Each time we twist open a new jar of moisturizer or give a fresh serum a few pumps, we feel a surge of hope—maybe this is the one that’s going to do it. Our smile lines will fade, our dark spots will ease up, our breakouts will clear.
More often than not, we move on quickly to the next—maybe the lotion smelled too rose-y, the serum pilled under our sunscreen, or we didn’t get more than a burst of temporary moisture from a cream (hardly worth the price of admission). But then there are the times when the skin-care stars align—the feel, the smell, everything about the formula is so spot-on that just applying it is a win in and of itself.
And after we’ve put the cap back on, things only get better from there—our skin looks different right away, and the transformation continues little by little over time.
The way we test skin care at Allure is part science-based data collection: Yes, it says it “smooths wrinkles,” but does the brand have clinicals? Does the ingredient list look promising, based on our collective decades spent interviewing chemists about the difference between capable ingredients and frivolous ones?
The other part of our vetting process is more emotional: If something’s got peptides and antioxidants up the wazooo, but we’re not excited about reaching for it, or our skin just isn’t getting to where we want it to be, that’s a pass.
When the science and the spark come together in a way that’s just right, that’s when you get the 42 winners of our Allure Best of Beauty Skin awards . We’ve put these creams, spot treatments, masks, cleansers, and more to the test on our own skin—and our editors’ goals run the gamut.
Some of us would like to spend less time cursing sun damage, some of us have been honing a gentle routine for managing acne for years, and some of us want to smooth without exacerbating rosacea or eczema . Now go find the most joyful, most effective skin-care routine to point your complexion in the right direction, wherever that direction is for you.
Shop your favorite category or keep scrolling for the year's very best face creams, cleansers, and serums.
Why It Won: It smells a little bit herbal and feels completely silky as Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil , with 10 different oils that help soften skin, lathers up to whisk away makeup. It’s meant to be a first step in a double-cleansing routine followed by a gel formula, but frankly, it cleans well enough (and we’re just lazy enough) that we often use it on its own.
Psst, if you’re a list-maker, it’s ginseng , coconut, soja, olive, camellia, and black cumin oils that are responsible for making your skin—and this cleanser—feel so good.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Korean cleansing oils are top-tier, so you’ll rarely catch me using any others. I regularly cycle through this one from Beauty of Joseon, which thoroughly breaks down my long-wearing makeup without leaving my skin feeling dry and stripped.
Even though there’s only so much a wash-off formula can do in the long term, the added ginseng is a fantastic ingredient that helps soothe my skin. I love pairing this cleansing oil with some of BoJ’s other ginseng-infused products, like the Essence Water.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Beauty director Sarak Kinonen removes her makeup with The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser .
Why It Won: It’s a little more liquid-y, a little less conventional, and a lot more indulgent than you expect a balm face wash to be. The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser is somewhat milky (not a potted balm) and meant to be smoothed over dry skin, then emulsified by adding water, so you’re basically massaging it into a soft lather.
And we highly recommend washing your face in front of the mirror because you get to watch your makeup quickly vanish as you go, almost like magic. After you’ve rinsed the balm—and all traces of foundation, mascara, and blush away—your skin is soft, squeaky clean, and soothed with oat kernel and sea buckthorn oils.
This repeat winner was a favorite in 2020, but we appreciate it even more in 2026, thanks to its recent reformulation, which makes it feel thinner than the balm’s original texture, so you can more easily squeeze it out of the tube.
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
"I remember when The Inkey List's Oat Balm Cleanser first came out in 2020. It defied the category with its tube packaging, $10 price tag, and ability to smear off a face full of makeup in seconds.
I loved it! But after the brand reformulated its star earlier this year, I fear I love it even more!
It's lighter—now with a touch more oil—for an easier bottle squeeze. It still removes everything (makeup, sunscreen, and New York City grime) in seconds, sits nicely on my shower shelf with ease, and is priced under $20 (now $17, thanks, inflation).
It's the same...but better." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Why It Won: This is our kind of deep clean, no elbow grease required—and no skin-drying compromises, either. Youth to the People Adaptogens Supershroom Calm Cleanser ’s creamy, fragrance-free gel helps remove every last trace of the day (foundation, sweat, the shine that sets in around 3 p.m.…) while lipids and ceramides nestle into the skin’s barrier to help bolster it.
Tester feedback from designer Briana Rengifo
"My skin is super-dry and very sensitive around my nose, and this cleanser doesn't unnecessarily strip my skin of moisture. It feels so amazingly soft and sudsy, which is a surprise because I didn’t think this could top Youth to the People's green-bottle cleanser for me!" —Briana Rengifo, designer
Why It Won: Like the mom who does their adult child’s laundry, La Roche-Posay Toleriane Moisturizing Milky Facial Cleanser straight-up babies skin with mineral-rich spring water. This milky lotion soothes as it cleanses, and humectant glycerin pulls the water you’re splashing onto your face into your skin—clever and coddling.
"La Roche-Posay is one of the few skin-care brands I recommend to just about anyone, especially those with dry and/or sensitive skin. While I don't fall into either category (I have combination skin), I like to keep my cleansers simple and non-stripping.
This Toleriane Moisturizing Milky Facial Cleanser does exactly that and respects my skin barrier, thanks to a very minimal ingredient list featuring thermal spring water and glycerin. It always leaves my skin feeling baby-soft, which is important since it's the second step of my double-cleansing routine.
The giant bottle is a huge plus, too—more than enough to last me and my boyfriend many months, and even more convenient for families with kiddos." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Commerce editor Sarah Han applies The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser.
Why It Won: Yes, it foams—really, really well—but it also does so much more. The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser comes out of the tube as a lush cream, then froths up into a rich lather that gets every last pore clean while cushioning skin with moisturizing ceramides. If pores could talk, they’d be saying, “Thank you!”
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
"I wish everything were as simple as this face wash, which transforms into a milky foam that gently cleanses my skin of SPF, water-resistant formulas, and layers of complexion products in one step." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Why It Won: The Mr. Rogers of facial exfoliation, there’s absolutely nothing harsh about Isdin Essential Scrub . The teeniest, tiniest grit from fine olive seed powder is suspended in a lightweight gel. It delicately buffs away dead cells and grime for uplifted complexions. Such a good feeling.
Tester feedback from senior news editor James Manso
"I'm always hyper-concerned about using anything too scrubby on my face (I usually fall firmly in the chemical exfoliant camp), and hadn't used a scrub in years before trying this one. The gentleness is what keeps Isdin Essential Scrub on my sink.
What starts as a primer-like consistency emulsifies into a foam, which is why I've also been shaving my face with it. It never leaves me feeling red, tight, tingly, irritated, or any of the other side effects that traumatized me into swearing off scrubs in my teen years." —James Manso, senior news editor
Commerce editor Sarah Han mists her skin with the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer.
Why It Won: The shortcut to radiant skin is this milky prep step. To say that Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer hydrates would be an understatement—patting it on drenches skin in more moisture than you’d find in a wet T-shirt contest, with the help of peptides and ceramides (they form a comfy barrier to keep your newfound hydration in).
Tester feedback from former senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
"I've used Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer for years, and it's the one that always holds up. The toner has a really nice texture, which is a little thicker than average—and I love it." —Sarah Felbin, former senior commerce editor
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applies the Glow Recipe PDRN + Repair + Soothe Korean Toner Pads.
Why It Won: Inside the jar, you’ll find pink tweezers for pulling out clear cellulose rounds that are jiggly like jelly. Tetris them where needed—placing one underneath each eye, another on your forehead, some on your cheeks and chin—and Glow Recipe PDRN + Repair + Soothe Korean Toner Pads get down to business.
Late night? No problem, these pre-soaked pads help bring down puffiness by cooling on contact and temporarily firming with caffeine.
Feeling dull? They pack moisture into skin with hydrating glycerin in five minutes flat.
It’s a rewarding way to try out skin care’s PDRN trend, pairing the buzzy ingredient with well-vetted ones for real—not to mention quick—results. (PDRN are DNA fragments, sourced here from prickly pear and white rice, that, in this case, help support skin renewal, but the jury is still out on that one.)
"Despite how careful I am with my sensitive skin, I wake up with red splotches on my face almost every day. One thing that helps calm them is Glow Recipe PDRN + Repair + Soothe Korean Toner Pads.
I’ll slap one onto the areas that are looking particularly irritated. The pads are cut to a size and shape that comfortably fit the contours of my face and stay put without slipping despite being soaked with the serum.
After the prescribed five minutes, my redness is noticeably less pronounced. Even better, they don’t leave behind a slick residue, so layering more skin care and makeup is always seamless." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Why It Won: When you’ve got serious skin-care goals—fading stubborn dark spots, helping erase bumpy skin texture, unclogging pores that were eroding into whiteheads or blackheads—dermatologist-created Rose Ingleton MD SuperFruit Exfoliating Tonic is up to the task. Its namesake exfoliator (an 8% concentration of glycolic acid) is an especially potent alpha hydroxy acid that resurfaces skin for smoother, more radiant complexions, fading the look of discoloration and fine lines, and deep-cleaning pores for a more even skin tone and texture, and fewer breakouts in the long run.
Licorice root extract brings extra brightening power, and hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe hydrate, just as the doctor ordered.
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
"I love Rose Ingleton MD gel cleanser (another Best of Beauty-winning product), and pairing that with the Exfoliating Toner and moisturizer of choice has given my skin-care routine the upgrade I desperately needed! Because glycolic acid is one of the strongest acids to slough away dead skin, I have to be extremely cautious about how many times I use this product and deciding what other skin-care products I pair it with.
I prefer using toner twice a week at night with a hydrating serum and thick moisturizer to infuse a lot of hydration back into the skin. Within a week and half, a blemish mark below my chin quickly faded without leaving any irritation.
It's a miracle product for those looking to incorporate an exfoliant that targets dark spots into their routine." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
Senior staff writer Lizzy Gulino applies the Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads .
Why It Won: These saturated, double-sided pads (one side smooth, the other textured) have been around the block for years, but that’s because they take an easy-does-it approach to exfoliating, helping sweep away radiance-blocking grime and dead cells with lactic acid, one of the gentlest alpha hydroxy acids. Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads have a soft touch, but they get big-time results, and that means we get skin that feels soft and glowing.
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
"I'm new to exfoliating pads, but lately my breakouts are leaving hyperpigmentation behind almost immediately, and I need a little more regular exfoliation. I had tried a few different exfoliating toners, but hadn't seen a significant change until I started using these. My facialist commented how much better my dark spots looked after a month of use. These pads don't sting, smell strongly, or leave my face feeling dry." —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Senior director of creative programming and development Natalie Campbell sprays the Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray onto her face.
Why It Won: Facial mists are a dime a well-moisturized dozen, but Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray takes the whole “mists reset your skin” thing a gigantic step further: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory hypochlorous acid helps kill bacteria (a savior after muggy commutes or long workouts), helps bust current breakouts, including on acne-prone skin, brings down redness, and (wait, there’s more!) soothes irritation. The spritz has even been given the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance.
In short, it’s a quick fix that’s suitable for sensitive, eczema- and acne-prone skin. Its calming powers are so beloved that it went viral, and it does it all with just three ingredients (the other two being water and sodium chloride).
Tester feedback from senior director of creative programming and development Natalie Campbell
"This face mist has been a staple in my routine for the past two years. I reach for it if my skin is red, inflamed, or if I have an eczema rash. I have combination skin, and I feel like this spray instantly makes my face look and feel calmer whenever I use it. I notice an immediate softening of any redness at first sprtiz." —Natalie Campbell, senior director, creative programming and development
Why It Won: “Derivative!” The skin-care world is one of the few places where that’s actually a compliment: The brightening, antioxidant superstar that is vitamin C can be more stable and more readily accepted by the skin when you’re talking about some of its derivatives, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate and liposomal 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, both of which you’ll find in InnBeauty Project Pro C Serum Brightening Solution . They’re there alongside pure vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to fully harness the ingredient’s potential for fading discoloration, perking up dull skin until it looks luminous, and helping protect against environmental aggressors and free radicals with ferulic acid—nothing short of a (skin-care) work of art.
Tester feedback from executive beauty director Jenny Bailly
"I am religious about applying a vitamin C serum before my sunscreen every morning, and the silky gel-cream texture of this one makes it feel like a treat, not a task. Even better, after using it for a month last summer, my melasma looked less stark." —Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director
Why It Won: The color of lemon sorbet and just as revitalizing, OOTD Dark Spot Vitamin C Serum addresses dullness and uneven skin tone with ascorbic acid (aka vitamin C). It comes in a frosted glass jar with a dropper, but at about $27, it is one of the more budget-friendly vitamin C serums out there, proving you can brighten up skin without overspending.
"I like my serums extra silky and fast-absorbing, and OOTD nails both factors. It has a very tolerable 1% vitamin C concentration, so it’s great for sensitive skin. I recommend it to my friends who’ve never tried vitamin C before. (The antioxidant protection is a must for daytime, especially when you live in a big city.) It leaves my skin looking dewy, but not feeling sticky." —Sarah Han, commerce editor
Why It Won: If you’ve ever wished that you could take back the time you spent in the sun during summers past (been there!), this gel-cream serum gets you pretty darn close. Researchers at L’Oréal (the parent company of La Roche-Posay) screened around 100,000 molecules to find a pigment-preventing molecule dubbed Melasyl.
Along with the tried-and-true brightener niacinamide, it enables La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Double Dose Discoloration Treatment with Melasyl to help fade dark spots, like those caused by sun exposure. The hydration from glycerin and proxylane is instant.
Sounds too good to be true, sure, but our testers’ imperceptible dark spots speak for themselves.
Tester feedback from creative director Amber Venerable
"I used an entire bottle of La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Double Dose Treatment and have noticed the visible fading of dark spots on my skin. I also like the texture, which is light and leaves my skin looking dewy after I apply it." —Amber Venerable, creative director
Why It Won: Go ahead and accuse us of being boring (who isn’t sometimes?), but we are never dull, and we can thank Erly Daily Splash Hydrating Serum for that. This quick-absorbing serum is a tall drink of water—well, actually, it’s a tall drink of glycerin and three forms of hyaluronic acid—that helps revive parched skin and gives us a glow that makes skin look healthy, lively, and totally refreshed.
Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got a 1,000-piece puzzle that’s all about cats in bowties to finish.
"A beautifully designed bottle and a hard-working hydrating formula that gives my skin back some moisture—what's not to love about this serum? I also love using it alongside Erly’s night cream, but it's versatile enough to use with any moisturizer." —Briana Rengifo, designer
Why It Won: One of the first brands to bottle antioxidant resveratrol, a firming, smoothing polyphenol typically extracted from grapes, Caudalie is still the best at working with the powerhouse, which has been shown to increase collagen production in lab settings, in elegant formulas. Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum is light, milky, and widely popular in one of the world’s most famous beauty arenas, French pharmacies.
Its beloved blend was recently reformulated to be even more effective, pairing resveratrol with plumping hyaluronic acid and collagen-boosting peptides. The serum layers seamlessly under creams and makeup—and it makes our skin so much softer all on its own that we often skip moisturizer on top.
"Have I had to check my carry-on suitcase after a trip to France because I got carried away at a pharmacy stocking up on this favorite serum? I will not confirm nor deny!
It’s this serum I measure every other one against, and so far, nothing has beaten it. It’s hydrating even on my eczema-prone skin, and the silky finish makes a great base for makeup.
I can visibly see my skin looks smoother and glowy with consistent use. If the glass bottle weren’t refillable, I’d feel guilty about how many I’ve gone through over the past few years!" —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
Creative producer Sydney Malone uses the Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer .
Why It Won: The soft, velvety finish of this light-as-air gel-cream feels incredible going on, and then melts into skin, leaving complexions thoroughly hydrated and ready for foundation, and there’s no pilling under makeup. Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer uses silky dimethicone to seal in moisture and help base makeup blend more seamlessly on top, while a mix of humectants pulls water into skin, flooding it with long-lasting hydration.
All that moisture makes skin seem smoother right away, while a trio of peptides helps lessen the look of wrinkles and firms over time.
Tester feedback from creative producer Sydney Malone
"I love the lightweight texture of this product. It's a gel, but isn't sticky, which sometimes turns me off with gel moisturizers.
I love the neutral scent since I'm sensitive to fragrances. The packaging is super-convenient (love a good pump top!), and I genuinely noticed that my skin appeared more plump immediately following use.
This is definitely a product that will be incorporated into my daily routine long after the awards." —Sydney Malone, creative producer
Why It Won: Olay’s wrinkle-smoothing technology (which can be summed up in one word: peptides) has made it a drugstore favorite of dermatologists and cosmetic chemists for years. Even when we send pricier creams their way to review, they often refer us back to Olay’s reliable, smoothing results as a gold standard by which others can be measured.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream harnesses these peptides, pairing them with other tried-and-true ingredients—niacinamide for fading dark spots and panthenol (also known as vitamin B5) for moisturizing—in a delicate cream whose airy texture would be a standout at any price point.
“My mom is a creature of habit, and has been using the same skin-care products for decades. When I was growing up, the bright-red Olay Regenerist jar was a constant in our medicine cabinet—and with the exception of a handful of fancy additions, the iconic cream still has a permanent place there today.
She loves it for the lightweight texture, easy blendability, and consistent fine line-fighting results. And when I’m visiting her, I sometimes sneak into the jar to reap those same benefits.
Like mother, like daughter?” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann uses the Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream .
Why It Won: Cushy and comforting, Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream saturates skin with dewy moisture and a dose of peptides to help keep complexions smooth. In a one-week, independent clinical study on 60 volunteers, the pillowy moisturizer was found to help reduce visible wrinkle depth, improve the appearance of skin firmness, increase elasticity, and …sorry, we trailed off. They had us at the whole our “wrinkles could look shallower” thing…
Tester feedback from commerce shopping editor Sarah Hoffmann
"I've been a dedicated user of Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced Serum for some time now, so I pounced on the Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream when samples landed in our office. While I don't have really noticeable wrinkles yet, I do see an overall plumping of my skin when I consistently use this moisturizer.
The finish is really satin-y, it absorbs quickly (which is a through line with Medik8, and I'll always award bonus points for speedy application), and my skin texture and tone have never been better." —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce shopping editor
Why It Won: You know those little plastic spatulas that come with skin care, and 99% of the time you throw them away? In a genius twist, this more substantial—dare we say, indulgent—version of the spatula features a cool-on-contact, rolling metal ball, set inside like a sparkling skin-care jewel.
It not only makes the experience of putting on Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Eye Cream super-relaxing, but also helps with depuffing (to an extent). The real magic, though, happens when the light cream’s retinol technology helps treat lines under the eyes and around crow’s-feet.
Hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid help make crinkling less noticeable, too.
Tester feedback from social director Kassidy Silva
"A spoonful of bouncy perfection! This small but mighty jar has helped rewind the clock on my undereye bags, keeping my skin feeling hydrated and depuffed." —Kassidy Silva, social director
Why It Won: Caffeine is a must in the mornings for so (so, so) many reasons. The most adorable way to get the jolt is also instantly gratifying: Tula ’ Spresso Energizing Eye Balms help tone down puffiness from late nights or salty snacks with skin-tightening caffeine, and make undereyes look brighter and smoother, too, with pearly tints in sheer shades of rosy Pink, peachy Cappuccino, caramel Americano, and Iridescent Iced.
Did we mention that all those benefits are packed into a cooling stick? It feels refreshing going on and helps fill in lines with hyaluronic acid, so they’re less noticeable with a few quick swipes.
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
"I understand this is a caffeine eye balm, but Tula must’ve put some magic fairy dust in this product. I can literally feel it (and see it!) tightening my undereyes almost immediately upon first swipe.
The cooling sensation lasts for around an hour and provides a much-needed wake-up when I’m getting ready in the morning. I have dark undereyes, too, and this balm, for sure, has helped brighten them up." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
Why It Won: With its soft yellow tint and lustrous, dewy texture, Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream starts camouflaging circles as swiftly as you can tap it on, while its cooling feel is downright pampering on delicate skin under the eyes. It’s infused with caffeine to tighten up the area, a slew of antioxidants to protect and smooth, and cocoa and shea butters to hydrate beyond belief, minimizing the look of crepiness and fine lines.
Tester feedback from visuals director Kathryne Hall
"I break out easily from most moisturizers, but I always want an undereye cream for my dark circles. This Sunday Riley eye cream is light enough for daily use, absorbs quickly, and doesn't have a stront scent, so I forget I'm even wearing it!" —Kathryne Hall, visuals director
Senior shopping director Shanna Shipin uses the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches .
Why It Won: Our little slice(s) of heaven, Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches plump with moisture (from hyaluronic acid and glycerin) that make undereyes dewy and bright and send fine lines and crepiness packing (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves). Each blue hydrogel eye patch depuffs with caffeine, soothes with niacinamide and cucumber extract (we love the nod to the old-school spa depuffing trick), and won’t slip or slide around as you wear them for 10 minutes—or, more likely, longer because they feel so comforting you might not want to peel them off.
"Eye masks can be a dime a dozen, although these have been a real pleasure to use. The packaging is easy to travel with, the hydrogel format doesn't slip, and they've saved me dozens of times after long workdays and busy nights.
I'm not sure if it's the actives or simply how hydrating they are, but I'm always pleased with how depuffed and awake I look despite my hectic schedule." —James Manso, senior news editor
Why It Won: It’s purple! And pretty!
And we have to resist the urge to sing The Little Mermaid ’s “Poor Unfortunate Souls” each time we slather it on! But the Ursula-lilac color of OleHenriksen Violet Ice Cold Plunge Pore Mask is more than a gimmick.
It comes from kaolin and purple clay extracts, which pull oil and grime from pores as it dries, cleaning them out like the world’s smallest vacuum. Salicylic acid, meanwhile, dissolves gunk and shrinks pimples, including blackheads and whiteheads, making this one very efficient 15-minute deep clean ( I’m a very busy woman, and I haven’t got all day …).
Tester feedback from Best of Beauty editorial assistant Arietta Hallock
"This mask has every right to name itself after a cold plunge. The cooling sensation is immediate and intense, and my pores emerge tight and refreshed as if I’ve just surfaced from icy waters. The chill even lingers on my skin after rinsing!" —Arietta Hallock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Why It Won: Ob sessed . With its cooling slushy texture (fun!) and silicone spatula (the applicator we never knew we needed, but now can’t live without), painting on Fenty Skin Dew N Plump Intense Hydration Slushie Mask is a relaxing ritual in and of itself (and the brush slides in and out of the cap, so we don’t lose it or let it get dirty sitting in a makeup drawer).
The pink concoction hydrates the hell out of skin with fruit juices (cherry, starfruit), watermelon seed oil, and a blend of humectants (sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, sodium polyglutamate) that pull water into our very grateful complexions. And because this lightweight, leave-on mask doesn’t get rinsed away, your skin still has that “I just put on a face mask” look hours and hours later.
"I love putting this gel mask on at night and waking up to plump, soft skin in the morning! It's by far, one of the most hydrating masks!" —Briana Rengifo, designer
Why It Won: Like a satisfying decluttering project, Dr. Idriss Major Fade Flash Mask gets rid of all the stuff that we don’t want lying around anymore.
The thin-as-a-serum gel removes the extras (dead cells, dirt, oil) that make skin look drab when they linger, and lightens up discoloration using a trio of acids. Glycolic acid is an exfoliator to top all exfoliators, lactic acid is a gentle way to slough, and tranexamic acid targets hyperpigmentation.
Tester feedback from senior shopping director Shanna Shipin
"Closed comedones, years of sun damage, and increasingly enlarged pores—this exfoliator keeps some of my biggest skin-care bogeymen at bay. Over time, I've noticed brighter, more even skin, but I also like to use it overnight before a big event for a fresh face in the morning." —Shanna Shipin, senior shopping director
Why It Won: Clear and cooling, Sonni SunDown Restoration Electrolyte Sheet Mask makes our cheeks look every bit as revived as it makes us feel. The mask holds just enough serum to reset skin with hydrating glycerin, antioxidant niacinamide, mineral-rich coconut water, and redness-calming, skin-soothing allantoin and panthenol.
It’s a great 20-minute cooldown after a day in the sun, but we prefer using it in the morning, so our skin can look brilliant all day long.
"The Sonni SunDown Restoration Electrolyte Sheet Mask works well to soothe my skin after a hot day in the garden. It's gentle enough for my very sensitive skin; it hydrates, reduces redness, and sun stress." —Kathryne Hall, visuals director
Beauty director Sarah Kinonen applies the Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen .
Why It Won: Wherever you fall on the sliding scale of sunscreen willingness—from enthusiastic (wrinkles not welcome here!) to begrudging (you use it most days, you swear )— Peach & Lily Beam Blocker Invisible Sunscreen is one you will happily-slash-ungrumblingly incorporate into your routine. With this light lotion, there’s zero sunscreen-y smell, zero greasy feel, zero pilling, and zero (valid) reasons for skipping it.
"I use this sunscreen every day! I was obsessed after the first slathering of this stuff.
It's lightweight, easily blendable, and doesn't irritate my eyes, which is a feat for a chemical sunscreen. (There's nothing worse than being mid-workout, trying to blink out the sting from the SPF sweat.) It also layers well under... everything.
Foundation? Yep.
Copious amounts of liquid blush? Also yes.
It never pills and isn't greasy or sticky, and most importantly, it doesn't irritate my easily inflamed skin. A true win!" —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Creative director Amber Venerable applies the SkinCeuticals Future Mineral UV Defense SPF 50 .
Why It Won: Here’s a little extra incentive to wear sunscreen every day: SkinCeuticals Future Mineral UV Defense SPF 50 feels and looks unassuming on skin—and really, isn’t that alone one of the highest compliments you can give SPF?—and it makes skin look younger in the long run in more ways than one. The sheer, untinted mineral sunscreen (with zinc and titanium dioxide) obviously helps prevent sun damage, but it also treats signs of past sun exposure with niacinamide (in a relatively high 3% concentration) and skin barrier-strengthening moisturizers such as beta-glucan and cellulose.
One of our testers loved this no-cast, easy-to-blend mineral sunscreen so much that they refused to believe it was actually mineral until we showed them the label. Ever since, we've been trying (unsuccessfully) to convince them to hand over the bottle.
"I wouldn't say I'm a mineral sunscreen fan, largely because most look insane on brown skin, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It blends well, is lightweight, and doesn't have the white cast that mineral formulas are known for." —Amber Venerable, creative director
Commerce editor Sarah Han shakes and then applies the Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40 . .
Why It Won: If radiant foundation and hydrating serum had an overachieving type A child, it would be Lightsaver Triplesome Serum SPF 40 . You know how a lot of tinted sunscreens seem like they’re just overcompensating for a white cast without actually adding much in the way of coverage?
Well, this one has all the beautiful color payoff of a sheer base and all the protection of mineral SPF (from zinc oxide), and it smooths skin (with panthenol), and it’s got antioxidant green tea, and (phew, almost there!) it’s gentle enough to have earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Oh, it also has sun-safety tips on the box.
Told ya, total overachiever. It comes in two shades, beige Ivory and tan Tinted, which is one more shade than most other tinted sunscreens.
Tester feedback from creative development manager Lauren Alberti
"I literally use this every single day. It replaced my foundation in the summer and becomes the my-skin-but-better (and protected!) product for the whole season. It goes on like a dream and is tinted enough to cover small blemishes and discoloration. It’s the perfect summer product, but I have a feeling I will be using this all year-round." —Lauren Alberti, manager, creative development
Why It Won: Want to see a magic trick? Okay, neither do we.
But stay with us because this one ends in clearer skin (and no quarter emerging from behind your ear). Centellian 24 Madeca Matcha Toning Peeling Gel goes on with an olive tint and subtle grit (exfoliation, part one), and breaks up oil and dead cells with glycolic acid, lactic acid, and a gentle salicylic acid derivative called capryloyl salicylic acid (exfoliation, part two).
Then the gel color changes into charcoal, and that’s your cue to roll and peel it off, which is as satisfying as popping a pimple—er, or so we’ve heard. That’s totally something we’d never do.
Tester feedback from former Best of Beauty editorial assistant ElleAnna Revell
"This peel is magic! Immediately after applying and gently rubbing in, it removed all the dead skin, dirt, and buildup from my face. No aggressive and irritating scrubbing needed. My skin is the softest it has ever been after adding this to my routine!" —ElleAnna Revell, former Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Editor in chief Jessica Cruel uses the Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel .
Why It Won: Three acids, two steps, one word: Bananas. As in, an Allure editor (who’s no stranger to either at-home or in-office peels) was completely blown away by how crystal-clear and pebble-smooth Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel made her complexion.
The mix of acids—lactic, mandelic, and glycolic—targets a mix of skin concerns, with some working on the surface to exfoliate dead skin cells, others penetrating deeper, and the net result being that this mask is able to even out skin tone and lessen fine lines and sunspots. Even though it’s two steps, it’s not a humongous time commitment: Brush on the acid gel; after two minutes, apply a clarifying kaolin clay mask on top; then rinse after 10.
There’s a little tingling while the clay neutralizes the acids, but every time (and there were many times) that we brushed this on in the name of a pick-me-up, our skin wasn’t left dry, irritated, or tight.
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
"When I have to be on TV or walk the red carpet, there is only one product I trust to leave my skin glowing, and that's this peel. I have been lucky enough to get the full celeb facial treatment at Shani Darden's LA studio.
This two-step exfoliant bottles a little of that magic for at-home use. I love that it comes with a brush to apply the acid.
Then, you slather on the clay mask, which gives the whole thing a whipped consistency. It tingles a bit, but after I rinse, my skin is visibly glowier." —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
Why It Won: If this little blue bottle could talk, we imagine it would use a lot of words like “deliverables,” and “ideate,” and “circle back,” because PanOxyl Acne Gel Wash is all business. It would also totally be the boss of all the other bottles in the shower; it’s just so stellar at what it does.
We have less oiliness, lower shine levels, and fewer breakouts ever since we started using this 2% salicylic acid formula, the maximum over-the-counter strength allowed by the FDA for acne treatment. Even though it’s no-frills, you don’t have to suffer through a strong chemical scent as this gel subtly foams and then rinses away clean.
"As someone with sensitive, acne-prone skin, it’s hard to to find a cleanser that toes the line between gentle and active ingredients. The Panoxyl Acne Gel Wash strikes this balance perfectly, offering 2% salicylic acid treatment alongside aloe. It has helped clear my skin (I saw a difference in two weeks!) without leaving it stripped of moisture." —Arietta Hallock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applies the EltaMD UV Clear Acne Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50.
Why It Won: Sun protection for acne-prone skin can be complicated (and pore-clogging), so this year, we enlisted dermatologists’ help evaluating EltaMD UV Clear Acne Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 . We already knew that we loved the way it felt light (our pores can breathe!) and dried invisibly, so we weren’t all that surprised when the doctors sang its praises, too.
As one put it, “For those of us with blemish-prone skin, finding a sunscreen that does not contribute to breakouts is a win unto itself. This product may go a step further by helping to calm acne and post-acne marks with niacinamide.
I wouldn’t say it’s a powerful acne treatment, but helping somewhat while protecting skin from UV light is winning.” We couldn’t agree more.
Tester feedback senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
"As an avid user of EltaMD UV Clear Tinted sunscreen, I was ecstatic when they released the Acne Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 version earlier this year. I credit this product to keeping my oily T-zone under control and my fair skin protected from the sun." —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
Why It Won: Is there anything retinoids can’t do? Stacks of data show they’re capable of getting hard-to-treat acne under control by wiping out precursor microcomedone lesions—basically, freeing pores of the oils and dead cells that would later erupt into pimples, if they gummed up the works long enough—in addition to bringing down inflammation associated with acne.
And on top of that, retinoids are gravity-defying, ironing out wrinkles, firming up early sagging skin, and diminishing acne scars by prompting cell turnover and collagen production. But you need to use the right retinoid to really get these kinds of results, and that’s where Differin 0.1% Adapalene Gel comes in.
It was the first retinoid gel to be approved for over-the-counter use about 10 years ago, and it’s still as powerful as you can get without a prescription (and all the irritation and peeling that can come with stronger Rx versions). The 0.1% retinoid gel improved one Allure editor’s persistent acne (which she’d had since high school) and scars from past breakouts over the course of about 12 weeks (she used it just one or two nights a week to avoid peeling).
Now, she only needs to reach for it as a spot treatment for the occasional pimple.
"While I've been on a prescription retinol for years, before that, Differin gel was my first line of defense in fighting and preventing acne. It's lightweight and gentle enough to use every night (on sensitive skin just layer your moisturizer first), can be found at the drugstore, and usually costs less than $20.
It's hard-working, convenient, and affordable, which should be more than enough to convince anyone to try it in 2026's very unstable economy." —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
Why It Won: Most salicylic acid stickers aren’t exactly invisible (yeah, they’re clear, but they’re not fooling anybody), so why not have some fun with it? We love that Starface Hydro-Star + Salicylic Acid ’s baby blue star-shaped stickers aren’t trying to go incognito.
What we love even more is how the hydrocolloid material absorbs oil to speed along healing, and salicylic acid cleans out pores, a little like you’d wash a pot, breaking up oil and shrinking zits. There are 32 in a box (good deal!), you can wear them all day long or overnight, and each cute star shrinks pimples like a charm.
Tester feedback from director of programming & development Logan Tsugita
"I can't help but stan Starface patches. I break out so often that I don't think it's worth it to try and cover acne with invisible patches.
If I'm going to suffer through adult acne, I might as well have fun with it. The Hydro-Star + Salicylic Acid patches are so cute and really absorb fluid and gunk without leaving your skin dry and scabby.
Pro tip: Use tweezers to carefully remove." —Logan Tsugita, director, programming & development
Why It Won: Some celebrity couples get alllll the spotlight, until you realize you just spent way too long reading theories about what might have happened at their wedding, and oops, it’s time to go to work! Anywho , there’s another duo we’d like to direct your attention to: Kermie and Miss Piggie.
Kidding! It’s kaolin clay and salicylic acid, a power couple that also gives so much back.
In Byoma Blemish Acne Treatment Spot Paste , they clear our pores, shrink our pimples to practically nothing, and turn the occasional breakout into a nonevent. While salicylic acid dissolves oil and dead cells that are inside pores and pimples, kaolin clay (which gives this treatment its creamy texture) soaks the unwanted clogging materials out so skin can be clean and clear and pimple-free again.
"I love pimple patches, but I sometimes get acne in tricky-to-stick places near my eyebrow or lip. This is where Byoma Blemish Acne Treatment Spot Paste comes in. With the precision tip, I can spot-treat awkwardly placed clusters without wasting a whole pack of overlapping patches. When I wash it off in the morning (with another winner, the Panoxyl Acne Gel Wash), my skin is calmer underneath." —Arietta Hallock, Best of Beauty editorial assistant
Why It Won: It’s not for the faint of heart, but devotees, including about half of Allure ’s editorial staff, are engrossed with dermaplaning for gently shaving away peach fuzz (anywhere on the face), removing dead skin cells (you can literally see them flake off) for a radiance boost, hair above the upper lip, and, for the brave few, shaping eyebrows (please don’t slip!). Beauty Power Eyebrow Razor ’s sharp, stainless steel, single-blade razor works without nicks or irritation, and the weighted handle gives extra control.
It also comes with six replacement blades, so you can swap yours the second it starts getting dull.
Tester feedback from senior manager of analytics & audience development Monica Perry
"I tested this tool on facial hair, and was pleasantly surprised by the weight of it. It feels substantial and luxe, especially for $16, and it comes with six blades, not including the one that's attached. It glided smoothly and didn't feel sharp, but still got the job done in one swipe. I believe Flamingo has some steep competition now." —Monica Perry, senior manager, analytics & audience development
Senior shopping director Shanna Shipin depuffs her face with the Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand .
Why It Won: The most pleasure we’ve ever gotten out of a handheld wand (sure, why not, let’s go with that…) Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand has two euphoric settings and a teardrop-shaped tip for hugging the contours of the undereyes, jawline, cheeks, and occasionally the back of our neck, because it feels too good not to. The cooling setting is wayyyy more refreshing than a chilled spoon, depuffs more effectively, and feels doubly great during hot flashes (just sayin’).
The warming setting, which is meant to encourage lymphatic drainage and circulation, is pure bliss after a long day (not during a hot flash, though, oof ).
Tester feedback from senior art director Ingrid Fowler
"I thought this thing was going to be silly, but I actually love it. It's so much nicer than using an ice roller that goes from way too cold to warmed-up pretty quickly. I've been doing hot at night and cold in the morning for depuffing and both have been so relaxing. Big fan!" —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director
Why It Won: Many skin-care devices require a greater degree of patience and stick-to-it-ness than many of us are hard-wired with, considering their payoff can be iffy, leaving us wondering, is it working…? I think it’s working…?
NuFace Trinity+ Complete Set is the exception, with its immediate and temporary tightening and lifting effects that make cheekbones and jawlines look like they were ever so subtly pulled up and defined by CGI. The quick change would be a little freaky if it wasn’t so pretty.
The small, handheld device is no longer than six inches, so it’s easy to maneuver, and it works by sending microcurrent energy to facial muscles, stimulating them for that toned, tightened look. Again, it’s temporary, but it can take you through an evening, making this perfect for, say, dinners with friends you haven’t seen in a long time.
First, you coat your skin with the included gel, which is a conductor for the device’s energy and keeps the treatment comfortable, so you don’t feel like you’re being zapped. Then you run the two metal spheres along your cheekbones, jawline, and anywhere else you’d like to tone, and you’re rewarded with a literal pick-me-up and smoother-looking skin that’s won this microcurrent device enough Allure Best of Beauty Awards over the years to secure a spot for it in our hard-to-enter Allure Best of Beauty Hall of Fame.
This set also comes with an attachment that lets you use the microcurrent energy via two thin prongs on smaller areas around the lips and under the eyes, and a red LED attachment that’s more of a long-term commitment and may help plump wrinkles if you’re willing to use it daily.
"This device set is a long-time favorite. The various magnetized treatment heads easily snap on with a satisfying click. That, combined with how ergonomic it feels in my hand, gives the sense that this tool was thoughtfully designed. I like that it has both large and small microcurrent heads, plus a red light attachment, so I can conveniently treat my whole face in one sitting." —Ingrid Fowler, senior art director
Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor uses the Shark ChillPill .
Why It Won: Whether it’s 110 degrees outside—or the air conditioning just cut out— Shark ChillPill is a better way to cool down than lingering in front of the freezer (just us?), and it’s portable, too. The light, small fan has 10 speeds, so you can create your own soft breeze or Beyoncé-level wind when you’re in more of a “Will I ever not feel hot again?” situation.
There are two optional attachments: One is the InstaChill Cooling Plate that you can press against your wrists or neck for sweet, sweet relief (just sweep your hair away first, so it doesn’t snag underneath the plate’s flat silver circle). The other is called the Misting Pod, and you fill it with water for a light mist, choosing between constant or interval settings, for even more respite from heat, whatever its source.
Tester feedback senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
"Summer in New York City has been brutal with extra hot and humid weather, which makes for even more uncomfortable commutes, sometimes in a cramped ride-share or a steamy subway car. Other times it’s just a walk from one block to another.
This nifty device has done more than just keep my makeup intact when I journey outside. It also kept me from feeling sick during the worst of it.
It has two attachments, but I've alternated between the high-speed fan to keep me feeling cool and a plate attachment (which has the zing of a cold drink pressed to my skin)." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
Beauty director Sarah Kinonen wears the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask while in bed.
Why It Won: Red, blue, and infrared lights make the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask about as relaxing as a full-face mask can get. It’s as convenient as possible, too.
You can absolutely watch TV while you wear this, thanks to soft eye pads (that block the LED light from your peripheral view) and an overhead strap (so you don’t have to lie back). Bonus: There are built-in undereye patches that can be set to a cooling, depuffing mode (yes, please!).
And you can choose from four preset, dermatologist-developed treatments: better aging ( wrinkle-smoothing , collagen-boosting); skin-clearing (reducing acne and redness); skin sustain (brightening); and undereye revive. The results aren’t immediate, but one Allure editor did find that the mask calmed redness from rosacea on her cheeks after about a month of nightly use.
"I am a total convert to the Shark CyroGlow LED face mask. It's really comfortable, and the short session times have made it the only red (and blue and infrared) light mask I have been able to use daily.
After one week, my skin was firmer and had a glow. After eight weeks of the six-minute Better Aging routine, I now do four minutes of the Skin Sustain session with undereye cooling.
Pro-tip: Go back to the six-minute sessions periodically for an extra boost." —Kathryne Hall, visuals director
Allure editors test hundreds of skin-care products over several months to find the formulas that deliver real results. Each product is evaluated for texture, absorption, ingredient quality, performance over time, and overall user experience. Winners are selected based on how well they address common concerns like dryness, acne, dullness, and sensitivity, across a range of skin tones and types.
Yes, many of the winning products are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, or specifically formulated for sensitive or reactive skin. You’ll find moisturizers, sunscreens, cleansers, and treatments that are gentle yet effective, often tested by editors with rosacea, eczema, or easily irritated skin. For more options, explore our Sensitive Skin winners list .
The skin-care winners are tested on oily, dry, combination, acne-prone, and mature skin to ensure a wide range of compatibility. Whether you’re looking for a hydrating serum for dry skin, a mattifying moisturizer for oily skin, or a barrier-repair cream for compromised skin, there are options tailored to real-life concerns and conditions.
Yes, the winners span a full spectrum of price points, from budget-friendly drugstore staples to premium, high-performance treatments. We believe great skin care can come from any shelf. You can find more affordable picks in our Steals category and explore indulgent favorites in our Splurges category .
This category includes cleansers, moisturizers, serums, face oils, eye creams, spot treatments, toners, masks, and sunscreens. Every product is tested for its ability to target specific concerns like breakouts, dehydration, hyperpigmentation, texture, and redness, whether it’s a multitasking formula or a single-ingredient powerhouse.
Discover more 2026 Best of Beauty winners: