Dermelect is a fast-growing skincare brand that's priced in the mid-range of the market. The brand has positive reviews in major publications like The New York Times and InStyle.

But does Dermelect use ingredients shown in research studies to improve skin quality? Does the brand use any unhealthy ingredients? And is Dermelect better or worse than popular skincare brands like Bubble Skincare?

In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in two of Dermelect's most popular products (Flawless Bakuchiol Treatment and Beauty Sleep Serum) to give our take on whether or not they're effectively formulated.

We'll also compare Dermelect to other popular skincare brands to pick our winners (and losers) from a formulation quality perspective.

Key takeaways:

• Both products analyzed contain research-backed active ingredients
• Both products contain a preservative combo we consider unhealthy
• We do not currently recommend Dermelect

Dermelect Bakuchiol Treatment Review

The ingredients in Dermelect Flawless Bakuchiol Treatment are shown below:

This product is used as a retinol alternative to promote a "balanced complexion."

This formulation contains several active ingredients which are clinically shown to improve skin quality.

Bakuchiol was shown to possess anti-aging effects in a systematic review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Ginger extract is clinically shown to have anti-inflammatory effects when applied topically.

Pelargonium graveolens flower oil was shown in a 2006 medical review to have "antibacterial and antifungal activity" when applied topically, which suggests it may have anti-acne effects.

This formulation contains some inactive ingredients we recommend avoiding.

Ethylhexylglycerin and phenoxyethanol are synthetic preservatives that have a greater toxic effect when used in combination than in isolation, as we documented in our review of another skincare line called VouPre.

Benzyl alcohol and potassium sorbate are two other synthetic preservatives, and the use of four separate synthetic preservatives in one serum is not something we'd recommend.

Overall, we consider Flawless Bakuchiol Treatment likely to have an anti-aging effect.

However, we don't currently recommend this product due to the preservatives discussed above.

Dermelect Sleep Serum Review

The ingredients in Dermelect Self-Esteem Sleep Serum are shown below:

This product is used for anti-aging, and to "perfect the skin while you sleep."

There are several anti-aging active ingredients in this formulation.

Ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C, is clinically shown to significantly reduce wrinkles when applied topically.

Echinacea purpurea extract was described as containing "many beneficial constituents for protection of skin" in a medical review published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract is clinically shown to have skin-healing and hydrating properties, as we documented in our Versed Skincare reviews article.

Phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin are inactive ingredients we recommend avoiding, for reasons explained in the previous Ingredient Analysis section.

Overall, we consider Dermelect Sleep Serum likely to have anti-aging effects.

However, we don't currently recommend it due to the combination of preservatives used.

Dermelect vs. Popular Skincare Brands

Here's how Dermelect compares to other popular skincare brands in terms of formulation quality, in our opinion:

Hanacure

Hanacure's fask mask contains tea extract, which is clinically shown to have potent anti-aging effects.

Both Hanacure formulations we analyzed were entirely free of unhealthy ingredients.

Winner: Hanacure

Bubble Skincare

Bubble Slam Dunk Moisturizer contains phenoxyethanol, but not ethylhexylglycerin (the other preservative which enhances its toxic effects).

We consider the formulation to be healthier than either Dermelect formulation analyzed, for that reason.

Winner: Bubble Skincare

Norse Organics

While there were some ingredient labeling issues at the time of our last analysis, Norse Organics products that we reviewed were free of any unhealthy additives, and contained many research-backed active ingredients.

Winner: Norse Organics

Our Clean Skincare Pick

MindBodyGreen Best Skin+ is our top anti-aging skin supplement.

It contains orange extract which is clinically shown to increase skin moisturization, skin elasticity and skin radiance.

This supplement also contains astaxanthin which is clinically shown to cause "wrinkle formation reduction."

This supplement is free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.

Dermelect Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Fair prices
• Bakuchiol Treatment should improve skin complexion
• Sleep Serum should have anti-aging effects
• Highly positive online customer reviews
  

Cons:

• Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
• Phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin used in combination
• Bakuchiol Treatment contains four synthetic preservatives
• Less healthy than competitors

Conclusion

Dermelect skincare products are fairly priced and well-formulated from an efficacy perspective.

Flawless Bakuchiol Treatment contains a variety of active ingredients that should support the label claims through different mechanisms of action.

Sleep Serum contains several anti-aging and hydrating ingredients.

We don't currently recommend either product due to the inclusion of a synthetic preservative combination that may be toxic.

We consider Hanacure, Bubble Skincare and Norse Organics to sell better-formulated versions of the products sold by Dermelect.