The 28 Best Moisturizers, Eye Creams, Serums, Oils, and Masks of 2022

For a potent eye serum that does just what it claims, M-61’s ProSmooth Retinol Eye Serum is our clear winner. In addition to its retinol compound, it contains a mix of brightening, hydrating, and skin-evening ingredients that garnered beyond satisfying results for our testers.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains retinol, which helps expedite skin cell turnover, reducing the appearance of fine lines and dullness while brightening and smoothing skin. It also contains vitamin C, another brightening ingredient.

Just so you know: Retinol can be irritating, so we recommend doing a patch test, slowly adding any new retinol product to your routine, and wearing sunscreen.

One tester said: “I think this is a great retinol eye serum, but it should definitely be used sparingly, especially if you’re new to retinols or have sensitive skin. One pump goes a long way (I found myself actually using a half pump and that was enough for both eyes) at night. In the morning after using, I woke up with less puffiness and I really felt like after a few weeks of use now, I’m seeing less fine lines and less of that dry ’crepe-y’ look to the skin around my eyes. Would absolutely recommend it as a treatment.”

Made with witch hazel water, cornflower extract, and pineapple fruit extract, this peeling mousse from Philosophy cleans, exfoliates, and brightens skin in one fell swoop. For best results, the brand recommends using the peel three times a week—if you have a sensitive skin, limit it to once a week.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains both physical and chemical exfoliants, which makes it a good pick for acne-prone and oily skin.

Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which can be irritating to some.

One tester said: “As the name suggests, the Philosophy Hope In A Jar Peeling Mousse delivers an instant glow. After using it, I noticed that it rolls away dead skin, leaving my face with a polished finish. My face looked smooth and the exfoliation was not at all harsh. It’s a thick consistency and easy to apply. I loved how effective it was at removing built-up debris with just one use.”

If oil-busting exfoliation is your goal, Murad’s powerhouse of a peel is your way to get there. This alcohol-free product slightly tingles going on, sloughs away dead skin and debris that might clog pores, and leaves skin looking smoother and less shiny.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains ​​glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid, or AHA), salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid, or BHA), and a retinoid, all of which have exfoliating, acne-fighting effects.

Just so you know: This product’s combination of strong chemical exfoliants may make it too irritating for people with dry or sensitive skin.

One tester said: “Don’t be scared off by the AHA/BHA retinoid combination! I have sensitive skin and this works great for me, but I make sure I have a recovery day after. The liquid peel smells lightly medical, but nothing too strong. My pores look smaller in the morning and my skin texture has improved in my problem areas.”

This clay mask from Perricone MD strikes a fine balance between acne-fighting (in no small part thanks to the active ingredient of salicylic acid) and soothing (your skin won’t feel dry or tight after using). Consider this a silver bullet against the frustrating flare-ups of breakouts.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant that’s effective against acne and breakouts.

Just so you know: Due to the salicylic acid, this product may be drying or irritating to people with dry skin.

One tester said: “I’ve tried other products in the past that have stung my skin or caused irritation and I’m happy to find that Perricone MD’s Acne Relief Calming and Soothing Mask does not do either of those things. The mask itself is a light white color and applies easily to the skin. The texture is smooth and neither gritty nor oily. There is no noticeable fragrance. I was worried that my skin may feel dry after removing the mask, but this was not the case. Instead, my skin felt clean, hydrated, and like I had removed excess oil or grease. I would absolutely buy this product and recommend it to others who need a little extra attention.”

From Boots Ingredients comes this clay mask that’ll play nicely with most skin types. People with oily skin will appreciate its cleansing properties, while people with combination or somewhat dry skin will love its soothing, redness-relieving effects.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains brightening ingredient niacinamide as well as the humectant glycerin, which help with hyperpigmentation and hydration, respectively.

One tester said: “The texture was great. It felt smooth and not grainy. I felt a tiny tingle upon application, which I love because it makes me feel like the product is actually working. The mask didn’t feel hard on my face and even after the 20 minutes were up, I still felt like I could move and talk without it cracking. Wiping it off was easy and not messy and I instantly felt a glow after I used it. Plus, the price point is great so I definitely will be buying this as gifts for friends and family. I am looking forward to using this product time and time again!”

Few things feel better than an icy cold face mask in the height of summer, and this Holler and Glow sheet mask handily delivers that soothing, cooling sensation—while de-puffing and hydrating skin for good measure. Let it sit in the freezer for five minutes before using for maximum chill.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains the humectant glycerin to draw moisture to skin and aloe vera to soothe and calm skin.

Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which could irritate sensitive skin.

One tester said: “I’m not a huge fan of sheet masks, but this one changed my mind. I started using the cryotherapy face mask before bed, and the cooling effect is pure magic. My face felt puffy from a night out, so I decided to pop this on and relax. I love that the mask wasn’t super soaked in the solution that a typical sheet mask comes on. The perfect amount of product made it not slip off my face, and I didn’t have to interrupt my relaxation by tugging and adjusting the mask multiple times. When it came time to take the mask off my face, I felt less puffy and hydrated. I love that my skin also felt plumper.”

As one tester mentioned, this super hydrating face mask is basically a more efficient, less messy form of slugging—the practice of slathering on petroleum at night. This overnight hydrating face mask accomplishes something similar: attracting and sealing in moisture, so you wake up with happy, nourished skin.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains squalane, a deeply moisturizing ingredient that strengthens the skin’s barrier and works particularly well for drier skin types.

One tester said: “[This product is] basically a luxurious form of slugging. No chance am I gonna slather my face in Vaseline, but this stuff? Roll me in it. It has a balmy, thick texture and a strange scent (probably squalane?). It mostly absorbs through the night, but you might want to sleep on your back if you really layer it on. I wake up and legit look like a baby. My skin is so plump, hydrated, awake, and glowy. I’ve learned to use this after I’ve been drinking or after a late night, and the next day I look like a million bucks.”

Give your undereye area a major wake-up call with these cooling masks, which can go in the fridge before use for extra cooling effects. Not only will they energize and brighten the delicate skin under your eyes, but they’ll moisturize it too.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains the humectants hyaluronic acid and glycerin to soothe and draw moisture to skin.

One tester said: “Oh my gosh, these are so fun to use! Eye masks sometimes make me feel geriatric, but these are sparkly blue with a serious ’90s vibe. The blue tub they’re in comes with a tiny plastic tweezer that sits inside the lid that makes them easy to pick up. At first the cooling sensation was so intense I wondered if my skin was burning, but then it relaxed a bit and I almost forgot they were there. My skin felt plump and hydrated the rest of the night. I do wish the packaging told you how often to use them, as they allegedly expire after only three months.”

It only makes sense that a mask this sparkly will give your skin an unreal glow. Just give it 20 to 30 minutes to work its hydrating magic and, as our tester can verify, your skin will emerge feeling ultra-moisturized and looking bright.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, two ingredients known for their hydrating, soothing effects on skin.

One tester said: “This face mask was a full party! I loved it. I will say that like most masks, the instructions weren’t great and there was a lot of clear plastic separating the wet side of the mask from the dry side and I almost put the plastic part on my face. I also felt like both sides of the mask felt wet so I wasn’t 100% sure that I put it on right. I did like that it wasn’t just one sheet, but that there was a section for your eyes and a separate section for your mouth area. I loved the glitter because it felt fun, but then I got glitter everywhere and I found it hard to wipe off. BUT the glow-up was 100% worth it! Later that evening, I went to brush my teeth and I did a double take in the mirror because I was glowing. My skin looked so nice and it was still glowing when I woke up the next morning.”

The humble everyday moisturizer is, without a doubt, the workhorse of the skin-care world. But with its brightening, hydrating, and smoothing formula, Olay Regenerist’s Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Moisturizer easily works triple duty to keep skin happy all day long.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains collagen-boosting peptides, hydrating and soothing niacinamide, and skin-brightening vitamin C.

Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which might irritate sensitive skin.

One tester said: “The packaging is as lovely as any high-end brand. The scent is fruity and familiar in a good way—refreshing is a better way to put it. And it goes on a bit oily. But my dry, middle-aged skin loves it! It feels like my skin is taking a long drink of water that lasts the day.”

The single word that comes to mind with this brightening cream from cult-fave brand Sunday Riley is “glowy.” That is, simply, how your skin will look with this fast-absorbing and creamy (yet not too thick) moisturizer.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that helps brighten skin and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.

One tester said: “I adore this vitamin C cream. The scent is citrusy and lovely, the heavy-duty jar packaging makes it feel luxurious to use, and the cream itself is great. It’s creamy and thick without being heavy or oily, and goes on easily and sinks in surprisingly well for a cream. It imparted an instant subtle radiance, and my complexion just looked a little prettier and glowier from using it. It’s also super hydrating. The combo of hydration and subtle radiance made it an excellent base for my sheer tinted moisturizer, or just alone as a daytime moisturizer for a glowy no-makeup look.”

Lightweight and oil-free, this gel moisturizer is particularly well suited for oilier skin types, but it won’t leave skin looking dull and flat. Rather, it lightly moisturizes and leaves skin looking radiant (and never greasy).

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains aloe and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, vitamin C to brighten, and niacinamide to soothe and even out skin tone.

One tester said: “This moisturizer is perfect to keep in your purse or bring with you anywhere. The pump action of the bottle is easy to use to get exactly the right amount of moisturizer for my face. It wasn’t heavy at all after I applied it and it was perfect to use before I applied my makeup.”

With this daily moisturizer, drugstore darling brand La Roche-Posay has created a product that’s simultaneously lightweight and nourishing, providing up to 72 hours of hydration after applying. Not only is it a great pick for dry skin, its fragrance-free formula makes it suitable for sensitive skin too.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin, humectant ingredients that draw moisture into the skin, hydrating and plumping it.

One tester said: “This product is great. It makes my skin feel refreshed and very soft. It has not clogged my pores. It is in a sleek package that is easy to travel with. It does not have a strong smell and is easy to apply. It also feels light on the skin.”

Drier skin types can get in on the retinol game when it comes in a moisturizing, soothing form like L’Oreal Paris’s Revitalift Pressed Night Cream. In fact, our tester really appreciated that this product was a moisturizer with the benefits of a serum in one tidy (and, by retinol standards, more affordable) package.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains retinol, which helps with skin turnover, and niacinamide, which helps to hydrate and calm skin.

Just so you know: Despite its more moisturizing formulation, this cream may still irritate sensitive skin because it contains retinol. We recommend slowly introducing it to your skin-care routine and always wearing sunscreen.

One tester said: “I absolutely loved how this product made my skin feel and look, both when I put it on at night and—perhaps more tellingly—how it looked when I woke up the next morning. My skin felt smooth, supple, and it had a slight dewy glow that persisted even after washing my face the next morning. I also love how I’m getting the antiaging benefits of retinoids in here, without feeling like I’m making a huge skin sacrifice to do so—my skin never dried out or felt tight or peeled. I’ve tried retinoid night serums in the past that just felt like all business, but I really appreciated the added moisturizing, immediate feel-good, look-good benefits this one offered as well.”

This thick, nourishing cream works overnight to replenish moisture to the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines—and it does so with a gentle, noncomedogenic, fragrance-free formula that dry, mature, or sensitive skin types will all adore.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains ceramides, which moisturize the skin and strengthen the skin’s barrier.

One tester said: “This nighttime treatment is a super creamy moisturizer that goes on thick and takes a while to absorb. It is a little on the greasier [side], so I would highly recommend putting this on at least 10-ish or more minutes before you put your head on a pillow, so it really has time to sink into your skin. In the morning, my skin still feels moisturized (which is wild). It’s like I wake up with a really nice layer of moisture and a dewy glow already on my cheeks. The dry spots on my face are always moisturized when I use this regularly. This truly feels like a luxurious evening treatment.”

This serum takes a complex approach to addressing signs of aging. It doesn’t just moisturize the skin; it doesn’t just smooth the skin’s texture; it doesn’t just boost collagen production for firmer skin. It does all three.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains a retinoid, which helps expedite skin cell turnover and reduces the appearance of fine lines and dullness. It also contains peptides and hyaluronic acid, which help with collagen production and draw moisture into the skin, respectively.

Just so you know: Retinoids can be irritating ingredients for dry and sensitive skin types, so introduce them to your skin slowly and always wear sunscreen.

One tester said: “This silky smooth serum goes on easily and absorbs right away, leaving your skin feeling moisturized and protected. I used this several nights in a row and after about the third night, I swear that I woke with less puffiness under my eyes, and my skin overall looked a bit more plump, less dry, and with some of the fine lines on my face (especially those around my eyes) smoothed out. The serum is milky white and I used it after cleansing, toning, and underneath a nighttime moisturizer as well (though you could probably use this product alone).”

You get smoother, brighter skin plus a mini massage with this innovative retinol serum from Womaness. The tube’s applicator tip features three rolling balls, which evenly smooth the product over your skin—and make it a snap to use this serum as a spot treatment.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains retinol, which helps reduce signs of aging and even out skin’s overall tone and appearance; it also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramides, both hydrating ingredients that calm and plump the skin.

Just so you know: Like we mentioned, this product contains retinol, which can be irritating to dry and sensitive skin types, and increase photosensitivity. Take your time adding it to your skin-care routine and always wear sunscreen.

One tester said: “The applicator for this one is really cool. The tip has three ball bearings that roll the product on your skin in a little massage. It’s great! It’s easy to use and feels really nice. I think it is brightening and retexturizing my skin a bit too.”

Dull, uneven skin gets a texture overhaul with this powerful nighttime treatment. A cocktail of chemical exfoliants, Ole Henriksens’s Dewtopia serum reduces the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and pores, while lending skin a radiant glow overall.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains a blend of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which work in tandem to exfoliate the skin.

Just so you know: This product contains a potent blend of chemical exfoliants, which can dry out and irritate some people’s skin.

One tester said: “This lovely nighttime acid treatment smells like lemons and goes on so easily and absorbs super quickly. One full pump will pretty much cover your entire face. This product also layers wonderfully under a nighttime moisturizer and with another serum that I frequently use. I will say that it’s a bit drying, so you may not want to use it all winter long, or at least, slow down to using it just a few times each week. I genuinely feel like I woke up with brighter skin, and less puffiness around my eyes. I felt like my complexion evened out and looked brighter. Really would highly recommend this for occasional use, as long as you don’t have a bad reaction to AHAs, because yes, this product is potent.”

Rich in antioxidants and collagen-boosting ingredients, Winky Lux’s aptly named Orange You Bright Serum smooths and brightens skin, and it supports its future elasticity. In other words, consider this guava extract–infused serum an energizer for your skin.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains the antioxidant vitamin C, which brightens skin and addresses hyperpigmentation. It also contains peptides to help bolster the skin’s barrier.

Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which may be irritating to some with sensitive skin.

One tester said: “Like most Winky Lux products, the packaging of this serum is very lovely. The bottle design is beautiful, with a gold-topped dropper that has a button rather than the typical rubber squeeze top. The product itself has a very nice citrus scent and a very slight orange tint. It is not oily and absorbs into the skin easily. As soon as I put it on, my skin felt softer and a little plump. It has an instant brightening effect. I love it!”

Smoother, dewier, and much softer skin is right around the corner with this daily serum from Fleur & Bee. Made with a wide array of ultra-moisturizing ingredients, it quenches thirsty skin and helps prevent signs of aging, to boot.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains aloe vera, glycerin, squalane, and niacinamide, all of which help to soothe and hydrate skin.

Just so you know: This product contains vitamin E, which can clog pores in some people.

One tester said: “Few products have actually seemed to change my skin, and this product is one of them. It has so many active ingredients that if you just use it with consistency, it will do its magic in brightening and moisturizing. I also love that it’s from a smaller brand, at a reasonable price point. I feel like no matter what your skin needs, this is an awesome serum to use as a daily staple.”

Made with acne-prone skin in mind, this lightweight oil doesn’t just target breakouts—it also reduces the appearance of scars, pores, and redness. So even if you aren’t currently dealing with acne, this product can help your skin look and feel calmer and smoother.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains rosehip oil, which has a lightweight, fast-absorbing consistency that effectively moisturizes oily and acne-prone skin.

Just so you know: This product contains fragrance from essential oils, which can be irritating to some with sensitive skin.

One tester said: “I’m not someone who really loves to use oil on my already oily skin at night. So you can imagine my apprehension when I tried the Blume Meltdown oil. Now I’m a convert. I really did enjoy using this oil and loved the way it left my skin feeling plump and healthy in the morning. The essential oil scent also smells natural and isn’t overwhelming at all. I love that this oil is great for all skin types but especially for those with sensitive skin.”

This luxurious, non-greasy face oil is worth every penny for its ability to address redness, discoloration, irritation, and drying—without upsetting sensitive skin. It feels extremely lightweight, and leaves a natural glow while it boosts your skin’s overall texture.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains rosehip oil, a moisturizer that’s light enough for oily and acne-prone skin, as well as bakuchiol, a gentler, plant-based alternative to retinol.

Just so you know: This product contains vitamin E, which can be comedogenic (or pore-clogging) for some people.

One tester said: “This product is amazing! If you want that dewy glow…. Buy this. I love a good face oil, but I’ve tried so many at this point that leave my face looking more like an oil slick, rather than a dewy, moisturized finish. This serum oil is absolutely the latter. I’ve used it as the final step after my moisturizer/SPF. Unlike other oils (which you typically pat onto skin), this one says to ‘massage’ in. So I take this as a moment to massage in an upward motion all over my cheeks, forehead, and chin. It really left a lovely glow, didn’t make me breakout, and hydrated my skin excellently.”

If you deal with hyperpigmentation or post-acne marks, the Inkey List’s Mandelic Acid Treatment is the targeted product you need in your regimen. It works by exfoliating skin and boosting skin cell turnover, which reduces the visibility of dark spots across the board.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains mandelic acid, a chemical exfoliant that’s recommended for hyperpigmentation. It also contains glycerin to draw in moisture, and retinol to speed up skin cell turnover.

Just so you know: This product contains chemical exfoliants and retinol, which can irritate and dry out some people’s skin.

One tester said: “I LOVE the Inkey List products so I was super excited to try this treatment. My skin reacts really well to acid treatments so I was optimistic. The product comes in a small tube and you don’t need to use a lot. My skin felt smooth and there wasn’t a greasy or tacky feeling. I did feel like it improved the texture of my skin and it didn’t irritate it or make it dry.”

It’s one thing to find a treatment that addresses and prevents acne, but it’s another that does so without drying out skin or leaving it raw (and more red than before). In that way this gel from CeraVe is pretty unique: Its blend of active ingredients targets breakouts but also alleviates redness.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains salicylic acid and lactic acid, which serve as chemical exfoliants, and niacinamide and ceramides to soothe and strengthen skin.

Just so you know: This product contains chemical exfoliants that might be irritating to dry and sensitive skin.

One tester said: “This is a good spot treatment that’s gentle enough for daily use and doesn’t dry out my whole face. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel sticky or gloppy on my skin. I’m not sure if it made a super noticeable difference in my acne, since most of it was hormone-related, but it does neutralize redness, and my skin generally responds well to CeraVe.”

With an applicator tip that provides a little massage and an incredibly hydrating formula, this wrinkle cream feels soothing going on and makes skin look smoother and bouncier with time. Whether you’re addressing fine lines around your eyes or forehead, you can spot-treat those areas and see fuller-looking skin.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hydrating ingredients hyaluronic acid and squalane—the former draws moisture into the skin and the latter helps it retain moisture. It also contains peptides, which strengthen the skin barrier.

One tester said: “Targeted Wrinkle Corrector is like a magic potion and its mode of application is crazy fabulous! The little tube is easy to carry and use, and the cooling applicator tip is literally cold! How does it stay feeling so cold?! The massage with the applicator tip feels so good. The product itself seems thinner than a cream and somewhat heavier than a serum or gel. It absolutely fills in wrinkles while giving the appearance of a smoother surface area. It’s like magic! The packaging and creative design of this product makes it fun to use and the effectiveness of the product makes it a must-have! ”

Few things are as magical as pimple patches that address and heal blemishes while you sleep—and the effects of these hydrocolloid patches from Hanhoo are particularly otherworldly. In six to eight hours, they protect emerging breakouts from infection and shrink down pimples that are already in full swing.

Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains salicylic acid, which fights acne by deeply exfoliating the skin and unclogging pores.

One tester said: “These pimple patches have been amazing! I have used many other brands in the past and while these are very similar, I find the design of the packaging makes them easy to use without accidentally having the sticker double over on itself. I put them on my whiteheads at night and in the morning, most of the pimples are gone and the healing process is expedited. These are great, I would recommend them to anyone with acne issues.”