‘I’m a Dermatologist, and This Is How I’d Spend $175 at Sephora’

Caren Campbell, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in San Francisco, has two very different goals for her a.m. and p.m. skin-care routines. In the morning, it’s all about protection, which means loading up on products with antioxidants and SPF to defend against environmental stressors like pollution and UV damage. At night, recovery is the name of the game, and she uses her beauty sleep to treat breakouts and signs of aging.

While this may feel like a tall order for a single regimen, she’s found a way to do it for under $175. Below, she shares her go-to Sephora haul, which is chock full of actives to help mitigate all of her biggest skin concerns. Just add a cleanser and a moisturizer, and you’ll be ready to take on your days (and nights) the same way a dermatologist does.

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Serum

The Ordinary
"Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% — $29.00

Dr. Campbell relies on this serum for her everyday anti-aging needs, thanks to the fact that it contains a “buffet” of collagen-stimulating copper peptides. These type of peptides occur naturally in the body and serve as the building blocks for the proteins that help activate pathways to change the way the body functions. When applied topically, they can help firm up skin and diminish the signs of fine lines and wrinkles. “[Copper peptides] help prevent and treat aging by helping to build the building blocks of youthful skin: collagen, elastin, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans,” says Dr. Campbell. “They fight aging by have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which prevent free radical damage that breaks up the building blocks of the skin.”

Acne treatment

Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots — $19.00

These hydrocolloid acne patches are made with teeny, tiny micro darts coated in salicylic acid. The darts work to absorb excess fluid, which pulls oil and dirt away from the pimple, and the salicylic acid gets way down deep into your pores to clear out any clogs.

Lip balm

Supergoop! Play Açai Lip Balm SPF 30 — $10.00

It’s easy to forget to apply sun protection to your lips, but it’s important to coat them with SPF every day to avoid signs of aging and prevent skin cancer. Dr. Campbell is a fan of this SPF 30 balm, which provides UV and antioxidant defense while also keeping your lips moist and smooth.

Mask

Peter Thomas Roth
Therapeutic Sulfur Acne Treatment Mask — $52.00

Dr. Campbell loves to use this mask as an overnight spot treatment on any rogue pimples that may pop up.

Foundation

Your Skin But Better CC+ Illumination Cream with SPF 50+ — $40.00

Dr. Campbell is only one of a number of dermatologists who swear by this complexion-correcting product, and it’s for good reason. Aside from providing full, even coverage with a matte-yet-radiant finish and SPF 50, it’s also got it’s fair share of skin-care benefits. The formula is infused with peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid to plump skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pores, and discoloration, and it also contains vitamin C and other antioxidants to protect your complexion from environmental stressors. If you have acne-prone skin, she recommends the oil-free version of this CC cream, which has the same power-packed formula and won’t clog your pores.

SPF

Tarte SEA Set & Protect Mineral Sunscreen Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 30 — $28.00

“This mineral dry sunscreen is perfect for reapplication of sunscreen over makeup,” says Dr. Campbell, adding that sunscreen should be applied every two hours throughout the day. She loves it because it fits comfortably in a small purse, and is easy to dust onto your skin without having to worry about messing up your foundation. It offers mineral protection with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and as an added bonus, can be swept onto your scalp to protect that sunburn-prone area, too.

For more insight on what goes into a dermatologist’s skin-care routine, check out the video below. 

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