The 60 Best Skincare Products of 2024, According to Editors and Experts
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Face creams and serums are now as covetable as an It bag. So, what’s driving our skincare obsession? “Social media has made it a flex to show off your indulgent products,” says aesthetician Sofie Pavitt. It’s one of the drivers motivating brands to pursue innovation at the highest levels. The result is serums, cleansers, and tools that don’t just look good in a video—but also deliver transformational results with active ingredients and cutting-edge formulations. We tested hundreds of new and lauded skincare favorites to find the ones truly worth the hype. If you haven’t tried these standout products ahead, consider it time to jump on the bandwagon.
[table-of-contents] stripped
CLEANSERS
Kick off your skincare routine the right way: These cool cleansers are packed with active ingredients.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: CLEANSERS
Kick off your skincare routine the right way: These cool cleansers are packed with active ingredients.
Makeup Remover
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Make-Up Remover is suitable for those with sensitive skin and eyes. Gentle oils, including almond, apricot, and vitamin E, slip makeup off while soothing skin.
The Matcha Cleanse
Not only does Tatcha’s Matcha Cleanse lightly suds with antioxidant-rich kyo-matcha and ceramide-like Japanese mugwort, but it also helps control oil and shine throughout the day with willow bark.
Lait Dermo-S
Biologique Recherche’s Lait Dermo-S cleansing milk boasts a creamy consistency that cleanses, soothes, and moisturizes dry skin with prickly-pear-cactus extract and vitamin B.
Pineapple Refresh
Rhode’s new Pineapple Refresh Cleanser is a fan favorite among the Harper’s Bazaar beauty team for its powerful balm-to-foam formula, which removes dirt, grime, and makeup in one fell swoop and leaves skin feeling brighter, courtesy of pineapple enzymes.
Soft Wash
Sensitive eyes and sensitive skin will love this new cleanser from famed dermatologist Sheerene Idriss. It effectively removes every trace of makeup and SPF, and is gentle enough to get in your eyes without irritation.
Hydro Boost Micellar Water with Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid
Not only does Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Micellar Water make it a breeze to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, but also happens to be safe for sensitive skin. Plus, it boasts a special growth factor (which is naturally found in skin) that aims to keep your face feeling hydrated for up to 24 hours.
Take The Day Off Facial Cleansing Mousse
This foaming Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Mousse cleanser–infused with glycerin and hyaluronic acid–removes makeup, dirt, and grime in one fell swoop without drying out skin.
MASKS, ESSENCES, TONERS
Milks, masks, and active-infused toner serums are the last pieces of the puzzle to unlock glowing skin.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: MASKS, ESSENCES, TONERS
Milks, masks, and active-infused toner serums are the last pieces of the puzzle to unlocking glowy skin.
N°1 De CHANEL Revitaliing Mask
Chanel’s No.1 de Chanel Revitalizing Mask helps minimize excess shine and fine lines with exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acids and red-camellia extract and oil.
Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel
Along with brightening lactic and mandelic acids, Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel features glycolic acid to clear congestion, plus kaolin and bentonite claysto extract dirt and oil.
The AHA 2 BHA 2 Blemish Treatment Serum
CosRX the AHA 2 BHA 2 Blemish Treatment Serum takes breakout control to a whole new level. The acid-infused compressed cotton balls can be massaged into the face or body, targeting blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores all at once.
Editor's note: This product is currently out of stock.
Balancing Face Mist
Some face mists are just glorified water, but this one is packed with ceramides, probiotic ferment, and allantoin to help support your skin’s microbiome, soothe irritation, and boost hydration. It’s ideal for all skin types, but particularly those who run oily.
CHARLOTTE'S MAGIC HYDRATOR MIST
Inspired by oxygen facials, Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Hydrator Mist—with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—helps enhance the absorption of your favorite skincare products.
Nice Ice Toner Pods
Sofie Pavitt Face’s Nice Ice Toner Pods will soon become the favorite thing in your freezer. Each cold, melting disk combines niacinamide, ashwagandha, and green-tea extract to help instantly reduce redness, swelling, and puffiness.
The Base Face Milk
The lightweight, layerable texture of Ilia’s Base Face Milk plays nicely with other hydrating creams and serums in your routine. The essence aims to reduce redness, smooth texture, and strengthen the skin barrier with each use.
SuperFruit Exfoliating Tonic 8% AHA Solution
When our skin breaks out or looks dull and dreary, we turn to this. Glycolic acid, brightening licorice root, and gentle fruit acids help resurface to reveal brighter, smoother skin.
Cashmere Peel Gentle AHA + PHA Exfoliating Toner
This popular milky toner also uses a combination of lactic, azelaic, and tranexamic acids to slough away dead and darkened cells to even skin’s texture and tone.
SERUMS
No product works harder than a serum to deliver skin-transforming results. Here, the bottles we can’t stop talking about.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: SERUMS
No product works harder than a serum to deliver skin-transforming results. Here, the bottles we can’t stop talking about.
Isdinceutics Retinal Advanced
Isdin Retinal Advanced Night Serum combines thepower of retinaldehyde, bakuchiol (a plant-derived retinol alternative), antioxidant melatonin, and soothing niacinamide to transform skin’s texture without any flaking or redness.
Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial® Plasma
Platelet-rich Plasma facials are beloved by celebs—but they involve drawing blood, and a little downtime. Beverly Hills-based double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Jason Diamond instead found a way to bottle the results of a PRP treatment in a lightweight serum that boasts peptides and bioengineered growth factors to help stimulate collagen and elastin production.
Suprême C
The ingredient list of Westman Atelier Suprême C has only one active in it: vitamin C. We like to use it after toning each morning to help brighten dark spots and add an overall glow (plus it wears nicely under makeup).
Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial® Plasma
Platelet-rich Plasma facials are beloved by celebs—but they involve drawing blood, and a little downtime. Beverly Hills-based double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Jason Diamond instead found a way to bottle the results of a PRP treatment in a lightweight serum that boasts peptides and bioengineered growth factors to help stimulate collagen and elastin production.
The Ultimate S Serum
The ginseng-berry-rich formula of Sulwhasoo the Ultimate S Serum helps to combat the first signs of aging—like fine lines on the forehead and around the mouth—and helps strengthen and protect your skin’s moisture barrier.
Multi Action Hydration Multiplier Serum
Hyaluronic acid is paired with polyglutamic acid and ceramides in this dual-chamber milky serum to deliver instant hydration and plumping to dry and dehydrated skin.
The Ultimate S Serum
The ginseng-berry-rich formula of Sulwhasoo the Ultimate S Serum helps to combat the first signs of aging—like fine lines on the forehead and around the mouth—and helps strengthen and protect your skin’s moisture barrier.
Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum
The hydrating Keys Soulcare Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum contains a blend of peptides that, when combined with hyaluronic acid and seaweed extract, help address nearly every sign of aging right away and with each use.
Multi Action Hydration Multiplier Serum
Hyaluronic acid is paired with polyglutamic acid and ceramides in this dual-chamber milky serum to deliver instant hydration and plumping to dry and dehydrated skin.
The Blue Cocoon
This wholly unique, stunningly beautiful blue balm-serum is best applied on dry skin after cleansing and serves as the perfect primer for a gua sha or other facial massage tool. The blend of natural and organic plant extracts—like shea butter and marula oil—deeply nourish and soften dry and mature skin.
Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum
The hydrating Keys Soulcare Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum contains a blend of peptides that, when combined with hyaluronic acid and seaweed extract, help address nearly every sign of aging right away and with each use.
Phyto-Retinol Sleep Serum
Peptilium, a peptide cranberry extract, powers this retinol-alternative serum, which delivers similar wrinkle-smoothing benefits to retinol without any irritating side effects.
The Blue Cocoon
This wholly unique, stunningly beautiful blue balm-serum is best applied on dry skin after cleansing and serves as the perfect primer for a gua sha or other facial massage tool. The blend of natural and organic plant extracts—like shea butter and marula oil—deeply nourish and soften dry and mature skin.
Phyto-Retinol Sleep Serum
Peptilium, a peptide cranberry extract, powers this retinol-alternative serum, which delivers similar wrinkle-smoothing benefits to retinol without any irritating side effects.
Brightening Serum
RéVive’s powerhouse Brightening Serum amps up the effects of vitamin C with a bio-renewal peptide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and allantoin to brighten, hydrate, and plump all in one step.
Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Gel
A powerful blend of acids, including salicylic, glycolic, and azelaic, zap a blemish away overnight–without drying your skin out, courtesy of calming green tea and centella asiatica.
Brightening Serum
RéVive’s powerhouse Brightening Serum amps up the effects of vitamin C with a bio-renewal peptide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and allantoin to brighten, hydrate, and plump all in one step.
Alpha Beta On The Spot Eliminator 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Gel
A powerful blend of acids, including salicylic, glycolic, and azelaic, zap a blemish away overnight–without drying your skin out, courtesy of calming green tea and centella asiatica.
MOISTURIZERS
Out of the hundreds of creams we slathered on this year, the winners here delivered on the promise of instantly plump, radiant skin.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: MOISTURIZERS
Out of the hundreds of creams we slathered on this year, the 11 here delivered on the promise of instantly plump, radiant skin.
7D Mystifying Moisturizer
For lightweight hydration on oily and combo skin, try Humanrace 7D Mystifying Gel Moisturizer, which instantly boosts radiance and moisture without a slick finish.
Prestige Le Baume de Minuit
Dior Prestige Le Baume de Minuit night cream is powered by a rose-derived peptide that helps lift and smooth wrinkles, while the rich, balmlike texture coddles dry and mature skin.
The Moisturizing Soft Cream
La Mer’s reformulated the Moisturizing Soft Cream features an encapsulated form of the brand’s Miracle Broth to help drive it deep into the skin for a significant boost of hydration.
U Beauty Super Intensive Face Oil
U Beauty the Super Intensive Face Oil delivers dramatic moisture, thanks to an innovative oil-and-hyaluronic- acid blend, plus peptides, vitamins C and E, and vegan squalane.
The Bio-Tech Emulsion transparent
For those sensitive to heavy textures, Orveda The Bio-Tech Emulsion transparent delivers the moisture of a cream in the weight of a milky serum.
Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Cream
Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream addresses dark spots, fine lines, and collagen loss with plant actives like caffeine, ginseng root, jujube fruit, and something called SafflowerRED, a proprietary extract from Japan.
Bora Barrier Repair Cream
The Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream employs zinc, copper, alpha glucan, and plant-derived lipids to heal a damaged skin barrier. Though tweens love this brand, this cream is best suited for those who remember the ’90s.
Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer
Peptides are big right now, and for a good reason: the ones included in this new BeautyStat moisturizer can help relax fine lines immediately upon application and also over time, so all you’re left with is smooth, plump skin.
Cicaplast Balm B5
Did you use too much retinol or go wild with an exfoliating acid? Nothing heals dry, irritated, or angry skin faster than a thick coat of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, a skin-healing ointment and favorite of derms and beauty experts everywhere.
Absolue L’Extrait Elixir Cream
This velvety moisturizer utilizes proxylane, LHA, and every part of Lancôme’s absolue roses—which are sourced directly from the south of France—to combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Extreme Cream
This hypoallergenic and fragrance-free moisturizer is infused with peptides and a plant-based bio-retinol to lift and firm facial contours while boosting hydration. We especially love how well it wears under base makeup since its nourishing formula leaves our skin looking extra dewy.
EYES
A brightening eye cream is essential if you’ve stayed up too late watching beauty routines on TikTok.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: EYES
A brightening eye cream is essential if you’ve stayed up too late watching beauty routines on TikTok.
Bio Lifting Eye Cream
We like to use Chantecaille Bio Lifting Eye Cream morning and night to depuff, brighten, and hydrate.
Full Orbit
Glossier’s Full Orbit Eye Cream can be used on the entire eye area, including the lids and orbital bones, to plump fine lines and brighten.
Skin Caviar Eye Lift Serum
La Prairie’s reformulated Caviar Eye Lift harnesses the firming powers of the star ingredient, caviar, to rid puffiness and dark circles while giving a lifting effect to the lid and brow area.
Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum
Smooth and hydrate dull-looking under-eyes with Summer Fridays Jet Lag Overnight Eye Serum. The overnight treatment contains glycerin and barrier-supporting ceramides hydrate, plus a gentle retinol blend to smooth and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
SPF
Sunscreen is like insurance for all your other creams and potions, and the best ones feel equally luxurious.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: SPF
Sunscreen is like insurance for all your other creams and potions, and the best ones feel equally luxurious.
Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+
Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum combines wrinkle-reducing collagen peptides with truly invisible (and lightweight) SPF 50+ to firm and protect skin without adding excess shine.
UV AOX Eye Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Don’t neglect your eyes when it comes to sun care. EltaMD UV AOX Eye Broad Spectrum SPF 30 imparts mineral sun protection and a brightening tint, meaning you can skip a heavy concealer, to defend against both UV rays and dark circles.
Daily Veil Moisturizing Face Fluid Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
The Valmont Daily Veil Moisturizing Face Fluid contains skin-barrier-improving ingredients, and the mineral formula goes on transparent and leaves a subtle glow.
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
The Tinted Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 30 from plastic surgeon Julius Few feels more like a light moisturizer than chalky sunscreen. The lightly-tinted, mineral formula leaves zero white cast and blends into skin like a dream. Plus, antioxidant-rich green tea increases skin protection from the sun, while avocado oil moisturizes.
TOOLS
We tested enough tools to make Home Depot jealous, and these are the ones that transformed our skin this year.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: TOOLS
We tested enough tools to make Home Depot jealous, and these are the six that transformed our skin this year.
Ginkgo Gua Sha
Sisley Paris’s Ginkgo Gua Sha is made with naturally cooling Zamac (a zinc alloy) and even has a notched edge to address more prominent fine lines and wrinkles.
Wrinkle Erasing Retinol Patches
111Skin Wrinkle Erasing Retinol Patches soften deep-set lines on the forehead, smile lines, and crow’s feet in just one use, thanks to tiny dissolving prickly cones that deliver retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and a potent form of hyaluronic acid deep into skin.
Halo
ZIIP’s new and improved facial device, the Halo—which has both microcurrents and nanocurrents (the latter are said to impart longer-lasting results)—is a lighter and smaller version of the brand’s original tool, the GX.
TheraFace Mask
Therabody’s TheraFace Mask offers 648 medical-grade LEDs that produce red, infrared, and blue light to target sagging skin, wrinkles, dark spots, and even acne. It also boasts vibration therapy to boost circulation and release tension.
The Eye Patches (6-Pack)
Pop on a pair of Augustinus Bader the Eye Patches for 20 minutes before doing your makeup. The refreshing hydrogel patches infuse tired, puffy eyes with a cocktail of hydrating, plumping, and brightening ingredients for instant results that last for hours.
Laser Starter Kit
Estheticians and Bazaar editors alike can’t stop using the Lyma Laser. The FDA-cleared laser emits light energy to go deep into the base layers of your skin and turn on cells that have become dormant over time with sun damage, trauma, and overall aging and regenerate them to produce collagen. The result: plumper, firmer, skin without the need for an in-office visit.
LIPS
Place these lip picks in every handbag—and on your bathroom counter—to keep them hydrated 24/7.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: LIPS
Place these lip picks in every handbag—and on your bathroom counter—to keep lips hydrated 24/7.
Moisturizing Lip Balm
Prada Beauty’s natural-finish Prada Balm in Universal is packed with jojoba oil and bifidus extract and can be worn alone or layered under your favorite lipstick to soften lips.
Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm
Glow Recipe’s hydrating Plum Plump Hyaluronic Gloss Balm moisturizes and plumps lips while leaving behind the prettiest sheen.
BODY
Skincare shouldn’t stop at your neck. These firming formulas will level up your body-care routine.
SKINCARE AWARDS 2024: BODY
Skincare shouldn’t stop at your neck. These firming formulas will level up your body-care routine.
Regenerist Age Defying Body Wash with Niacinamide (4-Pack)
Olay’s creamy Regenerist Age Defying Body Wash with Niacinamide helps keep dryness and dull skin at bay before you even step out of the shower.
FirmX Tight & Toned Cellulite Treatment
Featuring key ingredients like caffeine and vitamin-E-rich African mokaté melon oil, Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Tight & Toned Cellulite Treatment works to smooth lumps and bumps on areas like the belly, arms, and legs in two weeks.
Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Naturium’s Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion doesn’t just minimize scaly skin. It’s formulated with an encapsulated, stabilized pure-retinol complex, along with soothing allantoin, to tackle skin firmness and minimize redness and irritation.
Body Reform Treatment Serum with 2% Granactive Retinoid
If you’re already a fan of using retinol on your face, we’re betting you’ll love using this favorite from celebrity esthetician Shani Darden just as much. It uses two percent granactive retinoid, along with brightening vitamin C and KP-reducing hydronesis, to leave your skin feeling softer and smoother than ever.
Blemish Breakthrough Acne-Treating Body Mist
Getting rid of back acne is as easy as a few spritzes, thanks to this no-fuss salicylic acid and niacinamide body mist. And at under $20, it also gets an extra gold star from Bazaar editors for being budget-friendly.
Browbond Building Serum
This multi-peptide brow serum from Olaplex does it all: from sculpting unruly hairs to supporting their natural growth cycle and overall retention. Plus, a blend of vitamins B5 and B7, oat extract, and plumping hyaluronic acid helps keep brows nourished and soft.
Bye Bye Bloat Lymphatic Massage Roller
Bazaar editors will rarely say no to a great massage, especially one that also has de-puffing and improved circulation benefits. This handy lymphatic massage roller from Love Wellness uses seven rollerballs to help drain the body’s toxins while providing spa-level sculpting from the comfort of home—just add your favorite body oil.
Why trust Harper's Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
How are the Skincare Award winners chosen?
Our editors test thousands of new skincare launches every year to find the best moisturizers, serums, and devices to achieve healthy, glowing skin. For the 2024 Skincare Awards, Bazaar enlisted the help of celebrity dermatologists and aestheticians to curate and edit our list of the 60 most coveted picks in skincare right now.
You Might Also Like