Maintaining a consistent routine that complements your skin type and addresses your major concerns sounds easy in theory, but the sheer number of products available (and launching daily) makes building a skincare regimen no easy feat.
It seems like everyone's been getting in on the skincare-brand action of late, too, so the competition in this category of InStyle's Best Beauty Buys was fierce. But our panel of experts was undeterred! We polled top dermatologists, aestheticians, and makeup artists to test and find out what products deliver on their promises and are worthy of a spot in your medicine cabinet. Whether you're ready to invest in an in-office treatment that will fade old acne scars or simply in the market for a sunscreen that layers well under makeup, the 2022 winners have you covered.
Find the best in-office treatments, facial products, and body care products of 2022, below.
Oily Skin
Differin Gel 0.1% Adapalene Acne Treatment
- Winning Category: Acne Treatment for Oily Skin
Acne spot treatments and cleansers not working? Differin is the first prescription-strength retinoid available over-the-counter. It treats breakouts deep in the pores and prevents new acne from forming to improve texture and tone.
Glossier Cleanser Concentrate
- Winning Category: Cleanser for Oily Skin
Stop breakouts from brewing with Glossier's gentle clarifying cleanser. The plant-based antioxidants and exfoliants clear excess oil from pores for smoother, clearer skin.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
- Winning Category: Exfoliator for Oily Skin
This TikTok-favorite exfoliator deserves the fan fare. The 2% salicylic acid-based elixir goes deep into pores to clear out oil, dirt, and other impurities for clearer, brighter skin.
ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica
- Winning Category: SPF for Oily Skin
Many SPFs don't jive with oily skin. ISDIN's mineral sunscreen is an exception. It offers SPF 50 protection, plus works to repair existing UV damage — without leaving a greasy, tacky residue.
iS Clinical Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque
- Winning Category: Mask for Oily Skin
Like your home, your skin could use a deep clean, too. This mask features both physical and chemical exfoliants to smooth, polish, and reduce the look of pores by dissolving dead skin cells and balancing sebum.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel- Cream Extra- Dry
- Winning Category: Night Cream for Oily Skin
Despite absorbing quickly like a gel, this moisturizer delivers the long-lasting hydration of a cream. Hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates for a smooth, supple complexion.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
- Winning Category: Serum for Oily Skin
A serum that's like three products in one, Good Genes hydrates, unclogs pores, brightens dark spots, and minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. No wonder it has cult status.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
- Winning Category: Toner for Oily Skin
Biologique Recherche's toner has a dedicated fanbase because it exfoliates, brightens, balances pH, and improves skin texture. TL;DR: the hype is real.
Dry Skin
Avène Antirougeurs CLEAN Refreshing Cleansing Lotion
- Winning Category: Cleanser for Dry Skin
For tight, irritated skin, make this milky no-rinse cleanser a regular part of your routine. It cleanses and removes makeup without further aggravating the skin.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer UV
- Winning Category: Daytime Moisturizer for Dry Skin
This deeply hydrating but non-greasy cream strengthens the skin barrier to prevent future dryness, plus shields skin from UVA/UVB rays.
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate IntensiveExfoliating Treatment
- Winning Category: Exfoliator for Dry Skin
Exfoliating dry skin might seem counterintuitive, but clearing away any dead skin cells will result in soft and smooth skin. This Kate Somerville scrub actually enhances product absorption, so hydrating serums and creams will better penetrate dehydrated complexions.
Neocutis Lumiere Firm Illuminating and Tightening Eye Cream
- Winning Category: Eye Cream for Dry Skin
Trying to minimize puffiness and crow's feet without further drying out the eye area can be a struggle. This cream brightens and firms while simultaneously nourishing skin.
Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
- Winning Category: Mask for Dry Skin
Extra thirsty skin? Slather this ultra-hydrating mask on before bed and wake up with a smoother, plumper complexion.
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2
- Winning Category: Night Cream for Dry Skin
Suppleness is just one sleep away. This rich cream is packed with lipids like ceramides and fatty acids to restore skin's moisture.
Anti-Aging
Revision Skincare Revox Line Relaxer
- Winning Category: Wrinkle Treatment
The stainless steel tip allows for targeted application of this fine-line and wrinkle-fighting serum (plus the cooling effect is soothing). While it'll optimize results when used alongside an in-office treatment, it's also beneficial on its own.
SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair
- Winning Category: Anti-Aging Eye Cream
With an all-star ingredient lineup of vitamins A, C, and E, alongside hyaluronic acid, this luxurious cream effectively brightens, firms, and hydrates the delicate eye area with no irritation.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
- Winning Category: Inexpensive Wrinkle Treatment
It's impossible to turn back the clock, but this rich night cream is the next best thing. The retinol-powered formula is clinically proven to make skin look 10 years younger by firming and reducing wrinkles — yes, even deep ones.
ISDIN Melatonik
- Winning Category: Clean Anti-Aging Treatment
This nighttime anti-aging serum gives a whole new meaning to beauty sleep. Melatonin, bakuchiol and vitamin C work harmoniously to restore skin and kick start protection against environmental stressors. The result is a more radiant, healthy complexion.
Skincare Essentials
Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Hybrid SPF 50
- Winning Category: Black-Owned Brand
One of the biggest misconceptions about SPF is that darker skin tones don't need it. Black Girl Sunscreen is flipping the script by making sophisticated formulas without that infamous white cast.
Topicals
- Winning Category: New Brand
This BIPOC-owned brand can't keep its products in stock because they work. The formulas target hyperpigmentation from breakouts and body care concerns such as ingrown hairs.
ALASTIN Skincare SilkSHIELD All Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 with TriHex Technology
- Winning Category: Most Innovative Product
The transparent SPF supports the skin barrier and boosts collagen, plus is gentle enough for sensitive or post-procedure skin.
Lancôme Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum
- Winning Category: Skincare MVP
Is there anything this multitasking serum can't do? With a stacked formula of hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening vitamin C+ Niacinamide, and strengthening ferulic acid, all signs point to no.
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
- Winning Category: Clean Facial Moisturizer
The combination of peptides, growth factors, amino acids, and pygmy water lily, makes this unbelievably good at firming, plumping, and smoothing the skin. An airtight pump keeps the formula fresh and sterile till the last drop.
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
- Winning Category: Cleanser
There's absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to the basics when said product is CerAve's hydrating foaming cleanser. The lathery face wash purifies skin without stripping it dry.
COOLA Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 - Cucumber
- Winning Category: Clean Facial Sunscreen
If you're someone who likes a streamlined morning routine, this COOLA sunscreen doubles as a facial moisturizer and layers flawlessly under makeup.
OLAY Regenerist Collagen Peptide 24 Face Moisturizer
- Winning Category: Collagen-Boosting Cream
Collagen is trending, and out of the number of products on the market, our panel of experts have deemed this firming, hydrating cream the best. The formula's secret is smaller collagen peptides that better penetrate the skin.
Glytone Enhance Brightening Cleansing Powder
- Winning Category: Exfoliator
Congested pores don't stand a chance against this exfoliating powder. Simply add a bit of water and massage the creamy AHA acid-packed polish into skin for an oddly satisfying experience.
L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Winning Category: Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular skincare ingredients because it's incredible at hydrating and plumping the skin. However, you don't have to go broke on an effective formula – this L'Oréal Paris serum is proof.
Clinique Moisture Surge 100hr Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
- Winning Category: Daytime Moisturizer
Dry skin? You won't know her if Clinique's Moisture Surge is in your routine. The lightweight gel-cream restores and retains moisture, creating a smooth base for makeup.
Skinbetter Science EyeMax AlphaRet Overnight Cream
- Winning Category: Eye Cream
Let the retinoid and AHA acid blend in this silky eye cream work overnight while you rest. The formula is clinically proven to improve the look of crow's feet, darkness, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles in as little as four weeks of nightly use.
Sisley-Paris Black Rose Cream Mask
- Winning Category: Mask
When a full night of sleep isn't in the cards, reach for this creamy mask in the morning. It's supercharged with anti-aging ingredients black rose, padina pavonica, and alkekengi calyx extracts to energize and replenish tired skin.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
- Winning Category: Face Oil
The fresh rose scent is reason enough to treat to your skin to this oil, but the squalane and vitamin C also results in a brighter, softer complexion.
Starface Hydro-Stars
- Winning Category: Spot Treatment
These star-shaped pimple patches make zits suck a whole lot less. On top of reducing redness and absorbing fluid from blemishes, slapping on a Hydro Star will prevent picking. Brilliant!
​​EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
- Winning Category: Facial Sunscreen
This repeat award winner shields skin from sun damage while keeping shine under control.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
- Winning Category: At-Home Peel
Swipe the fan-favorite peel pads across your face to revive dull skin. The two-step system exfoliates, smooths rough patches, and brightens dark spots.
La Roche-Posay Toleraine Ultra Night Moisturizer
- Winning Category: Night Cream
Safe for even the most sensitive skin types, this universal cream is packed with the brand's signature thermal spring water, niacinamide, glycerin, and shea butter for deep, long-lasting hydration.
Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum 20%
- Winning Category: Serum
This powerful serum contains 20% L-ascorbic acid vitamin C, which makes it a ridiculously good brightening and antioxidant treatment.
Chantecaille Vital Essence
- Winning Category: Toner/Essence
An essence is like a pre-game for your other products: it'll provide initial hydration and help your serums and moisturizers better penetrate the skin. Our experts love this soothing and calming Chantecaille Essence because it can also be used on the eye area.
Revision Skincare C+ Correcting Complex 30%
- Winning Category: Vitamin C/Antioxidant
Any dermatologist will tell you a vitamin C serum is the cornerstone of a good skincare routine. Revision's formula is built to brighten and protect against pollution, the sun, and blue light.
Blue Lizard Sport Mineral-Based Sunscreen
- Winning Category: Sport Sunscreen
The water-resistant mineral sunscreen is ideal for hot, sweaty days – whether you're going on a run or lounging on the beach.
Tata Harper Skincare Regenerating Cleanser
- Winning Category: Clean Facial Cleanser
The luxurious farm-to-skin cleanser treats skin with a one-two punch. Powered by plant-based botanicals, it acts as a gentle exfoliator and face wash to eliminate dead skin and unclog pores.
Body Care
Olay Nourishing Body Wash w/ Hyaluronic Acid
- Winning Category: Best Body Wash
If you think skincare stops at your neck, think again. This nourishing body wash, enriched with vitamins B3 and hyaluronic acid help to replenish the skin on your body to give you an all over glow.
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
- Winning Category: Best Body Lotion
This dermatologist-recommended drugstore fave has a cult-following for a reason. Safe to use on all skin types with its fragrance-free formula, expect to have buttery soft, ultra-nourished skin after use.
Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 with Sunflower Extract
- Winning Category: Best Suncreen for Body
The Supergoop! you love for your face can be used on your body, too. The clean formula, known for it's cast-free SPF 50 finish, gives you water and sweat-resistant protection for up to 80 minutes.
Secret Clinical Strength Completely Clean Invisible Solid Antiperspirant & Deodorant
- Winning Category: Deodorant
This invisible antiperspirant keeps you sweat- and odor-free for up to 48 hours — without staining your clothes.
Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel
- Winning Category: Shaving Cream
Get a smooth shave every single time and even softer skin with Aveeno's soothing and nourishing shave gel in your shower.
Bio-Oil
- Winning Category: Body Oil
On top of nourishing dry skin, this multi-use vitamin A and E oil can be used to treat cracked cuticles, scars, and stretch marks.
Touchland Hand Sanitizer
- Winning Category: Hand Sanitizer
The past two years of washing our hands has taught us that not all sanitizers are created equal. Touchland gets a gold star for creating a hand sanitizer mist that doesn't dry out the skin. Bonus points for all of the scent options.
Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator
- Winning Category: Body Scrub
The sexiest body scrub you'll ever use, a trio of chemical exfoliants remove dead skin build-up, and bamboo charcoal softens skin. It's available in fragrance-free, soothing sandalwood, and refreshing eucalyptus.
Dove Original Beauty Bar
- Winning Category: Bar Soap
Dermatologists are fans of Dove's classic bar soap because it cleanses skin without stripping it of essential moisture. And you can't beat the price.
High-Tech Tools
NuFACE Trinity Facial Toning Device
- Winning Category: Facial Sculpting Tool
The gadget's low-level electrical currents give facial muscles a workout to instantly lift and sculpt your facial features.
FOREO LUNA 3 Sonic Facial Cleanser and Anti-Ageing Massager
- Winning Category: Skin Cleansing Brush
This brush doesn't just deep clean skin of dirt and oil in just a minute, it also gives a little firming massage, as a treat.
Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X
- Winning Category: Hair Removal Device
Skip the hassle of scheduling hair removal sessions with this FDA-cleared at-home device. The laser is the same technology used by dermatologists during in-office treatments.
CurrentBody Skin LED Face Light Therapy Mask
- Winning Category: Best Acne Treatment Tool
Selfie opps aside, CurrentBody's LED mask is a Hollywood favorite because the flexible silicone ensures all areas of the face are treated by the anti-aging red and LED light.
Aesthetics
Vivace RF Microneedling
- Winning Category: Best In-Office Treatment for Your 20s
The radio frequency microneedling treatment stimulates collagen to minimize wrinkles, fine lines, and tightens and tones the skin. With minimal downtime plus instant and long-term results, there's no need to block out an entire day to recover.
BOTOX Cosmetic
- Winning Category: Best In-Office Treatment for Your 40s
For 20 years Botox has been the go-to injection for temporarily improving the look of crow's feet, forehead lines, and moderate to severe frown lines.
Emsculpt Neo
- Winning Category: Best In-Office Body Sculpting Treatment
Emsulpt Neo works to build more muscle and minimize fat. It achieves this by utilizing magnetic fields and adding radio frequency. Best results are achieved with four treatments over the course of four weeks.
KYBELLA
- Winning Category: Best Non-Surgical Treatment for the Neck
Kybella is a non-surgical injectable treatment for a double chin. It works to permanently break down and destroy the fat in the chin area.
Cyspera Intensive
- Winning Category: Melasma/Discoloration Treatment
Available at dermatologist's offices without a prescription, this topical pigment corrector improves the appearance of brown patches, sun damage, and dark spots. It's tested on and deemed safe for darker skin tones.
RHA Collection of Dermal Fillers
- Winning Category: Most Innovative Filler
What sets this hyaluronic acid filler for fine lines and wrinkles apart is a next-level technology that mimics native facial movements for a more natural finish.
Clear + Brilliant
- Winning Category: Best Laser Treatment
This laser resurfacing treatment is gentle, yet effective. It improves skin tone and texture, and minimizes dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and pore size with no downtime.
Endo Aesthetics' Qwo
- Winning Category: Breakthrough Treatment
QWO is the first FDA-approved injectable for cellulite. The in-office treatment can be performed on moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks, and takes three sessions to see results.