Science-Backed Ingredients
When choosing a skincare brand to purchase from, look for those that commit to using science-backed ingredients. While new and trending ingredients have their place, there’s something to be said about sticking to formulas created with bodies of evidence to support their use and effectiveness.
Read the label and look for tried-and-true ingredients, including AHAs and BHAs, ceramides, vitamins C and E, retinol, aloe, jojoba, enzymes, and SPF. Olay's Micro-Sculpting Cream is an affordable drugstore pick packed with skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to minimize pores and brighten skin. Backed by 30 years of research, Augustinus Bader's The Cream contains the founder's patented TFC8 complex, a 40-ingredient blend that stimulates collagen production, reduces the signs of aging, and protects skin from environmental damage.
Quality
It’s one thing for a brand to tout impressive and effective ingredients, but if those ingredients are not appropriately formulated and quality is sacrificed, your results will be too. Look for brands that proudly label the ingredients and amounts and compare them to your desired needs and preferences.
More is not always better, especially in terms of retinol and strong acids, but the proper dose and formulation can save your skin, especially if it is sensitive. Going with brands that use clinical testing and are backed or created by dermatologists and estheticians is wise. Reading reviews from customers and beauty editors who’ve tried products from the brand is extremely valuable for informing your skincare brand decision-making.
Price
For most of us, budget is a concern when shopping for the best skincare brands. It is often true that you get what you pay for since effective, adequately dosed ingredients can be pricey. Still, many affordable skincare options come backed by scientific research and excellent reviews.
No matter what you choose to spend, look for well-known and loved brands that skincare experts recommend. Dermatologists approve of Cetaphil's Gentle Skin Cleanser for all skin types, and it's under $25. Derms also love SkinMedica's TNS Essential Serum, which uses human-derived growth factors to deliver impressive youth-boosting results, and rings up at over $250.
