These Impactful Skin Care Lines Were Started by Leading Dermatologists and Estheticians

Sobel Skin Rx Retinol Complex Night Treatment
Sobel Skin Rx Retinol Complex Night Treatment

Courtesy of Sephora

In a world where new skin care lines are debuted constantly, it can be difficult to know which are worth your time. As a general rule of thumb, you can rarely go wrong with expert-backed product lines. We're not talking about formulas made by mere enthusiasts: Look for those formulated by the professionals—dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and estheticians—which should take precedence during your search. To help you discover some of the best options the market has to offer, ahead, we culled a myriad of expert-launched lines that you can shop right now.

Top Picks

Related: Anti-Aging Products Dermatologists Love

Dr. Dennis Gross

Dr. Dennis Gross' eponymous line might offer a variety of products, including cleansers, eye creams, and moisturizers, but the brand is renowned for its at-home facial peels. And while peels are generally thought to be too harsh for sensitive skin, this dermatologist-backed line crafted exfoliating formulas for those complexions, too.

Shop Now: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel, $88, sephora.com.

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel

Joanna Czech

Joanna Czech is an esthetician to the stars and preps many celebrities for red-carpet events; her recently-debuted skin care line has been hailed by A-listers and beauty enthusiasts alike. Luckily, you can experience part of her range by purchasing this integrated kit, packed with seven of the expert's signature formulas.

Shop Now: Joanna Czech Skincare The Kit, $1,320, joannaczech.com.

joanna czech skin kit
joanna czech skin kit

Fig.1

The brainchild of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Courtney Rubin and cosmetic chemist Lizzy Trelstad, Fig.1 is all about high-quality, science-backed formulas at an affordable price. All of the line's efficacious products fall all under $40 and are housed in beautiful bottles that are designed to last (their refill program means you'll have a single vessel for quite some time). "More than a pretty package, we have designed an innovative and eco-friendly delivery system," Dr. Rubin shares. "Active ingredients need the right home to stay fresh and potent, from the first pump to the last. That's why we've packaged our formulas in an airless, refillable system."

Shop Now: Fig.1 Retinol Night Cream No. 1, $38, fig-1.co.

Fig.1 Retinol Night Cream No. 1
Fig.1 Retinol Night Cream No. 1

Shani Darden

Celebrity esthetician Shani Darden has a namesake brand with seven core products; the ethos of the collection is less is more. "Your skin care routine doesn't have to be complicated," she says. "It all comes down to using the right products. If you have a powerful treatment product, such as Retinol Reform, that uses really effective ingredients, paired with staples like a great cleanser and moisturizer, it can truly transform your skin."

Shop Now: Shani Darden Retinol Reform, $88, sephora.com.

Shani Darden Retinol Reform
Shani Darden Retinol Reform

Visha Skincare

Visha Skincare, which was created by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Visha Patel, is best known for its pregnancy-safe collection, which was borne out of personal experience. "The first question many women ask in their pregnancy journey is, 'Am I pregnant?' and then they ask, 'What is safe for the baby during my pregnancy?' There are many ingredients, such as retinol, that we tell patients to stay away from when pregnant and nursing—but they still want a solution for melasma, a common condition during pregnancy. So, I went into my lab and formulated the Mommy Line, the only dermatologist-formulated and patented skin care line that is safe and effective during pregnancy and nursing."

Shop Now: Visha Skincare Mommy Brightener with Illuminotex, $65, vishaskincare.com.

Visha Skincare Mommy Brightener with Illuminotex
Visha Skincare Mommy Brightener with Illuminotex

Curology

"At Curology, we focus on fighting acne, but each formula can be adapted to address fine lines, wrinkles, blackheads, hyperpigmentation, and more," says dermatologist Dr. David Lortscher, the co-founder and CEO. "Our unique platform gives you access to a dermatology provider in minutes—all it takes is a few selfies and a skin quiz to get a prescription formula customized to your individual skincare needs."

Shop Now: Curology Custom Formula, from $19.95 per month, curology.com.

Curology Custom Formula
Curology Custom Formula

Lancer Skincare

Lancer is a line of dermatologist-formulated (and recommended) products, many of which are backed by clinical results. "Restoration and maintenance of skin health from head to toe is an ongoing process," says founder Dr. Harold Lancer. "Our products use high-quality ingredients and are formulated to work together to address unique skin concerns and deliver immediate and long-term results."

Shop Now: Lancer Skincare ​​"The Method" in Normal-Combination Set, $270, lancerskincare.com.

Lancer Skincare ​​"The Method" in Normal-Combination Set
Lancer Skincare ​​"The Method" in Normal-Combination Set

Agency

Agency is another customizable skin care venture from Dr. Lortscher; instead of acne, it's geared towards aging. "For those more concerned with skin maintenance and preventing the signs of aging, we have Agency, where we offer an extra level of care with our ramp-up process and a different formulation of active ingredients to target fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, texture, firmness, and more," he shares.

Shop Now: Agency Custom Skin Care, from $30 per month, withagency.com.

with agency skincare products
with agency skincare products

Sobel Skin Rx

Sobel Skin Rx, developed by New York City dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel, is a line of "clean, clinical, dermatologist-grade" formulas that you can easily shop at your local Sephora.

Shop Now: Sobel Skin Rx Retinol Complex Night Treatment, $105, sephora.com.

Sobel Skin Rx Retinol Complex Night Treatment
Sobel Skin Rx Retinol Complex Night Treatment

Joanna Vargas

Each of celebrity esthetician Joanna Vargas' products—all of which are inspired by nature—are housed in chick black-and-white bottles that keep the formulas safe and stable over time.

Shop Now: Joanna Vargas Daily Serum, $85, dermstore.com.

Joanna Vargas Daily Serum
Joanna Vargas Daily Serum

Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty

Dr. Lara Devgan is a world-renowned plastic surgeon and the brains behind Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty, a medical-grade skin care brand beloved by celebrities and beauty enthusiasts alike.

Shop Now: Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty Hyaluronic Serum, $245, sephora.com.

Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty Hyaluronic Serum
Dr. Lara Devgan Scientific Beauty Hyaluronic Serum

ZO Skin Health

"Our mission is to deliver innovative solutions that optimize skin health," says dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi, the creator of this brand. "We do this based on the latest advances in skin therapy technologies such as unique delivery systems, bioengineered complexes, and exclusive formulations. The brand's overarching goal? To help "everyone experience continuously healthy skin regardless of their age, ethnicity, or unique skin condition."

Shop Now: ZO Remastered Retinol Skin Brightener, $130, zoskinhealth.com.

ZO Remastered Retinol Skin Brightener
ZO Remastered Retinol Skin Brightener

Dr. Loretta

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo's line is the culmination of over 40 years of work in the field of dermatology. Her namesake brand utilizes vegan, cruelty-free formulas that place a heavy emphasis on aging skin—and they truly work.

Shop Now: Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum, $70, dermstore.com.

Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum
Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum

MGSkinLabs

Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green created MGSkinLabs as a direct response to her patients' needs. "Each ingredient is carefully selected to keep skin balanced and healthy and to achieve results you can see and feel," she says. "MGSKINLABs products have something for everyone at any age, whether one needs anti-aging, exfoliating, moisturizing, or acne treatment."

Shop Now: MGSkinLabs AM/PM Serum Duo, $170, michelegreenmd.com.

MGSkinLabs AM/PM Serum Duo
MGSkinLabs AM/PM Serum Duo