14 Best Skin Care Products of 2021 - Cosmetic Manufacturers
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When it comes to the best skin-care products, we want one thing: real results. While luxe, Instagram-worthy packaging is always tempting, it’s more of a bonus than an end goal. What really makes a
moisturizer (or serum, exfoliator, or treatment) stand out from the rest is what it can do for your skin.
Thanks to continued innovation from brands big and small, these topicals now accomplish more than ever before. Between powerful, actives-packed formulations and inventive delivery systems that ensure every drop goes where it needs to, skin-care shelves are overflowing with choices that impart dramatic results, provided you use them regularly. And with brightening toners, hydrating masks, and lifting microcurrent devices this good, you won’t have any problem reaching for them daily.
Keep scrolling to discover the Glamour Beauty Award-winning, best skin-care products of 2021. From morning to night, these splurge-worthy finds are here to get the job done, guaranteed.
Best Toner: Augustinus Bader The Essence with TFC8, Exfoliating TonerMy skin feels so clean and exfoliated—but still moisturized—after applying this toner. I looked more glowy with an overall better complexion after just one week, and I love that it’s fragrance-free. My skin is very sensitive and usually gets irritated with most toners, but not with this one. —Julissa Prado,
Best Essence: SK-II SkinPower EssenceSK-II’s best-selling essence has been a staple in my routine for years because of its magic skin-plumping abilities, and the brand’s new SkinPower line is like an even more souped-up version of the original. The texture is more viscous (think more of a liquid serum than a watery essence) but sinks in quickly and doesn’t feel sticky. Like the O.G., the formula is made with Pitera, an ingredient that contains more than 50 vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to soften and hydrate your skin. Plus, it also has calla lily extract, docudrama extract, and peony extract to plump your skin from within. The result is extra-bouncy, supremely dewy skin you can’t stop staring at in the mirror.
Best Brightening Serum: Skinceuticals Silymarin CFThis is a strong product, so less is more here until you work your way up to daily use. But don’t let that intimidate you. It’s made with a potent blend of vitamin C and salicylic acid, making it perfect for anyone with oily or breakout-prone skin. And the results speak for themselves: Adding two drops of this to my routine helped brighten up post-acne discoloration on my cheeks.
Best Hydrating Serum: Tatcha The Dewy SerumEven though this product is called a serum, it has a thin, milky consistency that almost mimics a moisturizer. It’s that hydrating—which is a result of the lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and squalane in the formula. My skin literally sucked this product up, creating a supple, vibrant, glowing look that’s perfect for the new normal of no-makeup looks.
Best Moisturizer: Clé de Peau Volumizing Cream SupremeThis! Cream! I have dry-as-a-desert skin, which means I use a lot of moisturizers. I always thought my skin reacted better to oils or water-based products. Rich and creamy moisturizers would often just…sit on my skin, as if my body was rejecting them. Clé de Peau’s is the first time a whipped, buttery moisturizer has truly worked for me. I apply right before bed and wake up to the softest, glowiest skin of my life, thanks to the botanical extracts in the formula. The plumped-up “filler effect” it gives really is no joke.
Best Night Cream: Fenty Skin Instant Reset Overnight Recovery Gel-CreamIf you’re still skeptical over celebrity skin-care lines, let me be the first to say Rihanna’s Fenty Skin is worth the hype. This gel-cream is my favorite from the line, and all our judges who tested it agreed: putting it on is an absolute delight. The gel-cream is lightweight but still incredibly hydrating. That’s because it’s made with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and aloe to help even skin tone, soothe, and lock in moisture. The scent is also deliciously fruity. But the best part of all is that the packaging is refillable.
Best Exfoliator: Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength 10% PHA Exfoliating Clarifying LiquidI have dry skin that’s easily sensitized, so I was a little intimidated to try this out. I’m glad that I gave it a chance: This clarifying liquid uses 10% PHA, 5% glycolic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid, but the formula is gentle enough for me to use multiple times a week. I’m impressed by how it brightens my skin and helps treat my breakouts. Overall, I noticed that my complexion looks more luminous, feels softer, and has less congestion. I also really like how I no longer have to apply all of these active ingredients separately; I can just swipe this on and I’m good to go. —Adri Navidad, beauty blogger$58Peter Thomas RothBuy Now
Thanks to continued innovation from brands big and small, these topicals now accomplish more than ever before. Between powerful, actives-packed formulations and inventive delivery systems that ensure every drop goes where it needs to, skin-care shelves are overflowing with choices that impart dramatic results, provided you use them regularly. And with brightening toners, hydrating masks, and lifting microcurrent devices this good, you won’t have any problem reaching for them daily.
Keep scrolling to discover the Glamour Beauty Award-winning, best skin-care products of 2021. From morning to night, these splurge-worthy finds are here to get the job done, guaranteed.
Best Cleanser: Sisley-Paris Triple Oil Balm Makeup Remover & CleanserThis is the best makeup remover I’ve ever used. You don’t need much for it to work. And it not only completely removes all your makeup, it also cleanses your whole face. I often had breakouts after going a few days in a row wearing makeup and using harsh removers, but those days are over. The nourishing oils in this leave my skin soft and make the balm a joy to use. It’s one of my more expensive products, but it’s worth every penny.
Best Toner: Augustinus Bader The Essence with TFC8, Exfoliating TonerMy skin feels so clean and exfoliated—but still moisturized—after applying this toner. I looked more glowy with an overall better complexion after just one week, and I love that it’s fragrance-free. My skin is very sensitive and usually gets irritated with most toners, but not with this one. —Julissa Prado,
Best Essence: SK-II SkinPower EssenceSK-II’s best-selling essence has been a staple in my routine for years because of its magic skin-plumping abilities, and the brand’s new SkinPower line is like an even more souped-up version of the original. The texture is more viscous (think more of a liquid serum than a watery essence) but sinks in quickly and doesn’t feel sticky. Like the O.G., the formula is made with Pitera, an ingredient that contains more than 50 vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to soften and hydrate your skin. Plus, it also has calla lily extract, docudrama extract, and peony extract to plump your skin from within. The result is extra-bouncy, supremely dewy skin you can’t stop staring at in the mirror.
Best Brightening Serum: Skinceuticals Silymarin CFThis is a strong product, so less is more here until you work your way up to daily use. But don’t let that intimidate you. It’s made with a potent blend of vitamin C and salicylic acid, making it perfect for anyone with oily or breakout-prone skin. And the results speak for themselves: Adding two drops of this to my routine helped brighten up post-acne discoloration on my cheeks.
no image may contain Cosmetics and Bottle5/25Best Antiaging Serum: Lancôme Absolue Overnight Repairing Bi-AmpouleI’ve used so many antiaging serums that claim to repair your skin's moisture barrier, when in fact, my skin is left dry nearly 10 minutes after application. Finally, thanks to this game-changer from Lancôme, my skin stays moisturized through the night. I’ve also noticed a more even tone thanks to ingredients like sunflower seed oil and tri-ceramides, which make my skin so smooth. And there's something about mixing the dual-phased formula (activated when you shake it upon opening) that truly feels like you’re getting the most potent serum.
Best Hydrating Serum: Tatcha The Dewy SerumEven though this product is called a serum, it has a thin, milky consistency that almost mimics a moisturizer. It’s that hydrating—which is a result of the lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, and squalane in the formula. My skin literally sucked this product up, creating a supple, vibrant, glowing look that’s perfect for the new normal of no-makeup looks.
Best Moisturizer: Clé de Peau Volumizing Cream SupremeThis! Cream! I have dry-as-a-desert skin, which means I use a lot of moisturizers. I always thought my skin reacted better to oils or water-based products. Rich and creamy moisturizers would often just…sit on my skin, as if my body was rejecting them. Clé de Peau’s is the first time a whipped, buttery moisturizer has truly worked for me. I apply right before bed and wake up to the softest, glowiest skin of my life, thanks to the botanical extracts in the formula. The plumped-up “filler effect” it gives really is no joke.
Best Night Cream: Fenty Skin Instant Reset Overnight Recovery Gel-CreamIf you’re still skeptical over celebrity skin-care lines, let me be the first to say Rihanna’s Fenty Skin is worth the hype. This gel-cream is my favorite from the line, and all our judges who tested it agreed: putting it on is an absolute delight. The gel-cream is lightweight but still incredibly hydrating. That’s because it’s made with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and aloe to help even skin tone, soothe, and lock in moisture. The scent is also deliciously fruity. But the best part of all is that the packaging is refillable.
Best Exfoliator: Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength 10% PHA Exfoliating Clarifying LiquidI have dry skin that’s easily sensitized, so I was a little intimidated to try this out. I’m glad that I gave it a chance: This clarifying liquid uses 10% PHA, 5% glycolic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid, but the formula is gentle enough for me to use multiple times a week. I’m impressed by how it brightens my skin and helps treat my breakouts. Overall, I noticed that my complexion looks more luminous, feels softer, and has less congestion. I also really like how I no longer have to apply all of these active ingredients separately; I can just swipe this on and I’m good to go. —Adri Navidad, beauty blogger$58Peter Thomas RothBuy Now
Best Dark-Spot Treatment: Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing GelThis product is a game-changer for hyperpigmentation: The ingredients pack a very powerful punch. I love how so many essential ingredients for treating dark spots are expertly formulated together, taking the guesswork out of how to layer these actives. It’s also formulated in a way to decrease irritation, which is paramount when fighting hyperpigmentation.
Best Eye Cream: La Mer the New Eye ConcentrateApplying undereye makeup has always been a mess for me due to having extremely dry under-eyes. This quickly gave me the hydration I needed and provided a soothing feel to my skin. Plus, I really like the applicator and the cooling sensation I get from using it. It’s a lot of money for an eye cream, but the hard-working ingredients make it worth it. —Julie Kyles,
Best Retinol Product: BareMinerals Ageless 10% Phyto-Retinol Night ConcentrateHyperpigmentation has been my main skin concern for a few years now. Whenever I get a pimple, I just know it will leave a scar. I was instantly drawn in by the latest launch from the BareMinerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol Collection. Aging isn’t something I’m too concerned with at 26, but products that aim to even out your skin tone and improve texture get my attention. The main ingredient, Phyto-retinol (a plant-based retinol alternative), was gentle on my sensitive skin and didn’t make me peel or flake.
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