Wirecutter’s Skin-Care Essentials (2025)

  • The Best Sunscreens for Your Face

    by Caira Blackwell and Nancy Redd

    Sunscreen is personal, and the one you choose to slather on your face is even more so. Here are 11 options to suit different preferences and budgets.

  • This Trader Joe’s Sunscreen May Be Even Better Than Its Much Pricier Counterpart

    by Rose Maura Lorre

    It’s cheap, it dries fast, and it’s got staying power. Here’s why Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen is the most user-friendly sun protection I’ve found.

  • Hypochlorous Acid Mists Are Touted as Cure-Alls. So We Tested Them.

    by Hannah Frye

    The dermatologists we spoke with give hypochlorous acid the green light for face and wound care. We tested seven popular brands, but only three won us over.

  • Did You Know That ‘Unscented’ Isn’t the Same As ‘Fragrance-Free’?

    by Caroline Mullen

    If you’re sensitive or allergic to fragrances in cleaning, personal-care, or other products, there’s a distinct difference you should keep in mind.

  • The Best Retinol Products

    by Rory Evans

    Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for skin care. We tested 28 over-the-counter contenders to find five true standouts.

  • The Solawave Wand Costs Half the Price of Other Red-Light Tools. But We Didn’t Love It.

    by Hannah Frye

    This tiny, portable wand feels great on the skin but provides less coverage than full-face LED masks. It also requires more effort than we think it’s worth.

  • My Secret to Low-Effort Supple Skin Is This Luxe Shower Oil

    by Kaitlin Mahar

    I have dry, sensitive skin, and I hate the feeling of moisturizer. Thankfully, this shower oil keeps my skin hydrated all year round.

  • Rhode Barrier Butter Isn’t Your Average Moisturizer. But My Dry Skin Loves It.

    by Hannah Frye

    With a richer texture than most moisturizers, this balm spreads over skin, swaddling it in hydration that lasts. But it’s not for everyone.

  • We Tried the Nipple Cream Hack ‘White Lotus’ Star Carrie Coon Swears By—and Loved It

    by Rose Maura Lorre

    Would you smear nipple cream on your smackers just because your favorite prestige TV star does? We did—and we’d do it again.

  • Is This Lip Mask Worth the Hype? We Think So.

    by Hannah Frye

    This mask earned a spot both in our Korean skin-care guide and in the beauty bags of Wirecutter staffers. It’s cute, yes, but we love it for more than its looks.

  • The Best Moisturizers

    by Rory Evans

    No matter your skin type, no matter your age, everyone needs a moisturizer. Our seven picks hydrate your complexion and enrich your skin-care routine.

  • The Best Body Lotions

    by Leta Shy

    We tested dozens of lotions and found eight creamy, hydrating, supremely spreadable picks to help keep your skin healthy.

  • The Best Exfoliants

    by Rory Evans

    For clearer, brighter skin, there’s no quicker route than a few swipes of an exfoliant. We tested 22 and found five standouts in a range of effective concentrations and textures.

  • CeraVe’s Moisturizer Is Under $20. Augustinus Bader’s Costs 10 Times as Much. We Love Both.

    by Hannah Frye

    Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream offers premium ingredients and luxury. However, the CeraVe cream provides all of the hydration most people with dry skin need.

  • Some Vitamin C Serums Are Over $150, Some Are Under $25. Here’s Why We Recommend Both.

    by Hannah Frye

    Our splurge pick has a patent, research, and cosmetic elegance contributing to the steep price tag. But you don’t have to pay $182 to get one that works.

  • How Often Do You Actually Need to Wash Your Face?

    by Hannah Frye

    Dermatologists suggest that most people cleanse their skin twice a day, except for those with dry or sensitive skin, who should stick with a nightly cleanse.

  • How to Exfoliate Without Burning (or Scrubbing) Your Face Off

    by Hannah Frye

    If you’re new to exfoliation, start with just once a week for one month. Then consider bumping that up to twice a week if your skin can tolerate it.

  • Yes, You Should Apply Body Lotion Right After a Shower (and Not Just Because You’re Nude)

    by Hannah Frye

    Applying body lotion to damp skin draws in extra moisture, helps it glide on with less relentless rubbing, and may leave you more soft than sticky.

  • I’ve Tried Expensive Moisturizers. I Prefer This Juicy Drugstore Favorite.

    by Lisa Fischer

    After trying multiple expensive moisturizers, nothing has justified ditching my go-to drugstore choice.

  • You Might Be Storing Your Vitamin C Serum Wrong. Try This Instead.

    by Hannah Frye

    Vitamin C serums, especially L-ascorbic acid, destabilize with light, heat, and air. Store them in a cool, dark place to keep them stable and effective.

  • So You’re Ready to Start Using Retinol. Here’s What You Should Know First.

    by Hannah Frye

    When you start using retinol, you may face a six- to eight-week period of increased dryness, flaking, sensitivity, and possibly breakouts. Yes, it’s normal.

  • Everyone Should Use Face Moisturizer, Including You

    by Hannah Frye

    You don’t see it happening, but your skin is losing water daily. This is why nearly everyone needs a moisturizer they can count on. Here’s how to find yours.

  • The Best Korean Skin Care Products

    by Rory Evans

    We tried the glassy, the snail mucin–y, the stretchy, and the balmy to settle on 13 standouts that cleanse, treat, moisturize, and protect.

Wirecutter’s Skin-Care Essentials (2025)
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