At the risk of sounding grumpy, if we see one more 18-year-old TikTokker furrow her seamless brow as she gripes about wrinkles and slathers on anti-aging products, we’ll lose it. On the other hand, we’re well past tantrums—so we’re launching our first-ever Midlife Beauty O-wards instead. We went right to the pros for this project, asking hairstylists, makeup artists, dermatologists, models, writers, and content creators who have worked in the industry for decades to share the one beauty product they swear by most—an essential they use on themselves and/or their mature clients. (Also: no brand affiliations allowed.) The result is a greatest-hits collection of incredible products and advice, the kind you’d get if you met one of these experts at a party, snuck a peek in their bathroom, or won the lottery and landed in their chair. Consider yourself set for midlife and beyond.
MakeupThere will be no settling—in life or in fine lines.
Best Liquid Foundation
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk
“I work with women up to age 80, and I’ve tried every foundation out there on them. What’s magical about this one is that it doesn’t mask skin or make it look older. Instead, it puts a youthful glow back into the skin, making it look like you’re always in good lighting,” says Tim Quinn, makeup artist and co-founder of Halo42 Skin. “It also provides enough coverage; I don’t even need concealer; the skin already looks flawless. Quite honestly, I treasure this formula.” The brand recently rolled out an updated formula with 18 new shades, bringing the total to 44. To apply, Quinn dots it around on the face and then swirls a dense, flat-topped kabuki brush to blend. “Don’t use a classic foundation brush on mature skin; it’ll look too painted on,” he says. (P.S. Three other makeup artists raved about this foundation, too, making it the most popular product on our list.)
Best Brow Pencil
Sania’s Brow Bar The Brow Pencil
“My brows have a slightly better shape than staples. So, I’d rather leave the house without a stitch of foundation than zero brow shaping,” says Holly Carter, Oprah Daily contributing lifestyle editor. “I’ve been using Sania’s pencil for over a decade because it has the color, shape—it’s angled!—and consistency for me to enhance my arches in the most natural looking way.” The powder-based formula is very blendable, so it never looks harsh, and then remains immune to smudges. Carter adds, “I’ve had to use other pencils in a pinch, but I will always come back to this one. Nothing else compares.”
Best Eyeshadow Palette
Makeup by Mario Eyeshadow Palette
“I’m not one to travel with a surplus of shadows, which is why I’m in love with this palette,” says Sam Fine, a celebrity makeup artist who works with Vanessa Williams and Gabrielle Union. The Master Mattes palette has every matte neutral you could want, from a warm cream to a deep cool brown, plus white and black. “The shades are intuitive, and beautifully complement a wide range of skin tones,” Fine says. “And they’re so easy to use.” Apply one of the lighter shades all over the lid, then tap a medium or dark shade in the crease to create definition; do this while your eye is open and place it high enough that you can see the color (no point in putting it in a fold of skin no one can see). You can also use these shadows in your brows and as eyeliner.
Best Serum Foundation
A lot of women over fifty stop wearing foundation because it can sink into pores and wrinkles and magnify them. If that’s your issue, Chanel Sublimage L’Essence de Teint will restore your faith. It is always a pleasure to apply it on clients and to use on myself,” says makeup artist Sandy Linter. The serum-y formula contains oil and light-reflecting mica to hydrate, smooth, and luminize, and comes with a makeup brush to create a seamless finish. “It’s not heavy, and yet it offers medium coverage, plus the color range is good. It’s pricey, but worth it.”
Best Liquid Eyeshadow
Lancôme Idôle Tint Liquid Eyeshadow
“The Lancôme Idôle Tints are always in my kit. They come in 11 beautiful colors with matte and shimmer finishes, and they’re crease-proof, long-wearing, and easy to blend with your fingers. They can even double as eyeliner,” says celebrity makeup artist Genevieve Herr, who works with Julia Roberts, Courtney Cox, and Connie Britton. “But the most important feature is that they’re not powders, which—especially when blended onto crepey lids—can fall under your eyes.”
Best Prep Serum
For mature skin, especially, you can’t just go from clean, dry skin to foundation. You’ll end up with a patchy, cakey finish that doesn’t last. This lightweight serum contains all the A-list ingredients (vitamin C, peptides, hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol, niacinamide) and “will not let makeup settle into any fine lines,” says celebrity makeup artist Rebecca Restrepo, who has worked with Jean Smart and Carrie Coon. “I always use it around the eyes because it makes concealer look beautiful and stay put—it won’t get all crepey. I use it on myself, too.”
Best Eye Brightener
LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops
“At 58, I wake up many mornings with tired, red eyes. One drop of this makes them look instantly whiter, brighter, and more awake,” says Romy Schorr, a content creator. How does this magic happen? The solution contains low-dose brimonidine tartrate, an ingredient that reduces blood flow to the surface of the eye while still allowing oxygen flow. The effect lasts for six hours or more.
Best Lip Liner
Lisa Eldridge Sculpt and Shade Lip Pencil
“A natural part of aging is that our lips lose definition, volume, and color, so one of my favorite things to do for my mature clients is to bring their lips back to life,” says celebrity makeup artist Robert Rumsey. “I outline them and then gently fill them in with this pencil. It’s a matte, blurring formula that comes in such a nice shade range with neutral, cool, and warm undertones. It’s also a great base for lipstick or gloss.” What we love: The formula’s waxes and oils offer a hydrating, easy-to-glide application, so it won’t tug skin or allow the color to seep into fine lines.
Best Volumizing Mascara
Laura Geller Kajal Volumizing Mascara
Now 25% Off
“One of my all-time favorites, this formula lifts, defines, and gives just the right amount of volume without clumping or feeling heavy,” says Gwen Gottlieb, a content creator. “It never lets me down—which is exactly what you need from a mascara.” Also, eyes get smaller, and lashes shorten with age, and this slim, molded brush gets right in there. The formula has hydrators to leave lashes soft, too.
Best Powder
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection
Now 19% Off
“I highly recommend a blur powder for mature skin,” says Karen Dupiche, an Emmy-winning celebrity makeup artist who works with Whoopi Goldberg on The View. “It helps smooth the complexion and creates a soft, airbrushed finish without canceling out radiance.” As a last step in your makeup routine, use a puff or brush to press it over foundation and/or concealer to set it in place. The powder comes in four shades—choose one of the pink tints if you want to brighten up, or a skin-toned shade for a translucent finish.
Best Tubing Mascara
Blinc Original Tubing Mascara
For us lucky ladies with hooded lids or dry, sensitive eyes that tear up easily, mascara breaks down quickly, leaving us with a dark, messy raccoon effect. “I do Sarah Silverman’s makeup, and she has a real challenge keeping mascara in place,” says Brett Freedman, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Brett Brow. “I’ve found that this tubing mascara works on her—it does not budge!” The formula wraps itself around each lash, and once it’s dry, it doesn’t smudge or flake, even if you cry or sweat. To remove it, just use warm water to gently roll off the tubes.
Best Pre-Makeup Eye Masks
For celebrity makeup artist Matin Mauliwazada, undereye prep is everything. “I rely heavily on skincare to create a well-hydrated and balanced base so makeup stays on evenly throughout the day.” Ever wonder how Claire Danes and Kristin Davis look so dewy? “I start with these and leave them on while the client gets their hair styled, so the skin has enough time to soak up all the richness,” he says. “Then I remove them and blot any excess product before I apply makeup.”
Best Lip Tint
Aora Mexico Solid Lip Serum
“With every passing year, my skin gets more and more dry—my lips, especially. I don’t like drugstore lip balms because they’re typically housed in plastic and can be made with stuff I don’t want to ingest, so when this Mexican clean beauty brand launched these solid lip serums, I was hooked. They make my lips feel and look FANTASTIC,” says celebrity makeup artist Katey Denno, right hand to Judith Light. “I use the Rosa.03 shade every day, and I’m constantly giving the ones in my work makeup kit to clients who fall in love with the way they make their lips look and feel. The metal tubes are fully recyclable, but put them inside an empty soda can so the machine at the recycling plant doesn’t miss them!”
Best Highlighter
L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion
Now 24% Off
“At 50-plus, I don’t chase youth. I enhance radiance for myself and my clients, and this glow-in-a-tube truly supports that philosophy,” says Elena George, the long-time lead makeup artist at Good Morning America and personal makeup artist for Robin Roberts. You can apply it all over as your first makeup step, mix it in with your foundation, or tap it on cheekbones as a highlighter. “It gives mature skin a healthy luminosity without emphasizing texture,” George says. “It’s the ultimate complexion enhancer.” Choose from five shades (George uses 905-Rich).
Best Lip Oil
Lanolips Hyaluronic Lip Oil
“Hydration is everything as we age. When our lips are dry, the color never sits right, and the texture can look uneven. This formula deeply hydrates and conditions with lanolin, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E, so lips look fuller, healthier, and suppler, with a gorgeous, glossy finish that isn’t sticky or heavy,” says Ashunta Sheriff, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Ashunta Beauty. “I am also a matte lip girl through and through, and one of my favorite tricks is to apply this before my matte lipstick. It creates a perfect cushion so the matte formula glides on, grips better, and doesn’t settle into fine lines.”
Best Concealer
“This is a great, long-lasting complexion fixer-upper specifically made for mature skin,” says Molly R. Stern, makeup artist to Hollywood greats like Maya Rudolph and Reese Witherspoon. It has a film-forming technology so “it doesn’t settle into lines, and it does a great job of concealing middle-aged hormonal blemishes.” The formula, which comes in 21 shades, also contains caffeine to depuff and reduce dark circles under the eyes, hyaluronic acid to hydrate, and aloe to calm reactive skin. (This earned multiple mentions from our pro panel!)
HairMore shine and oomph, healthier growth, and smarter root touch-ups.
Best Hair Mask
Highbrow Hippie Instant Silk Vitality Mask
“This delivers next-level moisture and shine, but it’s super lightweight, so hair retains volume and bounce,” says Serge Normant, Julia Roberts’s and Sarah Jessica Parker’s longtime hairstylist and the founder of Serge Normant. Apply it to clean, damp hair, then leave it in for thirty minutes, or even overnight, before rinsing out the blend of bamboo leaf extract, camellia japonica seed oil, and oryza sativa oil. “The combination of this weekly mask with the brand’s growth serum gives you both strand and scalp-care and makes your hair so healthy,” Normant says.
Best Heat Protectant
“This is my go-to,” says Rita Hazan, celebrity hair colorist and founder of Rita Hazan New York. “Just like skin, your hair needs more hydration with age, and this offers that plus heat protection. It also prevents color from fading and looking dull.” You can spray and then brush or scrunch it through towel-dried hair, or spritz it on dry hair before styling with a flat iron or curling iron. It protects strands up to 450 degrees and is proven to reduce breakage without leaving residue.
Best Volumizing Spray
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray
“My all-time favorite, this gives volume and a lived-in texture. Plus, it smells incredible,” says Oprah’s hairstylist Nicole Mangrum. Shake the can and spritz it down the lengths of your hair, starting from roots and tousling as you go. The formula’s Zeolite crystallines (an absorbent mineral) add grit, separation, and major lift in seconds.
Best Leave-In Conditioner
Miss Jessie’s Leave-In Condish
“This is one of those universal staples that works beautifully across all hair textures, and it’s affordable. The formula is lightweight but incredibly moisturizing, leaving hair soft, shiny, and manageable without weighing it down,” says Jacob Schmidt, senior colorist at OLLIN Salon NYC. “I especially love that it doubles as a detangler, so it’s perfect for everything from combating winter dryness to smoothing out flyaways.”
Best Hair Growth Device
“Menopause left my hair drier, more fragile, and thinning at my temples. To stem the hair loss, I’ve been using minoxidil, which (I think) kept things from getting worse. But then I started using this device, and it’s the first treatment I’ve tried that’s made my hair look visibly better,” says Genevieve Monsma, a freelance beauty writer and former beauty editor at Marie Claire, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. “I’ve noticed less shedding, more shine and bounce, and a decrease in frizz.” The device itself combines multiple modalities—red light therapy, microcurrent stimulation, subtle heat, and a caffeine-spiked serum—that stimulate the scalp to promote growth and strengthen existing hair. “I just massage it over my scalp for five minutes a day while checking emails or watching Netflix. I started using it about six weeks ago, and my hair looks noticeably healthier than it did last fall.”
Best Hairspray
L’Oréal Paris Elnett
Now 22% Off
“I always come back to hairspray as my number one product, and Elnett is my all-time favorite. It’s the best,” says celebrity hairstylist Peter Butler, who counts Claire Danes and Isabella Rossellini as clients. The iconic gold bottle with an ultra-fine mist was first launched in France in 1960, and finally landed in the U.S. in 2008. It’s maintained its best-in-class status ever since because it can hold an updo and tame every last flyaway, and then you can brush it out and style your hair all over again.
Best Root Touch-Up Powder
“My peri/menopause hair loss created quite a kerfuffle at my follicles. While oral minoxidil restored my disappearing hairline, the accelerated hair growth means that my gray roots are visible in two weeks! This powder covers up to a month of regrowth without looking dull or feeling waxy,” says Cheryl Kramer Kaye, beauty writer and on-air beauty expert. “The dark blonde shade has a nice ashy undertone, and gives my grays a cool, lived-in (rather than lived-long) look.” Use the included brush to press on the powder, which adheres to hair even when you sweat, then rinse out with shampoo.
Best Root Touch-Up Spray
Rita Hazan Root Concealer
Now 11% Off
“This easy-to-use tinted spray is the reason I’m still a brunette. It hides my roots to buy me time between salon visits and somehow never transfers or flakes,” says Bobbie Thomas, TODAY style editor and Essilor Varilux Partner. The tints, mixed with colorist Rita Hazan’s experienced eye, look natural and add a touch of shine, unlike so many others that seem like matte spray paint. And the nozzle offers full-coverage in an instant—exactly what you need when you have a lot of gray.
Best Shampoo
Millbon Repair Restorative Shampoo
“At some point during the pandemic, my hair gave up and got really dull, dry, and scraggly,” says Oprah Daily’s senior director of wellness Jennie Tung, who has covered beauty at Allure, Real Simple, and InStyle. Her colorist recommended the Restorative shampoo and conditioner from the cult Japanese line Milbon, and she clocked the difference after a single shower. “My hair looked shiny and smooth again and felt so healthy. It also air-dries nicely, so my layers fall into place and my ends look thick—styling is effortless! I love to try new products, but this is the one I will not swap out.”
SkinDerm-vetted cleansers, serums, and creams that soothe on contact and leave you luminous.
Best Hydrating Serum
“This is the only serum that instantly soothes and moisturizes my extremely dry, irritated, and hyperpigmentation-prone skin without feeling heavy,” says dermatologist Susan C. Taylor, MD, professor of dermatology at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. It utilizes the brand’s famous “miracle broth,” a fermented blend of giant sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals proven to quell irritants and strengthen the skin barrier.
Best Face Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair
“This is a must-have for mature skin because it minimizes excess water loss, which becomes more problematic as skin ages,” says Doris Day, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York. “It contains an excellent ceramide, as well as niacinamide, glycerin, and the brand’s unique, mineral-rich, skin-calming water from France. And it’s available at the drugstore.” The oil-free, non-comedogenic formula is a great pick for those of us with hormonal breakouts, sensitivity, and parched skin.
Best Growth Factor Serum
ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum
“This has a fabulous anti-aging technology that’s backed by significant clinical studies. Its growth factors help to thicken the dermis, improving firmness and decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. It also addresses tone and texture,” says dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD. “It’s non-irritating, very hydrating, and won’t break you out. I apply it to the face, neck, and backs of the hands.”
Best Balm
“Mature, especially post-menopausal, skin is particularly prone to water loss and inflammation, which is why, as an active, globe-trotting 61-year-old, I need this humectant-rich formula,” says dermatologist Heidi A. Waldorf, MD. “It calms and seals the skin, keeping moisture inside.” The unscented solid balm contains 68 concentrated actives and softens as you apply it; use it as your only moisturizer or layered over a serum.
Best Antioxidant Serum
Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum
“I worked with Cindy Crawford on this product line 20 years ago, and her antioxidant serum is still my go-to,” says dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D. It’s a lightweight, hydrating formula with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and powerful antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, which protects our skin from free radicals in the environment. I wear it every day under my sunscreen.”
Best Exfoliating Mitt
“After decades working on hands—from backstage at fashion week to clients in my New York salons—the product I swear by is the simplest one: a traditional Korean exfoliating towel called a ttaesugeon,” says manicurist Jin Soon Choi, founder of Jin Soon Nail Lacquer. “I grew up using it with my mother in Korea. It costs only a few dollars, yet nothing removes dry skin more effectively. Soak it in warm water—I keep mine in the shower—then use it to gently buff skin and watch the dead layer lift away. It’s an old-school ritual that gave me precious bonding moments with my mother, and has never failed me.”
Best Cleanser
Pond’s Cold Cream
Now 12% Off
“I’ve used this for the last thirty years,” says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “Mature skin produces less oil and has a more fragile barrier, and aggressive cleansers strip lipids and leave it tight, reactive, and vulnerable. Cold cream does the opposite. It gently dissolves makeup while replenishing essential fatty acids, supporting barrier repair, and reducing transepidermal water loss. It’s an old-school formula that understood skin physiology before we were even using the term “skin barrier.” Mature skin doesn’t need to be squeaky clean—it needs to be cushioned, respected, and replenished.”
Best Plumping Serum
DWB P46 Peptide + HA Serum
“I’ve been in the industry a long time and have a healthy skepticism when it comes to marketing claims, but this product does what it says it does and has made an actual difference in my mature skin,” says Jenny Patinkin, a makeup artist, bestselling author, and founder of Jenny Patinkin. “It keeps me hydrated even in dry climates, cold weather, and during travel—so much so that my aesthetician has noticed the improvement.” The formula includes hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid to flood skin with moisture as well as four peptides that signal cells to make more skin-firming collagen and relax expression lines.
Best Night Cream
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream
“I have used and loved this night cream for years! I like how deeply hydrating and nourishing it is without being too thick or greasy. It’s specifically great for mature skin because it has time-released retinol molecules, which help to smooth and firm,” says Jeannette Graf, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. “It really simplifies the nighttime routine because, besides retinol, it includes other skin heroes like vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 to strengthen and condition the skin barrier. Its benefits last well past the night.”
Best Regenerative Serum
Sweet Chemistry Barrier Repairing Hydra-Serum
“This is the best skincare I have ever used,” says celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves. “It’s filled with proven actives (peptides, niacinamide, antioxidants, and more), and I have seen a huge difference in my skin texture, firmness, and elasticity. Everyone around me has noticed, too. I’ve turned all my besties on to it.” The line is co-created by an experienced cosmetic chemist and a scientist known for his work on healing damaged organs and tissue regeneration. “I layer this serum with the brand’s Lipid Cream,” adds Paves.
Best Calming Cream
DefenAge 7x Calming Cream
“After more than four decades in beauty, from the runway to the offices of some of the best dermatologists in the world, I’ve learned there isn’t one miracle product, especially at 61. The real secret is what dermatologists call stacking: layering advanced in-office treatments, prescription actives, and barrier-supporting skincare so each one works better,” says Veronica Webb, model and author of the substack Haute Mess. “This barrier cream is like a deep conditioner for my skin. When it’s stressed from travel or weather, or recovering from a treatment, this helps calm and restore it.” The formula has peptides, plus anti-inflammatories and hydrators, including aloe, red algae, sunflower seed oil, green tea, and bai wei (a Chinese herb).
Best Sunscreen for All Skin Tones
La Roche-Posay MelaB3 Sunscreen
“I used to apply sun tanning oil—sunscreen wasn’t part of the conversation. But then my mom developed skin cancer on her foot, and I learned that Black people can get skin cancer, too. So since the age of 56, I’ve worn sunscreen every day. It’s never too late to start a good habit,” says Bevy Smith, author, actress, and host of In Bed with Bevy. “This is what I use on my face.” The chemical sunscreen doesn’t leave a white cast and contains niacinamide and a new ingredient called melasyl to help fade dark spots and discoloration.
Best Exosome Serum
Plated Skin Science Intense Serum
“I was asked to evaluate the science of this formula when it was in development, and have been using it myself for four years now,” says dermatologist Mary Lupo, MD. The tech is cutting-edge and potentially remarkable: the exosomes in the formula are extracted from donated human-derived platelets, and act like a fitness trainer for your skin, telling it to make more collagen and calm down inflammation. In Dr. Lupo’s case, “It’s been a game-changer for healing.”
Best Face Oil
“A longtime staple for me, this Retinoic Nurient Face Oil is packed with nourishing botanicals and gives my skin an incredible, healthy glow without feeling heavy,” says celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger. “I love pressing a few drops in before makeup to instantly make my complexion look fresher, smoother, more radiant—it turns my skin into the best version of itself.” Formulated as a gentler alternative to retinol, the oil contains 40 botanicals, including Black Jack plant to rev cell turnover, bisabolol to soothe, and hydrating superfoods like rose hip, jojoba, arnica, and green tea oils.
Best Hyaluronic Acid Hydrator
SkinMedica HA5 Hydra Collagen
“Delivering glazed skin since the days when glaze was only found on donuts, this product has been at the center of my skincare routine for years,” says Didi Gluck, beauty writer and former beauty director of Marie Claire, Shape, More, and Real Simple. It contains five forms of uber-moisturizing hyaluronic acid, as well as vegan collagen, and is also non-comedogenic, free of fragrance, parabens, and sulfates, and great for all skin types. “The company doesn’t call it a moisturizer, but I use it as one because it’s just that hydrating. And its gel-cream texture makes it ideal year-round. Since it also contains antioxidants and vitamin F to protect the skin barrier, it functions as my serum, too.”
Best Sunscreen for Sun Damage
ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+
Now 25% Off
“I swear by this because not only does it provide sheer protection from UVA/UVB rays, it contains DNA repair enzymes to help repair existing sun damage,” says Valerie Monroe, author of the weekly Substack newsletter How Not to F*ck Up Your Face. These special enzymes locate and replace damaged DNA in our skin cells, preventing dark spots and wrinkles from reaching the surface.
Best 3-Step System
“I see Jason Diamond, an LA-based plastic surgeon, for his Diamond InstaFacial, which includes injecting your body’s own plasma into your skin, and it’s truly incredible,” says Jennifer Fisher, founder of Jennifer Fisher Jewelry and author of Trust Your Gut and Maedyn.com. “His skincare collection mimics the facial’s results and has helped me maintain an even and smooth skin texture over the last couple of years. I’ve never had a reaction to any of the products, and I have sensitive skin.” The first step, called Plasma, is a red-tinged fluid containing human growth factors to stimulate repair; the second is the Infusion, which contains a firming microcollagen, and the third is the Emulsion, which has a gentle retinoid ester to promote cell turnover.
Best Retinal Serum
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum 30ml
“At 57, I focus on clinically proven ingredients that help support healthy, resilient skin. I use a vitamin C serum to brighten and protect my skin during the day, and this retinal serum at night,” says Lisa Cooper, a midlife beauty and lifestyle creator. “It works to support collagen and a smoother-looking texture while I sleep.” The formula comes in six strengths of active retinaldehyde, which is like retinol with a Disney Fast Pass: when you apply retinol to the skin, it takes two steps to convert into the active form our skin cells can use; retinal/retinaldehyde converts in one step.
Best Body Brush
Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush
“With a good, firm scrub using this brush every day, you will absolutely see a far more vibrant and radiant appearance to your skin,” says model Colleen Heidemann. “In fact, every day someone will stop to ask me how I get this glow—it’s this.” Before a bath or shower, while skin is dry, sweep the firm, natural cactus bristles along your body, starting from the feet up in long upward motions to increase circulation and slough off dead cells.
Best Self Tanner
Dolce Glow Self Tanning Mist
“UV exposure is still the number one cause of premature visible aging in the skin, so while we all want that healthy glow, we have to get it the smart way. A beautiful self-tanner is my shortcut,” says Kat James, makeup artist, esthetician, and founder of Kat James Beauty. “This gives the most natural, believable color I’ve found. It never turns orange, never looks heavy. Instead, it creates a soft warmth that makes skin look healthier, smoother, and more vibrant. Whenever I’m feeling a little tired or washed out, I throw on a touch of this self-tanner and it changes everything. Even my mood lifts.”
Best Gentle Retinol Serum
Mother Science Retinol Synergist
“I love the effect that Mother Science’s retinol has on the texture of my skin and my pores,” says dermatologist Pearl Grimes, MD. “My makeup looks flawless, thanks to this find.” The formula contains .3 percent encapsulated retinol, which means it releases slowly to lessen irritation. It also contains malassezin, a unique ingredient that targets dark spots, and barrier-sealing lipids to keep skin hydrated.
Best Body Cream
“One of my go-to moisturizers when my skin needs serious hydration, this ultra-rich, botanical-packed cream leaves the prettiest glow,” says Jo Placencio, a content creator. A little goes a long way, and while it’s labeled as a body cream, you can use it as an overnight facial mask, as a primer that smooths skin before makeup, or to create a gorgeous sheen thanks to rosemary, chamomile, calendula, and pansy extracts as well as sunflower and sweet almond oils.
Best Wrinkle Serum
Perricone MD Deep Crease Serum
“Peptides are a game-changer for mature skin, and this formula contains neuropeptides, growth factor peptides, and plant stem cells, which make my skin look noticeably firmer, lifted, and more radiant,” says Shannon Crittenden-Mann, a content creator. “It’s one of the few products I reach for consistently.” Apply it twice a day on clean skin and layer moisturizer on top.
Best Gum Strengthener
“As I’ve gotten older, gum health has become a real priority for me. It’s something people don’t always talk about, but it’s incredibly important for your overall health and confidence. This treatment has become a staple in my routine,” says Chris Salgardo, grooming expert and founder of ATWATER Skin. When you brush the cooling gel onto the gums, antioxidants, niacinamide, and a plant stem cell extract help to strengthen, clarify, and condition.
Best Wrinkle-Smoothing Eye Patches
Soke Hydrogel Eye Patches
“I have always been self-conscious about the wrinkles and puffiness under my eyes,” says Kim Wileman, product innovator and co-founder of No Makeup Makeup. “These patches are the Holy Grail. Nothing compares. In fact, I use them every time I have an event or am on QVC!” Place them under your eyes and let them do their thing for a full half hour; the hydrogel material acts like a second skin that drives the peptides and hydrating sodium hyaluronate into the barrier, helping to soften and smooth lines.
Best Hormonal Acne Treatment
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
“This keeps my hormone-induced forehead acne at bay and reduces my pore size,” says Isabella Thorp, content creator. Once a day, pat onto skin with clean hands or swipe it on with a cotton round; don’t rinse. The salicylic acid acts like Roto-Rooter, unclogging pores and lifting old, dead cells to help clear blackheads and pimples.
Best Eye Cream
Orvos Satin Eye Gel Cream
“This is an essential to my daily ritual,” says Rae Ann Herman, market director at Oprah Daily. Created by oculoplastic surgeon Robert Schwarcz, MD, the antioxidant-rich formula reduces inflammation, dark circles, and fine lines. “I have very sensitive eyes, and a lot of eye creams will seep in, which makes me feel like I have a film over my eyes all day. But Dr. Schwarcz has a magic touch. This feels cooling, calming, and leaves me looking and feeling brighter.”
Image Credits: Lead: Studio Nova/Adobe Stock; MakeStories.com/Adobe Stock; GEORGE/Trunk Archive; Adrianna Favero/Gallery Stock. Makeup: GEORGE/Trunk Archive. Hair: Arturo/Adobe Stock; Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock. Skin: GEORGE/Trunk Archive. Val Monroe headshot: Marcia Ciriello.
Kate Sandoval Box (she/her) is the Beauty Director at Oprah Daily. She has over 18 years of experience at national women’s media brands; and, in fact, started her publishing career at O, The Oprah Magazine. She’s also held beauty editor roles at Shape, Self, Latina, and Cosmopolitan. Kate tests hundreds and hundreds of beauty products that cross her desk each year and interviews many top experts, celebrities, and indie brand founders to bring you the best in beauty. Follow her on Instagram.
