We’ve all heard the question, “If you could have only one thing on a deserted island, what would it be?” For some reason the unpredictable answers from others make this question quite intriguing and reveal a lot about a person and how they think. What if that question had to do with your skin care routine? After creating a multistep routine with nearly a half-dozen products, how is it even possible to pick only one? In a market that can sometimes seem oversaturated, we wanted to get the scoop on what dermatologists really can’t live without. After all, they are skin experts and know what it takes to have a healthy complexion. We asked these skin pros if they could only use one product what would it be? And the answers just might surprise you.
Dermatologists Share Their ONE Desert Island Skin Care Product
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Sun Bum
Mineral Spray Sunscreen SPF 30, $17.99 at Target
"There is abundant data showing that sunscreen can prevent skin cancer, including the deadly form melanoma. Spray sunscreens are convenient to cover large body surface areas and this product offers a mineral product with zinc oxide in a spray delivery." -Dr. Joshua Zeichner, NYC dermatologist
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Dove
Deep Moisture Body Wash, $5.94 at Walmart
"The basis of skin care starts in the shower so I would choose a hydrating and gentle cleanser. The wrong cleanser can wreak havoc on your skin, causing at the minimum ash and in the worst-case scenario a full-blown rash like eczema. My favorite cleanser is Dove body wash. It’s gentle with a refreshing scent and it deposits moisture into the skin as you wash. I won’t use anything else." -Dr. Mona Gohara, NYC dermatologist
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ZO Skin Health
Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30, $65 at ZO Skin Health
"I love that it’s a nongreasy formulation that goes on the skin smoothly with a silky matte finish and serves as a perfect primer before applying any makeup. As much as I appreciate a simple routine, it is incredibly hard to just pick one product. An SPF is a must because it is important to prevent further damage before focusing on repairing and treating damage that is already there." -Dr. Tiffany Jow Libby, dermatologist
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Alastin
Restorative Skin Complex With TriHex Technology, $195 at Alastin
"This product seems to do it all. I have seen improvement in radiance of the skin, shrinking of pores, lightening of sun spots, but most impressively it also plumps the skin. It's also very gentle and tolerated by patients who have sensitive skin. It has quickly become a favorite among my patients." -Dr. Arisa Ortiz, FAAD
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The Hollywood Silk Solution
Silk Pillowcase, $45 at The Hollywood Silk Solution
"I have so many skin care products I love, but one that surprises a lot of people is sleeping on a silk pillowcase. It really makes a huge difference when your pillow isn’t tugging and creasing delicate facial skin throughout the night. This one is a great option because it uses high quality silk and it’s still affordable." -Dr. Lily Talakoub, Virginia dermatologist
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Aveeno
Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, $18.99 at Ulta Beauty
"Sunscreen is the single most important thing you can do every day. Constant UV damage from the sun ages our skin quicker than anything else and at the end of the day everything else we apply is just trying to combat the harm that occurs from the sun. I like moisturizers that combine hydration with SPF protection (you need at least SPF 30). I’ve been using this line since medical school. It contains soy, which helps with dark spots, moisturizes and has SPF 30." -Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, NYC dermatologist
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Elizabeth Arden
PREVAGE City Smart Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, $68 at DermStore
"My number one focus as a dermatologist is to protect and prevent skin damage, especially from environmental aggressors. I look for products that can accomplish more than one task. This formula forms an invisible protective barrier to help prevent harmful toxins and pollution particles from penetrating skin. Since the shield catches the pollution particles so that they sit on top of the skin, they can then be removed when you cleanse your face at night. Additionally, the 100 percent mineral broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen filters out UVA and UVB rays with an exclusive DNA enzyme complex to strengthen skin. Not only does this product prevent damage, but the antioxidant complex repairs free radical damage." -Dr. Dendy Engelman, cosmetic dermatologist
