mindbodygreen 2024 Beauty Refresh Awards: The Skin Care Products To Optimize Longevity

Review from editor Hannah Frye

"I'd go as far as saying it's one of the only essences I've tried that I truly loved and recommend purchasing—largely because it's more than just a watery liquid. The formula is rich in nutrients and keeps skin hydrated. I also use this essence as an emergency calming serum. For example, I recently tested an exfoliant pad that was a tad strong for my skin, and it caused slight irritation. I immediately reached for the Base Face Milk and applied it, watching the redness subside along with the tingling sensation. For this reason, I'd add sensitive skin hero to this product's résumé. It became such an essential part of my skin care routine, I wrote a full-length review of it on mindbodygreen earlier this year."

Review from editor Jamie Schneider

"Milky toners have had quite a moment this year—but of all the new launches that have crossed my desk, this ILIA number really captured my heart. I've been using it every single morning after washing my face, and it delivers the prettiest glow that lingers well into the afternoon. I still stand by my initial thoughts when it launched back in January: It is *very* rare that my skin looks this plump and dewy in the dead of winter, and I 100% have ILIA to thank."

Review from editor Alexandra Engler

"I am so hot and cold with toners. Sometimes I love them—other times I can't be bothered to add another step to my routine. This one makes it worth it. It's like a cushion for your skin care routine. I have very sensitive skin, and so sometimes I struggle to use harsh actives. I've actually found this to be the perfect thing to buffer potent serums."

Review from dermatologist Apple Bodemer, M.D.

"This is very light and creamy—it actually felt like putting a thick milk on my skin. I hate heavy products, so this one really fits the bill for being light and easy to apply. It might not offer enough hydration for some with really dry skin, but it did really well as a base moisturizer to go under my sunscreen."

Review from cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline

"ILIA The Base Face Milk has quickly become a staple in my skin care routine. As someone who's passionate about both skin care and makeup, I was intrigued by its hybrid formula—and it did not disappoint. The milky texture feels incredibly lightweight and absorbs effortlessly into my skin, leaving behind a dewy, luminous glow. I love how versatile it is—I can wear it alone as a moisturizer for a natural, radiant look or use it as a primer under makeup to create a smooth canvas. Plus, knowing it's packed with skin-loving lipids like squalane and phytosterols gives me peace of mind that I'm nourishing my skin while enhancing its appearance."

Review from editor Alexandra Engler

"What an eye serum! I've been through two bottles already and literally jumped at a chance to test out a third for this award. It's thin, which is perfect for daytime wear under makeup. But it has deep hydration and staying power, so it's moisturizing enough for night. What makes this brand so special is the delivery system, so the ingredients actually make it to where they need to go in the skin. In the case of this eye serum, it's HA to plump and smooth the delicate eye."

Review from cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline

"As someone who struggles with dark circles and puffiness around my eyes, finding a product that actually delivers results has been amazing. From the moment I applied the Ourself HA+ Eye Serum, I could feel the cooling sensation instantly depuffing my under-eye area, while the lightweight serum absorbed fairly quickly without any stickiness. After just a few weeks of consistent use, I noticed a significant improvement in my eye area, and my skin felt noticeably smoother and more hydrated. I love knowing that it's formulated with their innovative subtropical delivery technology, which works together with powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides, to rejuvenate and brighten the delicate skin around my eyes."

Review from makeup artist Lisa Aharon

"I've been using this product a few weeks now and I'm really impressed with how it brightens and smooths my under-eye area. I'm excited to keep using it and see even more improvements over time. However, I did notice that it doesn't provide quite enough hydration for my under-eye area when I apply makeup on top. I found myself needing to add a tiny bit of additional eye cream to ensure my skin stays adequately hydrated throughout the day. Overall, though, I'm still quite pleased with the results."

Review from editor Hannah Frye

"Dry under-eyes are no match for this lightweight eye serum. It wears seamlessly under makeup and even boosts the performance of concealer that goes on top. Compared to other products, I find the hydrating benefits of this one last throughout the day, not just smoothing my under-eyes at the moment of application."

Review from trichologist Bridgette Hill

"Eye serums are a tough category; I have not stopped using this since I received in March. I absolutely see the difference with the hyperpigmentation I experience. I feel like my skin looks brighter all around my eye area. I am a hyaluronic acid fan, and this proprietary formulation worked well for me."

Review from editor Jamie Schneider

"I was genuinely bummed when I ran out of my first bottle of this eye serum. Hitting pan is a rare occurrence for beauty editors since we're constantly rotating out formulas to test, so actually finishing a product speaks volumes about how much we adore the goop. And I couldn't get enough of this lightweight, targeted hydrator: It has a skin-plumping effect (thanks to the innovative hyaluronic acid complex) that thickens the delicate skin over time, making my dark circles way less apparent."

Review from editor Alexandra Engler 

"I have very sensitive skin that's only getting more so as I get older. Ironically, that's right around the time you want to start using all the crazy potent serums. The health aging market for sensitive skin is getting remarkably better, I will say, and this serum is a perfect example. Like all Aveeno products, it uses oat extract to calm and balance the microbiome. But this one also contains a cranberry extract that acts as a botanical retinal alternative that can reduce wrinkles without redness, irritation, or inflammation. I keep a bottle in my beauty cabinet like a safety blanket."

Review from trichologist Bridgette Hill

"This serum felt nice on the skin; I think this is a great oat-based serum for sensitive skin. I do prefer actives in my serum; however, for sensitive skin this is great."

Review from editor Hannah Frye

"As a beauty editor, it brings me peace of mind that I can offer my friends and family an affordable and accessible serum that's both effective and safe for sensitive skin. You can keep it as a daily-use product or reserve it for when your skin begins to act up. I particularly appreciated how quickly this one works to calm inflammation and redness post-sun exposure."

Review from editor Jamie Schneider

"This product features a skin longevity peptide, so of course we had to include it in the skin longevity category! The hero peptide, called OS-01, has been shown to reverse skin damage at the cellular level. Meaning, this sunscreen doesn't just protect your skin against UV rays and oxidative stress—it can actually reverse visible signs of UV exposure. I've tested both the clear and tinted versions, and you really can't go wrong with either. They're so hydrating, in fact, that you could even use it as your sole moisturizer during the day. Speaking from experience!"

Review from dermatologist Apple Bodemer, M.D.

"Great mineral-based facial sunscreen. It went on without leaving a ghostly hue, and the best part is it didn't feel heavy on my skin! Perfect for everyday use." 

Review from editor Hannah Frye

"This SPF is a dream product for the skin minimalists out there. It's a serum for aging skin and a sunscreen in one. The product rubs in easily, leaving a cushiony cloud on the skin. My only request would be some darker shades of the Sheer Tint." 

Review from editor Jamie Schneider 

"The hype around mandelic acid is reaching fever pitch, and Sofie Pavitt has been leading the charge since her inaugural launch. The AHA is great for fading dark spots and smoothing texture while remaining gentle on sensitive skin, and it's A+ for clearing acne. My skin care philosophy remains as follows: If I'm going to exfoliate, it's going to be with mandelic acid, and it's going to be from Sofie Pavitt Face."

Review from makeup artist Lisa Aharon

"Using this product nightly has definitely made a difference in keeping my skin clearer. I'm considering taking it a step further and incorporating it into my daytime routine as well. I'm curious to see if using it both day and night will help optimize the results further."

Review from editor Hannah Frye

"If you take one look at Sofie Pavitt's Instagram page, you'll see photo evidence of her nickname, the 'acne whisperer.' Knowing this, it's no surprise that her Mandelic Clearing Serum works wonders—but it's not just fit for those prone to breakouts. This one helps to even out skin tone and texture without any of the irritation that typically accompanies effective exfoliants. On occasion, when my skin is feeling more clogged or rough than usual, I'll use it twice daily and feel no sensitization." 

Review from editor Alexandra Engler 

"I was hyped when I learned about this from team member Hannah Frye, who went to the launch event. It seemed like the team at La Roche Posay put a lot of work into this formula—developing an innovative new technology, testing it rigorously, and making sure it works for all skin types and tones. Dark spot treatments are tricky in general because they're not all formulated well for all skin tones or sensitivities. So to see one that's so universally tolerated is really, really exciting. Once I started testing it, my hype was warranted. It's really evened out my skin tone. I have a few dark spots around my chin from blemishes and a newly developed sun spot on my nose. This has helped fade them so much in a short amount of time."

Review from cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline

"La Roche Posay Melab3 has emerged as a standout solution in my skin care routine. From the moment I incorporated Melab3 into my regimen, I noticed a tangible improvement in the overall clarity and brightness of my complexion. Its lightweight serum formulation absorbs swiftly into the skin, delivering targeted treatment precisely where it's needed. I was also delighted with the light berry smell of the formula. What truly sets Melab3 apart is its innovative Melab3 technology, a blend of their new patented Melasyl and niacinamide, which works synergistically to diminish existing dark spots while preventing the formation of new ones. This powerful yet gentle formulation has become a cornerstone in my quest for a radiant, even-toned complexion."

Review from makeup artist Lisa Aharon

"My sensitive skin doesn't always love an acid; it tends to get red and bumpy or generally irritated. This serum didn't bother my skin at all! After a week or so, I do think that I started seeing its brightening effects, and I'm planning to make my way through the bottle to see its effectiveness over a longer period."

Review from editor Jamie Schneider 

"I wish I had this in my routine sooner! A real secret weapon for dark spots. I've been using it to spot-treat areas where I struggle with discoloration (namely my chin and jaw, plus some spots around my nose), and it has helped my skin clear up in record time. But my favorite part is how gentle it is on my skin; the niacinamide calms inflammation, which is great for treating and preventing hyperpigmentation but also superb for soothing my overall skin tone."

Review from editor Alexandra Engler 

"After testing this retinol serum out for a month, I can confidently say that I've found a new go-to recommendation for retinol queries. It's highly effective but easy on the skin. I was able to use it every other night—and sometimes nightly, provided I use a buffering moisturizer. Alongside HPR, there are other smart actives like a Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Peptide) that can bolster its wrinkle-smoothing properties, Laminaria Digitata (an algae extract) to support the barrier, and a bark extract to improve overall tone and texture. All around, this is a very sophisticated formula."

Review from editor Hannah Frye

"Look, I'm not here to say I struggle with tons of wrinkles—I'm still in my 20s, and I am very committed to my skin care routine and have been for a decade. My main aging concern: smile lines. So when I saw that 91% of clinical study participants saw a reduction in smile lines after 12 weeks of using this product, I had to know what was up. I took the leap and swapped my weekly tretinoin for this product in the name of beauty journalism, and I was truly impressed by the effects. My smile lines and crow's feet wrinkles started to lighten up after just a month, and I could use it every other night (exfoliating in between) without any irritation. When it comes to retinol, this one stands out for its ability to cater to sensitive skin without compromising on efficacy."