When it comes to beauty products, you’ve got tons of options. Sometimes, it can seem like there are too many options. So, as we do every year, the Women’s Health beauty team spent the better part of the previous twelve months sifting through the latest and greatest to find the ones we believe will truly add something to your routine. On the hunt for streamlined makeup that will help you greet the day fresh-faced? We got you. Looking for a serum to help address fine lines or dark spots? Look no further.
Of the thousands of skincare solutions, hair products, and cosmetics submitted, we narrowed the field to around 1,000. Then, beginning last November, we put them to the test. The entire WH editorial crew got in on the fun, evaluating each finalist on performance, ease of use, and aesthetics (did it feel and smell good?) to settle on our final list.
No superfluous stuff, here—just the best of the best.
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Skin Care
Hair
Body
Makeup
Nails
Oral Care
Lian Benoit
Picture it: you, with the clearest, smoothest complexion of your life.
Best Cleanser
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser
Creamy, with the purifying power of a foam. “I used this all winter, and it nixed dirt without overdrying,” says our tester.
Best Cleansing Balm
Femmue Extraordinary Beauty Cleansing Balm
A luxurious jelly that makes swift work of makeup, dirt, and other impurities and leaves behind a layer of antioxidants to keep skin glowing even after you’ve rinsed it away.
Best Makeup Remover
Beekman 1802 Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Micellar Milk Cleansing Gel
“I tend to prefer a foaming wash, so most makeup removers just don’t excite me,” says our tester. “But this one transforms from a gel to a frothy milk, leaving my skin clean and my need for bubbles satisfied.”
Best Micellar Water
Garnier Micellar Water With Salicylic Acid
Now 25% Off
Most micellars are perfectly fine—they just lack power. Not this one, which is infused with acne-fighting salicylic acid to mattify skin and clear clogged pores.
Best Toner
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Refining Dream Toner
Today’s sophisticated toners do so much more for skin than the splash-ons of years past (buh-bye, old-school astringents). This one battles dark spots and dullness with succinic acid, super lotus extract, and rainbow algae.
Best Face Mist
Weleda Skin Food Hydrating Face Mist
A glycerin- and hyaluronic acid-based spritz you can pop in your purse for refreshing touch-ups throughout the day.
Best Exfoliator
Origins Youthtopia Refining Apple Peel
This exfoliating solution works to refine skin’s texture and tone in one week, with glycolic acid, an apple cider vinegar complex, and an antioxidant-rich apple peel ferment. It’s gentle, but it works.
Best Eye Cream
Eve Lom Time Retreat Smoothing Eye Complex
To some, this may seem like a minor detail, but to our testers, it was crucial: The metal applicator on this eye cream is completely spherical, making it the most soothing and easy-to-use formula we’ve tried.
Best Eye Patches
NuFACE IonPlex Hydra-Gel Power Patches
We were skeptical of the claims: brighter, tighter undereyes. But our tester confirms, “My skin was dewy—a coworker commented on how refreshed I looked.”
Best Serum
Neurae Harmonie The Serum
Using neuroscience to improve your appearance and mood, this bottle contains natural extracts that target neural pathways that stress skin.
Best Dark Spot Treatment
Charlotte Tilbury Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum
“While it took a few weeks to notice the brightening effects of the serum, I saw an immediate improvement in the overall appearance of my skin,” says our tester. “On more than one occasion, friends would complement me on how luminous my skin looked, and asked what I was using.”
Best Acne Treatment
Personal Day Doing the Work Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
A spot-fighting formula that targets blemishes with salicylic acid and neutralizes redness and calms with azaleic acid and niacinamide.
Best Retinol
Exponent Time Rewind Retinol Power Serum
It’s your turn to be the beauty scientist: Mix the retinol powder (which stays fresh until application) with the hylauronic acid serum and smooth the mixture over your face to fight fine lines and uneven texture.
Best Moisturizer, Normal To Oily Skin
Yoe Ympossible Cream Light
Developed by a founder whose autoimmune disorders made her skin supersensitive, this lightweight moisturizer soothes.
Best Moisturizer, Normal To Dry Skin
Olehenriksen Après Skin Multi-Use Rich Rescue Creme
“So hydrating, but my skin never feels greasy,” our tester raves.
Best Night Cream
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Overnight Treatment
A recent addition to Estée Lauder’s cult-favorite Advanced Night Repair line, this rich balm is the perfect last step to seal in your serums and deeply hydrate.
Best Chemical SPF
Olay Complete+ Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 40
The best youth-boosting goodie? Sun protection you’ll use every day. This hydrating moisturizer leaves no white cast.
Best Mineral SPF
EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint SPF 50
Don’t worry about the pea soup shade—it neutralizes redness (and soothes with Centella Asiatica and ceramides).
Best Face Mask
Augustinus Bader The Hydrogel Face Mask
Meet the Rolls Royce of hydrogel face masks: Bader’s version bathes skin in the brand’s proprietary TFC8 complex to firm and plump.
Best Lip Balm
Aquaphor Naturally Inspired Lip Repair Stick With Coconut Oil
Coconut oil and shea butter give this balm an edge when combatting a dry, irritated pucker.
Best Face Oil
Eminence Organics Charcoal & Black Seed Clarifying Oil
An oil to combat acne? Yes. This ingeniously non-greasy formula combats breakouts with natural ingredients such as activated charcoal and antibacterial black seed oil.
Best Lip Mask
Care-e-on Layover Lip Mask
Think of this shea butter- and moringa seed oil-infused tube as a super-charged balm: Slather it on anytime your lips need a saturated dose of hydration.
Best Neck Cream
Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker Nourish & Rejuvenate Face & Neck Cream
Now 30% Off
Retinol, ceramides, and pro-collagen peptides form a firming trifecta that is gentle on the delicate skin below your chin.
Best Tool
Shark Beauty CryoGlow LED Face Mask
What makes this LED mask stand out: three wavelengths of light, interlocking bulbs that ensure no spot is missed, and cooling undereye panels.
Best Mattifyer
Peace Out Instant Oil Control Roller
Blotting papers? So last decade! Meet the newest, coolest way to de-grease your complexion: a roller with oil-absorbing halloysite clay.
Lian Benoit
Curlier curls, stronger strands, amplified edges…expect all that and more here.
Best Shampoo
CeraVe Gentle Hydrating Shampoo
Now 18% Off
CeraVe is known for soothing, ceramide-rich skin care, so it makes sense that its first foray into hair care would be all about effective moisture and optimal scalp health.
Best Conditioner
Commence Probiotic Smoothing Conditioner
Founded by Brooke Shields, Commence addresses age-related issues. “This made my hair look shinier and fuller. No other styling products needed,” says our tester.
Best Clarifying Shampoo
Dae Desert Detox Clarifying Shampoo
“I have short hair and use a lot of waxy styling products, so buildup is a major problem,” says our tester. “This wash removes gunk without leaving my hair feeling like straw. And the beautiful, fruity scent is just the cherry on top.”
Best Dry Shampoo
Briogeo Style + Treat Dry Shampoo Puff
Ingenious puff packaging solves many of the issues you may have with other dry shampoos (It’s sticky! It gets sprayed everywhere! It leaves behind a white powder!) and makes it easy to target smaller areas. Available in translucent or tinted, it’s perfect for on-the-go.
There’s nothing this magical spray can’t do: It makes detangling a breeze, strengthens, reduces frizz, and protects against heat and UV damage.
Best Mask
Dove Intensive Repair 10-in-1 Serum Mask
Most fortifying bond repair treatments require waiting periods for penetration. Not this one, which promises 10 times the strength in just one minute.
Best Toning Shampoo
Suave Bonding Infusion Purple Toning Shampoo
All purple shampoos neutralize brassiness to keep blonde and gray hair looking vibrant. This one also contains an amino acid and citric acid bonding complex that helps to gird strands against damage.
Best Dandruff Treatment
Vichy Dercos Salicylic Acid Anti-Dandruff Serum
If you struggle with flakes, this salicylic acid-based treatment promises relief after just one use. The targeted nozzle means the formula gets right to where it needs to be.
Best Scalp Serum
SickScience PowerCycle Scalp Treatment Serum
This serum works to improve hair volume and thickness by stimulating follicles in the active growth phase. “After using the product for several months, I noticed some regrowth in my crown area,” says our tester.
Best Hair-Growth Treatment
Three WH staffers tested these ingestible peptides for 12 weeks. The visible regrowth? Astounding.
Best Hair Oil
Hask Weightless Repair Hair Oil Mist
Think oils are just about imparting shampoo-commercial shine? Think again. This one features a reparative blend that reverses up to 98% of damage for a healthier look and feel.
Best Hair Color
Clairol ColorStrong Zero Ammonia Hair Color
An alpha hydroxy acid-based bonding primer and finisher sandwiches the coloring step to reinforce each strand’s internal structure (read: less damage). The no ammonia formula promises 100% gray coverage.
Best Hair Spray
Tresemme Workable Hairspray
The dual-sided nozzle on this hairspray lets you control whether you want a strong or light hold during styling. The golden vanilla and sandalwood scent is warm and luxurious.
Best Heat Protectant
Marc Anthony Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout
Now 12% Off
If silky hair is the goal, this heat-activated spray is how you get there. It protects against frizz for up to 72 hours, leaves behind a glossy finish, and guards against breakage with caffeine, biotin, and ginseng.
Best Brush
Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler Plant Brush Naturally Curly
We love Tangle Teezer, and the brand’s latest is designed specifically for coils, eliminating tricky knots with ease.
Chances are, when you’re after sky-high volume, you’re using a blow dryer. That’s why it makes so much sense that this volumizing foam comes with built-in heat protection.
Best Blow Dryer
L’Oréal AirLight Pro Hair Dryer
Using infrared light and preset heat and airflow modes, this tool gets hair dry in a flash.
Best Hot Tool
T3 SinglePass StyleMax Professional Flat Iron
You can’t beat a professional flat iron with 20% longer ceramic plates for quicker styling and a sped-up dry time.
Best Edge Product
Cécred Restoring Hair & Edge Drops
Now 11% Off
“Consistency is key with this hair-restoring serum, which works if you give it the time,” says our tester. “It’s formulated with biotin, rose, and ginger to promote growth around the hairline in about 30 days.”
Wax sticks are hot right now, and for good reason: They keep flyaways in check to create sleek ponytails and updos. Kitsch’s version is a standout, with all-day hold but no hint of stickiness.
Best Curl Product
OLAPLEX No.10 Curl Defining Frizz Reducing Hair Gel
Voila: The perfect medium hold to protect your strands from humidity and create a crunch-free, defined look.
Lian Benoit
From moisturizing washes to überhydrating lotions, these picks will leave you silky-smooth all over.
Best Body Wash
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Glowing Radiance Body Wash
Infused with coconut oil, hibiscus flower, vitamin C, and songyi mushroom extracts, this does more than cleanse—it evens out dull skin for a full-body glow boost.
Best Body Scrub
Future Method Butt & Body Acne Scrub
Unclog pores and moisturize with an exfoliating product designed to buff away dead cells with chia seeds and jojoba beads. The result: brighter, softer skin, minus a greasy finish.
Best Shower Oil
Sol de Janeiro Delícia Drench Shower Oil
From the trendy brand comes a texture-transforming wash. “It morphs from an oil to a foam, with notes of vanilla orchid, sugared violet, and sandalwood,” says our tester.
Best Lotion
Vaseline Supple & Soft Pro VitaB3 Serum Burst Lotion
“This is the most lightweight lotion I’ve ever tried, but it still manages to be hydrationg,” says our tester. “I love the scent too—fresh and floral, but not too sweet.”
Best Body Butter
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Brighten + Tighten Body Butter
For those times when your outer layer needs extra nourishment, give this soothing butter a try. Vitamin C brightens while shea butter and oat lipids lock in moisture.
Best Body Serum
Naturium Urea 5% Body Serum
This moisturizing serum contains urea, one of the most effective water-trapping ingredients you can find. Our testers also love that it absorbs quickly for a supple finish that never feels sticky.
Best Body Oil
Saltair Body Oil Broad Spectrum SPF 50
You probably have an idea of what a body oil feels like, but the gel-like consistency of this one is a pleasant surprise. It shields skin from UV damage, imparts a subtle glow, won’t clog pores, and features the warm scents of coconut, vanilla, and almond blossom.
Best Acne Treatment
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Body
From the makers of the viral pimple patches comes a larger version designed to battle body bumps. “I knew these patches were working when I put on a V-neck sweater and didn’t immediately grab concealer for my chest,” says our tester.
Best Fragrance
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte Tilbury Fragrance Collection of Emotions
Forty years of scent research went into Charlotte Tilbury’s debut fragrance line, geared toward cultivating feelings like energy, serenity, and love.
Best Sunscreen
Vacation Shimmer Oil SPF 30
Like your SPF with a side of shimmer? Here’s the one for you: “There’s a radiant finish, but I love how natural it looks,” says our tester. “And the scent lives up to its brand name, transporting you to an island getaway.”
Best Deodorant
Phlur Vanilla Skin Deodorant
“I’ve been using this aluminum-free deodorant daily and never have to reapply,” says our tester. “The comforting vanilla scent is sophisticated but not overpowering. I’m obsessed.”
Best Ingrown Hair Treatment
Fur Ingrown Eliminator Serum Rollerball
This serum contains a mix of alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids to soothe skin and prevent ingrown hairs (bonus: the rollerball tip makes the application process easy and mess-free).
Best Razor
Flamingo Moisture Plus Razor Set
Now 15% Off
The moisture bars on this four-blade razor contain aloe, coconut, and shea butter for a super close shave that leaves skin soothed and hydrated.
Best Shaving Cream
Skintimate Fragrance-Free 2-in-1 Shave Oil + Moisturizer
Perfect for those with sensitive skin, this smart formula can be used before and after shaving. It contains vitamin E and aloe to prevent irritation and razor bumps.
Best Treatment
Asutra Dream The Night Away Nighttime Lotion
Looking for a better night of sleep? Reach for this unique lotion, infused with melatonin, magnesium, and the calming scent of lavender, to help you drift off.
Lian Benoit
Put your best face forward with cosmetics that let the real you shine through.
Best Foundation
Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation SPF 15
Ace your base with an easy-to-wear formula that achieves the impossible: lightweight but with staying power, oil-controlling yet hydrating. In 53 shades.
Best Primer
Nars Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer
Not only does this primer create the perfect base for your makeup, it’s infused with skin-care ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and cacao peptides to plump skin immediately and over time.
Best Concealer
Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer Micro Correcting Pencil
The 16 shades of this cover-up pen feature a 1.5mm tip, allowing you to spot-conceal even the tiniest of blemishes. “The formula is very pigmented, so you get great coverage and it doesn’t move—once I use it, I’m confident it’ll stick around all day,” says our tester.
Best Tinted Moisturizer
Wyn Beauty Featuring You Hydrating Skin Enhancing Tint SPF 30
“I have a hard time finding skin tints that match my tone, but with 36 adaptable shades, zeroing in on the right one was a breeze,” says our tester. With SPF 30.
Best Eyeliner
Clinique High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner
A formula that glides across the lash line, rich color payoff, and 24-hour, smudge-proof wear—what’s not to love?
Best Blush
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Luminous Powder Blush
All the benefits of a powder (color payoff and staying power) and a cream (a cinch to blend) in one very smart compact. Milled mica pearls impart a just-luminous-enough finish.
Best Highlighter
L’Oreal Paris Lumi Le Glass & Glow Highlighter Stick
Now 23% Off
In 6 shades to suit a variety of skin tones, this glow getter glides over skin easily (a cinch to blend with your fingers, too), leaving behind a flattering light-reflective finish.
Best Bronzer
Versed Warm Dimension Bronzer Stick
Bronzer is the cilantro of the beauty world—even just a little too much of it and things can go terribly wrong. This one—lightweight, buildable, and in a user-friendly stick format—is practically goof-proof.
Best Mascara
Sisley Paris Phyto-Noir Mascara
If fuller lashes are your goal, one coat gets you there (the growth- promoting peptides also thicken fringe over time). “It won’t flake and dries to a soft, beautiful hold,” says our tester.
Best Brow Product
Benefit Cosmetics Mighty Fine Waterproof Brow Pen
See the triple-pronged tip? It allows you to instantly fill your brow’s sparse spots with the most natural-looking hair-like strokes.
Best Lipstick
Le Rouge Français Lipstick
These French-made bullets get their bold, long-lasting pigment from natural sources such as turmeric, rose petals, and beetroot. It’s plant-based power.
Best Liquid Lipstick
Maybelline Super Stay Teddy Lip Tint
Now 14% Off
A buildable soft-matte finish that lasts up to twelve hours? Yes, please!
Best Lip Gloss
Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Gloss Balm
Sure, you want a lush, shiny finish. But this power-packed product also contains a tri-peptide complex to lock in moisture and visibly plump fine lines.
Best Tinted Lip Balm
Tilt Grip Stick Tinted Lip Treatment
The first lip product to receive the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use certification, the ergonomically shaped tube was designed for those with mobility challenges. The buttery formula bathes lips in a sheer wash of hydrating color.
Glide this silky formula along the outer perimeter of your kisser for a sharper shape. Then flip the pen and use the silicone smudger on the other end to blend for a fuller appearance.
Best Setting Powder
Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Soft Blur Setting Powder
Set your makeup for all-day wear and blur tiny imperfections. “I have dark circles and use this under my eyes to lock in my concealer,” our tester says. “Works great.”
Best Setting Spray
Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable 24HR Blurring Matte Setting Spray
Yes, your makeup will stay put after a spritz or two of this. You can also expect a blurring finish that obscures fine lines, wrinkles, and visible pores.
Best Eye Shadow
Victoria Beckham Beauty Eye Wardrobe
Quads make creating eye looks easy, but the buttery texture of these shadows will make it enjoyable too. They’re mostly neutrals with surprising pops of color.
Best Brush
Anisa Beauty Angled Cream Blush Brush
This applicator features an angled, slightly domed shape that’s perfect for the cheekbone area with densely dispersed fibers that make liquid and cream formulas practically melt into skin.
Lian Benoit
Meet our fave multitaskers, from a one-swipe polish to a hand cream that doubles as a discoloration fader.
Best Nail Polish
Nails Inc It’s Topless 1-Step Gel Manicure
If an at-home manicure seems too complicated, try this all-in-one base coat, treatment, polish, and topcoat, which dries in less than 60 seconds.
Best Polish Remover
Dermelect Extracts 3-in-1 Soy Nail Polish Remover Wipes
Swap the smelly, messy liquid remover for these neat soy and jojoba oil wipes. The protein- and peptide-rich formula will leave your nails stronger.
Best Treatment
Essie To The Rescue UV Gel Damage Repair
Gel manis are the best for longevity, but frequent UV exposure may weaken your nails. This formula improves damage in five days.
Best Press-Ons
Chillhouse Chill Tips Signatures Press On Nails Kit, Catch the Crown
“I love experimenting with salon-quality nail art,” our tester says. “I don’t love the price, though. These falsies are easy to apply and last up to three weeks.”
What makes this oil unique? It’s more than just, well, an oil. The formula also contains bakuchiol (a collagen-boosting retinol alternative) and moisturizing squalene to soften and hydrate.
Best Hand Cream
philosophy In Good Hands Multi-Restorative Hand Cream
Gentle, non-greasy, and moisturizing. This checks all the boxes and more: It also hits dark spots with vitamin C.
Best Foot Mask
PAUME Overnight Hand and Foot Hydration Mask
Your tootsies deserve a treat. This refillable mask contains skin-loving ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and squalane to soften calluses and make skin touchably silky.
Best Kit
Olive and June The Gel Mani System
This customizable system (you pick your polish and add-ons, like a nail strengthener and primer) comes with an LED lamp and essential tools such as a file, clipper, buffer, and a nifty brush holder that allows you to paint with your non-dominant hand. Brilliant.
Lian Benoit
Looking for something to smile about? Try this curated collection of problem-solving superstars.
Best Toothpaste
Crest 3DWhite Deep Stain Remover Daily Toothpaste
Now 10% Off
“I saw a brightening effect after my first brush,” says our tester.
Best Toothbrush
Quip Quip Ultra Next Generation Smart Toothbrush – Timed Electric Toothbrush with Case – Replaceable Brush Head, Soft Bristles, Silicone Handle, 30-Day Battery Life – Travel Toothbrush – Eclipse
More than 10 intensity levels, plus plaque-fighting vibrations.
Best Mouthwash
Colgate Total Active Prevention Mouthwash
This features cetylpyridinium chloride (an antiseptic that kills plaque and bacteria).
Best Whitening Product
Boka BrightBoost Whitening Powder
A calcium and silica powder that imparts a radiance boost.
Best Flosser
AquaSonic Icon Water Flosser
The finest stream of water (and three flossing settings) means your teeth and gums get clean, clean, clean.
Photographs By: Lian Benoit Styling By: Jasmine Fontaina Hair: Valissa Yoe at See Management using Bumble and Bumble. Makeup: Todd Harris at Honey Artists using Lisa Eldridge Beauty. Manicure: Yukie Miyakawa at See Management using Dior Beauty. Models: Ange-Marie Moutambou at Heroes Models; Lauren Searle at Heroes Models.
Image 1: LSpace bra and shorts, Gola sneakers, Machete huggies, Soko rings, Wigwam socks.
Image 2: FP Movement runsie, Soko hoop earrings. / Beyond Yoga shrug, LSpace bikini top and bottom, Asics sneakers, Machete huggies, Falke leg warmers.
Image 3: Nike jacket, Levi’s tank, Urban Outfitters briefs, Gola sneakers, Machete earrings, Soko/Baublebar rings, Wigwam socks. / Beyond Yoga shrug, LSpace bikini top and bottom, Asics sneakers, Machete huggies, Falke leg warmers.
Image 4: Athleta bomber, Soko hoop earrings, Missoma necklace.
Image 5: LSpace bodysuit, Body Wrappers leg warmers, Asics sneakers, Machete earrings, Soko ring, BaubleBar ring
Image 6: Urban Outfitters dress, Suddora armbands.
Image 7: Nike jacket, Levi’s tank, Urban Outfitters briefs, Gola sneakers, Machete earrings, Soko/Baublebar rings, Wigwam socks.
This story appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Women’s Health.
Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women’s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman’s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city’s trans community.
Sabrina Talbert is the beauty editorial assistant at Women’s Health. With over five years of experience, her bylines have appeared in Byrdie, Nylon, Daily Front Row, and more. She’s passionate about covering topics related to haircare, skincare, and the latest happenings at the intersection of beauty and sports. When she’s not working, you can catch her training for her next race (NYC Marathon loading!) and binge-watching F1 or combat sports.