Level Up Your Skin-Care Routine With These Dermatologist Favorites

11/27/2020

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At Allure, we trust no one more than board-certified dermatologists for product recommendations — after all, they are trained and licensed experts. Whenever we can, we ask our professional pals to divulge their favorite skin-care products and tips, contribute expert commentary on the latest ingredients and trends, and even share their knowledge on episodes of The Science of Beauty podcast.

Today, we're honing in on their most beloved complexion essentials, starting with cleansers and going through their entire A.M. and P.M. regimens, including, but not limited to, face creams and sunscreen. As you are well aware, Black Friday has some of the best beauty deals of the entire year. So whether you're looking to decrease hyperpigmentation or banish breakouts, keep reading for the best deals on dermatologist-approved skin care you can scoop up right now.

Cleansers

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra

Board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum is a fan of the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser infused with prebiotic thermal water, ceramides, and niacinamide. Not only will it give you a clean slate for the rest of your skin-care products, but she told Allure it also "protects [the] epidermal barrier and decreases any redness and inflammation."

To unwind from the day, board-certified dermatologist Melissa Levin sprinkles a few drops of La Roche-Posay Micellar Water Ultra onto a clean cotton pad to remove makeup and debris. "I love micellar water because it's minimal in the number of additives and relies mainly on water and oil, which gently remove the residue off of the skin," she previously told Allure.

Black Friday Deal: La Roche-Posay is offering 25 percent off all orders and free shipping with orders of $65 or more on larocheposay.com. The deal is active between November 25 to 27. (No code is needed.)

Plus, on amazon.com, between November 23 to 30, the Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Face Cleanser, specifically, will be 15 percent off.

SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

SkinMedica's AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser is board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry's product of choice to thoroughly rid her skin of accumulated dirt and oil. Spiked with a host of alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic), beta hydroxy acids (salicylic), and jojoba spheres to mildly polish skin, it pulls its weight by smoothing away texture and brightening your complexion.

Black Friday Deal: Hit up dermstore.com between November 26 and December 6 to score 20 percent off SkinMedica products with code SHARETHELOVE. Or head on over to skinmedica.com and get 15 percent off, starting on November 25 through December 6. Either way, you can only save.

P.S. If you sign up for Dermstore Rewards (which is free to join and earns you five percent back on all purchases), you gain early access to the sale starting November 22.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Sejal Shah, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Smarter Skin Dermatology, begins her day with the First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser. When combined with water, the whipped texture transforms into a creamy froth that gently sweeps away dirt and makeup, while allantoin and aloe leaf extract calm inflammation.

Black Friday Deal: Starting November 24 through 30, save 25 percent on First Aid Beauty's entire line at dermstore.com with code SHARETHELOVE. Or on firstaidbeauty.com, if you buy a full-sized Pure Skin Face Cleanser — or any other best seller, including Ultra Repair Cream and Facial Radiance Pads — you get a free travel-size, two-ounce bottle of the same product (originally $11). The promo runs between November 24 and 27 and is automatically applied at checkout.

Serums & Treatments

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

SkinCeuticals Plump and Glow Regimen

We could very well wax poetic about the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic all day and so many of our dermatologist friends could as well. Board-certified dermatologists Shereene Idriss and Carlos A. Charles, alongside Nada Elbuluk, clinical associate professor of dermatology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and director of the USC Skin of Color & Pigmentary Program, have this powerhouse serum in regular rotation.

Idriss previously told Allure it's her personal go-to serum because it "helps dramatically with the improvement of fine lines, skin firmness, and overall brightening." When combined, vitamins C and E and ferulic acid help stabilize and potentiate each other, making for a stronger and more effective skin-care cocktail. Seriously, there's not much C E Ferulic can't do — which, in our opinion, justifies the hefty price tag.

Black Friday Deal: Although skinceuticals.com isn't offering a straight discount, you can pick up a free, custom four-piece Mini Regimen (valued up to $63) with any order of $185 or more, plus a bonus, to-be-announced gift with any order of $250 or more. This deal is valid from November 25 through December 4.

Now through November 26, skinstore.com is offering 15 percent off three SkinCeuticals duos, the Plump and Glow Regimen, Restore and Hydrate Regimen, and Antioxidant AM/PM Regimen, which include the C E Ferulic serum — no code needed.

SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum

SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5

One of Henry's hero products for fading discoloration is the SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum. It's formulated with tranexamic acid, which is a newer topical ingredient that's "great at fighting pesky hyperpigmentation," she previously told Allure. Niacinamide is an important supporting ingredient that prevents the formation of new spots, while glycerin and plankton extract strengthen your moisture barrier.

Idriss likened retinol as "a star ingredient" because it's able to penetrate deep into the dermis to stimulate collagen production, a trait few ingredients boast. Her go-to retinol is SkinMedica's Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5, which is also formulated with brightening niacinamide, hydrating squalane oil, and soothing vitamin E to ease irritation.

Black Friday Deal: SkinMedica products are 20 percent off on dermstore.com between November 26 and December 6 with code SHARETHELOVE. Skinmedica.com also has a 15 percent off deal starting on November 25 and going through December 6. (No code is needed.)

Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Sheet Mask

Like many of us, Shah kicks hydration into high gear when her skin is feeling irritated or tight. The first plan of attack: Slapping on an Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Sheet Mask for a cool 10 minutes. The cellulose mask feels like a second skin and is drenched in the brand's own Thermal Spring Water, which is naturally rich in minerals and antioxidants to nourish sensitive skin.

Black Friday Deal: With the promo code BF25, get 25 percent off sitewide between November 25 and 28 on aveneusa.com. That includes two other derm favorites: the RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream and RetrinAL Eyes.

If you're reading this before then, between November 20 and 24, you can get a free six-piece gift set with any order of $50 or more with code GIFT6 or an eight-piece set with any order of $80 or more with code GIFT8.

Moisturizers & Creams

Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 30%

Every morning after cleansing, Shah applies a vitamin C serum, namely Revision Skincare's Vitamin C Lotion 30%. The 30 percent refers to THD ascorbate, which is a very stable derivative of vitamin C. Moisture-boosting squalane and free-radical-fighting antioxidants, like coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E, round out the heavy-hitting ingredient list.

Black Friday Deal: Revision Skincare is 15 percent off on dermstore.com between November 24 and 30, so take advantage of this rare deal with code SHARETHELOVE.

Glytone Age-Defying Antioxidant Eye Cream

Jill Weinstein, clinical instructor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, prefers Glytone's Age-Defying Antioxidant Eye Cream because it's loaded up with antioxidants, like vitamins C and E, to protect the sensitive undereye area from environmental damage and free radicals, as well as caffeine to de-puff. Glycolic acid, on the other hand, promotes cell turnover and boosts deeper penetration.

Black Friday Deal: You know the drill by now. From November 24 to 30, get 20 percent off Glytone products at dermstore.com with code SHARETHELOVE. Over on glytone-usa.com you can get 25 percent off sitewide. Just pop in the code HOLIDAY25 anytime between November 25 to 28 to redeem your rightful savings.

Natura Bisse Essential Shock Intense Gel Cream

Makeup artists, like Nam Vo (known for her dazzlingly dewy complexion), and dermatologists alike have put their stamps of approval on Natura Bisse. Idriss reaches for the rich Essential Shock Intense Cream, which is chock-full of essential amino acids, hydrolyzed collagen, and shea butter to restore hydration, firmness, and elasticity levels. It gradually sinks in overnight, so you can snooze peacefully knowing the cream is working its skin-care magic.

Black Friday Deal: Natura Bisse products, including the Nam Vo-approved Diamond Ice-Lift, are 25 percent off on dermstore.com starting on November 24 through November 30 with code SHARETHELOVE.

Patchology Flashpatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels

Nussbaum loves popping on a pair of Patchology FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels to target puffiness and brighten the appearance of dark circles, thanks to a tag team of energizing caffeine, soothing centella asiatica, and plumping hyaluronic acid. Affix them five minutes before a Zoom meeting to hide the sleep deprivation showing in your undereye area — the resulting dewiness will definitely perk you up.

Black Friday Deal: All Patchology products available on dermstore.com are 20 percent off between, you guessed it, November 24 and 30 with code SHARETHELOVE. Additionally, on patchology.com, you can score 25 percent off sitewide on November 27 only. No code is needed for this particular deal.

Plus, if you spend $100 or more, you get a free five-pack of FlashPatch Eye Gels — Rejuvenating, Restoring, or Illuminating based on your preference. And starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on November 27, the first 100 customers on Black Friday will also receive a free 15-pair jar of the Rejuvenating Eye Gels (valued at $35).

NeoStrata Triple Firming Neck Cream

Before slathering on sunscreen in the morning, Nussbaum smoothes on a dime-sized dollop of NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream. Spiked with amino acids and Neocitriate and NeoGlucosamine, two patented ingredients that stimulate collagen production and improve overall firmness, this neck cream visibly diminishes the appearance of crepey texture.

Black Friday Deal: Shoppers get 30 percent off the entire NeoStrata line at dermstore.com between November 24 and 30 with code SHARETHELOVE. Alternatively, if you sign up for the brand's mailing list on neostrata.com, you get a 20 percent discount and free shipping. (This is up for grabs any time of year — not a Black Friday-specific deal).

Sunscreens

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

You'll find Charles, Nussbaum, and Shah among the huge fanbase of EltaMD's UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. Oh, and we Allure editors love it so much that we gave it a Best of Beauty Award in 2018. Charles smears a generous layer every morning as his moisturizer-sunscreen hybrid step. As far as formula goes, Nussbaum highlights the moisture-replenishing hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-boosting niacinamide, and nine percent zinc oxide that leaves a transparent, white-cast-free finish (hence the "Clear" in its name). Even proclaimed sunscreen haters won't find any faults with this option.

Black Friday Deal: All EltaMD products are on sale for 20 percent off at dermstore.com between November 24 and 30 with code SHARETHELOVE. Other dermatologist-approved picks include UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 and UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50.

MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50

The only product board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan revealed, apart from his own skin-care brand, Mod Skin, is none other than MDSolarSciences's Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50. Infused with what he said are "highly effective skin-moisturizing ceramides," along with an antioxidant-rich team of vitamin C, green tea, and cranberry and pomegranate extracts, dry skin drinks this formula right up. If you're looking for a sunscreen that feels more like a lightweight lotion, give this a whirl.

Black Friday Deal: Take 30 percent off MDSolarScience products at dermstore.com between November 24 and 30 with code SHARETHELOVE. Shah enjoys using the MD Crème Mineral Beauty Balm, if you're searching for a multitasking BB cream.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30

Mona Gohara, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, protects her skin from UVA and UVB rays with the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30. Available in 10 shades for a hint of lightweight coverage, this multitasker contains soothing colloidal oatmeal, skin-quenching hyaluronic acid, and conditioning vitamin E.

Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50

For everyone who needs an easy method to reapply sunscreen throughout the day — especially over makeup — Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50 is designed with a convenient, no-touch application that won't disturb what's underneath. Gohara freshens up between patients with this handy product.

Black Friday Deal: Colorescience is 30 percent off at dermstore.com between November 24 and 30, including the editor-approved, brightening Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy, with code SHARETHELOVE.

Outside of these discounted picks, there are plenty of other dermatologist-approved products that are absolutely worth it, even at full price — so check out our stories on dermatologist skin-care routines, and then another. Happy shopping, skin-care devotees.

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