Behold: The 85 Best Skin, Hair, and Makeup Products of 2023...According to Cosmo Readers
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You’re about to enter a sacred space: our 2023 Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards, aka a collection of the year’s best skincare, makeup, hair products, tools, and treatments...according to you. Back in April, we asked our savviest readers to vote for their most beloved beauty items, and more than 75,000 (!) of you weighed in. And today? We’re excited to debut this epic list of 85 winners—whittled down from nearly 7 million votes!—curated and vetted entirely by you all. Keep scrolling to hear from IRL reviewers about why these fan favorites are absolute must-haves—and don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone if you decide to shop ’em all.
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What you love to use on your face and body
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
We are 100 percent aligned with this glowing review: “I love, love, love this moisturizer. I use it every day in the morning, and it feels so good on my skin and doesn’t break me out either. It’s really one of the best.”
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
“This serum gives my skin the most satisfying glow,” one of you shared. More high praise: “I love how this hydrating and soothing this feels on my face” and “it’s super affordable and does its job!”
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
This tried-and-true formula is loved by you...and just about every derm we’ve ever interviewed. “It gives you soft and smooth skin” was a reply. So was “it makes me feel so refreshed.”
Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
The biggest benefits of this toner? Pore minimizing and improved skin texture. “My pores used to be giant, and this really helped make them look smaller and tighter,” one reader told us. “It makes my skin so soft, smooth, and clear,” another one of you shared.
SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser
4,800 readers called this their favorite makeup remover. “It’s my go-to,” wrote one of you. “The way it leaves my skin so clean is amazing—no residue and no irritation,” said another.
SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1 Makeup Remover and Facial Cleanser
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$3.98
Hearst Owned2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
“This makes my skin so even and bright—I truly can’t live without it,” one reader shared with us. “This is the best for getting rid of the breakouts that pop up around my period without irritating or stinging my skin,” explained another.
De-Puff and Brightening Eye Gel
Many of you said you loved the “texture,” “feel,” “fun packaging,” and “affordability” of Byoma products. As for the eye cream, “it’s my go-to for both morning and night—it has helped with my dark circles and under-eye bags,” said one of you.
Over Night Hydrating Sleep Mask
Y’all have nothing but love for this sleeping mask from Bubble. “It hydrates and calms my skin without creating any greasy residue or breakouts,” shared one reader. “When I wake up in the morning after using this, my skin simply feels incredible.”
Silk SPF 30
“I love everything Cocokind, especially this sunscreen. It’s so gentle and it feels light on my skin. The quality of the products at an accessible price point and the company’s sustainable practices are why I’ve been a loyal customer for years.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Regenerist Retinol24 + Peptide Night Moisturizer
“I love Olay’s retinol—it keeps my face moisturized, smooth, and bright,” said a big fan. “My skin wouldn’t be the same without this,” wrote another.
SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray
“This product is so easy to integrate into my routine,” wrote one reviewer, adding that “it’s a lifesaver for when your skin feels irritated or inflamed.” Other great feedback: “This works so well to soothe acne-prone skin” and “it takes down redness almost instantly.”
Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment
Treating active breakouts and the dark scars and marks they leave behind at the same time can be tricky, but this lightweight lotion gets the job done. “This stuff is amazing—it cleared my acne and brightened my complexion,” one of you wrote.
Hydro-Stars
These pimple patches were your favorite in 2022 and they got your top vote again this year. “These are super cute and fun and make me less angry about having a pimple,” wrote one enthusiast.
Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil
The face oil to end all face oils. Readers said this bb makes their skin feel “nice and plump,” “super moisturized but not greasy,” and “balanced and happy.”
Lip Therapy Rosy Lips
Pretty much your ultimate fix for cracked, chapped lips. “This feels so soothing on my lips and makes them feel soft for a long time,” wrote one of you. “I never leave my house without it in my
purse,” said another.
Dryness Relief with Jojoba Oil Body Wash
“Super hydrating,” “smells amazing,” “gives smooth skin,” and ”cleanses without drying” were among all the positive things you had to say about this creamy body wash.
Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion
“This is the only body lotion I’ve used for the last 10 years. It keeps skin hydrated and is not greasy or tacky,” shared one reader. “This lotion makes me skin so smooth and it has helped my eczema so much,” said another.
Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Scrub
You all love how this gentle body scrub makes your arms and legs “feel so soooo smooth” and “has the prettiest, freshest floral scent.”
Undaria Algae Body Oil
Many of you agreed that Osea’s body oil is worth the $$. “It immediately helped with my cracked elbows and knees—plus, it dries down quickly and smells divine,” said a reader. “It leaves my skin glowy and soft, not sticky like so many other body oils I’ve tried,” wrote another.
transparent Touch Lotion Sunscreen SPF 30
Everyone raved about the scent of this iconic sunscreen from Hawaiian Tropic. “It’s like summer in a bottle,” one of you shared with us. “A delight for my nose and perfect for protecting my skin,” shared another.
La Creme Main Texture Riche
Behold: Your chicest solution for dry hands because “it is so moisturizing and smells amazing” and “the bottle is just so gorgeous, I bring it everywhere.”
Even Tone Antiperspirant Deodorant
This checked all your boxes when it comes to the perfect antiperspirant. “It stops sweat, smells fresh but not overly perfume-y, and feels nice and soothing under my arms,” explained one of you.
Self-Tanning Natural Glow Face Drops
“Easy to use” and “natural-looking” were common phrases you all used to describe your favorite self-tanner. “These drops are great because I can really control the amount of color,” said a reader. “They give my skin the dewiest glow and never look orange,” wrote another.
Your favorites for your eyes, lips, cheeks, and more
Light Reflecting Advanced Skincare Foundation
“This foundation is the greatest thing ever,” one of you told us. “Although it’s expensive, it’s the best full-coverage foundation I’ve tried to date,” shared another.
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Powder Foundation
According to one of you, “Fenty is the best when it comes to inclusive shade ranges and maximum coverage.” No wonder nearly 3,000 of you called this your favorite powder foundation.
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
Check out this 10/10 review from a reader: “The Ilia Skin Tint is the perfect natural base for a fresh and dewy daytime look. I love the amazing shade range and the lightweight feel. It gives me great coverage yet feels like I’m wearing nothing at all.”
Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer
Many of you called this the greatest concealer of all time. “Nothing else covers my dark circles,” one of you wrote. “I will die on the hill that is Tarte Shape Tape,” said another superfan.
Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer
“Omgggg in love” and “to die for” were just two of the enthusiastic comments you all had about this cult-favorite makeup primer.
Translucent Loose Setting Powder
We don’t need to sell you guys on the magic that is Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder. “It absorbs excess oil for the entire day—plus, it’s the best at blurring pores and setting my foundation,” said a reader.
Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
“This setting spray is really calming and sets my makeup for the whole day so it looks amazing,” wrote one of you. “I just love anything Charlotte Tilbury—especially this setting spray,” said another. 10/10 agree.
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
This liquid formula from Selena Gomez’s beloved makeup line got more votes than any other award winner on our list. A whopping 6,100 of you consider the buildable blush your “holy grail.”
Super Shock Highlighter
You all love ColourPop—especially this top-rated highlighting powder. “Colourpop has great, affordable products that last and are even better than some higher-end products I’ve tried,” wrote one reader. “I really just like anything from Colourpop,” another one of you said.
Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
Another one of your favorites from Rare Beauty, this bronzer got more than *double* the votes of the runner-up in the category. “It has just the right amount of pigment,” one of you wrote.
Naked3 Eyeshadow Palette
The iconic Naked3 palette was your clear favorite in the “best eyeshadow” category—2,400 of you voted for it as the eyeshadow you swear by...likely because each of the 12 neutral shades are supremely wearable and long-lasting.
Tattoo Liner
Thousands of you crowned this gem your all-time favorite eyeliner. According to one reader (and, like, every makeup artist ever), “the tip is so precise and the pen is so easy to use.”
Lash Blast Volume Mascara
“It makes my lashes so full and gorgeous,” one reply read. Another voter confessed “living for this CoverGirl mascara.” Just guessing, but it’s probably because the iconic formula lengthens, thickens, and defines lashes in just a few quick coats.
Advanced Eyelash Conditioner Serum
Your secret weapon for making natural lashes look like extensions and feel super strong and healthy. “I use this for longer, fuller lashes that curl as they grow,” one of you explained.
24-HR Brow Setter Clear Eyebrow Gel
“Benefit products are soooo reliable,” shared one of you. “Anything Benefit is my go-to, especially the long-lasting brow gel—it’ll keep your brows in place all day and night long,” reads another glowing review.
Retro Matte Lipstick
“I love MAC lipsticks because of the wide shade range and amazing texture.” You said it and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.
Addict Lip Glow Oil
TikTokers aren’t the only ones obsessed with this viral sensation: “The Dior lip oil is to die for! I always get compliments when I wear it” was just one enthusiast’s response.
Slim Lip Pencil
Tons of you had high remarks for this lip liner. “It’s been my favorite for years—the shade options are beautiful and the formula has great longevity,” wrote one tester. “It goes on smooth and the tip never breaks,” wrote another.
Infinite Shine 2 Long-Wear Nail Lacquer
It was your favorite polish of 2022, and it’s still your mani-pedi formula of choice for 2023. The color stays ultra-shiny and chip-free for up to 11 days—plus, the shades are pretty perfect.
Nudies Bare But Better Nude Nails
These were your clear favorite in the press-on nail category. “Kiss nails are THE go-to for press-on nails,” shared one reader, adding, “they’re so quick and reliable and they always stick!”
Everything you’re obsessed with for washing, conditioning, and styling
Moisture Rich Shampoo
A winning choice for nearly all hair types and textures, from fine and straight to thick and curly. “It is affordable yet high quality and smells delicious,” gushed one of you.
No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Your Olaplex obsession is very real: “Anything from Olaplex I love—it saved and transformed my hair” and “it makes my hair so soft and silky” are only two of many, many notes we got.
Biotin & Collagen Extra Volume Extra Strength Shampoo
“You can’t go wrong with OGX” and “OGX will forever and always be one of my favorite hair brands” were just two of the positive things you all had to say about this beloved drugstore hair brand.
Fine Hair Conditioner
“Not only does this conditioner smell amazing, it leaves my hair feeling the best it’s ever looked,” one fan said. “It’s the absolute best conditioner for fine hair—hands down,” professed another.
Color Security Shampoo
You spend time and money at the salon, so why wouldn’t you preserve your dye job with this sulfate-free shampoo from your “go-to beauty brand” Color Wow?
Chroma Absolu Strengthening Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair
“Ke?rastase for the win!” and “Ke?rastase all the way” were among your refrains about this color-protecting conditioner.
SheaCoconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
“This has saved my hair,” wrote one reader, adding that “it makes my curls look so healthy and fabulous.” “This is the best for curls and coils—please never change the formula!” shared another reader.
Heavy Conditioner
According to one of you, this is “by far the top-tier conditioner for natural hair.” “It makes my curls so soft and shiny,” said another reader.
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
If you’re not already one of the hundreds of readers obsessed with K18, consider this a sign to hop on the bandwagon ASAP. “It totally healed my hair,” said one of you. “K18 all the way—it’s by far the most effective hair product I’ve ever used,” wrote another.
Miracle Leave-In Product
This is so much more than just a leave-in conditioner. It detangles, gives hair silkiness and shine, helps repair damage and split ends, minimizes flyaways, and makes styling way easier. It’s no surprise 1,800 of you said it’s the leave-in conditioner you “swear by.”
Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask
“Amika is a brand that I love and trust,” shared a reader. “The mask is one of my favorite products. It’s perfect for when I need something to heal and refresh my bleached, damaged hair.”
Honey Infused Hair Oil
“Shiny,” “silky,” and “super-soft” were words y’all used to describe your hair after using this hair oil. The magic? A blend of hydrating honey, conditioning coconut oil, and strengthening almond oil.
Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub
Proof that dandruff treatments can be chic? This exfoliating scalp scrub from Oribe. “I love to treat myself with Oribe,” one of you told us. “Their products are true luxury and they put in the work,” said another.
Honey & Ginger Flexible Hold Edge Gel
“Mielle products are always at the top for me—they literally never miss,” professed one reader. “Mielle is in a category of its own. I really love how these products—especially the edge control—make my hair feel,” raved another.
Original Dry Shampoo
It made its debut in the ’70s and y’all—and our entire beauty team, FWIW—are still obsessed. “I swear by this dry shampoo—it’s the best on the market,” one of you wrote.
Glossing Detangler
Leave it to Jennifer Aniston to create a detangler that leaves hair feeling like straight silk. “This detangles my hair so unbelievably well,” wrote one of you. Another of you said, “I use this every time I get out the shower and my hair is always so soft and smooth.”
Plump For Joy Thickening Hair Lifter
1,000 readers told us this is their favorite way to give fine, flat hair a boost. “This stuff is so good for volumizing,” shared one tester, adding, “I’ve honestly never tried a Not Your Mother’s product that I didn’t love.”
Bounce Back Curl Reviving Mist
Cosmo’s curly girls love this mist for refreshing and resetting hair in a pinch. The lightweight blend of aloe vera, cactus flower, and pequi extract moisturizes and smooths to breathe new life into second (or third) day hair.
Elastic Bounce Leave-In Conditioning Styler Hair Cream
This silky cream is packing with moisturizing and strengthening ingredients, making it your must-have for curls and coils with bounce, shine, and definition.
Hydrating Styling Cream
Superlatives only for this standout styling cream. “The BEST!” wrote multiple readers. “The greatest when it comes to smoothing and styling my hair,” wrote one of you.
Keratin Color Permanent Hair Color
Your clear favorite in the at-home hair color category, this box dye gets the job done for a literal fraction of the price of in-salon color treatments.
The techy stuff on your vanity
Double Ceramic 1.25-Inch Curling Iron
“I legit use this Conair iron every day,” shared one reader. The 1.25-inch barrel is the perfect size for creating loose curls and beachy waves—plus, it heats up in just 60 seconds.
Original 1-Inch Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
Chi’s flatiron is a total classic. Like many of you, I've used my Chi to smooth and straighten my hair for years. “Chi irons last forever—I’ve dropped mine countless times and it still works like magic,” read one of your reviews.
Supersonic Hair Dryer
“The Dyson hair dryer is the best hair dryer I have owned,” said one of you. “It’s worth every penny—each time I use it, my hair looks like I just came straight from the salon” and “it truly gives the perfect blowout,” shared two more readers.
Original Detangling Hair Brush
“This brush is gentle on my wet hair which is important because that’s when hair is most fragile,” explained one of you. “It’s a miracle brush. Wet, tangled hair from a 20-mile run in the rain? No problem, no pulling, and no snags,” said another one of you.
Cryo Skin Icing Roller for Face, Eyes and Body
Facial rollers are the It skincare tool of 2023, and 1,600 of you crowned BeautyBio’s Cryo Skin Icing Roller your favorite. It soothes, depuffs, calms inflammation, and can even help make large pores look less noticeable too.
The Original Beautyblender
At this point, there are hundreds of Beautyblender dupes, but the majority of you agree that the OG is the real deal. “There’s nothing like a real Beautyblender—it delivers a superior blend every time I use it and my makeup always looks so smooth,” one of you told us.
Professional Stainless Steel Rockhard Cuticle Nipper
1,300 of you said this is the “one nail product you swear by for DIY manis-pedis.” The sharp, ultra-thin edges make it easy to remove excess cuticle, jagged nail edges, and annoying hang nails with ease.
Women’s Shave Kit
“I’m OBSESSED with my Billie razor. I’ve been using it since 2019 and will never go back,” gushed one of you. “The Billie razor is so good! I love the shower holder and how sustainable the system is,” another one of you said.
3D Whitestrips Dental Whitening Kit Glamorous White Plus
“I swear my teeth look whiter after using these just one time,” read one of your reviews. “My teeth will legit blind you because of how white these strips get them,” said another.
Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
“This is the only toothbrush I’ll ever use,” shared one loyal reader. “The Oral-B is super techy and reliable too,” said another reader, adding, “I’ve had it for years and it still works really well.”
The best steals, splurges, and one-of-a-kind finds
Major Fade Solution System
Hundreds of new beauty brands launch every day, and board-certified dermatologist Sherenne Idriss’s was the biggest standout according to readers. “I have incredibly sensitive skin and these products actually work without destroying my skin barrier. The mask, serum, and moisturizer have helped get rid of my sun spots. I just started using the depuffing roller and I’m loving that too,” read a review.
Essential Drip Lip Oil
5,200—that’s how many of called Ariana Grande’s R.e.m. Beauty the celebrity beauty brand you love. “The products are beyond and the packaging is so cool,” one of you told us. “I’m kinda over celeb beauty brands, but this line is just so good. It feels different from other brands,” said another. (P.S. If you haven’t tried anything from R.e.m. yet, I 10/10 recommend the lip oil.)
Custom Formula Rx for Acne
“Curology saved my face. The custom treatment I was prescribed was the only thing that helped my acne after trying different products for years with no results,” shared one of you. “I love Curology because it gives real results in real time,” said another reader
Glossier You Eau de Parfum
“This perfume is simply iconic. I always get compliments when I wear it, and if people know the scent, they know I’m wearing Glossier,” wrote one of you. “It’s just so gorgeously personal,” said another.
Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
Dyson’s new version of the iconic Airwrap is pricey, but many of you agree it’s worth every dollar. “This is an amazing hair tool—a must-buy,” one of you shared. More praise: “Dyson knows hair. That’s all I have to say.”
Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Liquid Foundation Makeup
This drugstore foundation performs just as well—maybe even better—than prestige options that are quite literally five or six times the price. “It creates a flawless base,” wrote one of you, adding, “it is so affordable and does its job way too well.”
Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes
“These pimple patches are genius. They really get rid of the redness and swelling associated with breakouts overnight,” said one review. “I LOVE the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch pimple patches. I tried them once and now they’re the only patches I will ever use,” wrote another tester.
Glowy Super Skin Lightweight Hydrobounce Serum Foundation
“This is the best-feeling foundation I’ve ever put on my face. It’s so lightweight, but the coverage is somehow substantial,” wrote one of you. “It gives you the ultimate glowy skin look,” another one of you told us.
FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System
You all called this the “biggest hair breakthrough” of 2023. “Compared to other tools like this, the Shark’s FlexStyle is a steal. It dries, smooths, curls, and styles my hair better than anything else I’ve tried,” said a reader. Another one of you said that “it’s the reason I no longer spend a ton of money on pro blowouts.”
Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment
There’s no better beauty multitasker than Aquaphor. “It is a godsend, not just for lips but for anywhere on my skin that’s feeling sad and sensitive,” read one of your reviews.
Hydrafacial
More than 2,000 readers voted for Hydrafacial as their favorite in-office cosmetic treatment. “It’s by far the best facial if you want healthy, hydrated skin,” one of you commented.
Photographs: Joe Lingeman. Prop stylist: Jojo Li for Hello Artists. Beauty direction: Lauren Balsamo. Creative director: Mallory Roynon. Art director: Mary Fama. Senior visuals editor: Emily Adar. Visual assistant: Berkeley Brooks. Digital designer: Khadija Horton. Manicure: Shirley Cheng for See Management using Chanel.
Type (Outward) by Raoul Audouin sourced from Velvytyne.
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