Best of Beauty Awards 2024: the VERY Best Skincare Products I Tried

As most of you know, I’m a big beauty junkie. I struggled with horrible acne in my early 20s and was always a little jealous of people who could go out and buy the popular skincare or makeup products and use them without any issues. My skin was so sensitive! I finally had a breakthrough when an aesthetician told me that my skin was actually dry, not oily like I thought. I had been over-drying my face to try to clear my breakouts, but all it was doing was making my skin produce more oil to combat the dryness. Once I got my skin more balanced, everything cleared up.

Learning my skin type and how to take care of it was a game-changer for me (and I can teach you more about your specific skin type and how to take care of it in this free training). Now that I know what types of products work well for my skin, I love buying and trying skincare and makeup to see which is the absolute best.

There’s a lot of noise on social media about beauty products these days. So many people tell you that this foundation is the best, or this cleanser is their holy grail, etc. When you factor in that oftentimes, the media are paid for product inclusion but don’t disclose it, it can become even more confusing to determine what a genuine recommendation is.

So I’m sharing the very best skincare products (and a few makeup products) I tried in 2024 — and no one paid me to say this. 🙂

Best of Beauty Awards 2024 (the best skincare products and makeup I tried)

I tried probably close to 100 skincare and makeup products in 2024. Here’s the best of the best. And here’s how I keep everything organized in my bathroom.

Best Cleansing Balm: Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm

The winner (for the 2nd year in a row) for the best cleansing balm is the Colleen Rothschild Radiant Cleansing Balm. It’s hydrating, has a lovely texture, smells amazing, and it doesn’t sting my eyes. I use it to remove my makeup at night (even my eyeliner and mascara), and my skin feels so hydrated after I use it.

You can use (TERILYN20) for 20% off your Colleen Rothschild order. I shared more details about this balm in this in-depth review of the Radiant Cleansing Balm and have a review of more Colleen Rothschild products here.

Best Gel Cleanser: Oliveda LA DOPE 009

I like my cleansing balm, but I prefer to use a gel cleanser in the mornings for simplicity’s sake since I’m not removing makeup. I discovered the Oliveda LA DOPE 900 cleanser a few months after trying some other Oliveda skincare (review here). My face feels so clean and fresh after I use it, but it doesn’t leave any tightness. It’s hydrating while also getting my skin really clean.

Best Toner/Essence: Oliveda F67 Corrective Facial Tonic

I was devastated when Beautycounter closed since I loved their Countertime Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence so much. But after using the Oliveda F67 Corrective Facial Tonic for about two weeks, I forgot about Beautycounter’s Essence. My skin feels like it’s maintaining moisture all day now that I’m using this, which is so hard to find as someone with super dry skin.

The “Prep Step” (i.e. a toner or essence) is probably the most skipped step in most people’s skincare routine, but it’s one I NEVER skip. The right toner or essence hydrates and prepares the skin for your serums to work more effectively. Serums are pricey, so you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of them. The Prep Step helps with that since it improves absorption.

Best Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Oliveda F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Serum

My favorite Hyaluronic Acid Serum from this year was the Oliveda Hyaluronic Serum. It’s so hydrating, and I appreciate how much longer my skin stays hydrated with this. I also love the texture. HA helps draw moisture to the skin, so it’s a must if you struggle with dry skin. It works best when used under a moisturizer.

Best Vitamin C Serum: Oliveda F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum Face

This was another product I was devastated to lose with Beautycounter’s closing. I loved their All Bright C Serum so much. However, I’ve been pleasantly surprised that I like Oliveda’s F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum even more! It’s made with hydroxytyrosol which is a superpowerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu. Because of the hydroxytyrosol, it has 1300% more power than vitamin C alone. I also love the deep red color.

Best Anti-Aging Serum: Oliveda F59 Corrective Serum

There are a million great anti-aging serums on the market, and most of them have ingredients that target one or two signs of aging. But Oliveda’s F59 is known as “Botox in a bottle” for a reason. It’s my favorite Oliveda product so far (and maybe my favorite skincare product of 2024). It’s made with concentrated hydroxytyrosol and para cress extract, an ingredient that lifts and smooths your skin. It also builds collagen. If you only buy one product from this roundup, I recommend this.

As someone who’s had botox in the past, I won’t say this serum is just like the real deal, but it’s SO good. You can read more about this viral product in my Botox in a Bottle blog post.

Best Retinol or Retinol-Alternative: Oliveda F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir

I have never liked prescription-grade retinol. My skin does not react well to it, and I obviously couldn’t use it while pregnant or now while I’m breastfeeding. I prefer a more gentle retinol that doesn’t require a prescription or a retinol alternative. I was introduced to Oliveda’s “elixirs” back in May, and the Kahai Elixir has been a total game-changer for my skin. While this serum is technically retinol, it’s a natural form of retinol that’s derived kahai oil retinol from the cacay tree (so it’s nut-derived). It’s also made with an oil formulation, so it’s way more gentle than traditional retinol.

The best way to use the Kahai Elixir is in combination with the F59 Botox in a Bottle serum – literally mixed together before applying. By doing this, you get the most results since the serum helps the elixir penetrate the skin vs. sitting on top.

Best Daytime Moisturizer: Oliveda F42 Corrective Face Cream

I’m always trying new moisturizers, ever on the hunt for the world’s best. I was blown away by the F42 Corrective Face Cream this spring. It’s perfect for dry/aging skin because it has extra hydroxytyrosol in it (a super powerful antioxidant). It’s soothing, hydrating, improves elasticity, and reduces fine lines. And it also has a natural SPF factor in it that I love. A little goes a long way with this (and all Oliveda products, actually).

Best Night Cream: Oliveda F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream

The best night cream I’ve found is the Oliveda’s F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream. My skin is more hydrated than it’s ever been in the winter. It has a strange consistency, but it absorbs right in after massaging for a little bit. While it’s different than other night creams I’ve used, the results are better by far. I like to compare this to the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream in terms of hydration (but Oliveda is MUCH cheaper).

Best Eye Cream: One Skin OS-01 EYE Topical Supplement

I was gifted a couple of products from One Skin this fall, and while I was hoping they’d be decent, I was not expecting to fall in love with them (the body lotion is the other product from them that I’m obsessed with). The OS-01 EYE Topical Supplement is formulated with the highest concentration of the OS-01 peptide the brand is known for, which helps target aging at the molecular level. I use this at night.

I must also note my honorable mention winner, Colleen Rothschild Illuminating Tinted Eye Cream. Since I use this as concealer + eye cream when I’m not wearing makeup (or I wear underneath eye cream), I don’t feel like it totally fits in this section, but I do think it’s worth every single penny. It’s one of the only products that makes me look awake if I’ve had a rough night of sleep. I only use this in the morning since it’s tinted.

Best Face Oil: Oliveda F27 Jasmine Face Oil Serum

If you’ve never used a face oil, you’re missing out. It’s my favorite addition to my skincare routine when my skin needs a little more hydration and protection. I rarely use an oil in the AM, but use one every night under my night cream for a boost of hydration. The Oliveda F27 Jasmine Face Oil Serum is ideal for dry, aging skin. It’s made with arbequina extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin wheat germ oil, which combat blemishes and reduce scar tissue. It also helps balance dry and irritated skin. I apply this when I find my skin needs a little extra love. I use it before or after my moisturizer – but you can also mix the two together.

Best Sunscreen: One Skin OS-01 FACE SPF 30+

Another One Skin product that totally impressed me. The OS-01 FACE SPF 30+ is a face SPF that goes perfectly under makeup. The consistency is amazing (blends right in without leaving any white cast), and it feels great on my skin all day. It’s made with 100% Non-Nano Mineral Broad Spectrum UV filters and potent antioxidants.

Best Tinted Moisturizer: Crunchi Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30 or Olive Rose Skin Tint.

My favorite tinted base for this year is the Crunchi Sunlight® Tinted SPF 30. It’s a true tinted moisturizer with light coverage, SPF, and a hydrating consistency. Not too much coverage, not too little, not too greasy, not too drying = just right. I also appreciate that it has no weird scent (looking at you, ILIA Serum Tint). I have more details in my Crunchi Makeup Review here, and even more details about this tinted moisturizer specifically, here.

When I want extremely minimal coverage (say I’m staying home all day but want something on my skin, or I’m just running errands with the boys and want hydrating coverage), I love the Olive Rose Skin Tint. I love how light and hydrating it is– like a blend of skincare and makeup. The coverage is very (very!) light, so keep that in mind. Read my Olive Rose Skin Tint review here.

Best Foundation: ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation

I have a lot of foundations (here are all my favorite foundations for aging skin), but by far, the foundation I wore most often was the ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation. It’s a weightless, medium-coverage foundation with a natural-looking finish. It gives me great coverage while still allowing my skin to breathe and look like, well, skin. I apply it with a foundation brush rather than a sponge.

Best Concealer: Crunchi My Alibi® Liquid Concealer

I love the My Alibi® Liquid Concealer from Crunchi. It brightens and covers so well, and the small packaging is really nice as someone with a million products in my drawer. It’s made with clean ingredients too, which gives it even more points in my book. (If you want more coverage, I reviewed the various Tarte concealers here.)

Best Blush: Jones Road Miracle Balm in Flushed

I LOVE blush and like my foundation, I switch it up all the time. If I were on a desert island, I’d take the Jones Road Miracle Balm in Flushed because it’s a super natural-looking shade, it wears easily like an all-over balm, and it’s ultra hydrating. I love that you don’t have to be precise with how you apply it; I just use a large fluffy brush to diffuse the color on my cheeks and forehead. Such a great product if you struggle to get blush to look natural.

Best Bronzer: Beautycounter Cheeky Clean Cream Bronzer

You have to HUSTLE to snag the Beautycounter Cream Bronzer while it’s available for a limited time (Beautycounter is getting rid of leftover inventory right now before their relaunch late this year). This bronzer is clean, natural looking, and not shimmery (which is my preference). I love cream products right now since my skin is really dry. However, my favorite powdered bronzer is the Crunchi Solarise® Bronzing Duo. It’s super pigmented, but I appreciate that it’s clean.

I believe the Beautycounter “in-between” sale is ending on January 13, so shop quickly if you want to try the cream bronzer.

Best Mascara: Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara

I am SO picky with mascara. I want length and volume, and it can’t smudge. And the problem is, most mascaras (the oil-soluble ones, anyway) smudge. So I have to stick to water-based (also called tubing mascara since it comes off in tubes with water), and that doesn’t leave a ton of options. Thankfully, I discovered Tarte Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara a few years ago, and it’s the best I’ve found. Read my full review of the Tartelette XL Tubing Mascara here on the blog.

My honorable mention is the Iris & Romeo Mascara. It’s not tubing, so it smudges on me, but the lift, volume, and lengthening are the best I’ve EVER seen.

Best Brow Gel/Pencil: RevitaLash Hi-Def Brow Gel

I got the RevitaLash Hi-Def Brow Gel from the studio where I get my brows done, and I absolutely love it. I use the Soft Brown shade and it blends in so naturally with my real brows to create a full, tamed look. Since it’s a gel formula, it has hold too, which I love.

Best Self Tanner: Coco & Eve

My favorite self-tanner two years running is by Coco & Eve! And funny enough, I didn’t even like self-tanning until a year ago! I found that when I applied with a mit, it was super even. It also doesn’t smell nasty.

Best Stand Alone Products

These are my favorite products from this year, but they didn’t fall into a specific category because I didn’t try enough of each type. However, they still deserve a shoutout.

1. One Skin Body Lotion – The best body lotion I’ve ever tried.
2. Primally Pure Body Butter – I use this at night on super dry spots.
3. Evolve Together Deo – The natural deodorant I’ve been loving recently. Read my roundup of the best nontoxic deodorants here.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Setting Spray – I use this whenever I do a full face of makeup, and it helps it last all day.
5. Crunchi Smart Primer – I use this under my foundation when I need my makeup to look flawless.
6. Colleen Rothschild Dual Enzyme Polish – I love love love this! The texture is great, and it’s amazing how good my skin looks afterward.

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