Five science-backed skincare brands that are leading by example

How far would you go to save your skin? When the market is saturated with so many cosmetic brands, picking the one that suits your skin is like finding a needle in a haystack. You’re left spoiled for choice, but in the worst way possible. Add to that a layer of superficial marketing and ballyhoo, and you have got yourself a range of overhyped products with a skewed definition of beauty, limited to pretty packaging.

As consumers trusting a brand for the largest organ of their body, it’s a no-brainer that we’re here for the best. Hence, relying on fact over philosophy becomes imperative. That’s where science steps in. Yes, skincare brands that do care exist. They’re the ones investing in R&D, partnering with dermatologists and letting the results do the talking. The ones with the ingredients clearly listed online. The ones keeping the formulae and advertising organic. The green flags of cosmetology, which we’ve now flagged for your perusal.

Augustinus Bader

Clinical feedback is at the core of this pathbreaking skincare brand, which has demonstrated a consistent streak of impressive results with its innovative products. Augustinus Bader prides itself on its science-backed formulae. The eponymous brand was founded by a German physician and biomedical scientist, considered one of the world's leading stem cell pioneers.

Bader holds over 200 patents and has authored 180+ peer-reviewed papers from his 30-year career in medical research. However, skincare geeks will tell you about his patented TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex) technology, informed by his clinical studies in wound healing and skin regeneration. Composed of natural amino acids, high-grade vitamins and peptides naturally found in skin, it enhances the skin’s regenerative ability. The results run the gamut, from tackling fine lines and wrinkles to inhibiting redness, hyperpigmentation, cellulite, and stretchmarks.

Originally, Bader created a groundbreaking Wound Gel in 2008 that heals severe skin trauma without surgery or skin grafts. This medical breakthrough inspired the brand’s luxe skincare line, which now funds continued research for severe burns and wound treatments. In fact, the brand assumes a transparent approach as seen on their website, which clearly states the results of their clinical trials. The eye cream, for instance, visibly reduced fine lines by 57 per cent and improved hydration by 204 per cent. Infused with the goodness of perennial herbs, seaweed extracts, niacinamide, vitamin B5, and more, this refillable product is also vegan and paraben-free.

D’you

 

To retinol or not to retinol? How much SPF is too much SPF? Is the problem in the product or the skin? When it comes to skincare, the questions can get intense, but it really boils down to the basics. d’you is demystifying the myths surrounding dermatology, with a steadfast solutions approach. The brand’s standout product, In My Defence—a lightweight moisturiser—boasts a barrier-building formula with every ingredient clearly mentioned on the website.

The best part? It seeps into the skin, disappearing into nothingness, quietly working its magic. Think of it as a thirst quencher for the skin, sans any greasiness. The niche range of products emphasises the brand’s obsession with quality over quantity, where every claim made is based on a study backed by science. Good Grease, a one-step cleansing balm, for instance, was reworked a year after launching, using a new and improved formula. In fact, each product is the result of months and sometimes years of research, as d’you prioritises perfection and performance over all else. A premium pick that’s also vegan and cruelty-free, this is skincare based on fact.

Sereko

If you thought skincare is just about external beauty, think again. Sereko, India’s first psychodermatology brand, is breaking barriers with its forward philosophy that lends clarity to the entropy of the self-care-verse. Sereko’s premise is simple: the mind and skin interact daily, with the nervous system playing middleman. The stress we face every day can lead to an imbalance gut microbiome and high cortisol levels, which in turn, can cause oily glands and blocked pores.

This dermatological domino effect continues with bad bacteria entering the bloodstream, which then directly affects the skin biome. Those incessant dark circles, stubborn acne and random breakouts we encounter are perhaps not so random after all. In fact, psychological factors, including heightened anxiety, may cause a range of chronic skin conditions, such as eczema, vitiligo, and psoriasis.

Sereko, silently taking notes, has emerged as a pioneer in India while addressing this interconnectedness between psychology and dermatology. The brand’s range of products targets different mental triggers that eventually show up on the skin. For instance, the brand’s roll-on, citrusy calming gel pen claims to reduce stress hormones by 70 per cent, curb under-eye puffiness and treat active acne, all while doubling as a mood booster. Next, their Vitamin C clarifying-cleanser, toner, serum, and 24H Hydration sunscreen are ideal for reducing stress and inflammation. Science-backed and packed with herbal extracts, it also helps reduce collagen breakdown in the skin. So, the next time someone tells you that your skin problems are “all in your mind”,  simply agree and point them towards psychodermatology.

Joanna Vargas

With plant-based ingredients and non-invasive technologies, Joanna Vargas transcends the conventional implications of dermatology with a nature-meets-tech approach. The brand adheres to a refreshing philosophy, relying on non-genetic factors such as nutrition and lifestyle, to improve the skin.

Take the award-winning Eden Hydrating Pro Moisturiser, for instance, which is formulated with Swiss apple stem cells, macadamia seed oil, gingko biloba for brightening, and Abyssinica for hydration. This botanical blend promotes a plump and radiant complexion, whilst battling redness with efficacy, a skincare issue the brand’s founder, Joanna Vargas, herself faced. There’s also an Exfoliating Mask on offer, composed of kaolin clay and volcanic ash. The former brightens the skin tone while the latter unclogs pores, gently buffing away dead cells. No wonder then, this one’s a bestseller. If you’re looking for nature-powered skincare solutions with an evidentiary track record, you’ve reached the right place.

La-Roche Posay

In tandem with the medical community, this French skincare brand found its miracle in the life-changing thermal spring water found in a town in France with the same name. Today, La-Roche Posay is not just known but also recommended by dermatologists all over the world for its science-backed products. For context, the brand insists on stringent clinical testing to ensure quality control and safety, with over 700+ clinical studies carried out on over 200,000 patients of all skin tones, ages and ethnicities, including individuals with the most fragile skin.

Customers rave about their Cicaplast Balm, touted as a multitasker as it calms, heals, and protects the skin. Equally effective as a highlighter or primer, it boasts an effective composition of panthenol, shea butter, and glycerin. Next, there’s the Spring Water Face Mist, suitable for the face and body for all age groups, which comprises thermal spring water, duly inundated with minerals, trace elements, and the natural antioxidant selenium, a core ingredient that’s central to the La-Roche narrative.

Lead image: Getty Images

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