The Results Are In: These Are the Most Mind-Blowing Skin-Care Launches of the Year So Far

If you've ever imagined what a cloud might feel like on your skin — pillowy soft, lush with moisture, oh so comforting — then you'll appreciate how the Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask ($52) delivers exactly that. Meant to be used at night, the mixture of hydrating niacinamide plus vitamin F (an essential fatty acid that can help plump and hydrate) means your face will be in heaven when you wake up.

The slightly sweet (but not overtly manufactured) whiff of banana you'll get from the Glow Recipe Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream ($39) is enough to drive Curious George wild, but we think it's the formula's rich, buttery texture and soothing cica and magnesium ingredients that'll keep you coming back for more this winter.

When your DIY mani-pedi or virtual wine dates on Zoom aren't doing the trick, consider bringing a little fragrance into your world any time you need a pick-me-up. We've been loving the slightly sweet, slightly citrusy Jergens Skin Smoothie Avocado & Apple Scented Body Lotion ($6) — just a few swipes all over will give your skin a hit of hydration and the ultimate mood boost.

The cherry on top to the cutely packaged Farmacy Cheer Up Brightening Vitamin C Eye Cream With Acerola Cherry ($45) is that it lives up to its name — the formula works fast to fade dark circles.

So, you love the convenience of face wipes but hate the negative impact it has on the environment? Welcome to the club. Here to help are the Neutrogena Skin Balancing Micellar Cleansing Face Wipes ($6); each one is 100 percent plant-based and completely compostable, meaning it won't end up in a landfill (or anywhere else you don't want it).

Like the splash of oat milk you might add to your coffee if you have a lactose intolerance, the Milk Makeup Vegan Milk Moisturizer ($38) is a creamy alternative — one made from argan, oat, and fig milk — to animal-derived moisturizers that you'll immediately be hooked on.

Yes, everything about this under-$10 face mask is Instagrammable, but it's the formula inside the Simple Skincare Pink Clay Mask ($7) — which features pink clay to purge pores of any gunk and calamine to soothe the skin — that makes it such a steal.

Sensitive sets, this one's for you: the Aveeno Calm and Restore Oat Gel Moisturizer ($22) is loaded with all the stuff your red, irritated, or dry skin would want (such as prebiotic oats and hyaluronic acid) but none of the stuff you don't (like fragrance, dyes, or alcohol).

It's up for debate whether the Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream ($75) truly classifies as a bonafide "cream" (we think the texture leans more toward a solid), but there is one indubitable truth nobody can deny: the formula will hydrate your skin, and it will hydrate your skin well. It's loaded with free-radical-fighting antioxidants and a blend of prebiotics and probiotics that make it the perfect solution to a dry, dull, or dehydrated complexion.

Post-acne scars are no match for the Dr. Brandt Skincare Dark Spots No More Triple Acid Spot Minimizing Concentrate ($68), which contains a potent dose of clinical-grade acids to brighten up marks in no time.

It's hard to choose just one Sweet Chef sheet mask from its Instagram-friendly lineup, but we'd be hard pressed to say there's a more hydrating iteration than its vitamin-B-infused Kale Vitamin B Fresh Pressed Face Mask Sheet ($4) — pun intended. Even cheekier, the mask reads "Don't Kale My Vibe," juuust in case you wanted to send a message to your friends on social media while wearing it.

Moon Juice, the brand behind the Gwyneth Paltrow-approved (and supposed libido-boosting) Sex Dust, just launched its Moon Juice Cosmic Cream Collagen Protecting Moisturizer ($58), which may not actually get you laid — but it'll make your skin glow all the same.

The oatmeal- and hemp-seed-oil-spiked First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma Oat & Hemp Multi-Fix Salve ($34) brings new meaning to do-it-all-and-then-some; the balm alleviates everything from dry patches to cracked heels to rough elbows and beyond.

People with combination or acne-prone skin, this Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Lightweight Cream ($60) is for you: it's packed with moisturizing vitamin E and glycerin, but doesn't feel in the least bit heavy.

It's not just a cute, carton-shaped launch from Pond's (although, we admit, that gives it a nice appeal) — the brand's Vitamin Micellar Wipes ($4) also contain aloe and vitamin B3 to gently whisk away any trace of makeup.

If your face feels like it might fall off every time you step outside, chapped or red for hours at a time — and, if you've seen the temperature index across the world lately, it probably has at some point — then the soothing Dr. Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Rescue Super Serum ($74) is just what the meteorologist ordered.

Straight from Meghan Markle's favorite brand comes Tatcha The Serum Stick ($48) — a solid, deeply hydrating balm loaded with squalane and hyaluronic acid that'll give dry patches the royal treatment. (Even if you're not officially part of the family. Wink.)

What's cool about the Hear Me Raw The Detoxifier With Charcoal ($42) is that you're not meant to rinse it off. Just let the mask dry and rub it off with your fingers, then watch as the jojoba beads naturally slough away the rest (while simultaneously exfoliating your skin).

You can't swing a purse at a beauty store without knocking over 10 hemp-derived skincare products, but the Philosophy Nature in a Jar In-Shower Oil ($32) feels different from the rest. It doesn't just smell like walking through the flower section at a farmer's market, but it's also housed in 50-percent post-consumer recycled material (minus the cap) so you can feel better about finishing the bottle fast. Which you will in lieu of your body lotion; just apply it onto damp skin after you rinse but before you step out of the shower to feel hydrated — but never sticky — all day.

At this point, comparing a beauty product to an "Instagram filter for your face" feels overused (and underpromised), but there's no better way to explain the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch ($39). The hydrating formula preps skin for makeup, while simultaneously blurring everything in its tracks.

The Dr. Jart+ Teatreement Cleansing Foam ($28) isn't so much of a "foam" as it is a lightweight gel that gently whisks away dirt and oil (thus making it easier for the blemish-fighting tea tree oil to get to work) and slightly suds up in the process.

The BareMinerals Pureness Soothing Light Moisturizer ($35) is the perfect contradiction we didn't know we needed: it's lightweight, yet intensely hydrating.

If your skin is kind of like the annoying roommate in every rom-com — needy, highly reactive, and could use a dose of calm — that's where the Laneige Hypoallergenic Cica Sleeping Mask ($34) comes in. The formula is meant to be used at bedtime, so the fermented yeast can nix any redness overnight, but we've found that it soothes nicely in the morning and keeps it hydrated all day long.

Like a tall glass of freshly-squeezed OJ, the Ole Henriksen Truth Juice Daily Cleanser ($28) is the most refreshing thing you can give your skin first thing in the morning. Not only does it use orange fruit water to revive skin, but also polyhydroxy acids to lift away dirt and oil for truly the deepest cleanse your pores can imagine.

The first product to launch from Huda Kattan's newest skincare line is the Wishful Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub ($39), which is a pineapple- and papaya-enzyme-infused scrub designed to give you the glowiest skin of your life. The scrub is made with a lightweight formula featuring AHAs, BHAs, and fruit extracts that gently get rid of impurities and dead skin cells to ultimately reveal softer skin that makes applying foundation that much easier. We were genuinely shooketh at how smooth it made our skin feel.

Smile lines are cool and all — they demonstrate a life well-lived, as mom likes to tell us — but if you curse every full-coverage foundation and powder for putting them on blast, you're going to want to pop on the Peace Out Skincare Microneedling Anti-Wrinkle Retinol Patches ($28) a few hours before applying your makeup. The retinol and peptide-infused microneedling sticker feels invisible on skin, but just so happens to soften those wrinkles juuuust a smidge.

Haven't you ever wanted to give your skin a dose of melatonin so it would just chill out? Well, Alpyn Calming Midnight Mask ($68) kind of does that. In fact, it actually uses an antioxidant-rich melatonin in tandem with hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol, a gentle alternative to retinol, to recharge skin while you sleep.

You might never truly understand the value of multitasking until you try the Olay Premium Body Conditioner Shea Butter ($6). All you need to do is liberally slather it on clean, wet skin in the shower, then rinse, step out, and towel off. Your body will not need an extra drop of moisturizer for the rest of the day — even in winter. This is what you call a game changer.

If you prefer your face cleansers lightweight and simple, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser ($38). The gel texture means it never suds too much but gently whisks away makeup and gunk. It's also loaded with amino acids that'll ensure skin won't feel dry after you use it.

Retinol is something of a holy grail when it comes to skin-care ingredients, and we're firm believers that nothing will whip your skin into shape faster. (It's true, its ability to fade discoloration, acne spots, and fine lines goes unmatched.) Still, not all retinol is created equal, so when the aesthetician-to-the-stars Shani Darden (facialist to Chrissy Teigen to January Jones, NBD) launched Retinol Reform ($95), we had to give it a go. We saw glowy results in mere weeks — with faded dark spots and fewer breakouts to boot.

If your skin is in constant need of hydration, consider trying the L'Oréal Paris Pure Hyaluronic Acid 7 Replumping Ampoules ($25), a seven-day treatment that helps reduce fine lines, locks in moisture, and makes your complexion look as soft and supple as Botticelli's muse. Crack one open in the morning and use about half the serum allover before makeup application. To preserve the other half for your nighttime routine, simply invert the cap and place it into the opening while the first portion of the ampoule works its magic on your skin. At the end of the day, take off your makeup and apply the serum right before moisturizer.

Fading discoloration from acne spots can be a constant struggle, so when we find one that really shows a noticeable difference like the Isdin Pigment Expert Ampoules ($38), we hold onto it very tightly. It's designed to brighten discoloration from UV exposure, aging, pollution, and blemishes. Each ampoule contains enough serum for two uses, and it comes with a protective tube to make opening it easier.

The easiest solution to at-home self-tanner? The SOL By Jergens Medium Body Towelettes ($20). This drugstore version of the widely popular self-tan towelette is much bigger in size, far more saturated, and a lot more forgiving than others on the market. One pad covers the entire body, and only takes five minutes to do. Consider it lazy person-approved.

Body wash isn't usually the most exciting category of skin care, but that was before the Farmacy Bee Clean Hydrating Body Wash ($30) launched. It has a gentle, hydrating formula that's rich in antioxidants from honey and apple extract — which is also why it smells so good. It leaves skin feeling soft and smooth even before body lotion.

The name of the Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Probiotic Gel-Cream ($36) is a mouthful, but its formula is shockingly straightforward and simple. The hero ingredient, like most of the brand's products, is Greek yogurt, which delivers a superdose of pre- and probiotics to the skin within one use. Even against the most aggressive old-school radiators, you won't feel your skin get dehydrated thanks to this stuff.

Travel can make your skin skin drier and, for some people, also cause breakouts. These Dr. Barbara Sturm Night Ampoules ($150) are the perfect solution. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, it rehydrates and heals skin, making you feel like a whole new person come morning. Just crack one open and pat it onto your face before bed. Throughout the night, it does all the work for me. (The mini sizes are perfect for taking on the plane, too.)

When we say the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($22) smells like a vanilla sugar cookie, what we mean is we think about eating one every time we unscrew the cap. The silky formula can be used as both a balm and a mask, depending on how much you apply, but the tiniest bit goes a long way in coating your lips in hydration. The shiny finish resembles that of a gloss but isn't the least bit tacky.

Creamy, hydrating, gentle-as-can-be — Drunk Elephant's first foray into the body-care category is exactly as you'd expect. One of our personal favorites has been the Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion ($20). It glides on with a rare lightweight consistency that still packs a moisturizing punch but without that sticky, tacky feel. The smell does remind us of another brand's famous cherry-almond scent, but it's much slighter so shouldn't bother even the most fragrance-averse.

Our editor-in-chief Lisa Sugar swears by the Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum ($210), saying it leaves her skin "feeling calm, hydrated, and ready to glow." Bring on the compliments.

For nights you've stayed up far too long watching TV (Tiger King, anyone?), the Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum ($50) is here to make you still look bright-eyed. The formula has a creamy, hydrating texture that smooths out the undereye area and makes for a great base for sunscreen and makeup.

Those buzzy acne patches you've seen all over Instagram have gotten its serum equivalent with the Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum ($34). It has a lightweight consistency that's easy to mix into your routine without feeling like it's too heavy, and helps large breakouts fade way faster than usual.

Even if you live and breathe by your a.m. coffee during the weekday, nothing feels like more of a pick-me-up than a swig of orange juice on Sunday morning. The Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin C Serum ($65) is the beauty equivalent to both; the polyhydroxy acids (aka PHAs) blend act like a caffeine hit for your face, revving up skin cells all the same, while vitamin C and banana powder-pigments brighten.

The M-61 Hydraboost Jelly Cleanse ($28) is packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B5 and leaves skin feeling hydrated, soft, and, most importantly, fresh and reset. It's also super gentle on sensitive skin.

The Wander Beauty Mist Connection Essence and Toner ($40) has been a savior during the weeks of self-isolation. The nozzle dispenses a superfine spray that refreshes and hydrates the skin without leaving it soaking wet, and the lavender fragrance is just the soothing scent we all could use at the moment.

Even if you're not a huge face mask person, the Rodan + Fields Recharge Detox Mask ($60) feels like a fun, refreshing break to an otherwise monotonous week, and contains detoxifying properties that can make your skin look clearer, too.

If you want to add a little brightening and hydrating to your skin-care routine, reach for the Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting & Brightening Moisturizer ($22). The vegan formula that uses vitamin C and collagen to moisturize and plump the skin on top of leaving you with a little glow.

If you're living with a roommate (or partner), you're going to want to file the intensely hydrating, wildly decadent Kate Somerville DeliKate Recovery Cream ($80) in your secret stash or skin-care products. (Although, it's truly so soothing we can't guarantee they won't try to grab it when you're not looking.)

We love a skin-care acid — glycolic, salicylic, retinoic, we adore them all. But if your skin has been a little less tolerant lately, we'd recommend the Lancôme Rénergie Multi-Action Milk Peel ($80) instead. It exfoliates with lipo hydroxy acid while hydrating with vitamin E, linseed extract, and micelles. And it's called a "milk peel" — can you think of a more gentle-sounding peel?

If you're constantly on the hunt for products that will fade the acne marks and discoloration from old breakouts, the SLMD Skincare Dark Spot Fix ($50) from Dr. Pimple Popper herself might be your best bet. The formula is a maximum strength hydroquinone spot lightener that works on everything from dark spots to age spots and acne scars.

Wearing less makeup these past few months has given us the opportunity to focus more on perfecting our skin-care routine, and the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner ($34) has been a godsend for areas both shiny and dry. This formula touts itself as a Korean Aqua Peel Facial in a bottle, complete with PHA and BHA to decongest pores, plus cactus water and hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture.

Those with combination skin need toners that will help balance the skin and remove excess oil. The Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner With Moringa + Papaya ($28) does just that while also gently exfoliating to keep your pores clear with a blend of two-percent salicylic acid and papaya enzyme. It also doesn't leave the face feeling dry or tight — just clean and fresh.

For anyone who's acne has been at an all-time high during the pandemic — be it from the sweat percolating under your cloth face mask or the stressful news cycle — you'll find a slight reprieve in the Perricone MD Acne Relief Retinol Treatment & Moisturizer ($45). It's jam-packed with breakout-busting retinol plus a dose of hydrators and brighteners (like niacinamide, which does double duty), but the best part is that it lacks that gross chemical smell that comes with other acne treatments. A win!

All you have to do is unscrew the lid of the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Body Scrub ($42) to become obsessed. It has a heavenly coconut smell that makes us want to eat it (or at least have a tropical drink inspired by it). The texture feels like soft sand — and even looks like it in the jar.

We would use the Ren Clean Skincare Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream ($49) every day for the rest of our lives purely for the scent alone — it's that good. (Think: earthy but fresh, like you're walking the last leg of a long hike in the mountains but that just so happens to be surrounded by flowers.) It's also extremely hydrating, and gentle enough for my sensitive skin. What more could you want?

When you want your skin to feel coddled like a newborn baby, look no further than the Youth To The People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream ($58). The rich, decadent moisturizer is completely non-irritating, but will take your skin from dear-god-I'm-dry to near-normal levels (which we have a feeling will be especially handy come winter).

Seiso JBeauty's gentle four-piece skin-care line — developed by one of the founding partners of Kate Somerville and the team behind some of Japan's best-loved skin-care products — is more than just pretty packaging. In fact, the entire range has been formulated to address over-stressed, tired skin. We especially love the Ceramide Moisture Milk ($95), a lightweight emulsion that helps replenish the loss of ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol in your skin for improved hydration and reduced inflammation.

Even when the heat index is up, up, up and every skin-care product feels too heavy to use, there's something about the BareMinerals SkinLongevity Green Tea Herbal Eye Mask ($35) that feels surprisingly refreshing. Not only does the green tea and willow extract help soothe any inflammation that comes from sitting in an un-airconditioned room for too long, but you can also pop 'em in the fridge for an extra cooling effect.

We dig the Pixi's entire Clarity collection, but one of our favorites is the Clarity Concentrate ($24). The lightweight liquid minimizes the appearance of pores and helps the skin look smoother, but never feels heavy or greasy.

For those with perpetually dry, chapped lips, a concentrated lip mask works wonders. Our current obsession is the Ciaté London Disco Nap Lip Mask 2-in-1 Everyday Lip Balm and Mask ($18). It has a ridiculously creamy texture and adds a hit of hydration instantly.

The Pixi Clarity Tonic ($15) has been formulated with glycolic and lactic acids to gently exfoliate, salicylic acid to unclog pores, aloe to hydrate, and probiotics to balance your skin. The best part: it's not at all drying and is suitable for all skin types, so whether you're acne prone or dry, you'll find benefits with this toner.

The Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water ($28) is not like your other micellars. Instead of a clear or water-like consistency, this one is a cloudy liquid with a little extra weight to it — that's the fatty acids, vitamin E, and plant oils at play — but don't worry, that doesn't mean it's heavy. In fact, you won't feel it linger at all on the skin after you sweep it across the face with a cotton round . . . you'll just know it whisked away all traces of makeup, and didn't sting a bit.

The Sunday Riley Charcoal Smoothie Jelly Body Scrub ($38) has the most amazing texture and is packed with salicylic acid, lactic acid, and natural exfoliating powders to buff away dead skin cells. It's also formulated to keep skin hydrated, thanks to its coconut water and avocado oil. It works like a charm on rough spots like elbows and knees.

For a natural glow that looks like you finally went on that vacation you've been dreaming about but didn't totally overdo it on the sun, slather on this Sephora Collection Gradual Self-Tanning Face Gel ($17). Its effect is more subtle than a full day spent on a boat along the Turkish Riviera, but it is a hell of a lot more affordable.

This sweet-smelling Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Enzyme Cleansing Balm ($32) is unlike many other cleansing balms we've tried thanks to its soothing, lightweight, and hydrating finish. Our favorite part is that it doesn't leave skin feeling greasy, slippery, or oily; rather, it melts away makeup as delicately as a gentle rain cloud and makes skin feel hydrated and supple.

During a virtual facial, we were told by Yoli Mata that for centuries, Japanese women have reused the milky water left over from rinsing rice in their beauty routines because it's a great source of vitamins. That's why it's the main ingredient in the Tatcha The Rice Wash Skin-Softening Cleanser ($35). The thick, creamy texture of the face wash transforms into a lather when water is introduced and leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated. (We can attest to the centuries-old practice.)

The Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter ($38) looks like orange sherbet but has almost no scent, which we can appreciate. You massage it onto dry skin and rinse, and everything just washes away. And it leaves skin feeling plump and dewy, so you barely need moisturizer.

Your search for a calming moisturizer ends here with the Honest Beauty The Daily Calm Lightweight Moisturizer ($30). Slap it on after a day in the sun or particularly tough workout and watch the redness fade almost instantly.

Elizabeth Arden's retinol and ceramide capsules are two bestsellers, so of course, we expected the Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum ($51) to be really good — and it is. Each capsule contains a single dose of silky, lightweight hyaluronic acid that leaves your skin feeling super hydrated. We love to use them before jade rolling or a facial massage to provide slip, and it leaves behind the nicest glow.

We'll tell it to you straight: The SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum ($295) costs a pretty penny — and we've shed a tear for all 29,500 of them every time we run out. It harnesses a magical power to transform skin in just a month's time, taking it from dull and lifeless (thanks to limited outside activity) to bright and supple (thanks to its proprietary growth factor blend). If you are after a heavy hitter that really works and have the means, this will become your go-to.

If you're looking for a chemical exfoliator to get the job done that won't dry out or irritate your sensitive skin, the Summer Fridays Soft Reset AHA Exfoliating Solution ($54) does just that. The powerful liquid solution uses a blend of AHAs and niacinamide to brighten and smooth uneven texture while also helping to keep my pores clear. Just make sure to follow with a good moisturizer.

PopBeauty just launched an affordable skin-care line, and we're totally hooked on the the brand's Supreme C-Creme ($12). The thick texture is so luxurious and the formula keeps my skin looking plump. It's not greasy or slippery, so you can slather it on even on hot days.

The Eos the Hero Extra Dry Lip Treatment ($5) is so hydrating — it's made with shea butter and olive oil — and makes lips feel soft and moisturized for hours. Plus, it'll never leave you with that heavy, sticky feeling.

Herbivore Pink Cloud Creamy Jelly Cleanser ($24) is the perfect combo between a gel and an emulsion face wash, and does the work of both. The vegan squalane lifts dirt, oil, makeup, and SPF from my pores, and the rose hydrosol and tremella mushroom help reinvigorate the skin's moisture barrier.

One of the things we dislike the most about applying face moisturizer is the heavy feeling so many products leave . . . especially if you've applied serums underneath them. With the Goopgenes All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream ($95) there's none of that. It starts off feeling like whipped cream but blends right in, and leaves the skin with a nice dewy finish.

Hyaluronic acid is a hero skin-care ingredient for a reason, but it reaches all new hydrating heights when used in combination with kakadu plum. That's what you get with the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($42), which has a silky blend of both, plus vegan silk protein and vegan collagen, to smooth lines and even out skin's texture — and the cute bottle doesn't hurt, either.

We are Gossip Girl-levels of snob when it comes to eye cream, mostly because that area is hypersensitive — especially when it comes to brightening formulas. Luckily the Payot Roselift Collagène Regard ($48) is completely mild and not at all irritating, but still thick enough in consistency that it feels different from face cream.