Best Skincare Brands: 12 Top Skin Care Lines & Companies You Should Look Out For!
Whether you're a total beauty pro or a novice skincare buyer, shopping for skincare is no easy task. When you just need a new moisturizer and you find yourself walking through aisles upon aisles of brands and new products to try, it can feel a little overwhelming!
When it comes to choosing a premium skincare company to trust, it's important to know which brands you can rely on to deliver quality products every time. It helps to do your research and go into the store (or enter the online versions) armed with good knowledge about the best brands out there.
Lucky for us, there are so many great skincare brands for us to choose from! Even better, our beauty editors have put together this guide to the best skincare brands on offer today, to help you make the most out of your next skincare purchases.
Keep reading to find out what makes a good skincare brand, browse RenewSkin Inc.'s serious skincare collection, and find out the top 12 brands we love this year!
More hepfu reading: Skincare trends
What Makes a Good Skincare Line?
Before we dive into our picks of the best skincare brands on the market today, it's important to understand why some brands are hitting the mark and why others might fall short. Let's take a closer look at what makes a brand 'good' in the first place:
More helpful reading: Ceramides
Clean, Natural Ingredients
The first stop when checking a skincare line should be their ingredients lists. Does the brand use clean, natural ingredients that can truly nourish your skin without causing any harm?
We're not talking about abandoning any product that has a chemical in it (some chemicals are good!), but you should keep an eye on where a product's ingredients have been sourced. Are they sustainable, and are they 'clean' i.e. nontoxic?
Watch out for things like microplastics or microbeads, which are tiny plastic particles that some brands use as cheap fillers, emulsifiers, or exfoliating ingredients. These are very harmful to the environment because they flush from your sink into the ocean, where they enter the marine food chain, harm marine life, and eventually come back to us through the fish we eat. Not very appetizing, right? 1, 2
So although every cosmetics brand will need to use some ingredients that stabilize and preserve a product, the best brands won't cut corners or use cheap fillers. Look for brands that exclusively use ingredients that are good for your skin, good for the environment, and good for your overall health!
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/skincare-ingredients
No Parabens or Nasty Chemicals
While you're checking that label, keep an eye out for potentially harmful ingredients.
Customers in the United States face a 'buyer beware' situation on the market, especially when it comes to skincare and other beauty products. While the European Union has banned 1328 chemicals in cosmetics, only 11 chemicals are actually banned in the U.S. 3, 4
So although the FDA does state that it is illegal to create skincare products that are harmful to consumers, there are plenty of nasty chemicals that may potentially be used by U.S. skincare brands.
This means that it is super important to find brands that you can rely on time and time again to create clean, safe formulas that won't irritate your skin or cause any more serious health problems.
Check out our guide to ingredients to avoid in skincare for more helpful information on this topic.
Backed By Science
If a brand is backed by good quality research and a team of trusted dermatologists, you know it's one you can rely on. We consumers can't keep track of every piece of information or every ingredient about the products available today, so it makes sense to find people who have expert knowledge that you can trust.
If reading skincare labels and ingredient lists feels harder than high school chemistry, then simply ask your dermatologist for advice on the brands they know and trust. You can also take a look at a brand's website to make sure that their products reference studies and research that prove their efficacy.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/best-skin-care-products
The Top 12 Skincare Brands We Love
We've created a guide to the best skincare brands available today, including a range of products and price ranges to suit any skin care routine!
1. Taut
When it comes to choosing reliable, clean, and expertly formulated skincare products, Taut is a brand you can rely on.
Taut is a luxury brand leader in the anti-aging beauty supplement category, loved by millions of women around the world. Our mission is to renew, refresh and restore the skin and body, embracing the idea that achieving beautiful, healthy skin and body starts from within.
Approaching skincare from multiple angles, Taut offers a selection of supplements and topical treatments based on the science behind the ingredients that your skin and body need to stay healthy and vibrant. Taut takes the three main components of healthy, strong, and hydrated skin – collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid – and creates a range of products that can help you maximize each one of these in a way that is natural, effective, and efficient.
Alongside these three main components, you will find plant-based antioxidants, and little else. That's the beauty of Taut – you can trust that we use only the most premium, clinically tested, and 'clean' ingredients that work best to nourish your skin and body. No nasty additives, chemicals, preservatives, or GMOs.
Don't Miss: Taut Premium Collagen Drink
Without a doubt, the highlight of Taut's skincare range is Taut Premium Collagen Drink. This is a liquid collagen supplement that uses hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides to supercharge your body's natural collagen production process.
When you drink a bottle of Taut's liquid collagen, your body detects marine collagen peptides in your bloodstream and this triggers what we call a 'wound repair response.' This healing response is very similar to what happens when you cut your finger or sustain an injury. Specialized cells known as fibroblasts produce extra collagen, which over time can plump up your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
While many topical anti-aging solutions fall short because they can't treat the root cause of wrinkles (the natural loss of collagen and elastin in the body over time), a supplement goes the extra mile to stimulate collagen production from the inside out.
And when it comes to collagen supplements, Taut's collagen drink is the best of the best – containing a high concentration (13,000 mg) of premium marine collagen peptides alongside supporting ingredients like elastin peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, grape seed extract, ceramide, and vitamin B6.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/liquid-collagen-drink-supplement-benefits
Our Pick For Dull, Dry Skin: Taut Hydrate
If you suffer from dull, dry skin that is in need of a little rejuvenation, Taut Hydrate could be just what you're looking for! These hyaluronic acid pills combine plant-based hyaluronic acid and grape seed extract to plump and super-hydrate your skin, improve firmness, maximize smoothness, and visibly reduce signs of skin imperfections.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that exists throughout our bodies, it lubricates the eyes and joints, and keeps skin hydrated. This ingredient is super important in anti-aging skin care because it fills up the spaces between collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis, keeping them supple and stretchy.
Although serums and moisturizers are a great way to add some of this hydrating acid back into your skin, supplements go one step further to replenish your supplies from within – reaching deeper in the dermis than most topical products can penetrate.
Because Taut uses a clinically proven, plant-derived hyaluronic acid (Hyabest®(S)LF-P) with high purity and low molecular weight, it's a product you can rely on to deliver results. Two capsules per day is a great way to hydrate dry, sensitive skin, and to keep your complexion full, plump, and radiant!
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/hyaluronic-acid-benefits
2. The Ordinary
If you're looking for high-quality skincare at an affordable price, The Ordinary is for you. This brand tops many beauty editors' lists and even has a viral fanbase on TikTok thanks to its vast range of products that make the science of skincare accessible to a wider audience.
A lot of The Ordinary's labels can seem confusing at first, and they might make you feel like you are in a science lab choosing from vials upon vials of complex substances. This is because they base their products on active ingredients rather than the typical cleansers, toners, and moisturizers we are used to shopping for.
So although it may seem complex at first, it's actually quite simple. Once you get to know which ingredients your skin needs (their website has a comprehensive guide to help with this), you'll be mixing up your skincare routine in no time.
The best news? Their range is very accessibly priced, with nothing costing more than $20.
Product Pick For Oily & Acne-Prone Skin: Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
Perhaps the most popular formula from The Ordinary is their Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum, which is a formula designed to tackle oily skin and blemishes.
With its high concentration of niacinamide (vitamin B3), this is one of the best serums when it comes to balancing oil production, decongesting pores, and improving skin texture.
What we love about this product is its versatility! If you have oily skin or persistent redness, it can be used daily on your entire face. Alternatively, you can use it as a spot treatment as and when the need arises.
We recommend this formula for reducing oiliness and keeping breakouts at bay. When it comes to acne-prone skin, be aware that this treatment is best for resolving day-to-day skin issues. Severe acne, on the other hand, is one of those chronic skin conditions that is best dealt with in consultation with your dermatologist. They may recommend retinoid treatment or other prescription medication to help rebalance your skin.
More helpful reading: Skincare for oily skin
3. La Roche Posay
French skincare line La Roche Posay appears on most beauty editors' and dermatologists' lists of trusted brands, and for very good reason.
La Roche Posay is branded as dermatological skincare, backed by experts, and clinically proven to treat allergy-prone skin. So is it worth the hype? We say yes, and so do the rave reviews!
We love that they provide a vast range of skincare that has been designed for sensitive, allergic, and reactive skin, resulting in gentle products that are suitable for all skin types. Their products contain no fragrances or alcohol, focusing on the bare minimum of essential active ingredients to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Product Pick For Sensitive Skin: Toleriane Ultra Creme
One of La Roche Posay's key selling points is its patented thermal water formulas. The brand is based on thermal springs in France, which were discovered to have skin healing properties in the 17th century. This is because thermal water is naturally rich in selenium, which has antioxidant properties and can soothe skin irritation. 5
The Toleriane Ultra Creme by La Roche Posay is a no-brainer for super sensitive skin thanks to this patented thermal water formula, which combines with other skin-soothing ingredients to create an effective hypoallergenic moisturizer. The hydrating formula also contains Sphingobioma, which supports the microbiome, and Neurosensine, an ingredient that soothes irritation.
This allergy-tested formula repairs and protects the skin barrier, making it perfect for anyone struggling with allergies or reactive skin.
More helpful reading: Your guide to finding the best facial moisturizer, by RenewSkin Inc.
4. Neutrogena
Neutrogena is a brand that we've all heard of and been familiar with for a long time, it being a drugstore staple across the country (and the world). It has always been a household name, providing skincare suitable for the whole family
In recent years, Neutrogena has upped its game when it comes to facial skincare, and a series of products have been receiving rave reviews. This is not only because of their affordable price tags (very few products go beyond $35), Neutrogena has also gained a reputation for top-notch formulas.
Because the brand is owned by a big pharmaceutical company (Johnson & Johnson) it has high standards and good quality testing, not to mention the big budgets going into research and development.
Product Pick: Hydro Boost Water Gel
Although Neutrogena has a wide range of products for every skin type, the product to not miss this year is the Hydro Boost Water Gel.
This skin-drenching lotion gives your skin a topical hyaluronic acid boost, hydrating your face without leaving behind any kind of greasy residue. The lightweight, gel-cream texture is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores. This makes it the perfect go-to moisturizer for oily and combination skin types!
Neutrogena also has a body lotion version of this gel, which we love for some post-sun hydration in our summertime skin care regime.
We wouldn't recommend this moisturizer for super-dry skin, but for oily and normal skin, this is a great option that can repair your skin's moisture barrier and leave you with a healthy glow. 
More helpful reading: How to apply hyaluronic acid
5. Drunk Elephant
The motto behind Drunk Elephant products is 'biocompatible skincare' – meaning that their focus is on avoiding ingredients that could potentially be harmful or toxic. The founder of Drunk Elephant, Tiffany Masterson, identifies a number of irritants that cause an array of skincare issues from oiliness to rosacea. The premise of the brand is to eliminate these ingredients and focus on clean beauty.
The ingredients this brand avoids are essential oils, skin-drying alcohols, chemical sunscreens, silicones, dyes, fragrances, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Virgin marula oil, an ingredient high in fatty acids and antioxidants, is at the heart of this skincare line. It's an ingredient that can hydrate, plump, and brighten your skin.
You're also likely to fall in love with their pretty packaging! They have a vast range of products you'll want to try, with price tags ranging between $30 and $90.
Product Pick For Uneven Skin Tone: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
Ask any beauty director about Drunk Elephant and its C-Firma Day Serum, and you can bet that they have tried it. This serum is very popular among people in the know about skincare, likely tried by everyone from senior beauty editor to intern at beauty magazine offices.
This is because it is a relatively affordable serum ($80 per 30ml) that contains a potent concentration of vitamin C which rivals high-end luxury competitors. It contains 15% pure L-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and vitamin E, supported by antioxidants and fruit enzymes which work synergistically to brighten up dull skin and even skin tone.
Its fragrance-free formula avoids unnecessary chemicals and additives, focusing on pure, natural ingredients that nourish your skin. The potent concentration of vitamin C is very effective at fading dark spots and protecting your skin against sun damage, with a brightening effect for a more radiant complexion.
Add just a few drops after cleansing and feel the effects in a few short days. Consider it your go-to daily treatment for uneven skin tone!
More helpful reading: Vitamin C serum benefits
6. CeraVe
When rounding up the best skincare brands, we couldn't forget CeraVe. This brand is a drugstore staple that offers good quality skin care at an affordable price.
Their aim is simple – to care for your skin, without disrupting the skin barrier. This means that all of their products are fragrance-free, and they focus on some skin-loving, hydrating ingredients. CeraVe focuses on using three types of ceramides (1, 3, and 6-II), which are lipid molecules that increase skin hydration and prevent moisture loss. 6, 7
The CeraVe range has skin care options for everyone, from oily to sensitive skin and everything in between – they even offer products for newborn skin care.
One negative point for us is the use of preservative parabens in their products, but overall their products' hydrating and skin-balancing effects are a winner in our books.
Don't Miss: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
A highlight of the CeraVe range is the Hydrating Facial Cleanser, which is a great daily cleanser for anyone with dry or normal skin. It is a non-foaming gel cleanser packed with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, both of which work to attract and retain water in the skin for a more hydrated, plump, and dewy appearance.
The cleanser also contains CeraVe's signature three ceramides, and these fatty acids truly lock moisture into your dermis. As a result, this cleanser leaves skin feeling clean, refreshed, and hydrated.
If you have dry skin, this is a great go-to option for daily cleansing at a very reasonable price tag.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/dry-skin-treatment
7. Augustinus Bader
Augustinus Bader is a professor of biomedical science and an expert in regenerative medicine and stem cell biology, who also happens to have created a fantastic skincare line.
The great thing about the Augustinus Bader skin care range is that it is based on 30 years of research in stem cell biology, particularly in the area of cellular repair. This research makes for a range of science-led skin care products that support cellular renewal, which translates to healthier skin with fewer signs of aging like fine lines or age spots.
For our beauty editor, the main negative point about this brand is the pricing, with moisturizers costing approximately $170 for 30ml.
More helpful reading: How to get rid of age spots?
Product Pick: The Rich Cream
If you're thinking about splashing out and trying this brand for yourself, we recommend going straight for The Rich Cream. This is a rich daily moisturizer packed with botanical extracts, omega 6 fatty acids, and antioxidants to hydrate and plump up your skin.
Evening primrose oil, squalane, argan oil, avocado oil, and vitamin E come together to create this high-potency moisturizer. The ingredient that sets Augustinus Bader's formula apart from others is their patented TFC8® which is a 'Trigger Factor Complex' that guides key nutrients deeper into your skin.
We love that this moisturizer can be used in a daily skin care routine, and its rich formula makes it perfect as a go-to night cream or overnight mask.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/plump-skin
8. Dr. Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm is an aesthetics doctor who is widely known for her work in anti-inflammatory and anti-aging skin care treatments. In 2014, Dr. Sturm began a science-focused skin care brand that describes itself as 'molecular cosmetics'.
This range of products and supplements is all about tackling skin inflammation, focusing on nutrition for skin, hydration, and regeneration. Like other science-based, dermatology-led brands, Dr. Sturm's products are a little on the expensive side when compared to drugstore options, but you do see results for what you pay for in this instance.
We also love that these products are cruelty-free, paraben-free and that they boast a wide range of natural, clean ingredients.
Product To Try: Enzyme Cleanser
If this is your first foray into the skincare line by Dr. Barbara Sturm, we recommend trying the Enzyme Cleanser. This works as a foaming cleanser and exfoliating enzyme peel all in one go, doubling up on skin benefits and minimizing the effort you have to put in. It's a win-win!
This cleanser is packed with vitamin C and enzymes that work together to remove dead skin, control oil production, and boost cell turnover. The unusual thing about it is that it comes in the form of a powder, but it forms a foam when mixed with a little water and applied to your face.
We love that this product cleans the face while also acting like a salicylic acid or glycolic acid peel, but more gentle and easier to use on a day-to-day basis. People with sensitive skin might only use this cleanser once or twice per week, but oily and combination skin types could benefit from using this product daily.
9. Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth is a brand that focuses on 'clinical skin care' based on the healing muds and minerals of thermal springs in Hungary. The brand focuses on solving skin concerns, primarily acne and aging.
Combining ancient Hungarian philosophies with modern technologies in skin care, Peter Thomas Roth has a range of great products like luxurious moisturizers, acne-clearing body scrubs, and sunscreens.
Product Pick: Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream
The star of this skin care line is its Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Cream, which is a moisturizer packed with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and elderberry extract.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains up to 1000 times its weight in water, which is a boon for hydrating your skin. Ceramides are lipids that help repair your skin's moisture barrier and lock hydration into your skin, while elderberry extract has antioxidant properties that protect your skin against environmental damage and enhance your natural radiance.
The best thing about this moisturizer is its fluffy light texture, which offers protection against dryness and dehydration without weighing your skin down. It's also oil-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free!
The only downside is the cost, as a 150ml pot of this moisturizer will set you back $156.
10. Tatcha
Tatcha is a Japanese skin care brand that we love for its simplicity and focus on time-tested ingredients. Tatcha describes itself as being inspired by the beauty secrets of Japan, particularly the holistic approach to skincare and the idea that less is more.
The skincare range by Tatcha is based on a trio of superfoods from the Japanese diet: green tea, algae, and rice. These ingredients have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that are gentle, safe, and effective.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/best-foods-for-skin
Don't Miss: The Camellia Cleansing Oil
Perhaps the best product in Tatcha's skincare range at the moment is The Camellia Cleansing Oil, which acts as both a facial cleansing oil and a gentle makeup remover.
Cleansing oils are popular in J-Beauty and K-Beauty traditions, with oil-based cleansers typically being the first step in Japanese and Korean skincare routines before moving on to a water-based (foam) cleanser.
The Camellia Cleansing Oil is the perfect first step for your skincare routine. Its hero ingredient is in the name – camellia oil is a botanical oil rich in oleic acid that hydrates and protects your skin. Besides this skin-loving oil, you'll also find Tatcha's signature green tea, rice, and algae, as well as essential amino acids and gentle exfoliating AHAs like lactic acid.
We love it because it effectively removes stubborn makeup without drying out the skin, making it perfect for dry and sensitive skin types. Thanks to its simple botanical formula, this cleansing oil leaves skin feeling silky soft, clean, and refreshed.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/algae-for-skin
11. SK-II
Another Japanese skin care brand that we couldn't leave out of the list is SK-II, which is loved by skin care experts and has an impressive celebrity fanbase that includes Cate Blanchett, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, and Kate Bosworth (to name just a few).
Their secret? Pitera, a clear liquid derived from fermented yeast, is the signature ingredient that makes this brand stand out from the crowd. Discovered amidst the sake brewing process in Japan, this essence is rich in peptides, amino acids, and vitamins that hydrate and repair the skin's natural barrier layer.
For SK-II, this ingredient has become an anti-aging success that helps their products top the bestseller lists, and for good reason.
Don't Miss: Facial Treatment Essence With 90% Pitera
The number one product from SK-II has to be their Facial Treatment Essence With 90% Pitera, which comes high on the lists of best anti-aging serums in the skincare world.
It is a lightweight, powerful facial essence designed to hydrate and soften skin, reduce dark spots, and promote a bright, radiant glow. Coming in at $185 for 160ml, this is definitely not the cheapest option you'll find! The good news is that it's a watery product, so a little goes a long way.
A bottle of this essence is sold every two seconds, and with people around the world saying their skin felt soft, healthy, and hydrated after use, you can see why!
Use this hydrating essence after cleansing and toning for maximum benefits, including instant hydration and a dewy glow.
More helpful reading:
https://www.renewskinco.com/blogs/i/korean-beauty-vs-japanese-beauty
12. Estée Lauder
The last skin care brand to make our list is Estée Lauder, which has long been a staple of the skincare world.
The company was founded in 1946, and in the 1960s it was one of the first companies to use research and technology to match cosmetics to different types of skin. Today, they are still focused on creativity and innovation in skincare, which drives them to create high-quality products.
We love their backstory and the founder's ethos that everyone can be beautiful!
Product To Try: Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex
This eye cream by Estée Lauder is a great go-to treatment if you want to fight dark circles and beat puffiness. It has an extra concentrated formula designed to combat the signs of poor sleep, sun damage, and stress on the delicate skin around your eyes.
What makes this eye cream special is its gentle lightweight formula that blends hyaluronic acid, tripeptide, yeast extract, squalane, algae, chamomile, peptides, and fruit extracts. These ingredients have hydrating, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties to fight crow's feet and brighten dark circles, smoothing out crepey skin and creating a more even skin tone.
Estée Lauder is known for its overnight formulas which began in the 1980s when its founder discovered that your skin repairs itself best while you are sleeping. This idea is still true today, and this rejuvenating eye cream is exactly what you need to wake up with a fresh face and a twinkle in your eye!
More helpful reading: How to get rid of dark circles
Amp Up Your Skin Care Routine, Inside & Out...
When thinking about skincare, we often focus on topical solutions and neglect to think about what we are putting into our bodies.
Here at Taut, we truly believe that the best skincare begins from within and that a healthy lifestyle and diet contribute hugely to the quality and vibrance of your skin. As a brand, Taut wants to promote a holistic approach to skincare that tackles the root of your skin concerns, working from all angles to achieve the gorgeous glowing skin of your dreams.
Our Ultimate Transformation Program is a luxury skincare bundle designed to transform your skin in as little as three weeks. It contains 24 bottles of our Premium Collagen Drink, 1 box (60 capsules) of Taut Hydrate, and 1 box (5 masks) of our Taut Collagen Mask. Together, these three products work synergistically to tackle tired, dull, aging skin from the inside out and the outside in.
Our anti-aging collagen supplement works to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, lift and tone sagging skin, and increase radiance. Meanwhile, our hyaluronic acid supplement will super-hydrate and plump up your skin from within. Lastly, Taut Collagen Mask is a topical sheet mask treatment that hydrates, tones, and brightens.
This transformation bundle is the perfect kickstart to a whole-body approach to skincare. You can also return to it whenever you need it – consider it your go-to program whenever your skin could use some extra TLC.
Did you know you can subscribe and save on Taut's best skincare products? Find out how here.
References:
- https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/
- https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/11-makeup-brands-exposed-with-the-use-of-microplastics/
- https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM:co0013
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/prohibited-restricted-ingredients-cosmetics
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3549667/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6197824/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12553851/
