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We never want shopping for skincare to feel complicated, so we’ve done months of testing and research so you don’t have to. For your best skin ever, our team has selected 27 standout formulas to complete any gap in your current routine. From basics like an invigorating (yet gentle) cleanser to luxurious add-on treatments like a multipurpose mask made from raw, medical-grade manuka honey, we’ve created the ultimate one-stop shop.
Best Serum for Dark Spots
La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar A.Z. Gel
We like to call this fast-absorbing hydrating gel from La Roche-Posay the Swiss Army knife of any skincare routine. It boasts dual acne- and wrinkle-fighting powers thanks to star ingredients like azelaic acid and 1.2% salicylic acid; prepare for your clearest, brightest, and smoothest skin yet.
Why experts love it: “This is what I recommend when clients are breaking out and want to throw 10 products at it. Don’t. Use this. It’s gentle enough not to destroy your barrier (which most acne products do, making everything worse) but effective enough to actually address inflammation and accelerate healing. The niacinamide and piroctone olamine combination reduces both acne and post-inflammatory marks without the drama of harsh actives. It’s boring. It works. That’s enough.” — Sophie Carbonari, Celebrity Aesthetician
“La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream is a product I recommend to patients with acne-prone and oily skin. The combination of azelaic acid and salicylic acid helps exfoliate skin, reduce inflammation, kill acne-causing bacteria, and clear pores. It works well both as a treatment for active breakouts and as a preventative step to prevent future breakouts. Ten percent azelaic acid is high enough for the product to be effective for mild to moderate acne without being too drying or irritating.” — Sapna Palep, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cofounder of Journelle Skin
Best Light Moisturizer
Sofie Pavitt Face Jelly Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer
Sofie Pavitt Face
Skin Jelly Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer
We didn’t think the perfect gel moisturizer existed until we tried this launch from Sofie Pavitt. The bouncy jelly texture feels light and soothing on the skin while still offering 48 hours of enduring hydration. It’s oil-free, noncomedogenic, and features key ingredients like beta-glucan, allantoin, plus zinc and copper PCAs.
Why experts love it: “A really well-executed moisturizer for oily and acne-prone skin types. The lightweight gel texture gives hydration and comfort without feeling heavy or contributing to congestion.” — Candace Marino, Founder of The L.A. Facialist
“I absolutely swear by this product, and anything by Sofie Pavitt. It’s lightweight enough that it won’t take years to absorb yet simultaneously leaves the skin looking glowy for hours after application. It also will not break you out!” — Lila Childs, Makeup Artist
“Only incredible things to say about Sofie Pavitt Face. All her products are truly developed for healthy and clear skin in mind. No notes.” — Justine Marjan, Celebrity Hairstylist
Best Acne Treatment
Kat Burki Skincare VitaBiome Active Skin Optimizer
KAT BURKI
VitaBiome Active Skin Optimizer
A truly innovative product, this spray from Kat Burki is backed by dermatological grading and microbiome sequencing. Flavonoid-rich bioferment, ginseng root, snow mushroom, and konjac root work in tandem to balance the skin’s microbiome while reducing breakouts and redness.
Why experts love it: “I’m interested in anything addressing the skin microbiome because we’re finally understanding that skin health isn’t just about killing bacteria; it’s about supporting the beneficial ones. This combines prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics with actives that support barrier function. For sensitized skin that’s been overtreated, overexfoliated, or is dealing with inflammation from gut-skin axis issues, this actually helps rebalance rather than just suppress symptoms.” — Carbonari
Best Multitasking Serum
Plated Skin Science Intense Serum
Plated Skin Science
Intense Serum
Everyone from Hailey Bieber to Alix Earle loves this potent blend of antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-derived exosomes. Touted as bottled liquid gold, this serum can tackle everything from wrinkles and fine lines to the tone and brightness of your complexion.
Why experts love it: “Exosomes in skincare are new enough that we don’t have decades of data, but the mechanism makes sense, these are cellular communication particles that can signal repair and regeneration. This formulation is clean, the concentration is meaningful, and I’m seeing results in clients using it consistently. It’s expensive. It’s also one of the few genuinely novel approaches in a market full of reformulated basics. For someone already doing everything else (retinoids, sunscreen, good lifestyle), this is the kind of addition that might provide incremental benefit.” — Carbonari
“This has quickly become one of the top best sellers in my clinic. I’ve seen it make a noticeable difference in a wide range of skin concerns, including melasma, acne, post-inflammatory pigment, rosacea, and impaired skin barriers. The exosome technology supports the skin’s natural repair processes and improves overall skin quality, resilience, tone, and texture, making the skin healthier, stronger, and more youthful.” — Marino
“I truly can’t live without this. I have one on my nightstand and every bag. I love that I can still feel it on my lips when I wake up and it leaves my lips so hydrated and shiny.” — Marjan
Best Serum for Hydration
PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
PCA Skin
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
We’re after plump, supple skin, and this serum from PCA Skin 100% delivered. The gentle formula plays well with all skin types and is brimming with MVP ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and the brand’s HA-Pro Complex.
Best Facial Essence
Mara Pearl Peptide Glaze
This pearly hybrid elixir gave our testers the most angelic and gasp-worthy of glows. Pearl powder, algae, and collagen peptides join forces to moisturize the skin while simultaneously addressing balance, tone, redness, and barrier support.
(Image credit: Erin Jahns)
Before and after Beauty Director Erin Jahns applied Mara’s 3-in-1 Pearl Peptide Glaze
Best Mineral SPF
Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40
LIGHTSAVER
Triplesome Serum SPF 40
Lightsaver is the underrated sunscreen brand our testers desperately want you to know about. Our winner is a dermatologist-formulated clinical tinted mineral facial sunscreen with SPF 40 and has a light, silky, and glowy texture to boot. Good-for-your-skin additions include green tea extract, Centella asiatica, zinc oxide, panthenol, and the brand’s Triplesome Repair Complex-3, which includes three DNA repair enzymes (encapsulated in liposome for peak stability and absorption) to help rejuvenate sun-damaged skin.
Senior beauty editor Jamie Chevron applying Lightsaver’s Triplesome Serum SPF 40
Best Lip Mask
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Laneige
Lip Sleeping Mask
This icon hardly needs an introduction, but our testers couldn’t be more smitten with Laneige’s luxuriously rich sleeping mask and the whimsical choice of shades and flavors.
Why experts love it: “This has been around long enough that its inclusion might seem obvious, but it’s here because it actually works. Most lip products sit on the surface. This penetrates and repairs. The consistency stays put overnight without feeling suffocating. I recommend this to clients constantly because dry, damaged lips age you and there aren’t many products that actually fix the problem rather than just temporarily mask it. This does.” — Carbonari
“An overnight moisture mask for your lips that does not make your lips feel dry. Instead, your lips feel plumper and more hydrated. Game changer!” — Bridget Brager, Celebrity Hairstylist
“A longtime staple of mine. It delivers lasting hydration, smooths texture overnight, and consistently performs better than many newer lip treatments on the market.” — Renée Loiz, Celebrity Makeup Artist
“This is my favorite, and for good reason. It melts onto lips and makes them immediately feel hydrated and works all night to boost lips’ moisture levels while you sleep. It comes in so many fun scents and tints. I often find myself applying some in the morning as a tinted lip balm.” — Palep
Best Eye Masks
Dieux Forever Eye Mask
Dieux
Forever Eye Mask Reusable Patches
When possible, we’ll always prioritize a high-quality skincare staple that has a reusability factor, and Dieux’s medical-grade silicone eye masks have become our gold standard. Simply apply your favorite eye cream or serum, let it dry until tacky, and then place these patches on top. Leave for at least 20 minutes and then remove, rinse lightly with soapy water, dry, and replace in the tin.
Why experts love it: “Most eye patches are designed for single-use and end up creating unnecessary waste, which is why I appreciate how thoughtfully this one was developed. The Dieux Forever Eye Mask is made from medical-grade silicone and designed to enhance the penetration of the products layered underneath by creating a semi-occlusive seal over the skin. It helps maximize hydration, minimizes evaporation, and makes everything from serums to eye creams work more efficiently. I love that it’s reusable enough to replace countless single-use patches, and I often recommend it to patients.” — Caroline Robinson, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologist and Founder of Tone
“I love a reusable eye mask, and these from Dieux have been making the rotation as part of my evening eye treatment. I’ll apply a serum directly to the eye pads and apply them for 10 to 15 minutes, or even longer if it’s been a long day. I like that I can choose the skincare product to pair with the eye masks depending on what my eyes might need most. Some days they need hydration; other days they need antioxidants or caffeine to help with dark circles.” — Palep
(Image credit: Alyssa Brascia)
Associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia testing Dieux’s Forever Eye Masks
Best Hydrogel Face Mask
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Ginseng Collagen Mask
PEACH & LILY
Glass Skin Ginseng Collagen Mask
Most “glass skin” products and masks we try have very temporary results—a glossy, sticky film that sits prettily on our skin but instantly washes off. Not this one. A full-size 40-gram serum bottle of ginseng, cica, peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, fermented extract and lipids, and 55,000ppm Vegan Collagen Complex is absorbed into the skin for lush, long-lasting results.
Why experts love it: “Before the red carpet, after a long day, this mask works to give that glass-skin, hydrated effect everyone wants. It works flawlessly! And it’s dermatologist-tested, so you can trust it.” — Brager
Associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia applying Peach & Lily’s Glass Skin Ginseng Collagen Mask
Best Face Mist
Rhode Glazing Mist
We’re picky about our face mists, but this one is elite. The mist itself is ultra, ultra fine (no post-spritz sogginess!) and features skin-nourishing ingredients like ectoin, ceramides, and magnolia extract to re-up your complexion’s moisture levels and luminosity.
Why experts love it: “The one and only face mist that does not disappear into thin air. I started bringing this onto flights to rehydrate my skin, and your skin looks and feels tacky and hydrated for several hours after putting it on. It is also one of my favorite things to use for skin prep on clients because it provides proper hydration without bulking up the skin.” — Childs
“I tend to be skeptical of face mists, but this formula is surprisingly well balanced. Rhode’s Glazing Mist delivers that immediate dewy finish we want while still incorporating ingredients that support the skin barrier. The ultrafine mist layers beautifully over skincare or makeup, and the combination of ectoin, ceramides, beta-glucan, glycerin, and panthenol in the formula help to hydrate, calm, and reduce transepidermal water loss without feeling heavy or overly occlusive on.” — Robinson
“I use the Rhode Glazing Mist to add moisture to skin before applying a hyaluronic acid serum. Adding a touch of moisture to the skin helps boost the efficacy of an HA serum for maximum hydration. This mist goes on superfine, and it doesn’t mess up makeup if I want a skin refresh later in the day.” — Palep
“Such an easy addition to your skincare routine that leaves the skin supple and hydrated.” — Marjan
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock testing Rhode’s Glazing Mist
Best SPF Primer
YSE Beauty Skin Glow SPF 30 Primer
YSE Beauty
Skin Glow SPF 30 Primer
Say hello to a three-in-one product with serious skin-perfecting powers. Not only does this formula from YSE offer a chemical SPF 30, but it also works deeply to hydrate dry, depleted skin and wave a magic wand over any imperfections thanks to light-scattering microspheres. Beach Barbie skin, bottled.
Why experts love it: “One of my favorite products on the market right now. I use it daily! I love products that streamline the makeup process without sacrificing skincare benefits. This gives the skin a healthy glow, layers beautifully under makeup, and offers sun protection without feeling heavy or greasy.” — Loiz
“Love the healthy glow this gives the skin while still functioning well under makeup. It makes daily SPF feel much more elegant and wearable.” — Marino
(Image credit: Erin Jahns)
Beauty Director Erin Jahns wearingYSE Beauty’s Skin Glow SPF 30 Primer
Best Facial Cleanser
Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser
Kora Organics
Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser
Highly refreshing, this invigorating yet gentle foaming gel cleanser from Kora Organics is the equivalent to a shot of espresso for your complexion. It’s equipped with nutrients like turmeric and aloe vera juice to cleanse and quench the skin and offers unique aromatherapy perk via peppermint, palo santo, and rosemary extract to awaken your skin cells and your senses. Because of this, we love to keep this one stowed in our shower.
Why experts love it: “This cleanser gives a really fresh, clean feeling without stripping the skin. The formula leaves the complexion looking brighter and more balanced after use.” — Marino
Best Facial Scrub
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Dermalogica
Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator
A classic our testers still can’t quit! Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator originally launched in 2001, and the results are still kicking. The iconic enzyme powder activates upon contact with water and gently exfoliates the skin to improve tone, clear breakouts, and diminish the look of pores. Salicylic acid, colloidal oatmeal, tea tree oil, papaya enzymes, and rice bran round off the A+ roster of ingredients.
Why experts love it: “An iconic exfoliant that continues to hold up. It’s gentle enough for consistent use while still noticeably improving texture, brightness, and overall smoothness.” — Loiz
“I’m very particular about exfoliants because they’re often overused and formulated far too aggressively, but this one is exceptional. The rice-based powder transforms into a soft, creamy foam with water, creating the ideal texture for gentle, controlled exfoliation. Salicylic acid, papain (an enzyme derived from papaya), and rice bran extract work synergistically to clear pores, refine skin texture, and help defend against environmental stressors without compromising the skin barrier.” — Robinson
Best Cleansing Oil
Ma:nyo Pure Cleansing Oil
ma:nyo
Pure Cleansing Facial Oil
We’re convinced that cleansing-oil lovers and haters alike will fall for this lush bottle from Ma:nyo. (The brand boasts 20 million—and counting—bottle sales to prove it.) The strategic blend of argan, jojoba, and olive oils melt away blackheads, whiteheads, makeup, sunscreen—you name it—without triggering pesky breakouts or clogged pores.
Why experts love it: “I always recommend an oil cleanse as the first step in an evening routine. It’s a beautifully formulated cleansing oil that removes makeup thoroughly while still feeling gentle and nourishing on the skin. It emulsifies well and rinses clean without residue.” — Marino
Senior beauty editor Jamie Chevron applying Ma:nyo’s Pure Cleansing Oil
Best Chemical Exfoliant
StriVectin Daily Reveal Exfoliating Pads
StriVectin
Daily Reveal Exfoliating Pads
We swiped many acid-soaked pads across our faces over the last six months, and StriVectin’s smart formula featuring PHAs, AHAs, BHAs, and TXAs stole our hearts. We could use them every day without irritation and quickly noticed smoother and far more radiant skin.
Why experts love it: “I love the StriVectin Daily Reveal Exfoliating Pads. They are easy to incorporate into my skincare routine a few times each week after cleansing. The combination of AHAs, PHAs, and BHAs helps to resurface skin with chemical exfoliation, and the surface texture of the pad helps with physical exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and any dirt or debris missed from cleansing. My skin always glows after using these.” — Palep
Best Eye Cream
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
Contour Collection Eyelift Bioremodeling Peptide Multiplex
This is not your regular humdrum eye serum, people. Our testers noticed serious improvements in tightness and lift thanks to the hypertargeted and clinically validated formula, which is designed to expedite the skin’s natural bioremodeling processes. (Very cool, no?) In non-science speak, it’s working to reverse and combat visible signs of aging around the eyes while plumping and contouring the eye area as a whole. It’s sensational.
Best Serum for Redness
Dr. Idriss Left Un-Red Reducer Serum
Dr. Idriss
Left Un-Red Reducer Face Serum
Our tester with rosacea voted this serum a number one pick, and those of us with less serious redness (but a propensity for sensitivity and breakouts) backed her up. A whopping 10% of azelaic acid teams up with 18-ß-glycyrrhetinic acid to minimize redness and breakouts while keeping skin calm, cool, and collected. Capryloyl glycine also joins in to help regulate oil production.
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock applying Dr. Idriss’s Left Un-Red Reducer Serum
Best Rich Moisturizer
Bonjout Beauty La Cream
Bonjout Beauty
La Cream Skin Longevity Crème
This luxurious, carefully sourced moisturizer brings the French pharmacy to your at-home vanity. The formulation process for this cream involved more than 100 versions, and the result is designed to mimic the skin’s unique structure. It’s especially fabulous for dry or mature skin and features high-performance actives for unparalleled results. The finish is velvety, dreamy, and gorgeously radiant.
Why experts love it: “This is a moisturizer that raises the bar for what a moisturizer can be. Built on a beautiful base of grape-seed water, squalane, glycerin, and camellia seed oil, La Cream layers in brightening ingredients, peptides, and amino acids to create a formula that not only feels luxurious on the skin but delivers results to match. I would recommend this for normal-to-dry and wiser skin.” — Robinson
Best Face Oil
Outside In Floral Reserve Face Oil
Outside In
Floral Reserve Face Oil
This gorgeous face oil caused quite the upset among our testers that quoted themselves as *previously* “anti–face oil.” Unfortunately for them, this lightweight formula is too good not to fall for. It features a pure and potent melding of sweet almond, sunflower seed, meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed, and macadamia seed oils to deliver rich hydration that still feels featherlight and non-greasy on the skin. It’s great under makeup or as the last step in your skincare routine.
Best Face Mask
Activist Mānuka Honey Mask
ACTIVIST
Mānuka Honey Mask
This ultra-high-quality mask made with pure manuka honey is the definition of a true skin hero. Naturally antibacterial and hydrating, this mask can be used to repair skin damage, revamp your glow, cleanse, spot-treat, calm inflammation, fade scars, or simply seal in hydration. Warning: You’ll want eight.
Why experts love it: “Honey has been used as a beauty treatment for centuries, and this mask really highlights why it’s stood the test of time. Manuka honey is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, while also acting as a humectant that helps draw and bind moisture into the skin. I especially love honey for acne-prone skin because it helps calm breakouts while supporting healing and hydration at the same time. It’s also incredibly nourishing for dry or mature skin, making this one of those rare products that genuinely work beautifully across almost every skin type.” — Marino
“Manuka honey is one of the few ‘natural’ ingredients with actual clinical evidence for wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties. This mask uses medical-grade manuka at concentrations that are actually therapeutic, not just marketing. For irritated, inflamed, or compromised skin, this calms without the potential reactivity of synthetic actives. It’s also one of the rare products I’d recommend for someone whose skin is so sensitized they can’t tolerate anything else.” — Carbonari
Best Makeup Remover
Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Mary Kay
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Our testers were shocked by how effortless makeup removal (even stubborn, long-wearing eye makeup) was with this oil-free remover from Mary Kay. It won’t leave behind any of that pesky greasy residue most makeup removers have, and it also left our delicate eye area feeling refreshed instead of irritated and abused.
Assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert using Mary Kay’s Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Best Serum for Lines & Wrinkles
U Beauty The Smooth Dynamic Wrinkle Defense Serum
U Beauty
The Smooth Dynamic Wrinkle Defense Serum
Utilizing U Beauty’s signature Siren Capsule Technology for delivery, two patented peptide complexes, copper peptides, vegan silk protein, and Centella exosomes are easily absorbed into the skin for next-level wrinkle support. The formula is designed to smooth fine lines and wrinkles that have already formed while supporting future skin longevity and elasticity. If you’re specifically looking to target wrinkles, this is your silver ticket.
Why experts love it: “Truly worth every penny. This really works overtime and leaves the skin feeling firm and smooth.” — Marjan
Best Retinol
RoC Skincare Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads
RoC
Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing 2-Step Peel Pads
Who said great skincare has to be expensive? Dermatologists helped design this two-step at-home system inspired by professional peels. The first step utilizes glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, phytic acid, gluconolactone, and hyaluronic acid (for exfoliation and hydration) prior to the second step, which features RoC’s pantented clinical retinol and ectoin to reduce irritation and inflammation.
Best Serum for Brightness
InnBeauty Project Pro C Serum
InnBeauty Project
Pro C Serum
Our testers deemed this vitamin C the holy grail of all vitamin C serums. It feels like a dream on the skin and absorbs quickly with a light and dewy finish, but the ingredient list is what truly sings if you’re in the market for serious brightening results. Think a 15% Multi-Vector Vitamin C Complex; an advanced antioxidant cocktail featuring tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, and alpha-arbutin; and the cherry on top, patented peptides with FGG-2 growth factor.
Why experts love it: “This is an incredibly well-formulated vitamin C serum, especially at its price point under $100. A follower challenged me to find an effective vitamin C under $100, and after going down a vitamin C rabbit hole, this is the top contender I landed on! It does a great job targeting pigment and discoloration while also helping protect the skin against environmental damage and oxidative stress. The formula combines THD ascorbate, a stable oil-soluble form of vitamin C known for its brightening and collagen-supporting benefits, with ingredients like ferulic acid and peptides to help improve overall skin tone, radiance, and firmness. It feels effective without being overly irritating, making it approachable for a wider range of skin types. As someone who typically recommends medical-grade products, I was genuinely impressed with this formula!” — Marino
Best Chemical SPF
Bioré UV Aqua Rich Glow Enhancing Moisturizer SPF 50
Bioré
UV Aqua Rich Glow Enhancing Moisturizer SPF 50
Our testers have tried nearly every facial SPF known to humankind and were exceptionally impressed with this chemical formulation from Bioré. It’s hydrating, oil-free, fast-absorbing, and works great on its own or as a beautiful canvas before makeup.
Why experts love it: “Japanese sunscreen formulations are consistently superior to American ones with better filters, more elegant textures, and higher protection without the white cast or greasiness. This gives genuine SPF 50 protection, wears invisibly under makeup, doesn’t pill, and has that subtle glow that makes skin look healthy rather than shiny. If you’re not wearing sunscreen daily because you hate how it feels, try this. It eliminates every excuse.” — Carbonari
“This is a sunscreen that achieves glow with hydration and elegant formulation alone, and it’s popular for a reason. It has the lightweight, water-based texture the Aqua Rich line is known for but with added humectants and light-reflective ingredients that give the skin a healthy, hydrated finish rather than a greasy sheen. Broad-spectrum UV filters provide high daily protection, while hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and moisturizing agents help maintain hydration and support the skin barrier throughout the day. It wears beautifully under makeup, layers without pilling, and leaves the skin with the perfect amount of dewiness.” — Robinson
Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock applying Bioré’s UV Aqua Rich Glow Enhancing Moisturizer SPF 50
Best Lip Balm
Sarah Creal Beauty The Adults Are Talking Solid Serum Lip Repair
Sarah Creal
The Adults Are Talking Solid Serum Lip Repair
Trust us—our team has never been as excited about something as simple as a lip balm. Aside from being aesthetically beautiful, the balm itself delivers dewy, long-lasting moisture and glow to parched lips.
Why experts love it: “This feels incredibly nourishing and comforting on dry lips. It delivers real repair benefits while still feeling luxurious and easy to wear throughout the day.” — Marino
