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The term “holy grail” gets thrown around a lot when it comes to beauty products, to the point that it can feel like it’s lost its meaning. So as an editor, I rarely (read: never) use it to describe something I’m recommending, no matter how great that “something” happens to be. But when our team put together a list of the top skin-care products that Well+Good readers are buying, I finally found a reason worthy of using it—because “holy grail” is truly the only word that can describe these ten A+ offerings.
Not only are they the products that professionals have recommended to us time and time again, but many of them also happen to be routine staples for Well+Good beauty editors. So with those two stamps of approval—plus the fact that our readers love them too—you just know that they’ve gotta be really, really good.
Scroll through to see the 10 beauty products that Well+Good’s readers can’t get enough of. And considering they seem to love skin care just as much as we on staff do, consider these recommendations truly worth taking.
SkinMedica Retinol 0.25 Complex ($62)
It’s pretty cool that you can get derm-worthy products without actually having to go to the derm (or leave your bed), huh? This medical-grade retinol is available on Amazon, which means it can be at your door—and on your face—in 24 hours. “There are a lot of great retinols on the market,” says dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, of this particular serum. “I think this one is pretty dependable, and gentle enough for most skin types. I’d recommend starting use two to three nights a week, mixed with a moisturizer. Retinols are a fantastic way to induce collagen formation in the skin, decrease fine wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone.” Duly noted.
YUNI Beauty Shower Sheets Large Body Wipes ($15)
Who needs a shower when you’ve got the world’s greatest shower wipes? Honestly, not me. Yuni Beauty’s Shower Sheets—which are bigger and better than your classic wipes—are a constant fixture in my (and apparently, many Well+Good readers’!) bag, and are the perfect fix for mornings when a full lather and rinse just isn’t happening between Pilates and the office.
Elta MD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($35)
Well+Good readers aren’t the only ones who love Elta MD’s facial sunscreen. It’s one of the products that dermatologists recommend on a regular basis, and is a face-protecting favorite among our editors, too. ““The UV Clear is perfect for daily use on the face,” says Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD. “Even neck and hands too. It’s light, elegant, and provides great protection. It goes on just like a moisturizer, which my patients—and I—love.”
Epicuren Discovery Eye Makeup Remover ($32)
Not only does this makeup-artist beloved product take off eye makeup (it’s even strong enough to use on false lashes!), but it will also condition and lengthen them thanks to the peptides it contains. “I’ll wash my makeup off at the end of the night, or my clients’ makeup at the end of the night, and I’ll take just a little bit extra and kind of massage the lash line with it,” says makeup artist Molly R. Stern. “I am totally noticing a difference and I’ve been using it for maybe six months.”
Dermashine Pro 7 Color LED Face Mask ($108)
LED therapy can help with a whole lot of skin issues—from acne to scarring to discoloration—and you no longer have to schlep to the derm or esthetician’s office to get the job done. “LED light therapy can stimulate collagen production, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles, as well as eliminate acne-causing bacteria, which improves skin clarity. There’s no pain or downtime, which is an added benefit,” says Dennis Gross, MD, a New York City dermatologist who has his own version of a light therapy mask that retails for $435. Luckily, there’s a similar version on Amazon (that our readers love!) for only 108 dollars.
Tend Skin The Skin Care Solution For Unsightly Razor Bumps, Ingrown Hair And Razor Burns ($21)
Nobody likes razor bumps, but there’s a reason why Tend Skin’s solution has got so many five-star reviews for its ability to get rid of them. It was initially intended as a men’s aftershave product, but as many users (including one W+G writer) have realized, it’s a miracle worker for helping to deal with any post-shave issues on your bikini line or armpits.
InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid & Vit E ($17)
What do you get when you mix vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, AKA two of the most important ingredients in any skin-care routine? A serum that seems to do it all. “This is a multitasking antioxidant serum,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD. “Besides neutralizing free radicals and brightening, it helps plump and soothe inflammation.” It works on all skin types, and is a great addition to any a.m. routine.
InstaNatural Retinol Moisturizer Anti Aging Night Face Cream ($20)
Retinol is one of those ingredients that pretty much everyone can benefit from adding to their routine, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. InstaNatural’s serum combines retinol with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which means you’ll be getting three of your dermatologist’s favorite ingredients in a single pump.
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum ($15)
This peptide product is a dead ringer for Sephora’s most expensive serum, but for 480 dollars cheaper. “It’s a great calming moisturizer. With glycerin and niacinamide being the workhorses, which are both potent anti-inflammatories, it’s a great option for sensitive skin,” says dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD. Plus, it will save you a whole lot of money on your skin-care routine.
While we’re on the subject of skin care, here’s everything you need to know about toner, aka your routine’s most confusing and controversial step. And these serums are so good, they’re basically laser treatments in a bottle.
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