The Results Are In: These Were the Best Beauty Products of 2020

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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) but none of the stuff you don't (like fragrance, dyes, or alcohol).

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 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.

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.

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.

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'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.)

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.

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.

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.

Biossance has some of the most impressive before-and-after results we've seen, especially from its exfoliating products. The brand's new offering launched this month is no exception — the Biossance Squalane + Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum ($62) uses lactic acid made from sustainably sourced sugar (It's vegan!) and ultrahydrating squalane to make your skin insanely luminous overnight.

The editor-favorite product of Selena Gomez's new beauty line is hands down the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($20). The pigment of this formula is unmatched, making one tiny drop all you need to add a flush of color to your cheeks.

The Tarte Sea Surfer Curl Volumizing Mascara ($23) is so good, it's made a repeat buyer out of our editors. Its fluffy brush manages to lengthen, curl, and bulk up lashes without transferring a veil of black pigment to your under-eye area by the end of the day.

The Victoria Beckham Beauty Bitten Lip Tint in Chérie ($36) feels like nothing on your lips but makes them look vibrant. The sheer tinted formula lasts for hours and contains hyaluronic acid and squalene to keep your lips hydrated.

The Maybelline New York The Falsies Lash Lift Mascara ($9) seems too good to be true for just $9. It fans, lifts, and volumizes lashes for a falsies look, but without any clumping or heaviness.

The Exa Beauty High Fidelity Foundation ($38) will make you forget you're even wearing foundation. The formula is so light and hydrating, but also strong enough to actually last throughout the day.

If you wished Huda Beauty had a more natural-looking foundation, it was granted this year with the launch of the new Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Skin Finish Buildable Coverage Foundation Stick ($40). Our editors love it for its lightweight-feel and satin-smooth finish.

The Translucent Loose Setting Powder in Honey ($39) is a warm and sunny shade that not only gives your skin a soft, diffused finish, but also keeps makeup from budging to boot.

Need an eyeliner that'll last through everything from accidental smudges to tears? Wet n Wild Megalast Breakup-Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($6) is your everything-proof solution.

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.

Your pits need some natural love too. For those of you who prefer a spray over a stick, Ursa Major's Sublime Sage Natural Spray Deodorant ($18) is your answer. Saccharomyces ferment and lemon myrtle fight odor-causing bacteria, while sage soothes the skin. Just remember — if you're switching off a traditional deodorant, it takes about three weeks for your skin to detox and adjust to the natural stuff.

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.

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.

The Essie Nail Polish in Sweater Weather ($11) is a mix of shimmery jewel tones and earthy undertones, making it feel both luxe and suitable for everyday wear.

Straight from one of your favorite clean nail salons in New York City comes the Sundays Pr.01 Soy Polish Remover ($28). It's a soy-based polish remover that's gentle on the nails and doesn't have a toxic, unpleasant scent.

Your at-home mani will never be the same after you experience the Nails Inc. Plant Power Nail Polish ($10). The plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free nail polish has a wooden, square lid that makes polishing nails crazy-easy.

From the makers of the revolutionary Olive & June Poppy, comes the new The Pedi System ($70). The two-in-one foot stool and case holds all of your must-have pedicure tools and allows you to get the perfect angle for painting your toes.

A fruity twist on the brand's classic Daisy fragrances, Daisy Daze ($86) features notes of bright osmanthus, apricot, and warm amber. The fun bottle doubles as a work of art on your vanity.

When Drunk Elephant launched into hair-care, we couldn't wait to get our hands on it and the Cocomino Glossing Shampoo ($25) did not disappoint. It uses a coconut/amino acid blend to gently cleanse the hair and leave it with a healthy-shine.

We love a versatile product, so the fact that the Tresemme's Pro Pure Volumizing Invisible Styler ($6) adds body to wet hair, dry hair, and even next-day hair is a big win in our book. Packaging wise, we're big fans of the air pump (an eco-friendly aerosol alternative).

Bread Beauty Supply is a new brand for textured hair that launched into Sephora and is already making waves. We love the Hair Wash Gentle Milky Hair Cleanser ($20) for many reasons but number-one is the rich lather it gives despite being sulfate-free.

If you're anything like us, it can be a struggle to make that sleek ponytail or those mermaid waves last all day. With Pantene's Never Stray No Crunch Hairspray ($7), you can extend the wear of any hairstyle sans crunchiness.

We love a product that has the ability to whisk us to the tropics, and the island aromas of coconut, peach, and vanilla in Aussie's Deep Conditioning Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner ($5) do not disappoint. An added bonus: it adds sleekness and bounce to our otherwise lifeless, dull hair.

You've probably heard of purple shampoos for blond hair but what about green formulas for darker shades? Matrix rounded off its at-home toning range with the Total Results Dark Envy collection, the first line to use green formulas to neutralize red undertones in black and brown colored hair. The Dark Envy Red Neutralization Mask ($24) will revive your hair's hue in just five minutes, making it look as if you just walked out of the salon.

Bomba Curls is a hair-care line inspired by Dominican beauty secrets. Its Forbidden Hair Mask ($25) is a a scalp-nourishing treatment with natural ingredients like raw cinnamon, pistachio, and cupuacu butter, that also give it a delicious scent.

Dry shampoo fans will love the Dove Go Active Dry Shampoo Sheets ($5). Unlike the anti-frizz sheets that saved your hair from static years ago, these sheets are infused with tapioca starch to serve another purpose: sop up next-day oil and grease.

With avocado, kale, matcha, and green tea in the formula, the SheaMoisture Power Greens Hair Tea Rinse ($10) is like a big glass of superfood green juice for your hair. Use it precleanse on your scalp before shampooing.

We love everything about this brand's Love Beauty and Planet Hemp Seed Conditioner ($7), but the fact that its hemp seed oil is sustainably sourced makes it all the more special.

The R+Co Sun Catcher Power C Boosting Leave-In Conditioner ($32) can serve many purposes: it's a lightweight styler, conditioner, and strenghting treatment rolled into one that also protects against environmental aggressors and UV damage.

The Inkey List extended its product range this year to include hair-care with innovative formulas like Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Treatment ($12). It's a pre-wash treatment that contains many ingredients traditionally found in skin-care products.

Those with sensitive skin and scalp can rejoin over the Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Fragrance-Free Hypoallergenic Shampoo ($26) — a gentle, fragrance-free formula.