Skincare Gifts for Christmas: What to Give, According to a Dermatologist

Every December my patients ask me the same thing: what skincare should I give for Christmas without spending money on something that ends up in a drawer or, worse, irritates the skin? Flashy kits aren't always the best option. The best gift is one the person will actually use every day and that is good for their skin. This guide sums up what I recommend as a dermatologist in Bogotá, depending on who you're buying for.

The skincare gift that never fails: sunscreen

If you can only give one thing, make it a good sunscreen. It is the product with the most evidence for preventing skin aging. In a clinical trial with more than 900 adults, people who used sunscreen every day showed 24% less skin aging over four years than those who used it only occasionally (1).

In Bogotá this matters even more: because of the altitude, the UV index frequently reaches very high or extreme levels, even on cloudy days (2).

How to get it right:

• SPF 50 and broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB)
• Texture to suit the skin: fluid or gel for oily or acne-prone skin, cream for dry skin
• Tinted, if the person has dark spots or melasma: it also protects against visible light (read more in dark spots on the face)

Skincare gifts by who you're giving to

For beginners: the basics done right

A gentle cleanser and a moisturizer with ceramides make a simple but very useful gift. They repair the skin barrier and suit almost everyone. They're the foundation of any skincare routine.

For someone who already has a routine: an active with scientific backing

• Vitamin C (morning serum): an antioxidant that helps with radiance and dark spots.
• Niacinamide: well tolerated, useful for pores, redness and oily skin.
• Retinol: only if you know the person already uses it or wants to start, and never if they are pregnant or trying to conceive. I explain it in the retinoid guide.

For men: practical and uncomplicated

Many men don't have a routine. A moisturizer with sunscreen (two in one) and an after-shave cleanser are much more likely to be used than an eight-step kit.

For teens: less is more

Social media has made multi-step routines fashionable among girls and teenagers. A study published in Pediatrics in 2025 analyzed the most-viewed skincare videos among young people on TikTok. It found an average of 11 potentially irritating ingredients per routine, and only a quarter of the products offered sun protection (3).

At this age, skin doesn't need anti-aging products, retinol or strong acids. A good gift for a teenager is a gentle cleanser, a light moisturizer and a sunscreen. If they have breakouts, the best gift is an assessment: acne is best treated early (see types of acne).

Small gifts that always get used

• Lip balm with SPF: lips get sunburned too
• A repairing hand cream: hands age and dry out sooner than we think
• Stick sunscreen, to carry in a bag and reapply

What about gadgets? LED masks, rollers and the like

LED masks are the trendy gift. A meta-analysis published in JAMA Dermatology in 2025 found that at-home LED devices do reduce mild-to-moderate acne lesions, with minimal side effects (4). But the evidence for wrinkles and rejuvenation is still limited. They are weaker than in-office devices, don't replace medical treatment, and the eyes must be protected.

Jade rollers and gua sha can be pleasant and relaxing, but there is no evidence that they change the skin in the long term.

What NOT to give

• Heavily fragranced products for sensitive skin: fragrance is one of the most common causes of contact allergy on the skin. About 7 in 100 European dermatitis patients tested with patch tests are sensitized to the most common fragrance mix (5). If the person has sensitive skin or rosacea, choose "fragrance-free" products.
• Sets with lots of strong actives together (acids, retinol, exfoliants): combined badly, they irritate.
• Exfoliants with coarse grains: they can damage the skin barrier.
• Products that promise miracles ("erases wrinkles in 7 days"). If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't real.

A practical tip: check the expiry date and keep the receipt so it can be exchanged if it doesn't suit them.

The most personal gift: a consultation with the dermatologist

Every skin is different, and what works for your friend may not suit your mom. That's why a gift that always hits the mark is a dermatological assessment: during the consultation I examine the skin, answer questions and design a tailor-made routine with the products that person really needs.

Frequently asked questions

What skincare should I give if I don't know their skin type? An SPF 50 sunscreen in a light texture or a fragrance-free moisturizer. They suit almost every skin type.

Is retinol a good gift? Only if the person already uses it or wants to start, and isn't pregnant. Introduced the wrong way, it irritates the skin.

What skincare should I give a girl or teenager? A gentle cleanser, a light moisturizer and sunscreen. No anti-aging products or strong acids.

Do LED masks work? There is evidence of a moderate benefit in mild-to-moderate acne. For wrinkles, the evidence is still limited.

Is a skincare kit a good gift? Yes, if its products are gentle and complementary. Avoid kits with several strong actives at once.

Not sure which product to choose for someone special, or want to treat yourself this year to a routine that really works? During the consultation I evaluate your skin and tell you what to use and in what order. Book your appointment with Dr. Alejandra Téllez, dermatologist in Bogotá.

References

1. Hughes MCB, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(11):781-790. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002
2. Bogotá Mayor's Office (Alcaldía de Bogotá). El sol de Bogotá es más peligroso de lo que usted cree (in Spanish).
3. Hales M, et al. Pediatric skin care regimens on TikTok. Pediatrics. 2025. doi:10.1542/peds.2024-070309
4. Ershadi S, Barbieri JS, et al. Efficacy of at-home light-emitting diode devices for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2025. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.0019
5. Botvid SHC, et al. Contact sensitization to fragrance mix I and fragrance mix II among European dermatitis patients: a systematic review. Contact Dermatitis. 2024;91(3):177-185. doi:10.1111/cod.14618