6 Super Effective Sunday Riley Products That Dermatologists Swear By

This spot treatment comes highly recommended by Dr. Jenny Liu, M.D., a Minneapolis-based dermatologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota. It contains the skin-clearing trifecta of sulfur, which treats and prevents blemishes; bentonite, a clay meant to absorb excess oil and remove impurities; and niacinamide, a vitamin that works to reduce the appearance of breakouts and redness while decongesting the skin. As an added bonus? “Sulfur has great anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions, [and is] often used clinically for the treatment of rosacea,” Liu explains. Apply to affected areas on clean skin as needed, and leave on for 20 to 30 minutes.

Liu also likes this serum as it contains THD ascorbate, a more stable form of vitamin C (compared to others, such as L-ascorbic acid). The antioxidant helps quash dullness, improve loss of firmness, fine lines, and wrinkles, and diminishes the appearance of dark spots and redness — meaning it does a lot at once. It also works to reduce the appearance of pores without wrecking the skin’s protective barrier. According to Liu, this serum may be more suitable for dry and sensitive skin types.

New York City-based dermatologist Elyse Love, M.D. is a fan of this treatment — aka Sunday Riley’s wildly popular serum — that relies on lactic acid, an AHA that targets hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and the appearance of pores, all without drying out your skin. “Lactic acid gently exfoliates and aids in moisture retention,” she tells Bustle. “It’s a great ingredient for obtaining glowing skin, especially in dry winter months.” (Need.) And it also happens to be pregnancy-safe.

If you’re on the market for an eye-smoothing treatment, Dr. Morgan Rabach, M.D., a dermatologist based in New York City, is a fan of this serum. It uses an encapsulated retinol instead of a standard retinol, so it’s less likely to irritate your skin as it strengthens and supports your natural collagen production. The niacinamide in the formula helps tackle discoloration and fine lines, while a blend of ceramides and olive oil works to keep your skin moisturized. Rabach explains that because the skin around the eyes is so thin and delicate, a special formulation like this one is a good choice.

Liu recommends Sunday Riley’s retinol serum, as it uses a retinoid complex to address dark spots and fine lines. “This has a blend of retinoid derivatives that's usually less irritating in an encapsulated formulation, which helps with a more sustained release,” she explains. Besides that, antioxidant CoQ10 diminishes redness, and Hawaiian white honey hydrates, calms, and soothes your skin, making it a potent yet gentle option for those looking to add a retinol to their routine.

New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, M.D., names this exfoliator as a consistent favorite among her patients. Because glycolic acid is the smallest AHA, it can dive deeper into the skin to repair the look of dullness, congestion, and sun damage for a more radiant, healthy complexion, she explains. And she recommends using a chemical exfoliant such as this in lieu of a physical exfoliant. “Exfoliating the right way, with a chemical exfoliant rather than a manual scrub, can brighten skin tone, bring radiance to the skin, and even boost collagen production,” says Bowe. “Anything gritty on your skin can actually cause inflammation and do more harm than good.”