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See the full winners of Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit.
Most people don’t need more skincare—they need better skincare that actually works. For Coveteur’s Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit, we skipped the usual superlatives and went directly to the people who are constantly testing, comparing, and quietly swapping products in and out of their routines: top estheticians, dermatologists, and skincare experts. We asked them for the products that they would never swap out, and the answers were...revealing. One esthetician said she recommends a serum to all her clients dealing with breakouts, and always gets a glowing testimonial afterwards; turns out, two other estheticians on our committee recommended the same one. (Spoiler alert: it's the SIV Biome Balancing Serum, and yes, it won a category.) All of our winners below have the insider stamp of approval—because if it's good enough for Emma Stone's facialist, it's good enough for us.
We looked at thousands of submissions and narrowed the winners down by number of nominations, quality of ingredients and efficacy. Ahead, find the 27 best skincare products of the year and what skincare pros actually use.
It may seem counterintuitive for a cleansing oil to both remove makeup and dissolve pore-clogging sebum, but this nourishing cleanser from the esthetician-beloved brand does both exceedingly well. “It’s lightweight, breaks down excess sebum, and doesn't leave a film on the surface,” says NYC aesthetician Madalaina Conti. “The perfect first cleanse that won’t block product absorption of your following routine. It’s a staple in and out of the studio.”
The next best thing to washing your face with honey (and way less sticky), this balm-textured face wash has a 54 percent glycerin base that hydrates the skin instead of stripping away its natural oils. Manuka honey helps to balance the skin’s microbiome as it eliminates acne-causing bacteria. “Under steam, it melts so beautifully into the skin, dissolves buildup effortlessly, and the subtle honey note makes it such a sensorial treatment staple,” says SoHo-based esthetician and Ställe Studios founder Elizabeth Hand.
Those with dry or damaged skin may be hesitant to use foam cleansers, which are notoriously drying on the skin. Not so with this barrier-repairing ceramide foam from K-beauty brand Aestura. A favorite of dermatologist Dr. David Kim, it creates a lavishly creamy whipped mousse texture on the skin. With a mildly acidic pH that is gentle on skin, it features antioxidant green tea extract to hydrate as it cleanses and a healthy dose of glycerin to soften skin.
A tried and true way of fully removing makeup, sunscreen, and grime picked up throughout the day, a cleansing balm is a can't-skip skincare step—especially Then I Met You's Living Cleansing Balm. With a buttery-soft texture and a formula that includes sea buckthorn oil for hydration and persimmon extract for brightening, this product goes beyond just cleansing—it provides a sensorial experience while treating the skin. It's no wonder beauty editors and skincare pros swear by it.
Physical scrubs have gotten a bit of a bad rap in recent years for being too harsh and drying on sensitive skin. This hybrid scrub from Dr. Loretta helps rehab the face scrub’s rep. It delivers a gentle resurfacing by combining enzymatic exfoliation from pomegranate with a soft-on-skin bio-fermented polish to dislodge build-up and reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. “The physical component to this scrub is the perfect size and consistency that gently sloughs away dead skin without irritating, while the enzymatic component gently releases dead skin cells,” says Conti. “Potent enough for great results, gentle enough for sensitive skin.”
If you struggle with skin that doesn’t feel completely clean no matter what you wash it with, this chemical exfoliator is your new savior. Made with a tag team of powerful alpha-hydroxy acids, it melts off dead skin, excess oil, and SPF residue with ease, all while keeping skin hydrated and calm.
If you think all face mists are created equal, clearly you haven’t spritzed on this elixir from Augustinus Bader. Powered by the brand’s proprietary TFC8®, which supports the skin’s natural regenerative process, the rosewater-infused mist delivers a sheer layer of hydration as it nourishes, plumps, and refreshes your complexion.
A formula so good, it became a global sensation. This silky essence has a creamy finish thanks to a blend of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol mixed with fermented botanicals. It boosts the skin's barrier and leaves you dewy, hydrated, radiant, and plump. “This essence hydrates, calms, and nourishes my skin in a powerful way that is noticeable after just one use,” says Lee. “Black rice enzymes are extremely reviving for my skin and I have gone through a few bottles of this already.”
A decadently rich moisturizer that’s safe for acne-prone skin? Only the “acne whisperer” of NYC could pull something like that off. With a blend of omega fatty acids, squalane, argan oil, and vitamin F, Sofie Pavitt’s Omega Rich Moisturizer replenishes dry skin as it balances your oil production and smoothes uneven texture. “I simply cannot live without this one,” says Conti. “I like to think of omega fatty acids as ‘pore lube’ since they help prevent sticky buildup of sebum and dead skin cells inside the pore while balancing oil production. It'll never pill and leaves the perfect glow.” Pore lube, indeed.
Three hundred peptides might seem like overkill, but in this luxe moisturizer, it’s just right. Combined with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, it helps to visibly renew the skin as it improves signs of aging like fine lines, dark spots, and loss of elasticity as it stimulates cellular renewal in as little as two weeks.
A vitamin C serum is integral to your daily skin regimen, however this hybrid L-ascorbic acid and tri-peptide is arguably the final boss of antioxidant serums. It has an incredible 15 percent vitamin C and copper peptides that brighten hyperpigmentation, irons out fine lines, and supercharges your sunscreen for ultimate UV protection.
The secret to the drenching hydration from this hydrating serum is a targeted mix of beta-glucans (a form of polysaccharide derived from oats, mushrooms, or yeast) and ceramides. Together they quench skin’s thirst by delivering instant and long-lasting hydration. Additionally, resveratrol calms and provides antioxidant support and carnosine helps defend skin from the aging process of glycation.
You can’t throw a rock these days without hitting an epidermal growth factor (EGF) serum. However, this one from superstar plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond stands above the rest thanks to EGF derived from bioengineered human identical growth factors. They stimulate the skin’s repair process and visibly rejuvenate tired, stressed, and aging skin for a more lifted, firm, and glowy appearance.
For those chasing that elusive lit-from-within glow, this new serum from Sisley delivers instant radiance with long-term payoff. Infused with the brand’s signature black rose complex and a brightening astaxanthin to defend against the oxidative stress that quietly dulls skin over time, it works to smooth, plump, and revive dull, fatigued skin in a single step. The texture is silky and fast-absorbing, making it ideal for layering under makeup or using as a standalone glow booster.
For anyone dealing with persistent redness or reactive skin, this treatment from G.M. Collin acts like a reset button. Clinically formulated to instantly soothe while reinforcing the skin’s barrier, it targets the root causes of flushing—not just the surface symptoms. A blend of bioferments, botanical extracts, and capillary-strengthening actives works to calm inflammation, support microcirculation, and reduce visible redness over time.
Ensuring your skin gets the essential vitamins it needs to look and feel its best is easy with this professional-grade serum from Environ. It has a potent mix of vitamins A, C, & E to simultaneously smooth lines, brighten, and protect the skin from free radical damage. The addition of peptides adds a firming boost to this refining daily treatment. “I’ve never seen a serum's ability to regulate and build resilience in the skin quite like this,” says Conti. “It reverses the effects of free radical damage while building skin immunity. It’s also a super multitasker so you can scale back your routine and notice major results.”
After sunscreen, the ingredient dermatologists recommend most to stave off premature aging of the skin is retinol. Unfortunately, some retinoids can be irritating to the skin, especially if you are already sensitive or have a disrupted barrier. This next-gen retinoid from Eighth Day claims to have 250 percent greater potency than traditional retinol without the redness, flaking, and dryness. It has microencapsulated, time-released retinaldehyde suspended in a lush, peptide-rich cream.
Formulated with five percent benzoyl peroxide, this spot treatment mask helps eradicate breakouts and prevent new ones from forming. It contains panthenol to hydrate, glycolic acid to exfoliate, and kaolin clay to absorb excess oil. “When my acne clients begin to work this product into their routine consistently, the results are night and day, especially for deep cystic pimples,” says Conti. “It’s crucial for clearing and prevention.”
While it was developed to be used on post-procedure skin, this high-tech serum is a wonder for all gazes. The secret is not one, but two types of EGF to rebuild skin density on thin undereye skin and support natural collagen production. It also features keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) to support skin barrier and boost skin’s natural regeneration cycle. “It smooths, tightens and depuffs all in one easy swoop,” says Hand. “Plus it sets so nicely under concealer.”
Tackle multiple signs of aging around the eye area with this luxe eye cream from La Mer. In addition to the brand’s signature Miracle Broth, it utilizes the proprietary Rejuvenation Precision Complex-6 (RPC-6) to plump and soothe the skin as it encourages collagen production. A dual-function eye sculpting complex cocoons the skin to deliver ingredients where they’re most essential and visibly support and lift the undereye area—plus, don’t skip the eye sculpting wand, which helps visibly depuff in seconds.
Give your lips a pampering bedtime treat with this overnight lip softener. Instead of feeling gooped up, this squalane-based hydrator melts into your pout to deliver deep moisture as it smoothes fine lines and plumps up the skin. Its high-shine finish and ultra-wearable texture means it can be worn day or night, for soft, flake-free lips.
If your skin is looking a little lackluster, this weekly treatment is your reset button for radiance. Made with Australian flame tree, rice extract, rosemary, and charcoal powder, it purifies your pores as it refines uneven texture and brightens up uneven tone. “I love using this mask as a light physical exfoliant,” says Soho-based esthetician and SYK Skin founder Soo-Young Kim Abrams. “The kaolin clay, charcoal, and rice extracts gently buff the surface of my skin.”
A night cream that gives your skin cells more energy to repair damage and stimulate collagen, this recharging cream targets adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—your skin’s battery—optimizing everything from barrier function to fighting inflammaging. Apply it at night and skin is more hydrated, softer, and with less noticeable fine lines in the morning.
The FDA-approved version of the viral Korean sunscreen beloved by TikTok, Day Dew feels more like an airy moisturizer than an SPF. It has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol in its formula which gives the skin moisture, nourishment, and antioxidant protection as it shields you from the sun’s damaging rays. The lightweight texture also means it's easy to reapply, ensuring you get the all-day SPF coverage you need. “I wasn't expecting too much from this product when I first tried it but I instantly fell in love with how nicely it wore on my skin and how it performed with my makeup,” says Lee. “I don't wear anything less than SPF 50 everyday and this has easily become my new favorite.”
Developed by NYC dermatologist and K-Beauty expert Dr. David Kim, this whipped zinc oxide-based SPF both protects the skin from UV damage and helps address the signs of daily sun exposure as you wear it. The secret is liposome-encapsulated phytolase—activated by the light, it repairs UV-induced damage. Available in untinted or tinted formulations, it’s enriched with hydrating squalane and antioxidant niacinamide and lignonberry for a mineral sunscreen that protects the skin on multiple levels.
If your barrier is constantly irritated or depleted, your skin can’t hold onto enough moisture to keep it adequately hydrated. This nourishing serum from Yon-ka consists of 60 percent plant-derived omega fatty acids to restore the skin barrier as it locks in moisture and relieves dryness and discomfort on contact. Skin looks smoother, more glassy, and supple after every application.
All of the estheticians on our nominating committee have been raving about this acne-clearing serum from SIV and for good reason—it has an adaptable probiotic made from bacillus spore that harmonizes your microbiome. This helps reduce the amount and severity of acne lesions as it keeps the skin hydrated and calm. “It’s my quiet hero for true skin correction, calming acne, irritation, and eczema with zero irritation,” says Hand.
See the full winners of Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit.
See the full winners of Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit.
Haircare is where routines either spiral or get ruthlessly edited—there’s rarely a middle ground. For Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit, we went straight to the people who deal with hair in real time on set, backstage, in hotel rooms, and in between back-to-back clients. These top hairstylists were quick to spill the products that have saved them on shoots, helped tease their clients strands to the heavens or smooth in the face of 100-degree humidity.. These are the formulas that get thrown into kits, carried onto flights, and recommended mid-conversation—not because they’re hyped, but because they work every time.
Ahead, you'll get a tightly edited lineup of haircare that reflects how top experts really approach it: less about building a perfect routine, more about knowing what consistently delivers. Keep scrolling for the 16 best hair products of 2026.
Caring for dry hair without further damaging it means loading up on hydration—and that starts in the shower. Many hair cleansers can dry out the hair shaft and the scalp as they clean away dirt and oil, leaving hair stripped and straw-like. Infused with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, this lush shampoo gently cleans as it infuses hydration into your strands. “I love that this gently refreshes the hair without overdrying it,” says celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan. “It has a great lather and leaves hair feeling soft and silky.”
Repair and protect damaged, color-treated hair with this decadent shampoo from Ceremonia. It has guava and aloe vera to help both repair and protect your strands from stressors like UV rays, saltwater, and chlorine. Color is vibrant and hair is soft and silky after each wash.
Wash day gets a lot less stressful when you add this hydrating cleanser from Tracee Ellis Ross’ Pattern line to your shower schedule. It gently cleanses away build-up to avoid stripping natural oils from coily hair, as honey, coconut oil, and aloe vera juice help detangle, soften, and moisturize your locks.
Celebrity stylist Mara Rozak’s Roz hair-care collection was an immediate hit among in-the-know hair pros the minute it hit the scene. Rozak has managed to do the seemingly impossible by creating a shampoo that works for all hair types and textures, gently cleansing as it balances the scalp with coconut-based surfactants and moisturizing ceramides. “I love that this is an easy, everyday shampoo that can work on all hair types,” says Marjan. “It's gentle and clean, so it's great for everyone.”
Fragile, dehydrated hair will meet its match after one dose of this mega-hydrating conditioner. Made with nourishing botanical oils and extracts, it cocoons hair in moisture as it detangles and repairs. Even the most toasted tresses will look shiny, soft, and more resilient after use.
Rihanna dropping a haircare line is the best thing to happen since Rihanna dropped a makeup line. Curly and coily hair will drink up the moisture provided by green coconut water and Fenty’s exclusive Replenicore-5 complex. Celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen swears it helps revive all types of curls—from waves to coils—smoothing, strengthening, and repairing split ends as it detangles and nourishes.
Thick and powerful, this concentrated cream mask from James Pecis can be used weekly to repair and reinvigorate distressed locks. It has glycerin, hydrolyzed quinoa, and rice extract to bulk up strands and promote thicker, stronger hair. Lactic acid helps act as a humectant to draw moisture into the hair as it protects from damage caused by both UV rays and heat styling.
This high-tech leave-in goes above and beyond just hydrating your hair. It has the brand’s signature Alpha Keratin 60ku, which is bioidentical to the hair’s own keratin and clinically proven to replenish lost keratin that can make hair dry, dull, and prone to breakage. Celebrity hairstylist Xavier Velasquez applies it to wet hair to soften, strengthen, detangle, defrizz, and protect hair from heat styling and UV damage.
This mask from K18 is a must-have for those that are in a serious relationship with bleach, according to celebrity hairstylist Reece Walker. It has a biotech developed peptide that helps reverse damage caused by hair dye, heat styling, and chemical processing. By reconnecting disulfide bonds and polypeptide chains that have been broken, it repairs and strengthens hair at a molecular level to ensure it keeps your hair soft, bouncy, and shiny. “This actually delivers the results you want it to, leaving the hair looking and feeling stronger and healthier,” says Marjan.
Liquid gold for your locks, Stephen swears this luxe oil blends together the richest and most nourishing botanical extracts to deliver moisture, heat protection, and a shine so glassy, hair is practically reflective.
If you’ve ever air-dried your hair and wound up with a frizzy pouf on your head instead of the beachy waves you were aiming for, this cream is for you. It helps define your curl pattern, reduce frizz, infuse hair with moisture, and provide a gentle hold without weighing down your strands. Both Marjan and Velasquez count this as a kit staple for air-drying. “This is such a great product for letting the hair air dry without frizz,” says Marjan. “If you have waves in your hair it defines them beautifully.”
There is a fine line between volumized texture and a crunchy coif. While building volume in fine hair requires giving the hair some structure, you don’t want to create a texture so stiff your hair feels hard or sticky. This texture spray adds some oomph to your ‘do without shellacking strands in place. Instead, hair is soft, tousled, and perfectly inflated to that “I woke up like this” cool girl look—it’s no wonder Stephen and Walker are both fans.
"Keep your curls looking lush with this mega-moisturizing leave-in cream from Adwoa. It infuses curly hair with omega fatty acids to moisturize strands and help retain essential moisture. The rich cream softens coils and adds slip to help with detangling as it defines your natural curl pattern. “I use this a lot on curly hair as it helps moisturize, separate, and define while leaving the hair soft and flexible,” says Marjan.
For ultimate hold without the hard shell, reach for this cream gel from Oribe. It gives you a stay-put style and glossy shine, but moisturizes instead of drying out your locks. “There's just nothing like it,” says Marjan. “It locks in slick looks and sleek styles without looking stiff or crunchy.” Pecis swears by this cream-gel as a kit staple when keying hair looks backstage, too.
A hairspray that strengthens and protects your strands? Only the legendary Chris McMillan could make that happen. Powered by proprietary actives, it seals hair from the outside in, protecting your hair from heat and overenthusiastic brush strokes that can tug and break your delicate strands. It also delivers a glass-hair shine and is formulated to work with all hair types and textures; both Walker and Velasquez swear by its buildable, brushable powers and all-day hold.
Whether it’s postpartum, stress, hormonal changes, or genetics, hair loss can be one of the most frustrating beauty issues to overcome. These capsules from Omi are designed to help you see thicker, fuller hair with less breakage. The all-star formula blends clinically proven ingredients like niacinamide, biotin, vitamin B6, and a cocktail of minerals to strengthen and regenerate your follicles so hair looks and feels thicker and more abundant. Colorist Reece Walker swears they’re “super fast acting, with incredible results.”
See the full winners of Coveteur's 2026 Beauty Awards: The Insider Edit.
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