The Shape 2023 Skin Awards
Get ready to glow: our Shape 2023 Skin Awards winners are here
Glowing, radiant skin is a common goal, and at Shape, we’re firm believers that what you put in and on your body is directly correlated with the health of your skin. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and acts as a barrier between the body and the surrounding environment, so it’s important to nourish your skin inside and out. When it comes to products, we’ve got you covered.
There are a dizzying number of skin products available. That said, our experts, editors, and at-home testers took products literally into their own hands to uncover the best of the best for our Shape Skin Awards. Our guest judges, including award-winning dermatologists, celebrity fitness instructors, and cosmetic chemists, lent their expertise, recommending the products that they personally swear by to keep their skin in tip-top shape. To build on those suggestions, we tested hundreds of products in our on-site testing lab in New York City, and sent our editors home with multiple products to test, with structured methodologies.
The results were incredible. We digested the information and used our guest judges’ expertise to select winners that work for various skin tones and types. We aimed to break down the winners into easy-to-navigate categories to make specific recommendations to meet your skin care needs. We narrowed it down to four categories: acne treatments, sun protection products, body products, and face products. Within each of those, there are eight to ten subcategories that cover everything skincare-related that you might need from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.
Shape / Mehroz Kapadia
Check out each individual story to discover which products scored the highest in this year’s Shape Skin Awards.
Best Acne Treatments
Breakouts and blemishes can be stressful and distracting. Say goodbye to acne with the help of the right masks, cleaners, body washes, and spot treatments.
Best Sun Protection Products
Sunscreen isn’t just for the summer. The sun’s powerful UV rays can cause damage throughout the year, with varying degrees of intensity depending on where you live. Protect your face, body, lips, eyes, and scalp (yes, your scalp!), with the best sun protection products.
Best Body Products
Your face typically gets the main focus when it comes to products, but consider this a wake-up call to devote more time and attention to the skin that covers your entire body. Whether you’re moisturizing, self-tanning, or removing hair you’d rather not have there, our experts have all the products you need to upgrade your full-body skincare regimen.
Best Face Products
Investing in the right skincare products for your face can help you to achieve a healthy, glowing complexion. Learn which products our guest judges, at-home testers, and experts deem to be the perfect addition to your routine—both day and night.
Our Testing Process
This year, we combined the expertise of our esteemed guest judges — top dermatologists, chemists, and celebrity fitness instructors— who routinely use, recommend, and test skincare products with results from our on-site Dotdash Meredith testing lab and real-world product testing initiatives. Tack on the experience of our beauty-focused editors, and you’ve got the best of the best.
Guest Judges: Top Medical, Science, and Fitness Experts
Shape / Mehroz Kapadia
In order to recommend the best products, we turned to six experts, including two dermatologists, one cosmetic chemist, two celebrity fitness instructors, and one global wellness and fitness expert.
Josh Zeichner, M.D., Associate Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, is considered a leader in treating rosacea and acne and an expert in cosmeceuticals, cosmetic dermatology, and skin care.
Kavita Mariwalla, M.D., is a double board-certified dermatologist and micrographic surgeon with a private practice in Long Island, NY. She is a nationally recognized key opinion leader on cosmetic formulations and ingredients and is the author of four books in the field of Dermatology.
Ginger King is the president of Grace Kingdom Beauty, a cosmetic chemist, and a beauty business builder. She helps brands to create innovative beauty products from start to finish and has developed hundreds of products, including hair care, skin care, sun care, and color cosmetics.
Robin Arzón is Vice President of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, as well as a 27x marathon and ultra-marathon runner, 2x New York Times bestselling author, and founder of Swagger Society, the first lifestyle membership club in Web3. She believes that sweat transforms lives and her story is living proof.
Megan Roup's love for fitness and movement began during her time as a professional dancer. After struggling to find a workout routine that was engaging, effective, and enjoyable, she developed The Sculpt Society's unique method to inspire and empower others on their fitness journeys. As founder and CEO of The Sculpt Society, Roup emphasizes the importance of nurturing both body and mind, offering workouts that are fun, engaging, and accessible to everyone.
Kayla Jeter is a multifaceted wellness entrepreneur, workplace wellbeing consultant, content creator, and digital media host. Kayla is also a Lululemon global ambassador and founder of the global running community #100milesofSummer.
Our On-Site Testing Lab
The Lab—located in New York City—has over 5,500 square feet of testing space, where we can test everything from treadmills and running strollers to sports bras and moisturizers side by side to see how they compare. During each test, we capture the unboxing, setup, and tester experience through photos, videos, and written insights to provide you with the most comprehensive and behind-the-scenes look at how the products performed during our tests.
Our editors, writers, and producers test products under the guidance of trained professionals and experts using standardized methodologies. For example, with acne body washes, we enlisted 15 volunteers to stop using their usual products and use their assigned acne body wash during the six-week testing period. Each tester follows step-by-step instructions and records detailed insights (as well as images) of how the product performs. We aim to have a variety of individuals with different skin types and from various age ranges to gather all the details that you need to know to make an informed decision about your own skincare needs.
Plus, with our in-house testing, we go the extra mile. For moisturizers, we used a moisture reader device to measure the moisture level of the skin before and after product application. For antiperspirants, we instructed testers to hit the treadmill for 15 minutes after application to perform an initial smell test and had each person wear the deodorant for at least 24 hours without showering. You want to know if the product works, we’ve thought of every which way to test it.
Real-World Testing
A product may work wonders in a lab or in a clinical setting, but the true test of a product is whether or not it works in a real-life setting. Does a moisturizer or cleanser naturally become a non-negotiable part of your skincare routine? Do you find yourself looking forward to a specific self-tanner? We enlist the help of real-world testers, including editors, writers, and subject matter experts to take the product (literally) into their own hands, at home, and run it through a methodical testing process similar to what we do in the lab.
At-home, or “real-world,” testing typically involves longer time periods to get a feel for the product. Testers fill out surveys rating each product for key attributes, provide helpful insights on each product, and capture photos and videos of how the products perform in real-life.
What to Know About Skin Products
Like most things, when it comes to skincare products, knowledge is power. Educating yourself about skincare product terminology, labels, packaging, and more can help you to smartly invest in products that you’ll actually use, and hopefully benefit from.
Confusing Terminology
Learning about the confusing terms surrounding skin care can be important for understanding which product to pick and why.
Parabens: A type of preservative used in skincare products that may be potentially harmful.
Sulfates: A type of harsh cleansing agent typically found in body wash and shampoos, which can be tough on sensitive skin.
Retinol: A form of vitamin A used in anti-aging products to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. One drawback is that it can be irritating to the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid: A popular ingredient in serums and moisturizers because of its hydrating capabilities.
Natural: Some skin care products are described as “natural” if they contain ingredients from natural sources. However, this term isn’t regulated and doesn’t mean that an ingredient or product is safe or effective.
Expiration Dates
Yes, you may actually want to pay attention to the expiration date on your skin care products. This is typically indicated by a symbol of an open jar with a number followed by the letter “M.” For example, “12M” would indicate that the product is no longer effective or safe to use after 12 months. Product effectiveness and safety deteriorate over time due to a variety of factors, including exposure to heat, light, bacteria, and air. Some products have shorter shelf lives than others, specifically suncare products and “clean beauty” products due to their active ingredients and lack of preservatives. To extend the shelf life of your products, store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and use an applicator when possible to reduce exposure to bacteria.
Packaging
The vessel that your skincare product comes in matters. Proper packaging can protect the product from degrading quickly and losing its potency. Products with pump dispensers or airless containers improve hygiene and prevent product contamination. If you’re looking for a great gym bag product, you’ll want to focus on convenient packaging, such as a smaller travel-sized version of your go-to product. Pump dispensers are also convenient, as they can help you to get the right amount of the product with each application. From a sustainability and health perspective, the product you invest in can have an impact on the environment. Using refillable containers or investing in products packaged in recycled materials can help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Skin Types
There is unfortunately not one perfect product that will work for each individual. Understanding your skin type is imperative for choosing the right products to address your specific skincare concerns and to help you achieve the radiant skin you’re looking for.
Normal skin: Balanced, not typically prone to dryness or oiliness
Dry skin: Lacks oil, can feel tight, flaky, or itchy
Oily skin: Prone to breakouts, feels greasy
Combination skin: mix of oily and dry (typically oily T-zone and dry cheeks)
Sensitive skin: Prone to irritation, allergic reactions, and redness
Active Ingredients
Most skincare products have a few active ingredients. It’s incredibly important to pay attention to what the active ingredients in your product are to optimize the efficacy and ensure it’s safe and compatible with your individual health and skin concerns.
Why Trust Shape
At Shape, our goal is to equip you with the comprehensive, unbiased information you need to feel like your best self (whatever that means to you). We take our product recommendations seriously — which is why Shape has a robust, standardized process (including an on-site lab) for every product we test and ultimately recommend.
Whether we're taste-testing the best protein powders on the market in our cutting-edge lab, pounding the pavement in the latest running shoes (check out our 2023 Sneaker Awards), or analyzing the difference between the most popular leggings, our product reviews are grounded in the expertise of our testers, editors, and advisory board. Think of us as the trusted voice you need to make informed purchasing decisions while taking charge of your health and fitness journey. Learn more about our policies and processes surrounding product recommendations here.
In addition to testing hundreds of the newest, most innovative skincare products for the 2023 Skin Awards, our editors are health, beauty, and fitness enthusiasts who have been in the industry for years and bring unique, experience-driven perspectives to our skin product recommendations.
Hayley Mason is the General Manager of Shape and InStyle and has worked in the beauty industry for more than a decade. She's also led beauty content and strategy at Byrdie, Who What Wear, Refinery29, Total Beauty Media, Inc., and more. Her favorite skincare ritual includes multi-masking in the bath with a true crime podcast blaring.
Eliza Savage is the Associate Editorial Director, Commerce. As a registered dietitian and self-proclaimed skinimalist, she focuses on nourishing the body from the inside out. While her daily product lineup may be small, Eliza looks to published research (and expert recs) to select the best products for her individual needs.
Shannon Bauer is a senior editor and lifetime beauty tester. This is her eighth year contributing to beauty awards. Give her all of the vitamin C serums, retinol creams, and SPF—she is always game to try the newest formulations.
Kristen Geil is a senior commerce editor who frequently covers skincare and beauty products through the lens of skin health. She's finally found a daily SPF routine she can commit to — thanks, Glowscreen!
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