For many of us, Sephora is a beauty paradise. Even as a seasoned beauty editor, I walk into the store and it’s instant eye-candy. I know many dermatologists, aestheticians and other skin-care experts who feel the same way. Although they have access to incredible products on a daily basis, there’s always something they love to grab at Sephora. And we love picking their brains because they know what works when it comes to skin care. And not just skin care, but also makeup with skin-care benefits, like skin tints and color correctors. These are 22 products dermatologists and aestheticians always snag on their Sephora shopping trips, and why they love them.
1 / 22
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum ($79)
“This serum, designed to be mixed at home prior to first use to ensure freshness and maximum potency, combines vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid, fruit nutrients and extracts. It helps fight free-radical damage while brightening and firming the skin and improving the overall complexion. It is best used once daily in the morning and can be applied to face, neck, chest and hands.” —New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD
2 / 22
Rare Beauty Find Comfort Hydrating Under Eye Patches ($25)
“Believe it or not, even though I have access to high-end, prescription-only skin care, my family and clients still buy me Sephora gift cards. And even though I’m the girl who has everything related to skin care, I always use my gift cards to buy eye patches! My favorite eye patches are Rare Beauty’s by Selena Gomez. Not only do these clean patches come with eight pairs, but they also contain all of my favorite ingredients such as caffeine, green tea, and hyaluronic acid. Elyse Cohen, from Rare Beauty, introduced me to the line, and now I always need to have these eye patches on hand.” —Celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar
3 / 22
Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops ($46)
“Sheer mineral pigments make this SPF a universal tint to even out skin tone across all skin tones. Ectoin helps hydrate the skin so that it looks great under or without makeup.” —Celebrity aesthetician Ian Michael Crumm
4 / 22
ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation ($48)
“I’m obsessed with tinted SPF, and I recently bought this one at Sephora. The texture of the product is beautiful, and it contains plant-based squalane, which hydrates skin and improves firmness without clogging pores. Its main ingredient is niacinamide, a powerful form of vitamin B3. It also helps with texture, minimizing the appearance of pores, softening lines, and promoting even tone.” —Joie Tavernise, medical aesthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare
5 / 22
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution ($9.50)
“If you are suffering from a dull complexion or tone, this is the product for you! It helps to unclog your pores, free you from the tiny blackheads on your nose, and promote cellular turnover for healthier skin. It’s perfect for those of us who are acne-prone, and will keep your blemishes under control!” —Kristin Gunn, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa
6 / 22
Herbivore Star Seed Sheer Glow Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 ($38)
“This tinted moisturizer is a great pick, offering skin care and light coverage. It’s a mineral SPF and has vitamin C in it, which is so beneficial for your skin while keeping it protected from the sun.” —Celebrity master aesthetician Sarah Akram
7 / 22
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($24)
“This leave-on lip mask intensely moisturizes your lips while you sleep. It can also pair as a lip balm. It contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid—two of my favorite ingredients! It hydrates your lips leaving them soft and smooth.” —Dr. Adrienne O’Connell, medical director and president of Laguna Beach Aesthetics
8 / 22
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($38)
“I love that these exfoliating peel pads contain a combination of lactic and glycolic acids, and are easy to use. By getting rid of dead skin cells, they leave the skin looking and feeling soft and smooth, and also brighter. It is a great option for all skin types, as it is alcohol-free and free of artificial fragrance, parabens, phthalates and formaldehyde.” —New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD
9 / 22
SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Mask ($100 for six masks)
“This has a unique ingredient, pitera, that leaves you feeling cool and refreshed, but more importantly, leaves your skin hydrated, increases its elasticity, promotes even skin tone, and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.” —Mila Davis, aesthetician at Skin to Smile
10 / 22
Dr. Idriss Major Fade Flash Mask ($48)
“This is a weekly reset for the best skin complexion. This product has multiple acids in it to exfoliate and even skin tone.” —Celebrity aesthetician Ian Michael Crumm
11 / 22
Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray ($28)
“This facial spray does a great job of reducing redness and is great for acne-prone skin that just needs an extra boost of hydration and nourishment.” —Celebrity master aesthetician Sarah Akram
12 / 22
Youth to the People Triple Peptide + Cactus Hydrating + Firming Oasis Serum ($57)
“This past winter, I purchased this serum and have been loving the results. I always look for peptides in serums to try, as I have found that they are the most hydrating and firming for my skin. I also love that it’s vegan, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging.” —Joie Tavernise, medical aesthetician and founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare
13 / 22
HUDA Beauty Faux Filter Under-Eye Color Corrector ($30)
“This has been a game changer for brightening up my face daily! This is a lightweight color corrector that contains vitamin C and niacinamide to correct and brighten the under-eye area, while masking any dull tones and redness. A must for anyone over 35! My favorite color is Cherry Blossom.” —Kristin Gunn, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa
14 / 22
Saie Slip Tint Tinted Moisturizer ($36)
“Available in many different shades, this moisturizer contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and licorice root to brighten the skin. It uses zinc oxide to provide SPF 35 protection and is easy to apply. It leaves the skin looking dewy and provides a nice natural coverage.” —New York dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD
15 / 22
Wander Beauty Baggage Claim Gold Eye Masks ($26)
“I love these eye patches. The gold foil helps retain heat and prevents evaporation, allowing the maximum amount of serum to easily sink into your skin. The middle layer is elastic so the mask will not slip off while you’re wearing it, and the third is a cellulose fiber that condenses and delivers key ingredients efficiently, giving you all the skin-loving benefits you need. Hyaluronic acid delivers hydration to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and aloe leaf extract and lavender oil offer a cooling effect, while soothing and calming the under-eye area. It’s a true, multitasking eye treatment.” —Celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar
16 / 22
LIGHTSAVER Tinted Activated Mineral Sunscreen SPF 33 ($45)
“This fluffy-textured SPF has photolyase in the formula to help repair UV damage. Plus, it blends out like a dream with no white cast!” —Celebrity aesthetician Ian Michael Crumm
17 / 22
Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Glycolic Peel Mask ($42)
“This is an enzyme peel mask with glycolic acid that leaves your skin radiating after just one use. Glycolic acid is a powerful ingredient and helps to exfoliate the skin, increase cell turnover, and boost collagen production.” —Mila Davis, aesthetician at Skin to Smile
18 / 22
Kiehl’s Cannabis Sativa Oil Herbal Concentrate ($55)
“There is a reason Kiehl’s has been a staple since 1851. They have quality products and their prices are fair. This product is a lightweight and noncomedogenic oil that is great for calming the skin and helping to reduce redness and/or rosacea. It’s an herbal concentrate infused with cannabis sativa oil and you will want one in every bag!” —Kristin Gunn, celebrity aesthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa
19 / 22
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream ($72)
“A fan-favorite moisturizer, it is super thick and hydrating. It has hyaluronic acid in its formula, which is so nourishing for dry skin. This cream leaves your skin feeling bouncy and plump.” —Celebrity master aesthetician Sarah Akram
20 / 22
Supergoop! (Re)setting Refreshing Mist SPF 40 ($34)
“I love the idea behind this: it’s an ultra-fine face mist with SPF to set makeup. I wouldn’t solely rely on this for SPF coverage, but I love it for reapplication of UV protection throughout the day, while refreshing your look.” —Dr. Adrienne O’Connell, medical director and president of Laguna Beach Aesthetics
21 / 22
Cay Skin Deepwater Nourishing Lip Mask with Sea Moss and Aloe Stem Cells ($22)
“I’m one of those people who cannot live or function with dry lips, and this is my go-to lip mask. This Sephora exclusive contains sea moss, which I love! It is rich in hydrating minerals, making it incredibly hydrating and nourishing for my lips. I make sure to keep one of these in my travel bag and I always wear it on flights.” —Celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar
22 / 22
Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water ($14)
“From Sephora’s signature line, I love the micellar water as it removes makeup, but also leaves skin soft and smooth. They also make a mini version that is small enough to travel with.” —Dr. Adrienne O’Connell, medical director and president of Laguna Beach Aesthetics
