Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Health
Emma North

Is Dr David Jack worth the hype? From serums and balms to gels, this is the skincare I really rate

If you have a penchant for results-driven, expert-led skincare, then Dr David Jack is a name worth knowing.

The Harley Street aesthetic doctor’s eponymous brand is packed with evidence-backed formulas designed to improve skin health and make the confusing world of skincare a lot more straightforward.

Launched in 2018, Dr David Jack says the idea to create his own brand came after hearing patients’ skincare issues firsthand. “Many of my patients felt lost between overcomplicated routines, trend-led ingredients and products that sounded impressive without always delivering very much,” he explains. “I could see a real appetite for skincare that felt medically credible as well as exceptionally formulated.”

Best Dr David Jack skincare products at a glance

Although he provides a comprehensive list of aesthetic injectables and advanced facial treatments across clinics in London and Edinburgh, Dr Jack knows that the cornerstone of great skin is what happens beyond the treatment room’s walls.

“The fundamentals of a proper dermatological skincare routine are remarkably powerful when done well,” he says. “In-clinic treatments can do wonderful things for skin quality, structure and collagen stimulation, but the condition of the skin day to day is shaped by what people do consistently at home.”

With a curated line-up of products centred on a core three-step routine called the Daily Skin Trio, it's clear that Dr Jack is an advocate for a streamlined approach, making a refreshing change from the 10-step routines doing the rounds on your social feeds.

“My philosophy is that skincare should be centred on skin health, rationality, consistency and evidence,” he explains. “Antioxidant protection during the day, daily broad-spectrum sun protection and retinoids in the evening remain some of the most useful pillars we have for preserving skin quality. These categories have a strong evidence base behind them, and they form the backbone of how I approach both skincare and preventative aesthetics more broadly,” he adds.

Despite huge advancements in the science surrounding skin health, misinformation persists. Whether it’s content creators pushing the ‘caveman method’, a trend where people go without washing their face entirely, or self-proclaimed skin experts recommending homemade SPFs consisting of beef tallow and powdered zinc oxide (both highly ill-advised, for the record), there’s no shortage of dubious advice floating around, which is why brands like Dr David Jack are so utterly brilliant.

Here to cut through the noise and save our skin, each Dr David Jack product is based on real scientific evidence, and frankly, I can’t praise it enough. Ready to overhaul your skincare routine? Here’s the best products from the range that deserve a permanent place in your routine.

How I tested

To see how Dr David Jack skincare performs, I incorporated each product into my routine for several weeks. I examined each product’s ingredient lists, how they felt to apply, any immediate effects or long-lasting results and whether they layered well together.

In terms of performance and results, I noted whether there were any visible improvements to my skin, like smoother texture, a more even tone or reduced redness. To give context, I have a combination skin type that is prone to sensitivity, but I stayed open-minded when testing and considered how other skin types may feel.

Shop the best Dr David Jack products below

Dr David Jack Good Night Retinoid Renewal Night Cream

Best: overall

If you’re wanting to incorporate retinoids into your routine but feel worried about sensitivity, then reach for the Good Night Retinoid Renewal Night Cream. Working while you sleep, the 2 per cent retinoid-based formula tackles everything from fine lines to pigmentation, problem skin texture and dullness.

According to Dr Jack, it contains a fourth-generation retinoid which is generally well tolerated. “It is designed to give a strong retinoid effect with dramatically less irritation than older-style retinoids,” he says.

Light but nourishing, it soaks into the skin easily while retaining the feeling of a more luxury night cream. It’s particularly good if you’re tried retinoids before and found them too irritating or want to start with something gentle but effective.

Buy now £120.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Good Morning Power-C Antioxidant Serum

Best for: pigmentation

Uneven skin tone and dark spots are exactly what the Good Morning Power-C Antioxidant Serum aims to tackle. Containing not only 10 per cent vitamin C, but also azelaic acid, niacinamide and glutathione, it helps to defend the skin from things like pollution and free radicals while brightening your complexion and giving skin a noticeable glow.

A great precursor to moisturiser and SPF, it gives skin an extra dose of hydration thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, but doesn't feel sticky or greasy like many other vitamin C serums on the market. Apply it daily and you’re left with brighter, more reflective skin that looks healthier and feels stronger.

Buy now £89.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Daily Skin Trio

Best: value

Consisting of three products, this skincare bundle is designed to simplify your routine while still giving your skin everything it needs to look and feel its best. “Taking the confusion out of skincare, I’ve worked to create a streamlined and accessible regimen you can easily maintain over time, fulfilling your skin’s needs with 3 daily products,” explains Dr Jack.

Included in the bundle is the Good Morning Power-C Antioxidant Serum, All Day Long Daily Defence SPF 50+ Moisturiser and Good Night Retinoid Renewal Night Cream, which work in synergy to help tackle the signs of premature ageing and restore skin’s radiance and youthfulness.

The total cost for all three products is typically £304, but shop them via this bundle and you can save yourself £31 – a decent saving!

Buy now £273.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Stellar Meso Renew Eye Cream

Best for: crepey eyes

Skin around the eyes can start to look crepey and tired with age but investing in a great eye cream like the Stellar Meso Renew Eye Cream can turn back the clock.

Formulated with a polypeptide complex and granactive retinoid, it works to support your body’s natural collagen production to lessen fine lines and improve firmness. Additional vitamin C, E and caffeine help to depuff and brighten the eye area so if dark circles are a concern, then rest assured it’s got that covered too.

Designed to be used at night, it has a light lotion-like texture and absorbs easily without running into your eyes and causing irritation. Use it consistently, and the skin around the eyes is left smoother, brighter and refreshed.

Buy now £95.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Supernova Antioxidant Cleansing Gel

Best for: cleansing

Want a great, effective cleanser for morning and evening? Try Dr David Jack’s Supernova Antioxidant Cleansing Gel.

Packed with a blend of active ingredients including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, azelaic acid and salicylic acid, it gently unclogs pores and whisks away dirt and grime to leave your skin feeling clean, rather than stripped. Applied on damp skin, the gel turns into a light lather which helps dissolve impurities but keeps skin feeling soft and hydrated.

“When formulating Supernova, the goal was to ensure the product was light and gentle and bolstered with barrier-boosting ingredients,” says Dr David Jack.

Buy now £45.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Afterglow Ceramide Cleansing Balm

Best for: makeup removal

For days you’re wearing layers of SPF and makeup, a double cleanse that starts with the Afterglow Ceramide Cleansing Balm is a brilliant way of looking after your skin. This nourishing balm-to-oil cleanser melts into the skin effortlessly to dissolve any traces of makeup and sunscreen.

Moisturising thanks to a formula packed with ceramides, the luxe-feeling formula helps to prevent clogged pores and prep skin for the second phase of your double cleanse.

Gentle on the skin, especially around the eye area, there’s no need to aggressively rub if you’re using this balm, as it quickly takes care of the day’s dirt and debris.

Buy now £65.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack All Day Long Daily Defence SPF 50+ Moisturiser

Best for: SPF

The words luxury and SPF don’t typically go hand-in-hand, but Dr David Jack’s All Day Long Daily Defence SPF 50+ Moisturiser changes all that. Sun protection has never felt so luxurious.

Hydrating, smooth, creamy and nourishing, it feels like a premium moisturiser rather than a sunscreen but thanks to its high UV and blue light filters, you know your skin’s getting good-quality protection throughout the day.

The light, silky, non-greasy formula applies to skin beautifully and sits well under makeup without pilling and doesn’t leave a pesky white cast on deeper skin tones.

Buy now £95.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Skin Cushion Pro-Lipid Recovery Cream

Best for: dry skin

If you haven’t tried Dr David Jack’s Skin Cushion Pro-Lipid Recovery Cream yet, you’re in for a real treat. This deeply nourishing moisturiser was purposefully created to help dry, sensitised skin, something Dr David Jack has noted as an increasingly common issue among patients in-clinic.

Key ingredients, including inflammation-reducing resveratrol, a collagen-boosting polypeptide complex and nourishing ceramides, all help to restore the skin’s barrier function.

Although it’s a more nourishing formula, those with combination or oily skin types shouldn’t be put off, as it doesn’t clog pores or leave the skin feeling greasy. Instead, after a few hours wear, skin is left feeling plump, soothed and calm. It’s a definite must-have.

Buy now £139.00, Dr David Jack

Dr David Jack Blue Face Peel Hydrating Balancing Mask

Best for: a quick fix

Sometimes skin just needs a quick pick-me-up, and for that, I recommend the Blue Face Peel Hydrating Balancing Mask. Designed to mimic the effects of an in-clinic facial, it works to soothe, hydrate and balance the skin in just 20 minutes.

Made with a trio of skin-boosting ingredients including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and axelaic acid, it leaves skin feeling pillowy and bouncy after one use and is a fantastic treatment for days your skin’s looking a little lacklustre.

Buy now £149.00, Dr David Jack

Verdict

Dr David Jack skincare is fantastic across the board, but we rank the Good Night Retinoid Renewal Night Cream the best product of the range.

Hailed as Dr David Jack’s personal favourite, it gives all the benefits of a retinoid (plumper skin and smoother lines) without any irritation.

There’s no denying the range is on the pricier side, but when you consider the advanced formulations, sumptuous textures and incredible results, it’s hard not to fall for.

Who is Dr David Jack?

Dr David Jack is a fully qualified, leading aesthetics doctor with clinics spanning London and Edinburgh. He’s also a highly-respected brand founder, having founded Dr David Jack, his eponymous, award-winning skincare brand back in 2018.

What is Dr David Jack’s skincare philosophy?

Dr David Jack’s skincare philosophy is centred around real, evidence-backed results. “I firmly adhere to the principle of ‘less, but better’,” he says. “I am interested in products that help the skin function better over time, rather than chasing novelty for its own sake. That means supporting the skin barrier, protecting against environmental damage, encouraging collagen production, improving texture and tone and doing all of that in a way that is sustainable in real life.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.