We Asked Dermatologists for the Best Skincare Products From Their Competitors
We asked five dermatologists to pick the best product in their skincare lines. Easy enough! Then the real challenge: choosing a winner from a rival brand.
Photos courtesy of doctors and companies
Macrene Alexiades, MD
New York City
Personal Best: Dr. Macrene 37 Extreme Actives High Performance Anti-Aging Cream ($195; DrMacrene.com)
"This cream has 50 of the most effective antiaging ingredients—like antioxidants, peptides, and amino acids—so it's truly a multivitamin for the skin."
Worthy Competitor: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula ($84; DGSkincare.com)
"This is an effective at-home peel: The alpha hydroxy acid treats brown spots, while the beta hydroxy acid works on deep-seated blemishes."
Cheryl Burgess, MD
Washington, D.C.
Personal Best: Black Opal Even True Tri-Complex Tonecorrect Fade Gel ($13; BlackOpalBeauty.com)
"It's formulated with hydroquinone and licorice extract, so it's great for fading dark spots. It also contains fruit acids to help your skin better absorb the active ingredients."
Worthy Competitor: Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion SPF 50 ($25; Epionce.com)
"This is one of my favorite broad-spectrum sunscreens. It contains over 10 percent zinc oxide, which can leave a chalky residue (especially on darker skin), but this sheer formula blends right in."
David Colbert, MD
New York City
Personal Best: Colbert MD Illumino Anti-Aging Brightening Masks ($110; ColbertMD.com)
"These biocellulose masks have niacinamide, which regulates melanin production, so they visibly reduce dark patches."
Worthy Competitor: Lancer The Method: Body Polish ($60; LancerSkincare.com)
"Dr. Lancer's blend of quartz crystals and salicylic acid really works to exfoliate dead surface cells. The scrub self-warms, too, which enhances circulation and brings more oxygen to your skin."
Harold Lancer, MD
Los Angeles
Personal Best: Lancer Younger: Pure Youth Serum ($275; LancerSkincare.com)
"Retinol is a key antiaging ingredient, but it can cause irritation and dryness. There's a botanical-based complex in this serum that works like retinol—stimulating collagen and elastin production and improving overall clarity—but without the downsides."
Worthy Competitor: Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer ($45; DrBrandtSkincare.com)
"This product delivers. The mineral-rich powder diffuses light, so pores are less visible. And the formula glides on easily."
Ronald Moy, MD
Los Angeles
Personal Best: DNAEGF Renewal DNA Intensive Renewal ($135; DNAEGFRenewal.com)
"Since I'm a tennis enthusiast and spend a lot of time outdoors, I use this lotion religiously. Of all my products, it has the most DNA repair enzymes to work against UV damage and the signs of aging."
Worthy Competitor: Dr. Macrene 37 Extreme Actives High Performance Anti-Aging Cream ($195; DrMacrene.com)
"Not only does this cream have lots of active ingredients, but it uses a delivery method that ensures they penetrate the skin."
Macrene Alexiades, MD
New York City
Personal Best: Dr. Macrene 37 Extreme Actives High Performance Anti-Aging Cream ($195; DrMacrene.com)
"This cream has 50 of the most effective antiaging ingredients—like antioxidants, peptides, and amino acids—so it's truly a multivitamin for the skin."
Worthy Competitor: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula ($84; DGSkincare.com)
"This is an effective at-home peel: The alpha hydroxy acid treats brown spots, while the beta hydroxy acid works on deep-seated blemishes."
Cheryl Burgess, MD
Washington, D.C.
Personal Best: Black Opal Even True Tri-Complex Tonecorrect Fade Gel ($13; BlackOpalBeauty.com)
"It's formulated with hydroquinone and licorice extract, so it's great for fading dark spots. It also contains fruit acids to help your skin better absorb the active ingredients."
Worthy Competitor: Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion SPF 50 ($25; Epionce.com)
"This is one of my favorite broad-spectrum sunscreens. It contains over 10 percent zinc oxide, which can leave a chalky residue (especially on darker skin), but this sheer formula blends right in."
David Colbert, MD
New York City
Personal Best: Colbert MD Illumino Anti-Aging Brightening Masks ($110; ColbertMD.com)
"These biocellulose masks have niacinamide, which regulates melanin production, so they visibly reduce dark patches."
Worthy Competitor: Lancer The Method: Body Polish ($60; LancerSkincare.com)
"Dr. Lancer's blend of quartz crystals and salicylic acid really works to exfoliate dead surface cells. The scrub self-warms, too, which enhances circulation and brings more oxygen to your skin."
Harold Lancer, MD
Los Angeles
Personal Best: Lancer Younger: Pure Youth Serum ($275; LancerSkincare.com)
"Retinol is a key antiaging ingredient, but it can cause irritation and dryness. There's a botanical-based complex in this serum that works like retinol—stimulating collagen and elastin production and improving overall clarity—but without the downsides."
Worthy Competitor: Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer ($45; DrBrandtSkincare.com)
"This product delivers. The mineral-rich powder diffuses light, so pores are less visible. And the formula glides on easily."
Ronald Moy, MD
Los Angeles
Personal Best: DNAEGF Renewal DNA Intensive Renewal ($135; DNAEGFRenewal.com)
"Since I'm a tennis enthusiast and spend a lot of time outdoors, I use this lotion religiously. Of all my products, it has the most DNA repair enzymes to work against UV damage and the signs of aging."
Worthy Competitor: Dr. Macrene 37 Extreme Actives High Performance Anti-Aging Cream ($195; DrMacrene.com)
"Not only does this cream have lots of active ingredients, but it uses a delivery method that ensures they penetrate the skin."
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