The 42 Skin Care Winners of the Allure Best of Beauty Awards 2022

Best Facial Mist
Beekman 1802 Milk Shake

Why it won: When the clock strikes noon at Allure HQ, we all simultaneously spritz ourselves with face mist. Actually, we’re often scarfing down peanut butter-stuffed pretzels and wondering how we’re going to make it through four more hours of meetings — but doesn’t this sound nicer? Anyway, the refresher on many of our desks is Beekman 1802 Milk Shake. The dual-phase formula (just shake it to activate) features hydrating squalane and redness-reducing mugwort.

Best Facial Serum (Antioxidant)
Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum

Why it won: The triple-chamber bottle of Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum pumps out a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and antioxidants vitamin C and ferulic acid. Keeping them apart until that final moment protects the strength of those powerful (but persnickety) ingredients. Once everyone gets together, this group offers just about every skin benefit known to humankind, including plumping, smoothing, and brightening.

Best Facial Serum (Hyaluronic)

Mary Kay Clinical Solutions HA + Ceramide Hydrator

Why it won: If there are two ingredients on everyone’s lips (and cheeks and foreheads and necks) lately, it’s hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Mary Kay Clinical Solutions HA + Ceramide Hydrator delivers them both in a formula that absorbs in seconds and helps strengthen your skin barrier over time.

Best Facial Serum (Retinol)
RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum

Why it won: With continued use, RoC Derm Correxion Fill + Treat Serum can help turn deep wrinkles into shallower valleys. The fine-tip applicator makes it easy to apply the retinol-enriched formula directly over fine lines.

Best Facial Serum (AHA)
Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum

Why it won: Senior copy manager Leslie Lipton says Shani Darden Lactic Acid Exfoliating Serum is, in short, “excellent.” (And with a job title like that, you know she chooses her words carefully.) The lotion-like serum uses lactic acid — as opposed to stronger AHAs like glycolic — to resurface without causing redness.

Best Facial Moisturizer (Rich)
Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream

Why it won: Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream is “super-duper moisturizing,” says staff editor Jihan Forbes. Yet remarkably, it’s not super-duper heavy or greasy. Use it regularly, and you’ll be on the path to firmer, more supple skin.

Best Facial Oil
Gisou Honey Facial Oil

Why it won: The words “honey” and “oil” don’t exactly paint a pleasant picture for those worried about stickiness and residue. But we can attest that Gisou Honey Infused Face Oil — also infused with grapeseed, rosehip, and jojoba oils — sinks into skin immediately and imparts a dewy, not greasy, finish.

Best Eye Cream (Line-Smoothing)
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Crème

Why it won: With continued use, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme helps reduce crow’s-feet for good. But you’ll be impressed with its hydrating effect that makes fine lines appear temporarily plumper.

Best Eye Cream (Firming)
Osea Age Defying Eye Serum

Why it won: You know the formula is stellar when the soothing rollerball applicator is merely a bonus: Osea Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Eye Serum is rich in collagen-stimulating peptides, which can firm the delicate skin around the eyes over time.

Best Eye Cream (De-puffing)
Fortify+ De-Puffing + Protecting Eye Cream

Why it won: Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee: Fortify+ De-Puffing + Protecting Eye Cream is gentle enough not to irritate your undereye area (home to some of the thinnest skin on your body), but doesn’t mess around when it comes to depuffing.

Best Eye Cream (Brightening)
Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream

Why it won: If your undereye circles feel like dark clouds, there are sunnier days ahead with Perricone MD Vitamin C Ester CCC + Ferulic Brightening Under-Eye Cream. The quick-to-absorb formula uses three types of vitamin C to treat three types of discoloration: blue, brown, and red.

Best Mask (Clarifying)
Fenty Skin Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Detox Face Mask

Why it won: As its punny name implies, Fenty Skin Cookies N Clean Whipped Clay Detox Face Mask leaves your face feeling ultraclean but not stripped dry. And the whipped formula — which contains kaolin clay and charcoal — is a joy to apply.

Best Mask (Hydrating)
Pai Skincare Resurrection Girl

Why it won: Blue tansy oil not only gives Pai Skincare Resurrection Girl a beautiful aqua tint, it’s part of the magic behind why this gel mask works for even the most sensitive skin types. The calming ingredient is paired with hyaluronic acid and plant extracts for maximum moisturization.

Best Mask (Soothing)
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask

Why it won: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask noticeably reduces inflammation and redness in a single application, thanks to calming cica. If only our self-soothing breathing techniques worked as quickly.

Best Mask (Brightening) 
Hyper Skin Fade & Glow AHA Mask

Why it won: The radiant results you get from using Hyper Skin Hyper Even Fade and Glow AHA Mask are just as impactful as you’d expect from its ingredient list, which — with glycolic, mandelic, and salicylic acids, niacinamide, and turmeric — reads like a skin-care greatest-hits album.

Best Mask (Overnight)
Fresh Floral Recovery Mask

Why it won: If a good night’s rest can improve your mood, catching eight hours with Fresh Floral Recovery Calming Mask is downright transformative. The overnight treatment is made with squalane, which smooths and softens skin as you sleep.

Best Facial Sunscreen (Chemical)
Coola Dew Good Illuminating Serum Probiotic Sunscreen SPF 30

Why it won: Coola Dew Good Illuminating Serum Sunscreen SPF 30 is basically a highlighter in disguise. The silky formula leaves behind a radiant, dewy finish.

Best Facial Sunscreen (Chemical)
Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+

Why it won: If you’re a foundation-wearer, you’ll love the featherlight Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+, which also works as a primer.

Best Facial Sunscreen (Mineral)
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 

Why it won: Whereas chemical blockers absorb and disperse light, mineral formulas act as a physical shield. But that doesn’t mean they’re made out of steel. Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 melts into skin and, thanks to hyaluronic acid, can even moonlight as a hydrating primer.

MDSolarSciences Solar Stick 

Why it won: The first rule of sunscreen is to talk about sunscreen — and we can’t stop singing the praises of MDSolarSciences Solar Stick SPF 40 for swiping while on the go.

Supergoop Re-Setting 100% Mineral Powder (Great for touchups)

Why it won: If you’re wearing makeup and not having a serious sun-exposure day, touch up throughout the afternoon using the brush-on Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35.

Best Peel
iS Clinical Active Peel System

Why it won: Testing our peels category is high-risk, high-reward. For associate social media director Kassidy Silva, it paid off: she discovered the two-step iS Clinical Active Peel System. “I felt like I had new skin after using this,” she says. “My skin felt hydrated and calm after, not stripped.”

Best Acne Cleanser
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion Clearing BPO Acne

Why it won: Proving that skincare really is an exact science, Cetaphil Gentle Clear Complexion-Clearing BPO Acne Cleanser contains precisely 2.6 percent benzoyl peroxide — the ideal amount of the antiseptic ingredient to reduce acne without leaving skin irritated or dry.

Best Allover Acne Treatment
Differin Gel Acne Treatment 

Why it won: Since pimples aren’t usually courteous enough to check your calendar for important events, using an all-over treatment proactively makes all the difference. Differin Gel Acne Treatment uses a retinoid called adapalene (that was previously only available by prescription) to regulate cell turnover and reduce inflammation.

Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Mark Fading Gel

Why it won: Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Mark Fading Gel helps prevent new breakouts with salicylic acid and treats the remnants of previous ones with dark spot-reducing niacinamide.

Best Acne Spot Treatment
SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment

Why it won: Dabbing SkinFix Acne+ 2% BHA Spot Treatment on a breakout is the closest you can get to zapping it with a shrink ray. The blend of niacinamide, kaolin clay, and salicylic and azelaic acids reduces oil and redness instantly and helps prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from forming down the line.

Best Humidifier/Air Purifier
Molekule Air Mini+

Why it won: Next time you feel lonely, just remember there are a gazillion microscopic particles floating all around you. Unfortunately, those particles — including acne-enticing bacteria and inflammatory allergens — aren’t always friendly toward your skin. Molekule Air Mini+ indoor purifier uses an air filtration system to break down those pesky pollutants in rooms up to 250 square feet.

Best Hair Removal Tool
Schick Hydro Silk Hydro Silk Dermaplaning Wand

Why it won: You haven’t known softness until you’ve exfoliated with Schick Hydro Silk Dermaplaning Wand. Glide the smooth-edge, single-blade razor over your cheeks and forehead and you’ll be equal parts disturbed and satisfied by the dead cells and peach fuzz it picks up. The ergonomic wand comes with six replacement blades; for sanitary reasons, we recommend you use a fresh one each session.

Best Skin Device (High-Tech)
NuFace Trinity+ Advanced Facial Toning Device 

Why it won: Good things come to those who wait, but really good things (sculpted cheekbones, lifted brows) appear instantly when you use NuFace Trinity+ Smart Advanced Facial Toning System. The newest version of the microcurrent tool is equipped with a boost button that emits 25 percent more power and syncs to an app with easy-to-follow tutorials.

Best Skin Device (Low-Tech)
Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool 

Why it won: To carve out cheekbones the old fashion way, try Mount Lai Gua Sha Facial Lifting Tool. The boomerang-shaped stone is easy to grip and the ideal size for catching — and snatching — your jawline.

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