My first encounter with Doctor Rogers was via a small tube of the Restore Healing Balm. It’s a great ointment, claiming to be “better” than Aquaphor, but since I’m a die-hard Aquaphor fan, I didn’t get overly invested. Fast forward a few years, and the brand has undergone a visual overhaul (the original balm formula remains unchanged) and expanded into a full skincare lineup—minus sunscreen, for now.
Over the last few months, I’ve been using the Day Preventive Treatment and Night Repair Treatment, both of which had been sitting on my shelf for close to a year. Now, I’m back with all the details—and spoiler alert: I prefer one over the other!
Who Is Dr. Rogers?
Dr. Heather Rogers is a double-board certified dermatologist and co-founder of a Seattle-based practice. She’s also the founder of Doctor Rogers Skincare, a brand built on a no-nonsense approach to skincare: simple, effective, and affordable formulas that just work. Her Instagram is full of educational content, and I highly recommend checking it out.
What Are the Treatments?
In short, the Day Preventive Treatment and Night Repair Treatment are targeted serums designed to address specific skin concerns during different times of the day. The Day Treatment acts as a Vitamin C serum, while the Night Treatment is a retinol alternative. Both should be applied after cleansing and before moisturizer (or sunscreen in the case of the Day Treatment).
Day Preventative Treatment
When it comes to Vitamin C, it’s one of the most effective ingredients for brightening skin—if formulated correctly. However, many people find Vitamin C serums a bit too strong. Enter the Doctor Rogers Day Preventive Treatment, which uses Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THA for short), an oil-soluble and impressively stable derivative of Vitamin C. It’s much gentler on the skin but still delivers noticeable brightening results.
In addition to THA, this serum includes Lactobacillus (to balance the skin’s microbiome), Coconut Fruit Extract (for hydration), Niacinamide (to refine pores and brighten), Squalane (to nourish), Sodium Hyaluronate (for hydration), and Allantoin (to soothe and protect). It’s a very concise and effective formula for a Vitamin C serum.
One of the best things about this serum is its ease of use. Besides its efficacy, it layers beautifully into any routine. Most importantly, no dreaded pilling here! The lightweight, liquid-but-not-runny consistency absorbs quickly and is completely odorless. I apply two pumps each morning, and it works seamlessly over my essence/toner and under sunscreen.
Night Repair Treatment
Retinol is indeed the gold standard for anti-aging but it can also be a bit too harsh for some people. It often requires a gradual introduction and can cause redness, peeling, or irritation. That’s where Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, comes in. It’s perfect for those with sensitive skin or anyone looking for a gentler alternative to retinoids. Keep in mind that multiple studies found it ‘comparable’ to retinol in performance but it has not been proven to be as effective or more effective. The word to remember here is comparable.
The Doctor Rogers Night Repair Treatment combines Bakuchiol (0.5%) with Glycolic Acid (5%) and Polyhydroxy Acid (5%), creating a powerful AHA/BHA/PHA blend that smooths and renews skin overnight. It also contains 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, another form of Vitamin C that brightens and amplifies anti-aging results.
Unlike the lightweight Day Treatment, this night serum has a richer texture that very much feels like a cream. It’s perfect for all skin types, but if you have dry skin, I recommend adding a few drops of facial oil or layering a richer moisturizer on top. For my normal-to-combination skin, it worked well on its own during warmer months, but I loved mixing it with a few drops of Vintner’s Daughter for extra hydration.
Final Thoughts: Which One Is My Favorite?
If you’ve followed my blog or Instagram, you’ll know I’m a huge retinol enthusiast. I’ve been using both prescription-strength and over-the-counter retinoids for over 15 years, and I’ve been nothing short of thrilled. That is precisely why I find myself reaching for the Day Preventive Treatment more often. As winter approaches and my skin becomes more sensitive to stronger retinoids, the Night Repair Treatment becomes a perfect gentle alternative.
Both treatments are fantastic additions to any skincare routine, but the Day Preventive Treatment edges out as my favorite for its seamless integration and overall brightening effect.
Day Preventative Treatment ($118 for 30ml) and Night Repair Treatment ($98 for 30ml) are available at dermstore.com where you can use my affiliate code OMGBART to save up to 20% on most brands. You can also find Doctor Rogers Skincare at beauty-heroes.com and credobeauty.com.
