Professional Skin Advice, in a Bottle
The hardest-working formulas full of cutting-edge ingredients, straight from the pros. Liberty shares the expert-led skincare brands deserving of your precious shelf space
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Professional Skin Advice, in a Bottle
The hardest-working formulas full of cutting-edge ingredients, straight from the pros. Liberty shares the expert-led skincare brands deserving of your precious shelf space
By: Shannon Peter
It’s hardly a surprise that the beauty world has recently turned its attention back to expert-led skincare brands. After a period of major uncertainty rocked almost every aspect of our lives, we’ve all developed a newfound trust in science, and that certainly extends to our skincare choices, too. We want the best skincare brands backed by experts, with hi-tech formulas that utilise only the most efficacious, research-backed skincare ingredients. And oh how the skincare industry is ready to deliver. But where to start curating your pro-approved skincare routine? Here, with our list of the best expert-led skincare brands around.
Read More: All in order: the correct order of skincare products
The Cosmetic Mastermind
Paula's Choice
Possibly one of the most outspoken names in the industry, Paula’s Choice founder Paula Begoun is something of a skincare legend. A true expert, she’s known for a no-nonsense and radically honest approach to product, swerving the allure of over-hyped ingredients in favour of efficacious formulas backed by plenty of research. But that doesn’t make it a brand without buzz, as the widespread popularity of her salicylic and mandelic acid toners can attest – a worthwhile addition to even the most simple skincare routine. Try: Paula’s Choice Mandelic and Lactic Acid AHA Liquid Exfoliant , £35.
Read More: Learn the art of ingredient layering with these skincare pairings
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Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 118ml
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel 30ml
Paula's Choice
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment 30ml
Paula's Choice
Resist Anti-Aging Barrier Restoring Moisturiser SPF 50 60ml
Paula's Choice
Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster 20ml
The Aesthetic Skin Doctor
Dr. Barbara Sturm
You’ll have already heard of Dr. Barbara Sturm, the visionary skin doctor famous for her vampire facials. But where once her expertise was only available in her treatment room, she’s (thankfully) funnelled it into a comprehensive range of high-end skincare products to address every skin type and skin concern. Her thing? Skin healing, which is why you can expect to find multiple formulas and ingredients focussed on repairing the skin barrier. Try: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Ageing Serum, £280
Shop Dr. Barbara SturmDr Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Ageing Serum 30ml, £280
Dr Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich 50ml, £180
The Plastic Surgeon
111Skin
The medical brain behind 111Skin is plastic and reparative surgeon Dr Dr Yannis Alexandrides MD FACS, a bonafide Harley Street legend. Launched in 2012 alongside his entrepreneur wife Eva, the brand is built around a patented antioxidant complex called NAC Y²™, proven to heal skin quickly and aesthetically post-surgery. So if it can work wonders for Dr Alexandrides patients, just think what it can do to repair, strengthen and rejuvenate your skin. Try: 111Skin Repair Serum NAC Y2, £240
Read more: How to curate an effective morning skincare routine
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111SKIN
Y Theorem Bio Cellulose Facial Masks Box of 5
The Stem Cell Scientist
Augustinus Bader
Augustinus Bader never meant to launch a beauty brand. He was busy developing a pharmaceutical treatment that would help heal scars by way of stem cell science, when the man that would later become his co-founder, Charles Rosier, persuaded him to apply the technology to skincare products to fund Bader’s future medical trials. His cult face moisturiser has received industry-wide acclaim, working wonders to firm skin and remedy inflammation; it's the perfect starting point to your minimalist skincare routine. Try: Augustinus Bader The Cream, £140
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Augustinus Bader
The Starter Kit with The Cream
The Biologist, Physiotherapist and Doctor Trio
Biologique Recherche
A biologist, physiotherapist and doctor walk into a bar. Not really. But they did team up to create Biologique Recherche, a clinical skincare brand that experts seemingly can’t get enough of. Known for its P50 lotion, a potent skin exfoliator, the idea was to provide professionals with high-grade formulas they couldn’t get anywhere else, but now – thanks to the wonders of the Liberty beauty hall – they’re far easier for the everyday skincare user to get hold of. Consider these the gold standard of glowing skin products. Try: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, £75
Read More: The ultimate skincare acids guide
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Biologique Recherche
Crème Contour des Yeux VIP O2 15ml
The Cosmetic Doctor
Dr. Sebagh
With over 30 years of experience as a world-renowned cosmetic doctor, Dr Sebagh has long treated patients to his pioneering non-invasive cosmetic procedures from his incredible clinics in both London and Paris. His skincare line offers his legions of fans a chance to take some his know-how home with them. He's all about ageing maintenance (his self-coined term), and has engineered a comprehensive range of formulas to keep skin as bouncy, radiant and healthy as possible.
Try: Dr Sebagh Rose de Vie Hydrating Mask 100ml, £74.
Read More: The best beauty tips ever, according to a seasoned editor
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The Dermatologist
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
You’d be hard pressed to find a TikTok obsessive that hasn’t themselves been sucked into the cult that is Dr Dennis Gross Skincare. A viral hit for a reason, the brand is known for producing hard-working formulas for exfoliation (and beyond). Founded by practising dermatologist and cancer researcher, Dr Dennis Gross, the formulations address all the concerns he sees in his clinic day in, day out, with a sharp focus on improving skin health, always. Try: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel, £21
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