The Most Popular Skin-Care Brand in the Country Is Also the One Derms Can’t Stop Recommending
There are hundreds of skin-care brands out there, and with so many options, it can be hard to tell which ones are actually worth it. But, if there is one over-the-counter brand dermatologists recommend time and time again, it's SkinCeuticals. And it's not just the pros who love it—according to an analysis led by beauty retailer Dermstore, SkinCeuticals is the most popular skin-care brand in the country.
To get this data, folks at Dermstore combed through searches of 190+ brands on Google and their own website over the past 12 months. SkinCeuticals reigned supreme as the top brand in 30 states—which is double that of the runner-up CeraVe, a favorite in 15 states—and according to experts, its victory is well-earned.
- Caren Campbell, MD, board-certified dermatologist in Northern California
- Mona Gohara, MD, board-certified dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale University
- Shani Darden, celebrity esthetician and founder of Shani Darden Skin Care
- Shirley Chi, MD, board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology
SkinCeuticals has been around for 25 years, producing science-backed skin care that delivers serious results. It considers itself a cosmeceuticals brand, toeing the line between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Dermatologists love the brands because it uses high-potency ingredients that are clinically proven to improve skin health. Because of this, products tend to be on the pricier side, but if a $160 serum is within your budget, derms say it's well worth the cost. Keep scrolling to shop the best of the brand.
7 Best SkinCeuticals products
This serum is the brand’s staple product, and it’s considered the best vitamin C serum out there. “SkinCeuticals was the pioneer in topical antioxidants for anti-aging,” Caren Campbell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in California, previously told Well+Good. The brand’s research found that the most effective delivery of topical vitamin C to the skin must include pure L-ascorbic acid, an acidic pH between 2.0 and 3.5, and a concentration between 10 and 20 percent, so they formulate their serum on these parameters. “They have also done, and continue to do, clinical trials showing how it improves skin hyperpigmentation, increases collagen, and fights oxidative stressors,” says Dr. Campbell.
If you’re looking for a rich and nourishing moisturizer, you can stop your search now. The Triple Lipid Restore contains 2 percent ceramides, 4 percent cholesterol, and 2 percent fatty acids to provide your skin with intense, long-lasting moisture. “I like this because it’s biologically similar to our skin’s own epidermal barrier, which is what keeps moisture locked in and irritants out,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, who uses this moisturizer at night, previously told Well+Good.
Fine lines and wrinkles tend to first show up around your eyes, and the best way to slow the process is with a formula specifically designed for use in this area. These types of products “are formulated at a lower molecular weight than moisturizers, which means they can penetrate the delicate eye area better,” Shani Darden, esthetician and founder of an eponymous skin-care line, previously told Well+Good. This cream contains a blend of blueberry extract, a water-loving molecule Proxylane, flavonoids, and peptides to improve skin elasticity, restore water and nutrients to the skin, and diminish the appearance of dark circles and under-eye bags.
Everyone loves hyaluronic acid because it drenches your skin in moisture. This serum ups HAs efficacy by pairing it with licorice root extract and purple rice extract, which work together to help make the hyaluronic acid last longer in your skin. “SkinCeuticals hyaluronic acid with licorice is great for those with pigment issues who also need hydration,” Dr. Campbell previously told Well+Good.
This vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid serum is another excellent option for people looking to add hydration to their skin. Both ingredients are humectants, meaning they draw moisture into the skin to leave it feeling quenched and plump.
If super-rich moisturizers aren’t your thing, this lightweight formula from SkinCeuticals might be perfect for you. It keeps your skin nourished and hydrated with a unique blend of red and brown sea algae extracts. “I love algae because, though it’s not exactly a moisturizer, it prevents water loss,” Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California, previously told Well+Good. “So it’s really good at keeping moisture on your skin. Of course, it also has all these antioxidants, and it’s good for healing, too.”
On the more affordable end of the SkinCeuticals spectrum lies this micro-exfoliating scrub. It uses hydrated silica, a naturally occurring mineral, to slough off dead skin while glycerin and aloe leaf extract hydrate, cool, and refresh your skin. Physical exfoliants can often be irritating, but as long as your skin isn’t super sensitive, this scrub will make your skin look fresher and more radiant without irritation.
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