12 Drugstore Skincare Products Dermatologists Swear By

When you think of going to a dermatologist, you likely think of leaving with a pile of prescriptions that you have to go get filled, right? Well, you're not wrong—derms do love their prescriptions—but they also are not against a good over-the-counter drugstore pick either. That is particularly true for skincare staples like cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. In fact, most derms will tell you that because they use such strong prescriptions, they want the rest of their routine to be simple and gentle. More expensive doesn't always mean better. The key is knowing where and when to spend your money. "Cleansers, and facial creams can be drugstore," says Mona Gohara, MD, associate clinical professor at Yale Department of Dermatology. "There are gentle cleansers and good quality creams readily available." She considers these staples "skin maintenance" and says you should splurge on products when it comes to actives that you want to work hard to protect against or reverse damage (i.e. sunscreen, antioxidants, retinoids, and peptides). "I think the splurge is worth it—you pay for efficacy, results backed by science and cosmetic elegance," she says.

But back to the drugstore—here are dermatologists favorite drugstore picks that they use in their own routines.