Top Skincare Products of 2023: Our Favorites

Why 2023 Was a Major Year for Skincare

Let’s call it the year skincare got smarter. In 2023, the industry saw a hard pivot away from overcomplicated routines and dizzying ingredient lists. Instead, we got clarity: fewer ingredients, backed by actual science. Shoppers weren’t just grabbing whatever had the most buzz—they were reading studies, scanning INCI lists, and prioritizing efficacy over aesthetic.

Barrier-repair products also went mainstream, and for good reason. After years of over-exfoliating and chasing trends, people realized that a stripped barrier means irritated, breakout-prone skin—no matter how fancy your serum is. Brands responded with microbiome-friendly formulas, gentle actives, and a lot more transparency about what goes on your face.

That leads us to skinimalism. It’s not just a buzzword. Cutting down to three or four reliable steps saved people time, money, and skin health. Instead of a 10-step routine, more users focused on a strong cleanser, a single powerful serum, and a moisturizer that actually did something. Turns out, less really can be more—especially if each product is doing heavy lifting.

Best Cleanser: Gentle But Effective

A good daily cleanser does one thing well: it clears away grime without wrecking your skin. That means no harsh stripping, no tight, squeaky aftermath. Look for low-foam formulas that ditch drying sulfates in favor of ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, or pH-balanced surfactants. If your skin feels calm and soft afterward—not irritated or squeaky clean—you’re doing it right.

Our top pick: CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. It’s nothing flashy, and that’s half the point. This cleanser nails the basics with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and a creamy texture that takes off the day without starting a fight with your skin barrier. Reliable, fragrance-free, and under $20—it’s a quiet workhorse for all skin types.

Bonus mention for sensitive skin: Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser. Zero dyes, no fragrance, and free from the usual irritants. If your face reacts to everything, this is your safe zone. It does its job, then gets out of the way.

Simple. Effective. Zero drama. That’s what a cleanser should be.

Best Serum: Active Ingredients That Deliver

When it comes to skincare serums, the noise is loud—but a few ingredients consistently cut through. Vitamin C, niacinamide, and peptides aren’t just marketing trends; they’re backed by real science. Vitamin C (especially L-ascorbic acid at 10–20%) brightens and protects against environmental stress. Niacinamide handles uneven tone and pore size like a champ, while peptides support skin structure and firming over time. The combo? A solid foundation for nearly any skincare goal.

Our pick for 2023: The SkinEdit SuperActive Repair Serum. It blends 15% vitamin C, 5% niacinamide, and a peptide complex, minus the fluff. Use it on clean, slightly damp skin—just a pea-sized pump, once or twice daily. Follow with moisturizer and SPF. No need to overdo it.

It’s ideal for anyone looking to even tone, soften fine lines, or build a smarter prevention routine. That said, if your skin is ultra-sensitive or you’re mid-flare (rosacea, eczema, etc.), pump the brakes. Go in slow or try barrier-repair serums first. Serums like these deliver—but not if your skin’s not ready for them.

Best Moisturizer: Hydration Without the Heaviness

Understanding Your Skin’s Hydration Needs

Hydration isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, moisture matters. But what kind of moisture and how you deliver it makes all the difference.

Consider these factors:

Skin Type: Dry skin may need thicker emollients; oily skin benefits from lighter, gel-based options.
Climate: Cold or dry environments often require more occlusive ingredients.
Skin Barrier Health: If your skin barrier is damaged, gentle rehydration is essential.

Our Top Moisturizer Pick for 2023

Our favorite moisturizer struck the perfect balance—deep hydration without heaviness. It uses a blend of ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to support skin barrier function while keeping the texture lightweight enough for daily wear under SPF or makeup.

Why we love it:

Absorbs quickly, leaving no greasy film
Works well under layers, including foundation and sunscreen
Keeps skin feeling plump and balanced for hours

Lightweight Options That Still Deliver

Not everyone wants a rich cream, especially during the day. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice hydration for a lighter feel.

Look for:

Gel-creams with humectants like panthenol or hyaluronic acid
Water-based moisturizers with low oil content
Moisturizing lotions with added anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea extract or niacinamide

These formulas provide:

Quenching moisture without clogging pores
Breathable, comfortable wear throughout the day
A great base for layering serums or SPF

Moisturizing smarter—not heavier—is the 2023 mindset we’re carrying into next year.

Best Sunscreen: Formulas You’ll Want to Wear

Daily sunscreen isn’t a trend—it’s non-negotiable. Your skincare routine isn’t complete without a reliable SPF, and in 2023, more people started treating it as essential self-care rather than a summer-only product.

Why Daily SPF Is a Must

Protects against premature aging: UV rays break down collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
Prevents hyperpigmentation: Frequent sun exposure can worsen dark spots and uneven tone.
Supports a healthy barrier: Sunscreen acts as a shield, especially when using active ingredients like exfoliants or retinoids.
Year-round relevance: UVA rays are present all year—even on cloudy days or while indoors near windows.

Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens: What to Choose

Choosing between mineral and chemical SPF depends on your skin’s needs and preferences.

Mineral Sunscreens:

Use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide
Great for sensitive or acne-prone skin
Start protecting immediately after application
Can leave a white cast (less so with tinted varieties)

Chemical Sunscreens:

Absorb UV rays using ingredients like avobenzone or octinoxate
Often feel lighter and absorb quickly
Better for layering under makeup
May cause irritation in very sensitive skin types

When to Choose Which:

Go mineral if you have reactive skin, rosacea, or want immediate protection
Opt for chemical if you prefer a sheer finish or are layering under makeup

Our Favorite: Lightweight, Protective, and Makeup-Friendly

Top Pick: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Why we love it:

Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone
Lightweight, oil-free formula that layers well under foundation
Contains niacinamide to calm the skin while offering protection
No white cast and won’t pill with other products

Honorable Mention:

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen – An invisible, primer-like formula that works beautifully under makeup, ideal for normal to oily skin types

2023 proved that sunscreen doesn’t have to be greasy, chalky, or a chore—finding the right one just makes it easy to stay consistent.

Best Treatment Product: Targeted and Worth It

Spot treatments and chemical exfoliants walk a fine line: effective enough to do something, but gentle enough not to trash your skin barrier. This year, we saw a wave of smarter formulas—blends that deliver on smoothing texture and fading breakouts without turning your face into a peeling mess. Think encapsulated acids, lower concentrations, and hydrating carriers that buffer harshness.

The standout? Allies of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum. It’s a mouthful, but it performs. Mandelic acid (gentler than glycolic) paired with niacinamide and a dash of retinoid means it hits multiple marks—dullness, dark spots, and congestion—without waking up to redness. Texture improves fast, and it’s surprisingly tolerable even for sensitive types.

Pro tip: Ease into actives. Start with twice a week and always pair with hydration—a plain, no-frills moisturizer works wonders as a buffer. And if something burns, that’s not a sign it’s working. That’s your cue to back off.

When used right, targeted treatments can quietly do the heavy lifting in your routine. Just don’t expect miracles in 24 hours. Give it time. Give your skin respect.

Best Overall Skincare Brand of 2023

What Earned Our Favorite Brand the Top Spot

2023 brought major strides in skincare innovation, but one brand consistently delivered across the board. From formulation to user experience, it set the standard by focusing on three key pillars:

Innovation: Cutting-edge ingredients backed by clinical research—not just buzzwords
Transparency: Clear labeling, detailed sourcing, and upfront explanations for every component
Results: Products that didn’t just promise better skin—they actually delivered

Our winning brand maintained performance without compromising on quality or ethics. It consistently prioritized the skin barrier, accessibility, and long-term improvement. Whether you’re a skincare novice or a seasoned pro, every formula had purpose—and it showed.

Runners-Up Worth Your Radar

While only one brand could claim the top spot, several others came close:

How to Build a 2023-Level Skincare Routine

Creating a balanced skincare routine in 2023 wasn’t about collecting products—it was about using the right ones in the right order. With smarter formulations and more knowledge about skin biology, users learned to layer with purpose, not pressure.

Skincare Layering: Keep It Simple, Keep It Smart

A well-layered routine ensures your products work together without causing irritation or wasting money. In 2023, the emphasis was on:

Thin to thick consistency: Start with your most lightweight formulas (like toners and serums) and finish with richer textures (like moisturizers and oils).
Allowing time between layers: Let each product absorb before applying the next to avoid pilling and maximize benefits.
Avoiding ingredient clashes: Be mindful not to mix actives like retinol and acids that may cause irritation when layered together.

Splurge vs. Save: Where to Invest

Not every product in your routine needs to break the bank. Here’s a smart mix of where to splurge and where to save:

Spend thoughtfully on:

Targeted serums (especially with actives like Vitamin C, peptides, and retinol)
Treatment products that address specific concerns (e.g., hyperpigmentation, acne)

Save without compromise on:

Cleansers and moisturizers (many affordable options do the job well)
Hydrating toners or mists
Basic sunscreen, as long as it has broad-spectrum protection and feels good on your skin

Morning vs. Evening: Different Needs, Different Products

Your skin doesn’t have the same needs all day. Split routines based on what your skin faces throughout the day:

Morning priorities:

Protection and prep
Cleanser → Antioxidant Serum (like Vitamin C) → Moisturizer → Broad-spectrum SPF

Evening priorities:

Recovery and renewal
Makeup remover → Cleanser → Active Serum (retinoid or exfoliant) → Moisturizer or oil

The key? Don’t overload either routine. Consistency and simplicity win long-term.

Keep in mind: skin needs can evolve. What matters most is building a foundational routine that supports your skin’s health and adjusting strategically when needed.

Looking Ahead: Trends for 2024

2024’s skincare forecast is part tech lab, part apothecary. Skin-tech tools are moving from gimmick to gear, and people are choosing devices that actually work. LED masks for acne and collagen, microcurrent sculpting tools, and skin-analyzing apps are leading the charge. The rule of thumb? If it doesn’t come backed by credible research or real-world results, save your money.

On the ingredient front, botanical actives are also having a resurgence—not just as marketing fluff, but as legitimate powerhouses. Think: centella asiatica, bakuchiol, and sea buckthorn oil. They’re delivering results, especially for those with sensitive or reactive skin, and proving that nature still has a serious seat at the science table.

Then there’s the rise of personalized routines based on your DNA or skin biome. Once a niche novelty, now it’s becoming accessible. More brands are offering skin testing kits to tailor your formulas based on your genetic markers or microbiome profile. Some of it still needs to prove long-term value, but the direction is clear: customization is no longer just luxury—it’s becoming standard.

Bonus Read: Expand Your Beauty Toolkit

Looking to complement your skincare routine with the perfect cosmetics? We’ve got you covered. Skincare lays the foundation, but makeup brings it together—especially when it enhances, not hides, your natural glow.

Here’s what you’ll find in our related guide:

Top-rated makeup palettes for every skin tone and occasion
Multi-use picks that streamline your morning routine
Pro tips on blending skincare and makeup for a seamless finish

Whether you prefer a subtle daytime look or bold evening glam, make sure your palette performs. Don’t miss our sister piece:

Final Take

If 2023 taught us anything, it’s this: skincare doesn’t need to be complicated to work—it needs to be intentional. A good routine isn’t about chasing every trending product on the shelf. It’s about building around what your skin actually needs, and ignoring the noise that tells you otherwise.

This year, proven ingredients beat pretty packaging every time. Look for products that list what they’re delivering—and back it up with real results. Niacinamide over glitter. Ceramides over fragrance. Simplicity doesn’t mean boring; it means effective.

In 2024, don’t let the algorithm dictate your shelf. Own your skin story. Keep what works. Cut what doesn’t. Whether you’re barrier-repairing, brightening, or just trying to break up with breakouts, make your choices with purpose. Smart skin is in.