SkinCeuticals, Dermalogica: The Best Buys From Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale

Former deals writerAlexandra Polklikes to treat herself to this priceycleansing oilwhen her skin needs a deep clean. “It melts away every stitch of makeup on my face and, since it has a thicker consistency than others, feels like a therapeutic massage while it pulls out blackheads,” she says.

“I use thissalicylic-acid tonerwhenever my pores feel clogged, and after just a day or two, my skin looks poreless and smooth,” says writerTembe Denton-Hurst. Our beauty columnistRio Viera-Newtonis also a fan, saying it “helps to diminish preexisting blackheads as well as prevent them from forming in the first place.”

These iconic exfoliating pads from Dr. Dennis Gross use a blend of glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids, which help with both breakouts and dark spots. (Many users recommend cutting the pads in half to get twice as many treatments.)

SkinCeuticals quite literally never goes on sale, so a 15 percent off discount is remarkable. The C E Ferulic is ourbest overall vitamin-C serum(and has been for years). Six of the dermatologists we consulted recommended it, calling it the gold-standard vitamin-C serum that’s suitable for all skin types.

After interviewing five dermatologists aboutdark-spot correctors, writerArielle Avilanamed this the best one overall. The formula, which is gentle enough for most skin types, is “formulated with a cocktail of tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, and sulfonic acid, which work together to exfoliate, improve brightness, and reduce the chances of dark spots reappearing,” she writes.

Our best overallanti-aging serumcontains retinaldehyde, which fights wrinkles and fine lines quicker than other commonly usedretinols.

Dermatologist Charlotte Birnbaum told us this is an effective over-the-counter serum for treatingdark scars and hyperpigmentation. It contains hydroquinone, which is a lightening agent that decreases pigment production.

Sunday Riley’s all-in-onevitamin Caddresses everything fromhyperpigmentationto dullness and fine lines. It’s formulated with THD ascorbate, a highly stable form of vitamin C that’s tolerated well by most skin types.

The bestFrench-pharmacymoisturizer is the Embryolisse cream. Several makeup artists we’ve spoken to say it’s ideal for prepping skin thanks to its creamy texture and nonirritating formula.

This moisturizer is a staple in senior writerLiza Corsillo’s routine. It contains lots of moisturizing ingredients like sunflower oil and sea buckthorn, along with antioxidants like black currant — a natural source of vitamin C — and calendula. “It’s rich but melts into my skin fast and has helped my face look plump and glowy,”she says.

Former writerRachael Griffiths, who describes her skin as so dry it “feels as though it’s cracking if you wait too long after a shower to smear on some moisturizer,” says La Roche Posay’smultipurpose balmis “intensely nourishing.” (But if you have acne-prone skin, tread carefully — it gave me a nasty breakout, probably due to the shea butter.)

You may not be a celebrity, but for $74, you can sure moisturize like one. Augustinus Bader’s the Rich Cream countsAdam Scott,Rita Ora, andPhillip Limamong its fans.

While Denton-Hurst doesn’tloveeye creams, if you are going to buy it, she recommends going for something moisturizing like this one from Neocutis. It contains growth factors that support and encourage collagen production, as well as hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, which protect against oxidative damage and hydrate the skin.

Ayo Edebirihas been using this mineral sunscreen on her face and body for 20 years. She says it never feels too heavy or oily and “doesn’t leave me white-cast or blue.”

When beauty writerKrista Bennett DeMaiopacks a beach bag, she makes sure to bring asunscreen that her teen will actually wear. “My 15-year-old named this one as a favorite,” she says. “It’s incredibly lightweight, blends in instantly, and leaves no white cast behind.”

Colorescience’s powder sunscreen is ideal for applying SPF in hard-to-reach areas like your hair part and ears.

RMS Beauty’ssunscreen–slash–skin tint leaves Strategist contributorMbiye Kasonga’s skin dewy and radiant.

One of our favoriteself-tanners, for those who dislike the feeling of mousses and gels. The no-rinse mist is basically foolproof: Just spritz all over your face and neck and a subtle glow will develop within a few hours.

This longtime Strategist-favoritebody scrubis formulated to tacklekeratosis pilaris, but it can be used forhyperpigmentationand strawberry skin, too.

It’s still bikini season. Follow up any waxing or shaving sesh with thispubic-hair oilthat’s particularly good at preventing razor bumps.

Olaplex’s No. 4shampooadds shine and reduces frizz over time, which is especially good for colored, bleached, or relaxed hair.

Dianna Cohen, founder of hair-care line Crown Affair, uses thishair masktwice a week and calls it “the most universal hydrating mask” to make hair shinier and silkier without clogging your scalp or causing buildup.

BothJenny LewisandAnnaSophia Robbsay this dry-shampoo paste is great for shaping short hair and bangs that need some de-greasing.

I stand behind our bestcurling iron–straightener. I use it every day on my bangs to take them from stick straight to lovely and flowy. (It’s also great at creating beach waves.)

This iconic makeup sponge is one of the most recognizable tools in the game (and it’s constantly gettingduped).

Kevyn Aucoin’s tubingmascara“builds extreme volume and length for even the most stubbornly short lashes,” says makeup artist Porsche Cooper.

ComedianAtsuko Okatsukalikes this serum, noting that “it actually made my lashes longer and thicker over the course of six weeks.”

RevitaLash was the preferredlash serumof senior editorSimone Kitchensbefore she had to take a break due to pregnancy and nursing. “I noticed a difference within a month,” she says. “My lashes are a bit thin and short naturally, and sort of straight, so they started to naturally curve a bit with the length, in a nice way.”