When it comes to beauty shopping meccas, Sephora is one to beat. Whether you’re looking for tried-and-true brands or rising TikTok favorites, you’re bound to find all your needs met in one shopping trip—and then some. But with so many choices at your disposal, where do you begin? Especially for your skin. That’s where the experts come in.
No one knows skin like a dermatologist, and when it comes to recommendations, their input is key to making sure you’re picking products that will solve skin concerns, not exacerbate them. It should come as no surprise that brands like First Aid Beauty and Murad are often name-checked when it comes to strengthening your skin barrier and tackling other skin issues. Cult favorites such as Glow Recipe and Saie are also favorites among the experts.
If you’re looking for skincare that actually works, you’ve come to the right place. We asked dermatologists for the brands they actually recommend—see what they had to say below.
Best for Acne
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pore-Tight Toner
A favorite among dermatologists and beauty lovers, Glow Recipe is top-tier. Dr. Garshick says that the brand offers science-backed ingredients while also allowing for a lovely sensorial skincare experience (plus the colors and packaging make your routine even more enjoyable). Her top pick is the Glow Recipe Strawberry AHA+BHA Serum, which contains salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and strawberry to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of pores. Dr. Graf recommends the Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner for gently exfoliation and hydration to get that radiant complexion.
Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily, como | Skin Concerns: Pores, dryness, dullness | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best Budget
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid
Shopping at Sephora on a budget is totally possible thanks to The Ordinary. Dr. Graf praises the brand for its transparency about which ingredients it uses and its wallet-friendly prices are hard to beat. “From hydration to cleansing pores, their products are effective and aid any skin type,” she says. Try something like The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum to hydrate skin.
Skin Type: Dry, oily, combo | Skin Concerns: Dryness | Sephora Clean: No
Best for Dull Skin
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum
“With tried-and-true products, Drunk Elephant offers everything from serums to moisturizers to night creams to exfoliating products,” says Dr. Garshick. “While many products can be used alone in a skincare routine, it is easy to build a routine using these products alone.” She recommends the C-Firma Fresh; it combines vitamin C and E, ferulic acid, fruit nutrients, and extracts to help protect the skin from environmental aggressors while also firming and brightening the skin.
Skin Type: Combo, oily, dry | Skin Concerns: Dullness, uneven skin tone | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best for Sensitive Skin
First Aid Beauty Mini Repair Cream
One of the main reasons why Dr. Garshick likes First Aid Beauty is because it is made with sensitive skin in mind. From cleaners to moisturizers, she says you can find products that are gentle on the skin barrier and nourishes the skin. She recommends something like the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to try. “This soothing and feel-good cream is formulated with a combination of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and ceramides to both hydrate and protect the skin barrier,” she says. “It also contains the FAB antioxidant booster to help fight off environmental stressors.”
Skin Type: Sensitive | Skin Concerns: Dryness, hydration | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best for Multi-tasking
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation
Get you a brand that can do both, It Cosmetics gives beauty lovers some of the best multi-tasking products in the market, making it an easy favorite for experts. “This brand can address various skincare concerns while also providing options to deliver natural cosmetic coverage,” says Dr. Garshick. She recommends the Your Skin But Better Foundation; it has a blend of hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, and vitamins E and B5 to deliver hydration and give you buildable coverage. Good for all skin types, this is great for everyday use.
Skin Type: Dry, oily, combo | Skin Concerns: Dryness, uneven texture | Sephora Clean: No
Best for Travel
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks
It’s hard to find an airplane beauty selfie that doesn’t include the iconic Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Eye Masks, which is just one of the many skincare products Wander has that make travel — or really just on-the-go — beauty super easy. “This brand offers easy-to-apply skincare and cosmetic options to keep the skin looking and feeling good,” says Dr. Garshick. Her pick is the Baggage Claim Eye Masks, which she says de-puffs and energizes the under-eye area thanks to ingredients like aloe leaf and calendula.
Skin Type: Dry, oily, combo | Skin Concerns: Dryness, anti-aging | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best Lip Care
ILIA Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment
Another brand that gives great skincare and makeup options, Ilia is Dr. Garshick’s pick for all skin types. She especially loves the Lip Wrap Overnight Treatment to hydrate for chapped lips. “This overnight treatment mask combines [hydrating plant] Salicornia with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and support the skin barrier, as well as papaya enzymes which help to reduce dead skin cells,” she says.
Skin Type: Dry | Skin Concerns: Dryness, dullness | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best Clean Brand
Saie Hydrabeam Under Eye Concealer
The ultimate cool girl beauty brand (and one of the cleanest formulations in the game), Saie is a fan and expert fave. “I love that this brand combines key ingredients to help nourish the skin while also providing cosmetic coverage,” says Dr. Garshick. Her pick is the Saie Beauty Hydrabeam that acts like a hydrating and brightening eye cream thanks to ingredients like squalane, glycerin, and licorice root extract. It also blends in seamlessly and is easy to apply.
Skin Type: Dry, oily, combo | Skin Concerns: Dryness, dullness | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best Sunscreen
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
When it comes to sun care at Sephora, it doesn’t get any better than Supergoop. “Truly offering a sunscreen for everyone, this brand is a great pick for all your sunscreen needs,” says Dr. Garshick. She likes the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen as it is an oil-free sunscreen that works for all skin types. It absorbs easily and gives a clear, natural finish, and protects skin from UVA/UVB rays and blue light.
Skin Type: Dry, oily, combo | Skin Concerns: Sun protection | Sephora Clean: Yes
Best for Dry Skin
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Dr. Graf likes Charlotte Tilbury for those with dry skin. “[Their products are rich and moisturizing without being too heavy,” she says. “It gives the skin a glowing finish [and] heals the skin.” Use something like the classic Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid, which plumps the skin and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Skin Type: Mature, dry | Skin Concerns: Anti-aging, dryness | Sephora Clean: No
Best for Mature Skin
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum
Dr. Paul loves Murad because its products can treat the most pressing skin concerns. “They have innovative technology and [are] clinically proven formulas that deliver results,” she says. “I love how they have targeted solutions for acne, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, etc. — they have a variety of options to choose from. Her pick is the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum; she says it’s suitable for all skin types and skin tones and that you’ll enjoy the benefits of retinol without the irritation.
Skin Type: Mature | Skin Concerns: Anti-aging | Sephora Clean: No
Why Shop with Us
Audrey Noble is a beauty editor and reporter with over nine years of experience in the beauty industry. As a freelancer, she is currently contributing to InStyle as well as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Allure, and more. To determine the best skin care brands at Sephora, she interviewed top board-certified dermatologists Dr. Marisa Garshick, Dr. Jeannette Graf, and Dr. Suchismita (Tia) Paul for their recommendations and skin care brands that they love.
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