What does a dermatologist who spends his career developing skincare actually keep on his beauty wish list?
Vogue recently selected Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, board-certified dermatologist, researcher, formulator, and founder of Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City, as a member of its Vogue Beauty Board. Alongside the announcement, Vogue published Dr. Bhanusali’s personal wish list, offering a look at the products and technologies that stand out to someone who works behind the scenes of the beauty industry as much as he works with patients.
The result is not a shelf filled exclusively with prestige skincare. Instead, his edit moves easily between drugstore staples, sophisticated at-home devices, dermatologist favorites, and formulas he has helped develop himself.
It is a very Dr. Bhanusali approach to beauty: science first, without making skincare unnecessarily complicated.
What Is the Vogue Beauty Board?
The Vogue Beauty Board is a handpicked community of beauty experts, founders, and industry insiders created to bring additional expertise and real-world experience to Vogue’s beauty coverage.
Each month, its members test products selected by Vogue editors and provide feedback on ingredients, efficacy, texture, packaging, ease of use, and the overall experience. They may also weigh in on emerging treatments, ingredients, technologies, and larger changes within beauty.
The group spans dermatology, plastic surgery, makeup, hair, skincare, media, wellness, and beauty entrepreneurship. Current members include experts such as dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali, plastic surgeon Dr. Lara Devgan, esthetician Sean Garrette, LESSE founder Neada Deters, former Allure editor in chief Michelle Lee, hairstylists Mara Roszak and Jawara Wauchope, and a wider group of founders, creators, editors, and beauty authorities.
The idea is simple: Vogue’s editors still make the final editorial decisions, but the Beauty Board brings another layer of expert evaluation to what is actually worth readers’ attention.
Why Dr. Bhanusali Makes Sense for the Vogue Beauty Board
For patients at Hudson Dermatology, Dr. Bhanusali is first and foremost a dermatologist. Within the beauty industry, however, his career has taken a much broader path.
He has become particularly known for working between clinical dermatology, formulation science, aesthetics, and consumer skincare.
From Rhode to Elm Biosciences
One of Dr. Bhanusali’s most recognizable beauty collaborations has been Rhode, founded by Hailey Bieber. He worked with the brand on product formulation and has served as its dermatologist-in-residence.
His formulation work also extends to Elm Biosciences, developed with Martha Stewart, including its A3O Elemental Serum and A3O Elemental Night Cream.
Over the years, his work has also included Fast Beauty Co., as well as consulting, advisory, formulation, and innovation work across major skincare and dermatology companies.
The common thread is his interest in translating dermatologic science into products people will actually want to use.
Making Dermatologic Treatment More Accessible
Some of Dr. Bhanusali’s most significant projects exist outside the traditional beauty counter.
He founded Skin Medicinals, which allows dermatologists to prescribe customized compounded topical medications at more accessible prices, as well as HairStim, which applies a similar approach to hair-loss treatment.
His work has also extended into digital health, aesthetic technology, hair-growth research, and emerging areas of dermatologic innovation.
That background makes his place on the Beauty Board particularly fitting. He is not only evaluating finished products. Much of his career has involved asking what goes into them, how they work, and where they fit into real dermatologic care.
Inside Dr. Bhanusali's Vogue Wish List
Dr. Bhanusali’s Vogue wish list is perhaps best described as high-low, science-conscious, practical, and prevention-focused.
A drugstore retinol eye cream appears alongside a $650 LED mask. Accessible moisturizers share space with advanced post-procedure skincare. And sunscreen appears not once, but several times.
There are also products from Rhode and Elm Biosciences, two brands Dr. Bhanusali knows particularly well through his formulation work.
Rather than creating a rigid routine, the collection feels more like a very well-informed dermatologist’s medicine cabinet.
Dr. Bhanusali's Vogue Beauty Picks
Rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence
A lightweight essence with ceramides that supports hydration and the skin barrier.
Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
A portable hot-and-cold facial device designed to help reduce puffiness and refresh tired-looking skin.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
A lightweight hyaluronic acid moisturizer that delivers hydration without a heavy cream texture.
RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
An accessible retinol eye cream focused on fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness.
Therabody TheraFace Mask
An at-home LED mask combining red, infrared, and blue light technology with vibration massage.
Neutrogena Evenly Clear Acne Cleanser
A 2% salicylic acid cleanser designed to help clear clogged pores and acne.
Vitafusion Vitamin D3 Gummies
The unexpected wellness addition to the list: a simple vitamin D supplement.
Neutrogena Evenly Clear Clarifying
A fragrance-free hypochlorous acid mist for refreshing acne-prone or easily irritated skin.
Hypochlorous Acid Spray
A fragrance-free hypochlorous acid mist for refreshing acne-prone or easily irritated skin.
Rhode Spotwear
Hydrocolloid blemish patches that protect spots while helping absorb fluid.
Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Serum
An antioxidant-focused serum developed to support hydration, resilience, and overall skin quality.
Rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm
A rich moisturizer with ceramides and humectants for dry or barrier-compromised skin.
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen
A dermatologist favorite combining broad-spectrum SPF 46 with niacinamide in a lightweight formula.
Elm Biosciences A3O Elemental Night Cream
An overnight treatment pairing antioxidant technology with a retinoid derivative for renewal and hydration.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face Sunscreen
A straightforward, accessible option for lightweight daily UV protection.
Avène Cicalfate Hand Cream
A restorative hand cream for dry, frequently washed, or compromised skin.
ISDIN FusionWater Magic Sunscreen
An ultralight facial SPF designed to disappear easily into the skin and layer well under makeup.
Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid
A peptide and niacinamide serum designed for hydration and Rhode’s signature dewy finish.
Alastin Regenerating Skin Nectar
A treatment-focused formula commonly used to support skin before and after aesthetic procedures.
Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen
A tinted mineral sunscreen combining broad-spectrum protection with an elegant complexion-enhancing finish.
Vogue’s published list currently includes all 19 of these selections.
What Dr. Bhanusali's Vogue Picks Say About Modern Skincare
Perhaps the most interesting part of the list is what isn’t there.
There is no complicated 12-step routine. There is no insistence that everything needs to be expensive. Some of Dr. Bhanusali’s choices cost under $20, while others represent a considerable investment in technology or formulation.
Instead, the collection repeatedly returns to a few fundamentals: sun protection, retinoids, hydration, barrier support, acne care, antioxidants, and selective use of technology.
There is also a clear high-low philosophy. A good salicylic acid cleanser can deserve a place beside a premium antioxidant serum. A drugstore moisturizer can coexist with an LED device. What matters is not whether something feels luxurious, but whether it serves a purpose.
That philosophy has followed Dr. Bhanusali throughout much of his work in dermatology and product development: innovation is worthwhile when it makes skincare more effective, more usable, or more accessible.
His appointment to the Vogue Beauty Board gives that perspective a new platform. And his first Vogue wish list offers a surprisingly simple takeaway:
''Good skincare does not have to belong to one price point, one brand, or one aesthetic. It simply has to make sense for your skin.''
At Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City, that same approach guides personalized skincare and cosmetic treatment planning, with products and procedures selected around the individual patient’s skin, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Product mentions reflect Dr. Bhanusali’s Vogue wish list and are not a substitute for individualized medical advice.
About Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali
Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali is a board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in New York City.
He is known for his work in cosmetic dermatology, regenerative skincare science, laser treatments, and dermatologist-developed product innovation.
In addition to treating patients, Dr. Bhanusali has contributed to major skincare and wellness brands including Rhode, ELM Biosciences, and Skin Medicinals, helping bridge the gap between clinical dermatology and modern formulation science.