Michael Hession/NYT WirecutterA soft-focus flush that never looks overdoneWhat we like: Our top pick for the best natural-looking powder blush. Delivers a sheer, natural-looking flush. Lightweight and long-wearing; held up all day long for many panelists. A finely milled powder with a luxe, silky-cool texture and radiant finish.Other things to know: The compact can get messy. Comes with extras like a good-size built-in mirror and a brush for on-the-go touchups, but for initial applications, many testers preferred to use their own brushes. Expensive for the size, but this deal helps.Read more: The 4 Best BlushesA creamy pick-your-own-strength retinolWhat we like: The best retinol product for adjustable potency. Active ingredient is encapsulated retinaldehyde, which is considered to be the most effective retinoid sold over the counter. Creamy and absorbs beautifully. Smells good, with no added synthetic fragrance.Other things to know: Contains 0.03% retinal; beginners can slowly increase the concentration to match their skin’s needs. Some testers liked the pump-top tube, but one had to repeatedly press the pump to release even a small squirt.Read more: The Best Retinol ProductsA throw-in-your-purse dry shampooWhat we like: The best dry shampoo for on-the-go touch-ups. Supremely silky and fine powder. A little goes a long way. Relatively easy to apply, even when you’re on the go. Comes in a range of colors. Tinted powders don’t stain, and the pigment brushes away readily.Other things to know: Be careful how you open it, or it can spill everywhere. Precise applicator isn’t great for covering large areas, at least not quickly. Pigment can transfer to the hairline and fingertips. Refillable only in the original/ translucent version.Read more: The Best Dry ShampooA gentle greens-packed face washWhat we like: A face cleanser staff pick. Outperformed all of the drugstore picks that writer Hannah Frye tried. It lathers nicely, cleanses deeply, and leaves skin feeling supple. Once you run out, you can opt for the larger refill pouch.Other things to know: Some might be put off by the fragrance. Our testers liked this cleanser, but it’s not one of our formal picks (they weren’t keen on using the glass bottle in a bathroom). Deal for the 8-ounce bottle.Read more: You Don’t Need to Splurge on Face Wash. But This One Is Actually Worth the $40.A fragrance-free lotion that still feels luxeWhat we like: The best body lotion for a spa-like aesthetic and an excellent formula. Moisturizing ingredients include several humectants, emollients, and seed oils. Absorbs fast. Delightfully spreadable. Fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin. Chic, minimalist packaging.Other things to know: Described as a firming lotion and touts the inclusion of peptides and 2.5% niacinamide, but research on the efficacy of peptides in body care is limited. Street price increased significantly last year, but this deal offers a solid percentage off the new price.Read more: The Best Body LotionsA do-it-all French dry oilWhat we like: A multipurpose dry oil we like in our French pharmacy products guide. Nourishing, fast-absorbing, and non-greasy. Quickly smooths dry skin, frizzy hair, and frazzled cuticles. Fragrance is a lovely blend of orange blossom, magnolia, and vanilla notes.Other things to know: Apply sparingly, or the gleam will turn into a slick. Testers preferred this roll-on format over having to spray or shake it out of a bottle. Not as good a price per bottle as two-packs we’ve seen at Costco, but a great deal for non-members.Read more: The Best French Pharmacy ProductsA satin-y moisturizer with plant-derived oilsWhat we like: The best mild, smooth, and refillable moisturizer for normal skin. Formulated with the preferred hydrators of our other picks — like glycerin, glycol, and squalane — plus dermatologist-recommended avocado and jojoba oil. Airtight pump is hygienic and easy to use.Other things to know: Refillable matte glass bottle feels high-end. The formula may strike some as not special enough to justify the expense. Matches the lowest price we’ve seen.Read more: The Best MoisturizersA retinol formulated for dry skinWhat we like: The best retinol product for dry skin. Met our criteria for an excellent retinol, and also has many of the ingredients we require of our favorite moisturizers. Even testers with sensitive skin were able to tolerate this — and were pleased with the results.Other things to know: Its ingredients give a very subtle aroma, but there are no additional perfuming agents and no off-putting notes. While we recently saw it down to $15 at the beginning of June, this is still a decent discount.Read more: The Best Retinol ProductsA gel cleanser for oily or acne-prone skinWhat we like: Our upgrade gel facial cleanser pick for oily or acne-prone skin. Cleanses efficiently, rinses easily, and makes skin feel soft, refreshed, and squeaky-clean. Won points among testers for its luxe plastic bottle and “lovely, clean, and natural” fragrance.Other things to know: Pretty expensive, even on sale. Pump requires effort, but a single push was enough for a thorough wash. We’ve seen it drop a few dollars lower, but not often. Jumbo 16.9-ounce bottle.Read more: The 8 Best Facial CleansersA serum that punches above its priceWhat we like: Our budget pick for the best vitamin C serum. An affordable formula with effective, proven ingredients like L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. Smells vaguely sweet. Evens out skin tone and improves texture; our testers noticed benefits very quickly.Other things to know: The tingling means it’s working (or rather, absorbing). Sticky residue requires a little time to dissipate. Opaque bottle with airtight pump overall allows for easier application, though it’s still very runny. 1-ounce size.Read more: The Best Vitamin C SerumsA fragrance-free facial exfoliant with just eight ingredientsWhat we like: Our upgrade pick for the best liquid exfoliant in a range of strengths. Fragrance-free and concise formula delivers a 2% dose of salicylic acid without a long list of potential irritants. More than any other BHA serum we tested, this made us feel like it was really getting in there to lift away oils and grime.Other things to know: Some may find the price too high, even on sale. Testers were split on the tingling sensation, all appreciated how smooth the exfoliant left their skin and noted they could feel it working, but one said it could be a bit irritating.Read more: The Best ExfoliantsA gentle, affordable vitamin C serumWhat we like: The best vitamin C serum for for sensitive skin. Gel-like drops absorb quickly and sit well under makeup. Minimized redness and neutralized surface grease for several testers. Mild ingredients go easy on complexions. No discernible scent. A great vitamin C product to try if you’ve never used one before.Other things to know: Not particularly dewy or rich. Airtight pump seems cleaner and less wasteful, but it sputtered and emitted foamy drops at times.Read more: The Best Vitamin C SerumsA juiced-up brightening serumWhat we like: The best vitamin C serum for oily skin. Updated formula with 2% more vitamin C. Pretty impressive for a drugstore brand. A hearty ascorbic acid gel that seemingly melts into skin to leave a sheer, touchable finish. Our only pick with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that combats skin’s surface oils and can have a mattifying effect.Other things to know: Testers didn’t love the baby powder–meets–medicinal scent. Dropper can get gummy and dingy over time. Pricey for a drugstore brand.Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums
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