Our Editors Agree: There's Nothing Like These 8 Skincare Products on the Market
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Shop "un-dupeable" finds from Tatcha and Peter Thomas Roth.
U Beauty and Peter Thomas Roth
Calling the beauty market oversaturated is an understatement. There’s so much out there and a lot of it is different versions of the same thing. In this landscape, a product really stands out when it doesn’t have any equals, no affordable dupes, and no backup plan when it’s sold out.
While you can swatch makeup and get a general feel for what you’re getting before you buy it, you can’t say the same about skincare, which requires a minimum of weeks of trial before a judgment can be made. Since my colleagues and I have more access to (and spend more time than the average person trying) all types of beauty products, I asked them what their “undupeable” favorites are.
Now, you get a holy grail list of beauty products, vetted by editors and industry experts, and I get a shopping list that’s going to leave a big dent in my wallet. Take a look at what our editors have to say about these splurge-worthy products, below.
8 Editor-Loved Beauty Products Worth the Splurge
U Beauty Resurfacing Compound
Nordstrom
I know, I know this is the nth time I’ve written about U Beauty’s Resurfacing Compound but I hope you’re getting the message that it is, in fact, that good. It’s an everything-in-one; a toner, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid serum, and retinol. It’s transformative, it makes my skin (which is quite finicky, sensitive, and acne-prone), smooth, bright, and even. It’s a desert island skincare product and if I was more of a minimalist this could be my one-and-done routine. — Tamim Alnuweiri, Senior Beauty Commerce Writer
Typology Tinted Serum
Typology
I've tried so many tinted serums that simply fall flat on my oily skin. They're either way too dewy and make my forehead look like a melted butterball. The Typology Tinted Serum rewards my skin with a healthy, dewy finish and provides plenty of natural-looking coverage (it totally neutralizes my redness). Also, the product truly does have the consistency of a serum, meaning it mixes well with my bronzing drops and feels extremely lightweight. — Irene Richardson, Commerce Writer
SK-II Pitera Facial Treatment Essence
Sephora
When I became a beauty editor over a decade ago, SK-II's Pitera Facial Treatment Essence was one of the first products I fell in love with. It's a cult classic for good reason, and thanks in no small part to its star ingredient, Pitera. This proprietary yeast-derived powerhouse is brimming with vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and organic acids. They work together to brighten dark spots, boost cell turnover, smooth texture, and repair oxidative damage over time. It instantly soothes my skin while making it more hydrated, plump, and glowing. You'd be hard-pressed to find an essence that more reliably and consistently makes skin look healthy and vibrant. — Lauren Valenti, Beauty Director
Supergoop! Glow Screen
Supergoop!
I’ve tried countless sunscreens to protect my fair, combination skin, but I started using Supergoop’s Glow Screen two years ago, and haven’t looked back since. It’s lightweight yet hydrating, and I love the extra glow it provides under my foundation. I wear it solo, too, because it just looks that good. While several brands have attempted to recreate the fan-favorite formula, I haven’t found one that gives my skin the same results. — Kyra Surgent, Commerce Writer
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FirmX Temporary Eye Tightener
Amazon
I first heard about the Peter Thomas Roth Instant FirmX Temporary Eye Tightener from TikTok, where it went mega-viral thanks to its immediate and drastic firming results; I'd never seen anything like it. Unlike a cream, the gel treatment banishes wrinkles and depuffs bags before your eyes, visibly tightening skin in just a few minutes. As it dries, it feels taut and tingly—similar to a firming face mask—but is comfortable enough for all-day wear after initial application. I typically wear a fair amount of concealer (to hide my dry eczema patches and heavy eye bags) and found that makeup still applies nicely, as long as you don’t apply too much. — Zarah Kavarana, Associate Editorial Director
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
Amazon
As I've gotten older, my already-finicky skin has gotten even more picky about what I use on it. I have a generally oily complexion, but my chin tends to run dry while my forehead is always shiny. Tatcha's The Dewy Skin Cream is the only moisturizer that makes all parts of my face feel comfortable. I like to say that it feels like a hug when I apply it—it's just comforting and replenishes my skin with the right amount of moisture where it needs it, without making me extra oily anywhere else. I have tried other "versions" of this face cream, or options people have deemed are the "same," and I can confidently say there is no alternative. — Christina Butan, Senior Commerce Editor
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
Sephora
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream comforts my dry skin like no other. It delivers long-lasting hydration that melts into my face like a second skin. This soothing moisturizer doesn’t leave any stickiness or heaviness; it’s the only formula I’ve found that I can rely on year-round. I didn’t think my face could feel so soft and look so radiant all day long until I tried this ultra-nourishing cream. — Taylor Jeffries, Commerce Writer
Macrene Actives Face Cream
Sephora
Although now we're in a positive place, my skin has always been my biggest insecurity. I tried too many concealers, zit creams, and mud masks than I could count. Right as I was about to start my third round of Accutane, I was introduced to Macrene Actives Face Cream (extra rich because my skin likes to be dry and oily and sensitive) and it genuinely changed my skin. Gently and thoroughly, the formula conditioned my skin without making me look shiny or trigger flashes of angry red spots. Ten-plus years later, I still use this moisturizer every single day, and it has played a central role in my journey from impossible skin I was ready to give up on, to skin that people actually compliment. — Kaitlin Clark, Senior Beauty Commerce Writer
My colleagues are basically experts when it comes to choosing a quality product. And, as I mentioned before, every one of us has tested hundreds (if not thousands) of products, so you know these are the top-tier picks—and totally worth the money. Consider this your cheat sheet for the next time you need to re-up your skincare.
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