At a jaw-dropping discount of 50% off, Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops are for anyone who wants a glow-within-complexion with the added benefits of skin care. Popular on TikTok, these drops can be added to your foundation or used alone and are infused with peptides, antioxidants and fatty acids while delivering a bronzy wash of glossy color. HuffPost executive editor Kate Palmer calls them “potent and useful!”

Our first impression of this Korean PDRN cream by Anua, which we awarded in 2026, was when one reviewer compared it to “a miracle cream” and said they were unable to say enough good things about this under-$25 formula.

PDRN, as it’s been previously described to us by board-certified dermatologists, is a portion of DNA that’s typically derived from salmon sperm and has been shown to accelerate repair of damaged skin and promote new tissue growth. It also boosts hydration in the skin, promotes cellular turnover and reduces hyperpigmentation.

The cream also offers other anti-aging heavy-hitters, like hyaluronic acid for plumping and hydration, niacinamide for protection, squalane for softening, glycerin for moisture, and turmeric, aloe and eggplant extras for soothing and brightening. Lightweight and non-greasy, users say it quickly soaks into your skin and plays well with other products.

One 40-year-old reviewer with combination dry and oily skin and acne says after using the cream, “I have elasticity and softness as I had in my 20s.” They also note that they’ve been getting many compliments on their skin — something they are not used to. “My face at 65 years old looks and feels about 40,” another wrote.

Clinique’s Black Honey Almost Lipstick has stood the test of time and remained an iconic makeup staple for many, myself included. I have always found that it’s the perfect, low-maintenance daily lip product for a little slick of color and hydration. The nostalgia factor, combined with the nourishing formula and timelessly romantic hue that looks good on everyone, has earned it legions of devotees. “My favorite part about the Almost Lipstick is how comfortable it feels on the lips,” said senior shopping writer Tessa Flores.

Part of what makes it so special is the “Almost Lipstick” formula. It’s technically an emollient-rich and ultra-moisturizing tinted balm that deposits a sheer, buildable kiss of color. It’s more hydrating than a traditional lipstick thanks to seed oils that give it a perfect sheen without the sticky feel of a gloss. There are three different “Almost Lipstick” shades, but Black Honey is the enduring star, perhaps due to the brand’s claim that it has a “chameleon-like ability to flatter all skin tones yet look different on everyone.” Apparently, Clinique sells seven tubes every minute!

While Black Honey never really went away, there has been a cultural resurgence of late thanks to social media. It’s all over TikTok, and not only do influencers love it, but so do beauty editors, and that includes the HuffPost shopping team. Black Honey’s enduring popularity and resiliency has earned it a top spot on the 2026 HuffPost Shopping Awards list of beauty must-haves.

This reader-favorite multi-balm makes smoothing and hydrating the trouble areas on your face impossibly easy, earning it a 2026 HuffPost Shopping Award.

Featured in the fall, the Kahi Wrinkle Bounce balm is a lightweight and hydrating stick, enriched with fermented jeju oil and a collagen combo with salmon DNA (the PDRN portion of this formula), which works to deeply moisturize the skin and support skin renewal. Additionally, the balm helps diminish fine lines and improve skin clarity to reveal a more radiant complexion.

HuffPost readers and Kahi Balm reviewers alike have had a longstanding obsession with this treatment stick, which you can swipe under the eyes to target dehydration and crow’s feet, on the lips and forehead.

“I just turned 50. I have always taken care of my skin and looked younger than my age, but this year I started to notice more wrinkles popping up,” one Amazon shopper wrote, ” I started using this every night before bed, all around my eyes and lips. After about a week, I saw a huge difference!”

If there’s one thing that HuffPost readers and editors love, it’s French pharmacy skin care products. A313 cream is the highest-strength retinol cream you can get over the counter, with three kinds of retinol that can help stimulate collagen. Its efficacy is renowned, as is the reasonable price point, making it a unique entry in the retinol category — and a 2025 HuffPost Shopping Award winner.

Reviewers have long noted that it’s nearly as potent and effective as prescription-strength Tretinoin, without the negative side effects. In fact, some users who had been using prescription-strength Tretinoin then made the switch to this alternative, say they prefer A313 and have maintained the same results that they had with the prescription-strength formula.

In past reporting, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus explained that, “[A313] contains minimal ingredients in its vehicle, which is helpful for those who are sensitive to fragrances or other ingredients that are commonly found in OTC retinol products.”

Ultimately, what makes A313 distinctive (along with the price) is the thick occlusive texture, which is closer to a balm, and according to reviewers, can be more hydrating compared to other pricier formulations that you might find on the OTC market. The brand claims that the 2% retinol concentration can help unclog pores, minimize fine lines, reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin texture.

Unlike your run-of-the-mill sun spots, we know that melasma is arguably one of the most clingy and temperamental skin conditions to treat. That’s what makes this Korean drugstore cream — originally featured mid-last year and well-received by HuffPost readers — all the more impressive, and worthy of a 2026 HuffPost Shopping Award.

It contains a 7% concentration of arbutin, an antioxidant with brightening properties that works by inhibiting the over-production of melanin in the skin, which causes hyperpigmentation. It contains other well-trusted ingredients in the world of melasma care, one of which is 4% tranexamic acid, which is revered for its ability to reduce pigmentation associated with melasma, without causing any kind of irritation.

HuffPost readers love a high-quality skin care product that can replace pricey facial treatments, like this K-beauty serum that one beauty TikToker calls “filler in a bottle.” Its prowess is attributed to an ingredient called PDRN, which is widely used in injectables overseas. It has anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing capabilities that can improve skin firmness and leave recipients with a telltale glow. It’s usually extracted from salmon sperm cells, but Iope’s serum has a completely vegan, plant-based formula that is as unique as it is effective.

Additional ingredients like niacinamide, probiotics and caffeine round out this repairing formulation — all ingredients that are beloved by HuffPost editors and readers alike.

The combination of a buzzy new ingredient like PDRN and time-honored stalwarts like the ones we just mentioned joined forced to create the perfect beauty product storm that earned this serum a 2025 best-in-show badge. Both Flores and Uribe have covered countless serums in their many years of beauty reporting, but this one covers all their must-have bases.

We’ve rarely seen an audience response quite like we did when former HuffPost editor Janie Campbell introduced our readers to the Revision Skincare YouthFull lip replenisher, one of our 2025 winners. You purchased this nourishing lip product in droves, and upon closer inspection, it’s clear why. Campbell made a compelling case for this balm, calling it a “truly stellar and game-changing product.”

Formulated with several peptides, vitamins E and C, green tea and shea butter, it’s designed to target visible signs of lip aging like puckering, wrinkles, dryness and dullness.

And while it’s not typically like us to recommend such an expensive lip balm, the results speak for themselves. It has a thick, tacky texture that really grips the lips, making it a great overnight treatment. Campbell could see results upon her very first application, and other reviewers agree, including one at Dermstore who said it gives her “a plump lip filler look when left on overnight.” Say no more!

When multiple HuffPost editors are raving about one product, you know it’s going to be pretty magical. Case in point: Londontown’s cult-fave nail concealer. It’s a game-changer whether you’re looking to take a break from gel manicures, want to touch up your polish at home between visits to the salon or simply want a quick and easy way to give your paws a refresh.

Senior reporter Lydia O’Connor first brought this nail polish to the Shopping team’s attention, and it very quickly became apparent that it’s beloved across the entire newsroom. “I am obsessed with this product,” O’Connor said in previous reporting.

Greta Geiselman, our director of office services, swears by it, saying “I love this brand! For quick manis, I can put on two coats, no top or bottom needed and it dries quickly. Buildable coverage and fun colors.”

Aiken proclaimed, “I love this stuff!…I have really weird nails (the whites are jagged because I use my hands too much and have ‘nailbed trauma’) and I’m too rugged to paint my nails because it instantly comes off, but I love the nail concealer because it looks natural but just, better. And it doesn’t show when it starts to chip off.”

Their glowing reviews, combined with our audience’s fervor for this nail concealer, has earned it a coveted 2025 HuffPost Shopping Award designation. The concealer comes in four different colors that look great on a variety of skin tones: bubble, pink, milky and quartz. Each formula contains optical brighteners to give nails a subtle gleam and hide imperfections and discoloration, along with plant extracts and a nourishing complex.

Lancôme’s Lash Idôle, a 2026 winner, has a lightweight, long-lasting formula that’s infused with white tea extract for conditioning your lashes as it coats them. It helps fan your lashes out and give them a whole lot of fluttery oomph without smudging. “Goes on smoothly,” user me q. wrote. “I am 68 years old and my lashes look like lashes of a 20-year-old. I won’t be using anything else.”

The inner curve has smaller bristles for building volume, and the exterior of the curve has longer ones for helping lengthen and separate your lashes. Reviewers can’t get enough. “It really does lift and separate the lashes, giving a wide-eyed look without clumps,” A’Ville Triathlon said. “The brush grabs every lash, even the tiny ones and builds nice volume without making them feel heavy or sticky.”

Whether you’re struggling with a condition like rosacea or are simply prone to irritation, there’s one item that doubles as both skin care and makeup with legions of devoted fans (both online and in the HuffPost newsroom) that is formulated to correct even the ruddiest complexion, and it is worth every penny.

The critical mass of positive testimony from our colleagues here at HuffPost made it a no-brainer when it came to including it in 2026’s HuffPost Shopping Awards. O’Connor called it “a miracle product.” She came across it while searching for something to counter her skin’s redness and blotchiness, saying, “It’s very your-skin-but-better and just sort of blurs everything while cutting down on red undertones.” She uses it by itself on her “no makeup days” but finds that it’s great under foundation and concealer as well.

HuffPost senior reporter Carly Ledbetter said, “As someone with rosacea, it is the only ‘green’ product that makes my skin look normal.” Senior reporter Jessica Schulberg chimed in, saying, “I’ve influenced every single one of my friends to try it, it’s literally the only makeup I wear now. It’s magical.”

The finish is lighter than expected from such a transformative product, so even those with dry skin or who are acne-prone can enjoy it. It is also worth noting that this product is best suited for those with lighter skin tones who are prone to redness. Those with more melanated skin may find that it leaves a white cast.

In the fall of 2025, senior shopping writer, Tessa Flores, wrote about how the Avène Cicalfate+ restorative protective cream saved her skin during an eczema breakout when she didn’t have access to the prescription steroid cream that she usually depends on in these situations. “After it managed to instantly soothe and soften the unbearably itchy and burning patches on my fingers and hands, I quickly learned why this French treatment lotion has such a hearty reputation for helping those with the most troubled and sensitive skin,” she said.

It would appear that HuffPost readers also hoped that the Avène cream would be their skin savior, because, during the colder winter months, our shopping trackers marked it a consistent top seller. Ultimately, we named it a winner among skin care products in 2026.

Functioning as a shielding and isolating layer to compromised skin, this richly textured cream has 45 uses and works by creating the optimal condition for damaged skin to recover by employing protein-rich probiotics and a copper-zinc-sulfate complex.

HuffPost contributor Carolin Lehmann previously described her experience with the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta daily peel pads, reporting that, since she started using them, people keep underestimating her age.

“I simply wipe down your face with these exfoliating pads, go to sleep, and wake up glowing like never before. These wipes are seemingly “magic,” helping my pores look smaller, minor acne clear up, fine lines iron out, and my skin [feel] baby smooth,” Lehmann said of the 2026 winner.

Also previously suggested to HuffPost by board-certified dermatologists, the Dr. Dennis Gross daily peel pads can offer the benefit of a chemical peel, but with a gentler approach than what you might find in a dermatologist’s office. Each treatment contains two pads: one to exfoliate and smooth your skin, and one that provides anti-aging benefits. The pads are pre-dosed with five acids, including glycolic, salicylic and lactic, that each work to reduce dullness and uneven texture, pores and hyperpigmentation. They were even compared (and preferred) to an in-office chemical peel by Amazon customers.

HuffPost shoppers still can’t get enough of this cult-fave styler and dryer from Revlon — a surefire way to get glossy, sleek hair. It’s shaped like a regular round brush with detangling bristles, and comes with three heat settings so you can style, dry and smooth your hair all in one go. It’s a must for anyone who loves that freshly blown-out feeling. Once you add this to your hair arsenal, you may not even need any other styling tools cluttering up your bathroom.

Washing your face daily can feel like an arduous task, made more so when you factor in the labor or having to launder washcloths. As if that weren’t annoying enough on its own, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously told HuffPost, “Items like washcloths can be a breeding ground for microorganisms if they are left out wet and reused.”

The search for a sanitary solution led former HuffPost Shopping writer Haley Zovickian to the cult-favorite Clean Skin Club towels. Plant-based and disposable, they’re designed to help keep skin germ-free post-wash, so you can apply products with a fresh face, clean conscience and without added microorganisms.

Endorsed by thousands of happy reviewers, these soft, plush and surprisingly large towels are as good as it gets. Some users even noted that they helped to reduce skin irritation. It’s no wonder they’ve become a staple in myriad HuffPost readers’ skin care routines, making them worthy of high praise.

Both Flores and fellow senior shopping writer, Lourdes Avila Uribe, are longtime fans of this dry shampoo by Living Proof because it’s as close as you can get to freshly washed hair. It’s definitely on the higher end of the price spectrum for a product like this one, but it’s well worth it for the results. It doesn’t leave my scalp or hair feeling gritty with excess buildup; it’s like starting over with a clean slate without the hassle of drying and styling your hair again. But what has amazed us the most over the years of use is that it so effectively soaks up oil and dirt without leaving behind an unappealing chalky residue. Flores added that “despite the fact that I routinely spray on quite a bit of dry shampoo for multiple days in a row, it is never visible on my dark hair.”

It is formulated with a mix of starch and mineral blend powders that are known to quickly absorb excess oil and sweat, while an odor neutralizer gives hair a surprisingly fresh scent that makes it smell freshly washed. But it isn’t just absorbing oil; it leaves hair looking and feeling fresh and clean while also adding volume and movement.

Medicube is one of Flores’ and Uribe’s favorite brands for reliable K-beauty products, and this salmon PDRN serum is one of its top-sellers (it’s even been previously suggested to us by dermatologists). In addition to salmon sperm-derived PDRN, it’s enriched with a complex containing five different types of peptides. According to dermatologists that we previously spoke to, peptides are amino acid proteins known to boost collagen production, improve skin texture and promote wound healing.

Flores said, “I have used this kojic acid bar soap as the first in-line product in my shower routine for about two years now, particularly on my arms for my KP and my underarms for any hyperpigmentation — and it really works.”

These bar soaps harness the power of active ingredients like vitamin C and retinol combined with the nourishing benefits of hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, shea butter and olive oil to potentially help even out skin tone, lighten dark spots, smooth skin and reduce blemishes. This two-pack has myriad glowing reviews attesting to its prowess, and could be a good tool in your skin health arsenal.

Experts previously put us on the skin-smoothing benefits of urea, especially when it comes to softening rough and cracked callused heels, psoriasis, keratosis pilaris and more. The Ebanel intensive moisturizing and softening cream, which, at 40%, contains the highest concentration of urea out of many market options out there. Protective, intensely moisturizing and softening, this cream also features 2% salicylic acid to help exfoliate away patches of rough and flaky skin, as well as targeting things like calluses, corns and cracked skin. The shea butter-based formula is enriched with trusted hydrators like hyaluronic acid, coconut and jojoba oils, and antioxidants like green tea and vitamin E. It’s a combination that can be useful for feet and elbows and even promote healthier-looking nails.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get your hands on some of the strongest retinoids, without a perscription, this is a much-talked-about option, which actually comes in six strengths for everyone from the retinol beginner to the seasoned expert. The Medik8 Crystal Retinal (in the mid-strength option) is also a favorite of Uribe’s, who called it an effective yet gentle addition to her repertoire.

“It leaves my skin looking and feeling great. Not only does it address typical signs of aging like wrinkles and texture quickly and efficiently, but it’s also helped to round out my anti-hyperpigmentation routine without stripping my skin of moisture or being overly harsh,” Uribe said. “The formula is balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated.”

Flores swears by this Korean lip mask with a distinctive jelly texture and a heavy dose of PDRN to minimize the appearance of lip lines, make pouts look more plump and, above all, stave off her chronic dryness — especially around the corners of the mouth where regular retinol use can make it go flaky. “Not quite a balm and not quite a gloss, but somewhere in a delightful jammy middle, the Abib treatment feels cushiony and velvet-like on the lips and not at all sticky. Because of this, it’s much more comfortable to wear as an overnight lip mask and I love waking up with noticeably softer lips,” Flores said.

Many users are also that this thick and nourishing lip gel “was the best product” they had ever used and worked miraculously on wrinkled, aging lips.

Uribe said that the first time she tried the famous Elemis cleansing balm, she couldn’t believe how soft, supple and clean her skin felt. “I had always assumed that someone with acne-prone, oily skin like me should stay away from oil cleansing, but I couldn’t have been more wrong,” she said.

According to Uribe, It has a buttery soft consistency that starts off like a rich, thick oil and slowly melts into the skin, dissolving makeup, grime and impurities. It’s formulated with fatty acids that can help to improve skin elasticity and moisture retention, and the brand says its starfish and elderberry oils help soothe irritation and smooth out the complexion.

Our colleague Kristen Aiken is also a huge fan of this cleansing balm. She told Uribe that “this item is way pricier than what I’m usually willing to spend on cleanser (which is usually from the drugstore and under $10), but I’ve found it’s one of the only products that can effectively cleanse my skin AND nourish it without making me break out. I have perpetually dry skin no matter how much water I drink, and this saves me from drying out (especially in the winter months). Bonus: If you use it as a second round of double-cleansing (i.e. after you’ve already removed the day’s initial layer of gunk), you can use your favorite facial massage tool over top it, to help your tool slide smoothly along your face and de-puff.”

It’s possible you’ve seen some version of these overnight hydrogel masks on TikTok that start off opaque and become transparent as all of the infused goodness absorbs into skin, leaving behind a complexion that’s plump, hydrated and glass-like. These Biodance masks contain a collagen-peptide that’s of a low molecular weight to penetrate deeper into the skin. It also has brightening niacinamide, moisture-trapping hyaluronic acid and galactomyces to improve skin tone and texture.

Flores has had chronically dry and troubled skin since childhood, but my years’ worth of experience in parched-skin troubles have finally led her to curate a body care routine that has actually made her skin the healthiest it’s ever been. This past winter, she even shared this effective ritual with readers and one product seemed to lead the pack in consumer interest.

“My beloved Saltair nourishing body oil is one of the best formulas of its kind that I’ve tried (including better than the uber-popular Osea Undaria algae body oil), and I’m pleased to know that it’s finally getting the flowers it deserves,” Flores wrote.

“As a person who is opposed to certain textures, I’m in love with the fact that this formula doesn’t sit greasy or stick atop the skin. It actually soaks in quickly and thoroughly to the point that I’m able to throw on my clothes right after and not leave a stain. Deceptively luxurious and available in five mild scents, it’s enriched with three different oils that are nourishing and rich in antioxidants like squalane and moringa. Since incorporating this glossy goodness into my daily post-shower routine, it has noticeably helped trap in hydration, improve texture and succeeded in making my skin feel bouncy and soft, well into the following day. I’ve also noticed that my tattoos appear more vibrant and renewed.”

Flores said that she will always opt for a moisturizer with peptides for their proven skin-plumping power and the way they always make her skin feel juicy and hydrated. Peter Thomas Roth created an amped up moisturizer that contains both regular peptides and neuropeptides, which may reduce the appearance of expression lines, similarly to how neurotoxins like Botox work, but on a much lesser scale. “It also contains some of my favorite hydrators like squalane and hyaluronic acid,” Flores said.

Charlotte Tilbury’s lip liner in the shade Pillow Talk — a famous rosy hue that comes in several depth options to suit everyone — is a makeup product that needs no introduction. “I always have one of these in my bag to slightly overline my lips without looking completely unnatural,” Flores said. The creamy formula is also really hydrating, infused with jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid and ceresin to help prevent smudging and transfer.

In a previous story, HuffPost shopping writer Griffin Wynne reported that topical calcium can strengthen the skin barrier and increase cell turnover, making it a useful ingredient for anti-aging skin care. That’s where this Dr. Melaxin calcium multi-balm stick comes in: This non-sticky balm contains calcium, vitamin D, collagen, elastin and adenosine to smooth, hydrate and firm the skin, plus reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

The stick packaging makes it so easy to apply this balm wherever needed on the face and neck without making a mess. Best of all, reviewers in their 50s and 60s love it for its help with “turkey neck” and fine lines.

Olaplex is a must for people with bleached or color-treated hair. It’s designed to reduce breakage while conditioning and strengthening your hair, with reviewers claiming that it leaves their hair soft, smooth and ultra-shiny. This set of three includes some of the brand’s most popular products: No. 4 Bond Maintenance shampoo, No. 5 Bond Maintenance conditioner and No. 7 Bonding Oil. It is formulated for all hair types, and those with curly or damaged hair can also get a lot out of it.

Although Flores said that she’s been using the bonding oil pre-heat styling for many years now, she just started using the Bond Maintenance shampoo and conditioner about a year ago, and, “almost with the first use, I felt my hair was softer and less frizzy after blow drying — it’s a popular choice of many for a reason,” she said.

According to Flores, this was the tube of mascara that solidified the potential of drugstore formulas. The L’Oreal Voluminous mascara line was previously recommended to us by professional makeup artists as a good budget option for anyone looking to experiment with mascara shades that go beyond just black or brown.

“There’s something about the product consistency of this mascara and the fluffy barrel brush that makes my lashes look longer and noticeably volumized, without looking weighed down or spidery. It also never flakes or smudges, even when the tube is a little older. I’ve even opted to try a few other colors, including the deep violet shade that I like so much, I find myself grabbing for it more than my go-to black. You’ll want to opt for this if you’re after a set of lashes that look fanned, wispy and not overly unnatural,” Flores said.

We’ve often heard comparisons made between Nivea’s classic cream formula and the uber-luxe Crème de la Mer, and while we’ve slightly debunked that theory in previous reporting, Nivea’s formulas will always remain trusted and iconic in my heart and bathroom cabinet. This particular drugstore formula features a trio of ingredients to help soften those deep lines you get in between the breasts and on the neck.

In case you didn’t know, vitamin C is a really valuable player in the skin care game. In fact, after sunscreen and retinol, it’s the most helpful ingredient in defense against premature skin aging, according to a previous HuffPost report. Per the experts, vitamin C applied topically protects skin from external toxins and free radicals that cause premature skin aging, while enhancing collagen production.

This makes this popular serum’s enthusiastic reviews all the more viable. The nourishing formula works to reduce in fine lines, sun damage and aging spots — improving the appearance of skin conditions like melasma and an overall increase in skin brightness and radiance.

Flores is a fan of a few First Aid Beauty products, like this intensive repair cream. She credits it with saving her itchy, flaky, eczema-prone skin on more than one occasion.

The moisturizing formula was even previously recommended by Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist in San Diego. “[It’s] a must-have for winter!” she said. “It’s a rich cream formulated with colloidal oatmeal, which relieves irritation, and shea butter, which protects and maintains our skin barrier. Allantoin also helps calm and soothe the skin.”

This dermatologist-recommended neck tightening cream by StriVectin is a targeted cream containing spilanthol, an ingredient designed to strengthen the skin, along with a patented peptide exclusive to the brand. Peptides can help to improve collagen levels and elastin which can help to fight skin laxity. This neck cream can also help brighten and even skin tone, diminishing the appearance of sunspots. Two different sizes are on sale for Prime Day (the larger 3.4-ounce size is pictured here).