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14 Gender-Neutral Skin Care Brands Everyone Will Love
Until recently, most skin care products were marketed toward women—and the products and brands that were marketed toward a male audience were clearly labeled “for men.” But the truth is, wanting a great complexion isn’t exclusive to one gender. Skin care “is starting to be considered maintenance, and no longer considered only for women,” says
As a result, we’re seeing more gender-neutral skin care brands and products that cater equally to all genders—whether through their marketing, their packaging or their formulations. Many skin care brands are realizing that creating products exclusively for men or women limits their appeal, and for no good reason.
While there are some minor differences in skin according to sex (for example, “men have a thicker dermis and have more active sebaceous glands…[and] women’s skin tends to be more prone to dryness,” says Mauricio), there’s no real reason that everyone can’t use—and get results from—the same ingredients. “Skin care product ingredients do not know the gender of the skin they are applied to,” says Dr. Fayne Frey, a New York-based dermatologist. “Dry skin in a woman is treated the same as dry skin in a man.”
Here are 11 of the best gender-neutral skin care brands (along with some of their best-selling products) to try if you want to see real results:
1. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum (1 fl. oz.)
579 reviews
$295.00
Founded by dermatologist Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick, SkinMedica is known for its potent ingredient profiles, which include anti-aging powerhouses retinol, vitamin C and vitamin E. Their flagship products, the TNS Essential Serum and the TNS Recovery Complex, leverage a patented blend of amino acids, antioxidants and naturally occurring proteins that are so effective at reversing the signs of sun damage and aging, they were mentioned on some publications as an alternative to plastic surgery.
SkinMedica’s potent formulations, sleek packaging and neutral color palette (which includes soft shades of gray) make this skincare line a favorite among men and women.
2. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (1 fl. oz.)
5703 reviews
$182.00
Founded in 1994, SkinCeuticals focuses on bridging the gap between science and nature by combining highly effective clinical ingredients with botanical extracts. And the result? Formulations that both treat and nourish the skin.
Their Anti-Aging System—which includes Resveratrol B E, an antioxidant-rich night serum; C E Ferulic, a daytime serum that firms and brightens the skin with vitamin C; and A.G.E. Interruptor, a targeted anti-wrinkle treatment—is widely considered one of the most effective systems to target both the visible signs of aging and to prevent any further damage.
Because aging is a universal issue, SkinCeuticals’ appeal isn’t exclusive to any one gender—and their gender-neutral packaging (which incorporates various shades of blue, white and black) makes it equally accessible to both men and women.
3. Obagi Medical Hydrate Facial Moisturizer (1.7 oz.)
375 reviews
$58.00
When it comes to creating highly effective regimens, no brand does it quite like Obagi. This dermatologist-created line has targeted products for everything from fine lines and wrinkles to hyperpigmentation and acne—all organized by concern and/or skin type into easy-to-follow regimens (like the Nu-Derm Fx System or the CLENIZderm M.D. Acne Therapeutic System) that are equally as effective (and appealing) to both men and women.
4. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (2.6 oz.)
400 reviews
$66.00
Created by the founder of The International Dermal Institute, Dermalogica products have been appealing to a gender-neutral audience for more than three decades. The Dermalogica line, which includes staples like Active Moist moisturizer and AGE Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50, appeals to both genders thanks to its straightforward formulations, marketing and packaging (which sticks to a mostly black, white and gray color palette).
5. PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum (1 fl. oz.)
316 reviews
$125.00
Winner of various industry awards (including a 2018 Beauty Award from Cosmopolitan and a 2017 Beauty Choice Award from NewBeauty), PCA Skin has been formulating products for more than 25 years. Developed by an esthetician/dermatologist team, the line focuses on daily care staples formulated for a variety of skin types (like Clearskin, a moisturizer for oily skin, or Collagen Hydrator, a favorite of people who struggle with climate-related dryness)—and their simple, straightforward branding is accessible to both genders.
6. iS Clinical Cleansing Complex (6 oz.)
1070 reviews
$48.00
iS Clinical’s approach to skincare is all about technology. Leveraging cutting-edge research and pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, iS Clinical has a reputation for creating efficacious products that aggressively treat skincare issues while also balancing and nourishing the skin. Their gender-neutral packaging (a soothing blue is the focus color) and easy-to-understand product offerings (like the Cleansing Complex, which delivers gentle cleansing benefits to all skin types) makes this brand a hit with men and women alike.
7. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (1.7 fl. oz.)
5211 reviews
$43.00
Everyone needs to protect themselves from the sun—and EltaMD offers some of the best sun protection on the market. Formulated using zinc oxide, these potent sunscreens (like the UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50) offer hours of protection from damaging UVA and UVB rays—protection that everyone, male or female, needs to keep premature aging at bay.
8. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (6 oz.)
388 reviews
$38.00
Sensitivity is an issue that affects both men and women—and First Aid Beauty is a one stop shop for sensitive skin types wanting to boost their complexion, regardless of gender. All of First Aid Beauty’s products (like the Ultra Repair Cream or the Facial Radiance Pads) are formulated without anything that could potentially irritate the skin (like harsh chemicals or artificial dyes), making them a go-to for anyone—male or female—who struggles with sensitivity.
10. Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser (3.4 oz.)
22 reviews
RRP: $40.00Current price: $20.00
Founded in 2009, this Singapore-based skincare brand is all about creating multitasking products for on-the-go skin enthusiasts who want to get the most out of their products—whether they’re male or female.
This multipurpose approach (evident in products like the Brightening Sleeping Facial, a hydrating chemical peel that targets fine lines, hyperpigmentation, breakouts, enlarged pores and sun damage) appeals to people who want to keep the number of products in their skincare regimen to a minimum without sacrificing results—and Allies of Skin’s gender-neutral branding (which features muted neutral tones like teal and beige) makes it clear that these products aren’t targeted to any gender in particular.
11. Naturopathica Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream (1.7 fl. oz.)
66 reviews
$73.00
Founded by wellness expert Barbara Close, Naturopathica’s line of botanical-based skin and body products makes their natural ingredients the star of the show (like the Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream or the Oat Cleansing Facial Polish). This product-centric approach—as well as their straightforward, mostly blue packaging—appeals to all botanical skincare enthusiasts.
12. 111SKIN Nocturnal Eclipse Recovery Cream NAC Y2 (50 ml.)
2 reviews
$280.00
Founded by London-based plastic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, 111Skin is a product line built around the patented NAC Y2 formula (the star ingredient in Nocturnal Eclipse Recovery Cream NAC Y2), a powerhouse active complex (developed with the help of space scientists!) that reverses the visible effects of aging while fighting free radical damage. The cutting-edge ingredient deck appeals to skincare customers who want clinical results at home—and the straightforward, neutral branding (which features mostly black or silver packaging) feels accessible for both genders.
13. Grown Alchemist Body Cleanser - Chamomile Bergamot Rosewood (16.9 fl. oz.)
34 reviews
$46.00
A lot of body products out there can feel overly feminine—but not Grown Alchemist. This organic skincare line features a variety of products and fragrances that are equally appealing to men and women (like the Chamomile, Bergamot, & Rosewood Body Cleanser or the Pearl, Peppermint, & Ylang Ylang Purifying Body Exfoliant).
14. The Organic Pharmacy Enzyme Peel Mask (60 ml.)
25 reviews
RRP: $65.00Current price: $39.00
Concerned with the amount of toxins found in skincare products, London-based pharmacist Margo Marrone created The Organic Pharmacy, a line of non-toxic, food-grade organic skincare products. Free from artificial colors, petrochemicals and preservatives, these botanical-based products offer natural solutions to a wide range of skincare concerns—and while their packaging is a bit on the feminine side, their products (like the Enzyme Peel Mask, which offers gentle anti-aging benefits, or the Rose Facial Cleansing Gel, which cleanses and clarifies the complexion) have proved a hit with both men and women, particularly those with sensitive skin.
dermstore-editors Writer and expert
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