Best Dermatologist-Tested Face Highlighters of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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Looking for a way to add some radiance to your complexion? Consider trying a dermatologist-tested face highlighter. These products are designed to enhance the natural high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and cupid's bow. They come in a variety of formulas and finishes, from powder to liquid and matte to shimmer. Dermatologist-tested highlighters are formulated to be gentle on the skin and non-comedogenic, so you can enjoy a glowing complexion without worrying about clogged pores or irritation. Whether you prefer a subtle glow or a more dramatic effect, there's a dermatologist-tested face highlighter out there for you.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Physicians Formula Rosé All Day Highlighter Blush Cover #TOP 1
Physicians Formula Rosé All Day Highlighter Blush
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Physicians Formula Highlighter & Contour Palette Cover #TOP 2
Physicians Formula Highlighter & Contour Palette
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Illuminator Stick Cover #TOP 3
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Illuminator Stick
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 8 Dermatologist-Tested Face Highlighters

#TOP 1

Physicians Formula Rosé All Day Highlighter Blush

PF11123
Pink Freshly Picked
Physicians Formula Rosé All Day Highlighter Blush Cover
Physicians Formula Rosé All Day Highlighter Blush Face Powder Shimmer Petal Glow, Pink Freshly Picked, Dermatologist Tested, Clinicially Tested

The Physicians Formula Highlighter Blush is a versatile makeup product designed to enhance your beauty. It features ultra-fine, reflective pearls that create a radiant, multi-dimensional glow, perfect for catching the light on your face, eyes, and body. Infused with soothing cucumber, this highlighter feels gentle on your skin. Additionally, it is packed with antioxidant-rich Goji and Cacadu plum, providing you with a natural source of Vitamin C to help nourish your complexion. This highlighter also boasts a freshly picked-champagne hue, making it a delightful addition to your makeup routine.

What We Like
Multi-use for face and body
Long-lasting glow
Antioxidant-rich ingredients
Soothing cucumber formula

Physicians Formula Highlighter & Contour Palette

6809
Shimmer Strobing
Physicians Formula Highlighter & Contour Palette Cover
Physicians Formula Highlighter & Contour Powder Palette, Shimmer Strobing,-Fragrance Free, Paraben Free, Gluten Free, Dermatologist Tested

Physicians Formula Palette is a versatile face powder that helps define your features and enhance your glow. The blendable and buildable formula of universally-flattering shades ensures a customized look for everyone. The luxurious angled contour brush included allows for precise application, making highlighting and defining effortless. With compact package dimensions of 7"L x 6"W x 2.4"H, this palette is convenient for on-the-go touch-ups.

What We Like
Blendable & buildable formula
Versatile shades
Precise application with angled brush
#TOP 3

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Illuminator Stick

SG_B07JHT2NWT_US
Silver
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Illuminator Stick Cover
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Illuminator Makeup Stick with Hyaluronic Acid, Moisturizing Highlighter to Improve & Illuminate Skin, Dermatologist-Tested with Mistake-Proof Application, 0.29 oz

The Neutrogena Illuminator Stick is a luxurious highlighter that enhances your facial features with a creamy and lightweight formula. Infused with purified hyaluronic acid, it not only brightens your skin but also hydrates and refreshes it, ensuring a smooth application. The oil-free and non-comedogenic design means you can enjoy a radiant look without worrying about clogged pores. Plus, its user-friendly packaging allows for mistake-proof application, making it easy for you to achieve that perfect highlight every time. Suitable for all skin types, this highlighter comes in a versatile sandstone shade.

What We Like
Hydrating hyaluronic acid
Mistake-proof application
Non-comedogenic formula
Lightweight and creamy texture
Suitable for all skin types
#TOP 4

Burt's Bees Opal Mist Highlighter

90341-14
Opal Mist
Burt's Bees Opal Mist Highlighter Cover
BURTS BEES Opal Mist All Aglow Highlighter Stick, 0.32 OZ

The Burt's Bees Highlighter Stick in Opal Mist is your go-to for achieving a radiant glow. This cream highlighter enhances your skin's natural shine, giving you a beautiful sun-kissed look. Made with 100% natural ingredients like coconut oil and jojoba oil, it nourishes your skin while providing hydration. Its lightweight, non-sticky formula glides on effortlessly, ensuring a smooth application without feeling heavy. You can easily highlight your cheekbones, brow, and nose for a naturally luminous appearance, making it perfect for everyday use.

What We Like
Natural ingredients
Long-lasting hydration
Easy application
Lightweight formula

Almay Instant Glow Highlighting Duo

4379-02
Nude Glow
Almay Instant Glow Highlighting Duo Cover
Almay Instant Glow Highlighting Duo, Nude Glow, 0.1 fl. oz., highlighter makeup

The Almay Instant Glow Highlighting Duo in #200 Nude Glow is a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested face highlighter that can be used to achieve a natural or targeted luminous glow with or without makeup. It is safe for sensitive skin and offers a healthy glow.

What We Like
Fragrance-free
Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin
Can be used with or without makeup
#TOP 6

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Highlighter Stick

PF11071
1- Dew Frost
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Highlighter Stick Cover
Physicians Formula Organic Wear All Natural Dewy Highlighter Stick Makeup, Stick Cream To Powder, Dew Frost, Dermatologist Tested

The Physicians Formula Organic Wear All Natural Dewy Highlighter Stick is an ultra-bendable and buildable cream-to-powder highlighter that provides a healthy dewy glow to your skin. Infused with nourishing ingredients, including organic jojoba oil, natural Indian senna seed, organic Aloe Vera, and botanical cactus flower, it is loaded with hydrating antioxidants to achieve a naturally brightened look instantly. Suitable for combination skin types, this multi-use highlighter is easy to apply and blend, offering full coverage and a dewy finish.

What We Like
Loaded with hydrating antioxidants for healthy-looking skin
Infused with nourishing ingredients for a naturally brightened look
Ultra-bendable and buildable for easy application and coverage
#TOP 7

Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand

Aglow
Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand Cover
Tarte Shape Tape Glow Wand Vegan Liquid Highlighter Travel-Size 1ml (Aglow)

The Tarte Glow Wand is a sheer liquid highlighter that instantly brightens your complexion without any glitter. It gives you a natural, radiant look that feels like a glow from within. With its diamond complex, this highlighter also provides a soft-focus finish, helping to blur imperfections. Plus, it's vegan and dermatologist tested, making it a safe choice for your skin. Being travel-sized, you can easily take it wherever you go, ensuring you always have a touch of luminosity at your fingertips.

What We Like
Instant radiance
Natural glow
Soft-focus finish
Vegan formula
Travel-friendly size
#TOP 8

Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter Palette

1780034
Gold
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter Palette Cover
Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter Palette

Physicians Formula Highlighter Palette is an ultra-luxurious cream-to-powder trio infused with murumuru Butter for a radiant glow. It contains a blend of butters that soften, condition, and moisturize skin, suitable for combination skin types. This highlighter is gluten-free and hypoallergenic, making it suitable for various skin sensitivities. Dermatologist and clinically tested, it's vegan and cruelty-free, ensuring ethical beauty choices.

What We Like
Ultra-luxurious cream-to-powder formula
Infused with skin-conditioning butters
Gluten-free and hypoallergenic
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our dermatologist-tested face highlighter research, we found 48 dermatologist-tested face highlighter products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 39,131 customer reviews through our big data system to write the dermatologist-tested face highlighters list. We found that most customers choose dermatologist-tested face highlighters with an average price of $7.86.

The dermatologist-tested face highlighters are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of dermatologist-tested face highlighters, including Physicians Formula, Neutrogena, Burt's Bees, Almay, Tarte. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.