Welcome to Marie Claire’s inaugural Skin Awards. Over the past few months, our beauty team, along with seven board-certified dermatologists, have tested hundreds of products. Their mission: Identify the absolute best skincare on the market. As judges, we admittedly got judgy, taking a long, hard look at efficacy, ingredients, and texture. In the end, we identified the 94 best formulas in the skincare world—each and every one has been thoroughly tested and deemed undeniably transformative.
Our winners span eight categories and will see you through every step of your skincare routine. There are cleansers, toners (or the occasional essence!), serums, moisturizers, treatments, eye creams, sunscreens, and, for those who really like to indulge in a well-rounded routine, devices. Here, you’ll find tried and true cult-favorite winners with reputations that precede them, you’ll get the down-low on newly released, albeit beloved favorites, affordable skincare under $50, and the ideal items for sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin types.
So, without further ado, scroll ahead for little love letters to the 2023 Marie Claire Skin Awards winners.
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A combination of alpha-hydroxy acids (read: glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and malic acid) joins forces with salicylic acid and soft, soothing jojoba to create *the* best face wash we’ve had the pleasure of trying. “It does what it promises—it exfoliates,” says Dr. Lal. It’ll leave you with that extra clean feel and the smoothest, softest, most radiant complexion.
Highly Commended
Spending over $50 on a cleanser is a tad steep, but when you consider it not only cleanses, but replenishes moisture and brightens your complexion, it’s more than worth it. We love it because it’s light and comfortable on your face, and its mousse-like formula feels like butter. The cushiony formula is also good for your skin thanks to ingredients like niacinamide that reduce redness, and langsat leaf extract that lightens hyperpigmentation over time.
Highly Commended
This drugstore cleanser is a no brainer for those looking for a classic cleanse that gets the job done. It features tried-and-true skin care winners—like, niacinamide (vitamin B3), panthenol (vitamin B5) that help restore your skin, while cleansing. Our Beauty Director, Deena Campbell touts this cleanser as one of her favorites, adding that it's hydrating, yet gentle for all skin types.
Highly Commended
You can’t wash acne off, but you can treat it—and this foaming cleanser should be your first step. The drugstore staple contains four percent benzoyl peroxide to kill bacteria, along with hyaluronic acid, three different ceramides, and niacinamide to hydrate and calm your skin. You’ll notice less blackheads and whiteheads (see you never) without unwanted flaking or peeling.
Highly Commended
Our entire testing committee was all-in on this one-of-a-kind face wash. It’s loaded with good ingredients: Calming antioxidants, moisturizing vitamins, and soothing oat kernel extracts; and none of the bad ones like fragrance or common irritants. The gel formula will effectively take off your makeup (we were shocked, too) and leave even the most sensitive skin soothed, hydrated, and less red than before.
Highly Commended
There are few things in life more fulfilling than cleansing your skin after a long day of wearing makeup, and Dior’s Dior La Mousse Off/On Foaming Face Cleanser makes the cleansing experience so special. The sweet-smelling facial wash starts with a creamy and dense texture, and then morphs into a foam that thoroughly moisturizes your skin without stripping its moisture, all while managing to strengthen and protect the skin barrier. It's truly the best parts of a cream and a foam cleanser.
Highly Commended
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Anyone that loves Lotion P50 *really* loves Lotion P50—and after putting it through our rigorous testing, it’s easy to see why. It has a strong medicinal smell (don’t say we didn’t warn you), but it works better than anything else out there. With one swipe of a cotton pad, it will get rid of any leftover dirt or makeup, exfoliate dead skin cells, and mattify your complexion.
Highly Commended
Fact: One of the harsh realities of acne are the pesky scars that can be difficult to remove. But, this toner improves the look of post-acne marks by gently resurfacing your skin leaving it brighter, smoother and blemish-free. We also appreciate that it smells divine—a perk that’s practically impossible to find in most toners.
Highly Commended
There’s no question this fragrance and alcohol free drugstore favorite should be your go-to toner. The liquid-like consistency pairs well with most serums and moisturizers, and if used consistently, dark spots will lighten overtime.
Highly Commended
This alcohol-free formula takes a 360 approach: It’s tough on your acne, but gentle on your skin. Not only is it going to remove any lingering makeup or dirt to prevent future clogged pores, but it’s also going to help treat current blemishes. Naturally derived salicylic acid, aka one of the most powerful acne-fighting ingredients, detoxes the skin, while calming cica acts as a soothing agent.
Highly Commended
As the name indicates, this toner-serum hybrid is packed with ceramides and panthenol, which, according to Dr. Finney, “are great ingredients to help repair the barrier of the skin.” A stronger skin barrier is going to lead to less irritation, so swipe this gel-like formula on morning and night. Your soft skin will thank you for it.
Highly Commended
If you’re looking for a do-it-all serum, be sure to reach for this tried-and-true classic that easily transforms skin by activating the skin's revitalizing nocturnal process. Not only is it loaded with vitamin B5, but you’ll also find red vine extract that helps keep skin looking smooth and healthy.
Highly Commended
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A product that truly needs no introduction, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is the definition of a cult-favorite. It has a powerhouse formula that checks all the I-need-good-skin boxes. It protects your skin from environmental damage like free radicals and pollution, brightens your overall complexion, reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, and evens out skin tone.
Highly Commended
If you're on the path to firmer, smoother skin, this serum will be your new bestie. It’s crafted with aquaPort technology to help hydrate skin much quicker than most serums, and it kick punches any sign of aging with the blue light-activated algae extract. Seriously, is there anything this serum can’t do?
Highly Commended
A great serum is able to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and this pharmacy favorite nails it. It also feels really good too—it’s not sticky, slimy, or overly fragrant. It’s perfect for year round coverage, but the lightweight texture makes it a great contender for summer.
Highly Commended
You’re simply not going to find a better acne-fighting (and anti-aging!) serum on the market. This unique formula contains a proprietary retinol-mixed-with-lactic-acid compound and salicylic acid, along with a slew of oil-controlling, balancing, and redness-reducing ingredients, all of which are dead set on improving skin clarity, detoxing pores, and calming the skin.
Highly Commended
If you’re only going to use one serum for eternity, let it be this. Per Dr. Doyle, “it’s soothing, cooling, and works great under the eyes.” The metal face roller feels unbelievably refreshing on sensitive or irritated skin, the arnica-powered serum is ideal for managing swelling and redness, and the sensory experience is unmatched. Just squeeze a pea-sized amount of product out of the tube and sculpt away.
Highly Commended
Clean and sustainable living enthusiasts will love that this formula is composed of 96 percent naturally derived ingredients and a double chamber bottle (made of 20 percent recycled glass) to help preserve its efficacy. All that while leaving your complexion smoother, clearer and pore-free thanks to powerful active ingredients handcrafted by Guerlain experts. Impressive, right?
Highly Commended
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Applying this moisturizer *will* be your favorite step in your skincare routine. It’s soothing, supports long-term skin health, and from a texture standpoint, is the silkiest, smoothest, and fastest-absorbing product around. As for the results? “They’re magnificent,” says Marie Claire’s Content Strategy Director Jenny Hollander. “It left me with not only moisturized skin, but more even, glowier skin.”
Highly Commended
The STELLA By Stella McCartney range consists of three essential and refillable products including the reset cleanser, alter- care serum, and restore cream, but this serum is the standout. It’s a cocktail of hyaluronic acid, lingonberry extract and rock samphire extract that work hard to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And when you're done don’t throw away the bottle. Pick up refill pouches made of mono-material that maximize their recyclability.
Highly Commended
Embryolisse introduced Lait Crème Concentré in 1950 and it’s been a dermatologist favorite ever since. Did you know one is sold every 20 seconds all over the world? We love it because you won’t find any ingredients that you can’t pronounce—it;s filled with shea butter, beeswax, soy proteins, and aloe vera, which creates the smoothest base for makeup application.
Highly Commended
"It’s difficult to find a medium weight moisturizer for acne-prone skin types,” says Dr. Castilla. But this one? “It’s great.” The ultra-elegant, oil-free formula isn’t going to clog pores or contribute breakouts. There’s no sticky residue, it layers perfectly under makeup, and it gives the skin a shine-free finish—all while providing adequate hydration.
Highly Commended
Made specifically for sensitive, reactive, and sensitized skin, this Superkind moisturizer isn’t just non-irritating—it’s actively calming. At baseline, it’s going to strengthen your skin’s barrier, amp up hydration (it’s * amazing* for super dry skin types), and soothe redness. But thanks to the inclusion of micro-algae peptides it goes the extra mile and actually shields your skin against sensitizers.
Highly Commended
There’s no question that you should be applying sunscreen daily, so it’s a fun bonus when moisturizers include SPF 30 to protect your skin against UVB/UVA rays. This one also soothes irritated or redness-prone skin, and, best of all, it has “beautiful packing and a light, refreshing scent,” says Dr. Doyle who is a fan.
Highly Commended
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Thick without being heavy, orange-scented without being overbearing, and silky without being greasy, Estee Lauder’s fan-favorite eye cream is, without a shadow of doubt, the gold standard. Dark circles don’t stand a chance and you’ll notice a visible reduction in fine lines and crow’s feet around the under-eye.
Highly Commended
Many are afraid to use retinol on their face, let alone their eyes. But, this eye cream works hard to fight against annoying fine lines and wrinkles that never seem to leave your eye area. Just be sure to ease your way into regular usage. “Three different strengths allows you to work up to a higher potency product and titrate to the strength that works for you,” says Dr. Castilla.
Highly Commended
This lightweight eye cream effortlessly glides on, instantly leaving behind smoothed out wrinkles. After 12 weeks, crow’s feet and wrinkles are visibly reduced by 50 percent.
Highly Commended
Under-eye skin is inherently more delicate, and if you’re sensitive to begin with, a formula that’s going to provide extra TLC to the area is imperative. Enter: Erno Laszlo’s rich and creamy formula, which is formulated with squalane for hydration and caffeine to target unwanted puffiness. You’ll look refreshed (and well-rested) after just one use.
Highly Commended
Newsflash! Isdinceutics K-Ox Eyes is one of the better eye creams on the market. Why? Because unlike others, this eye cream offers a trifecta of benefits. It’s designed to reduce puffiness, erase fine lines and lighten dark circles so you can finally have an even complexion even around your eyes. It’s a real one for sure.
Highly Commended
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The best sunscreen is the one you’re actually going to wear, and every single one of our judges agreed that Supergoop! created the most likable SPF out there. It’s invisible on the skin, weightless, odorless, and “gives a gorgeous glow to the skin,” says Dr. Houshmand. It feels like a pore-blurring gel on the skin and doubles as makeup-gripping primer.
Highly Commended
Moisturizing sunscreens are our absolute favorite because you get the benefits of sunscreen in a super hydrating cream. Dr. Doyle agrees. “This dew-glow is easy to use, has nice packaging, and I love that it's a sunscreen and moisturizer with a nice consistency,” she says.
Highly Commended
Effective and affordable, this sunscreen goes the extra mile to ensure you receive long-lasting coverage that easily absorbs. It’s perfect for sensitive skin and even those with acne. Try it in both spray and stick form.
Highly Commended
This classic sunscreen offers not only UVA/UVB protection for sensitive and acne-prone skin types, but is also great for darker skin tones because it wont leave a pesky white residue. It’s also an oil-free, non-comedogenic formula that can be worn with or without makeup—after a few uses we know it will easily be a favorite of yours too.
Highly Commended
One look at this chemical-meets-mineral sunscreen’s ingredient list and you’ll understand why it’s a must-have for sensitive skin types. It marries soothing aloe vera and vitamin E with redness reducing olive leaf extract to create a hydrating, nourishing broad-spectrum formula. There’s no white cast and the intensely dewy finish will leave you hooked.
Highly Commended
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a luxury SPF. We can all admit that sunscreen isn’t typically classified as a high-end product, but this one not only protects you from UV rays and environmental stressors, but it offers a luminous look that screams fancy. “The smell and look is gorgeous,” says Dr. Doyle. Apply it to support your skin’s natural protective abilities while defending against signs of photo-aging and UV damage.
Highly Commended
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Everyone needs Good Genes in their routine. Whether you’re sensitive and dry or oily and acne-prone, the gentle-yet-powerful lactic acid-based treatment provides visibly transformative results. Slather this on your face a couple times a week and we promise smoother skin, tighter pores, and a more even tone are in your very near future.
Highly Commended
“I treat a lot of hyperpigmentation and am always looking for non-hydroquinone-based products that are effective,” says Dr. Houshmand. “This is a great option for all ages and skin types.” Translation: this powerfully effective brightening treatment featuring lotus seed extract, tranexamic acid, and niacinamideis is one of the best on the market. Use as needed or continuously if necessary.
Highly Commendable
This liquid exfoliant, which absorbs quicker than you can say, “great skincare” clears and minimizes enlarged pores without leaving your skin dry and flaky. We truly love the texture (smooth and refreshing)—but most importantly, the results of better looking skin are noticed after four weeks.
Highly Commendable
The versatility of this whitehead-blackhead-juicy-pimple treatment is unmatched. When used as an all-over, daily treatment it’ll reduce the likelihood of new breakouts and create a matte complexion (thank you, silica!). You can also dab it on as a spot treatment to shrink a cystic friend overnight.
Highly Commendable
“Truly a reparative product for dry and lusterless skin,” this luxe face mask is an excellent way to incorporate ceramides and amino acids into your skincare, per Dr. Lal. A thin layer is like a wave of calm for the skin, so it’s no surprise that this was our team’s unanimous go-to for stressed out complexions.
Highly Commendable
“This peel has fruit extracts and phytic acid that are great for improving texture, pores, pigment and helps with anti-aging,” explains Dr. Finney and we couldn’t agree more. This peel offers a stabilized retinol that helps refine the look of lines and wrinkles overtime. When using it, bear in mind a little goes a long way.
Highly Commendable
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Somewhere in between expensive in-office treatments and staple skincare lies devices—and the NuFACE is, in our humble opinion, the best one you can buy. It’s an FDA-cleared microcurrent device that is clinically proven to lift, tone, and contour by taking your muscles to the gym. “Those who consistently use it, will love it,” says Dr. Finney.
Highly Commendable
“I love new homecare options that are effective, not just well marketed,” says Dr. Houshmand. And her sentiments couldn't be more true. This device works hard to ease tension, promote collagen, and promote lymphatic drainage. Admittedly it feels a bit like you're operating a jackhammer, but if you can look beyond that, you’ll benefit from improved skin elasticity, tone, and texture.
Highly Commendable
Peach fuzz preventing you from looking your best? Say goodbye to unwanted hairs while you exfoliate your upper lip. It may look intimidating, but it’s a process that's relatively easy—a few swipes and you're done. And no, your hair wont grow back thicker. We promise.
Highly Commendable
You may look like an alien wearing this face mask, but the 60 blue LED lights and 100 red LED lights are a dream team for killing off acne-causing bacteria, reducing redness, and fading discoloration. It fits securely on your face, has a hands-free design, and an automatic three-minute shut off.
Highly Commendable
We’re very much in love with Angela Caglia’s gold-plated, insanely chic, gel-filled wands that harness the power of cryotherapy. They hold their cold longer than most, so you can extend your facial massage and maximize the globes’ refreshing, soothing, and de-puffing powers. In our book, this ultra-calming tool is a must for anyone with rosacea, redness, or irritation.
Highly Commendable
If you're in need of a true self-care moment, smooth this vibrating t-bar across your forehead, between eyes, and along cheek and jaw bones for five minutes. The 24K gold-plated bar (sourced from Japan) “helps relax muscles in the face,” says Dr. Castilla. It’s also worth noting that Gwyneth Paltrow has used (and loved it) to create a sculpted look.
Highly Commendable
Deena Campbell
Samantha Holender
Dr. Carmen Castilla
Dr. Amanda Doyle
Dr. Robert Finney
Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand
Dr. Karan Lal
Dr. Sapna Palep
Dr. Shari Marchbein
