These effective, derm-recommended skin care brands might not be on your radar yet

It's possible that you've seen Naturium skin care products at your local Target, but you may not know that some board-certified dermatologists recommend these affordable formulas, like Dr. Adeline Kikam, who previously suggested Naturium's 12% mandelic topical acid serum. She told HuffPost, "It is gently formulated with azelaic acid at 10% and allantoin at .3% for extra moisture." It can help soothe and calm irritated skin and help to reduce the appearance of redness. It's also formulated with micro-fine green color particles that can help to mask the look of existing redness as well, acting almost like a color corrector.

For double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, Dr. Brendan Camp (and any dermatologist for that matter), sun protection is a non-negotiable, and one sunscreen he previously recommended is the Ultra Violette Supreme Screen, an SPF 50 facial sunscreen that triples as a moisturizer and makeup primer. This all-in-one broad-spectrum cream features moisture-loading hydrators like glycerin, barrier-restoring squalane and plant-based pentavitin for dewy and bouncy hydration. 

Dr. Elaine F. Kung, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Future Bright Dermatology in New York, previously recommended this supercharged collagen-boosting serum, formulated to make complexions dewy and plump, so lines appear less obvious and skin feels less dry. It uses a brand-exclusive 10% peptide complex as well as soothing aloe, collagen and hyaluronic acid, a tried-and-true humectant that helps to draw moisture into the skin to keep it hydrated.

"This transformative cleansing option goes from a balm to an oil and rinses off as a milk, helping to eliminate makeup, dirt and sunscreen without leaving the skin feeling dry or irritated. It also contains evening primrose oil, jojoba seed oil and pear fruit and together helps to balance and nourish the skin," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick previously said of this paraben-free cleansing balm meant to be suitable for all skin types. A blend of antioxidants inside this formula helps aid in protecting skin from damaging free radicals and provides skin-conditioning properties.

"Skincare Junkie's Megadose face moisturizer combines antioxidant, anti-pollution, and anti-aging benefits into a silky lightweight moisturizer that won’t clog pores," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose previously said of this dermatologist-developed cream. She explained that it contains a blend of coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, green tea and vitamin C — all of which work together to protect skin from premature skin aging and support collagen production.

"Ceramides and hyaluronic acid in a seven-molecular-weight blend hydrate and plump [skin]," she added. Murphy-Rose recommends using this every morning as a daily moisturizer, along with sunscreen.

Dr. Lauren Penzi, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, previously considered one of Skinfix's barrier-repair products one of her favorite options for healing over-exfoliated skin. The brand also has this serum-balm featuring an alternative to retinol, an anti-aging ingredient that has the potential to be very irritating. The intensive repair formula features growth factor peptides for supporting the skin's elasticity, along with an exo-bitoic to help renew dull and troubled skin, and a potent complex of soothing ingredients that help with skin recovery.  

“This is a moisturizing cream with a modicum of heft that has glycerin and panthenol to hold on to moisture, macadamia seed oil to lightly coat and oat extract to soothe the skin,” Massachusetts-based dermatologist Dr. Papri Sarkar previously told HuffPost.

I can also report that the Belif True Cream Moisturizing Bomb does wonders for highly sensitive and eczema-prone skin and is often a staple in my winter skin care routine. The comforting formula also contains ceramides — the essential building blocks for a healthy skin barrier — and peptides, which have been proven to add plumpness to skin.

NeoStrata's Triple Firming neck cream is an effective formula that's been previously recommended by board-certified dermatologists. It features a pro-amino acid and neocitrate formula, an ingredient duo that works in tandem to target volume loss while a non-acid amino sugar tackles unwanted sun damage, irregular texture and discoloration.

I have recently started using this as I've noticed some volume loss beneath my chin, and I loved how thick and hydrating the formula was that I now use it for my entire face, which is chronically dry. Since then, I've noticed a bit more bounce back to my skin and less refined smile lines around my mouth. Also, pro-tip: because it is so thick, I add a healthy glug of The Ordinary's cold-pressed rosehip oil to bump up the moisture factor and make it easier to spread across my skin and make it stretch a little farther.

When asked about effective products to address crow's feet, Dr. Nava Greenfield, a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group, said: "I recommend Grown Alchemist Regenerating eye cream because it is a natural, clean, luxurious product that has polypeptides, green tea, and caffeine that smooth and hydrate fine lines around the eyes." According to her, the formula can plump and hydrate the skin when it is dry, preventing the appearance of crow’s feet.

Though Obaji's products have never been explicitly mentioned to us by skin care experts, it's a medical-grade skin care brand that claims to be a leading choice among American physicians, based on independent industry sources. The Obagi Elastiderm is the brand's bestselling facial firming treatment serum that supports skin's natural elasticity production. The proprietary "contour complex" can help reduce crepiness, skin sagging, fragility and other key signs of aging.