The ultimate complexion goal is to have moisturized skin that sports a healthy glow. However, we know that there are many options available promising those benefits, and sometimes, they don’t deliver. So, we did the hard work and parsed through old favorites and new launches to find the best products that support various skin types. Whether you have dry, sensitive, acne-prone, oily, mature, or combination skin, these top picks deliver results worth sharing with you.
How We Chose the Winners
To narrow down our list, we relied on the insights and expertise of the editorial team at Health and medical professionals. Their recommendations are based on years of experience, the advice they give their own patients, and personal favorites. Throughout the selection process, our editors conducted extensive research, first-hand product testing and fact-checking to ensure we picked quality items at various price points that would enhance your skincare routine.
Here are the winners of Health's 2024 Skin Awards.
Face Moisturizers
Tula Skincare 24-7 Weightless Moisture Day & Night Gel Cream
The perfect day-to-night companion for the skin, this moisturizer is formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid, skin-nourishing collagen, and peptides. It controls shine while soothing irritation
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
Dry skin can be caused by various factors, including age-related thinning skin, which can lead to increased transepidermal water loss; environmental factors such as cold, dry air, smoking, sun damage; and certain medications, according to Ryan Turner, MD, a board-certified NYC dermatologist and co-founder of TRNR Skin. He recommends this lipid-rich cream to patients to help nourish dry skin.
Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel-Cream
“My skin is oily and acne-prone, so I must watch what I use on it and stay away from oils and heavy creams,” said board-certified dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL. Hartman includes this lightweight jelly-like cream in his morning skincare regimen. It's easy to see why, as this budget-friendly product contains soothing aloe leaf tea juice.
Paula’s Choice Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer
Dr. Turner advises those with dry skin to seek out hydrating ingredients like “ceramides, squalane, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and glycerin” to help lock in and retain moisture. This barrier repair cream is another one of his choices for dehydrated skin.
Dr. Med. Christine Schrammek Hydra Maximum Day Cream
If your face feels tight and thirsty, this rich night cream is like a mini spa treatment. It is free from mineral oil, parabens, PEG-containing emulsifiers, and silicon but enriched with brightening, regenerating, moisture-retaining ingredients such as shea butter, niacinamide, and macadamia nut oil.
Eminence Organic Skin Care Kombucha Microbiome Balance Essence
This peptide-based organic cream is dewy, lightweight, and has a great texture and scent. Use it as part of the brand’s three-step system or alone. Customize your experience by diluting it with water for a lightweight application, or apply a thick layer when your skin needs extra love.
No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Day Cream
Nicole Lee, MD, MPH, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist, and owner of Epoch Dermatology in Garden City, NY, counts this sunscreen-containing cream as a go-to for her normal skin type and for those with mature skin. It features vitamin C to brighten and even out skin tone, along with SPF, which protects against skin damage.
SkinMedica Even & Correct Dark Spot Cream
Before applying sunscreen, Dr. Hartman treats dark spots with SkinMedica Even & Correct Dark Spot Cream. "This combination of products works well to address any active acne, prevent future breakouts, and help to even out discoloration left behind by previous acne."
ROC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Retinol-based products accelerate skin turnover, promoting vibrant skin and reducing sun damage. This night cream is another favorite of Dr. Turner's.
L'Oreal Collagen Moisture Filler Day/Night Cream
If you are looking for a product that keeps you hydrated and adds bounce to your skin day and night, Dr. Lee recommends this moisturizer for mature skin. It absorbs quickly without a greasy finish.
Womaness Overnight Magic
Retinol can cause sensitivity in some people. A good alternative is plant-based bakuchiol. However, after using this nighttime repair cream, you should apply SPF before heading outdoors to avoid skin irritation.
Facial Mists
Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford Hydrating and Soothing Facial Mist
If your skin feels stressed or taut as the day goes on, a quick spritz from the supermodel-founded brand is just the hydration boost you need. For a cooling treat for the skin, pop this niacinamide spray in the fridge before application.
Grace & Stella Spray All Day Rose Spray
Enjoy the anti-inflammatory properties of rose water with this spray that contains hydrating castor and olive oil. Its light mist can reduce redness.
Lip and Eye Care
Laneige Berry Lip Sleeping Mask
Say goodbye to cracked lips by applying this mask before bedtime. It is rich in moisturizing coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter. Plus, it smells yummy.
SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair
The delicate eye area needs special care, and Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and owner of MONA Dermatology, uses this eye repair and brightening product. It boasts ingredients like retinol and vitamins E and C. Apply it prior to your moisturizer.
Face Serums and Oils
Darphin Intral Serum Inner Youth Rescue
COURTESY OF DARPHIN
Apply this fast-absorbing serum before your moisturizer in the morning and evening to visibly reduce redness and irritation. This luxe-feeling editor's pick with salicylic acid staves off acne while calming the skin. It's a must-have for mature skin.
Weleda Plumping Facial Oil
If you're hesitant about using facial oil, this one will squash your fears. It isn't thick or overwhelming and melts into the skin, leaving a glow.
Nassif MD Dermaceuticals Hydro-Screen Serum
Our tester gushed about the noticeable improvement in her skin after using this serum. Apply it after cleansing and toning alone or mixed into your moisturizer to enjoy its skin-smoothing benefits.
Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Serum
Hyaluronic acid, sea algae, peptides, and green tea enzymes unite in this serum to hydrate and smooth the skin. To maximize its benefits, use it before your face cream.
SkinMedica Even and Correct Advanced Brightening Treatment
This brightening treatment is a staple in Dr. Hartman's morning skincare regimen. It's formulated to prevent hyperpigmentation as well as prevent new discoloration.
Olay Super Serum Night Repair
Hardworking and affordable, this serum comes comes from the brand that told us to "love the skin you're in" over two decades ago. Packing a punch with ingredients such as niacinamide, vitamins C and E, ceramides, and salicylic acid, this pick is a worthy buy.
SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF
"I recommend SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF to my more oily acne-prone patients to help brighten skin," said Dr. Foad. The oil-free serum is chock full of antioxidants to protect skin from free radical damage.
Kate Somerville Kateceuticals SuperCell Rejuvenation Serum
While your décolletage might not always be a priority in your skincare routine, it should be, especially since it can be damaged by the sun. This rejuvenating serum simplifies pampering that area as it comes fully equipped with a rollerball. Start by applying it to the face and working down to your neck, followed by your décolletage.
Good Molecules Ultra Hydrating Facial Oil
Formulated with camellia oil and sea buckthorn oil, this facial oil gives your skin a dewy glow without putting a dent in your budget.
Youth to the People Superfood Skin Drip Smooth + Glow Barrier Serum
While kale and broccoli are often touted as essential veggies for a nutritious diet, these ingredients can also play a part in your skincare routine. This superfood serum can diminish dark spots and improve the texture of your skin.
Retinols and Retinoids
Avène RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum
Dr. Foad favors Avene products "because they are great for sensitive and dry skin." She applies this serum containing plant-derived bakuchiol at night as "an alternative retinol for my more sensitive skin."
Mother Science Retinol Synergist
Co-founded by a husband-and-wife team—and the husband just happens to be the founding guitarist of Incubus—Mother Science was the first skincare brand to formulate with malassezin, an antioxidant 10 times more powerful than vitamin C. Dr. Hartman suggests this serum for patients with sensitive skin. Its vegan-friendly formula targets hyperpigmentation and improves the skin barrier.
Elizabeth Arden New York Retinol + HPR Ceramide
A retinol-based water cream, it is gentle yet effective for addressing lines and wrinkles.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
If you experience pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores, a topical retinoid can prevent and clear them up. Dr. Lee recommends this prescription-strength formula for patients with acne-prone skin.
Toners
Eminence Kombucha Microbiome Balance Essence
Free from propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, and parabens, this hydrating essence features prebiotic and probiotic properties to balance your skin.
Goodal Vegan Rice Milk Moisturizing Toner
Toners can exfoliate, hydrate, and balance skin. This lightweight, milky version leaves your complexion feeling soft and supple. Vegan rice milk and ceramides team up to soothe irritated skin.
Tula SkinCare Clarifying Tonic Alcohol-Free Daily Toner
Incorporate this tonic into your skincare routine as its alcohol-free formula creates the perfect canvas for your lotion and makeup.
Exfoliators and Scrubs
ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish
Our tester loved this product, praising how it "exfoliated and renewed her skin without scratching it and boosted moisture."
YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads
“Certain ingredients including glycolic acid can help manage and prevent breakouts on acne-prone skin while keeping it balanced and healthy,” said Dr. Foad. These pads include those ingredients and also PHA, which can draw out impurities, leaving behind a refreshed complexion.
The Shop Face Wash Daily Exfoliating Cleanser
Inspired by the HBO series The Shop:Uninterrupted, with Lebron James and guests chatting about a range of topics in barber shops, this men's line features products made by athletes for athletes. This exfoliating face wash removes dead skin and debris, ensuring a smooth canvas for shaving or grooming.
Odele Scalp + Body Scrub
Your scalp needs as much TLC as the rest of you. Odele's scrub removes flaky skin and is a great addition to your self-care routine.
Fresh by Houston White Clarifying Face Scrub
Soothe your face with cooling cucumbers, one of the hero ingredients in this scrub. Then, enjoy the waft of peppermint, tea tree oil, and fresh-cut grass.
Shave Products
Gillette Venus Pubic Hair & Skin Smoothing Exfoliant
Shaving your bikini line requires precision, a steady hand, and a product that allows your razor to glide easily. This scrub provides a close shave and exfoliates the area, reducing the chance of ingrown hair.
Gillette Skinguard Skin Protect Shave Gel
Dealing with razor bumps can be frustrating, so it's essential to find a product that cushions your skin and the razor for a frictionless shave. This gel has a lubricating layer with ingredients such as shea butter and vitamin E for an ouchless shave.
Sunscreens
Shiseido Ultimate Skin Protection Lotion SPF 60+
By now, we should all understand the importance of sunscreen. This oxybenzone and octinoxate-free product goes on clear and contains algae for hydration. The brand touts its synchroshieldrepair technology, which is said to offer more protection when exposed to heat, water, and sweat.
Paula’s Choice 5% Vitamin C Sheer Moisturizer SPF 50
Brighten your skin while shielding it from the sun's harmful rays with this vitamin C-infused SPF. Its lightweight formula works well on most skin types.
Colorescience No Show Mineral SPF 50
The final step in your morning skin routine before heading outdoors should always be applying sun protection. A mineral sunscreen is a good option for those with sensitive skin.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50
For patients with sensitive skin, Dr. Hartman frequently recommends La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Hydra Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 50. It's also his choice for his oily and acne-prone skin.
Seaweed Bath Co. Hydrating Serum Stick SPF 50
Ensure you're always protected from the sun by keeping this stick in your bag. Each swipe provides sustainably harvested Atlantic seaweed, 10% zinc oxide, and a blend of vitamins and minerals to nourish your skin.
Body Lotions and Oils
Borghese Tono Body Creme
Lock in moisture and improve your skin's appearance with this indulgent body cream. Its thick texture is a luxurious treat for your elbows, knees, and heels.
Naturopathica Vitamin C & Neroli Dry Body Oil
Rich in vitamin C, which brightens skin and shields it from environmental stressors, this body oil also features babassu seed oil, which boasts anti-inflammatory properties, making it ideal for easily irritated skin.
Jergens Hand and Body Lotion, Melanin Glow Illuminating Moisturizer
Enhance your skin's natural glow with this budget-friendly moisturizer. It allows the skin to look sun kissed without the risk of damage from UVA and UVB rays.
Face Washes
Byroe New York Chamomile Tea Face Cleanser
Cleanse away the dust and dirt your face encounters during the day with Byroe’s vegan cleanser. It contains vitamin C, sea buckthorn, and ginger to remove grit and grime and calming chamomile tea to soothe your skin.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser
"A good skincare routine for dry skin consists of gentle cleansers and [moisturizers] to maintain the skin barrier,” said Dr. Turner. One of his picks for doing so is this pH-balanced option from Kiehl’s, formulated with squalane, avocado oil, and glycerin; it removes debris without stripping your skin of moisture.
Lumene Oat Milk Oil Cleanser
This milky oil-based cleanser effectively and gently removes makeup and impurities from all skin types, but its emulsive formula works particularly well for sensitive and dry skin.
Luma & Leaf Hydraglow Cleansing Gel
Brighten and lightly exfoliate your skin with this silky gel enriched with pineapple and grape enzymes, vitamin C, and AHA. It cleanses thoroughly without leaving behind a filmy residue.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Dr. Turner uses this foaming face wash in his skincare regimen because of its oil-controlling formula. It contains ceramides that protect the skin’s barrier and niacinamide to maintain moisture.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser Fragrance-Free
“At night, I cleanse my face with Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Facial Cleansing Gel,” said Dr. Hartman. This formula, rich hyaluronic acid-soap and alcohol-free, removes dirt, grime, and makeup without leaving the skin feeling taut or tight.
Prequel Gleanser Non-Drying Glycerin Cleanser
Enjoy the benefits of hydrating glycerin with this cleanser, suitable for the face and body. It removes dirt and grime and leaves behind supple-feeling skin.
Olay Cleansing Melts + Vitamin C
Bring these convenient cleansing squares on your next getaway. They travel well and gently remove SPF residue from your skin, makeup, and other impurities.
Cleansing Balms
Elemis Pro-Collagen Green Fig Cleansing Balm
If you frequently double cleanse, you'll love this product, especially if you have mature and/or dry skin. It gently removes even waterproof mascara and leaves your skin supple, smooth, and hydrated. Only one step is required; no follow-up cleanser is needed.
Verso Cleansing Balm with Jojoba Beads
Effortlessly exfoliate and cleanse with this soothing formula, which is effective on very dry and sensitive skin. Infused with jojoba beads, it removes impurities while sealing in moisture.
Cerave Acne Foaming Cream Wash
IMAGE COURTESY OF CERAVE
If you get face or back acne, this foaming cream cleanser formulated with 4% benzoyl peroxide can help. It also contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which ensure your skin stays hydrated and balanced, preventing dryness and flakiness.
Body Washes and Cleansers
Youth to the People Superfood Niacinamide Body Cleanser
Niacinamide kale and green tea combine in this lather to reveal smooth skin. Its fragrances of cedarwood and black pepper create a pleasurable sensory experience.
Oui the People Lactic Acid Body Wash
Improve skin texture and reduce hyperpigmentation with this AHA-infused body wash. It gently exfoliates to unclog pores but doesn't negatively impact the skin's barrier.
Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Body Wash
This fragrance-free body wash features key ingredients like pro-ceramide, vitamin E, and pro-vitamin B5, which make it ideal for sensitive skin.
Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream and Body Wash
Skin prone to eczema requires TLC, and this soap-free formula with a low pH and 2% colloidal oatmeal cleanses as it soothes itchy skin.
Scalp Care
Matrix A Curl Can Dream Shampoo
An important area of the skin that you might overlook is the scalp. If you have wavy or curly hair, you know it's prone to frizz and dryness. A good way to combat that is to have a product that coats hair from root to tip. This creamy formula does just that. It comes in two iterations: one for wavy hair and another for curly hair.
Head & Shoulders Bare Pure Clean Dandruff Shampoo
Flaky scalps can be hard to manage, and you want to avoid aggravating it with irritating ingredients. Enter this dandruff shampoo containing minimal ingredients and Pyrithione zinc 1% to eliminate flakes.
Pantene Miracle Rescue Deep Repair Conditioner
No scalp care routine is complete without a proper conditioner. This Pantene product left its testers' curly hair bouncing, behaving, and thoroughly hydrated while soothing their scalp post-permanent color application.
