niacinamide which can be calming and good for those with sensitive skin.”

“Not only does this moisturizer boost hydration and strengthen the skin barrier, but it improves the overall appearance of the skin, improving radiance as well as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Garshick. “It incorporates hyaluronic acid as well as Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, a type of vitamin C that supports hyaluronic acid and helps to smooth the skin, in addition to barrier strengthening ingredients such as ceramides, squalane, and fatty acids.”

If you have dry skin, you know how hard it is to find a moisturizer that actually quenches your skin’s thirst. You’ll want to look for a rich, thick cream with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and shea butter. “First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration is very good for dry skin because it contains shea butter and colloidal oatmeal which is good for sensitive skin that is irritated,” says Dr. Jaliman.

According to Dr. Farhang, the best moisturizers don’t have to be expensive. One of her favorites is this one from Aveeno, which you can find at the drugstore for cheap. She loves its hydrating ingredients and lightweight texture.

Colorescience comes highly recommended by several of the dermatologists we spoke to for its elegant SPF products. Dr. Garshick shares her favorite product from the brand’s expansive lineup of sun protection products: “This lightweight broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide 12%, iron oxide, antioxidants, and a patented Enviroscreen technology to protect against UVA/UVB, blue light, pollution, and infrared radiation,” she says. “It is available in four different shades, making it easy to blend with your skin for natural coverage and uses iron oxide pigments to adapt to your specific tone, without leaving the skin feeling greasy, and making it good for all skin types.”