The 26 Best New Skin Care Products Of 2021
The High/Low: from cleansers and moisturizers to retinol and facial tools, both over and under $20.
Adjusting your skin care routine can depend on a number of factors â the season, your location, your stress levels, and more. Thatâs why a solid lineup of vetted products is so important, ensuring that youâre able to give your skin exactly what it needs on any given day. From the core essentials like face wash, moisturizer, and SPF to the niche specialities like a vitamin C serum for dark spots and an eye cream to combat fine lines, the best new products over and under $20 will help to keep your complexion as healthy and glowing as possible.
We only include products that have been independently selected by TZRâs editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser Is A Staple In Many Medicine Cabinets Because You Can Cleanse Soften And Soothe Without Worrying About A Long List Of Ingredients
Key ingredients: Water, glycerin, cetyl alcohol
The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser lives up to its name in that it’s notably gentle with only eight ingredients, its main one being water. It’s great for use on all skin types, has a mild and non-irritating formula, and will soften your skin for a healthy glow.
Cetaphil also won’t clog your pores, thanks to its non-comedogenic and non-alkaline formula. It’s also fragrance- and soap-free, too, so it’s almost like using pure water and lotion mixed together.
Sooth And Hydrate Your Skin
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Skin conditions aren’t funespecially one like rosacea, which can leave your face dry and red. The redness and bumps brought on by this chronic skin condition are due to inflammation, which is believed to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. More rare types of rosacea can include changes in the texture or appearance of the skin on the nose or eye symptoms, adds dermatologist .. Another common feature for people with rosacea is that their skin often feels sensitive, with people feeling burning, stinging sensations or irritation after using certain products.
Treatment usually involves avoiding triggers, a well thought out skincare regimen, and sometimes prescription topical or oral medications. According to dermatologist Cynthia Robinson, M.D., FAAD, triggers for some people may include caffeine, alcohol, hot beverages, spicy foods, sun exposure, and stress.
We researched dozens of moisturizers for rosacea and evaluated them for key ingredients, scent, SPF level, consistency, and price. Each of the moisturizers chosen in this article were determined to be the best of these factors.
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The Cerave Hydrating Facial Cleanser Is A Brand Known For Combatting The Effects Of Sensitive Skin And Contains Ceramides And Hyaluronic Acid To Hydrate The Skin
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides
When I went to a dermatologist in middle school after suffering for months with dry skin, my doctor suggested the CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. Now, after using it for almost 10 years, I understand why.
It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, an ingredient Dr. Peredo and Dr. Zeichner recommends dry and sensitive skin, to instantly nourish rougher areas, like near your ears and on the crease of your chin. The dermatologist-curated formula includes glycerin to help hydrate the skin without stripping moisture away, too.
Because it’s non-foaming, the lotion-like consistency adds to the overall hydration. It’s also fragrance- and paraben-free, non-comedogenic , and even certified by the National Eczema Association.
After using this cleanser for so long, it hasn’t led to any breakouts, as is the case when I switch to some other brands. It has a firm gel formula that, when activated with water, is truly a miracle on skin that needs an extra boost. And, it’s made of simple ingredients that undoubtedly deem it my all-time favorite cleanser to use daily.
Best Face Wash For Oily Skin

Foaming facial cleansers are recommended for oily skin by dermatologists. This one from CeraVe is affordable and helps cut through oil but also provide hydration thanks to nourishing ingredients ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating CleanserThis ultra gentle formula from Neutrogena can even be used on those with sensitive skin or who are dealing with eczema and psoriasis. It only has a few ingredients, with glycerin near the top to provide hydration after oil is cleansed away.
Renée Rouleau AHA/BHA Blemish Control CleanserAHAs and BHAs are acids that help combat acne and oiliness. If your oily skin is acne-prone this is a great choice because it will reduce pimples and blackheads by helping to unclog blocked pores. It features salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids to effectively cut through excess oil without leaving skin feeling too dry or tight.
Avene Cleansing FoamA lightweight, gentle foaming cleanser for oily skin, this offering from Avene has been clinically shown to reduce oiliness by 54% after only one use. It is soap-free, oil-free and non-comedogenic.
NeoCutis Exfoliating Skin CleanserGlycolic acid and glycerin team up to provide exfoliation and hydration in this cleanser from NeoCutis. It is formulated without harsh sulfates, dyes and fragrances.
Formulyst Clarifying AHA CleanserFormulated with AHA , this cleanser both cleanses and exfoliates while thoroughly removing dirt, grime and makeup.
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Medik8 Clarifying Foam Oil
If youre looking for the best face wash for acne prone skin, look to Medik8, whose Clarifying Foam cleanser contains a gentle combination of alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids to help exfoliate without stripping the skin. Its also full of niacinamide, which helps calm and bolster the skin barrier, as well as tea tree oil to help prevent further breakouts.
£21, available at Lookfantastic.com.
Facial Cleanser For Men: Choose The Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Facial cleanser is a skincare staple, but whats the best face wash for men? The answer depends on your skin type and any other skin concerns you may have. Once you know your skin type, its easy to select the proper cleanser that effectively removes dirt, oil and sweat without leaving the skin feeling stripped.
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Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel
If youre after the best face wash for glowing skin, look no further than Oskias Renaissance Cleansing Gel which is packed to the brim with ingredients that leave skin fresh, smooth and radiant. Think pumpkin enzyme, which helps to lift gunk from pores, vitamins C and E to brighten and protect, and starflower oil and magnesium to boost firmness.
£36, available at Cultbeauty.co.uk.
Wishful Clean Genie Cleansing Balm
Fans of Huda Beauty will also love Huda Kattans skincare brand, Wishful, which comprises an array of multitasking products. This cleansing balm goes on as a soft balm but quickly breaks down to a milk consistency with water, helping to lift every last trace of, well, everything off skin.
£31, available at Cultbeauty.co.uk.
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Best Customizable Face Wash: Function Of Beauty Cleanser $25
Creating a custom face cleanser could be the way to achieve your unique skincare goals. Function of Beautys face wash is budget-friendly and leaves your skin feeling refreshed all you need to do is take a skin quiz to create your dream product.
YouTuber James Welsh is a huge fan of the FOB cleanser. My skin care goals were to hydrate, even tone and minimize redness, Welsh said. The cleanser leaves my skin feeling so soft, clean and very, very supple.
If Your Skin Is Dry One Day And Oily The Next The It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser Is A Great Daily Wash
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, collagen, ceramides, colloidal oatmeal
We’ve mentioned many ingredients throughout this guide, but the It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser was undoubtedly curated with a careful eye to effectively work on dry and oily skin conditions. First, it contains hyaluronic acid, which is dermatologist-recommended as a key hydrator in skincare. Second, it contains glycerin and niacinamide, both of which Dr. Peredo recommended for oily skin.
The cleanser was developed with the help of plastic surgeons and even ophthalmologist-tested for your sensitive eye area. It will remove all traces of makeup, even waterproof, and contains key ingredients benefitting mature skin types, too: collagen, ceramides, and colloidal oatmeal.
What’s more, in a clinical study by It Cosmetics, all participants showed improved hydration and said their skin felt completely clean. More than 80% noticed an immediate skin-softening effect and a rejuvenated look and feel, too. The brand’s skincare line is also one of our favorites in our best eye creams and serums guide.
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Can Washing Your Face Too Much Cause Pimples
Washing your face more than 2-3 times daily may lead to over-drying of the skin. As a result, the skin’s oil-producing glands, also referred to as sebaceous glands, will increase oil production to compensate for dryness. Increased oil production in the skin may lead to blocked pores and proliferation of harmful skin bacteria, leading to acne breakouts.
What Should You Look For In A Moisturizer

Moisturizer ingredients will vary depending on your skin type.
Dry skin types benefit from heavier, oil-based options. Oily skin types benefit from lighter, water-based moisturizers.
Mature skin types tend to do well with oil-based products. Sensitive skin types benefit from soothing ingredients, such as aloe and fragrance-free formulas.
Combination skin types often do well with lighter, water-based formulas.
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Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser
- Price: $$$
This face wash is fragrance-free, and it foams up when you use it. Its also loaded with emollient ingredients, including apricot kernel oil, glycerin, and squalane. Glycerin acts as a humectant and helps bind water to the skin, which increases hydration and helps the skin retain that moisture.
This cleanser contains vitamin E, which has a number of benefits for healthy skin.
Keep in mind that Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser is advertised as being for all skin types, so its not specially made for dry skin. It also contains alcohol, which may strip or irritate skin.
Do Pick The Best Facial Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Not all facial cleansers are created equaland what works for one person may not necessarily be the best option for someone else. Just as you might pick a different moisturizer or foundation than your friend, you should choose your facial cleanser based on your skin type.
If you have dry skin, try the LOréal Paris RevitaLift Radiant Smoothing Cream Cleanser. This gentle foaming facial cleanser helps to remove all traces of makeup and impurities, while gently exfoliating dead skin cells.
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Best Foaming: Clinique Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam
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Some may not like foam texture
Foaming face washes arent everyones favorite, but theyre great for tween and teen skin because they cleanse quickly and effectively and rinse away with little effort and no leftover residue.
Reviewers especially love Cliniques Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam because its non-irritating, good for sensitive skin, and abides by the Clinique Clean Philosophy: no parabens, phthalates, or fragrance. This super-soft foam feels like velvet on your skin and is made for dry or combination skin types. For happy skin, try it with the rest of Cliniques best-selling skincare routine.
Face Wash For Sensitive Skin
Explore facial cleansers including hydrating cleansers for dry skin, face washes for oily skin, and cleansers for acne.
Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
Face Wash for Normal to Oily Skin
Salicylic Acid Face Wash for Acne
Acne Toner with Salicylic Acid
Dermatological Anti-Aging Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Allergy Tested Formula
Dermatological Anti-Aging 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum. Allergy Tested Formula
Moisturizing cream tested on allergy-prone skin
Tinted Mineral Sunscreen for Face
Soothing Balm for Dry Skin Irritations
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Sarah Chapman Skinesis Ultimate Cleanse
Morphing from a sumptuous balm to milk, Sarah Chapmans Ultimate Cleanse is an ideal companion for a facial massage. It also does a good job at lifting pollution and dirt from the face, with omega-rich oils and antioxidants making it the ultimate all bases covered cleanser.
£44, available at Net-a-porter.com.
When To Wash Your Face
Most dermatologists recommend washing both in the morning and before you go to sleep. Washing before you go to bed makes perfect sense. A full day can take quite a toll on your skin, and if you wear makeup, youll want to remove every stitch to make sure your skin can breathe again. Washing at night also allows your skin to recuperate after a day of absorbing pollutants and other irritants. Our skin also repairs itself at night as blood flow increases , thus why cleansing can help keep it healthy and looking its best.
Washing in the morning is also important because overnight sebum is still accumulating on your skin as are dead skin cells. Washing once you wake allows you to start the morning with a clean slate, and if you put on a daily moisturizer or other products, a clean face will help the ingredients in these products absorb to the fullest.
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When Should I Apply A Moisturizer On My Face
Don’t just slap your moisturizer on at any old time of the day. “The best time to apply your moisturizer is immediately after cleansing your face or showering,” says Dr. Chang. “Pat dry and apply your products to moist skin, as this helps lock in the moisture.” Moisturizer is usually one of the last steps in your skincare routineafter toning and serums. And SPF should always be your final step.
Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser

- Price: $
This product line is extremely popular in Japan and for good reason. Hada Labo Tokyo Gentle Hydrating Cleanser is alcohol-free and paraben-free.
Its also packed with hyaluronic acid that seals moisture into your skin, and it uses derivatives of coconut oil for an extra moisture-sealing barrier.
Reviewers love that one bottle lasts a long time, as you only need a pea-size amount to get a good clean.
Also, while some people arent affected by using coconut oil on their face, others find that it clogs their pores. If youve noticed that coconut oil clogged your pores in the past, you might not like this product.
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When To Visit A Dermatologist
If youre dealing with a specific skin condition that your facial moisturizer isnt addressing, its a good idea to talk with a dermatologist. The same is also true if youre finding that moisturizers irritate your skin or trigger breakouts.
A dermatologist can make recommendations about which moisturizers are designed for your skin type and can discuss any other skin concerns you may have.
Buying Guide For Best Facial Cleansers
If youve been reaching for whatever bar of soap is next to the sink when it comes time to wash your face, set down the soap and step away. Bath soap is far too harsh for delicate facial skin and likely to leave your complexion tight, dry, and irritated.
But with seemingly endless facial wash products on the market, how do you choose the best one for your skin? Is a cream cleanser best, or should you try clay? What about scrubs or micellar water? Its no wonder so many people shrug their shoulders and simply reach for the same bar of deodorant soap that they use for washing their underarms.
Were here to help clear up the confusion. If you just want to get your face clean, check out our five recommendations. But if youd like to learn more about facial cleansers in general, including the best way to choose and use them, read on. Well help you make sense of this often-confusing skincare product.
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Best For Face: Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
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Can be mixed into foundation
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Contains phenoxyethanol, which some users may find irritating
The main goal of Vichy Mineral 89 Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Daily Face Moisturizer is to strengthen, repair, and plump the skin barrier by adding moisture with the help of natural origin hyaluronic acid and Vichy Volcanic Water. This serum is free of parabens, oils, alcohol, and fragrance, and when used daily, its supposed to leave skin looking and feeling healthier.
Key ingredients: Glycerin, hyaluronic acid | Dosage: Apply morning and night as needed
Buying Guide For Best Face Moisturisers
Healthy skin has plenty of natural hydration to keep it firm, soft, and glowing. Unfortunately, the environment and often your lifestyle tends to conspire against your skins good looks in the form of air pollution, sun exposure, cigarette smoke, harsh facial cleansers, and poor diet, to name just a few. Luckily, you can rescue your skin with a face moisturiser.
The application of a good face moisturiser is one of the most important steps in your skincare routine. Choosing that moisturiser, however, can be an exercise in frustration. After all, there are entire shelves of moisturisers in beauty supply shops, all promising to work magic on your skin. So how do you separate the hype from reality?
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Best Face Wash For Oily Skin: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Replenishing Cleansing Oil $36
It might sound counter-intuitive, but Engelman recommends using cleansing oils on oily skin because overproduction of oil is often an indicator that skin is calling out for more moisture.
I love using this cleansing oil because it has conditioning properties like safflower, apricot, and olive oils to help repair the skin barrier while removing makeup and grime, said Engelman. Cleansing oils like this one, nourish the skin and balance oil production while removing debris, makeup and other pore-clogging agents.
Note: Make sure you follow up with another facial cleanser after applying this oil.