The 28 Best Skincare Products Of 2026, According To Experts

Environ SkinEssentiA Pre-Cleansing Oil

It may seem counterintuitive for a cleansing oil to both remove makeup and dissolve pore-clogging sebum, but this nourishing cleanser from the esthetician-beloved brand does both exceedingly well. “It’s lightweight, breaks down excess sebum, and doesn't leave a film on the surface,” says NYC aesthetician Madalaina Conti. “The perfect first cleanse that won’t block product absorption of your following routine. It’s a staple in and out of the studio.”

AUNU Manuka Cleanser

The next best thing to washing your face with honey (and way less sticky), this balm-textured face wash has a 54 percent glycerin base that hydrates the skin instead of stripping away its natural oils. Manuka honey helps to balance the skin’s microbiome as it eliminates acne-causing bacteria. “Under steam, it melts so beautifully into the skin, dissolves buildup effortlessly, and the subtle honey note makes it such a sensorial treatment staple,” says SoHo-based esthetician and Ställe Studios founder Elizabeth Hand.

Aestura ATOBARRIER 365 Foaming Cleanser

Those with dry or damaged skin may be hesitant to use foam cleansers, which are notoriously drying on the skin. Not so with this barrier-repairing ceramide foam from K-beauty brand Aestura. A favorite of dermatologist Dr. David Kim, it creates a lavishly creamy whipped mousse texture on the skin. With a mildly acidic pH that is gentle on skin, it features antioxidant green tea extract to hydrate as it cleanses and a healthy dose of glycerin to soften skin.

Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm

A tried and true way of fully removing makeup, sunscreen, and grime picked up throughout the day, a cleansing balm is a can't-skip skincare step—especially Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm. With a buttery-soft texture and a formula that includes sea buckthorn oil for hydration and persimmon extract for brightening, this product goes beyond just cleansing—it provides a sensorial experience while treating the skin. It's no wonder beauty editors and skincare pros swear by it.

Dr. Loretta Resurfacing Enzyme Polish

Physical scrubs have gotten a bit of a bad rap in recent years for being too harsh and drying on sensitive skin. This hybrid scrub from Dr. Loretta helps rehab the face scrub’s rep. It delivers a gentle resurfacing by combining enzymatic exfoliation from pomegranate with a soft-on-skin bio-fermented polish to dislodge build-up and reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. “The physical component to this scrub is the perfect size and consistency that gently sloughs away dead skin without irritating, while the enzymatic component gently releases dead skin cells,” says Conti. “Potent enough for great results, gentle enough for sensitive skin.”

The Things We Do Acid Buff

If you struggle with skin that doesn’t feel completely clean no matter what you wash it with, this chemical exfoliator is your new savior. Made with a tag team of powerful alpha-hydroxy acids, it melts off dead skin, excess oil, and SPF residue with ease, all while keeping skin hydrated and calm.

Augustinus Bader The Face Mist

If you think all face mists are created equal, clearly you haven’t spritzed on this elixir from Augustinus Bader. Powered by the brand’s proprietary TFC8®, which supports the skin’s natural regenerative process, the rosewater-infused mist delivers a sheer layer of hydration as it nourishes, plumps, and refreshes your complexion.

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Essence

A formula so good, it became a global sensation. This silky essence has a creamy finish thanks to a blend of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol mixed with fermented botanicals. It boosts the skin's barrier and leaves you dewy, hydrated, radiant, and plump. “This essence hydrates, calms, and nourishes my skin in a powerful way that is noticeable after just one use,” says Lee. “Black rice enzymes are extremely reviving for my skin and I have gone through a few bottles of this already.”

Sofie Pavitt Face Omega Rich Moisturizer

A decadently rich moisturizer that’s safe for acne-prone skin? Only the “acne whisperer” of NYC could pull something like that off. With a blend of omega fatty acids, squalane, argan oil, and vitamin F, Sofie Pavitt’s Omega Rich Moisturizer replenishes dry skin as it balances your oil production and smoothes uneven texture. “I simply cannot live without this one,” says Conti. “I like to think of omega fatty acids as ‘pore lube’ since they help prevent sticky buildup of sebum and dead skin cells inside the pore while balancing oil production. It'll never pill and leaves the perfect glow.” Pore lube, indeed.

Lancôme Renergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream

Three hundred peptides might seem like overkill, but in this luxe moisturizer, it’s just right. Combined with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it helps to visibly renew the skin as it improves signs of aging like fine lines, dark spots, and loss of elasticity as it stimulates cellular renewal in as little as two weeks.

iS Clinical Super Serum Advance+

Allies of Skin Advanced Hydrating Serum

The secret to the drenching hydration from this hydrating serum is a targeted mix of beta-glucans (a form of polysaccharide derived from oats, mushrooms, or yeast) and ceramides. Together they quench skin’s thirst by delivering instant and long-lasting hydration. Additionally, resveratrol calms and provides antioxidant support and carnosine helps defend skin from the aging process of glycation.

Dr. Diamond Metacine Plasma Serum

You can’t throw a rock these days without hitting an epidermal growth factor (EGF) serum. However, this one from superstar plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond stands above the rest thanks to EGF derived from bioengineered human identical growth factors. They stimulate the skin’s repair process and visibly rejuvenate tired, stressed, and aging skin for a more lifted, firm, and glowy appearance.

Sisley Black Rose Concentrate Serum

For those chasing that elusive lit-from-within glow, this new serum from Sisley delivers instant radiance with long-term payoff. Infused with the brand’s signature black rose complex and a brightening astaxanthin to defend against the oxidative stress that quietly dulls skin over time, it works to smooth, plump, and revive dull, fatigued skin in a single step. The texture is silky and fast-absorbing, making it ideal for layering under makeup or using as a standalone glow booster.

G.M. Collin Vaskotonic Serum

For anyone dealing with persistent redness or reactive skin, this treatment from G.M. Collin acts like a reset button. Clinically formulated to instantly soothe while reinforcing the skin’s barrier, it targets the root causes of flushing—not just the surface symptoms. A blend of bioferments, botanical extracts, and capillary-strengthening actives works to calm inflammation, support microcirculation, and reduce visible redness over time.

Environ C-Quence Serum 1

Ensuring your skin gets the essential vitamins it needs to look and feel its best is easy with this professional-grade serum from Environ. It has a potent mix of vitamins A, C, & E  to simultaneously smooth lines, brighten, and protect the skin from free radical damage. The addition of peptides adds a firming boost to this refining daily treatment. “I’ve never seen a serum's ability to regulate and build resilience in the skin quite like this,” says Conti. “It reverses the effects of free radical damage while building skin immunity. It’s also a super multitasker so you can scale back your routine and notice major results.”

Eighth Day Reparative Night Cream Treatment

After sunscreen, the ingredient dermatologists recommend most to stave off premature aging of the skin is retinol. Unfortunately, some retinoids can be irritating to the skin, especially if you are already sensitive or have a disrupted barrier. This next-gen retinoid from Eighth Day claims to have 250 percent greater potency than traditional retinol without the redness, flaking, and dryness. It has microencapsulated, time-released retinaldehyde suspended in a lush, peptide-rich cream.

Sofie Pavitt Face Reset Treatment Mask

Formulated with five percent benzoyl peroxide, this spot treatment mask helps eradicate breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. It contains panthenol to hydrate, glycolic acid to exfoliate, and kaolin clay to absorb excess oil. “When my acne clients begin to work this product into their routine consistently, the results are night and day, especially for deep cystic pimples,” says Conti. “It’s crucial for clearing and prevention.”

Bioeffect 3xGF Recovery Eye Serum

While it was developed to be used on post-procedure skin, this high-tech serum is a wonder for all gazes. The secret is not one, but two types of EGF to rebuild skin density on thin undereye skin and support natural collagen production. It also features keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) to support skin barrier and boost skin’s natural regeneration cycle. “It smooths, tightens and depuffs all in one easy swoop,” says Hand. “Plus it sets so nicely under concealer.”

La Mer The Rejuvenating Eye Cream

Tackle multiple signs of aging around the eye area with this luxe eye cream from La Mer. In addition to the brand’s signature Miracle Broth, it utilizes the proprietary Rejuvenation Precision Complex-6 (RPC-6) to plump and soothe the skin as it encourages collagen production. A dual-function eye sculpting complex cocoons the skin to deliver ingredients where they’re most essential and visibly support and lift the undereye area—plus, don’t skip the eye sculpting wand, which helps visibly depuff in seconds.

Femmue Lip Sleeping Mask

Give your lips a pampering bedtime treat with this overnight lip softener. Instead of feeling gooped up, this squalane-based hydrator melts into your pout to deliver deep moisture as it smoothes fine lines and plumps up the skin. Its high-shine finish and ultra-wearable texture means it can be worn day or night, for soft, flake-free lips.

Lesse Bioactive Mask

If your skin is looking a little lackluster, this weekly treatment is your reset button for radiance. Made with Australian flame tree, rice extract, rosemary, and charcoal powder, it purifies your pores as it refines uneven texture and brightens up uneven tone. “I love using this mask as a light physical exfoliant,” says Soho-based esthetician and SYK Skin founder Soo-Young Kim Abrams. “The kaolin clay, charcoal, and rice extracts gently buff the surface of my skin.”

Estée Lauder ANR Overnight Treatment

A night cream that gives your skin cells more energy to repair damage and stimulate collagen, this recharging cream targets adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—your skin’s battery—optimizing everything from barrier function to fighting inflammaging. Apply it at night and skin is more hydrated, softer, and with less noticeable fine lines in the morning.

Beauty of Joseon Day Dew Sunscreen SPF 50

The FDA-approved version of the viral Korean sunscreen beloved by TikTok, Day Dew feels more like an airy moisturizer than an SPF. It has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol in its formula which gives the skin moisture, nourishment, and antioxidant protection as it shields you from the sun’s damaging rays. The lightweight texture also means it's easy to reapply, ensuring you get the all-day SPF coverage you need. “I wasn't expecting too much from this product when I first tried it but I instantly fell in love with how nicely it wore on my skin and how it performed with my makeup,” says Lee. “I don't wear anything less than SPF 50 everyday and this has easily become my new favorite.”

Lightsaver Activated Mineral Sunscreen

Developed by NYC dermatologist and K-Beauty expert Dr. David Kim, this whipped zinc oxide-based SPF both protects the skin from UV damage and helps address the signs of daily sun exposure as you wear it. The secret is liposome-encapsulated phytolase—activated by the light, it repairs UV-induced damage. Available in untinted or tinted formulations, it’s enriched with hydrating squalane and antioxidant niacinamide and lignonberry for a mineral sunscreen that protects the skin on multiple levels.

Yon-ka Serum Omega

If your barrier is constantly irritated or depleted, your skin can’t hold onto enough moisture to keep it adequately hydrated. This nourishing serum from Yon-ka consists of 60 percent plant-derived omega fatty acids to restore the skin barrier as it locks in moisture and relieves dryness and discomfort on contact. Skin looks smoother, more glassy, and supple after every application.

SIV Biome Balancing Serum

All of the estheticians on our nominating committee have been raving about this acne-clearing serum from SIV and for good reason—it has an adaptable probiotic made from bacillus spore that harmonizes your microbiome. This helps reduce the amount and severity of acne lesions as it keeps the skin hydrated and calm. “It’s my quiet hero for true skin correction, calming acne, irritation, and eczema with zero irritation,” says Hand.