For the first time ever, Marie Claire readers are taking the reins, revealing the beauty products that they truly love, rely on, and return to for our 2026 Reader’s Choice Awards. Who better to capture the best in beauty than an audience who is just as obsessed with all things hair, skin, nails, and makeup as we are? Fifty-seven exceptional products made the cut this year, covering all of your beauty essentials from head to toe. From a cult-favorite exfoliator that delivers baby-soft skin to a curl cream that leaves you with mega volume, these are the best beauty products of the year—according to you.
Skincare
(Image credit: Monika Lis)
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro
Whether you’re targeting fine lines, redness, or breakouts, LED light therapy can be a powerful tool in your skincare arsenal—and this cult-favorite product can really deliver (with consistent use, of course). With both red and blue light modes—plus a third option that combines the two—you can treat and repair your complexion in just three minutes a day. It’s also FDA-cleared, so you know your investment will pay off.
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser
A solid skincare routine starts off with a great cleanser—and this French pharmacy staple fits the bill. Its milky texture is fortified with hydrating ceramides and brightening niacinamide, both of which play a key role in strengthening the skin’s barrier and restoring hydration.
ma:nyo
Pure Cleansing Facial Oil
Double-cleanse to your heart’s content with this K-Beauty staple. It’s lightweight on the skin and doesn’t leave behind any residue. Most importantly, it works for people with sensitive skin—a win-win if you ask me.
Dr. Idriss
Major Fade Active Seal
This lightweight gel moisturizer delivers serious brightening results. It’s powered by a more stable, better-penetrating form of vitamin C plus peptides to smooth fine lines and calm redness. Use it morning or night—it’s the treatment to beat.
Beauty of Joseon
Day Dew Sunscreen
This K-beauty favorite uses a combination of three powerhouse ingredients—hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and panthenol—to moisturize (because not all sunscreens do that) and give the skin a dewy glow. thanks to four different UV filters.
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Finding a mineral sunscreen with zero white cast is a tall order, but this iconic sun care brand delivers an elegant formula that feels comfortable and blends in evenly, no matter your skin tone. It’s ideal for sensitive, reactive skin, and dries down to a matte-ish finish that lets your makeup glide.
Paula’s Choice
2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant Toner Pads
The antidote to dull skin is regular exfoliation. Case in point: this salicylic acid-based chemical exfoliant that wipes away dead skin cells, clears gunk from pores, and reveals a smoother, brighter complexion in just a few weeks. Just make sure you don’t overdo it; oily skin types can likely tolerate daily use, but drier or more sensitive skin types should only use this twice a week.
Neurae
Harmonie Serum
Glass skin in one step? Yes, please. Not only does this serum glide on like butter, but it also provides deep hydration to keep the skin plump and dewy for hours after application.
OleHenriksen
Banana Bright Eye Cream
Sorry, you can’t erase dark circles, but you can fake better sleep. This cult-favorite eye cream boosts elasticity and brightness with vitamin C, with subtle yellow pigments that visibly color-correct shadows. Plus, the formulation wears beautifully under makeup with zero pilling in sight.
Hero
Mighty Patch Original
The Mighty Patch isn’t just a creative way to dress up and disguise an annoying pimple. It uses a layer of hydrocolloid to gently minimize whiteheads (and disguise the pimple) in as little as one day. Not to mention: if you just can’t help picking at your blemishes, this provides a protective barrier between you and your eager fingers.
Biodance
Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask
Korean sheet masks are basically industry standard at this point, and this firming and hydrating option proves why. It can reduce the appearance of pores while leaving your skin ridiculously plumped and radiant.
Aquaphor
Lip Repair Stick
There’s no shortage of luxury lip treatments to choose from, but this one is proof that sometimes you can’t beat the basics—or a drugstore price. With a creamy, silky texture that instantly soothes dryness, this classic formula doesn’t just prevent chapped lips; it makes them feel baby soft.
Beekman1802
Milk Shake Toner Mist
There’s nothing better than spritzing your face with a hydrating toner that feels virtually weightless on the skin. This squalene and hyaluronic acid-packed formula does just that, all while delivering a sensorially elegant skincare experience.
CosRx
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Consider this pick K-beauty’s cheat code for glass skin. It floods skin with hydration, helping strengthen the barrier and boost elasticity for that bouncy, plump finish.
The Ordinary
Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
Retinol is a hero ingredient for treating fine lines and wrinkles, but it has a reputation for being aggressive and drying. To accommodate the sensitive skin crowd, this formula combines a small percentage of retinol with moisturizing squalane—and sells it at a truly unbeatable under-$10 price point.
Dr. Idriss
Major Fade Hyper Serum
Uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation are no match for this powerful face serum which features kojic acid, niacinamide, and alpha arbutrin to fade stubborn discoloration and leave skin looking luminous and even-toned.
Drunk Elephant
Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
A true do-it-all, this non-comedogenic face oil is like a tall drink of water for all skin types. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not going to cause breakouts, but it will help to plump fine lines and hydrate skin. Put a few drops on your cuticles to really maximize the benefits.
Makeup
(Image credit: Monika Lis)
Jane Iredale
Skintuition SPF 30 Radiance-Boosting Liquid Foundation
Second skin coverage with the radiance of a traditional skin tint? You’ll get all of this, plus SPF 30, in this medium-coverage formula.
Ilia
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40
For a sheer-but-buildable finish that looks like your skin-but-better, this product is the one to beat. Powered by SPF 40 to protect against harsh UV rays, this mineral skin tint comes in a range of shades that leaves your complexion enviable in texture and tone, to say the least.
EltaMD
Tinted Daily Face Moisturizer With SPF
This cult-favorite SPF uses good-for-your-skin ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and zinc oxide to moisturize and protect you from the sun, plus a natural wash of color.
LYS
Bright Start Creamy Buildable Airbrush Concealer
Want a buildable concealer with a delectably creamy finish? With calming and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and green tea extract, blemishes are not only concealed but treated for a flawless finish.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Power Grip Primer
Want your makeup to last all day? Smooth on a thin layer of this affordable gel-based primer to help makeup last all day. Its velvet finish blurs over pores and gives an airbrushed finish even before foundation is applied.
Haus Labs
Power Sculpt Velvet Bronzer
The undertones on this bronzer strike a rare balance between warmth and true contour, while skin-identical squalane helps the powder melt into the complexion for a smooth finish.
Rare Beauty
Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush
This bouncy blush from Rare Beauty was designed to blend like cream and dry down as powder, making it easily buildable for a soft, natural-looking flush.
Saie
Glowy Super Gel
Prime, illuminate, highlight—this cult-favorite formula does it all. The lightweight and non-comedogenic formula is gentle on the skin while still delivering enviable radiance.
NYX Cosmetics
Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Whether you’re an eyeliner pro or novice, this flexible tip brush makes drawing on a cat eye incredibly easy. The highly pigmented color delivers a matte finish and 24-hour wear—no flakes in sight. If black’s not your shade, there are eight others to choose from, too.
Patrick Ta
Major Dimension Essential Artistry Edit Eyeshadow Palette
If you’re looking for an eyeshadow palette that is perfectly curated to complement your skin tone—and versatile enough to take you from day to night—this is it. The palette comes in three colorways for light, medium, and deep skin tones. Each features matte shades designed to perfect your signature makeup look with ease.
Maybelline New York
Lash Sensational Sky-High Mascara
Length is the headline, but the details seal the deal. The genius brush separates even the stickiest lashes for a clean, clump-free finish. Oh, and the lineup of playful shades makes it easy to turn a classic mascara into a full eye moment.
Benefit Cosmetics
Gimme Brow+ Eyebrow Gel
Not everyone can grow thick brows, but you can fake it with a reliable brow product. This option doesn’t just fill in sparse spots; it uses bamboo fibers and vitamin B5 to help the brows look thicker, fuller, and longer.
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Brow Wiz
One of the most iconic brow products in the beauty game, this ultra-thin pencil creates realistic brow-like hairs to fill and define your arches like a pro. With precise application and long-wearing color, you’re guaranteed the brows of your dreams.
Charlotte Tilbury
Matte Revolution Lipstick
Meet the ultimate everyday lipstick. The shade Pillow Talk, which launched in 2013, gets the most buzz—but every single shade in the range delivers the same cashmere-meets-matte finish. It’s the brand’s proprietary 3D glow pigments that take this formula to the next level, making lips look fuller without any tingling.
Fenty Beauty
Gloss Bomb
The girls who get it, get it. The high-shine shades look just as good solo as they do layered, delivering a plump-lip effect without the sting.
NYX Cosmetics
Slim Lip Pencil
Proof that a great lip liner doesn’t need a luxury price tag. This butter-soft pencil glides on smoothly, holds its line without bleeding, and has completed the kits of some of your favorite celebrities and makeup artists for years.
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Glow Reviver Tinted Lip Oil
Using skin-friendly ingredients like squalane and avocado oil, this non-sticky formula drenches lips with moisture for a glossy finish.
OPI
Nail Lacquer
Whether Gel, Infinite Shine, Nature Strong, or traditional Lacquer, OPI is a nail industry icon for a reason. Not only are the color options robust and trend-forward, the formulas last for a more durable manicure at home or in the salon.
Hair
(Image credit: Monika Lis)
Hot Tools
Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron
With 26 different heat settings and an extra-long, five-inch barrel, it’s no surprise this curling iron has earned hundreds of five-star reviews. This clamped curling iron can create bouncy curls or beachy waves, depending on your technique.
Kristen Ess Hair
3-in-1 Ceramic Flat Iron
This multi-purpose tool features ceramic plates that smooth the hair with every pass, reducing frizz for a sleek, silky finish. The rounded body also makes it easier to curl your hair by simply twisting the iron upward, no curling iron required.
Olaplex
No. 4 Shampoo
Dry, damaged hair stands no chance against this strengthening shampoo. With its high lather and highly concentrated formulation of bond-building proteins, this formula transforms all hair types in desperate need of some TLC.
Olaplex
No. 5 Conditioner
This formula was designed to repair damage from heat styling and general manipulation. Its patented formula strengthens strands and minimizes split ends, and helps prevent future damage.
Color Wow
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Frizz and flyaways are no match for this stylist-beloved formula. The humidity complex is activated when heat styling for a sleek finish, minus the damage, every time.
Gisou
Honey Infused Hair Oil
Add this honey-powered hair oil to your routine for extra-shiny strands. A small drop or two also tames flyaways, boosts moisture, and smooths split ends.
Living Proof
Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
Need a dry shampoo that doesn’t leave behind any chalky residue, actually cleans your hair, and leaves your strands soft to the touch? This formula is the answer.
Fenty Hair
The Homecurl Curl-Defining Cream
This is the kind of curl cream that actually lets your texture do its thing—only enhanced. Silicone-free and deeply moisturizing, it uses wild mango butter and Fenty’s proprietary complex to define curls and coils and boost natural spring.
Davines
Beautiful Things Leave-In Mask
This milky leave-in product uses botanical filler to strengthen porous strands damaged by color and over-manipulation. You can also use it to protect against thermal damage and temperatures up to 450 degrees.
K18
Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask
Who wouldn’t want a product that reverses hair damage in just four minutes? Just one treatment and you’ll be well on your way to repairing heat and color damage. Focus on the edges, and just be warned: a little goes a very long way.
Big SexyHair
Big Altitude Mousse
Say goodbye to the teasing comb with this volumizing hair mousse. All-day hold is combined with holding properties that keep flyaways at bay without weighing your hair down.
Tresemmé
Ultra Fine Hairspray
This is the kind of hairspray that you forget you’re wearing. The weightless mist keeps flyaways and styles in check without that old-school crunch and stiffness.
Dyson
AirWrap Co-Anda 2x
This is a worthwhile investment when you factor in faster drying times, stronger airflow, upgraded attachments, and a slightly lighter design than previous AirWrap models.
Body
(Image credit: Monika Lis)
Dove
Deep Moisture Body Wash
If you assume a body wash can’t give you the same type of moisturizing benefits as a lotion—think again. This deeply hydrating formula leaves the skin soothed, nourished, and silky-soft, straight from the shower.
Saltair
Multi-Lipid Body Butter
A luxurious body cream with a drugstore price tag. This body butter feels like a thick blanket of hydration once it hits the skin—eliminating dryness and dullness in just one application.
Naturium
Urea 5% Body Serum
Looking for long-lasting hydration without the stickiness of a traditional body lotion? This formula will keep your body moisturized and glowing, even in the dry climates.
Tree Hut
Shea Sugar Scrub
The shea butter-packed sugar scrub smooths and moisturizes, while offering an almost unhinged range of delicious scents. It’s proof that an elevated body care moment doesn’t require a steep price tag.
Cyklar
In Shower Body Oil Balm
This balm is rich with moisturizing lipids, ceramides, glycerin, and butters that lock moisture into dry skin. Its thick texture melts into a light oil once it touches the skin, making it best applied as the last step in your routine.
L’Occitane
Shea Butter Hand Cream
Ridiculously soft and supple hands are just within reach with this cool French girl staple. Formulated with 20 percent shea butter to deliver 24 hours’ worth of moisture, there’s no chicer way to hydrate your skin.
Dove
Advanced Care Antiperspirant
Armpits get the TLC they deserve with this personal care staple. You’re left with smooth underarm skin—and no sweat, odor, or pilling. It’s a classic for a reason.
Bondi Sands
Self Tanning Foam
There’s nothing like a fresh tan to give you a little extra pep in your step. When you can’t escape to a tropical island, this formula will do the trick, leaving you with a streak-free, natural-looking tan.
Supergoop!
PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Stick SPF 45
Sunscreen for people who hate sunscreen. The clear, portable stick glides on without a white cast, hugs skin with rich emollients that are never greasy, and features a teardrop shape for quick, targeted application.
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This story appears in Marie Claire’s 2026 Craftsmanship Issue.
