PCA is a great physician-dispensed brand with interesting and intelligent formulations to treat all skin types and conditions, and as such, products such as these can function as a bridge between prescription and maintenance regimens. PCA was one of the first lines to incorporate alpha hydroxy acids (this line utilizes mostly lactic acid) into home care products, and also does a great job of incorporating cutting-edge, current ingredients into their formulations. The pigmentation products are particularly well-formulated and the acne line is as well. The acne line contains not only benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which are what you usually find in over-the-counter products, but sulfur and azelaic acid, two other important treatments for acne.

Pigment Gel

I really like this product because of the unique and smart blend of ingredients. It contains hydroquinone, the gold standard for treating pigmentation, but is also contains exfoliating agents kojic acid and lactic acid. These products will not only help slough off the surface skin cells, which contain the unwanted pigment, but will allow the hydroquinone to work more effectively by removing those older surface cells—not to mention contributing to a glowing complexion. It also contains another skin lightener, azelaic acid, one of my favorite skin care ingredients. It treats pigmentation in a different way than hydroquinone, allowing the two to work synergistically. It also has anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties, and can be used for acne-rosacea type breakouts. That’s why I think this would be an excellent product to treat acne prone skin and post-acne pigmentation problems. However, it’s also terrific for the treatment of freckles and age spots and may help to improve melasma. To use this product, apply it to the face (can be used on neck and chest too) after cleansing twice daily. Follow this with moisturizer and a good sunblock in the morning. Remember to be compliant with aggressive sunblock use when trying to treat pigmentation! If you need more help with your pigmentation after 8 weeks, you may want to see a dermatologist who may give you a higher strength hydroquinone or recommend an in-office procedure, such as a chemical peel or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment.

A and C Synergy Serum

A and C Synergy Serum is another smart product with a nice blend of ingredients to lighten and brighten the skin and fight the signs of aging. It contains ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C which lightens, encourages collagen production and fights free radical damage, as well as retinol, essential to any anti-aging regimen. It contains kojic acid, which helps lighten and increase cell turnover and the lightening agents, arbutin and licorice root extract. It also contains resveratrol, which is a relatively newer anti-agent in skincare—and one that I am excited about. I am a believer in resveratrol as an oral supplement. It would also be a nice product for those prone to mild and discoloration, but also just a great brightening serum to use for healthy skin maintenance and anti-aging. Because it contains retinol, it is probably the better choice if you are searching for an anti-aging serum. Use this in the same fashion as the Pigment Gel.

Protecting Hydrator SPF 30

What a great lightweight oil-free moisturizer with sunblock—and it has zinc oxide, an excellent broad-spectrum blocker. This product is very smooth and elegant and applies with ease. It also contains the antioxidant vitamin E to help fight free radical damage and vitamin B5 to help soften and condition the skin. This is an excellent everyday daytime moisturizer. I find that people love products that come in a pump, and this one does not disappoint. It’s great for the face, but the pump makes it as great one to use on your hands and forearms every morning—that’s what I have been doing.

Brand Pick: Pigment Gel

Elta MD is one of my favorite lines for sunscreen. They offer other great products as well, but when I think of Elta MD, I think sunscreen. They have truly exceptional products and have mastered combining elegance with effective sun protection. Most of their sunscreens have a high percentage of either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both), something that I always look for in a sunscreen. I always tell my patients that if you are going to go through the motions of using a sunscreen, it better work. These products do. They really do. And, they have a great price point-an exceptional value for the quality of the products. I recently was able to try the new Aero , which is a spray—. I am usually not a fan of sprays because I worry about coverage and proper application, but this one worked really well. As long as you apply it correctly, it is a great product and nice addition to their armentarium (I still prefer the first application to be with a lotion but sprays can be ideal for reapplication, scalps and other hairy areas, and fast kids). The Pure Broad Spectrum SPF 47 is also a great one for the beach and vacation and the UV Daily SPF 40 and UV Clear SPF 46 are one of the bests daily sunscreens for normal and oily skin respectively. The ever so popular UV Physical SPF 41 is tinted, and while all the Elta MD sunscreens are good for sensitive skin, this one is probably the best and is especially good for people that can’t tolerate the chemical component of sunscreens. It is more matte however, and may need a moisturizer underneath. The UV Sport SPF 50 is great for athletes and runners and it comes in a nice pump that encourages its use (which I love).

The Revaleskin brand of products is excellent. While all the products are great, the star in the line is the Revaleskin Intense Recovery Treatment. One of my patients’ favorites, the Intense Recovery Treatment not only brightens and protects the skin, but can help even out skin tone and reduce redness. The Revale line contains coffeeberry extract, which has been an exciting addition to antioxidant armentarium. This product contains the highest concentration of coffeeberry in the line, but also contains other antioxidants like green tea and grape seed extracts, licorice extract to help calm and reduce any inflammation, and peptides to help build collagen and improve texture and tone. It’s a great all-in-one anti-aging formulation. I often recommend it for patients who may struggle with redness and rosacea or who suffer from sun damage. However, anyone can use an antioxidant product. It’s perfect for a young person who wants to prevent future damage and is interested in boosting their skin care regimen. It’s also a great product for a more mature patient who may want to add another step in their regimen—for instance, you could use along with a retinol-containing product.

SkinMedica is probably my favorite physician-dispensed product line. It was founded by a well known and well respected dermatologist who brings science to his brand. I love recommending SkinMedica not only because the products are outstanding, but because they’re backed by substantial clinical studies demonstrating their efficacy. And the line is very complete, spanning everything from growth factors and antioxidants to peptides, retinol and sunscreen. They also offer a simple acne line as well as a new redness cream with niacinamide.

SkinMedica offers an excellent vitamin C +E serum, retinol creams, eye creams and sunscreens—but the TNS Essential Serum is probably their most exciting product (TNS stands for Tissue Nutrient Solution). The TNS products contain a physiologically balanced mixture of growth factors not found in other product lines. It aids in boosting collagen production and fighting the signs and symptoms of aging skin.

Dermal Repair Cream - Wow. This is such a luxurious cream and it’s a dream to put on. In addition to being luxurious, it offers an intelligent blend of ingredients, backed by good scientific research. This rich emollient cream is a great anti-aging product which contains retinyl palmitate, which encourages cell renewal and stimulates collagen production, plus vitamin E and a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, important for combating free radical damage and skin repair. This is one of my mom’s favorite products. It is more expensive, but if you want to treat yourself, give it a try. It would make a great gift too, in part because of its superb packaging. I would recommend using this cream at night after cleansing. You could use it alone, or layer it over your favorite nighttime repair or serum product. For example, it can be used over the TNS Essential Serum.

TNS Essential Serum - One of my favorites. I always come back to this in my rotation of skin care products. It is more expensive, but worth it. TNS Essential Serum is one of the most complete skin rejuvenation products on the market and contains an important component not found in other products: growth factors. In addition to growth factors, it contains peptides, antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, CoQ10 and green tea extracts, skin brightening agents, and collagen and elastin stimulating agents. Because there is no retinol agent in this product , you can apply a thin layer of a retinol-containing product after TNS Essential Serum. If you don’t have a prescriptions strength retinoid, Skin Medica makes a good one. Then, moisturize and apply a sunscreen.

TNS Recovery Complex - An excellent product that dermatologists became familiar with after its use as a post-procedure (laser, chemical peels) product produced great results. A growth factor containing product, it improves the healing process post-procedure, and also functions as an outstanding anti-aging product. Actually, TNS Recovery Complex is one component of the TNS Essential Serum—so if you were going to purchase one for daily use, I would choose the Essential Serum, which will provide you with a more complete product.

Brand Pick: TNS Essential Serum

With a product offering that spans every skin type and condition, along with formulations rich in naturally occurring active botanical ingredients, Dermalogica has long been a favorite brand among professionals, patients and consumers. They also offer an outstanding selection of sunblocks, which are particularly good for those with sensitive skin. I like Dermalogica's products because most people seem to tolerate them quite well.

One of the most universally important items in a good skin care regimen is an effective soap-free cleanser, which is why I really stand behind Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel. Ideal for sensitive and dry skins as it is for those prone to Rosacea and those using prescription retinoids, it thoroughly removes dirt and makeup without removing the surface oils from the skin, some of us need those oils. This product contains lavender and mint extracts, which have anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and calm the skin. On top of that, its scent is great.

Another vital component in any skin care routine is exfoliation. It's necessary to remove 'dead' surface cells not only to accelerate the growth of fresh cells, but to remove buildup that can contain pigment and settle into fine lines and wrinkles, creating a dull, blotchy, aged complexion. However, when it comes to exfoliation, you don't want to overdo it with harsh product's, this is why I love Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant. It utilizes a rice-based enzyme powder and salicylic acid to exfoliate, plus skin brightening agents like licorice root and bearberry extracts and anti-inflammatory agents such as green tea and gingko biloba these can also help with wrinkles. It also contains colloidal oatmeal, a favorite calming ingredient. I suggest using this product a few times a week to start, gradually building up to everyday use as long as your skin tolerates it.

Dermalogica Active Moist is a great lightweight oil-free moisturizer that's suitable for all skin types and it's especially great for people with more oily skin. It contains skin-calming ingredients like lavender, cucumber and burdock extracts along with wrinkle fighters, like grape seed extract. I recommend this product as a twice-daily moisturizer, to be used over your favorite treatment serums. It's also an optimal choice to use in combination with a prescription acne regimen, but you may want to check with your personal dermatologist first.

Eyelash growth stimulators are quite popular these days. Actually, the addition of an eyelash product is now an important part of any cosmetic consultation in my office. Smartlash Eyelash Enhancer is a great product for those interested in an effective, non-prescription product. While the prescription product is thought to work by mimicking prostaglandin, Smartlash Eyelash Enhancer employs a blend of peptides to stimulate hair follicle growth and increase the number of hairs in the growing phase. I am quite impressed with the clinical studies. In fact, some women who have overplucked, are unhappy with the shape, or have naturally thin growth are finding it effective to use on eyebrows too.

Obagi is probably the most well known physician-dispensed skin care line. Using smart ingredients, with more potent concentrations than most, Obagi has a lot of outstanding products with track records for achieving results. You can find it in most plastic surgeons’ and dermatologists’ offices. I feel like everyone knows someone who has used Obagi products—usually for fading dark spots. But it’s not just for lightening anymore. In recent years, Obagi has expanded its product line to include a wide array of targeted treatment regimens. As I mentioned, they are probably most known for their Nu Derm line, a lightening and rejuvenating regimen using hydroquinone (a lightening agent), tretinoin (a retinoid), glycolic acid and vitamin C in a multi-step system. My only criticism is that, because of the numerous steps, choosing a NuDerm regimen is probably difficult if you have never used these products. Therefore I’d recommend seeking the advice of a professional—at least at for your first purchase. These formulations have the potential for irritation, but for the right candidate, they can be very effective. The C (vitamin C) line does not contain retinol. It would be appropriate for someone who is interested in treating mild photodamage, and it’s an excellent preventative line for everyday use. Their vitamin C serums are excellent and are available in several concentrations. Clenziderm MD is a salicyclic acid- and Benzoyl peroxide-based acne system, which would be a great system to try before you see a dermatologist. Rosaclear is the rosacea line that contains natural anti-inflammatory agents, like licorice root extract, and has an excellent tinted sunblock with zinc oxide.

NuDerm Foaming Gel - A good everyday cleanser. My patients really like it because it smells good, foams nicely, takes off make up and leaves your skin feeling clean, refreshed and healthy. It is a great foundation for the rest of the line or any other products that you may be using. It is suitable for all skin types. If you have sensitive skin or rosacea and you want to try Obagi, I would try the Rosaclear gentle cleanser instead.

Professional C Serum 20% - I am a big fan of vitamin C products. There are many excellent antioxidant products on the market, but vitamin C is probably the most studied and as such, it has been proven to lighten pigmentation and boost collagen production, leading to the improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, texture, tone and elasticity. Not all vitamin C products are the same, and you have to be careful to use a stable formulation. This one smells great too. You could use this product once or twice a day—it’s usually used in the morning after cleansing and before moisturizer and sunblock. But, you can use it at night too—to help repair the damage from the day.

Elastiderm Eye Treatment Cream - This is a very elegant formulation with skin strengthening and moisturizing agents, essential for any good eye cream. The eye area is very delicate so eye creams are usually gentler than their face cream counterparts. Moisturization is essential because dryness in the delicate eye area can really create and accentuate the appearance of fine lines and crepiness. I think this cream is a good choice for the person with aging skin who has minimal sun damage and fine lines. It’s probably not the best choice for someone who is bothered by dark circles or who has more severe sun damage.

Brand Pick: Professional C Serum 20%

La Roche-Posay is a very reputable European brand and is very popular among skin care professionals. When I think of La Roche-Posay, I immediately think of their excellent line of sunscreens—a favorite among my patients for their elegant application, and among dermatologists for the stability of their chemical sunscreens and long-lasting protection.

They also offer a wide array of product lines for different skin conditions. Two that I am particularly fond of are the Toleriane and Rosaliac products, which are formulated for sensitive skin, and those that may suffer with Rosacea. I became particularly interested in the La Roche-Posay line after reading dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann’s recommendations years ago about using their Thermal Spring Water as part of a sensitive skin regimen. My patients tend to love it. Applying it to damp skin before moisturizing can help keep dry skin hydrated and prevent sensitive skin from becoming irritated. Overall, all the La Roche-Posay product lines are excellent.

Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen SPF 15 - When mexoryl came to the market in the United States several years ago, it was an exciting time in the dermatology and skin care community. Available in Europe for a long time, this new stable broad-spectrum chemical sunscreen, particularly active in the short UVA range, was a nice addition to sun protection products. UVA rays contribute to skin aging—protection against these rays is critical to prevent photoaging. Previously, avobenzone was the go-to broad-spectrum chemical blocker with UVA protection, but it has inherent problems with stability. Nowadays, there are other companies who have developed photostable avobenzone products (actually this product also contains avobenzone), but nonetheless, mexoryl is an outstanding addition to the sun protection market.

Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream is not only cosmetically elegant, but was a moisturizer as well, making it perfect for daily application. I wish this product had a SPF 30 rating, but if you apply the correct amount (about a quarter-size for face/neck), it’s a very effective favorite daily sunscreen. It’s lightweight and easy to use—definitely a favorite among consumers and physicians alike. The entire Anthelios sun protection line is fantastic. However, this product is the only one that also functions as a true moisturizer. The Anthelios 40 sunscreen cream also contains mexoryl, but the other products do not. Nonetheless, you can’t go wrong with any of them—while they may not contain mexoryl, the SPF 45 and 60 do have antioxidants which are a nice addition to any sunscreen product.

Active C Facial Skincare – Normal-Combination - Vitamin C (or L-ascorbic acid) is an excellent antioxidant which, in my opinion, should be part of everyone’s daily or weekly routine. It has been well studied and not only lightens dark spots, but promotes collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improves texture and prevents loss of elasticity. Active C is an excellent treatment product containing 5% stable L-ascorbic acid. This is a nice product which usually can be used even by those with more sensitive skin. I do prefer a higher L-ascorbic acid concentration, which has been shown to be more active in the skin, but sometimes the higher concentration of ascorbic acid has more potential for irritation. This product applies easily and without residue. This would be an excellent product for someone with mild photodamage and sun spots, or as a preventative treatment for someone who has minimal to mild photodamage or is on a maintenance regimen. It has a distinct citrus fragrance, which may not be suitable for everyone. I would use this product after cleansing and before moisturizing. And, don’t forget the sunscreen.

Active C Eyes - Active C eyes is essentially the same product as Active C Facial Skincare, but formulated for the delicate eye area. It can be used twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Both of these vitamin C products are excellent. To complete your regimen, I would use them in conjunction with other products that contain other important anti-aging ingredients such as alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid), retinol, peptides, and other antioxidants.

Brand pick: Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream SPF 15

The story behind Avene skin care products is an interesting one. The product line was established based on the serendipitous discovery of thermal spring water in a small town in France hundreds of years ago. The water, rich in silica and trace minerals, which have natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties , is the foundation of the Avene line. Since the original products launched, Avene has blossomed into a more diverse line, but many of the products still contain the Avene spring water. Avene takes pride in offering products that are exceptional for use by those with sensitive skin.

I really enjoy this brand of products.

Rétrinal+ 0.05 Cream is an excellent retinol product, and I think most dermatologists would agree that everyone should try to incorporate a retinol product into their skin care routine. This product uses retinaldehyde, a derivative of retinol, which has been shown in several studies to be active in the skin. While not as potent as tretinoin (the prescription strength retinoid), it is still quite beneficial for the skin. In fact, some people have trouble tolerating the higher strength products, and a product like this would be perfect for them. You will still obtain the same benefits over time, just with less irritation. This product also contains pretocopheryl, a form of vitamin E, which gives added antioxidant protection. It is smooth, easy to use and with time should help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plus improve skin texture and tone. I recommend using this product at night after cleansing and before using a moisturizer. You could even mix it with your favorite treatment serum, or layer it over the serum. Then, apply a moisturizer.

Retrinal Cream 0.1 is a higher strength retinaldehyde product without the vitamin E component. As with all Avene products, this cream is very soft and smooth and without much scent. If you have a more oily, resistant skin type or if you are a retinoid veteran, this would be a good product for you to try. Otherwise, I would start with the lower-strength retinaldehyde product and work your way up. Also, there are higher strength products on the market, so if you do well with this product, then I would increase the strength—possibly try a prescription retinoid next time.

Trixera+ Selectiose Emollient Cream is a good choice for someone who struggles with dry skin. Even though it is a rich emollient, it doesn’t feel heavy and applies to the skin with ease. This product does contain coconut oil and benzoic acid, two ingredients which can be problematic for sensitive skin, so if you are both sensitive and dry, this might not be the best choice for you. I always recommend that you try a new product in a small area first. If you do not become irritated after a couple days, then go for it. Because I advise my dry skin patients to apply emollients consistently (every day or twice a day even if they are clear), you could alternate the use of this product with one that is less expensive – there are several good “barrier repair” moisturizers on the market today, most contain ceramides. These ceramide-containing barrier repair creams are probably the best choice for patients who truly struggle with eczema.

Brand Pick: Retrinal+ 0.05% Cream

PCA is a great physician-dispensed brand with interesting and intelligent formulations to treat all skin types and conditions, and as such, products such as these can function as a bridge between prescription and maintenance regimens. PCA was one of the first lines to incorporate alpha hydroxy acids (this line utilizes mostly lactic acid) into home care products, and also does a great job of incorporating cutting-edge, current ingredients into their formulations. The pigmentation products are particularly well-formulated and the acne line is as well. The acne line contains not only benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which are what you usually find in over-the-counter products, but sulfur and azelaic acid, two other important treatments for acne.

Pigment Gel

I really like this product because of the unique and smart blend of ingredients. It contains hydroquinone, the gold standard for treating pigmentation, but is also contains exfoliating agents kojic acid and lactic acid. These products will not only help slough off the surface skin cells, which contain the unwanted pigment, but will allow the hydroquinone to work more effectively by removing those older surface cells—not to mention contributing to a glowing complexion. It also contains another skin lightener, azelaic acid, one of my favorite skin care ingredients. It treats pigmentation in a different way than hydroquinone, allowing the two to work synergistically. It also has anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties, and can be used for acne-rosacea type breakouts. That’s why I think this would be an excellent product to treat acne prone skin and post-acne pigmentation problems. However, it’s also terrific for the treatment of freckles and age spots and may help to improve melasma. To use this product, apply it to the face (can be used on neck and chest too) after cleansing twice daily. Follow this with moisturizer and a good sunblock in the morning. Remember to be compliant with aggressive sunblock use when trying to treat pigmentation! If you need more help with your pigmentation after 8 weeks, you may want to see a dermatologist who may give you a higher strength hydroquinone or recommend an in-office procedure, such as a chemical peel or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment.

A and C Synergy Serum

A and C Synergy Serum is another smart product with a nice blend of ingredients to lighten and brighten the skin and fight the signs of aging. It contains ascorbic acid, a form of vitamin C which lightens, encourages collagen production and fights free radical damage, as well as retinol, essential to any anti-aging regimen. It contains kojic acid, which helps lighten and increase cell turnover and the lightening agents, arbutin and licorice root extract. It also contains resveratrol, which is a relatively newer anti-agent in skincare—and one that I am excited about. I am a believer in resveratrol as an oral supplement. It would also be a nice product for those prone to mild and discoloration, but also just a great brightening serum to use for healthy skin maintenance and anti-aging. Because it contains retinol, it is probably the better choice if you are searching for an anti-aging serum. Use this in the same fashion as the Pigment Gel.

Protecting Hydrator SPF 30

What a great lightweight oil-free moisturizer with sunblock—and it has zinc oxide, an excellent broad-spectrum blocker. This product is very smooth and elegant and applies with ease. It also contains the antioxidant vitamin E to help fight free radical damage and vitamin B5 to help soften and condition the skin. This is an excellent everyday daytime moisturizer. I find that people love products that come in a pump, and this one does not disappoint. It’s great for the face, but the pump makes it as great one to use on your hands and forearms every morning—that’s what I have been doing.

Brand Pick: Pigment Gel

Glytone products are favorites of mine. Glytone is a known for its outstanding and reputable glycolic acid-based products, but now they also carry some salicylic acid- containing (geared towards acne) and antioxidant products as well. Glycolic acid is a favorite among dermatologists and other skin care professionals and should be a part of everyone’s regimen if they can tolerate it. The nice thing about Glytone is that they offer a wide array of products strengths and elegant formulations, suitable for almost any skin type. Glycolic acid works by exfoliating the surface skin cells and increasing the rate of cell turnover. It has also been shown to induce collagen and elastin production, making it an important component in anti-aging regimens and an important tool for treating sun-damage. Importantly, treatment with a product like this also allows other products and medications to work more effectively. Professional glycolic acid chemical peels are one of my favorite in-office procedures and I recommend these to most of my patients who are interested in improving the appearance of their skin in combination with a good home regimen, such as the Glytone system. Glytone makes their products easy to use by offering a kit in three different strengths including a cleanser, exfoliator and a moisturizer. If you have never used glycolic acid before, I would start with the least potent. If you don’t want to use a whole system, then just start by picking a glycolic cleanser or glycolic lotion and combine it with your other favorite products. The strength of glycolic acid can be increased with repeated use. If you are unsure, I recommend seeking the advice of a skin care professional to help determine your ideal regimen. In addition to the Skin System Kits, two of my absolute favorite “go to” products are the Keratosis Pilaris Kit and the Ultra Heel and Elbow Cream. Remember, with use of any glycolic-containing product, make sure that you incorporate a sunscreen into your regimen.

Keratosis Pilaris Kit

The Keratosis Pilaris kit is a nice product for us to have in our arsenal for the battle against Keratosis Pilaris (KP). The kit is important because we actually don’t have a lot of prescription options for KP—and glycolic acid can be very effective. KP can be a frustrating condition for patients because we are not able to cure it—we can only do our best to control it. KP is the tendency for the dead skin cells to get “stuck” in the hair follicles. Instead of falling off, this dead skin builds up and this build-up leads to bumps at the site of hair follicles. It is common on the back of the arms, thighs, and cheeks. The kit consists of the Exfoliating Body Wash and the Retexturize Exfoliating Body Lotion. My patients love this combination of products—they can be effective and can last a long time. I would start by using the Exfoliating Body Wash daily in the shower, and apply the Retexturize Exfoliating Body Lotion while you are still damp. It may sting freshly shaved areas, so I would recommend either avoiding those areas or waiting until you are completely dry. With time, you may be able to use the Body Lotion twice a day. If used persistently and consistently (I recommend a trial of 6-8weeks), it will hopefully help control the condition, leading to a smoother skin appearance. You may not be able to eliminate the condition, but hopefully you will feel much better about it. Sometimes I combine this product with a prescription medication, so if you do not improve to your satisfaction, you may want to visit the dermatologist. If you become irritated, stop using, and seek the advice of a skin care professional. I have found that after using the Keratosis Pilaris kit, most people like it so much, they then purchase other Glytone products to use on their face.

Mild Gel Wash

The Mild Gel Wash cleanser is a terrific staple product to have in your home regimen. Whether you use it every day or alternate it with another cleanser, I like the idea of using a glycolic acid containing cleanser as part of a routine. The gel cleanser is better suited for more oily skin types, whereas the cream cleanser is best for drier skin types, but they work in a similar fashion. This product also comes as part of the Skin System Kit 1, which allows you to up the strength of the exfoliating lotions and facial creams as your skin tolerates it. This is a nice product for helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation and for improving skin texture and tone. Many people with acne also find this product beneficial. If you do not want to purchase the kit, I would recommend using the wash in combination with your favorite treatment serum, moisturizer, and sunblock.

Exfoliating Body Wash

The wash is mentioned above because it’s part of the Keratosis Pilaris kit. But even if you do not struggle with keratosis pilaris, the exfoliating wash can help keep your skin be healthy and smooth by increasing the rate of cell turnover and allowing the surface cells to slough off—leading to smooth, glowing skin. It could be a great wash for those that are acne prone because it helps to keep the pores clean and clear of skin build-up. I also like this product to use before the application of self-tanners, as it allows for more even application. It’s a great alternative to a mechanical body scrub, and I prefer glycolic or salicylic washes to those types of exfoliating products.

Brand Pick: Keratosis Pilaris Kit

Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories (DCL was one of the first physician-dispensed brands and has a good track record of for its research, quality, price point and array of products. I particularly like their alpha-hydroxy products. Some of their products are quite creative and thoughtful, like the Skin Renewal Complex SPF 20 which combines alpha hydroxy acids, green tea extract and other antioxidants, retinyl palmitate and sunscreen. DCL is also a unique line because, besides having anti-aging products, it also provides a nice collection of over-the-counter products, including shampoos and bath oils for people who struggle with common skin conditions, such as seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff of the face and body) and psoriasis. I enjoy the simple but elegant packaging.

Oil Free Ultra Light Hydrator

Oil Free Ultra Light Hydrator is a really nice lightweight hydrating lotion, perfect for people who have oily and/or acne-prone skin. This could also be a nice product for people to use as part of an acne regimen, over their prescription medications. It absorbs quickly, with little or no residue and has little, if any scent.

Non-Drying Cleansing Lotion

Non-Drying Cleansing Lotion is a gentle cleanser that’s perfect for people with sensitive skin, and would be a nice pick for someone struggling with Rosacea or using acne medications. It would be nice to combine this cleanser with an antioxidant-rich product.

High Potency “C” Scape Serum

High Potency “C” Scape Serum utilizes my favorite topical antioxidant. I am excited about this product, and it seems to be very popular among DermStore shoppers. It has a fantastic citrus scent and applies nicely to the skin.

Brand Pick: Oil Free Ultra Light Hydrator

More and more, patient preferences are steering toward products like those from RAW Skincare, which are free of parabens, synthetic dyes and other preservatives. But anyone in search of an effective anti-aging regimen will appreciate this line for its results. A good anti-aging regimen like this one includes products that encourage collagen production and cell turnover, fight free radicals and improve discoloration. And no skin care regimen is complete without sunscreen.

RAW Skincare utilizes an array of natural ingredients proven to improve the skin’s appearance in a variety of ways. Active botanical extracts boost collagen production and function as antioxidants to fight free radical damage and environmental stressors like sun, stress and pollution. A mustard protein extract evens skin tone and improves blotchiness and discoloration, and hibiscus extract reduces muscle contraction, which may help reduce the formation of expression lines. Finally, Regu-Age, a peptide derived from soy and rice, stabilizes collagen and elastin—this is critical for maintaining youthful, supple skin.

Making the RAW Skincare regimen work for you is easy. Simply apply the Ambiaty Concentrated Serum and Ambiaty Eye Treatment twice daily after cleansing, and follow that with the Ambiaty Daily Revitalizing Cream—a lightweight, hydrating emollient. If you like using a primer under your foundation, make RAW Skincare’s Andiroba Botanical Face Primer the last step in your daytime regimen. And finally, if you’d like to give natural makeup a try, RAW Natural Beauty also makes a great mineral makeup line, which offers sun protection in addition to superb ingredients that are excellent for your skin.