Here Are PureWow Readers' Most-Purchased Skincare Products of All Time

• Pros: contains sustainably sourced ingredients, rich formula, great for dry and sensitive skin 
• Cons: pricey, small bottle

Readers, editors and even some of our favorite celebrities can’t get enough of this Augustinus Bader moisturizer. It’s formulated with TFC8, which is fancy jargon for patented technology that powers the key ingredients found in the formula. More specifically, it has nourishing fatty acids like evening primrose, argan and avocado oil, which are known to reduce moisture and water loss, while hydrating for soft, supple skin. The rich cream also contains hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture and vitamin E to brighten and protect your complexion. As one PureWow review exclaims, “I read that it only takes four days to notice a change in your skin, and having tried hundreds of beauty products, I assumed it was a placebo effect, if anything. But much to my amazement, my skin was radiant, blemish-free and so much more hydrated after just a few days of use. I even noticed my dark spots fading before my eyes. I have never seen results this quickly from any product I’ve tested, period—including other pricey serums and treatments I quickly regretted buying.”

• Pros: absorbs quickly into skin, feels lightweight, refreshing scent
• Cons: too strong for sensitive skin, small bottle 

When it comes to glowing skin, this brightening serum always brings its A-game. Its active ingredient, vitamin C, has been shown to target dullness, dark spots and discoloration. The serum also claims to diminish fine lines, while firming up the skin. Although vitamin C is the star of the show, the formula also features other key supporting acts like squalane and sweet orange oil. Reviewers can’t stop raving about how it absorbs beautifully into the skin and the subtle citrusy scent it leaves behind. “I can’t live without this product! I’m in my early ‘40s and this has helped with smoothing [out] my skin. No more adult acne!,” shares one consumer. 

• Pros: FDA-cleared, travel-friendly, reportedly offers instant results
• Cons: pricey

Want a little lift in the comforts of your home? The NuFace uses low-level microcurrents to contour your jawline, cheeks and neck over time. Shoppers say it helps reduce redness, smooth fine lines and strengthen the skin. For best results, the brand recommends using the tool five minutes a day, five days per week. All you have to do is cleanse your skin, apply a thin layer of their Hydrating Aqua Gel and glide the device around the areas you want to target. With over 1,900 5-star reviews, shoppers say they’ve seen a big difference after continuous use. “I decided to use this product on half of my face and neck for a full month and was pleasantly surprised. My frown lines seem smoother, my brow was lifted (and the heavy eyelid with it) and my cheeks seem [fuller]. The horizontal lines on my neck have smoothed out and my jawline looks firmer. I did use this everyday along with the conductive product for these results,” shares one reviewer.

• Pros: contains lactic acid, feels lightweight, gives an instant glow
• Cons: not suitable for sensitive skin, has a slight tingle 

This face serum is loved by readers and editors alike and we can definitely see why. It’s formulated with lactic acid, which is known to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, as well as control oil production and fade discoloration. The formula also includes arnica to soothe skin, lemongrass to nourish it and licorice to boost radiance. Still not convinced? Perhaps one of the more than 3,000 5-star reviews will change your tune. “I’ve been using Good Genes All-in-One AHA Lactic Acid treatment for about two weeks and I have noticed a big improvement in my skin. My acne scars have decreased significantly and I don’t notice any lines/wrinkles in my face,” says one shopper. 

• Pros: contains vitamin C, comes in three shades, great for dark circles
• Cons: offers little to medium coverage, creases easily

Dealing with dark circles? This color-correcting stick aims to brighten the area without requiring too much blending on your part. With two forms of vitamin C, which has been shown to brighten dark circles, the eye treatment also features banana powder, an illuminating mineral pigment and caffeine to wake up the skin around the eyes. The eye stick is offered three shades: banana (for purple dark circles), apricot (for blue/purple dark circles) and pumpkin (for blue dark circles). “It’s a good staple product for folks with dark circles who don’t always want to wear concealer [but still] enjoy looking alive and healthy on no-makeup days. It won’t make your dark circles disappear, but it’ll help them reflect light, so they don’t look [as] shadowy,” shares one user. 

• Pros: offers medium coverage, provides a natural finish, has SPF 30
• Cons: difficult to blend, leaves a white cast for some skin tones

Our readers love viral products and this one is always on their wishlists. The color-correcting treatment uses centella asiatica (aka tiger grass), which helps to soothe, calm and moisturize inflamed skin. The cream also doubles as your sunscreen, featuring zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect your face from the harsh UVA/UVB rays. Dr.Jart recommends using a dime-sized amount to even out your skin tone. One PureWow editor even calls it “a triple threat,” stating “It helps me fake an even, blemish-free appearance over video calls, speeds up the reduction of pesky dark marks and acne spots and prevents the development of any new, unwanted blemishes—a true triple threat. It’s also just never gets old watching as the retro shade of pale pistachio magically transforms to match my skin tone.” Enough said.

• Pros: great for dark circles, contains clean ingredients, safe for all skin types 
• Cons: finicky tube

This balmy stick is made to target dark circles, fine lines and dullness. Infused with retinol, peptides and bakuchiol, the formula works to soften and smooth the skin around your eyes by improving elasticity and moisture in the area. The convenient stick design allows you to swipe it on without ever having to dip your fingers into a jar. After putting it to the test, one PureWow editor says that it’s become an instrumental part of her daily routine: “The Peace Out Retinol Stick has become something I look forward to using daily for many reasons: It’s relaxing to swipe on, my dark circles are starting to lighten up and my eyes look brighter when I wake up in the morning.”

• Pros: contains glycolic acid, great for combination and oily skin 
• Cons: may be drying or irritating for some skin types

This chemical peel is one of the most loved beauty products on TikTok, and it’s high on our readers’ shopping lists, too. It has 30 percent AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and two percent BHA (beta hydroxy acid), a potent combination that helps to even out skin tone and texture. Active ingredients include glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid, which all exfoliate dead skin and diminish the look of blemishes. The Ordinary recommends leaving the peel on for just 10 minutes, as the facial works to smooth your skin and improve your natural glow. “I use this once a week and it does a good deep clean exfoliating job. I put it in my clean dry skin, then wipe it off with a warm cloth after 10 minutes. My skin is so much smoother,” shares one user. 

• Pros: fragrance-free, contains ten percent Benzoyl peroxide, affordable 
• Cons: not suitable for sensitive skin

Whether you’re dealing with body acne or facial breakouts, this wash delivers on clearing up existing blemishes and preventing new ones from forming. Formulated with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide, it kills bacteria and clears dirt from your pores. With more than 38,000 5-star reviews, shoppers appreciate the foamy lather, which helps to gently but thoroughly cleanse their skin. For one PureWow editor, this product was highly recommended by her dermatologist and it’s since become an essential part of her body care routine: “I've been using it for over three years and it continues to help clear up any existing acne and prevent new breakouts.I finally have my body acne under control—and with a budget-friendly price tag of $10, I can stock up on the wash without breaking the bank,” she shares. 

• Pros: fragrance-free, approved by the National Eczema Association, absorbs quickly 
• Cons: small tube, may be greasy for some skin types

If you’re dealing with irritated, itchy and/or dry skin, this moisturizing cream should be on your radar. The active ingredients, cetearyl alcohol and sorbic acid, work together to soothe inflamed skin, prevent breakouts and restore moisture. Despite the thick formula, buyers say the lotion is easy to spread, absorbs quickly into the skin and lasts all day. The body cream also gets a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association (and this one happy mom reviewer): “My daughter has had eczema since she was a baby and we have to be super careful which products she uses. Vanicream products are the only ones we can consistently count on to not irritate her skin. This cream is very moisturizing, and she tolerated it well, even on her face.”  

• Pros: claims instant firmness, contains vitamin C
• Cons: drying for some skin types, leaves a white residue 

This popular eye cream has a blend of vitamin C and E to help tighten the delicate skin around your eyes, reduce puffiness and minimize fine lines, crow’s feet and wrinkles. It’s boosted with pro-vitamin B5 (aka panthenol) to protect the skin’s barrier and retain moisture. For best results, apply a thin layer underneath and around your eyes and be sure to let it dry for about five minutes before applying anything over it. As one reviewer shares, “This product really works! I use it every day. If you put too much on it does leave a white film. Just be careful applying. It really does leave my under eyes looking so much better.” 

• Pros: gentle formula, rich texture, absorbs easily 
• Cons: pricey

This eye cream gives you three major benefits rolled into one bottle. It has a combination of peptides and growth factors to refresh the undereye area and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The blend also features caffeine to reduce puffiness and vitamin C to brighten up dark circles. “I don’t usually write reviews, but I’ve used this for about two years now and I continue to see good and solid results. It’s expensive, but my bottle lasts 5-6 months. I definitely recommend this eye cream!” says one happy user. 

• Pros: contains caffeine, great for dark circles
• Cons: not suitable for sensitive skin, pills under makeup

In case you’re noticing a trend here, it appears that our readers really appreciate a good eye cream—and this hydrating pick is another favorite. Key ingredients include caffeine and peptides to help reduce puffiness and dark circles, as well as, bark extract (albizia julibrissin) to exfoliate and matrixyl 3000, a synthetic peptide blend that firms skin. Shoppers say the formula is creamy, absorbs quickly and leaves a cooling sensation behind to wake up tired eyes. “I’ve been using this for about a week and [I’m] blown away by how much of a difference this has made! My under eyes are by far less puffy and less dark than before!” shares one reviewer.

• Pros: promises results in six to eight hours, safe all skin types, comes with 36 patches
• Cons: not great for irritated or larger pimples 

Known as the number one best seller in the pore cleansing strip category and racking up an impressive 95,000 5-star reviews, these clear acne patches are a great option for treating pimples. The stickers use hydrocolloid, a gel substance that has clinically been proven to improve the look of pimples, soothe irritation and speed up the healing process. Place a patch over a ripe whitehead and it’ll remove the gunk from it within hours. It’s safe to use on all skin types, including sensitive skin. “These are the most amazing things! My skin is super sensitive and easily dries out with pimple treatments. Since this is not medicated, I don’t have to worry about my skin having a bad reaction, but they still work! When I have a pimple come up, I put these on at night and by the next morning it is gone! As an added bonus, you don’t have to worry about creams rubbing off or discoloring fabric,” shares one user.