7 Products I Would Buy at Adore Beauty as a Cosmetic Doctor

Working in skin as a cosmetic doctor and educator means I am constantly surrounded by products. I get sent a lot, I try a lot, and I get a lot of feedback from patients I see in clinic everyday!

When it comes to my own routine, I’m actually quite simple. I like products that serve a purpose, have good ingredients behind them and actually make enough of a difference that I actually want to keep using them.

I’m also not someone who thinks an entire routine needs to come from one brand, or that expensive automatically means better. I also know that personally, I wouldn’t follow a 10 step routine everyday.

I recently shared some of my favourite Adore Beauty finds on Instagram, but I wanted to go into a little more detail about why these particular products have made the cut. Some are products I’ve repurchased multiple times, others are newer discoveries, but they’re all ones I genuinely rate.

This is one I’ve finished multiple tubes of (which says enough). 

It does contain fragrance, which I personally don’t mind, but it's worth knowing if your skin is particularly sensitive to fragranced products, then opt for the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Sensitive which is the fragrance-free version. I love this product under makeup, for me, it gives a really smooth and hydrated base. When I use this, I don’t really need a primer, makeup sits just so beautifully. I actually came across this product on my wedding day! My makeup artist used it in her kit and I have been using it ever since. 

Pigmentation is one of the most common skin concerns I see in clinic, particularly here in Australia, and it can also be one of the more frustrating things to treat.

What I like about this serum is that it doesn't rely on one hero ingredient. It contains a combination of ingredients used for pigmentation concerns, including tranexamic acid, niacinamide and kojic acid. This is so important because pigmentation is complex. There isn't always one single pathway involved, so I tend to prefer formulas that approach it from multiple angles.

It's designed to help with existing pigmentation while also supporting a more even overall skin tone. If pigmentation is one of your main skin concerns, this is genuinely one of the products I rate highly. 

I think cleansing is one of those steps people either overcomplicate or don't give enough thought to.

This is such a lovely first cleanse. It removes makeup and SPF easily,  including waterproof makeup and then emulsifies into a milky texture when you add water, so you don't get that heavy oily residue afterwards. It leaves the skin feeling soft and comfortable rather than stripped. And, on a slightly less scientific note, Jurlique products always make skincare feel like a bit of a ritual for me and that matters just as much for me. 

I don't think everyone needs a toner, but if you enjoy layering hydration into your routine, this is a really nice one. It's a lightweight milky formula containing 4% niacinamide alongside ingredients including rice extract and ceramides. You get hydration and barrier support without that rich, heavy feeling some milky toners can have. I particularly like this for oily or combination skin, or anyone who wants that hydrated, glass-skin look but finds richer products too much. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave the skin feeling sticky.

If you have keratosis pilaris (those small, rough bumps commonly found on the backs of the arms and thighs) this is one of the better body products. What makes it interesting is that it combines chemical exfoliation from glycolic and lactic acids with physical exfoliation from the scrub itself. With consistent use, it can help smooth those rough areas and improve the overall texture of the skin. KP is something that generally needs ongoing management rather than a one-off fix, so consistency is important here.

Moving away from skin for a moment because I had to include this.

It's a beautiful leave-in hair product that helps smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz and make the hair feel softer and much more manageable without weighing it down. It is expensive. I won't pretend otherwise. But you need such a small amount that one tube lasts me ages, and it's one of those products where I genuinely notice the difference when I use it. Also, it smells incredible, which doesn't hurt.

This is probably one of the least exciting products on this list,  and I mean that as a compliment. I've picked it up so many times when I've run out of cleanser because it's just reliable. It has the gel texture I personally prefer, cleans properly and doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped afterwards. It's particularly useful if you have sensitive skin or you're already using several active ingredients elsewhere in your routine. Your cleanser doesn't always need to be doing something clever. Sometimes you just want something gentle that cleans your skin properly and keeps your barrier happy.

If there is one thing I’ve learnt from trying an unreasonable amount of skincare over the years, it’s that a good routine doesn't need to have ten steps or cost a fortune.

I would much rather see someone consistently use a handful of well-chosen products that suit their skin than constantly jump between whatever ingredient or product happens to be trending that month.

Work out what your skin actually needs, spend money where it makes sense for you, and keep the rest simple. Skincare is one area where more really isn't always more.