The face skincare category exploded, with the largest number of submissions for Good Housekeeping’s Beauty Awards this year (an eye-popping 227!), including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, sunscreens, eye creams, exfoliators, masks, and devices for every skin concern. Our scientists and consumer testers did the work for you, sorting through all the latest launches to test them and find the ones that deliver real results. No matter what your age or complexion type, these winning products are proven to help you up your skincare game.
K-beauty skincare has fully landed, with standout formulas and unique textures that performed well in our testing, our GH Beauty Lab senior chemist says. Case in point: Medicube’s cleanser, a jelly that morphs into a “rich” foam created to thoroughly yet gently cleanse with mild acids and softening hyaluronic acid.
TEST RESULTS: It beat the competition in an incredible 14 assessment categories, including ease of use, having a pleasant texture, cleansing effectively without irritation, and leaving skin supple, clear, and radiant. “It removed the day’s grease without stripping my skin,” a tester noted.
This solid Hero Cosmetics formula made with rose hip and sunflower oils melts away makeup and cleanses skin in one swoop without leaving it parched.
TEST RESULTS: A full 100% of testers agreed that it dissolved makeup quickly and left skin feeling smooth but not oily or sticky. They used many exclamation points when raving about this product: “Love at first feel! It felt so good that I massaged it into my dry, sensitive skin,” one said. Another agreed: “I could not believe how easily all of my makeup came off—so much more effective than what I was using before, and my skin didn’t feel dry or taut after cleansing!”
Splash off eye makeup and more in seconds with Garnier’s liquid formula (it doubles as a no-rinse cleanser), which won the GH Beauty Lab’s makeup remover test.
TEST RESULTS: In our lab’s test of the number of swipes needed to fully remove eyeliner, it dissolved the makeup fastest, in an average of 4.7 swipes. An impressive 100% of testers agreed that it didn’t irritate and left skin feeling moisturized, smooth, and not tacky. “It worked well at taking off all my makeup” and “[It] made my skin look amazing,” two testers commented.
Pat this milky POV toner onto clean skin to prep for makeup: It calms and softens the complexion with ingredients like rice water and squalane.
TEST RESULTS: The liquid scored perfect for soaking in fast, making skin feel hydrated, not irritating, and wearing well under makeup. “The formula felt soothing and my makeup applied more evenly and had an almost blurred, polished finish,” a tester remarked.
A swipe of a no-rinse Paula’s Choice salicylic acid exfoliating pad helps whisk away rough, congested skin without irritation.
TEST RESULTS: These excelled in testing, rating highest for helping skin look more even and feel smoother and making pores less visible in one week. “I haven’t had skin this smooth since I was a preteen,” a tester marveled. “My skin looks and feels incredible — they’re really like magic!”
Despite its featherweight gel-like feel, Philosophy’s glycerin-rich formula delivers heavy-hitting hydration.
TEST RESULTS: In our lab’s Corneometer tests, it raised skin moisture levels by 28% in six hours after application. Among testers, 90% agreed that it had an ideal texture and left skin silky. “My skin felt plump but not greasy,” one commented. Another enthused: “I love this product — I’ve tried dozens of skin creams and this one is a keeper.”
Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, Mary Kay’s rich lotion coddles even compromised skin with a blend of powerful nourishing ingredients including squalane, ceramides, and fatty acids.
TEST RESULTS: A study on 21 women found that the formula improved skin’s moisture barrier by 43% three hours after application, increasing to 58% after three days, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed. Patch tests on 103 people showed that it didn’t cause skin irritation.
A few drops of this Aestura serum “instantly” quell angry skin, thanks to a combination of soothing cica, zinc, and niacinamide.
TEST RESULTS: Testers found that it was easy to use and fast to be absorbed and made skin more resilient against sensitivity and dryness. Several noted a reduction in redness and discomfort both immediately and over time. “My skin is much less reactive,” a tester with dry, irritation-prone skin reported. Some also said they would purchase the product or continue using it.
The gel-like Bioelements serum quenches parched skin and gives it a glow using a long list of heavy-hitting hydrators: six types of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, plant oils, and glycerin.
TEST RESULTS: It earned high scores for being effortless to apply, having a pleasant “smooth” texture, leaving skin feeling hydrated and looking more radiant, plumping fine lines, and brightening skin tone. Testers noted the noticeable, fast results. “My skin has become horribly dry since I went through menopause,” one revealed. “This is the first product I’ve tried that made an immediate difference—my skin feels soft and supple instead of like sandpaper.”
Pop open a single-dose Elizabeth Arden capsule to reveal a “velvety” serum containing skin-brightening vitamin C and softening ceramides.
TEST RESULTS: Testers gave it top marks for reducing the look of dark spots and making skin appear more radiant, bright, and even after four weeks. “I really noticed a difference in my dark spots,” one reported. Another loved the “immediate boost in skin elasticity and glow” the serum provided.
Cool skin on contact and relieve irritation by rolling the massaging metal applicator of Deinde’s gel, infused with skin barrier repair ingredients and softening squalane, over your face.
TEST RESULTS: The formula got the highest ratings for soothing skin both instantly and over time and leaving it feeling comfortable and hydrated. “It was like extinguishing a fire on my face,” a tester said. Others noted that “the cooling effect was fantastic for post-microneedling,” and “it worked well on sunburn from being outside in the snow.”
This Aprilskin spot treatment targets pesky breakouts using a one-two punch of purifying salicylic and polyhydroxy acids along with inflammation-calming zinc and niacinamide.
TEST RESULTS: Testers were satisfied with the fast-acting effects of this gel formula. “I applied it on a pimple before I went to sleep, and when I woke up, the redness was significantly decreased,” one commented. Another echoed this, saying it “made redness go away.”
Turn to this gentle Eucerin treatment to revive eyes instantly with sheer brightening pigments and a cooling metal applicator.
TEST RESULTS: GH Beauty Lab testers appreciated its “smooth” consistency and swift absorption and that it hydrated eye-area skin without causing irritation. They praised the cooling applicator and the “instant brightness” the eye cream imparted. A tester said it left their skin “radiant,” living up to its name.
Perfect for both everyday use and beach days, No7 offers high-SPF protection in a “barely there” lotion boosted with skincare ingredients (hyaluronic acid, peptides).
TEST RESULTS: It got a long list of perfect scores: for its appealing feel, being simple to apply and fast to be absorbed, leaving no residue, and not causing irritation or breakouts. “This has no white cast and minimal ‘sunscreen’ scent, doesn’t pill or make me greasy, and doesn’t feel like I have anything on,” a tester marveled. “The formula didn’t bother my sensitive skin or rosacea and makes it much easier and more enjoyable to use SPF daily.”
K-beauty brand Sungboon Editor’s new wave gel sheet face mask, made to be worn overnight to intensively plump, calm, and revitalize skin, lived up to its viral reputation in GH Beauty Lab testing.
TEST RESULTS: Unlike some other sheet masks, this one performed well for fitting testers’ faces, staying in place, and not leaving an unpleasant residue. As for the effects, it left skin feeling hydrated and soothed and looking brighter the next morning. “Love this mask—it is refreshing, relaxing, and hydrating and brings so much moisture to my face,” a tester enthused. “It also didn’t move or bother me during the night.” Other testers were amazed by how “dewy” it made their skin.
The creator of the original nose mask, Bioré, is back with a buzzy dual-sided version that bubbles on skin, utilizing glycolic acid, fruit enzymes, and silicone scrubbers to degunk pores.
TEST RESULTS: The GH Beauty Lab’s senior chemist liked that this mask offers chemical exfoliation on one side and physical exfoliation on the other, along with “a fun sensorial experience.” After use, “my nose felt so smooth, and there was a blurring effect on my pores,” she said.
Stick these Mediheal gel patches soaked in smoothing, brightening niacinamide, retinol, and hyaluronic acid under eyes for a quick boost.
TEST RESULTS: The “luxurious” masks were simple to apply and comfortable to wear, didn’t leave excess residue, and soothed and hydrated skin. Testers appreciated that they adhered well to skin without slipping. The patches were “calming and cooling and left my undereye skin feeling bouncy and gave me a more awake look,” one noted.
More than just a pure water face spray, StriVectin’s formula delivers skincare treatment benefits via calming cucumber extract and chamomile-derived bisabolol along with nourishing ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
TEST RESULTS: It received top scores for its “refreshing” feel, working well under makeup and soothing skin. “It seemed to reduce redness and created a fresh, dewy look immediately after applying,” a tester said. Another liked that it “hydrated skin without feeling greasy” and you could “spray and go.”
Get a pro-inspired “facial” at home with this multitasking Shark device that cleanses, exfoliates, clears pores, and hydrates skin as well as massages and depuffs with a hot-and-cold attachment.
TEST RESULTS: Testers found the instructions easy to understand and the device simple to use and liked the hot-and-cold feature. After four weeks of use, their pores looked clearer and their skin appeared more radiant and moisturized.
Dermalogica turbocharges the standard facial by combining the usual cleansing and exfoliating with a salicylic acid and retinol peel, an ingredient-infusing tool, a soothing mask, and red light therapy, finished with layered skincare products.
TEST RESULTS: The GH Beauty Lab’s senior chemist tested the treatment and raved about the immediate visible results with no discomfort or downtime. “My reactive skin looked glowing, bright, and healthy and felt moisturized without any redness,” she said.
This souped-up SkinSpirit service combines microneedling with a specialized antibacterial and anti-inflammatory serum to help combat breakouts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
TEST RESULTS: The procedure was “totally painless,” a tester reported, and she hasn’t experienced any acne since receiving it. Another was thrilled that her forehead was “smoother—much less bumpy than before!” Both said they would go back for a second treatment.
April (she/her) is the senior beauty and style director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
