Dermatologists’ Favorite Skincare Products They Use ‘Til the Last Drop

By Alice Ruby On Apr 30, 2024

As a beauty editor, I consume a lot of beauty-related content on the daily. Sometimes, it feels like I’m swiping through endless reels, stories and carousels of product reviews, makeup hacks, skin-care ingredient explainers and more. But, while the mindless scrolling can take over, if there are any beauty-related posts I’m always going to pause on, it’s users sharing their “empties.”

Finding out what products influencers and skin-care junkies use until the very end despite what I know is a never ending influx of new products functions, to me, as one of the highest honors. One of the few genres that tops it, though? Finding out which products dermatologists are using ’til the last drop.

As dermatologists, these skin-care experts have access to the best of the best in skin-saving ingredients, treatments, procedures and more. So, making it into their list of empties is no small feat. Ahead, some of our renowned dermatologists share the skin-care products they use until the very last drop.

Featured Experts:

Joel Schlessinger, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE
Jennifer Segal, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Houston
Julie Russak, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
Joel Cohen, MD is board-certified dermatologist in Denver
Daniel Schlessinger, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in Omaha, NE

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Colorescience Total Protection No-Show Mineral SPF 50 ($45)

“This is one of my favorite mineral sunscreens, because it contains an effective percentage of zinc oxide (10 percent) to properly protect skin in a formulation that looks like nothing on the skin,” notes Dr. Joel Schlessinger, “I especially appreciate the added protection against pollution, infrared rays, and blue light provided by its EnviroScreen Technology. This innovative coating enhances the mineral actives in the formula, offering an extra layer of defense.”

BUY NOW AT COLORESCIENCE – $45

BUY NOW ON AMAZON – $45

3 / 15

Epionce Enriched Body Cream ($42)

Enriched with dozens of skin-soothing ingredients like safflower and rose oil, Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says that “This is my go-to bottle of moisturizer for large patches of dry skin on the elbows, heels and hands. It also contains zinc pyrithione, which offers antibacterial and antifungal benefits, making it helpful in treating eczema or seborrheic dermatitis.”

BUY NOW AT DERMSTORE – $42

4 / 15

Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($42)

Whether you are struggling with a compromised skin barrier or looking to promote healing on a recently treated area, Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin, but still packs a punch when it comes to deep nourishment and healing. Clinically proven to accelerate the healing process by 4x, this advanced post-biotic restorative skin barrier cream is one of Dr. Segal’s can’t-live-without products.

BUY NOW AT ULTA – $42

5 / 15

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($43)

EltaMD is one of the most sought-after brands in terms of SPF, with tons of celebrities swearing by the skin-safe, ultra-protective formulas. Not only do celebrities love it, derms do too, and Dr. Cohen lists the brand’s UV Clear SPF 46 as one product he’s always using until the end, and it’s no surprise why. The lightweight, oil-free face sunscreen is proven to protect acne-prone and sensitive skin without irritation.

BUY NOW AT DERMSTORE – $43

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6 / 15

ELEMIS Skin Soothe Shave Gel ($39)

Another one of Dr. Joel Schlessinger’s favorites, the Omaha-based dermatologist loves ELEMIS’ Skin Soothe Shave Gel because “it does exactly as it’s named – it soothes the skin! It contains micro-capsules of marine extracts, jojoba oil, witch hazel and aloe to provide a very smooth, moisturizing shave. Plus, I love the menthol in the formula—it’s very refreshing in the morning!”

BUY NOW AT ULTA – $39

8 / 15

ALASTIN HA Serum ($118)

Another ALASTIN staple, Dr. Cohen loves the brand’s HA Serum. With proprietary Octapeptide-45 that enhances the skin’s natural ability to increase its own high-molecular hyaluronic acid production, ALASTIN HA Serum instantly boosts hydration and leaves skin looking smoother and more radiant.

BUY NOW AT ALASTIN – $118

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9 / 15

LovelySkin LUXE Clarifying Gel Cleanser ($20)

A hero product from the Schlessinger’s own brand, Dr. Joel Schlessinger loves LovelySkin’s Clarifying Gel Cleanser. “This cleanser has been my go-to for myself and many of my patients for many years,” he says, “It exfoliates to prevent acne and minimize signs of aging with a combination of 2 percent glycolic, 2 percent salicylic acid and 3 percent afaLUXE™, which is a dermatologist-developed ingredient made of amino-based filaggrin antioxidants, vitamin C and Dead Sea Minerals. This unique ingredient balances skin’s moisture levels so skin is rejuvenated, yet never feels stripped.”

BUY NOW – $20

11 / 15

HELIOCARE Ultra Antioxidant Supplements ($62)

“These once-a-day dietary capsules are an easy and very effective way to boost the benefits and coverage of your daily sunscreen,” says Dr. Daniel Schlessinger. “They are formulated with an antioxidant-rich Central American fern called Polypodium Leucotomos, which helps your body build up natural defenses against UV rays. Plus, they offer anti-aging benefits as well!”

BUY NOW ON LOVELYSKIN – $62

12 / 15

CLn Shampoo ($36)

Finding shampoos that are safe for the skin on your scalp is just as important as finding formulas for your face, and for Dr. Joel Schlessinger, CLn is a winner. “This shampoo is a simple, yet very effective way to cleanse hair and treat all sorts of scalp issues, including itching, folliculitis, dermatitis and infections,” he says, “It includes sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as bleach, in a formulation that is gentle enough for the scalp and skin, while still cleansing hair effectively.”

BUY NOW AT LOVELYSKIN – $36

13 / 15

Pavise Dynamic Age Defense SPF 30 ($148)

“We use sunscreen every day—at least you should—so in this day and age of multitasking, I want my sunscreen to do more,” says Dr. Russak, “And that’s where science really merges with beauty. New MIT scientists created this Pavise sunscreen that provides long-lasting pure zinc protection but it does so much more. It’s not just a sunscreen—it’s more of a face cream that has multifunctional ingredients that are safe for all skin types and protect from and reflect UV radiation and environmental oxidative damage, so it helps with protection and repair from premature skin aging. The formula also has ingredients that are used in the treatment of melasma and rosacea, making it a product that truly applies science to skin care.”

BUY NOW – $148

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SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum ($295)

One of Dr. Downie’s products that she simply can’t get enough of, SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum visibly improves the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin with the help of powerhouse, proprietary ingredients like TNS-MR and Renessensce (RSC) Advanced. “It has a high amount of growth factor in it that helps to decrease fine lines and wrinkles and prevent the skin from sagging, and I simply love it,” says Dr. Downie, “I use it on my face and neck every night!”

BUY NOW – $295

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ISDIN Melaclear ($85)

A powerhouse product for decreasing the appearance of hyperpigmentation thanks to its combination of brightening ingredients like vitamin C and phytic acid, Dr. Downie uses ISDIN’s Melaclear to fight hyperpgimentation and even skin tone across both the face and the body.

BUY NOW AT ISDIN – $85

BUY NOW AT DERMSTORE – $85

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