Dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah’s Top Skin-Care Products (and a Peek at His Brand)

Differin Acne Treatment Gel ($13, originally $15)

"Adapalene would be my go-to product, and Differin is the company that brought the ingredient over the counter," Dr. Shah says. "It used to be a prescription, so it has tons of data behind it. It treats the four causes of acne, which are oil production, sticky skin cells, inflammation, and even acne-causing bacteria, by making it uninhabitable to the bacteria. It's the most effective thing you can do over the counter."

Check out our editor's review of Differin to see it in action.

Remedy For Dark Spots ($38)

Remedy for Dark Spots is supposed to be an all-in-one treatment to help fade existing dark spots and prevent future ones from appearing. "It treats the three causes of dark spots from the beginning to the deposition in the skin," Dr. Shah says. "Most dark spot products only target the formation of melanin step. They're mostly tyrosinase inhibitors and they don't include something that's going to block the transfer or the deposition of pigment once it's deposited in the skin. This product contains a myriad of ingredients that not only block this formation of pigment, but it also removes pigment once it's already formed."

This serum is formulated with one percent kojic acid, glutathione, and licorice root extract, three percent tranexamic acid, five percent niacinamide, one percent silymarin, and acetyle glucosamin — all of which actively prevent and fade dark spots or help amplify the efficacy of other ingredients. It also contains 0.1 percent retinol and mandelic acid, which help to fade existing spots. Dr. Shah recommends using a pea-sized amount of this gel-cream serum every night, followed by your favorite moisturizer. It's made for all skin types, but if you have sensitive skin, use it every other night until you're able to tolerate it for daily use.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($35)

If you've seen Dr. Shah talk about pores, you've probably seen him recommend Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant plenty of times. "Salicylic acid is the only oil-soluble acid, so it's able to get into your pores, remove the oil and dead skin cells that are building up in there, and then make your pores look smaller by removing all that gunk inside."

CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser ($18, originally $20)

Dr. Shah recommends the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for anyone looking for a no-nonsense cleanser. "I've been using it since it came out almost three years ago and it's a great product. It's gentle, it's fragrance-free, and it can remove light makeup and light sunscreen," he says. He does note that if you're wearing waterproof makeup, it's best to oil cleanse first and then go in with this cleanser.

Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream ($56)

"I find myself consistently going back to the Biossance eye cream. It's hydrating, it de-puffs, and it helps with my undereye dark circles. I've been using this for a very, very long time. It's always my go-to," he says. You can put it in the fridge for an extra cooling effect, but he notes that the cooling sensation temporarily helps with de-puffing.

EltaMD UV Restore Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 40 ($40, originally $47)

If you're looking for the best sunscreen, Dr. Shah says: "As dermatologists always say, the most effective sunscreen is whatever sunscreen you'll use and enjoy using." He personally uses the Elta MD UV Restore Tinted every morning. "It's a mineral sunscreen, it's tinted, and it blends super well with my skin." Dr. Shah notes that this sunscreen improves the look of his skin and has a dewy finish.

Experiment Beauty Avant Guard Reusable Sheet Mask ($19)

Dr. Shah isn't a fan of the wasteful nature of single-use sheet masks and recommends this reusable one. "Apply your serums — put more serum than you normally would — then put this mask on your face and tuck it behind your ears, and then you just leave it on and relax for 15 minutes," he says. You can use this reusable mask right after you put your serums and actives on, and before your moisturizer, or as the last step in your skin-care routine. "It will help with the penetration of the ingredients into the skin and create that same mask-like effect."

Qure Q-Rejuvalight Pro Facewear ($329)

Although Dr. Shah isn't a fan of most beauty tools or devices and often debunks them in his videos, he stands by a high-quality, FDA-cleared LED mask. "LED has tons of benefits, especially red light for antiaging," he says. He specifically likes the Qure Q-Rejuvalight LED Mask because it's wireless with a longer battery life, sturdy, and durable. Plus, he notes that this has built-in eye protection, too.

An LED mask is supposed to give your routine a boost. "If you're not cleansing, moisturizing, putting on sunscreen, and using actives like retinol at night, and then you just only use an LED mask, it's a bad strategy," he says. "You really don't want to use the device unless you're already doing all the basics."

Indē Wild Vitamin C Face Serum ($39)

Dr. Shah recommends the Inde Wild Vitamin C because it's packed with good-for-you ingredients at a reasonable price point. "It's formulated with L-ascorbic acid, which is the active form of vitamin C, and is the type of vitamin C that has the most data on it. All the studies show that when you combine it with vitamin E and ferulic acid, that makes it the best, most stable, and most efficacious combination," he says.

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment ($16)

If you want something glossy, Dr. Shah is a fan of Rhode's Peptide Lip Treatment. He points out that the peptides used in the formula are called maxiderm (the inky name on the ingredient list is palmitoyl tripeptide-one), and over time, it's proven to help plump the lips. "I would recommend the non-fragranced or non-flavored ones, especially if you're somebody who suffers from dry lips," he says. "This is something that I like as more of a cosmetic lip treatment." To see it in action, read more of our editor's thoughts in her Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment review.

Anvita Reddy is an assistant editor for POPSUGAR Shopping. She has a passion for products and is an avid reviewer of everything including furniture, mattresses, home gadgets, cookware, tech, and more. Having dealt with acne as a teenager and into adulthood, her expertise lies in beauty. She has tried and tested plenty of skin care, makeup, hair care, and countless other beauty products.