Cosmopolitan’s 2025 Holy Grail Beauty Awards: The Best Skincare Products and Tools of the Year

“This balmy cleanser feels so good on skin. It easily removes makeup and excess oil and leaves my skin soft and moisturized too. It can be used as the first step in a double-cleanse routine, but it honestly also works great as a standalone cleanser because it rinses cleanly without any residue.”
—CORINNE SULLIVAN, SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

“I used to wash my face and there’d always be some SPF or makeup residue on my face towel, but now that I double cleanse with this luxe oil? My skin is completely clean post-wash and feels really soft and supple too.”
—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

“At the end of a late night when all I wanna do is rot in bed, I don’t mind taking the extra minute to remove my eye makeup remover thanks to this gentle, fast-acting formula from Clarins. I soak one of my daily MakeUp Erasers with the product, hold it over each eye for about 30 seconds on each, and my mascara and liner are magically gone—no stinging eyes or oily residue.” —SAM OLSON, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

“This micellar water contains salicylic acid, which is great for controlling excess oil and keeping acne-prone skin like mine in check. I like how much product comes in the bottle (it legit lasts forever) and how easily the formula removes even stubborn makeup with just one swipe. I use it both as a makeup remover and as an added step to my nighttime cleansing routine.”
—MACKENZIE DUNN, SENIOR COMMERCE MANAGER

“Finding a cleanser that gets the job done without stripping my skin and turning it into the Sahara Desert has been a challenge, but Farmacy’s creamy formula has risen to the occasion. It hydrates my face without sacrificing a thorough clean, and I’ve noticed a serious difference in my dry, sensitive skin—suddenly, my skin retains moisture!” —ALEXANDRA WHITTAKER, EXECUTIVE SITE DIRECTOR

“This creamy cleanser foams up just the right amount—not too much or too little—and it doesn’t make my temperamental skin feel dry or tight at all. I love that it’s unscented because fragrance makes my sensitive skin go haywire. Plus, you really can’t beat the value—the bottle is huge (it lasted me a full three months).”
—OLIVIA TRUFFAUT-WONG, NEWS EDITOR

“As soon as you mix this with a little water, it creates the most plush, cushiony lather that feels freaking delightful. And unlike a lot of gel cleansers, it really gets in there to deep-clean pores without drying out skin.”
—LB

“I thought cleansers could either be moisturizing and soothing or exfoliating and clarifying. Not both. But this fully proved me wrong—it foams up to a lovely lather that doesn’t dry out my skin but definitely helps break down oil.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

“My friends have been complimenting my skin nonstop lately, and I credit this bb. I apply a few drops almost every morning and night (it’s gentle!) after cleansing and it gives my skin the most plump and glowy look. It also really helps with skin texture, which wasn’t something I necessarily thought I needed help with, but the effect is really something. I would give this toner a 100/10 if I could.” —HEATH OWENS, DEPUTY COMMERCE EDITOR

“I normally prefer fragrance-free products, but I’ve found my exception with this essence. I wake up and look forward to spritzing this rose-scented mist on my face. The application is also flawless: The mister is so fine that I can feel the product being equally distributed on the surface of my skin, without a single heavy drop collecting.” —ANDIE FOWLER, SENIOR CONTENT STRATEGY MANAGER

“I saw this mist go viral and immediately had to try it for myself and now I’m in love. It has a continuous fine mist spray (versus having to endlessly pump and wait for chunky droplets to come out) and is extremely hydrating without leaving my skin feeling sticky.”
—CHRISTEN A. JOHNSON, SENIOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Although this is loaded with plenty of actives (salicylic acid, tartaric acid, retinol, vitamin C—just to name a few) to help retexturize and smooth skin, it’s surprisingly not outrageously strong or irritating on my face. It helps reduce some of the hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and dark marks from old breakouts on my chin.” —BG

“This claims to be a ‘facial in a tube’ and that’s exactly what it is. The consistency is like a grainy mud mask, so you can use it as either an exfoliating scrub-and-rinse *or* let it dry on the face as a mask. The mask application is my preferred method as I found it both gentler on the skin (less rubbing) and most effective at resurfacing my skin—it seems to pull impurities to the surface as it sits. Overall, my skin felt polished, tight, and radiant.” —HO

“It’s seriously hard to find a product that can exfoliate, brighten, and firm without messing up your skin barrier. So these multitasking pre-soaked pads deserve all the praise.” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE

“My pores hate to see this mask coming. The combo of red clay and tiny exfoliating grains unclogs and degunks to nix blackheads and congestion without causing any irritation. Plus, it makes my skin soooo smooth—it’s perfect before makeup application.” —LB

“This mask was seriously hydrating. For $115, it’s a splurge, but I would purchase it just for the relief it gave my painfully dry skin. After just a handful of uses, the dry, cracked patches on my cheeks and chin were pretty much gone. Also! The packaging is heavy and feels luxe—much more so than many of the other masks I’ve tested in a comparable price range.” —VERONICA LOPEZ, SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDITOR

“It’s true—K-beauty brands just do sheet masks better. Case in point: Anua’s collagen mask, which isn’t just the neatest/least drippy sheet mask I’ve ever used, it’s the most plumping too. I leave it for an hour while I catch up on emails, and when I take it off? My face feels baby freaking soft.”
—LB

“Want to wake up with glass skin? This overnight mask will give it to you. The thick yet oddly soft and plush texture is perfect and sinks into skin beautifully to reveal a plump, radiant complexion by morning. I brought this on a girls’ weekend, let everyone try it once, and then they all purchased it the next morning. If that’s not the ultimate sign of approval, then IDK what is!” —MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR

“I’m really insecure when it comes to my dark circles, so I’m always looking for a good eye cream to help minimize their look. After consistently using this one from Tatcha for four months, it truly made my eye area look brighter and more awake. So much so that I found myself occasionally skipping under-eye concealer.”
—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

“This has become a favorite new step in my skincare routine. Everything from the packaging (honestly so cute) and the pump (it dispenses the perfect amount of product each time, so there’s no waste) to the ultra-silky hydrating formula (it smooths like no other) is honestly perfect.”
—KHADIJA HORTON, SENIOR DESIGNER

“$149 dollars is steep for an eye cream, but this is a luxury skincare product that actually works, in my experience. My eye area is super sensitive so I’ve never been able to use retinol to help with my crow’s feet, but this stuff? Fantastic at smoothing and plumping without any negative side effects, like redness or peeling.” —LB

“I loved the cool touch of the applicator, which feels nice and makes it easy to smooth onto my under-eyes. Puffy eyes are my biggest insecurity, especially in the mornings (and especially after a night of too little sleep). I see some immediate relief with this cream, and it plays nicely with my different concealers and foundations too.” —MADELEINE FRANK REEVES, SENIOR SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR

“Life has been life-ing (hard) and the only thing that has kept the dark circles under my eyes from crashing out is this supercharged serum with vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid.” —JW

“I am an under-eye patch girl through and through, and these ones from NuFace are the most hydrating ones I’ve tried to date—plus, they don’t slip or slide off my face, which I very much appreciate. They’re the perfect under-eye pick-me-up on tired mornings thanks to their smoothing and depuffing benefits.” —JH

“This milky serum makes my face instantly more hydrated and helps it stay that way throughout the day without any lingering residue. No small feat.” —AF

“This sleek purple metallic bottle looks so good on my vanity—and the serum inside is excellent too. Since using this product, I have noticed such an improvement in my skin texture, pore size, and dark marks and spots from old breakouts. The formula literally glides onto my skin, making it feel baby soft and look super glowy. Honestly, I just can’t rave enough about this serum.”
—CRISTINA COPPIN, DIGITAL VISUAL EDITOR

“This serum gives a derm-grade glow without the cost or hassle. There are two potent formulas working overtime to fade dark spots and even complexion for a lit-from-within glow.” —JW

“This oil is an instant confidence boost in a bottle. It makes my skin glow. Like, really GLOW. The texture is so silky that it melts right into my skin and leaves it looking so bright and so healthy.” —AF

“I get Botox in my jawline for headaches, but I’m staving off getting it anywhere else in my face with this super-cool, techy serum that uses a blend of peptides to help slightly reduce muscle movements to smooth out and prevent lines.” —BG

“I’ve had textured, acne-prone skin since my teenage years, and while things have calmed down as I’ve gotten older, I’m always looking for a good resurfacing serum to smooth things out. I soft-launched this gentle BHA-spiked serum into my skincare routine by mixing in four drops with my moisturizer twice a day. When I tell you my skin has never felt more refreshed and glowy, I mean it. My texture is still alive and well, but I’ve already noticed a difference within a week of using this serum and can’t wait to keep seeing the results.” —SO

“This retinol serum gives smoothing and anti-aging results that are on par with a low-grade prescription retinoid, yet somehow manages to be incredibly gentle. My sensitive-ish skin experienced zero irritation while using this, just a nice tightening effect.” —MFR

“I’m notoriously picky about vitamin C serums, but I’ve found love with this drugstore pick from Vichy because it brightens while also being super gentle and hydrating.” —BG

“This serum is silky to the touch and has a cooling effect upon application that I just can’t get enough of. I love how it adds hydration to my skin, getting me one step closer to achieving the dewy glow look I crave. It definitely tones down my redness and, most importantly, doesn’t irritate my skin at all or react negatively to other products.” —OTW

“These are the only pimple patches that I actually feel comfortable wearing outside of the house, thanks to their super-thin and nearly invisible appearance. That said, they’re also great for overnight wear because they have enough sticking power to stay put on my face while I toss and turn. Plus, they’re a great price point—you get 22 patches for just $9!”
—JH

“This essence-meets-toner is low-key a miracle for my acne-prone skin. It helps break down oils and clogged pores with salicylic acid to prevent breakouts...all while being incredibly easy to use and incorporate into my daily routine.” —BG

“I have very dry, very sensitive, and very acne-prone skin, so I need any treatment I use to give me as much moisture and nourishment as possible without causing breakouts. Avene XeraCalm checks both boxes. I use it as the last step in my nighttime routine to keep eczema flare-ups in check and soothe any redness—all without clogging my pores.” —OTW

“I used this balm-like cream after a round of RF microneedling and my skin healed in legitimately half the amount of time than it normally would, thanks to the blend of healing exosomes and calming ectoin. After three days of use, my redness and blotchiness was completely gone.”
—LB

“Behold: the rich-but-light skin-soothing cream you didn’t know you were missing. It melts in like a dream, calms everything down, and leaves my face looking like I drink eight glasses of water a day—hydrated, happy, and glowing.” —JW

“This light-as-air cream has a delightful jelly texture that’s shockingly good at hydrating my combo skin. It makes my face feel soft and supple (and perfectly prepped for makeup) thanks to hyaluronic acid, but theres’s zero greasy residue or heavy, pore-clogging feel.” —LB

“This is a gentle moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated for hours on end. The creamy formula absorbs quickly, smells vaguely of oats, and has a light texture without being greasy. (And the price-to-product-amount ratio is generously in your favor: This moisturizing cream comes in a 15-oz. tub for under $20.” —AW

“This lotion saves me time and steps in the morning by combining moisturizer with SPF and vitamin C. It’s extremely lightweight, so it feels like I’m wearing nothing at all but gives my skin a nice glow—almost like I have a filter on.” —MFR

“I’m convinced that with this in tow, I’ll never get wrinkles. Why? Because it’s got peptides, retinol, and ceramides to do some major line-smoothing and collagen-boosting.” —BG

“During my second pregnancy, this bakuchiol-spiked cream was exactly what my skin needed while taking a break from traditional retinoids. After a few weeks of use, I noticed the fine lines on my forehead diminished, and my skin looked softer, plumper, and even a little brighter too.” —CS

“Before a flight, I coat my entire face in a generous helping of this cream to help lock in hydration and keep my skin barrier intact. And surprisingly, I don’t feel totally parched once I land.” —BG

“A mix of smoothing and firming ingredients makes this gel-serum a no-brainer on the days my jawline looks a little less pronounced (too many margs, so little time).” —BG

“While I prefer mineral sunscreens to chemical ones, I (and the rest of the world) absolutely despise the chalky look and feel that most mineral sunscreens give off. Lightsaver isn’t most mineral sunscreens though. The texture is amazing—light and fluffy so it absorbs quickly with no greasy residue—and with just a little bit of rubbing, any white or gray cast disappears to reveal a subtle sheen.” —LB

“A sunscreen that gets it right—no white cast, no grease, just lightweight protection that actually blends. It’s my skin’s daily sun armor, and the niacinamide keeps my dark spots in check.” —JW

“EltaMD makes all the best and most innovative sunscreens. Proof? The brand’s new UV Skin Recovery, which is specifically designed for the most sensitive skin, including anyone who has just done a cosmetic treatment like a laser or microneedling. It combines zinc-based SPF 50 with soothing cica and repairing ceramides to accelerate wound healing—plus, it comes in a version with a sheer, green tint to help cancel out redness on fair skin tones.” —LB

“While sheer, the tint on this SPF really does blur the look of discoloration and breakouts. One quick and easy step does all the things (conceals, moisturizes, protects) and gives that ‘your skin but better’ effect.” —LB

“There’s no better sunscreen stick for easy and even SPF application. The finish is totally clear, which means there are no streaks or residue left behind. It’s also noncomedogenic, so I don’t need to worry about the formula causing breakouts when applying it over my skincare.” —JH

“With this easy-to-use powder, there’s really no excuse for not reapplying SPF to your face. It wears perfectly over makeup and gives skin a non-chalky, cloud-like finish thanks to a slight tint and hydrating plant extracts.” —LB

“This glossy lip balm looks and feels so good on lips that you’d honestly never know it’s infused with SPF 30. The yummy tropical flavor is perfect for summer too.” —LB

“I’ve never been so committed to a beauty device in my life. Not only does this mask use red and blue lights to improve skin texture and minimize breakouts, it has a nifty cryo feature that visibly depuffs the skin under your eyes.” —JH

“This tool is so chic, you’ll want to leave it on your countertop. I am blown away by the thoughtful design—the handle is slightly twisted to make for a natural and comfortable hold. It comes with a charging stand and cord, a small bottle of skin prep, and four razors. The motorized razor element is also really nice (versus something like a tinkle razor where you’re doing all the work) and makes the treatment go by pretty fast. My skin felt so soft afterward.” —CAJ

“While I still love the OG NuFace, the new mini version is seriously great for refreshing the area around my eyes and lips. I do a quick two-minute treatment in the morning and my eyes look instantly less tired and puffy. My brows look a bit more lifted too.” —JH

“The way this tool contours my cheekbones and melts away the tension on my jawline is nothing short of magic. The little rolling balls gently manipulate the skin in the same way fingers would during a pro face massage—the effect is bliss.” —LB

“I feel like a skincare superhero when I wear this mask, lol. While I’ll always advocate for a full-face LED mask, this is perfect for those who are mainly concerned with crow’s feet, puffiness, and dark under-eyes. I love that it comes with an eye cream to boost the effectiveness, and because it’s a three-minute treatment, there’s literally no excuse not to work it into your routine.” —MH

“I’m an OG Nira user because it’s massively improved my acne scars and helped smooth my skin. But this new Pro+ device is more powerful and way faster to use. Like, I can laser my entire face in less than three minutes.” —BG

“I ditched all of the ice rollers collecting dust in my freezer the second I got this. With a click of a button, it cools down and makes the perfect companion to my morning skincare routine to help depuff and soothe skin.” —BG

“I’m convinced at-home radiofrequency is the future, and this is the best device I’ve tested. It doesn’t hurt at all—just feels like hot stones rolling across my face—but over eight weeks, I definitely noticed a difference in the firmness of my face.” —BG

“To say I’m obsessed with this lip balm would be a major understatement. I find a lot of balms soften and hydrate my lips at first, but after a few minutes, everything is absorbed and I’m back to having chapped lips. But this formula actually keeps my lips so soft for hours on end. I love how it has a more liquidy formula than a typical balm, because it absorbs a lot more seamlessly, and the packaging made it super easy to dispense the product with no mess.” —JH

“The way this makes my lips look SO juicy!!! It is not sticky and feels heavenly on my lips. It’s also a lip treatment that has a ton of conditioning and softening ingredients, which is the cherry on top.” —JOANNA MARQUINA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GROWTH EDITOR

“If your lips need a little extra TLC, Tula’s lip mask is your fix. I’ve been putting it on before bed and wake up to lips that are smooth, soft, and plump. I’m pretty picky about texture, and this walks the line perfectly by being thick and substantial without feeling sticky.” —AW

“They call this the Dyson of toothbrushes, and I see why. It oscillates and vibrates to get a seriously deep clean, and it even connects to an app so you can customize your brushing experience.” —BG

“I am admittedly not the most judicious flosser, but Quip has me changing my ways. The brand recommends using the water flosser *before* brushing, which I found makes it more effective. It clears out a satisfying amount of food debris from the nooks and crannies of your teeth before your toothbrush even says hello. It also really makes my gums feel clean, which has felt like a pretty significant upgrade to my oral health.” —HO

“For anyone looking to level up their pearly whites, Crest 3D White Deep Stain Remover Daily Toothpaste is the one! After just a few uses, I actually noticed my teeth looking whiter and brighter. The texture is smooth and non-gritty, while the refreshing mint flavor leaves my mouth feeling clean and invigorated without any weird aftertaste. I especially love the pump feature, which makes dispensing the perfect amount a breeze.” —KARA MILLER, DESIGNER

“Instead of making my teeth feel super sensitive, these are really gentle. But that doesn’t mean they skimp on the whitening—even my mom noticed that my teeth were looking brighter after two weeks of using these.” —BG

“On a recent press trip with a gaggle of beauty editors, a handful of people forgot face wash (never could be me). Luckily, I passed out these lil melts and saved everyone’s faces. Place the melt in the palm of your hand, run some water, and watch it quickly transform into a creamy, foamy cleanser. It saves so much space in my travel and gym bags now.” —BG

“CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream needs no introduction. The gentle yet highly effective formula is loved by dermatologists, editors, and Cosmo readers for its ability to moisturize skin and protect your skin barrier. The combo of ceramides and hyaluronic acid is tried-and-true for lightweight and long-lasting hydration.” —LB

“I’m always looking for that ultra-juicy glow, and this no-frills serum from Good Molecules seriously delivers. It leaves my skin feeling more plump and quenched than other hydrating serums I’ve tried that are literally 10 times the price.” —JH

“Skincare is a long game, but I saw a difference in my skin after using this exosome-packed serum once daily for just two weeks—a rare and surprising feat. It quickly calmed my inflammation and made my red, cystic breakouts less angry-looking, too. And after six weeks, the lines around my eyes appeared softer and my dark spots less noticeable. If your skin needs a total reset, this multitasker is worth every dollar, IMO.” —LB

“I don’t just follow a skincare routine for the sake of my skin—it also has a major effect on my emotional state and brings me joy. Neurae was built on the belief that skincare can positively affect your emotions. Using neuroscience, they developed a gorgeously luxurious line that doesn’t just improve your complexion but also elevates your mood with research-backed botanical ingredients and scents. Smoothing the serum and oil onto my skin instantly makes me feel calmer and revitalizes my complexion so I can put my best face forward.” —MH

“There are so many terrific dermatologist-owned and -founded brands out there, but Doctor Rogers will always take the top spot for me. The brainchild of Seattle derm Heather Rogers, MD, the line consists of no-BS staples that prioritize skin health with clean, gentle, and clinically tested ingredients. I have used the face lotion and face wash on my sensitive, acne-prone skin for years. More recently, I’ve been using the new body repair treatment lotion on my arms and legs and loving the smoothing and firming results.” —LB