Serums, shampoos, foundations, eyeshadows…the beauty world is overflowing with so many lotions and potions claiming to provide all sorts of miraculous benefits that it can be difficult to determine which really work. To the rescue: GH Beauty Lab scientists, who evaluated 800 products and tabulated more than 8,000 data points to find the best makeup, skin and hair products you can buy.
How We Tested
The scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab follow stringent industry protocols to evaluate beauty products — from face and body skincare to haircare and hair styling tools, makeup, technology and more — throughout the year.
The Lab uses advanced equipment including the Corneometer device to measure skin moisture levels; the Visia Complexion Analyzer to track changes in skin including wrinkles and hyperpigmentation; and the Cutometer to gauge skin firmness. For hair, the Swatch Wash Station is used to test shampoos, conditioners and at-home hair color products; the Instron machine calculates conditioning properties; the climatology chamber regulates humidity to determine frizz-blocking effects; and the Q-Lab QUV Accelerated Weathering Tester and VeriVide DigiEye system are used to evaluate at-home hair color shade retention.
And that’s just the beginning: Products are often label-masked to eliminate bias and distributed to consumer and expert testers throughout the country to elicit and quantify feedback on factors like ease of use, benefits and drawbacks. For the Beauty Awards hair category, the Lab consulted an expert hairstylist panel including Michelle Hong, colorist and founder of NYC The Team Salon and Becca Mutchler, a hairstylist in North Canton, OH. Taken together, these objective assessments reveal the best products you can buy, ones that truly deliver.
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Amazing Anti-Agers
With an extensive list of antioxidant, age-fighting actives, this Mary Kay formula (in versions for combination-to-oily and oily-to-dry skin types) is not your average moisturizer.
Lab Results: In a study involving 50 women, there was significant improvement in skin firmness and forehead lines after two weeks, per data evaluation.
Murad’s serum ups the anti-aging game with the ingredient retinal, a more powerful form of retinol.
Lab Results: GH Beauty Lab experts were impressed with clinical testing images that showed visible improvement in sagging face and neck skin and softening of wrinkles.
Counteract skin damage as you sleep with the next-level No7 Beauty Company cream: It has rare peptides found through advanced screening to have better penetration and efficacy.
Lab Results: Pros praised the robust research behind the formula: It raised hydration 85% in eight hours and reduced lines over time. “Skin was plump and lines looked softer in two weeks,” Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann noted.
Pro Glow Treatment
Skinvive by Juvéderm
This first-of-its-kind Skinvive by Juvéderm procedure is part of the new wave of “tweakments,” or minimally invasive low- to no-downtime professional skincare treatments. Dozens of micro-droplets of hyaluronic acid are injected into skin to hydrate and smooth, boosting radiance for up to six months.
Lab Results: “Digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer showed more light reflecting off my skin,” Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler reported. “It looks smoother and feels firm, hydrated and plump.”
Unlike many formulas just for undereye use, this dual-sided Roc Skincare jar holds a firming retinol gel for lids and a nourishing peptide cream to smooth lower-eye lines and brighten.
Lab Results: “After first application, we noticed a slight lift and smoothing of the lids from the gel and softness from the cream,” Wizemann said.
More than just a pretty serum, Olay’s iridescent liquid uses a next-gen iteration of brightening niacinamide boosted with age-fighting vitamin C, peptides and lactic acid.
Lab Results: It evened skin tone effectively and smoothed texture without irritation in four weeks of use, a tester found.
Zap wrinkles without a visit to the dermatologist: This Nira laser, which uses near-infrared light to stimulate collagen production, is FDA-cleared for at-home use.
Lab Results: Lab assessment found the device to be convenient and efficacious, and unlike professional lasers, causes no damage to skin. “It’s easy to use, painless and only takes three minutes to cover the entire face,” a tester revealed. “After almost a month, I noticed some improvement in smile lines — the area appeared to be tighter.”
Anti-Aging Pro Treatment
Galderma Sculptra
The first FDA-approved injectable filler that boosts skin’s own collagen creation using poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra can reduce wrinkles for up to two years and is now cleared for firming the cheek area.
Lab Results: Lab scientists were impressed that this filler stimulates skin to produce collagen and that the results can last twice as long as hyaluronic acid fillers. “Four weeks after the treatment, my smile lines were plumper and less noticeable, my cheekbones looked more lifted and my undereye area looked less sunken in,” a tester said. “My skin continued to improve over time — I look fresher, less dull and tired, and overall more youthful.”
Resurfacing Pro Treatment
Cartessa Aesthetics VirtueRF Microneedling
This Cartessa Aesthetics procedure harnesses the popular combination of radiofrequency (thermal energy) and microneedling to smooth, firm and even skin tone, but uses smaller pulses to reduce discomfort.
Lab Results: Testers reported minimal pain, no downtime (other than slight redness) and visible results. “My skin felt tighter and the cheekbone area looked lifted for a few weeks,” one said. Another noted improvement in post-acne hyperpigmentation and her skin’s brightness.
Standout Skincare
Smooth on this bouncy Roc Skincare cream to enliven tired skin with a jolt of vibrance. Its cocktail of antioxidant vitamin C and fruit extracts (watermelon, apple) boosts radiance immediately and over time.
Lab Results: Lab data analysis confirmed that 97% of users showed improved luminosity in one use.
This unique twist-up crayon from Avon isn’t makeup: It houses a clear balm made of a blend of nourishing plant butters, waxes and oils (including refreshing mint).
Lab Results: The formula contains ingredients that help reinforce skin’s barrier and improve elasticity, according to GH Beauty Lab evaluation. “It glides on effortlessly and instantly smooths lips,” a user noted.
Light yet loaded with three types of skin-fortifying ceramides, powerhouse CeraVe is a Beauty Lab face moisturizer test winner, boasting the highest hydration measured.
Lab Results: The fragrance-free lotion raised skin moisture levels by an impressive 48% over six hours in Lab testing with the Corneometer device. It also rated high for quick absorption.
Larger cleansing molecules along with skin-softening ingredients in Neutrogena’s gel deliver a lush lather and a thorough cleanse without irritation or dryness.
Lab Results: In a clinical study, it reduced irritation for those with skin sensitivity. “It fully removes makeup and SPF and leaves skin refreshingly clean yet not tight,” Wizemann said.
Treat skin to a pampering spa experience at home with this Skn by Conair tool. It has a vibrating cleansing brush to massage and deep-clean as well as a cooling metal plate on the other side to soothe and depuff.
Lab Results: Both functions are easy to use, and the cold side relieved puffiness and calmed redness.
Garnier breaks the mold with a never-before-seen combo of makeup remover, cleanser and acid exfoliator in one.
Lab Results: The liquid is mild enough for daily use. It “didn’t sting eyes or skin,” and skin was left “smoother and clearer.”
Unlike heavy hydrators, L’Oréal Paris gives even oily or combo skin a dose of moisture via a water-light formula.
Lab Results: It soaks in fast, isn’t thick or greasy and imparts an instant plump, moisturized feel, Lab assessment found.
La Roche-Posay came out on top in the Beauty Lab’s face SPF test thanks to a finish that was invisible even on dark skin.
Lab Results: Even with its high SPF, this left no white residue, felt hydrating but not oily or tacky, was not irritating and could be worn easily with makeup.
The unique EltaMD face wash formula, an oil-based gel made with emollients that melts into a light milk, whisks away even the most stubborn makeup and grime for a deep-clean feel.
Lab Results: It effectively removed residue from sunscreen and heavy makeup, evaluations found. “My face felt clean and toned yet soft afterward,” a tester remarked.
Belif’s toner is packaged in convenient pad form and made with polyhydroxy acid, a non-harsh exfoliant, to dissolve impurities and lightly slough any skin type.
Lab Results: The formula is mild enough for dry and sensitive complexions. “It was gentle on my skin,” a tester commented, and when applied at night, made for “smoother skin in the morning.”
