I Asked Estheticians Which Products Are Actually Worth It (and What They Skip)

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Living in Los Angeles, getting a facial can feel a little like stepping into a marketplace—everyone has something to sell, and not all of it feels necessary. Over time, I’ve learned that finding a great esthetician is less about the products they use and more about the perspective they bring. The best ones don’t overwhelm you with a 10-step routine or push whatever’s trending. They simplify, edit, and help you understand what your skin really needs.

That’s why I always ask the same question mid-facial, as my skin is being layered with serums: What’s actually worth it? Because in a world of endless launches and viral products, estheticians tend to come back to the same core principles and the same handful of products that consistently deliver.

Ahead, the esthetician-recommended skincare that makes the cut—and the thinking behind it.

Why Esthetician-Recommended Skincare Hits Different

There’s no shortage of skincare advice online, but much of it is driven by trends, not results. Estheticians take a different approach. Instead of trying to fix your skin overnight, they focus on supporting it over time: strengthening your barrier, improving hydration, and creating consistency that actually lasts.

While dermatologists are essential for diagnosing and treating medical conditions, estheticians specialize in the day-to-day health and appearance of your skin. Their approach is less about quick wins and more about long-term balance. And that’s exactly why their recommendations tend to stick.

How Estheticians Actually Think About Your Skin

I tapped estheticians Farah Bazzy and Ildi Pekar to understand how they approach skincare and the products they consistently come back to. Their philosophy? Keep it simple and focus on what supports the skin, not stresses it.

“Always look for something hydrating to rejuvenate your skin,” says Bazzy. “And add vitamin C—it’s a must.”

Both emphasize barrier support, gentle renewal, and avoiding unnecessary complexity. Because more products don’t equal better skin—better choices do.

The Ingredients Estheticians Always Come Back To

If you’re not sure where to start, Bazzy and Pekar consistently recommend focusing on a few foundational ingredients:

This trifecta of ingredients is proven, effective, and endlessly adaptable depending on your skin’s needs.

What Estheticians Don’t Recommend (Despite the Hype)

You’ve probably heard it before, and the skincare adage still rings true: less is always more. Many of the habits estheticians end up correcting come from clients overdoing it. Too many products, too many actives, and too much switching things up in pursuit of a quick result.

Here’s what our estheticians tend to steer clients away from:

Over-exfoliating (especially with multiple actives). Between exfoliating acids, retinol, and physical scrubs, it’s easy to push your skin too far. Estheticians often see clients who think they’re improving texture or breakouts, but are actually compromising their skin barrier in the process. The result? Sensitivity, inflammation, and skin that feels harder to heal.

Layering too many actives at once. Vitamin C, retinol, AHAs, BHAs… it’s tempting to use everything, especially when each ingredient promises something different. But estheticians take a more strategic approach, introducing actives slowly and intentionally.

Constantly switching products. One of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that results should be immediate. In reality, consistency is what creates change. Stick with a routine long enough to understand how your skin responds, rather than jumping from product to product in search of a quick fix.

Trend-driven routines that ignore your skin’s needs. From viral skin cycling variations to multi-step routines built around what’s popular on TikTok, estheticians see the fallout of following trends without context. What works for someone else’s skin doesn’t always translate in real life.

Products that promise instant transformation. Anything marketed as a miracle fix tends to raise a red flag. Instead, focus on gradual, sustainable improvement—supporting your skin so it functions better in the long run.

One of the biggest misconceptions in skincare is that results should be immediate. In reality, consistency is what creates change.

The Best Esthetician-Recommended Skincare Routine

Cleansers

Hydrating Serums

Brightening Serums

Esthetician recommended moisturizers

SPF

The Routine You’ll Actually Keep

At a certain point, good skincare stops being about what you add—and becomes about what you trust enough to stick with. The throughline in every esthetician’s advice is clear: support your skin, don’t overwhelm it. Choose a few well-formulated products, give them time to work, and let consistency do what trends can’t. Because the goal isn’t perfect skin overnight—it’s skin that feels healthy, resilient, and entirely your own over time.