It’s no secret that a facelift can tighten and reshape the face, but it can't change the quality of the skin. Skin texture and tone can be improved with in-office treatments like lasers, peels and microneedling, but adhering to a well-rounded skin-care regimen is paramount. Plastic surgeons rely on medical-grade skin-care products to maintain, and sometimes even improve, the results of the procedures they perform. Here, leading plastic surgeons share the results-driven, science-backed products they recommend, from leading brands such as ALASTIN Skincare, SkinMedica, Marini SkinSolutions, skinbetter science, EltaMD, DefenAge, SkinCeuticals, Epicutis and more.
What Makes Medical-Grade Skin Care Different
Though the term “medical-grade” is largely a marketing term, it’s used to distinguish a class of products that are typically sold only through dermatologists, plastic surgeons or medspas, and not in retail stores. Dermatologists tell us that this because when the category originated, medical-grade formulations were considered strong enough to warrant professional guidance on their use.
Today, medical-grade skin-care products are more popular and potent than ever before. Boston facial plastic surgeon Jaimie DeRosa, MD says that whether you’re trying to maintain results from in-office treatments or you’re newer to skin care, medical-grade products are a great investment. “However, I’d caution those purchasing products online to make sure you buy from validated sites. Look to a doctor’s office, a reputable medspa or the brand directly. Don’t buy from other places that may sell a variety of products or offer discounted skin care. There is no quality control for those places, and you won’t really know if you’re getting a real, non-expired product.”
Palo Alto, CA plastic surgeon Sachin Parikh, MD adds that most medical-grade skin-care lines are formulated so that the individual products work well together. “For instance, some key ingredients are highly desirable, but they’re not chemically compatible…that is, they can’t ‘live together’ in the same bottle. The formulator might decide to put them in two different products, expecting that they’re both going to be used to get the desired result. They also make sure to balance the functional ingredients between the different steps of the regimen. This ensures they won’t react on the skin in an unexpected way, or ‘overtreat’ and cause irritation.”
Ingredients in Medical-Grade Skin Care
Scottsdale, AZ plastic surgeon Bryan W. Gawley, MD says that the best medical-grade skin-care brands have a variety of products utilizing key ingredients. "These include retinol, antioxidants like vitamin C, and growth factors. "They work together in a regimen to restore skin health and strengthen skin’s natural barrier and and function." Medical-grade skin care is typically fragrance-free, too.
Sun protection is also critical in any medical-grade skin-care routine. "Sun exposure can be an underlying reason why the skin has uneven texture," says San Diego facial plastic surgeon Amir Karam, MD. "The sun is a very powerful accelerant for the loss of collagen and elasticity. I suggest looking for lightweight, noncomedogenic, broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. However, I truly believe that SPF 40 to 50 is even better."
Not only are plastic surgeons looking for effective formulas, but the products also have to improve or maintain the results of any procedures that were performed. If an aesthetic treatment like a laser or microneedling was done, the topicals applied afterward need to be non-irritating. Post-procedure skin is very vulnerable during its healing.
Top Medical-Grade Skin-Care Products Recommended by Plastic Surgeons
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Best Medical-Grade Post-Procedure Cream: Alastin Restorative Skin Complex ($258)
"At my spa we offer the medical-grade skin-care line Alastin, as these products help maintain your results post surgery. They have key ingredients that help slow down the anti-aging process and help maintain a beautiful youthful glow. A favorite among our patients is the Restorative Skin Complex."
—Houston plastic surgeon German Newall, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted ($48)
"I highly recommend the use of a quality sunscreen that is broad-spectrum and mineral-based, which is foundational to any kind of skin-care routine. The brand that I personally have the best experience with and recommend to all my patients is EltaMD. This is a great everyday sunscreen with a light tint, which can replace the need for foundation. I also like the UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+.
EltaMD’s formulas are nongreasy, leaving your skin glowing, not shiny. They are also non-comedogenic, ensuring that they don’t cause blocked pores. They are sweat-proof and waterproof to allow you to enjoy your activities as usual, ensuring you’re protected from both UVA and UVB rays that cause aging."
—San Diego facial plastic surgeon Amir Karam, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Retinol: skinbetter science AlphaRet Overnight Cream ($135)
"Skinbetter science is a great medical-grade brand. I especially like the AlphaRet Overnight Cream because it improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as uneven skin tone and texture."
—Denver plastic surgeon Philippe A. Capraro, MD
"As far as retinoids, I will recommend AlphaRet Overnight Cream because it does not dehydrate the skin."
—Richmond, VA plastic surgeon Ruth Hillelson, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Vitamin C Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($185)
"The medical-grade skin-care line we recommend most to patients is SkinCeuticals. We appreciate the science that backs the products and find the line has a wide variety for every skin type and issue. One of our favorite skin-care products is C E Ferulic. Its patented antioxidant combination not only protects against environmental damage, but also helps improve photodamage, loss of firmness, fine lines and wrinkles while brightening the skin. Nicknamed 'liquid gold' by our patients, it is considered the gold standard in daily vitamin C treatments."
—Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo R. McCafferty, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Skin-Care System: Marini Skin Solutions Skin Care Management System ($360)
"Jan Marini products are overall good quality and they do what they say they will. They help in the defense against aging skin. The Skin Care Management System gives you five easy steps to follow."
—New York facial plastic surgeon Lee Ann M. Klausner, MD
"At L&P Aesthetics, it happens that many of our custom skin-care plans include medical-grade products from Jan Marini. Her products are highly effective, but still gentle. Patients love seeing visible results, without irritation. As doctors, we consider that the best of both worlds!"
—Palo Alto, CA plastic surgeon Sachin Parikh, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Anti-Aging Serum: DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum ($198)
"I like DefenAge skin care because of the science behind the products, which is impressive. The products are based on defensins that promote skin cell regeneration by waking up dormant cells to create brand new skin cells. This results in fresher, newer skin cells and a radiant appearance. The science behind this line is akin to wound healing in that it promotes new skin cells to form. I especially like the 8-in-1 BioSerum, but I'm also a big fan of medical-grade skin care in general."
—Beverly Hills, CA facial plastic surgeon Kimberly J. Lee, MD
"The 8-in-1 BioSerum is a favorite of mine. Between the defensins—molecules that act like a retinol alternative and help repair signs of aging—the skin really feels the clock reset."
—Richmond, VA plastic surgeon Ruth Hillelson, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Growth Factor Serum: SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum ($295)
"This is my personal go-to favorite medical-grade product, and I highly recommend this to my patients. It’s the perfect pre- and post-facial rejuvenation product."
—Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon David R. Alfonso, MD
"We use TNS before and after facelifts for general skin care due to its growth factor properties, which also helps with the maintenance of the surgical results."
—Houston plastic surgeon Henry Mentz, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Post-Procedure Serum: Epicutis Lipid Serum ($250)
"The Lipid Serum is formulated with TSC, a small molecule that reduces inflammation, blocks UVA/UVB–induced damage, possesses antioxidant properties, protects collagen, and balances the skin's microbiome. With only eight ingredients, the serum works to improve skin hydration, while retexturizing the surface of the skin for a smoother feel."
—Denver plastic surgeon Teresa C. Cunningham, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Eye Serum: ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Eye Serum ($140)
"All of my patients are recommended to apply a good growth factor eye serum. This one is my top recommendation, as it reduces fine lines and has a nice cooling applicator."
—Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon Bradley Bengtson, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Antioxidant Serum: Alphascience Mela Bright C+ Serum ($160)
"The Alphascience line of medical-grade skin-care products was developed in France with the strictest, most stringent standards for safety and the environment. The ingredients are formulated to be stable even at high temperatures, which is important because a lot of other products lose potency when exposed to heat. The serums target specific skincare needs and are packaged in glass-stoppered bottles, so you really feel like you’re using a medical-grade product.
The antioxidant serums all are also fragrance- and preservative-free, so they can be used on recently treated skin and are great for those with allergies. Alpha Bright Serum is great for those with oily or acne-prone skin because it helps to restore the proper skin oil (sebum) production."
—Boston facial plastic surgeon Jaimie DeRosa, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Moisturizer: Biopelle Tensage Advanced Cream Moisturizer ($90)
"I use an ascorbic acid–based brightening serum followed by a high-quality moisturizer like this Tensage Cream, which uses advanced growth factor technology to revitalize skin."
—Rochester, NY plastic surgeon Calvin Young, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Antioxidant Serum: ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense ($190)
"I’ve recently been using this as my daily moisturizer and I now recommend it to all of my patients. It smells so good and it's perfect for the summertime with a lighter feel."
—Grand Rapids, MI plastic surgeon Bradley Bengtson, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Post-Procedure Serum: Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar ($265)
"After patients have had a procedure with us, we often recommend Alastin medical-grade skin-care products. Alastin Skin Nectar is a must for our post-laser patients, in particular. Alastin's proprietary Tri-Hex technology is very good to soothe skin and support healing. We've seen great skin texture improvement and faster recovery when our patients incorporate that product."
—Palo Alto, CA plastic surgeon David Lieberman, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Antioxidant Serum: skinbetter science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum ($195)
"There are a few key ingredients we recommend with which patients start their skin-care routine. These include an SPF with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, retinol, vitamin C, and moisturizer. We recommend a brand called skinbetter science, which uses high-quality ingredients and has clinical research backing its products. It also avoids fragrance, parabens and sulfates, which is important in skin care. The Alto Advanced Serum not only contains vitamin C, but also other essential antioxidants."
—New York facial plastic surgeon Dilip D. Madnani, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Cleanser: SkinCeuticals Simply Clean ($39)
"As far as retinoids, I will recommend AlphaRet Overnight Cream because it does not dehydrate the skin."
—Richmond, VA plastic surgeon Ruth Hillelson, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Moisturizer: Epicutis HYVIA Crème ($195)
"Created with HYVIA, a patented chia seed oil extract, this cream is a next-generation moisturizer that improves hydration on the cellular level while strengthening the skin barrier. This formulation includes several other active ingredients that enhance and help drive the actives deeper into the skin."
—Denver plastic surgeon Philippe A. Capraro, MD
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Best Medical-Grade Growth Factor Serum: ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum ($200)
"As a plastic surgeon I founded MDSkin to elevate the skin-care experience by simplifying and empowering our clients to create a lifestyle commitment to SkinFitness. We partner with skin-care brands that are committed to creating effective products backed by science; brands that promote skin health education and offer simple regimens that work. One of our favorites is ZO Skin Health, as it is similarly committed to effective products that are innovative. One standout in particular is the Growth Factor Serum."
—Scottsdale, AZ plastic surgeon Bryan W. Gawley, MD
