Now Presenting: Cosmopolitan’s 2024 Clean Beauty Awards

Found: a daily face wash that doesn’t suck your skin dry or leave it feeling tight or irritated. This fragrance-free formula has an impressive combination of mild cleansers and antioxidants, including blueberry, raspberry, apple, and cucumber extracts. “Bonus points for extended label transparency—the brand site’s clickable ingredient list makes it easy for consumers to learn more,” Swei says.

This exfoliating cleanser is a must if you’re dealing with breakouts, congested pores, or excess oil. “It has 2 percent BHAs, which will reset your skin by gently exfoliating away impurities and dead skin cells,” Mary Berry says, noting the formula contains two upcycled ingredients—sugar beets and apple fruit extract. “Not only do these ingredients help soothe skin, but they are derived from food waste that would typically just be thrown away,” she says.

Massage on dry skin to dissolve makeup—even a matte red lippie. The gel-to-oil formula transforms into a milky cleanser that, according to Berry, “not only removes makeup but also helps brighten and detoxify your skin.” “I love that it’s designed for melanin rich skin and helps prevent hyperpigmentation too,” she adds.

This isn’t your average toner, people. “It’s my go-to for reducing dark spots because it has 3 percent tranexamic acid,” a natural skin-brightening ingredient, says Berry. Also in the formula? Azelaic acid and PHAs (a gentle type of chemical exfoliant) for added resurfacing and smoothing benefits.

If heavy moisturizers give you the ick, then you’re going to love this water cream—a bouncy, cushiony hydrator with a refreshing, weightless finish. “It gives skin a light layer of moisture and leaves your face feeling velvety smooth and looking nice and plump,” says Berry.

This buttery cream swaddles your skin’s protective barrier with nourishing lipids and ceramides, while also soothing any redness with anti-inflammatory zinc and copper salts. “It’s ultra-rich and repairing—perfect for the winter season,” Lauren Balsamo says.

Packed with stellar skincare ingredients—including peptides, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides—this daily sunscreen is the ultimate SPF multitasker. “Hailey Bieber is obsessed with this, and so am I,” Balsamo says. “It blurs, lightly hydrates, and protects skin with zinc-oxide-based SPF 40.”

Tinted sunscreens typically take a one-shade-fits-all approach, but this lightweight formula comes in five shades designed to suit a wide range of skin tones. And with mineral-based SPF 50 (thanks to 12 percent zinc oxide), it’s derm-approved by Dr. Wescher. “I also like the other ingredients—an antioxidant blend of niacinamide, green tea, chamomile, and calendula—and that it’s fragrance-free,” Dr. Wechsler adds.

A blend of healthy bacteria, exfoliating acids, and plumping peptides come together in this nighttime treatment for gentle anti-aging benefits. “Every time I use this overnight serum, I wake up with the glowiest skin. It resurfaces to smooth lines and brighten my skin tone but without any irritation, which I love,” Balsamo says.

Meet the standout acne serum from the ob-gyn-approved skincare line Versine.“I like that this serum contains azelaic acid because the ingredient has been proven to help treat acne and it is compatible with pregnancy and nursing,” Dr. Wechsler says. And even though it’s formulated with new and expecting moms in mind, anyone can use it, says Berry. The formula is full of brightening and clarifying ingredients, like vitamin C and niacinamide, that are beneficial for all skin types and tones.

Fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots can be challenging, especially if your sensitive skin can’t tolerate strong actives like retinol or hydroquinone. The solution? This effective dark-spot corrector. “This is a great serum for hyperpigmentation thanks to tranexamic acid and azelaic acid,” Dr. Wechsler says. It also has glycolic and lactic acids and antioxidants to aid in skin brightening.

Skincare product overload, environmental changes, and chronic stress—basically life!—can all be sources of inflammation that majorly mess with your skin’s glow. It’s why we love this soothing formula, which helps reduce redness and restore the skin barrier with calming ingredients like red algae extract and organic hop extract.

You honestly couldn’t hydrate your skin more effectively or safely if you tried. This elixir received the lowest possible hazard score in EWG’s Skin Deep Database. “I greatly admire Ogee’s commitment to responsible ingredient sourcing,” says Swei.

Clean beauty meets high-tech skincare in this anti-aging formula featuring two barley growth factors—including EGF, which boosts collagen production—and N-Acetly glucosamine, a compound naturally found in skin that minimizes hyperpigmentation. “I love, love, love this serum,” Balsamo says. “It makes a visible difference when it comes to skin plumpness and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. It also layers really nicely with other skincare products.”

Slather this mask on clean skin, let it dry for about 10 minutes (go on, snap a selfie—everyone looks good in steel blue), and then rinse for a major radiance boost. “This is one of the only clay masks I’ve used that doesn’t leave my face feeling like a shriveled-up raisin. It cleans pores and leaves my skin feeling baby soft,” says Balsamo.

Part scrub, part mask, this resurfacing treatment featuring pomegranate enzyme is a professional facial in a tube. “I love how this combines physical and chemical exfoliators to really smooth and resurface skin but without causing irritation or damaging the skin barrier,” Balsamo says.

A face oil designed to control excess oil production sounds counterintuitive, but this blend of squalane, organic argan oil, organic black cumin seed oil, and organic rosehip oil does exactly that. It is anti-inflammatory and helps regulate your skin’s sebum production to balance breakout-prone skin. “It has very few ingredients, which I really like—plus, it absorbs easily and does not leave a greasy residue on skin,” says Dr. Wechsler.

“This eye cream is absolutely full of vitamins and actives—like encapsulated retinol, peptides, and amino acids—to nourish the delicate skin around my eyes,” says Berry, adding that the formula is “fantastic for helping smooth fine lines and wrinkles.”

“This lotion moisturizes very well, rubs in easily, and has manuka honey in it, which is a natural ingredient I love,” says Dr. Wechsler. FYI, manuka honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts water to the skin to provide a hydrating effect—plus, it's packed with amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. And on top of that, the carton this body moisturizer comes in is made from 100 percent post-consumer waste recycled paper.”

This luxe formula checks all the right boxes when it comes to the perfect body oil. “I like it because it moisturizes well, absorbs quickly, and comes in an eco-friendly glass bottle,” Dr. Wechsler says. Not only does this look and feel ultra luxe, “it’s great for smoothing, firming, and nourishing skin thanks to marine actives like kelp sea oil and plankton,” adds Balsamo.

This body serum dispenses a premium combination of organic oils and plant-based actives (like tremella and chaga mushroom extracts) via a roller applicator to nourish and smooth bel0w-the-chin skin. “Extra points for the brand’s commitment to responsible ingredient sourcing too,” Swei says.

“I love everything about this body wash—the light fluffy lather, the fresh, woodsy scent, and the way the formula (it’s packed with antioxidants and gentle, plant-based surfactants) makes my skin feel clean and soft,” Balsamo says. Also, the bottle is huge, so it’ll last you for months.

Organic ground coffee gives this olive-oil- and shea-butter-based bar its delightfully scrubby texture. Body bars tend to be better for the environment “and this one cleanses well and smells delicious with its combination of coffee and mint,” Dr. Wechsler says.

Leave it to Nécessaire to create a body exfoliator that’s clean, derm-approved, and housed in an eco-friendly cardboard box and bio-resin bottle. This is an excellent, nonirritating body chemical exfoliator with a 12 percent blend AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, says Dr. Wechsler. It’s great for smoothing your skin texture, nixing rough, dry patches of skin, and treating ingrowns and KP.

Swei loves Native’s simple and effective approach to the formulation of this SPF 30 body sunscreen. “The 20 percent zinc oxide has superior EWG safety scores and is an excellent option for natural protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays,” he says.

This plant-based formula tackles dry skin and cracked cuticles without any of the questionable ingredients commonly used in hand creams, like petroleum jelly, silicones, or lanolin. “I love the thick, velvety texture of this cream. I keep one on my nightstand, one in my car, and another in my tote bag so my hands are always nice and moisturized,” Balsamo says.

“This is the best natural deo I’ve ever used,” says Balsamo. “It actually stops odor and minimizes dampness under my arms. And unlike many natural deos I’ve tried, it doesn’t cause irritation or get all clumpy during the day.”

The attention to every detail—including a nourishing, easy-to-remove formula, curved wand that fans out every lash, and sustainable tube made from 100 percent recycled glass—makes for mascara that’s both elevated and a little type-A (in a good way). “It’s a total game changer! The formula gives both length and volume without clumping and it stays put all day without smudging,” Berry says.

An eyeshadow brush or clean fingers work equally well when applying these cream-to-powder shadows that boast skin-smoothing peptides. “I’m very into these matte shades and love how blendable they are,” Denno says.

This waterproof, plant-derived pencil was dreamed up by a Hollywood makeup artist, but it’s made for real life. The shades are versatile (there are six in total) and the opposite end of the pencil has a handy blending tool to create a variety of looks. “It’s a smudgy formula that gets me that sultry, smoky eye look. It’s easy to blend, stays put, and adds the perfect touch of drama to my eyes,” Berry says.

This brow gel’s precision brush makes application foolproof, says Berry—whether you’re combing it through clean brows or using it to set a powder or pencil. And the lightweight formula “makes brows look perfectly polished without flaking or getting stiff like other clear brow gels I’ve used in the past,” Balsamo says.

Without a doubt, this is the best clean blush on the market, Denno raves. “This formula hugs the skin rather than just sitting on top like so many other powder blush do,” she says. It is talc-free and has a creamy texture thanks to a sugar-derived gelling agent and ingredients like organic jojoba oil. The range of 10 shades is “exactly what I need as a makeup artist, but I also love wearing each of them myself,” Denno says.

This stick formula is “super easy to use” and glides on without the streakiness that’s common with a lot of other cream bronzers, Denno says. She notes it also plays well with other makeup products, like foundation or blush, and comes in shades not typically offered by other brands. “It’s so popular with influencers because it’s an amazing formula—creamy and so pigmented! It instantly brings depth and dimension to my makeup,” adds Berry.

Blend a drop or two along the tops of your cheekbones or mix a drop or two with your go-to face moisturizer for the most stunning dewy look. It gives skin a natural-looking glow “without being too glittery,” says Berry, “and the formula is smooth, easy to apply, and adds the perfect touch of radiance.”

How much lipstick do you ingest every year? It’s a question that makes you appreciate a high-pigment, plant-butter- and botanical-infused formula from a pioneer in clean beauty and a brand that provides ingredient transparency. “The color payoff is fantastic, the formula is creamy, and it feels so luxurious on my lips. Long-lasting and bold!” Berry says.

High-shine lippies can often be too sticky or gloppy, but this hydrating formula feels like a cross between a comfy balm and a hydrating oil. It’s petroleum-free and packed with good-for-you hydrators like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and jojoba oil. “It has such a pretty glassy finish with a texture that’s wearable and doesn’t disappear in 10 minutes,” Denno says.

The oldest trick in the book for fuller, plumper-looking lips is to use a lip liner that matches your exact lip color—aka your perfect neutral. No surprise these creamy lip pencils from the queen of natural-looking makeup Bobbi Brown are a dream lip base and come in an inclusive shade range of eight neutral shades. “The lip pencil is subtle and consistent with great wear,” Watkins says.

This balm, which comes in multiple colors and clear, “has a glowy finish that make my lips shine,” says Berry. “It’s amazing for using as an overnight lip mask too.”

Not only is Berry a fan of this clean concealer’s extensive shade range, she has nothing but high praise for the formula too. “It covers imperfections seamlessly and feels so lightweight. I love how it brightens my under-eye area, giving me an instant refreshed look,” she adds.

Skin tints are having a moment, and this pick from Summer Fridays is hands-down one of the most popular selections of 2024. “The perfect balance of hydration and coverage, this formula gives my skin a natural glow, evens out my complexion, and feels so light. A must-have for that fresh, no-makeup look!” Berry says.

Denno is a big fan of this foundation’s eco-friendly packaging and extensive shade range and the fact that it “can be used for light to medium to full coverage, depending on how you apply it.” The formula is so versatile that she uses it as a concealer too.

This lightly tinted silicone- and fragrance-free primer keeps your makeup on lockdown. “Lightweight and an absolute essential in my beauty routine, it creates a silky-smooth canvas for my makeup, blurs imperfections, and helps my foundation stay flawless all day long,” Berry says.

This clean perfume is phthalate- and paraben-free and contains upcycled and renewable ingredients. And the scent itself? 10/10. “It starts with a bright, juicy apple and transitions with peach, sugar cane, and plum blossom notes. It’s complex and simply beautiful all at the same time, just like New York!” Berry says.

This 10-free formula will reset your expectations for a nontoxic nail polish. “The shades are great and the formula is one of the most long-lasting I’ve tried—I get a solid five days of wear without dulling or chipping on my fingers and two full weeks on my toes,” Balsamo says.

It’s hard to find fragrance-free haircare, but this dry shampoo powder, which has an uncompromising ability to nix excess oil and unwanted odor, fits the bill with its unscented formula. Fragrance is often a hidden source of parabens, Vand says, which can be disruptive to the endocrine system, “so even a lot of ‘clean’ products aren’t as clean as you think with the added fragrance.”

This vegan and cruelty-free mask helps moisturizes strands and repair the cracks and splits along the cuticle for hair that’s smoother, stronger, and more resistant to breakage. It’s a leave-in formula (a little bit goes a long way, so you’ll want to use it sparingly at first, says Cavalcante) that’s free of parabens, phthalates, SLS, mineral oil, sulfates, and silicones.

Craving deep hydration and serious smoothing benefits? Look no further than this leave-in conditioner that’s powered by natural ingredients like guava fruit extract, blue agave extract, and avocado oil. It leaves hair soft and tackles frizz without weighing strands down, says Cavalcante.

This repairing serum is technically for blondes, but it’s honestly ideal for anyone with color-treated or overprocessed hair thanks to a blend of strand-strengthening, bond-repairing, and shine-boosting ingredients. The lightweight, rinse-out formula is particularly effective for fine, frizzy hair, Cavalcante says. “Additionally, the bottle is crafted from 99 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, further contributing to sustainability,” he says.

According to Watkins, Maria Nila products—this top-rated co-wash included—are excellent for curls, coils, and wavy textures. Ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe vera in the formula work together to simultaneously cleanse and condition both your hair and scalp.

This shampoo sets itself apart by being vegan, gluten-free, and alcohol-free, says Cavalcante—plus, the rich, thick texture and gentle cleansing agents don’t strip away your hair’s natural oils while you wash. The recyclable and refillable aluminum bottle is a nice eco-friendly touch too.

The lightweight yet ultra-moisturizing formula can be used on a wide variety of hair types and provides lasting protection and hydration, Watkins says. “It inserts a sense of ritualization to any hair routine with its potent, bioactive plant formula that only takes 90 seconds to work on the hair.”

Chébé seeds grown on a regenerative farm in Chad are the star ingredient in this nourishing, sulfate-free shampoo, which also features argan oil to address textured hair. Founder Salwa Petersen “is bringing rituals from Chad to the masses,” says Watkins.

“I can confidently say that this paraben- and silicone-free conditioner is the best I’ve used in the last few years,” says Cavalcante, who notes that it leaves his clients’ hair incredibly soft without any heaviness, and it has a pleasant, fresh scent that doesn’t feel overwhelming. “It has a thick consistency that provides excellent slip and effortlessly detangles hair with minimal resistance when I run a wet brush through clients’ hair.”

“We have used this shampoo bar at the salon and noticed softer hair with decreased frizz,” Cavalcante says, noting that an adjustment period may be needed when switching from a traditional shampoo to a bar format. “It also comes with the Shampoo Bar Savior Bag. As the bar gets smaller and breaks up, this bag helps gather the remaining pieces, ensuring none go to waste. It’s a clever addition that minimizes product waste,” Cavalcante says.

The organic shea butter and avocado, castor seed, almond, and ungurahua oils in this heat protectant help nourish hair while effectively shielding it from the damaging effects of hot tools. “It’s an important step in a haircare routine to prevent breakage,” Watkins says.

All scalps need regular TLC, and this prewash spray makes it easy to get the job done, thanks to acids like BHAs, AHAs, and PHAs. It exfoliates to remove buildup and flakes without being too harsh, and Vand loves the combination of soothing tea tree and clarifying charcoal in the formula too.

Ideal for dry, coarse hair that tends to be frizzy, this oil helps boost shine and hydration with coconut alkanes, Cavalcante says. The naturally derived scent (a bougie blend of herbal, citrus, and woodsy notes) is inspired by founder Jennifer Aniston’s favorite spas.

This silicone-free spray can be used on all hair types and textures (it’s even effective on hair extensions, notes Cavalcante) to nix knots and tangles and make strands feel silky soft. “A standout feature is its heat protection capability, guarding against temperatures up to 450 degrees, while squalane moisturizes and restores elasticity," says Cavalcante. And the presence of sea buckthorn (a superfruit rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and omega-7) “contributes to the overall health of the hair too.”

This water-based hairspray doubles as a UV protectant, dry shampoo, and styler. “Hairsprays are difficult to create and sustain in this very competitive space. This one doesn’t disappoint,” says Watkins. It adds natural volume and shine with botanical oils and tapioca starch.

“I’m an Innersense fan! The styler is so versatile, great for a multitude of hair textures, and really does give excellent curl control,” Watkins says. Testers love to work it through damp curls before air-drying or diffusing or as a blowout cream for a sleeker style.