Serious skincare for seriously good skin
Choosing skincare isn’t an easy task with the sheer volume of what’s available. But for most of us — especially those with specific skincare concerns — a huge part of the decision making process comes down to trust.
Brands that are clinically backed, or better yet doctor-led, come with a certain level of that promises results. It also means we’re buying into proven ingredients and efficacious formulas as opposed to trends, marketing fluff or vague claims.
Such brands are definitely having a moment right now. Consumer demand plays a part, but the fact we’ve spent the last 18 months with limited access to professionals in real life does too. If we can’t have an in-clinic treatment, professional at-home products are the next best thing.
So, we’re breaking down a few of our favorite doctor-developed skincare brands: Filorga, a French range with a focus on anti-aging; celebrity favorite Augustinus Bader; and Sisley, whose laboratories specialize in phyto-cosmetology.
FILORGA
FILORGA was developed by Dr. Michel Tordjman, a French doctor who specialized in cellular biology. His research led him to create an injectable formula that optimized skin health, and the brand went on to be an industry leader in aesthetic medicine. The same ingredients and principles were eventually applied to topical products, and the now iconic formulas were born. The brand’s main ingredient complex is called NCEF, a blend of 50 vitamins, amino acids, minerals, coenzymes, and antioxidants. It can be found in the NCEF Reverse Supreme Multi-Correction Cream, a moisturizer containing shea butter, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and vitamin A to firm, smooth, and repair. The Meso-Mask is another hero that works to calm and impart instant radiance, and the Time Filler Absolute Eye Correction Cream also deserves an honorable mention, loved for its ability to lift and brighten the delicate eye area.
AUGUSTINUS BADER
Dr. Augustinus Bader co-founded his namesake line with Charles Rosier in 2018, and it has undoubtedly been one of the most revolutionary launches in recent years. Originally a medical doctor, Dr. Bader spent decades researching skin wound healing responses. His findings saw him develop a topical medical treatment, but insufficient funding meant he wasn’t able to utilize it in a medical setting. Then Rosier convinced him to apply it to skincare and the brand was born. The hero ingredient complex is TFC8®, a Trigger Factor Complex of amino acids, vitamins, and molecules that use epigenetic technology to influence skin health. In simple terms, it works synergistically with the skin to ensure healthy function, correcting pigmentation, premature signs of aging, pigmentation, and breakouts. The initial launch was The Cream, a moisturizer that promised results in 28 days. The Rich Cream soon followed, affording more nourishment for dry skin types. The response to both was overwhelmingly positive, and the brand has since expanded into other categories such as The Essence, an exfoliating solution that brightens, refines, and smooths.
SISLEY
Iconic French beauty brand Sisley has more than four decades of experience in the area of phyto-cosmetology, in which botanists, chemists, biologists, pharmacists, and engineers continue to innovate with plant extracts proven to benefit the skin. It’s these plant extracts — alongside the beautiful sensorial elements the brand is known for — that make Sisley such a success story, one that’s particularly known for its efficacious lineup of treatment masks. The Express Flower Gel formula is enriched with lily, iris, and sesame to hydrate, tone, and revitalize the skin, while the Velvet Sleeping Mask contains saffron, thyme honey, and Japanese lilyturf to deeply repair cellular damage. Our favorite, though, is the Black Rose Cream Mask, a superlative blend of black rose extract, Padina pavonica (peacock’s tail), and Alkekengi calyx (Chinese lantern) plant to instantly smooth, plump, and awaken the skin. In just minutes, you’ll appear brighter, softer, and more luminous. What’s not to love about that?
