Whether you’re a two-step cleanser and moisturizer kind of person or heavily invested in a seven-step skincare routine your dermatologist would be proud of, the quality of your skincare products matter.
And, regardless if you have oily or sensitive skin (or anything in between), hand-picking the most effective and nourishing products for your skin to incorporate into your routine can feel like finding a needle in a haystack (and, that haystack just so happens to be your local Sephora or Ulta Beauty counter — or, the New York Post Shopping section, because we cover the best in beauty a lot).
I have been beyond obsessed with the beauty industry since I first started wearing a glimmer of lip gloss and a subtle swipe of mascara when I was in middle school. Since then, I begun doing my research on every big-button and new indie brand that hit beauty counters at my local shopping mall — before I started reporting and reviewing them, interestingly enough — and learned the ins and outs of all the buzzy ones, from Drunk Elephant and Ole Henriksen to Alpyn Beauty and Alpha-H. (Related: Best skin care sets).
Though I’ve had the luxury of trying nearly every skincare brand (and that’s a tall order), it took me a total of two years to find my groove. That means countless product toss-outs and new ones added to my skincare cart — the three-tiered statue that adorns my room, and is probably my most prized possession.
That said, now’s the perfect time to speak on the 15 best skincare brands I’ve reviewed. Through much experimentation and application, I can attest these are names that never leave my cart — and the ones you should look into for your next skincare stock-up.
While New York Post Shopping rigorously tests and recommends products, you should always consult with your board-certified dermatologist to address any skincare concerns or product usage.
As mentioned, I’ve been dispensing vitamin C serums and layering my skin with facial SPF for years now, but I’d say the process has been strictly consistent for two years. My skin is wholly sensitive and partially dry but sometimes has oily areas (the dreaded “T zone”) — allowing me to best understand what types of ingredients and types of products to use, and where.
Not to mention, I’ve had plenty of conversations with board-certified dermatologists, cosmetic chemists and skin cancer experts to produce explainer-type skincare pieces (read: the best glycolic acid products and the best niacinamide serums)
All products mentioned below have been consistently tested for at least one year (with the exception of newer product launches), where the bulk of products have been tested for two.
Ahead, take a look of the baseline criteria I used for each individual product tested before diving into the review:
Before shopping, check out our in-depth FAQ section on skincare products, beginning or expanding your routine and more after our conversation with a board-certified dermatologist.
About the brand: Created with recycling in mind, Boie USA offers self-care essentials that are not only good for your skin but the planet. Affordable and consciously made, we love the brand’s bright and minimalist designs, as well as how effective each tool is.
Price Range: $
No matter what skincare products you choose, their goodness won’t sink in if you have a dirty face. To remove dead skin, dirt, and the ick of the day, we suggest using your favorite cleanser (or one from our favorites below) with the Face Scrubber from Boie USA. It’s super gentle, made with antimicrobial material, and exfoliates like you wouldn’t believe. Your face will love it.
And, of course, don’t neglect the rest of your body. The Flat Body Scrubber fits the contours of your hand and is also very gentle on the skin. It works with your body wash of choice and will leave you feeling soft and clean.
About the brand: Alpyn Beauty was founded in Jackson Hole, WY, in an effort to help address skincare concerns for every skin type in the harshest and most extreme climates. Its the first skincare brand to sustainably hand-harvest wild plants at their peak potency and uplift their power through dermatologist-approved actives, like vitamin C and niacinamide.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: Bakuchiol, squalane, collagen, AHAs/BHAs, vitamin C, more
Who it’s best for: Those who have sensitive or dry skin and appreciate consciously curated ingredient blends that are gentle and nourishing on the skin.
Alpyn Beauty deserves all the praise it can get (seriously, if you want the full gist, read my full Alpyn Beauty review). When I began consistently using skincare, this brand was the first I used that made a noticeable, glowy difference to my skin — helping to even out the texture and allow me to feel confident wearing skincare without makeup.
Its founder, Kendra Kolb Butler, is just as fabulous and has a keen eye to what ingredients help make the most impactful different on the skin’s barrier. I’ll forever swear by the brand’s Creamy Bubbling Cleanser with Fruit Enzymes & AHAs ($36) to effortlessly hydrate my skin and remove impurities. I typically follow up with the Bearberry & Vitamin C Glow Serum ($59) for a more emollient boost and then finish off my morning routine with the acclaimed PlantGenius Melt Moisturizer ($60) for a whipped douse of all-day-lasting hydration.
This product has gentle beads apt for sensitive and dry skin alike (and, is the closest consistency to whipped cream ever).
This product is great to apply to your skin if you’re seeking a new niacinamide serum, as it also helps to visibly smooth out the skin’s texture.
This product is made perfect for your under-eye area, “applies like a cream but behaves like a balm” and includes a nourishing retinol-alt.
This product is the most unique take on a face mask I’ve tried, thanks to its extra-gentle feel that helps reduce the appearance of pores.
About the brand: LANEIGE is a TikTok and influencer favorite — and not just for its viral Lip Sleeping Mask. The brand’s Water Bank line and juicy lip products deem each product an ‘essential,’ whether stationed atop your nightstand or tossed into your work bag. The brand also has a lean toward dry skin types, though its formulations are beyond versatile.
Price range: $-$$
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, shea butter, squalane, Berry Mix Complex, coconut oil, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want to scope out the latest trends but put their money toward something that’s nourishing to use every day (and, pay their lip area some extra love and affection).
At first, I thought LANEIGE was another junky-middle-school brand that dished out overpriced lip products to the consumer — but I was proved wrong. Though its popular Lip Sleeping Mask ($24) is one I find myself reapplying throughout the day (not truly lasting all day), it’s a staple wherever I go. Likewise, its Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer ($23) is an Amazon beauty favorite that I find myself reaching for if I want the Goldilocks level of comfort: not too lightweight, and not too thick.
Best for use in the evening, the Water Sleeping Mask ($32) is an all-in-one skin-brightener, hydration-booster, and skin-softener with consistent use. It has more of a cooling effect than most moisturizers I tested — much like your best cooling sheets. It’s also a fabulous refresher in warmer temps.
This product is available in plenty of flavor options and has yet to fail me. It’s ultra-juicy and a bit more hydrating than the Lip Sleeping Mask.
This product is ideal for those with extremely dry or chapped lips, serving as more of a treatment than a glossy overlay.
This product is perfect for a more ‘immediate’ glow effect, ideal to apply after cleansing and before moisturizing.
This product is a wonderful precursor to its matching Water Bank Hyaluronic Cream Moisturizer, also containing soothing aloe.
About the brand: Herbivore Botanicals has a stringent focus on producing plant-based skincare that defies the norm. All products are well-sourced, contain plant-based food-grade cold-pressed oils, steam-distilled therapeutic-grade essential oils, GMO-free soy wax and recyclable and reusable packaging. Best of all, the products are all pleasing to the skin.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: Squalane, bakuchiol, vitamin C, turmeric, rosehip oil, more
Who it’s best for: Those who are looking to try a new brand that’s transparent about the make of their formulations and has a versatile array of products to add to your cart — from cleansers to masks.
Herbivore Botanicals isn’t just the brand that’ll look pretty on your shelf (though, it absolutely will) but its assortment of skincare products continues to excite me when put to use. Typically, skincare oils and elixirs don’t do my sensitive and quite dry skin justice but its Phoenix Rosehip Anti-Aging Face Oil for Dry Skin ($88) put others to shame with its luxe blend of botanical oils and regal-looking bottle.
Its NOVA 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum ($65) is another best-in-class product, stemming from its super-root ingredient that doubles as a worthy dark spot corrector in your skincare arsenal. Oh, and its Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream ($46) includes super-hydrating tremella mushroom and vegan squalane to produce a plump, baby skin-soft and naturally dewy finish that’s pure heaven on the skin.
This product is the perfect precursor to the brand’s matching Pink Cloud Soft Moisture Cream (and, fairly affordable for the amount and quality received).
This product is ideal for those who have super sensitive skin and don’t want to try out retinol right away, as the serum isn’t as potent and ‘chemical-feeling’ as other ones tested.
This product is aptly named, with its jelly consistency super pleasing to the skin. Its hyaluronic acid alternative mimics that hydrating, plump factor, too.
This product contains an efficacious ingredient blend, much ado to its brightening vitamin C and de-puffing caffeine. More, its finish blankets your under-eye area in a lightweight, velveteen finish.
About the brand: CeraVe is renowned across the board as a dermatologist-approved brand. It cuts out the fluff apparent in other skincare brands and is powered by active, non-irritating ingredients that are a “safe bet” for most people. Plus, each product contains three essential ceramides to help benefit the skin barrier. Its price point is also ideal for beginner skincare users and budget-friendly shoppers alike.
Price range: $-$$
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, salicylic acid, niacinamide, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want a nourishing, versatile collection of products that are readily available, easy to incorporate day/night and can start off (and then, continue to flow into) your routine.
CeraVe, like most people who visit a dermatologist, was recommended to me as early as middle school. Right after my appointment, I picked up its Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($15) and a few other staple products and they still remain a stronghold in my routine. They’re well-priced and, if I’m ever testing a new product that may irritate my skin a bit, I always return to CeraVe to help ‘balance out’ my skin.
Its Skin-Renewing Eye Cream ($17) is also an essential part of my routine on most days because I know it won’t let me down (especially on a delicate area like the under-eyes). What’s more, its Moisturizing Cream ($18) has garnered a whopping near-120,000 rave reviews on Amazon alone — a retailer best-seller — and a product that’s versatile for all-over-body use, working well on dry elbows and serving as a sensational body lotion.
This product is lightweight and a wonderful facial lotion to apply before your facial sunscreen, though this offers SPF 30 for more of a boost.
This product is the ideal solution for dull-looking skin: containing vitamin C to brighten and hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and plump.
This product, much like its AM version, is lightweight and contains two superstar ingredients — hyaluronic acid and niacinamide — for overnight nourishment.
This product is not as heavy as other night creams tested (which I like) and helps soften your skin with consistent use. Plus, its thoughtful peptide complex is a nice touch.
About the brand: Tatcha was founded by Vicky Tsai who, after traveling to Asia, was inspired by and studied Japanese ingredients and timeless rituals that helped transform her skin. Since, she teamed up with scientists and cultural advisors — leaving her corporate America job — to bring Japanese botanicals and a loving array of products to market.
Price range: $$$-$$$$
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, Japanese purple rice, green tea, more
Who it’s best for: Those who love Japanese-inspired skincare, are looking for some oil-free products and are infused with botanicals — much like the tea you drink — to help quench your skin barrier.
Tatcha differs from other skincare brands I’ve tried because it brings rich formulations to the table — all backed by a rich, cultural history. It’s always serotonin-boosting to know that the products you’re using were derived from one’s passion of bringing cultural, effective actives and skin-soothing formulations into the hands of consumers, too.
Products like the Violet-C Brightening Serum ($89) help to naturally brighten, soothe and nurture my skin, thanks to its 20% vitamin C count and 10% AHAs blend — the latter specially curated for drier skin types. Additionally, The Silky Peony Melting Eye Cream ($62) is a true-to-its-name under-eye healer that contains moisture-locking Japanese white peony. And, the top-rated Dewy Skin Cream ($72) is jam-packed with Japanese purple rice and hyaluronic acid, and is richer than most.
This product is fairly priced compared to others from the brand and helps wash away buildup that effectively cleanses the skin.
This product is one of the best makeup removers to use if you don’t want a harsh liquid to strip your skin. Plus, it offers two-in-one benefits.
This product is exceptional for a once-in-awhile brightening 411, great for any age or skin type to help confer anti-aging benefits.
This product is costlier than most facial SPFs, but is a surefire essential to wear daily. It contains both hyaluronic and niacinamide — a home run.
About the brand: Versed is another TikTok-viral brand that, impressively, only carries skincare ingredients for less than $25. It prioritizes the consumer, allowing it to stand as the first skincare brand that’s co-created with users in mind. Additionally, it has a mission to be fully transparent, even allowing shoppers to visit its biannual reports, community board meetings and understand its environmentally impactful mission.
Price range: $-$$
Key ingredients: Sqalane, hyaluronic acid, green tea leaf extract, retinoid, salicylic acid, more
Who it’s best for: Those who either want to (1) begin their skincare journey, as Versed offers helpful explanations on its site for different skin types and ingredient usage and/or (2) snag affordable products that help reap the same benefits as more luxury grade options.
Versed impressed me upon first use, for sure. Though it’s not readily available at Sephora or Ulta Beauty, it’s a product that, once tried, you’ll be visiting its site on the regular. Take the brand’s Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream ($15), for example, which is subtly bouncy to the touch, doesn’t clog pores and helps draw in moisture. Its Smooth Landing Advanced Retinoid Eye Balm ($18) is a powerhouse to help fight crow’s feet, lift and firm.
One of my favorite products (not just of the brand, but in general) is the Baby Cheeks All-in-One Hydrating Milk ($18); it’s so versatile to use as a toner, to help remove makeup, to help cleanse or to touch up after a workout.
This product is marketed to be a morning routine enhancement, and it sure is with glowy vitamin E and chamomile flower extract that’s non-greasy.
This product is a miracle-worker for anyone who suffers from non-cystic back acne (aka, ‘backne’). With a few spritzes, it should dial down a bit.
This product is one of the brand’s best-sellers, infused with squalane, hyaluronic acid and restorative algae extract.
This product is your best doctor’s visit yet, much ado to its AHA-BHA complex (effective for dry and oily skin types alike) and enzyme exfoliation.
About the brand: Mario Badescu, the namesake of the brand, is a chemist and pharmacist who owned a Vienna-based skin laboratory with a broad understanding of skin types, taking that knowledge to create his brand. Now with an in-house salon in NYC — one Martha Stewart and other celebs frequent — it focuses on blending organic fruits and vegetables to feed and nourish the skin.
Price range: $-$$
Key ingredients: Collagen, vitamin C, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, witch hazel
Who it’s best for: Those who want to expand their skincare reach beyond just the face, as its collection of body products is quite unmatched.
Once I stepped foot in Mario Badescu’s dreamy salon and had my very first facial, I became hooked on an assortment of its products, like the Seaweed Night Cream ($22) — which is my most-used cream pre-bedtime and the Vitamin A-D-E Neck Cream ($20) that I apply in an upwards-motion to do my part in the anti-aging department. Not to mention, most of my showers are not complete until I use the A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap ($8), which I still, to this day, can’t believe it’s less than $10.
Because the brand also has a to-the-nines spa, the brand is dedicated to collaborating with a team of estheticians and formulation experts to help educate and whip out effective, budget-friendly products. It’s an excellent brand to start at — wherever you’re at in your skincare journey.
This product is the closest cleanser to a spa-grade option you’ll find for less than $15. It has been a go-to for years now, always leaving my skin refreshed.
This product helps you lessen your trips for in-person facials, thanks to its richly packed collagen and clay framework that helps soothe (thanks, oatmeal) and purify the skin.
This product is, uniquely, a toner, my favorite follow-up after cleansing for an option that won’t strip my skin but, instead, help purify it.
This product isn’t too fragrant, though has the perfect amount of coconut to richly lather onto your skin post-shower.
About the brand: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, as its name suggests, is dermatologist-founded and backed by a wealth of scientifically sound knowledge — made apparent with each product it launches. Its expertise and efficacy are at the forefront of its clinical-grade assortment, and is highly worth the investment.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: AHAs, BHAs, glycolic acid, lactic acid, vitamin C, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want an advanced take on their skincare routine with clinically formulated ingredients with a efficacious blend of actives, with a keen focus on vitamin C.
Dr. Dennis Gross is a dermatologist who I frequently call ‘the man, the myth, the legend.’ Once you try the brand, you’ll be hooked in every way, shape and form, especially after using its Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel ($39) that, as its name suggests, offers a nurturing gel consistency like no other.
Each day, I’ve been using the brand’s relatively new All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($42), which doesn’t leave that unwanted white cast, coming in handy for those with melanated skin, namely.
Not to mention, its Vitamin C Lactic Biocellulose Brightening Treatment Mask ($12) is an affordable option that feels like luxury on your face. Whether for girls’ night or your once-a-week R&R treatment, it’s impeccable.
This product is extremely nurturing and somewhat cooling — the refreshing boost I love to start my day (and end it, too).
This product is incredible for mature skin (trust me, my loved ones steal it) and is just as good for any age for helping to brighten and firm.
This product, much like its matching Hyaluronic Marine Cleanser, is the ideal “cushion” — as its name suggests — to follow up with.
This product is a sensitive skin-nurturing moisturizer that’s versatile to use as much as you’d like, from once-daily to reapplying.
About the brand: Alpha-H has a mission of not just dishing out skincare products — but helping to build its resilience up to a healthy state. Each product is sustainably made on Australia’s Gold Coast, making it quite the “gold standard” in terms of offering “clinically sophisticated, results-driven, corrective skincare,” per the brand.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: SPF, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol, niacinamide, more
Who it’s best for: Those who are looking for vitamin-enriched skincare — especially serums — and hydrating additions (cleansing balms, eye creams and the like) to support their skincare routine.
Alpha-H is a standout in my skincare routine, especially if you’re tired of overpaying for serums that don’t work. There’s a basket of items I’ve tried, but the beauty lies in its impressively effective serums, like the Vitamin B Serum with 5% Niacinamide ($65) that comes out blue and blends into a beautifully rich hydrant on the skin, and the Hyaluronic 8 Super Serum ($72) that helps plump and protect the skin in the best way possible.
Just as hype-worthy is the brand’s Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream ($82), which, dare I say is my latest favorite in the space? It layers on elegantly, never creases and is a product I’d bawl my eyes out if was ever discontinued.
This product has a gel-like consistency but is hydrating at the same time. Plus, it offers much bang for your buck with the tube size.
This product is one of my favorite makeup removing cleansers ever. On some nights, I don’t even follow up with a moisturizer (it’s that good).
This product is great to use after cleansing, especially on drier skin types, as a gentle chemical peel every so often.
This product has a minty chill to it, helping to freshen up your dull lip area, and has been a years-long staple everywhere I’m headed.
About the brand: Founded in 2013, Drunk Elephant has been acclaimed for a decade now, as its founder, Tiffany Masterson, focuses on skin behaviors instead of skin types, the latter being the norm of most brands. It has a list called the ‘Suspicious 6’ — ingredients to avoid — and continues to formulate based on consumer’s needs and conditions.
Price range: $$-$$$$
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, glycolic acid, vitamin C, more
Who it’s best for: Those who are willing to splurge a bit on versatile formulas that, more or less, can be mixed together for an icing-like, hydrating effect on the skin (that the brand calls a “skincare smoothie”).
Drunk Elephant is a brand I produced a full brand review on, simply because it’s mega-hyped (and worth the hype). Its assortment of white-bodied, neon-capped products is considered a luxury when housed in your bathroom and, though it has more of an expensive price point, its grand assortment is worth the splurge.
I recommend trying the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum ($49), one of the brand’s more affordable options that’s tagged as a “cool drink of water for thirsty skin.” It’s quite thick and emollient, too, which I like. Similarly, the brand’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream ($62) is one of the best supports for your skin barrier, thanks to its inclusion of a fully stocked team of ceramides.
Oh, and if you want the ultimate feel-good shower experience, the Scrubbi Bamboes Body Cleanser ($24) is your ticket to skin that’s not as dry (aka, a life-saver for most).
This product has the most accurate consistency to jelly I’ve ever seen in a cleanser, and its purifying powers are pretty top-notch.
This product is so moisturizing, it can double as an all-over facial moisturizer. Hello, two-in-one skincare benefits.
This product comes with a miniature scooper to help you dollop in a cross formation on your face and blend to remove makeup. Genius!
This product is the balm-dot-com (pun intended), helping to rehydrate parched skin with its mix of electrolytes, niacinamide and five ceramides.
About the brand: Peter Thomas Roth began as a brand helping to field questions about acne, but then developed into formulating based on anti-aging interests as well. With focusing on preventing sun damage to top off its missions, the brand sets forth potent and effective ingredients — with advanced technologies in its in-house lab — to stay modern and up-to-date with the latest and continuing skincare concerns.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, SPF, glycolic acid, retinol, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want to spend their money on clinically derived skincare with more of a potent feel — especially for more advanced skincare users — with an anti-aging and sun-protecting focus.
Peter Thomas Roth is a sophisticated brand with just as sophisticated products. The brand strives to be better and better with improved formulations — like its Potent-C Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer ($72), that has the smoothest and most divine consistency ever — and irresistible results.
To help you ward off the sun’ harmful rays, its Max Vitamin D-Fense Sunscreen Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($42) is probably my favorite product from PTR (yes, I address the brand on a personal level). It has one of the most lightweight finishes I’ve ever seen in a facial SPF, and it’s super simple to stash in your beach bag. Though, you should be using facial SPF every day (but that’s another tangent).
One of its latest launches is the FIRMx Tight & Toned Cellulite Treatment ($49). Though I don’t have cellulite on my legs, it’s never too early to start preventing it, and it’s moisturizing, toning and non-sticky.
This product is the closest you’ll feel to dripping in pure gold. It’s smoothing, energizing and helps tighten and tone the appearance of the skin.
This product, much like its other vitamin C-infused formulations, is a quick under-eye fix to help brighten and give your skin more vitality.
This product is the ideal serum to help minimize the look of pores, especially on the nose and on the apples of your cheeks.
This product is ideal for those looking for an SPF-infused moisturizer that hydrates and slightly cools — a tall order, but one the brand achieves.
About the brand: Ole Henriksen is a Danish-founded brand that, after learning how to transform his own skin, Ole Henriksen himself segued into Hollywood to share his results. As a pro in the cosmetic chemistry space, he then became the first celebrity facialist, moved on to partner with Sephora and the rest is history.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: Vitamin C (of course), peptides, niacinamide, glycolic acid, aloe juice, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want a definitive morning and evening skincare routine, with an emphasis on purifying the skin and brightening it to the max.
In my opinion, Ole Henriksen is a leader in dividing the line between a.m. and p.m. skincare. I love its assortment of vitamin C-enriched, brightening products, like its gold-star-rated Banana Bright+ Eye Crème ($42) that, along with the rest of the Banana Bright line, is the best line-up to use sans makeup.
Naturally, the Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner ($35) is iconic at helping to also brighten — which is exceptional for a toner, BTW — and always seems to take off makeup well, even though that’s not its main job. Following suit, the Dewtopia 20% Acid Night Treatment ($86) has a texture akin to custard with a dreamy lemon sugar scent, while helping to resurface and brighten the skin.
This product is all I need to take my skin to brightening city. It smells refreshing — like your favorite citrus — and is a fairly priced gem.
This product is one of the best clay masks I’ve tested that’s ultra-refreshing on the skin, with a tangible result once washed off.
This product is medium-richness and ideal for sensitive and dry skin types alike. Plus, its vegan peptides, ceramides and collagen is a trifecta of loveliness.
This product is a thicker body lotion that most but is well-equipped to hydrate and even help brighten and tone your legs. It contains AHAs (great for dry skin), fruit enzymes and caffeine, too.
About the brand: Charlotte Tilbury is a renowned makeup artist — but her brand spans more than the coveted “Pillow Talk” line you’re familiar with. As an expert in her craft, she knows a good glam look starts at skincare, so she has created a lofty crate of skincare products since the ideation of her brand in 2013.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, peptides, retinol, niacinamide, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want an effortless glow and radiant feel to their skin, more so those who don’t have one singular skin concern they’d like to focus on.
Charlotte Tilbury is now a household name (and, a commercial name; have you seen her adorable pajama party ad on the TV?) Now, her venture into skincare is just as chit-chat-worthy, especially with her very own Charlotte’s Magic Cream ($100) that’s worth every penny, though it’s an investment. (Related: Charlotte Tilbury makeup review).
The brand’s Glow Toner ($55) isn’t like your other ones, either. Its pore-refining, niacinamide-infused blend is quite nurturing and doubles as a makeup remover. Plus, you can’t ignore the efficacy of Charlotte’s Magic Body Cream ($65), either; it’s one of the richest ones I’ve tried (but more about that here).
This product is that milky, radiance-boosting serum you’ve likely been craving. Oh! And it contains vitamin C for brightening.
This product deserves a spot in your skincare routine, serving as a wonderful primer with SPF 50 to protect you wherever you’re headed.
This product was specially made with anti-aging in mind, as it contains retinol to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This product is a magic sheet on your face (trust me, you’ll want to stock up). I love using one every month or so for a radiance boost.
About the brand: After years of experimenting with skincare products, Queen RiRi (that’s Rihanna, for short) decided to venture out with Fenty Beauty — the umbrella company that carries her shade-inclusive makeup line — and then took the skincare world by storm, first with a cleanser, toner and moisturizer, and then with other products following in line.
Price range: $$-$$$
Key ingredients: Barbados cherry, niacinamide, SPF, vitamin E, salicylic acid, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want to try a celebrity-backed brand backed by clinical ingredients, delicious-feeling consistency and a dollop of fruity undercurrents.
Rihanna isn’t just goddess-to-the-nines and Super Bowl halftime superstar — she’s an entrepreneur with an effective skincare line everyone needs to try at least once.
Though my all-time favorite product is the Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Pore Detox Face Mask with Salicylic Acid + Charcoal ($35) — more on that in my review, for more details — its other refillable-packaged items are worth the spend. The Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream ($44) is just as indulgent, loaded with rich butters and deep hydration.
More, you’ll want to add the Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon ($39) to your cart — the pore-smoother and dark spot corrector that’s also a sun protectant, all in one.
This product is formulated with Barbados cherry that’s antioxidant-packed and helps to revitalize the skin. Our Commerce Editor, Camryn LaSala, can attest just how great this product is.
“I used makeup wipes for more than a decade until I found this incredibly hydrating cleanser, makeup-remover duo that quickly and efficiently removes even the heaviest of makeup,” she said.
This product is a two-in one toner and essence to allow you to skip a step in the traditional seven-product advanced skincare lineup.
“This product is unique in that it doesn’t completely strip your face and give you that drying feeling that many toners do,” LaSala said. “It’s hydrating and full of incredible ingredients.”
This product is travel-friendly and contains green tea to help soothe the under-eye area, while its gel formula helps “wake up” the skin.
This product is the brand’s signature nighttime cream, offering your skin a much-desired plumping look overnight.
About the brand: Dr. Barbara Sturm puts the L in luxury — a German doctor, orthopedics specialist, aesthetics expert and anti-inflammatory pioneer in the skincare space. With medical training, she put her knowledge to her skincare business to mix her products with anti-inflammatory healing factors, much like orthopedic medicine.
Price range: $$$-$$$$
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, SPF, sugar biovector, purslane, more
Who it’s best for: Those who want to splurge on skincare, who may be suffering from inflammation and who want rich, easily absorbable products to join their morning and evening routines.
Dr. Barbara Sturm is a luxury skincare brand that, after years of testing luxury skincare, is the only one with products more than $100 I can justify. The brand’s Cleanser ($75) is the airy, foamy goodness everyone needs, while the Balancing Toner ($75) is seriously the best I’ve tried and impressively hydrating, given that it’s a toner — and one my mom steals.
Because niacinamide is so instrumental to the skin’s barrier and overall livelihood, Dr. Barbara Sturm offers The Better B Niacinamide Serum ($145) that helps reduce and refine the appearance of pores, protect against hyperpigmentation and supports the overall vitality of the skin.
This product is packed with a concentrated balance of low and high molecularly weighted hyaluronic acid to give you a gentle yet potent ingredient at hand.
This product is wonderful to apply before your moisturizer and SPF for a refreshing radiant feel that’s like no other. It helps revitalize the skin and optimize the skin tone.
This product is one worth buying if you have anti-aging on your mind, as it’s rich, creamy and nourishing to your delicate under-eye region.
This product is the brand’s “richer” moisturizer, thicker than its original blend and completely one-of-a-kind in the industry.
Ahead, Marina Peredo, MD, board-certified dermatologist practicing in New York City and Dix Hills, New York and the owner of her practice, Skinfluence — who specializes in aesthetic dermatology with a primary focus on non-surgical rejuvenation and prejuvenation treatments — answered frequently asked questions on skincare. From there, we curated this info-packed guide.
“It’s important to use great skincare products to keep your skin (the largest organ of your body) healthy, youthful and radiant,” Dr. Peredo tells The Post. “Having a good skincare routine promotes a healthy complexion, prevents acne and uneven pigmentation and can decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Below, find the exact order of skincare products you should use, and more about them:
Though everyone’s skin is different (and, skincare concerns may be different), Peredo outlines a typical, effective routine from her perspective.
“A typical skincare routine would start with a cleanser to clean and prep the face,” she begins. “Then you may use a toner or an essence (I personally do not use either of them). Then, apply serum or a moisturizing cream, if your skin is drier, to lock the moisture followed by sunscreen (a MUST!!!) during the day.”
At night, use the cleanser first, definitely; no need to use a toner or essence. Use serum then moisturizer, and then eye cream.
You asked, we answered (well, our board-certified derm did). Take a look at all the ingredients to keep in mind for every skin type:
“It’s more important to use ingredients and skin care routines based on the age of the person, rather than skin type,” Peredo notes. Her approach to skincare? To simplify it, and to address the need based on each decade:
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