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If you’re not familiar with SkinMedica, let alone the best SkinMedica products, you’re probably thinking: The name sounds no-BS. And you’d be right, because this clinical-grade skin-care brand isn’t about the fluff. After all, if you’re paying $300 for a serum, it better give you results. We don’t take terminology like \u201cmedical grade\u201d and \u201cclinical grade\u201d lightly\u2014brands need the research, data, and in-depth<\/em> clinical studies to back their formulas. Plus, every SkinMedica product listed in this story is backed by board-certified dermatologists (and us, of course). Interest piqued? Time to dive into the SkinMedica skin-care products that we wholeheartedly approve of and use every day.<\/p>\nOur Top SkinMedica Products<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Overall:<\/strong> TNS Advanced+ Serum<\/h2>\n\n
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TNS Advanced+ Serum<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> commerce editor Sarah Han applying the SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum (old packaging)<\/p>\n<\/span>Sarah Han<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> The cr\u00e8me of the SkinMedica crop easily goes to the TNS Advanced+ Serum. This Best of Beauty Award winner has the clinical studies to prove why it deserves to be a mainstay in your skin-care routine. \u201cSkinMedica\u2019s TNS Advanced+ Serum is probably the single-best growth-factor product in the US market, and it\u2019s the one that started it all,\u201d Saami Khalifian, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in California, has told Allure.<\/em> \u201cIt combines growth factors\u2014proteins that stimulate cellular repair and regeneration, boosting collagen and elastin production to improve skin firmness and texture\u2014with other advanced ingredients to target fine lines and wrinkles.\u201d<\/p>\nScience aside, it has a silky, lightweight consistency that’s won over many beauty editors and derms alike, because what good is a serum if it’s not pleasant to apply? What really justifies the high price point, of course, is the resulting plumpness and radiance you get from each pump of this highly-studied, innovative formula. Take it from our 48-year-old executive beauty director Jenny Bailly: \u201cMy skin looked noticeably duller when I recently ran out of this serum after several years of regular use.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cAt 32, I’m not not<\/em> concerned about fine lines creeping in. But what I can actually report on for this product is how plump and glowy it makes my skin look after every single application. I can’t fully explain how growth factors work but I do know that ingredients that support and encourage collagen and elastin production (which decreases as we age!) are vital to any skin-care routine. Growth factors and peptides? A dream team for an immediately more radiant complexion and slowing down signs of aging in the long run.\u201d \u2014Sarah Han, commerce editor<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\u201cTNS is the true definition of a desert-island product (well, OK, in the event you’re stranded on a very fancy, high-tech island). I’ll be honest, I’m not 100% sure how the very advanced science behind this formula works\u2014all I know is that it does virtually everything I need my skin care products to do: it hydrates, plumps, and soothes my rosacea-induced redness like very few products can. If I could have this on hand at all times, my skin-care routine would basically only consist of this, a cleanser, and some sunscreen. She’s that girl!\u201d \u2014Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> growth factor blend, peptide complex, French flaxseed<\/li>\nWho it’s for:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> aging and sagging skin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Exfoliator:<\/strong> Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads<\/h2>\n\n
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Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> features director Dianna Singh using the SkinMedica Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads<\/p>\n<\/span>Dianna Mazzone Singh<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> Dark spots and hyperpigmentation, meet your match\u2014in the easy-to-use format that is toner pads. \u201c[Even & Correct Brightening Treatment Pads] have been part of my personal morning skin-care routine for years,\u201d Corey L. Hartman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, previously told us. \u201cI like how easy they are to use. Grab a pad and gently rub it all over your face after cleansing.\u201d Though they’re gentle enough to use daily, Even & Correct is packed with powerhouse actives, namely tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and witch hazel extract, to exfoliate, promote cell turnover, and brighten your complexion.<\/p>\nPlenty more derms, including Saami Khalifian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in San Diego, California, approve of these pads, which also help maintain and even enhance results from in-office treatments. Basically, these individual treatments address just about any skin-care concern you have: discoloration, fine lines, dullness\u2014what are you waiting for?<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn the fight against dark spots, using tranexamic acid is among the best offensive moves you can make\u2014at least in my experience. These pads are loaded up with the discoloration-reducing ingredient along with glycolic acid (for gentle exfoliation) and niacinamide (which is anti-inflammatory). A couple nights a week, I whisk one of these pads across my face (post-cleanser but pre-serum) and I swear my skin is brighter for it.\u201d \u2014Dianna Singh, features director<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
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\u201cI’m so prone to hyperpigmentation that I get a dark spot if I even think about a zit (or so it feels), so following a gnarly breakout, I usually come in hot with these exfoliating pads. They’re not what I’d call gentle, but that’s what I like: The combo of glycolic acid and witch hazel basically resurface my skin, leaving it brighter and baby-soft.\u201d \u2014Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> glycolic acid, lotus sprout extract, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, witch hazel extract<\/li>\nWho it’s for:<\/strong> anyone with hyperpigmentation<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Oily Skin:<\/strong> AHA\/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser<\/h2>\n\n
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AHA\/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nAllure<\/em> contributing editor Deanna Pai applying the SkinMedica AHA + BHA Exfoliating Cleanser<\/p>\n<\/span>Deanna Pai<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> Sometimes you need a cleanser that simply cleanses, but for those with breakout-prone skin and hyperpigmentation, a face wash that exfoliates can be a small yet game-changing tweak. SkinMedica’s AHA + BHA Exfoliating Cleanser stands out from the competition thanks to a blend of alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, glycolic, citric, and malic), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic), and jojoba spheres that dive deep into pores to sweep away debris. Tiffany J. Libby, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Rhode Island, says this particular concoction of actives helps \u201cto mildly exfoliate skin and improve skin’s texture and complexion.\u201d In other words, this cleanser ensures a clean, smooth slate for the rest of your skin care to perform its best.<\/p>\n\n
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“This exfoliating cleanser does the impossible: It leaves my skin super-soft and smooth, even when I’m dealing with hormonal breakouts, but never feeling squeaky-clean or overly tight. That’s a big deal, considering the potent ingredients in its lineup. Plus, the combo of AHAs and BHA targets my two primary concerns, hyperpigmentation and acne, respectively.” \u2014Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Key ingredients:<\/strong> lactic acid, glycolic acid, jojoba beadsWho it’s for<\/strong>: oily skin typesFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Combination Skin:<\/strong> HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer<\/h2>\n\n
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\n<\/p>\nHan applying the SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer<\/p>\n
<\/span>Sarah Han<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> There are moisturizers\u2026and then there are really<\/em> good moisturizers that melt into skin instantly and don’t feel like a chore to apply morning and night. SkinMedica’s HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer falls into the latter category and gives you a natural finish that layers with sunscreen and makeup so seamlessly\u2014you’ll be convinced that this formula isn’t as hydrating as it actually is. But make no mistake: Five types of hyaluronic acid\u2014to penetrate your skin at different levels\u2014are infused with vegan collagen to deliver intense moisturization that lasts through every commute, errand, and blast of cold winds.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cIt’s common knowledge (if you read a lot of Allure<\/em> stories) that I love a water-cream or gel-cream moisturizer. My combination skin drinks them up, leaving my skin looking fresh and plump, but my shine doesn’t get out of control. Plus, the last thing I need is a thick layer of goo after<\/em> I’ve gone in with a hydrating essence and serum. SkinMedica products are always treats, so why would I expect anything less from the HA5 Hydra Collagen Water Burst Moisturizer? It’s extra refreshing when I apply it in the morning and it absorbs so fast so I can move onto my sunscreen basically ASAP\u2014and of course, my skin looks dewy as heck, thanks to five<\/em> types of hyaluronic acid. Yum.\u201d \u2014Sarah Han, commerce editor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> five types of hyaluronic acid (hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid,sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, sodium hyaluronate, etc.), vegan collagen, squalane, urea<\/li>\nWho it’s for:<\/strong> people with combination, oily, or acne-prone skin<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Dry Skin:<\/strong> HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator<\/h2>\n\n
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HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n<\/p>\nChrista Lee applying the SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator (old packaging)<\/p>\n
<\/span>Christa Lee<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhy we love it:<\/strong> We all know\u2014or should know\u2014that hyaluronic acid and peptides are gold-standard ingredients for hydration. HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish + Restore Hydrator ups the replenishing ante with five<\/em> types of hyaluronic acid, including a time-released HA that continuously hydrates skin for up to eight hours. Suppose that wasn’t enough to win you and your dry skin over. Like its sibling, the just-as-lauded HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator, this plumping serum is fragrance-free and non-irritating for those with reactive, sensitive skin, as Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles, pointed out. TL;DR HA5 Hydra Collagen is a valuable addition to just about any skin-care routine. Hydration (and preventing transepidermal water loss) is king, baby.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cI have dry skin year-round, so I\u2019m always on the hunt for something that actually hydrates and sticks around. SkinMedica\u2019s HA5 Hydra Collagen Replenish and Restore Hydrator has a gel-cream texture that\u2014wait for it\u2014doesn\u2019t<\/em> instantly absorb, which I actually love. It gives me a chance to really see where I\u2019ve applied it (and where I\u2019ve missed). It takes a minute or two to fully settle in, which feels more intentional than hydrators that disappear as soon as they touch your skin. Once it settles in, my skin looks super plump and dewy, to the point where I\u2019ve skipped moisturizer a few times. I wish the photos did the in-person glow more justice!\u201d \u2014Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> five types\/weights of hyaluronic acid, hydra collagen, vitamin F, passionfruit seed oil<\/li>\nWho it’s for:<\/strong> people with dry or sensitive skin, or prefer fragrance-free products<\/li>\nFragrance-free:<\/strong> yes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Fine Lines:<\/strong> Age Defense Retinol Complex 0.5<\/h2>\n