Germany is home to many internationally regarded skincare brands—including scientist- and doctor-led labels like Augustinus Bader, Dr. Hauschka, and Dr. Barbara Sturm.
In 2021, Hamburg-based Prof. Dr. Steinkraus joined the ranks, and is perhaps the best of them all. A handful of the Steinkraus products are irreplaceable in my regimen; despite receiving hundreds of products each month for my job, his products get ushered to the front of the pack, each time.
And while some of the aforementioned labels have jaw-dropping price tags, Prof. Dr. Steinkraus’ offering is an accessible upgrade: If you’re looking for that single upgrade to your everyday regimen, he’s got numerous access points, from the industry’s best gentle peel, to a guaranteed-fresh Vitamin C serum. But it’s also an easy brand from which to build your entire regimen, if you want a carefully concentrated, results-oriented routine—no matter your skin type or concerns.
About Prof. Dr. Steinkraus—The Man and the Brand
Prof. Dr. Steinkraus—the man himself, first name Volker—founded the Dermatologikum Hamburg in 1997, a center for dermatology, laboratory and laser medicine, and plastic surgery, among many other practices. Dermatologikum now operates in numerous cities across Germany and Switzerland.
Steinkraus is a professor of dermatology, as well as an actively practicing dermatologist and dermatological surgeon.
Prof. Dr. Steinkraus—the brand, that is—centers on the doc’s principle of “TetCode4”. In their own words: “TetCode4 consists of four components: classic vitamins, niacin, botanicals and biomimetics. The key advantage of TetCode4 lies in the ability of the carefully composed active agents to have an optimal impact.”
Why I Love the Brand
With Prof. Dr. Steinkraus, I notice quick and profound changes in both skin texture and complexion. I don’t embellish when I say this: In all my years of this job, never has my face felt so smooth, nor my dark spots so quickly disappeared. Dull skin transforms into a more healthy radiance.
Perhaps my instant draw to the brand is because I lived in Germany during its 2021 rollout; nearly two years later, I feel like I’m sitting on a secret yet, because if more people experienced what I get from these products, this would be the best-selling label across every retailer. For now, I’ll happily enjoy using it “before it became ubiquitous”—I really believe this label could pull off that feat.
And let me reiterate: This brand might be more expensive than the drug-store mainstays, but its value is unmatched. For mid-range pricing, you get profound results. It’s perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their regimen into intermediate or advanced territory—even if it’s just one or two products from the roster.
The Best Products from Prof. Dr. Steinkraus
I love this whole line, but if I had to narrow down my favorites, here is my roster of five products (which I have creatively stretched into 8 products).
1. Triple Peel
Somehow, despite getting to try all the best skincare products in the world, my skin still had room for improvement in terms of surface texture and cellular turnover. Enter this weekly peel, which has shot up the ranks as an all-time best product in my books.
Follow its advice carefully; this triple-active peel is no slouch when it comes to sloughing away dead skin cells. It uses a trio of chemical acids (10%), plant enzymes, and physical bamboo particles to build its buffering. But hands down, this is the best shortcut to smoother skin I have ever used. My skin feels as polished as a marble afterwards.
I deploy this for a few minutes (once a week, at most), then rinse it away to reveal insanely soft, smooth skin. No more dandruff under my whiskers. Hyperpigmentation disappears faster. All my other products absorb better, too. On the days I wear concealer, it stays on much better, too. The only new risk is that of breakouts, from touching my face so damn much because of how nice and smooth it feels. (Give your dry elbows or cracked heels a spot check, too!)
GET IT: Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Triple Peel, $58
2. Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is perhaps the single best upgrade you can give your skin regimen, thanks to its antioxidant abilities, collagen stimulation, and skin-brightening benefits. But it is also an unstable ingredient, with short shelf life and proneness to oxidation.
These individual Vitamin C puffs allow you to mix your own “fresh” Vitamin C serum each day, by pumping the activator fluid onto a single puff and then applying it to skin. I appreciate that assurance—and the radiance my skin showcases within days of use.
GET IT: Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Vitamin C Serum, $102
3. Face Care – Light / Medium / Rich
With this range, Steinkraus allows you to opt into whichever density of a face cream your skin demands. Or, go for two of them if you prefer something lighter by day but richer by night. I find myself switching between them based on seasonality, even: Typically, my combo/oily skin is fine with a light layer of moisture protection, but I’ll scale up to “rich” at the height of winter, or when parked in an air conditioned space.
GET THEM:
Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Face Care Light, $62
Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Face Care Medium, $62
Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Face Care Rich, $62
4. Sensitive Serum
This one is my emergency lever; since I test so many products for my job, my skin becomes sensitized easily (especially when I test a product that is subpar). If you are sensitive by nature, it’s a great last step before moisturizing.
I’ll deploy this on my neck after using an electric shaver, too, in lieu of after shave. It soothes on contact (thanks to the trio of panthenol, allantoin, and bisabolol), and is a great redness spot treatment too, if you’ve got localized inflammation.
GET IT: Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Sensitive Serum, $88
5. Hyaluron Serum and Niacin Serum 20%
Don’t make me choose between the two; Hyaluron is a morning staple for me, to get instantly plumper “awoken” skin that stays hydrated all day (thanks to its use of all three molecular sizes of hyaluronic acid, which seep into the various layers of your skin vs. cheaper recipes that only offer quick-gratification moisture.)
GET IT: Prof. Dr. Steinkraus Hyaluron Serum, $82
Niacin 20% is a bedtime must. I’m not the type to chase super high concentrations off niacinamide, but this high-dose has been well tolerated by my skin personally, and I’d argue that it’s the second most imperative ingredient to add to any upgraded regimen, after Vitamin C. Niacinamide’s promise: skin barrier fortification, mild sebum regulation, and brighter/even-keeled complexion.
