24 Medical-Grade Skin-Care Finds From Dermstore That Are Worth Every Penny

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

The EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen is a favorite sunscreen of many dermatologists. It's great for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The formula is a zinc oxide-based physical sunscreen that's unscented but has no whitecast, and the solution is also formulated with ingredients like niacinamide, lactic acid, and sodium hyaluronate to keep your skin balanced and hydrated.

You can also get the EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 - Tinted ($45), which is a tinted version of the original if you're looking for something with a little bit of coverage. It comes in two flexible shades.

PCA Skin BPO 5 Percent Cleanser ($44)

The PCA Skin BPO 5 Percent Cleanser is a great cleanser for those with acne-prone skin. It contains 5 percent benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient known to combat acne. It also has calming ingredients like aloe and cucumber.

Obagi Medical Clenziderm M.D. Pore Therapy ($45)

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, the Obagi Medical Clenziderm M.D. Pore Therapy is the toner that will help you keep breakouts at bay and balance your skin. It contains two percent salicylic acid to help exfoliate while glycerin soothes irritation and helps to reduce inflammation. Just dab a little bit on a cotton pad and gently press the liquid onto the skin.

EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer ($44)

The EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer is an editor-backed pick for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin. The oil-free moisturizer has a lightweight feel with long-lasting hydration. It contains niacinamide and willow-bark extract to keep the skin balanced and radiant. After using it, you're left with a nice glow that preps your complexion for makeup.

Editor Quote: "The moisturizer's consistency falls between lightweight and medium, which is perfect for my skin type. Although the EltaMD AM Therapy Moisturizer is created for morning use, it is hydrating enough to use in the morning and at night. Another thing I love is that this product is the perfect base for makeup — I've never had issues with pilling, and I swear it helps keep my foundation in place all day." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Read our in-depth review of the EltaMD AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer.

iS Clinical Cleansing Complex ($48)

The iS Clinical Cleansing Complex will deeply cleanse your pores and exfoliate your skin with salicylic acid. However, it's got an array of calming ingredients, like chamomile and centella asiatica, that will reduce inflammation, too. The formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin types, even those with acne, dermatitis, and rosacea.

PCA Skin Collagen Hydrator ($59)

With a blend of hydrating shea butter and hyaluronic acid, this moisturizer from PCA Skin is a must for those with drier skin types. The rich formula also has sweet almond oil and a blend of emollients that helps keep your skin looking revitalized, plump, and soft. You can use this after your serums both morning and at night.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum ($64)

If you want the anti-aging and skin-smoothing effects of a retinol but without the irritation and redness, try the gentle Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Serum. It's made with retinal, which is supposed to be more gentle than a traditional retinol. The serum is hydrating with a thicker serum-cream consistency and works to help improve the appearance of fine lines and texture over time. It's best to use this at night followed by a hydrating moisturizer.

EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum ($66)

We've all had those moments where we over-exfoliated our skin or accidentally irritated it. It's times like this when the EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum comes in handy. The formula works to calm the skin and help repair a damaged skin barrier. It's also a great serum to use after in-office procedures like peels or lasers.

Epionce Renewal Eye Cream ($78)

Epionce's Renewal Eye Cream is great for those who want to improve the look of their dark circles or fine lines. The gentle formula has date fruit extract, a meadowfoam and flax seed complex, and rosehip extract to help hydrate and fortify the area while brightening. You'll notice a more revived, youthful look after using this consistently.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel ($80)

If you have sensitive skin, this gel serum helps to reduce redness and soothe the skin for a more radiant appearance. Ideal for those with reactive or acne-prone skin types, this serum is formulated with hyaluronic acid, cucumber, thyme, and other botanicals to help minimize inflammation. It also contains mulberry to help brighten the skin and even out discoloration.

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0 ($96)

Retinol is the gold standard when it comes to antiaging, besides sunscreen. One pump of SkinMedica's Age Defense Retinol Complex 1.0 nightly is all you need to reduce the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles, and diminish dark spots for good. This retinol is formulated in a base of antioxidants, ceramides, peptides, and niacinamide to keep your skin calm while it reaps the retinol benefits.

SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment Lightweight Moisturizer ($110)

The SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment Lightweight Moisturizer is such an underrated SkinCeuticals product. It is a gentle yet powerful formula that uses alpha arbutin, azelaic acid, and niacinamide to diminish hyperpigmentation and prevent acne. It also contains thyme, olive leaf, and cucumber extracts to calm the skin.

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense ($110)

SkinCeuticals's Blemish + Age Defense is a serum that can prevent blemishes, reduce fine lines, minimize wrinkles, and reduce excess sebum. It's a product that's perfect for those trying to combat acne and anti-aging concerns. The solution also has a triple acid blend containing dioic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid.

SkinCeuticals A.G.E Advanced Eye Cream ($116)

The A.G.E Advanced Eye Cream is a hydrating option that will visibly improve the look of fine lines, puffiness, and overall dullness. Formulated with peptides like matrixyl 3000, caffeine, antioxidants, and hero-ingredient Concentrated ProxylaneTM, this eye cream helps maintain firmness and support the skin's barrier. It also contains an ingredient that helps disperse light to minimize the appearance of dark circles instantly.

PCA Skin ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum ($120)

PCA Skin's ExLinea Peptide Smoothing Serum is perfect for preventing and treating anti-aging concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles. It's also loaded with peptides, hydrating emollients, and antioxidants that will be a gentle treat for your skin. Use this around your eyes, forehead, and even around your lips for a more radiant look.

iS Clinical Active Serum ($142)

Antiaging, acne control, and a brightener in one product? Yes, it exists and it comes in the form of this iS Clinical Active Serum. It's a popular serum beloved by celebrities and aestheticians that reduces the appearance of fine lines, prevents acne, and fades dark spots. It contains salicylic acid, arbutin, sugarcane extract, glycerin, and mushroom extract.

Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% ($142)

With 20 percent pure vitamin C, the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% is a powerful antioxidant serum that's also incredibly hydrating, so it's great for those with drier skin types. If you're dealing with dark spots and uneven skin tone, around five drops every morning of this serum can help. It also provides effective antioxidant protection, especially when paired with a quality sunscreen.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242 ($155)

Got a compromised skin barrier? The SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242 contains ceramides, natural cholesterol, and fatty acids, which help to replenish and restore the skin's hydration and elasticity. It's also formulated with vitamin E and antioxidants to help protect the skin from free-radical damage. This moisturizer is perfect for those who recently got laser treatments or chemical peels done or for those using tretinoin.

iS Clinical Super Serum Advance Plus ($158)

The iS Clinical Super Serum Advance Plus is a serum that all skin types can benefit from because it addresses a variety of concerns. It's loaded with vitamin C, copper tripeptide growth factors, amino acids, and alpha arbutin. This serum can brighten and prevent breakouts, all while helping your skin with dryness or anti-aging concerns.

Senté Dermal Repair Cream ($164)

If you have dry skin or need a recovery cream after an in-office procedure, you'll want the Senté Dermal Repair Cream in your arsenal. It contains heparan sulfate analog (HSA), which is supposed to provide a much-needed boost of hydration and fortify your skin's moisture barrier. It also has green tea extracts and sodium hyaluronate to keep the skin calm and soothe irritation and redness. You can use it in the daytime and at night. It's even recommended by the National Rosacea Society.

SkinMedica Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment Serum ($178)

With a powerful combination of tranexamic acid, niacinamide, lotus seed extract, and phenylethyl resorcinol (helps with melanin balance), SkinMedica's Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment Serum is a must for stubborn hyperpigmentation. All you need is a few pumps, night and day, to diminish dark spots. Don't forget to use sunscreen!

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($182)

The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is known as the gold standard of vitamin C serums. It contains 15 percent pure vitamin C and helps with brightening and evening out skin tone, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and providing antioxidant protection. All you need is around four-to-five drops on your face and neck in the morning time. SkinCeuticals discovered the beneficial relationship between ferulic acid, vitamin E, and vitamin C through the development of this serum.

Editor Quote: "Speaking from experience, I saw pretty significant results from C E Ferulic after about a week of continuous use. I love nothing more than basking in the sun (sorry to my derms), so I often experience melasma and hyperpigmentation — especially on the highest part of my cheekbones, where the sun's rays really hit. When I use the SkinCeuticals serum every morning (followed by SPF 40), I find that my brown spots fade faster and are often less dark from the get-go." — Aviel Kanter, editorial director, branded content

Read our in-depth review of the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic serum here.

SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF ($182)

Although the brand is known for its bestselling C E Ferulic serum, it can be irritating or potent for those with acne-prone skin. The Silymarin CF serum remedies that with the addition of salicylic acid and silymarin, or milk thistle extract. These ingredients help prevent oil oxidation and keep the skin's oil production balanced to reduce the formation of breakouts.

SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum ($295)

The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum has two proprietary ingredient blends that will deliver a more radiant and smoother complexion, improving the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. This formula contains a blend of growth factors and peptide complexes that foster a healthy skin environment. It also has a blend of botanicals and marine extracts to help support skin repair functions and collagen levels.

Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for PS Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.