2023 Winners These Are the Best Skincare Products of 2023 The Byrdies
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These Are the Best Skincare Products of 2023

Scroll on to see which skincare products are considered the best.

Good skincare is practically a religion at this point—it's personal, it's intimate, and it helps build community around us. Finding a product that's efficacious and fun to use makes a difference in our happiness (it really does!). This year, as always, we tried every product that came across our desks to narrow this list down to the formulas that make us feel best (and really work). Below, take a look at our 2022 Beauty Award Winners in the skincare category.

Best Gel Cleanser: Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser

Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser
Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser $55.00
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"A lot of cleansers tend to dry out my skin, but Ourself Daily Purifying Cleanser deeply cleanses while leaving my skin soft and hydrated. The gel-to-foam formula contains niacinamide, beetroot extract, and murumuru butter, which are essential for moisturizing the skin. The luxe packaging is an added bonus." — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

Best Cream Cleanser: SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser

SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser $39.00
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"If you’re at all familiar with the world of cult beauty products, you’ll know SkinCeuticals for its legendary C E Ferulic serum. But when it comes to formulas, this brand is not a one-hit wonder. Everything I’ve tried is thoughtfully formulated, effective, and worth the hefty price tag, especially the line’s Gentle Cleanser. Now I know $39 isn’t the most affordable price point, but considering what you’re getting for that amount, the value is certainly there. The feel is beyond milky. And if you have dry or irritated skin, this cleanser leaves your skin way more moisturized than it started—not less." — Madeline Hirsch, news director

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Best Oil Cleanser: Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil

Tatcha Cleansing Oil
Tatcha The Camellia Oil 2-in-1 Makeup Remover & Cleanser $50.00
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"An essential part of my double-cleansing routine, this cleansing oil melts every last trace of sunscreen, mascara, and sweat. Work it into a lather and watch your makeup dissolve into the sink (it's the most satisfying part of my evening routine). It works—and it works without clogging my pores. Tatcha promotes this oil cleanser as a noncomedogenic formula, and my acne-prone skin has found that claim to hold up." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

Best Cleansing Balm: Junoco Clean 10 Cleansing Balm

junoco clean 10 cleansing balm
Junoco Clean 10 Cleansing Balm $23.00
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"I only recommend products that I would actually buy—but, as anyone who follows beauty editors on social media knows, we often don’t have to click 'add to cart.' So when I tell you I have purchased something myself, it’s kind of a big deal. I’ve purchased Junoco’s Clean 10 Cleansing Balm many times: I have yet to try another cleansing balm that does such a thorough job of removing my makeup (and I wear a lot of it) while leaving my skin feeling so soft and looking so radiant. And it does all that for under $25." — Eden Stuart, editor

Best Firming Moisturizer: Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment

Allies of Skin peptides and Antioxidants firming daily treatment
Allies of Skin Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment $129.00
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"This is a holy grail for so many editors and influencers in the industry because it’s one of those products that delivers in a way that makes you take notice but is equally unfussy: Just use it and go. I personally gravitate toward this treatment because it’s a moisturizer and includes antioxidants, eliminating the need for serum in my morning routine. The benefits are five-fold: It hydrates, firms, refines, protects, and brightens the skin with a few simple pumps. A one-and-done you’ll be happy about. It’s truly worth every penny." — Kirbie Johnson, beauty reporter and co-host of Gloss Angeles podcast

Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: Dieux Air Angel Gel Cream

Dieux Air Angel Gel Cream
Dieux Air Angel Gel Cream $44.00
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"Plenty of people have become devout followers of Dieux, as the brand’s name and products elicit a religious-level of devotion. The newly launched Air Angel Gel Cream, sister to the beloved Instant Angel Moisturizer, has a light matte finish and includes all the same ingredients in Instant Angel that plump, firm, and quench dehydrated skin but in a lighter texture that may be more suitable for acne-prone skin. Of course, the brand’s transparency with its ingredients, pricing, clinicals, and carbon emissions make you feel better about using it, too." — Kirbie Johnson, beauty reporter and co-host of Gloss Angeles podcast

Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: Retrouvé Intensive Replenishing Moisturizer

retrouve intensive replenishing facial moisturizer
Retrouvé Intensive Replenishing Facial Moisturizer $380.00
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"Dry skin has no chance against this superpower moisturizer. This under-the-radar brand uses the best ingredients—including pharmaceutical-grade vitamin C from Japan and skin-boosting plants like avocado and pomegranate grown on the founders’ permaculture farm in Malibu—at their most efficaciously beneficial levels. It is the only moisturizer that has been successful in keeping my dry skin clients flake-free year round. An absolute must for dry skin and great for more combination/oily skin types to use one time per week as a hydrating mask or after a flight." — Elizabeth Grace Hand, esthetician and founder of Stalle Studios

Best Toner: Sofie Pavitt Face Nice Ice Toner Pods

Sofie Pavitt Face Nice Ice Toner Pods
Sofie Pavitt Face Nice Ice Toner Pods $68.00
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"This is one of the most innovative products I've used in a long time. And it's easy. And it works. And it feels spectacular. I can't stop raving about every aspect of these cute little frosty discs. Here's the specifics: You pop the tray into the freezer and leave it there overnight. In the morning, grab a pod, peel open the packaging, and pop the frozen disc on a cotton pad. Then revel in the cooling, de-puffing goodness as you move it over your tired face. Really get in there around your eyes. It's euphoric! The ingredients are a delicious mix of glycerin, niacinamide, green tea extract, and ashwagandha to reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and bring your stressed-out skin back to life. You can use it to soothe redness and inflammation when you're breaking out, on post-laser skin to reduce swelling, or just as a daily morning treat. I've done all three and I'm still screaming about this product from the rooftops." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

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Best Chemical Exfoliator: Danucera D22 Tonic

Danucera D22 Tonic
Danucera D22 Tonic $38.00
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"I've always been a P50 1970 girl—transparently, I love the numbing feeling and, of course, the results—but as I’ve aged, my skin has become a bit more sensitive. Since then, I’ve started to incorporate slightly milder chemical exfoliation into my routine. Enter: Danucera’s D22 Tonic, a formula created by Rescue Spa’s inimitable aesthetician, Danuta. It’s an effective blend of birch water, lactic and glycolic acids, and grape flower cell extract to exfoliate, brighten, smooth, and reduce redness on your skin. I’ve used it for the better part of a year, but I noticed results after the first week of use. It doesn’t sting or cause irritation—and it works." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Physical Exfoliator: Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish

Dr.Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish
Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish $60.00
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"This delightful, grainy—but not harsh—scrub has come in handy for banishing dry, dull skin more than I can count. It has a blend of physical exfoliation from the aforementioned grains as well as chemical exfoliation from fruit enzymes to really brighten and smooth. You can use it as a quick scrub or leave it on as a mask to let the soothing ingredients in the formula get to work. No matter how you use it, expect glowy, baby-soft skin in seconds." — Bella Cacciatore, news editor

Best Retinol: SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream

Skinbetter science alpharet overnight cream
SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream $135.00
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"I first heard about AlphaRet from L.A.-based esthetician Candace Marino who knows a thing about skin and is no-BS when it comes to products. She sells AlphaRet, and admittedly, I was skeptical at first, given that retinols tend to either make me regret the day I was born or produce zero noticeable results. This one makes big claims: that it reduces the appearance of wrinkles in four weeks, with little irritation—and for a product that combines a retinoid with AHAs, it sounds like it could be a disaster, but it’s a true skin savior. I’ve converted many friends to the gospel of AlphaRet simply because its transformative benefits speak for themselves." — Kirbie Johnson, beauty reporter and co-host of Gloss Angeles podcast

Best Serum for Hyperpigmentation: PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Hyper Serum

PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Hyper Serum
PillowtalkDerm Major Fade Hyper Serum $68.00
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"I recently did Accutane for the second time, and while my skin is finally clear, I was certain that I would be stuck with the lingering hyperpigmentation for the rest of my life. That is, until I tried this serum. I’ve tried my fair share of brightening serums, but this targeted treatment actually delivers—in just a few uses, my dark spots had faded significantly, and they just keep getting better. Despite it’s heavy-hitting roster of acids, including alpha arbutin, kojic acid, and niacinamide, it never irritates my sensitive skin, and I love the refillable pen for optimum freshness." — Bella Cacciatore, news editor

Best Growth Factor Serum: Angela Caglia Skincare Cell Forté Serum

Angela Caglia Cell Fort Serum
Angela Caglia Skincare Cell Forté Serum $395.00
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"I first tried this serum during a four-hand facial (yes, you read that correctly—there were two people massaging my face with four hands total) and I’ve been a convert ever since. Angela Caglia Skincare’s Cell Forté Serum uses a potent concentration of exosomes, peptides, and growth factors to reduce sun damage (I’ve got it), fine lines (yup, those too), and other signs of aging. Just use five drops post-cleanse, morning and night, and you’ll see a difference in your skin in about a month. It feels good, it’s easy, and it’s my current must-have." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Hydrating Serum: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Neutrogena Hydro Boose Ultra Hydrating Serum
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Serum $32.00
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"There is never a day that I don’t apply this serum. I apply a few pumps to slightly damp skin every morning and evening and find that my skin is plumper and far more hydrated. I usually experience some dry patches and flakiness in the winter, but I’ve had nothing but soft, juicy-looking skin since adding this to my routine. Truly nothing leaves my skin looking and feeling quite so balanced and healthy." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

Best Vitamin C Serum: Yon-Ka Paris Serum C20

Serum Yonka Serum C20
Yon-Ka Paris Serum C20 $168.00
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"Vitamin C is one of the most effective ingredients you can add to your anti-aging arsenal, but it's also one of the hardest formulas to perfect. For some brands, the texture fails where efficacy soars—but Yon-Ka Paris has nailed both with its Serum C20. At 20% vitamin C, this is an incredibly potent—and stable—formula that somehow doesn't leave my skin feeling raw or irritated—even among the other actives in my routine. That, and it layers beautifully with other skincare and makeup products." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

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Best Face Oil: Sweet July Skin Irie Power Face Oil

Sweet July Irie Power Face Oil
Sweet July Skin Irie Power Face Oil $60.00
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"I wasn't regularly using a face oil until I introduced Sweet July’s Irie Power Face Oil into my routine. It helps clarify your skin—thanks to ingredients like salicylic acid, neem seed, and turmeric root. The nongreasy oil is also infused with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants to soothe inflammation and avoid congestion. Since I’ve started slathering this on at night, my skin has become noticeably more radiant and soft." — Olivia Hancock, editor

Best Hydrating Mask: Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask

Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask
Augustinus Bader The Face Cream Mask $215.00
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"In just 20 minutes, it transforms dull, dehydrated, and lifeless skin into a brighter, firmer, and more even version. I even use it after professional microneedling treatments in my studio to provide instant calm. My personal favorite way to use it is as an overnight mask to wake up looking like I got a full seven to eight hours." — Elizabeth Grace Hand, esthetician and founder of Stalle Studios

Best Brightening Mask: Kate Somerville Mega-C Vitamin C Brightening Mask

Kate Somerville Mega-C-30 Vitamin-C Brightening Facial
Kate Somerville Mega-C Vitamin C Brightening Mask $72.00
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"I’m prone to sallow skin (especially come winter), and this mask uncovers my skin’s glow in 20 minutes flat. Vitamin C (a 30% dose of ascorbic acid, to be specific), sea buckthorn oil, and ceramides work to visibly brighten and even skin tone, fade hyperpigmentation (thank you), smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and restore the skin’s natural lipids for soft, smooth, and practically buttery skin. You can use it one to two times per week and remove the thin layer after 20 minutes. I use it ahead of big events, nights out, or any time I want to look particularly glowy. It’s a dream!" — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Sheet Mask: Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Mask

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Sheet Mask
Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Mask $60.00
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"The first time I tried this mask, I was fresh off an 18-hour flight to Korea and, understandably, spent. My skin was parched and greasy at once (you know that airplane skin), and I was in desperate need of some R&R. After cleansing, I applied Sulwhasoo's First Care Activating Mask and was immediately awestruck. It provides an instant cooling effect while it packs your skin with a concentrated dose of hydration. Since I'm also a fan of the brand's First Care Activating Serum VI, I wasn't surprised to find out this particular mask is infused with three weeks' worth of that exact formula to jump-start your skincare routine and allow the rest of your beloved products to better penetrate as you apply. The sheet mask is biodegradable (it's made from the paper mulberry plant) and allows all that serum-y goodness to plump up your skin in just a few minutes. The key ingredient is ginseng, which helps protect the barrier and reduce inflammation. Each time after using it, I'm restored (and exceptionally dewy). When I'm feeling fancy, I'll apply it to my face and my chest at once to really offer up a spa-like moment." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Clarifying Mask: Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Purifying Pore Mask

Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Purifying Pore Mask
Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Purifying Pore Mask $41.00
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"It must be said—this mask is a really fun color, and joy should always be a factor when it comes to overall product experience. But fortunately, joy is certainly not all this mask has to offer. I have combination, acne-prone skin, so naturally, clay masks are a part of my skincare routine. But where most clay masks suck the life from your skin, Ole Henriksen's Cold Plunge Purifying Pore Mask leaves my skin feeling soft and clarified. The mask—which is packaged in a clean and easy-to-use tube versus a pot that crusts over—contains chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid and lactic acid. But it also contains conditioning ingredients like glycerin and active botanicals to leave skin feeling balanced." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

Best Facial Sunscreen: Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50

Naturium Dew Glow Moisturizer SPF-50
Naturium Dew-Glow Moisturizer SPF 50 $22.00
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"This is truly one of the best sunscreens I've tried. It protects my skin from the sun; adds a radiant, dewy finish; and doesn’t make my eyes water like other formulas. No need to worry about a white cast because the formula blends beautifully into the skin and even layers well under makeup." — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

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Best Eye Cream: 111Skin NAC Y2 Eye Lift Gel

111 Skin NaCy2 Eye Lift Gel
111Skin NAC Y2 Eye Lift Gel $190.00
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"I'm incredibly selective when it comes to eye creams. With that area of my skin being incredibly dry and textured, I need a deeply hydrating formula that won't pill under my concealer or contribute to my milia. It's a tough bill to fit, but 111Skin's NAC Y2 Eye Lift Gel—developed by a plastic surgeon—hits all my marks. This is a true gel-like texture that makes my under-eyes look smoother immediately upon application, but it also features ingredients like Botox-mimicking argireline to make my skin look better over time. After testing this product daily for 10 months, I can say it's definitely effective—my under-eyes have never looked better." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

Best Eye Serum: Sturm Super Anti-Aging Eye Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Eye Serum
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Eye Serum $300.00
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"Dr. Barbara Sturm’s products have always had my attention—I’m a die-hard fan of the Calming Serum, Enzyme Cleanser, and Face Cream Rich. But it’s one of the newest formulas that I’m finding I can’t live without. The Super Anti-Aging Eye Serum came at the perfect time in my skin journey, as my eyes have started to show their age. I have an expressive face! I’ve never committed to one specific eye cream because I am prone to milia when a product is thick, but my thin, sensitive eye skin is also prone to sagging, bagging, and lines. This serum-y formula is the perfect antidote. It’s brimming with effective anti-aging ingredients like calanthe and purslane extracts; ones that help deliver a brighter, tighter appearance like polysaccharides and red algae extract; and, our favorites, gluconolactone and hyaluronic acid for moisture and hydration. The lightweight texture melts into the skin, doesn’t leave any residue behind, and it makes my eyes feel (and look!) fantastic." — Hallie Gould, editor in chief

Best Lip Balm: Glow Recipe Plum Plump Gloss Balm

Glow Recipe Plum Pump Gloss Balm
Glow Recipe Plum Plump Gloss Balm $22.00
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"It was love at first glide! This Gloss Balm gives instant calming, ultra-hydrating, and feels so luxe – I’m obsessed! Like so many others, I tend to have dry, cracked lips, especially during winter season. This not only smooths and conditions, but it also keeps my lips hydrated throughout the day. As a bonus, it gives a sexy glossy shine!" — Danessa Myricks, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty

Best Face Mist: Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray

Tower-28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray $28.00
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"They don’t call it a rescue spray for nothing. Whenever I experience random breakouts or redness, I immediately reach for this product, and my skin thanks me for it. The refreshing mist soothes any irritation and has truly become one of my holy-grail products." — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor

Best Acne Spot Treatment: Starface Hydro-Stars

Starface Hydro Stars
Starface Hydro-Stars $15.00
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"Don’t be fooled by the adorableness of the star shape and sunny yellow color—these pimple patches truly pack a punch. Starface’s hydrocolloid-infused Hydro-Stars shrink comedonal acne (aka whiteheads) down to an almost undetectable size overnight, reducing the appearance of redness, too. And for my fellow face pickers out there, these patches serve as a gentle reminder to leave zits alone, aiding in the healing process." — Abby Dupes, associate editor

Best At-Home Peel: Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel

Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel
Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel $125.00
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"If I’ve got a big event coming up or just want a midweek, pick-me-up glow, I reach for Shani Darden’s Triple Acid Signature Peel. This two-step chemical peel harnesses the power of lactic, glycolic, and mandelic acids to resurface and brighten, plus a soothing kaolin and bentonite clay mask to neutralize the peel, deep clean, and reduce the appearance of pores without dehydrating skin. It’s the epitome of an at-home treatment with in-office-quality results." — Abby Dupes, associate editor

Best Tool: TheraFace PRO Percussive Skin Care Device

TheraFace PRO Percussive Skin Care Device
Therabody TheraFace PRO Percussive Skin Care Device $329.00
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"In terms of skincare, this was one of the most exciting launches of 2023, and I'm so thrilled to report that the TheraFace PRO lives up to the well-deserved hype. This is a multiuse tool with a number of attachments, but the star of the show is the facial massage capabilities. Using a much gentler form of the brand's percussive Theragun technology, you can think of the TheraFace PRO as a superpowered gua sha. If you tend to hold any tension or puffiness in your face and jawline, consider it gone. This product is an absolute delight to use and leaves my skin looking noticeably more sculpted. It's saved me so much money on professional facial massages and has definitely earned a place in my upcoming wedding-day beauty routine." — Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

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