Lily Maxwell
A trio of plush lip oils for a hydrated kisser
A unanimous favorite among our testers, these lightweight lip oils pack a powerful punch with evenly dispersed pigments and a slightly sweet fragrance. The blend of honey and botanical hydrators delivers a non-tacky, cushiony texture while leaving lips luscious.
Other things to know: The formula’s emollient ingredients outlast the shine. Several online reviewers noted that the glass container chipped. Gloss Hour set includes raspberry swirl, bee-llini peach, and glazed plum colors.
Read more: The 5 Best Lip Glosses and Oil
An everyday lip gloss for a plush, pretty pout
This tinted gloss’s lightweight and non-sticky formula delivers hydrating shine and comes in a number of sheer colors that flatter a variety of skin tones. Our mature testers especially liked how the glassy finish floated above texture and lines.
Other things to know: Vegan formula. Flavors and fragrances are sugary, but the scent fades quickly. The hole in the angled tip dispenses a generous dollop… too generous for some testers. Use code FRESHKISS20 to get the deal.
Read more: The 5 Best Lip Glosses and Oil
A face wash that left testers refreshed and impressed
Testers loved the way this juicy gel left their skin feeling bouncy, firm, and, as one put it, looking “snatched.” It contains a hefty dose of hydrating glycerin, plus three coconut-derived cleansing agents that elegantly whisk away schmutz and surface gunk.
Other things to know: Fragrance-free, but the ingredients have a joyless, nearly medicinal aroma. The suds are passable but not plush. We think it’ll drop a bit lower at some point, but this is still a great time to buy.
Read more: The Best Facial Cleansers
A high-potency vitamin C serum at a great discount
This bright yellow bottle dispenses a tingly serum powered by an effective mix of fast-acting L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and ferulic acid. It evens out skin tone and improves texture, and our testers noticed benefits very quickly.
Other things to know: Shares most of its ingredients with the old-school proven classic SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum. Smells vaguely sweet. The tingling means it’s working (or rather, absorbing), but the 20% concentration may be too strong for people with sensitive skin.
Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums
A mild, milky go-to Korean moisturizer
This smooth, hydrating Korean moisturizer is an everyday all-star. The alcohol- and fragrance-free formula is mellow enough for sensitive faces and contains skin-fortifying ceramides, fatty acids, and cholesterol. We loved the convenient pump and sheer, dewy results.
Other things to know: Ounce for ounce, it’s a bit expensive, though this sale helps.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
A bouncy, fresh-scented gel for oily skin
We love this ice-blue hybrid cream-gel moisturizer, a Korean skin-care favorite. It hydrates and gives a subtle glow without clogging pores, making it a favorite among testers with oily and acne-prone skin.
Other things to know: Refreshing botanical fragrance. Expensive, but a little goes a long way. Those with dry skin may prefer something creamier.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
A convenient sunscreen stick with a delightful matte finish
This handy, totable SPF stick is one of our favorite Korean skin-care products. Its remarkably smooth texture glides on easily for a refined matte finish, and the neat little case stashes easily in a bag or pocket.
Other things to know: Uses UV protectants homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, and avobenzone.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin-Care Products
Lightweight, nearly invisible sunscreen
Good sunscreen is worth its weight in gold, and this formula is a longtime favorite amongst Wirecutter staff. It’s great for protecting skin from harmful UV rays but still delicate enough to be used on your face, and comes in a cost-effective 18-ounce jug size.
Other things to know: None of Wirecutter’s testers experienced a white cast, but some reported that it left them feeling greasy. Use our exclusive code WCPLAY to get the deal.
Read more: Supergoop Sunscreen Is Worth the Splurge
A pump bottle of luxe sunscreen testers loved
Testers loved the superior absorption, dry down, skin feel, and “tropical paradise” scent of this sunscreen, which narrowly beat Supergoop Play — one of our favorite sunscreens for the face — in our brand-concealed test.
Other things to know: 20 ounces. Free Target Circle account required. To avoid shipping fees, choose store pickup, purchase with a Circle Card, or add to an order over $35. Lowest price we’ve seen.
Read more: The Best Sunscreen
An approachable self-tanner for newbies
This self-tanner actually produced a natural finish on our editor’s pale skin — and doesn’t transfer onto her white sheets. It goes on white, so you can see where it’s been applied, and dries within 15 minutes.
Other things to know: The subtle but buildable formula might be a downside for some; the tan doesn’t last more than a few days. The brand recommends using a mitt or brush. Strong (but not bad) coconut scent. Not the lowest price we’ve seen, but within $5.
Read more: Most Self-Tanners Look Orange on My Pale Skin. This One Doesn’t.
A scalp-soothing shampoo bar that smells great, too
Our testers with itchy, flaky scalps were universally impressed with this solid shampoo bar, which contains a bit of salicylic acid for mild scalp exfoliation. The citrus-and-honey scent smells amazing, and its unique teardrop shape helps the bar sit upright and dry faster in the shower.
Other things to know: Those with serious skin conditions may prefer an even more neutral formula. Not tested on animals. Our only pick that isn’t vegan (contains a honey derivative). Use code WIRECUTTER.
Read more: Our Favorite Solid Shampoo Bars
A teardrop-shaped shampoo bar to bust greasy roots
This light-scented shampoo bar contains gentle cleansers and moisturizers for plumping up fine hair without stripping it — testers reported that it left hair bouncy and soft. The teardrop shape and angled tip are particularly great for targeting oily scalps, and help the bar sit upright in the shower.
Other things to know: Most testers liked the shape, but some found that this bar easily slipped out of their hands. Contains four citrus oils for fragrance, one of which the National Eczema Association says can be irritating to some people; however, the scent itself is light. Use code WIRECUTTER.
Read more: Our Favorite Solid Shampoo Bars
