When Jane Wurwand founded Dermalogica in California over 30 years ago, she set out to not only to help people achieve their optimum skin health but also to educate. As a professional skin therapist, she wanted to bridge the gap between knowledge and skincare. That’s why Dermalogica is such a perfect fit for us here at Escentual; with our award-winning salon and host of skincare consultants, we couldn’t wait to introduce Dermalogica to our extensive skincare portfolio.
Plus, we received online training (which has kept us busy during lockdown!) to learn and provide expert knowledge on Dermalogica’s wide variety of ranges and products.
With so many innovative formulas, it might seem a little difficult to know where to start. If that’s how you feel, then you’ve come to the right place. Utilising our training and trialling all of the different products ourselves, we’re showcasing what’s deemed to be the ‘creme de la creme’ of their hero products.
This edit reveals the top 11 Dermalogica best-sellers and will help guide you to the right skincare for your complexion’s needs. Read on to find your skin’s new hero product…
Dermalogica is the number one choice of professional skin therapists worldwide. Why? Because it simply works! No gimmicks or miracles in a jar, just results driven formulas that deliver your healthiest skin ever! Our Bestsellers are Dermalogica skin therapist’s top picks for healthy, radiant skin! – Janine Da Costa, Dermalogica Education Executive.
1. The Best-Selling Cleanser
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Best For: All skin types
Skin Concern: Dryness, dehydration, oiliness
Benefits of Special Cleansing Gel: Removes debris and dirt, doesn’t dry out the skin, soap-free.
Why it’s a Best-Seller: If you want seriously soft and clean skin then look no further. What makes the Special Cleansing Gel face wash stand out is that it effectively lifts all dirt and impurities from the skin without the use of soap. Soap strips away the skin’s natural oils, which can damage its protective layer as well as causing dryness. With a pH level similar to your complexion, the transparent gel respects natural moisture levels, whether you’ve got dry, oily or dehydrated skin.
Plus, despite being soap-free, the gel still creates a gentle lather as it uses natural foams; this means you still get the luxurious lathering feel that a lot of us enjoy in a cleanser, without the use of harsh soap.
2. The Cult Hydrator
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream
Best For: Dry skin
Skin Concern: Dryness, dehydration, signs of skin ageing.
Benefits of Skin Smoothing Cream: Deep and long-lasting moisture, smooths away fine lines, soothes and plumps, provides a hydrated glow.
Why it’s a Best-Seller: This next-generation moisturiser quenches thirsty skin and provides 48 hours’ continuous hydration and radiance. The Skin Smoothing Cream is an everyday icon. It replaces lost hydration and prevents TEWL (transepidermal water loss); this is due to the high-performance Active HydraMesh Technology™. The results? Much-needed moisture and your natural microbiome is protected.
This anti-ageing moisturiser is a great choice for those concerned about ageing as it contains retinyl palmitate, which boosts cell renewal and stimulates collagen synthesis to give your skin a plumping boost. Despite being ultra-moisturising, the cream still maintains a medium-weight that melts into your skin. It nourishes without being heavy and leaves your complexion super soft.
3. The Essential Exfoliator
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Best For: All skin types, including sensitive
Skin Concern: Dullness, uneven skin tone/texture, clogged pores
Benefits of Daily Microfoliant: Radiant skin, encourages exfoliation, rids skin of dead cells and dirt
Why it’s a best-seller: The Microfoliant is revolutionary! It’s a truly unique way of polishing your skin and was even the first powder exfoliator ever launched. It’s called a microfoliant as it provides an ultra-gentle yet high-performance exfoliation; it uses both chemical and physical methods that you can enjoy day after day without drying out or over-stimulating your complexion.
With each use, the exfoliating powder sloughs away dead cells, leaving you with a fresh and radiant finish. Your complexion receives a brightening boost as the Microfoliant evens out tone and smooths out texture for your most radiant and polished skin yet.
From a rice-bran based powder to a creamy scrub, this innovative exfoliator transforms when met with water. If you have sensitive skin but are still looking for an everyday exfoliation then the Daily Microfoliant is perfect for you. The more water you add to the fine powder, the softer a scrub it becomes, allowing you to customise your skincare to suit your ideal skin needs.
4. The Must-Have SPF
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50
Best For: All skin types
Skin Concern: Sun damage, photoageing, loss of elasticity, dehydration
Benefits of Age Smart Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50: Broad-spectrum protection, anti-ageing and firming formula, hydrating
Why it’s a Best-Seller: It’s no surprise that the Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 is one of Dermalogica’s best-sellers, it’s already found its way into my everyday skincare routine! It’s a multi-tasking masterpiece that combines SPF protection with daily moisture and anti-ageing abilities – it’s the ideal 3-in-1 product.
Defending your skin from the sun is one of the best ways you can prevent premature ageing. As well as shielding against UVA and UVB rays to protect skin from ageing, this sunscreen moisturiser also works to undo any damage already done. Your complexion feels firmer as elasticity is enhanced, while skin feels comfortable all day with long-lasting hydration.
Perfect for days you want to go fresh-faced, the daily SPF blends seamlessly over skin for a flawless finish without a white cast or chalky residue. Whether it’s the last step in your skincare or the first step in your makeup base, you’ll soon wonder how you went without this hero product.
5. The Salvation For Oily Skin
Dermalogica Active Moist
Best For: Oily-combination skin
Skin Concern: Dullness, uneven skin tone/texture, clogged pores
Benefits of Active Moist: Hydrates, improves texture, no oily shine
Why it’s a Best-Seller: Oily and combination skin types can still get dehydrated, so you want a balancing moisturiser that hydrates without causing greasiness – then Active Moist is your ideal choice. The lightweight face cream combats dehydration with its oil-free and fluid formula, providing your skin with the perfect amount of moisture.
Dermalogica’s Active Moist uses a potent prebiotic system of plant extracts to deliver long-lasting hydration. Scientifically using nature, the moisturiser creates a botanical veil over skin to shield your skin’s microbiome while leaving you with a smooth, even and balanced finish.
If your thirsty skin is after a shine-free glow, the Active Moist cream is a perfect choice.
6. The Dry Skin Ally
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance
Best For: Dry skin
Skin Concern: Dryness, dehydration, skin ageing
Benefits of Intensive Moisture Balance: Strengthens skin’s barrier, rebalances and replenishes depleted skin, nourishes ten layers deep
Why it’s a Best-Seller: If your complexion feels dry, depleted and damaged, then this is sure to be your new go-to moisturiser. Not only does the cream restore dry skin at a surface level but it also delivers moisture ten layers deep, giving you your smoothest, softest and most hydrated skin yet.
The Intensive Moisture Balance cream supports barrier recovery using an exclusive BioReplenish Complex™, which enriches your skin with a proven combination of key barrier lipids to strengthen its resilience.
Just like your gut, your skin needs the right bacteria to maintain its health. The ultra-rich moisturiser uses a prebiotic algae complex to balance your skin’s microbiome by harbouring the good bacteria that your skin craves. It also diminishes bad bacteria that leads to dryness, restoring health as well as hydration to your complexion.
The supercharged formula also includes skin-hero hyaluronic acid, which retains water to enhance the skin’s moisture content. These plumping ingredients smooth away fine lines and locks in hydration. At the same time, the skin is defended against premature ageing with stabilised vitamin C, which creates an antioxidant shield against damaging (and age-inducing) free radicals.
7. The Cleansing Oil Companion
Dermalogica Pre-Cleanse
Best For: All skin types, including sensitive
Skin Concern: Oiliness, breakouts, adult acne, dehydration
Benefits of Pre-Cleanse: Removes makeup, environmental pollutants, sunscreen, excess sebum and debris from the skin, leaves the complexion cleanses, nourished and conditioned
“You wouldn’t mop the floor without hoovering or sweeping first.” – Janine, Dermalogica Education Executive
Why it’s a Best-Seller: This may be my desert island skincare product – and I don’t say that lightly. It’s no wonder that the iconic Precleanse is a cult favourite of Dermalogica’s. One half of Dermalogica’s renowned Double Cleanse method, this makeup removing oil allows you to effectively cleanse your skin and allow you to get the most out of your follow-up face wash. By ridding your skin of the dirt and debris that rests on the surface – from makeup to pollution – your cleanser can further penetrate the skin itself with increased efficacy.
Combination skin types will love the benefits of this cleanser; it reduces and attracts excess oil rather than adding to it. It also effortlessly breaks down toxins, pollutants, sunscreen and waterproof makeup so that they lift away from the skin, without disrupting its balance.
Composed of rich fatty botanical oils – including borage seed, kukui, apricot and sunflower – your complexion feels soft, conditioned and intensely nourished. The smoothing formula contains calming and anti-inflammatory abilities that soothes irritation while reinforcing the barrier lipids. Not only that, the oil doesn’t clog pores but rather purges them, which helps prevent bacteria buildup that leads to blemishes and breakouts.
Plus, the oil is a nourishing treat to use. As you blend the oil over your skin and massage in a little water, it transforms to a milky lotion that easily washes away, taking dirt, toxins and impurities with it.
8. The Sensitive Skin Saviour
Dermalogica UltraCalming Cleanser
Best For: Sensitive, dry
Skin Concern: Sensitivity, redness, dryness
Benefits of Ultra Calming Cleanser: Soothes and calms irritated skin, cleanses without stripping.
Why it’s a Best-Seller: If you struggle with sensitive or reactive skin, then you probably already know how difficult it can be to find the right face wash that offers a thorough cleanse without upsetting skin’s balance. That’s where the UltraCalming Cleanser comes into its own – it’s an extremely gentle and soothing formula that doesn’t strip anything away from your skin’s protective barrier as it effectively lifts away dirt, debris and impurities.
With a pH balance that’s similar to skin’s own and free from sulphates, the non-foaming white gel instantly soothes and cools your intolerant skin. Blending cucumber, lavender and raspberry, this trio of botanicals calms irritated skin while helping to desensitise skin for less reaction in the future.
Plus, some peoples’ skin can be so sensitive that even exposure to water can upset it or cause adverse reactions. That’s another benefit of this cooling cleanser – it can be wiped off without water to ensure a thorough cleanse without causing further sensitivities.
9. The Glow-Boosting Godsend
Dermalogica AgeSmart Biolumin C Serum
Best For: All skin types
Skin Concern: Skin ageing, dullness, uneven tone and texture, pigmentation
Benefits of Biolumin C Serum: Brightening, firming, smoothes away fine lines, enhances skin’s natural defence system
Why it’s a Best-Seller: This lightweight anti-ageing serum is truly a powerhouse of skin-enhancing and brightening ingredients to leave you with a younger-looking, firmer and more radiant complexion. If you want to smooth away fine lines or restore your skin’s youthful glow, then introduce the Biolumin C Serum into your routine.
Even if you’ve tried vitamin C in your skincare before, you’ve most likely never tried it like this; this super serum provides enhanced functionality and goes beyond the skin’s surface. The Biolumin C Serum harnesses the power of ultra-stable vitamin C using an advanced bio-technology to deeply penetrate your skin to where this naturally powerful ingredient is needed most. It fights oxidative stress and free radicals to keep skin youthful and protected while brightening areas of unbalanced hyperpigmentation for an all-over lit-from-within glow.
The hydrating serum also reduces inflammation with antioxidant-rich chia seed oil, which is bursting with omega-3 fatty acids to leave your complexion moisturised and smooth. Plus, a flower extract is included to calm skin after exposure to environmental aggressors, providing both protection from free radicals while reversing any damage that’s been done.
10. The Necessary Toner
Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner
Best For: All skin types
Skin Concern: Oiliness, skin ageing, dehydration
Benefits of Multi-Active Toner: Hydrates and soothes skin, increases skin moisture levels and optimises moisturiser absorption.
Why it’s a Best-Seller: One of the original Dermalogica formulations, and still a hero over 30 years later – and it’s no surprise why! The toning mist is a super lightweight spray that instantly hydrates the complexion as it binds moisture to cells while infusing it with a plethora of purifying ingredients. Cooling cucumber keeps skin smooth and refreshed, while antiseptic lavender provides soothing relief. A duo of aloe vera and balm mint soften and calm the complexion, leaving you with enhanced skin with every spritz.
The hydrating spray feels almost sparkling on your skin as it absorbs, evening out skin porosity and effectively prepping the complexion to receive your follow-up skincare. It provides a healthy and hydrated glow while allowing you to get the most out of your moisturisers, serums and treatments by increasing their ability to penetrate your skin.
Plus, you can even spray it over makeup to top-up your skin’s hydration on-the-go. I love spraying this in the office when my skin feels dry or tight due to the air-conditioning, which makes it a great choice when onboard a flight, too. You’ll never want to go without this lightweight spray once you’ve quenched your thirsty skin with it.
11. The Talked-About Face Wash for Teens
Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Foaming Wash
Best For: Oily-combination
Skin Concern: Breakout-prone, acne-prone, oiliness
Benefits of Clear Start Foaming Wash: Deeply cleanses to prevent breakouts, gently exfoliates to kill bacteria, anti-inflammatory.
Why it’s a Best-Seller: This best-selling product is part of Dermalogica’s Clear Start range, which began when creator Jane Wurwand noticed a lack of effective yet gentle skincare for teenage skin when searching for products for her teen daughters. If your teen has problematic skin – or maybe you struggle with adult acne – then this is the face wash you’ve been looking for.
Once again, Dermalogica’s skin expertise is at the forefront. They’ve formulated a product that’s kind to skin while powerfully targeting blemishes, the Breakout Clearing cleanser rids pores of dirt, bacteria and impurities that lead to blackheads and breakouts. Using a blend of 8 botanicals and renowned ingredients that work hard to clear skin – such as antiseptic tea tree oil and oleanolic acid – blemish-causing bacteria is washed away. In contrast, the skin is healed and soothed.
With each use, your skin is deeply cleansed and purified. Salicylic acid – an oil-busting hero ingredient – stimulates natural exfoliation to renew your complexion. Your skin is left shine-free as sebum production is controlled; it’s a must-have for problematic skin in need of a clearing cleanse.
Discover More:
• Get To Know The Dermalogica Skincare Ranges For Each Skin Type
