The Lineup is a monthly series where we're giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of the most sought-after experts and tastemakers in the industry. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can't-live-without products that make their worlds go 'round.
If your social media is dominated by skincare content like mine is, there's a good chance you've seen Muneeb Shah, DO, (aka @dermdoctor on TikTok) come across your feed. He's the most followed dermatologist on the app, boasting a casual 18 million followers.
As you can imagine, he's seen his fair share of cringeworthy beauty advice, so I had to ask the double board-certified derm for his piping-hot takes on the skincare trends du jour. "TikTok is the land of bad skincare trends, but luckily, there are a lot of experts that debunk the misinformation in real-time," he tells me. "Right now, the worst misinformation is around sunscreen being toxic."
When it comes to the best advice, though, his number-one tip is refreshingly simple. "Protect what you have, and do the basics: moisturize, cleanse, and wear sunscreen," he says. "Aim for better, not perfect."
This timeless advice is reflected in his brand, Remedy Skin, a lineup of products that takes the guesswork out of creating the most effective skincare regimen for you.
"It's simple: People want better skin, but the overwhelming number of products (especially single-ingredient formulas) and conflicting marketing messages make it hard to know which ones to choose, how to combine them, and whether they can be layered safely," he explains. "Our approach was to simplify skincare—from the way we name products to how we formulate them. Most people know their main skin concern (dark spots, large pores, dandruff, etc.), so we named our products accordingly and combined the most effective ingredients into a single formula."
This is a dream come true for a lazy beauty lover like me. If you also want to nix the overwhelming multistep routine in favor of a more streamlined one, keep scrolling to shop Shah's top-tier product recommendations.
"I use this as my cleanser after using a cleansing balm to remove sunscreen. It has a beautiful gel lather and is gentle yet effective. It also has 0.5% salicylic acid to help with breakouts, clarity, and texture."
"My powerhouse healthy aging product with retinaldehyde, argireline, matrixyl, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and antioxidants. I use it nightly, and it really addresses all of my major skin concerns. It's like a fountain of youth."
"Simply the most effective cleansing balm that I've tried so far. It's gentle on the skin and easily removes sunscreen, mascara, and eyeliner."
"This is a good alternative to my Remedy for Cleansing for days that I want to lay off the salicylic acid. It's a perfect cleanser for normal or combination skin. It cleanses the skin, but it's not too drying."
"Where I live, the water just absolutely wrecks my skin and hair. There's good data to show that bad water quality (high calcium), can cause the surfactants in your cleanser to become more harsh and irritating. A water filter, like the one from Qure, can make a huge difference to remove impurities that can damage the hair and skin."
"Azelaic acid is an amazing morning serum for dark spots, redness, and acne-prone skin, and this is one of the best solubilized forms. Most have a horrible texture, but this one is truly elite in formulation. I have a bit of rosacea in the mid cheeks, and this helps a ton for me. "
"A deeply nourishing, luxurious cream."
"One of the best facial sunscreens I've ever tried. It's invisible, hydrating, and leaves a dewy, refreshed finish."
"I never thought I'd use a separate towel for my routine, but these have become increasingly more practical for me. Using new towels can make a huge difference to a routine, especially if you're acne prone."
"This is a simple formula that gets the job done. It's a 2% salicylic acid exfoliant that I apply just to the T-zone in the morning to really minimize the appearance of my pores. It's viral for a reason."
"This is an incredibly luscious body moisturizer for dry skin. It's like butter in its application and hydrates better than most."
"The thick shea butter in this cream is incredible for dry, cracked hands and cuticles."
"A plain old tub of vaseline. I can't emphasize enough how often I use this, from wound care to dry eyelids to dry skin to dry cuticles to dry lips."
"This sunscreen gives you a dewy finish that's unmatched. You'll actually enjoy wearing this one. Their UV Restore Tinted is a close second for me."
"K-beauty sunscreen is hard to compare to U.S. sunscreens based on how elegant it is. Those who love a sunscreen they can't feel will love this."
"I know nothing about fragrances as a dermatologist, but this one is a standout for me. It's super unique and has become my signature scent."
"This is a combination of salicylic acid and ketoconazole in one formula; there's really nothing else like it. Ketoconazole has been shown to support hair growth, which helps [me] as someone with familial hair loss."
"The citric acid in this is the driver. It helps to repair ionic bonds, and after one use, my hair really feels back to normal after weeks of damage."
"The best-studied over-the-counter option for hair loss. Five percent minoxidil is the target percentage, and it works really well for both men and women."
"I've used this hair styling product for a decade, and nothing can replace it. Holds everything in place without being stiff, flaking, or causing buildup."
