The best skin-care products don’t have to be complicated ones. Ask a dermatologist what the essentials in your skin-care routine should be and they’ll likely say you really only need three items: a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen. It’s true.
And that’s the idea behind this year’s best skin care products: These moisturizers are so good, you don’t have to think twice about using them. We also included eye creams, in case you’re looking to step up your routine or have specific skin-care concerns (dark circles and fine lines, anyone?). Plus, you’ll find three night creams on our list that really bring whole new meaning to beauty rest.
What to Look for When Choosing a Moisturizer, Night Cream, or Eye Eream
The first step to picking the best skin care products is to zero in on your specific skin type or skin concern.
According to derms, if you know you’ve got sensitive skin, you’ll want to look for hydrating and calming ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, and ceramides. Steer clear of essential oils, fragrances, and even chemical sunscreens, which can be irritating to some.
If you’re looking for the best skin care products to help fight acne or mattify oily skin, look for products that contain acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, or glycolic acid. Stick to lighter moisturizers that contain some of the hydrating ingredients we listed above, and look for “oil free” and “noncomedogenic” on the label.
And those thick, heavy moisturizers? They’re not always the answer for those with dry skin. In addition to the hydrating ingredients mentioned above, our dermatologists suggest you look for dimethicone, shea butter, squalane, aloe, petrolatum, mineral oil, and argan oil. Soothing ingredients like oatmeal or aloe can also be helpful if your skin is particularly irritated. Conversely, you’ll want to look out for fragrances, alcohols, and harsh physical exfoliants, all of which can irritate your skin.
If your concerns are around aging skin, sunscreen, retinoids, and antioxidants are your friends, along with humectants (hyaluronic acid and glycerin), ceramides, and peptides.
In general, make sure you spot test new moisturizers or night creams first before you apply them all over and head out the door or turn off the light. Having said that, it pays to be patient. Moisturizers, eye creams, and night creams are with you for the long haul, meaning regular use is the key to seeing results.
As with all of our awards, these moisturizers, eye creams, and night creams got the stamp of approval from our testers, who judged products using guidelines set by our dermatologists. We tested dozens upon dozens of products, but in the end, only these 14 made the cut.
Keep scrolling to check out the winners below or go here to browse all the 2021 SELF Healthy Beauty Awards.
Reviews have been edited and condensed for clarity and length.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.