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The 18 New Skin-Care Discoveries Our Staff Is Obsessed With Right Now

Soothing, nourishing, and corrective products right this way.

Skin
new skincare products
New year, new you—that’s the saying, right? Well, after the year that was 2020, we’ll settle for just the new year part. But that doesn’t mean we can’t revamp bits of our January routine, starting first and foremost with the state of our skin. Whether you’re dealing with an irritated scalp, patches of eczema, or maybe just a lackluster complexion, living in the dead of winter is a real drain on your epidermis. Luckily, we’re an eager bunch of guinea pigs when it comes to testing new products, so six of us have scouted the best, most innovative, and downright effective formulas on the market right now. From hydrating serums to dark-spot correctors and everything in between, these are our 18 must-have skin-care discoveries.

Jessica Teves, Head of Content

BioEffect EGF Serum

I recently started seeing Dr. Anetta Reszko—absolutely the most amazing dermatologist I’ve ever met—who recommended this extremely clean (only seven ingredients!) serum from BioEffect. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I’ve road-tested a lot of products over the years, but this particular formulation has made my skin feel so plump and hydrated. I’m not going to say it’s a miracle in a bottle, but it’s definitely been a game changer in my winter skin-care rotation.

$160

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5

This rich, soothing balm has been a godsend this winter—I’ve been using it on my lips at night as a mask of sorts, or in any particular area where I’m feeling overly dry. It’s pretty thick, so a little bit goes a long way, but as far as effectiveness, this cream is a powerhouse.

$15

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence

OK, this isn’t particularly new, but it’s wonderful and worth mentioning. I keep this on my desk for all-day spritzing and misting—the scent is so serene and relaxing, and the hydrating benefits are noticeable. Definitely a work-from-home staple I would recommend for all.

$94

Crysten Curry, Marketing Manager

La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream

When it comes to moisture, my love knows no bounds. As my combination skin continues adapting to cold, harsh temperatures, this luxurious cream deeply hydrates, combatting any unwanted tightness, flakiness, or dry patches on my face, neck, and décolletage. For no-makeup days, I wear this alone with SPF and it gives me a refreshed and healthy look. If my skin needs extra TLC, I apply a thick layer at night and it doubles as an overnight treatment.

$190

Fortify Cooling Enzyme Scalp Treatment

My head-to-toe skin-care routine has been totally revamped for the new year, and this clean scalp treatment is a new revelation that has transformed—and saved—my natural hair journey. As a frequent wearer of protective styles, braids, and extensions, my 4C hair has been in dire need of a treatment to remove buildup and nourish the scalp between styles. Formulated with powerful enzymes, it gives my scalp a much-needed pick-me-up and helps to maximize the effectiveness of my other products.

$40

Olehenriksen Glow2OH Dark Spot Toner

I celebrated the new year with a much-needed spa day to set the tone of unapologetic self-care for 2021. While there, I stumbled across this toner that’s formulated to address dark spots and uneven tone, which are common, albeit annoying, issues for deeper complexions. It contains a powerhouse of AHAs to tackle any unwanted spots that have made a home on my face, with various extracts to help simultaneously soothe and condition my skin. As a self-proclaimed product junkie with a passion for clean ingredients, I knew I needed to add this to my regimen. I apply it to clean skin each night with a cotton pad.

$29

Rachel Pickus, Associate Creative Producer

Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask with Vitamin C

My skin gets really dry in the winter. Like, *really* dry. Which is why I turn to any product that promises intense hydration. Lately this overnight mask has been answering my prayers with a formula rich in squalane, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C. I slather it on at night when I’m feeling especially dry and wake up to the skin of my dreams.

$48

Kypris Antioxidant Dew

Did I mention I have dry skin? For a daily boost, I like to layer on this botanical serum before my nighttime cream. In addition to keeping my skin feeling quenched, its gentle formula soothes any form of irritation or redness. No dry patches here!

$90

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

OK, I can’t take full credit for this product recommendation, but I can confirm my co-worker’s high praise for this chemical exfoliant. After a week my blackheads were basically nonexistent, my pores dramatically smaller, and my complexion glowing. It’s well worth the hype.

$30

Leya Kaufman, Head of Sales

Tatcha The Deep Cleanse

While my skin loves to heavy up on exfoliants throughout the summer, I always struggle to find a multifunctional dual-action cleanser with exfoliating benefits that works for me throughout the winter months. Enter: Tatcha The Deep Cleanse. Now I use this clean gentle cleanser that exfoliates with fruit extracts during the cooler months–– it doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin, but achieves that same glow.

$38

Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing Eye Serum

There’s just something innately luxurious about a multi-step nightly eye-care routine, and this eye serum takes it to the next level. It’s the product I never knew I needed, but now I don’t think I could live without it. I love applying a few dabs of this French rose-infused anti-aging serum before any eye cream.

$135

Fresh Rose Face Mask

This is another rose-infused winter staple in my newest beauty lineup. While it’s been around for years, I finally tried it when I was looking for a hydrating, calming addition to my pregnancy-safe skin-care routine. So I guess you can say I rediscovered a classic—and I’m obsessed.

$62

Abby Miller, Head of Creative & Production

Organiglowskinco Ultra Healing Eye Cream

I have been searching for the perfect eye cream for years now, and no product has gotten it quite as right as OrganiGlowSkinCo Ultra Healing Eye Cream. It contains all my favorite heavy-hitter ingredients that make an eye cream effective—coffee bean butter to debuff, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, aloe vera to soothe. Not to mention, all their products are 100 percent natural, clean, and cruelty free. It’s my new beauty staple.

$44

Femmue Calming Mask

Right now I’m putting away my sheet masks and really gravitating towards cream and clay masks. This calming mask by Femmue is my ultimate winter skin secret weapon. It has Kaolin clay, so it removes dirt and impurities, and is also packed with hyaluronic acid and rose water, so it’s super calming and hydrating. I have sensitive skin, and this product has been ultra gentle and restorative for me, which is hard to find.

$40

Grown Alchemist Instant Smoothing Serum

I am someone whose skin is always dry and rough. It's rare for me to find a product that can actually keep my skin hydrated all day long, especially during the winter months, but this serum by Grown Alchemist has been like magic. The Instant Smoothing Serum not only keeps my face hydrated, but I actually have noticed fine lines disappearing and a constant plumpness to my skin that no other serum has been able to deliver.

$95

Hannah Baxter, Senior Beauty Editor

Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum

Serums are definitely the most *trendy* product within the world of skin care, so I approach everything with a healthy dose of skepticism. Dr. Loretta’s products are vetted with clinical testing, and this serum in particular is worthy of precious shelf space. The texture feels protective without leaning too heavy—more like you can really tell the moisture is locked into your face, neck, and décolletage. That’s courtesy of the blend of glycolipids, lecithin, linoleic, and linolenic acids. If your skin is desperately dry like mine, I highly recommend adding it to your routine.

$70

Isla Beauty Tone Balance Elixir

Clearly, hydration is the name of the game right now in my skin-care regimen. After cleansing, I pour two shakes of this watery essence into my hands and pat all around my face and neck. It’s packed with glycerin—a star humectant that I honestly prefer to hyaluronic acid—to hydrate, as well as plenty of aloe juice to soothe lingering irritation. Wild-berry extract and botanical extracts also give you a dose of protective antioxidants. It’s the ideal foundation to help the rest of your products absorb and to nourish your skin for the day ahead.

$50

Susanne Kaufmann St. John’s Wort Bath

I *love* taking baths. Even though I have to scrunch up my 5'9" frame to fit into my tiny Brooklyn tub, it is 100 percent my happy place. And now that my eczema is on full blast with the dry winter weather, I’ve taken to using four to five tablespoons of this St. John’s Wort blend (which is also packed with moisturizing shea and cocoa butters). It’s anti-inflammatory and soothing for those dry, scaly patches of skin, and it also smells like you’re at a fancy spa—although the added fragrance is a very low dose and contains no parabens. Treat yourself with this one; it’s worth it.

$67
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