Maybe you’re a cleanser-moisturizer-sunscreen kind of girl. Maybe you’re a complicated, 10-step skincare routine kind of girl. Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle. Regardless, it boils down to not only the quantity of products, but the quality, too. But given that these days you can spend anywhere from $10 to $500 on a moisturizer, how do you determine what’s actually worth putting on your skin? Enter this handy cheat sheet, a compilation of the cream of the crop, ranging from drugstore staples to indie newbies to luxurious cult favorites, plus the must-have product from each.
We conducted hours of research on the best skincare brands, evaluating each on hero products that put the brand on the map, as well as what active ingredients make the brand recognizable, and worth your investment. We also considered if the brand is Byrdie clean, meaning that it only uses ingredients without known toxic effects and if the brand is cruelty-free. Here’s your complete guide to the 25 best skincare brands.
SkinCeuticals
The brand: For over two decades, SkinCeuticals has been a go-to, dermatologist-recommended brand. They’re all about science-backed skincare (which is why it’s such a hit in the medical community), and have a wide array of products that can both prevent, protect, and correct signs of aging.
The hero product: Dermatologists love it. Beauty editors are obsessed. In short, this serum is legit. It’s pricey, but worth every penny, thanks to the scientifically-proven combo of antioxidants—vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid—that shield skin from free radical damage caused by exposure to things such as sun as pollution. TBH, it does smell a little bit like hot dog water, but you quickly get used to it, especially once you see for yourself just how skin-changing this serum is.
The brand: For over two decades, SkinCeuticals has been a go-to, dermatologist-recommended brand. They’re all about science-backed skincare (which is why it’s such a hit in the medical community), and have a wide array of products that can both prevent, protect, and correct signs of aging.
The hero product: Dermatologists love it. Beauty editors are obsessed. In short, this serum is legit. It’s pricey, but worth every penny, thanks to the scientifically-proven combo of antioxidants—vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid—that shield skin from free radical damage caused by exposure to things such as sun as pollution. TBH, it does smell a little bit like hot dog water, but you quickly get used to it, especially once you see for yourself just how skin-changing this serum is.
Drunk Elephant
The brand: The name is cute and the packaging adorable, but make no mistake about it—Drunk Elephant offers some seriously legit skincare products. What started as a way for founder Tiffany Masterson to try and make some money during the recession turned into a hugely popular brand, creating all kinds of serums, masks, and more that beauty editors and consumers alike adore. They also hit a unique note in the market with what they call “clean clinical” skincare, using synthetic ingredients, but only those that have a direct health benefit for the skin.
The hero product: Despite the fact that this weekly exfoliating mask packs a hefty 25% concentration of alpha-hydroxy acids, plus a 2% concentration of beta-hydroxy acid, it magically doesn’t irritate skin, even sensitive skin. (Credit the fact that it’s specially pH balanced.) You’re left with a radiant, clear, even complexion, no redness in sight.
Neutrogena
The brand: You don’t need to spend tons of money for effective products that derms love; Neutrogena is touted as the number one dermatologist-recommend skincare product and you can find it at the drugstore. They’re all about using scientifically-backed ingredients in formulas made to address any and every complexion concern, from acne to aging. Oh, and they kill the sunscreen game, too.
The hero product: Meet your new summer moisturizer. Packed with lightweight hyaluronic acid, this hydrates without ever feeling greasy or heavy. Instead, it’s fresh and cooling (even more so if you stash it in the fridge), a must for hot, humid days, or for anyone whose skin is perpetually slick.
Alpyn Beauty
The brand: A longtime beauty industry veteran, Kenda Kolb Butler founded Alpyn Beauty after moving from New York City to Jackson Hole. Working in a skincare spa, she realized a need for products that actually delivered, and was inspired to use the incredible plant-based ingredients in her local environment in creating the line. As such, the brand focuses on, “wildcrafted active,” all sustainably harvested in Wyoming. It’s also a clean brand, a repeated Eco Beauty Award-winner.
The hero product: Byrdie Editorial Director Faith Xue recommends this wash to everyone, thanks to its ability to both effectively remove makeup and actually cleanse your skin. It exfoliates ever-so-gently with a blend of AHAs and fruit enzymes, though also contains hyaluronic acid so your complexion never feels stripped. Bonus points for the subtle floral-citrus scent and fun-to-use frothy formula.
The Ordinary
The brand: This brand shook-up the industry in big way when it hit the market in 2017. The premise: Offering proven, big-time ingredients at jaw-droppingly low prices. (We’re talking a hyaluronic acid serum for $7.) You need to know your ingredients for sure; there are no cutesy product names, just ingredients and concentrations listed on the labels, but it’s one of the best affordable lines we’ve seen to date.
The hero product: Retinol is a tried-and-true powerhouse, with the ability to do everything from stimulate collagen production to clear up breakouts, but it’s notoriously irritating. That’s why we appreciate that The Ordinary offers it in several different concentrations to help your skin gradually acclimate, all coupled with hydrating squalane. This is the lowest, a top choice for retinol newbies.
