From fledgling to more established, niche to mainstream, these are the skin-care brands you likely haven’t encountered through the usual PR channels or Insta ads—though, of course, now that you’ve read this, your phone will be serving them up on repeat. They’re the brainchildren of the aesthetics doctors and cosmetic chemists we trusted as experts long before the launch of their lines—which is precisely how we know they work. Here, 19 under-the-radar brands to explore.
1. Dr. Ariel Ostad
Behind the brand
Dr. Ariel Ostad, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in New York City
About the brand
Dr. Ostad’s eponymous line of highly concentrated medical-grade skin care covers just about every base—there are regimen kits for acne, rosacea, anti-aging, and hyperpigmentation; retinol treatments at various strengths, tinted sunscreen; even shaving cream. But a standout is the Neck Refining Cream ($135), which contains growth factors, vitamin C, and ferulic and retinoic acid, and has noticeably softened our editor’s “tech neck” lines and lightened brown sunspots on the chest over the course of six weeks.
2. Doctor Rogers Restore
Behind the brand
Dr. Heather D. Rogers, a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle
About the brand
The brand began as a single product, inspired by a simple need for a reparative ointment that posed zero risk of skin reactions—a benign alternative to popular but potentially allergenic salves like Neosporin and Aquaphor, which can trigger skin with neomycin and lanolin, respectively. Following the Healing Balm’s cultish rise, Dr. Rogers brainstormed four more must-haves built from a selective cache of safe, sustainable, science-backed ingredients promising to restore damaged or delicate complexions. Whatever your skin type, these coddling formulas are ideal accompaniments to the sometimes-vexing Rx topicals and pro procedures we often lean on to treat acne and age-related issues.
3. MELÉ
Behind the brand
Three board-certified dermatologists specializing in brown and Black skin: Dr. Mona Gohara, in Hamden, Connecticut; Dr. DiAnne Davis, in Dallas; and Dr. Laura Scott, in Miami
About the brand
A void-filling collab between beauty giant Unilever and influential derms of color, Melé caters to the unique needs of melanated skin, aiming to prevent the irritation that commonly sparks hyperpigmentation while also fading existing dark spots. The smart edit includes a gentle gel cleanser; a skin tone-evening tonic with lactic acid; a spot-fighting serum with niacinamide and two forms of retinol; a milky pore-blurring potion; two SPF 30 sunscreens (a clear oil and a sheer lotion); and a glow-boosting moisturizer for face and neck.
4. Evereden
Behind the brand
Dr. Rebecca Hartman and Dr. Sarina Elmariah, both board-certified dermatologists in Boston, and Dr. Joyce Teng, a board-certified pediatric dermatologist in Stanford, California
About the brand
Led by “moms in medicine,” this family-focused brand bans not only questionable synthetic chemicals but also certain plant-derived botanicals that many find irksome. The subtly scented formulas prioritize barrier health, using ingredients like sunflower seed oil to curtail eczema in infancy while preventing sensitivity and encouraging overall skin wellness throughout childhood and beyond. Newcomers to the line include a Multi-Vitamin collection for kids—skin and hair care with faint notes of ripe peach, melon, or pomelo—and two zinc-forward (18%) sunscreens: a dewy, rose-infused lotion for moms (and dads) and a crisp cucumber blend for babies and kids.
5. Juvive
Behind the brand
Dr. Heidi Goodarzi, a board-certified dermatologist in Newport Beach, California
About the brand
Dr. Goodarzi’s offerings are as no-nonsense as the derm herself (IYKYK: she’s famous for calling out skin-care BS on Clubhouse). Our faves from the line: the Retinol 100 Renewal Serum—pure vitamin A plus calming agents, like bisabolol—and the Vitamin C Boost & Glow Serum, featuring the stable, fat-soluble form of C, tetrahexyldecyl (THD) ascorbate. Both formulas suspend their illustrious actives in a lipid base, to aid penetration and temper irritation.
6. Mymiel Skincare
Behind the brand
Dr. Christina Weng, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, and Dr. Tyler Menge, a board-certified dermatologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan
About the brand
We first discovered Mymiel in January 2020—and not long afterward, incorporated the creamy concoctions into our pandemic self-care rituals. While honey and its myriad components—AHAs, ferulic acid, and panthenol, to name a few—comprise the heart of the brand, these ingredients play nicely with other powerhouse essentials, like retinol and ceramides, in this five-product collection focused on hydration, brightening, and skin renewal.
7. BeautyStat Cosmetics
Behind the brand
Ron Robinson, a veteran cosmetic chemist in New York City. Prior to launching BeautyStat, he developed products for Clinique, Avon, Revlon, and others.
About the brand
Since launching in 2019, BeautyStat Cosmetics’ first product—Universal C Skin Refiner, a stabilized vitamin C serum with 20% L-ascorbic acid—has become a celebrated staple, capturing industry-wide attention and nabbing a slew of awards. Not surprisingly, the thoughtful formulas that followed—Universal C Eye Protector (5% C plus antioxidants and hemp oil) and, later, Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream (with hyaluronic acid and ceramides) and the squalane-based oil Universal Moisture Essence—debuted to similar fanfare.
8. OathMD
Behind the brand
Dr. Divya Shokeen, a board-certified dermatologist in Torrance, California, and Dr. Mona Mislankar, a board-certified dermatologist in Mason, Ohio
About the brand
Like their physician founders, these rejuvenating products vow to “do no harm” when treating your skin. The hero of the line, TBH Facial Serum, blends cell-normalizing bakuchiol (an easygoing retinol alternative) with a trio of exfoliating AHAs (mandelic, lactic, glycolic) and a bevy of soothers, including honey, niacinamide, and aloe. If your skin is dry or sensitive, the company suggests using it as a liquid mask, rinsing off after 15 minutes. Masks are actually a brand specialty: the gold hydrogel retinol-and-peptide eye patches feel almost as luxe as the silk sleep mask and face mask (made to minimize friction and maskne).
9. Miracle Cream (The Pimple Cream)
Behind the brand
Dr. Anna Guanche, a board-certified dermatologist in Calabasas, California
About the brand
Add Dr. Guanche to the list of founders who’ve built a beauty brand with just one product. Originally developed for celebrity patients desperate to shrink zits before public appearances, the spot treatment clears skin with 10% sulfur—an acclaimed acne ingredient with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties—while offsetting redness and flakes with calamine and a patented oat complex.
10. Atolla
Behind the brand
Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified dermatologist in Cambridge, Massachusetts
About the brand
A minimalist approach fueled by maximal tech (namely, MIT-caliber algorithms), Atolla aims to streamline your skin-care routine with three customized formulas—a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer—imbued with synergistic ingredients all hand-picked by Dr. Hirsch herself and then custom-blended, based on a personal assessment of your skin goals and history as well as various lifestyle factors. Best of all, the Atolla system allows for your regimen to evolve over time, accounting for seasonal shifts, physiological fluctuations, and general skin fickleness.
11. Anokha Skincare
Behind the brand
Dr. Nina Naidu, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City
About the brand
Anokha’s discerning curator chose each natural ingredient—from blue yarrow to burdock root, plum seed oil to propanediol—for its distinct skin and/or sensory benefits. Among our favorites, the Blue Clay Clarifying Masque relies on Cambrian clay to clear the pores and essential oils of lime and yuzu to do the same for the mind. Similarly, in the Rice Bran & Pomegranate Facial Cleansing Oil, the namesake ingredients—the former is known for moisturizing and brightening; the latter, for quelling inflammation and free radicals—mingle with mood-enhancing red mandarin. The entire line is clinically and allergy-tested and made in small batches, to ensure potency.
12. Love YU Collective
Behind the brand
Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist and product developer in New York City with more than 20 years of experience
About the brand
More platform than product, Wilson’s burgeoning brand, which she cofounded with her sister, strives to holistically address the chronic stress facing Black women—more specifically, the heavy toll cortisol takes on their physical, emotional, and mental health. (According to Wilson, studies show unmanaged stress actually shortens the life span of Black women.) On a mission to encourage self-preservation, the Love YU Collective offers everything from virtual experiences—like yoga, guided meditation, and group chats with life coaches—to nutritional supplements, sleep aids, and aromatherapeutic body products intended to ritualize routine personal care. Skin and scalp care are said to be launching later this summer.
13. Obagi
Behind the brand
Dr. Zein Obagi, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California
About the brand
We can’t count the number of derms who’ve recommended products from this long-standing brand. Built on the vast clinical experience of Dr. Obagi, the tried-and-true formulations are thoroughly researched and vetted, to ensure that they deliver on every claim—be it smoothing wrinkles with retinol or clearing breakouts with salicylic acid.
14. Visha Skincare
Behind the brand
Dr. Purvisha Patel, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Memphis, Tennessee
About the brand
Visha divides its offerings into three clear-cut collections, each powered by evidence-backed natural ingredients. The Advanced range counts on actives, like retinol; antioxidants; AHAs; and a hydroquinone-free lightener, to improve sun damage and signs of aging. The Mommy line tackles concerns that tend to crop up during and after pregnancy, like melasma and hormonal acne, and happily takes the guesswork out of skin-care safety for those who are expecting or nursing. And Fitness—with tea tree oil, zinc, activated charcoal—combats sweat-induced bacteria and odor, along with rashes, chafing, bacne/buttne, and the like.
15. Aforé by Dr. Few
Behind the brand
Dr. Julius Few, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago
About the brand
Aforé translates to “beginning” or “before,” which makes sense, given that the goal of this line is to restore skin to what it was like before the sun damage, pollution, and other environmental factors that contribute to aged skin. Taking into account Dr. Few’s unique approach, known as Four Dimensional Beauty (an emphasis on ensuring skin looks healthy and natural while in motion, not just in photographs), the products are all formulated and tested by Dr. Few. Particularly noteworthy is the use of clinically studied cannabidoil, which is the star of the CR Emulsion, a first-of-its kind face cream that pairs CBD with retinol.
16. KaramMD
Behind the brand
Dr. Amir Karam, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in San Diego
About the brand
After years of seeing patients with overly complicated and ineffective skin-care routines, Dr. Karam set out to make things simple and streamlined. His line consists of a gentle cleanser, a vitamin C serum, and a multitasking anti-aging cream (all of which also come conveniently bundled together in one set—the Karam Trifecta). All you have to do is add sunscreen.
17. JORI
Behind the brand
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, and his wife, Cori Zeichner
About the brand
When Cori Zeichner found herself struggling with adult acne in her 30s, she turned to her dermatologist husband for help—but realized during the process that there was a glaring lack of over-the-counter products geared toward adult acne. She created Jori Skincare as a solution, with Dr. Zeichner serving as the brand’s medical advisor. The products—an oil-controlling primer and leave-on mask—rely on heavy-hitting acne fighters such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide plus a variety of botanicals to help combat the effects of stress and hormone fluctuation on skin.
18. Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty
Behind the brand
Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist in Briarcliff Manor, New York
About the brand
For more than a decade, Dr. Bowe has studied and focused on the connection between the skin, gut, and mind. Fittingly, her new line features products that address skin both inside and out. Bowe Glowe is a skin-microbiome nourishing cream touting prebiotics and postbiotics, while Bowe Growe is a water-enhancing elixir that helps promote a healthy gut microbiome. Sustainability is also a priority; the eco-conscious brand features refillable products, recycled glass components, and recyclable shippers.
19. Sunder Skincare
Behind the brand
Dr. Sarmela Sunder, a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, California
About the brand
A dozen staples make up this line, including exfoliating pads, several sunscreens, serums, and more. Given that the line was created by one of the most sought-after facial plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills, it makes sense that many of the formulas are also gentle enough to use on skin that’s compromised post-procedure; there are even two separate kits, each featuring three products, specifically made for the purpose.
