There’s beauty in the simplicity of a well-orchestrated skincare routine, with each step working to enhance your skin’s natural glow. From the first swipe of cleanser to the last drop of sunscreen, each product you choose should deliver on the promise of healthier, happier skin. Here, meet your new product lineup, featuring the 70 best skincare picks of 2023 beloved by our editors and experts.
award-winning products for
DRY SKIN
Plump, dewy skin is all about striking the perfect balance between water and oil. “If you cleanse your skin and immediately feel tight, that means you’re not maintaining or making much of your own moisture,” says Michelle Henry, a New York dermatologist. “That’s a great way to tell if you have dry skin.” It’s important to know the distinction between dry skin, which lacks oil, and dehydrated skin, which lacks water and tends to be situational. If you’re chronically dry, reach for non foaming cleansers, serums with actives like glycerin, peptides, squalane, ceramides, and niacinamide, and rich moisturizers packed with occlusives like shea butter and plant oils to keep that moisture where it belongs: your face.
BEST MILKY CLEANSER
Thayers Milky Hydrating Face Cleanser with Snow Mushroom and Hyaluronic Acid
The fragrance-free Thayers Hydrating Milky Cleanser leaves skin feeling soft, not stripped, thanks to glycerin, hyaluronic acid, snow-mushroom extract, and elderflower water.
BEST CLEANSING EMULSION
U Beauty Mantle Skin Conditioning Wash
This cleansing emulsion is perfectly pH-balanced so your skin never feels tight or dry after removing the day's makeup and grime.
BEST MOISTURIZING TONER
Augustinus Bader The Essence Exfoliating Toner
Exfoliation and hydration aren’t mutually exclusive with Augustinus Bader the Essence toner, which reveals new skin with a blend of proven acids and boosts hydration with glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
BEST Hydration Booster
Rose Ingleton MD Skin Calming Hydration Booster
Boost the power of your moisturizer with a few drops of this serum from dermatologist Rose Ingelton. It combines plumping hyaluronic acid, antioxidant green and white tea, and calming Caribbean sea whip to keep your skin plump and hydrated.
BEST SERUM DUO
Shiseido Bio-Performance Skin Filler Serums
Apply the first Shiseido Bio-Performance Skin Filler serum at night to send shrunken hyaluronic-acid molecules deep into skin. The next morning, apply the second serum to help restore them to their original size, resulting in significant plumping and hydration.
BEST INSTANT RESULTS SERUM
Dior Capture Totale Le Serum
The cushiony Dior Capture Totale Le Sérum delivers immediate glowy results with hyaluronic acid, fermented longoza extract, and antioxidant Tuscan-iris extract.
BEST NIGHTTIME SERUM
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex Serum
This classic serum always finds its way back to our nighttime routine thanks to its plumping, skin-refining formula.
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM
Yon Ka Vitamin C Serum C20
This oil-based serum coddles skin while delivering a hefty dose of brightening vitamin C.
BEST BRIGHTENING SERUM
La Prairie White Caviar Pearl Infusion
This antioxidant-rich serum makes skin look luminous and plump right away while addressing the look of wrinkles and fine lines over time.
BEST REPAIR SERUM
111SKIN Y Theorem Repair Serum NAC Y2
Soothing, hydrating, repairing—this amino acid-rich serum takes stressed skin back to a healthier, dewier place.
BEST MOISTURIZER
Rhode Barrier Restore Cream
Rhode Barrier Restore Cream is basic in a good way and includes some of Henry’s favorite ingredients for dry skin—niacinamide, peptides, and squalane—to soothe and fortify your lipid barrier and shea butter to lock in moisture.
BEST DECADENT MOISTURIZER
Clarins Precious La Crème Age-Defying Face Moisturizer
Rich in peptides and plant-based ingredients like Moonlight flower cryoextract, this decadent cream lends a softness to skin we thought was gone for good.
BEST MOISTURIZER WITH SPF
Clinique Moisture Surge Broad Spectrum SPF 28 Sheer Hydrator Moisturizer
We love this cream as the last step in a serum-heavy daytime routine. It adds lightweight but serious hydration and protects skin with a sheer SPF 28 that looks great under makeup.
BEST EYE GEL
Valmont Women's V-Firm Eye Firming Eye Care
Peptide-rich Valmont V-Firm Eye gel delivers soothing moisture right where you need it most, helping to instantly disguise fine lines and crepey skin under the eyes.
BEST EYE CREAM
U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate
This eye cream goes beyond just moisturizing by addressing discoloration, dark circles, stagnant water, and lines and wrinkles. Our beauty director, mother of a sleep-fighting one-year-old, says this is the only eye cream she's ever used that really works.
BEST SPF SERUM
Rose Inc Solar Power Luminous SPF 30 Brightening Serum
Squalane provides weightless moisture in Rose Inc Solar Power Luminous SPF 30 Serum, so it layers nicely as the step between a rich cream and dewy foundation.
BEST BODY BUTTER
Mario Badescu Coconut Body Butter
This blend of butters and skin-conditioning envelops skin in moisture without leaving a slick finish.
BEST BODY CLEANSER
Dove Body Love Body Cleanser Dry-Cracked Skin
Now 20% Off
Don’t forget about your body. Dove Body Love Dry-Cracked Skin Replenish Body Cleanser is packed with heavyweight moisturizers like ceramides, glycerin, and petrolatum to heal ultradry skin in the shower.
award-winning products for
OILY SKIN
Tackling oil with overzealous cleansing does more harm than good, says
Minneapolis dermatologist Jenny Liu: “A common misconception is that oily skin needs aggressive washes, but overcleansing can lead to dehydration and inflammation that may increase oil production.” Exfoliate gently, and opt for lighter hydrators like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to minimize shine. “Rich occlusive products sit on the skin and create a barrier that keeps excess oil trapped, increasing the risk of clogged pores and breakouts,” says Dendy Engelman, a New York dermatologist.
Best Makeup Remover
Clinique Take The Day Off Charcoal Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover
Clinique's fan-favorite makeup-melting balm got an upgrade with the addition of detoxifying charcoal, which helps draw out excess sebum and grime from your pores.
Best Cleanser
Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser
This cleanser balances the skin’s pH level to avoid disruption of its barrier while still removing excess oil.
Best Dual Cleanser
Renée Rouleau Better Than Balm
Esthetician Renée Rouleau developed her Better Than Balm to be a double cleanse in one step, but without a heavy, waxy texture. This oil to milky gel formula glides across the face, courtesy of jojoba oil, glycerin, and sunflower seed oil, to remove makeup, dirt, and grime in one fell swoop.
Best Tool
Dermaflash Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor & Serum Infuser
Dermaflash Ultrasonic Pore Extractor uses gentle vibrations to safely lift dirt and blackheads from pores. It's equally as effective as it is satisfying.
Best Toner
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Dark Spot Toner
Farmacy's tranexamic acid toner gently resurfaces the skin to lighten dark spots and smoothes textured skin with azelaic acid.
Best Lotion
Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Soft Milky Lotion
This milky lotion boasts oil-free ingredients like plumping hyaluronic acid and collagen boosting moringa extract.
Oily skin types tend to have larger pores, so extra exfoliation is key to keeping pores clean. With a 14 percent AHA and BHA blend, plus niacinamide and willowherb extract, this exfoliator refines pores so skin appears smoother.
Best Serum
Kiehl's Ultra Pure High-Potency 5.0% Niacinamide
Niacinamide is known for its brightening powers and ability to control oil production. This Kiehl's serum contains solely niacinamide at a high rate of 5 percent to target oily skin and dark spots.
Best Hydrating Serum
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Light Ceramide Capsules Strengthening & Refining Serum
Hemisqualane and cyclopeptides in Elizabeth Arden light version of its ceramide capsules help reduce both excess sebum and the appearance of pores.
Best SPF Moisturizer
Byoma Gel Face Moisturizer SPF 30
This gel moisturizer boasts SPF 30 and a tri-cermaide complex to not only protect the skin for UV rays, but also strengthen its barrier.
Best Night Treatment
Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 5% Acid Firming Night Crème
Ole Henriksen Dewtopia 5% Acid Firming Night Crème evens tone, reduces wrinkles, and smoothes texture overnight with a powerhouse combination of glycolic and lactic acid.
Best Moisturizer
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Moisturizer couples the brightening antioxidant with squalane for lightweight hydration.
Best Clay Mask
Alo 60 Second Detox Face Mask
In just one minute, the green clay in this mask draws out impurities and excess oil while aloe and arnica keep skin soothed.
Best Exfoliating Mask
Sisley-Paris Exfoliating Enzyme Mask
Sisley's exfoliating mask removes dead skin and sebum with a natural fruit enzyme in under 60 seconds.
Best Treatment
Neutrogena Stubborn Acne Spot Drying Lotion
Now 19% Off
Pesky pimples are no match for this Neutrogena drying lotion, which uses 10 percent sulfur, plus calming calamine, to kill zits without irritating already-stressed skin.
Best SPF
Keys Soulcare Protect Your Light Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 Sunscreen
Keys Soulcare SPF 30 combines two of Engelman’s oily-skin favorites: niacinamide, which helps to mattify, regulate oil, and reduce redness; and squalane, a lightweight moisturizer that doesn’t occlude the skin barrier.
award-winning products for
SENSITIVE SKIN
“The absolute foundation of a routine for sensitive skin is a really good moisturizer,” says New York dermatologist Whitney Bowe. “If your skin is not hydrated, then your barrier is compromised, and the microbiome is out of balance, and you won’t benefit from any of the fancy, sophisticated actives.” Whether your skin is naturally reactive or just temporarily sensitized, she advises avoiding excessive alcohols, along with strong fragrances and essential oils, in favor of the soothing, barrier-
boosting ingredients found in the products below.
Best Gentle Cleanser
Eve Lom Foaming Cream Cleanser
Credit: DermstoreEve Lom Foaming Cream Cleanser removes all traces of dirt, oil, and makeup—even waterproof formulas—without stripping skin of its much-needed moisture.
Best Gentle Exfoliater
Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing PHA Facial Exfoliator
Now 25% Off
Credit: AmazonThis cleanser uses a combination of soothing oat oil and the liquid exfoliator polyhydroxy acid to remove dirt and grime while gently evening skin's texture.
Best Retinol Alternative
Tatcha The Silk Serum
Credit: TatchaTatcha's plant-based serum—which includes upcycled cranberry extract, peptides, collagen, sea fennel to reduce roughness, and its signature Hadasei-3 complex—does the work of a traditional retinol serum without any irritating vitamin A.
Best Peel
La Mer The Micro Peel
Credit: BluemercuryLa Mer the Micro Peel offers a gentler take on exfoliation. To balance the blend of acids, which slough away dead skin, jojoba-seed, sweet-almond, and eucalyptus-leaf oils, plus the brand’s famous Miracle Broth, soothe and moisturize.
Best Depuffing Treatment
Pillowtalk Derm by Dr. Shereene Idriss The Depuffer Arnica Sculpting Serum Roller
Credit: PillowtalkDerm SkincareThe cooling roller tip and blend of arnica and centella asiatica in this derm-formulated serum help significantly reduce facial redness and swelling.
Best Protective Serum
Klur Symmetry Fluid Anti-Pollution Serum
Credit: Credo BeautyTo protect skin from the elemental stressors like pollution and free radicals, Klur’s Symmetry Fluid Anti-Pollution Serum uses vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients to help fortify its surface and build resilience.
Best Calming Serum
Typology 9-Ingredient Soothing Face Serum
Credit: TypologyThis serum is fragrance-free and 99 percent naturally-derived. The non-greasy, lightweight texture keeps redness at bay with ingredients like beta-glucan and glycerin.
Best Smoothing Serum
Fresh Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum
Credit: UltaFresh's Tea Elixir Skin Resilience Activating Serum boosts skin’s defenses against stressors with derm-beloved ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, and an antioxidant-rich tea extract.
Best Face Oil
Beekman 1802 Oh! Mega Milk Fermented Barrier Boosting Facial Oil
Credit: UltaGoat milk, niacinamide, vitamin C, and plant oils help this oil absorb quickly and leave skin feeling plump and glowy.
Best Soothing Cream
Kiehl's Since 1851 Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream
Credit: Kiehl's Since 1851Bowe recommends that those who are sensitive opt for a moisturizer that actively repairs skin’s barrier, and Kiehl’s Ultra Advanced Repair Barrier Cream is a perfect fit. It uses colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan to mimic skin’s lipid structure while reducing redness and irritation.
Best Solid Moisturizer
Kate Mcleod Soothe Face Stone Solid Face Moisturizer
Credit: Kate McleodThis unscented, solid moisturizer is designed to melt on contact with your skin, and combines olive squalane, evening primrose, and peony oil for ultimate hydration.
Best Brightening Eye Cream
Ilia Bright Start Retinol Alternative Brightening Eye Cream
Credit: SephoraIlia Bright Start Activated Eye Cream has a cooling ceramic tip that doubles as a relaxing massage tool to reduce puffiness and dark circles.
Best Lash Serum
RevitaLash Cosmetics Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Conditioner
Credit: Revitalash CosmeticsThe time-release technology in RevitaLash Advanced Sensitive Eyelash Conditioner makes the peptide and botanical blend safe for easily irritated eyes.
Best Retinol Cream for Sensitive Skin
Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream
Credit: DermstoreDon't let the retinaldehyde in Avène's award-winning moisturizer scare you off: "While retinol can be used by all skin types, it's especially great for someone who is unable to tolerate a prescription retinoid, as may be the case for a person with dry or sensitive skin," board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick previously told BAZAAR.com.
Best Repairing Night Cream
RéVive Skincare Sensitif Repairing Night Cream Recovery for Sensitive Skin
Credit: BluemercuryThis reparative night cream from RéVive Skincare is ideal for managing redness. It features a blend of caffeine, niacinamide, and cucumber, that neutralize oxidative stress while minimizing fine lines.
Best Chemical Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct SPF 70 Daily Face Sunscreen with Niacinamide
Credit: UltaThis broad-spectrum, fragrance-free SPF 70 sunscreen not only helps protect your face from UVA and UVB rays, but also contains niacinamide to brighten discoloration.
Best Mineral Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Dr. Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF 40
The hydrating Dr Loretta Universal Glow Daily Defense Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF 40 combines antioxidants with nourishing ectoin and botanical extracts to protect against blue light and UV rays.
award-winning products for
COMBINATION SKIN
This is the Goldilocks of skin types. “It isn’t consistent throughout,” says Birmingham, Alabama, dermatologist Corey Hartman, making a one-size-fits-all product hard to find. “Avoiding harsh ingredients on either end of the spectrum is probably the most important thing when thinking of a routine,” he says, advising those with combination skin to steer clear of stripping alcohols and too-rich moisturizers. “The second is being responsive to how your skin is reacting at the time and tailoring your products around that.”
Eadem Dew Dream Cleansing Balm removes makeup and sunscreen while targeting concerns like dryness and congestion.
This gentle cleanser mildly foams, but it includes soothing botanicals like aloe and arnica, so it removes excess oil without irritation.
BEST GEL CLEANSER
Relevant Complete Cleansing Serum
Here’s a vegan cleanser that can do it all: Using a blend of green coffee seed oil, banana fruit extract, and squalane, it removes dirt, oil, and even makeup without stripping skin of its natural oils.
BEST DAILY EXFOLIANT
Clark's Botanicals 7-Acid Daily Glow Peel
Clark’s Botanicals 7-Acid Daily Glow Peel features a blend of acids and soothing, hydrating extracts to resurface, minimize redness, and clear out pores.
BEST MASK
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant rebalances the skin and regulates excess sebum to reduce breakouts without over drying.
BEST CLARIFYING TONER
Decorté Snow Clarifier Refining Essence Gel Toner
This gel-toner exfoliates, hydrates, and primes skin for the products that follow with an AHA-free, ultra-gentle formula.
BEST BRIGHTENING TONER
S'ABLE LABS Black Seed Toner
This gentle toner targets the dark spots that can follow breakouts with ingredients like vitamin C, ferulic acid, and exfoliating fruit acids.
BEST HYDRATING SERUM
Westman Atelier Skin Activator
Skin Activator, the first foray into skincare for Westman Atelier, is a lightweight gel-serum hybrid that combines 12 potent actives—like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide—to plump and deeply hydrate skin before makeup.
BEST REPARATIVE SERUM
Guerlain Double R Renew and Repair Advanced Serum
This blend of AHAs, PHAs, and honey help deliver intense radiance, lifting, and toning to skin in just a few nights.
BEST BRIGHTENING SERUM
Lancome Clarifique Pro-Solution Serum
Lancôme Clarifique Pro-Solution features an expert blend of 10 percent polyhydroxy acid (PHA), niacinamide, and beech-bud extract to reduce dark spots and the look of pores.
BEST Radiance-Boosting Serum
Aman Replenishing Face Serum
Vitamins C and E brighten and nourish skin while boosting its overall radiance in this gentle and easy-to-layer serum.
Best Renewing Serum
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Serum tightens as ginseng peptides boost the skin’s barrier.
BEST EYE SERUM
Clarins Double Serum Eye Firming and Hydrating Anti-Aging Concentrate
Inspired by the brand's beloved Double Serum, Double Serum Eye works to smooth, firm, hydrate, and revitalize the eye area without leaving the slick finish of a cream.
BEST HYDRATING MOISTURIZER
Olay Regenerist Niacinamide + Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer
Olay Regenerist Niacinamide + Peptide 24 Hydrating Moisturizer absorbs quickly, without coating the face in a thick film.
BEST MOISTURE-BOOSING SERUM
BeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream
This lightweight moisturizer helps repair the skin’s moisture barrier, while its hyaluronic acid and ceramide-rich formula locks in hydration.
BEST BARRIER PROTECTING MOISTURIZER
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream
Great for those drier areas on combo skin, this fast-absorbing cream includes five ceramides and panthenol to strengthen the skin barrier and boost elasticity.
BEST NIGHT MOISTURIZER
Joanna Vargas TWILIGHT NIGHT CREAM
Not only does this overnight moisturizer absorb quickly, but it never feels overly greasy or heavy once it’s applied. It also features over 53 different amino acids that help minimize fine lines as you sleep.
BEST ILLUMINATING SPF
StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle GLOWFECTOR SPF 30
StriVectin GlowFector SPF 30 Instant Illuminating Lotion is infused with licorice- and marshmallow-root extract to add radiance and argan oil to boost moisture.
MEET THE EXPERTS
Dr. Corey Hartman is a dermatologist in Birmingham, Alabama
Dr. Whitney Bowe is a dermatologist in New York City
Dr. Jenny Liu is dermatologist in Minneapolis
Dr. Dendy Engelman is a dermatologist in New York City
Dr. Michelle Henry is a dermatologist in New York City
WHY TRUST BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.