How To Build A Simple, Effective Skincare Routine Using Dermalogica
Francesca is the Beauty Editor at Adore Beauty. With a background in glossy mags and bylines in publications like Marie Claire, ELLE and BODY+SOUL, Francesca has turned her love of beauty into a career. Whether she's decoding buzzy ingredients or road testing lip glosses (so. many. glosses.), her approach to beauty is equal parts glamour and highly-considered.
In partnership with Dermalogica.
With each change in season (hello Spring!), I like to reevaluate my current skin lineup. What’s working, what’s not and where I can streamline.
And a big part of that streamlining comes from categorising my products under three skin goals: cleanse, treat and moisturise. Then, building out from there.
For me, enlisting a trusted (and widely beloved) brand like Dermalogica also takes the guesswork out.
A quiet authority in skin health, the clinic-born brand is lauded for their decades of expertise rooted in education, professional-grade treatments and science-led innovation.
From cult cleansers to hydration heroes, here’s how I like to build a simple, effective skincare routine with Dermalogica’s most iconic and innovative formulas.
Cleansers
Dermalogica PreCleanse
Best for: Melting makeup and grime
This lightweight oil dissolves everything; from longwear foundation and waterproof mascara to thick sunscreen and grime. And it does so without leaving behind residue (no greasy film) or stripping skin.
It's dosed with nourishing ingredients like borage seed, kukui and apricot oils to effectively cleanse. Once water is added, it emulsifies into a milky wash that rinses clean.
Skin feels soft, balanced and primed for your second cleanse. The ultimate precursor, it's great for all skin conditions, especially oily skin.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Best for: All skin types, every single day
A skincare staple, this buttery cleansing gel is infused with calming balm mint and lavender extracts that soothe as they purify. The lather is soft (not foamy) and leaves skin fresh without any tautness.
It gently lifts impurities without disturbing the skin’s moisture barrier. Think of it as the skincare equivalent of a crisp white tee: timeless, clean and always reliable.
Treat
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Best for: Resurfacing tone and texture
Few products have achieved icon status quite like this.
A rice-based powder that activates with water to create a gentle exfoliating paste. For best (and irritation-free) results, spend some time working up the foam to create a lush lather.
This treatment is for resurfacing (it sloughs away dead skin cells), with improvement to skin's tone and texture.
A potent blend of papain enzymes, salicylic acid and colloidal oatmeal work to smooth, brighten and calm skin. The result? Skin that looks polished and feels baby-soft.
Beauty Editor's pick: Admittedly, I was late to the game with this one. Beauty Editors have been raving about this beauty for years - and I must say, it totally lives up to the hype. While gentle, it provides impressive (and instant) brightening. I would liken the pillowy results to that of a professional facial. Really great stuff.
Dermalogica Biolumin C Serum
Best for: Brightening and glow
Not your average vitamin C. The BioLumin-C Serum uses an ultra-stable form of the antioxidant, meaning it stays potent and effective longer.
It’s supercharged with peptides and lactic acid, which help to firm and resurface while vitamin C brightens and shields against free radical damage.
Silky, fast-absorbing and zero tackiness. Skin looks more luminous from the jump. Long term usage will see a more even tone and improved complexion.
Dermalogica Circular Hydration Serum
Best for: Deep hydration.
Dehydrated skin, meet your match.
This featherlight serum dives deep with low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to replenish water levels below the surface.
Added Algae extract and polyglutamic acid lock in moisture and support the skin’s barrier, helping it stay supple all day.
It absorbs instantly (layers like a dream) and leaves skin feeling bouncy and plump. A gamechanger, for changing seasons.
Moisturise
Dermalogica Invisible Physical Defence
Best for: Weightless, everyday sun protection
Mineral sunscreens often get a bad rap for being heavy or leaving a white cast - this one is neither.
Formulated with ultra-sheer zinc oxide, this physical SPF melts into all skin tones seamlessly.
Green tea, bioactive mushroom and antioxidant actives help soothe inflammation and shield against environmental stressors. It’s featherlight, fragrance-free and perfect for sensitive skin.
Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream
Best for: Moisture and barrier support
Medium weight, this moisturiser harnesses a patented Active HydraMesh Technology™ to continuously infuse hydration for up to 48 hours. Very impressive.
The formula is bolstered with cucumber, mallow and arnica to calm stressed skin and help improve texture over time.
The cream feels rich (and lush) without being heavy, making it perfect for year-round use. You'll be left with skin that is quenched, plumped and balanced.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery
Packed with peptide technology and antioxidant white tea, it helps defend against premature aging while boosting hydration.
The broad-spectrum SPF 50 offers strong sun protection without the chalky finish or greasy feel.
It's a little thicker in texture, but glides on with ease and plays well under makeup. The finish is dewy and soft.
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