Best of Black Skin Care
Best Face Wash
Best Eye Cream
Shani Darden Intensive
Eye Renewal Cream
Best Moisturizer
BeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream
Being "basic" has gotten a bad rap, especially in regard to what you order at brunch, but when it comes to face wash, sometimes simple is exactly what your skin needs. The nonirritating, fragrance- and dye-free Klur Gentle Matter Daily Cleanser ($40) has become a daily go-to for that exact reason: it works hard to gently remove toxins, dirt, and makeup, without stripping the skin of its natural oils and maintaining your barrier's moisture levels.
As the saying goes: teamwork makes the dream work — and with the trifecta of firming peptides, hydrating squalane, and barrier-building ceramides, the Shani Darden Intensive Eye Renewal Cream ($68) has become the year's MVP. Although the formula is thick, it absorbs quickly and leaves the skin around your eyes grease-free and radiant. A win-win.
We've played the face-cream field long enough to know that the one you want for the long haul is slick but never greasy, reliable, and nonirritating. That's what you get with the BeautyStat Universal Pro-Bio Moisture Boost Cream ($50). Formulated by veteran cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, you can trust that this lightweight, gel-like moisturizer is made with the best-of-the-best ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and ceramides) that deliver a burst of hydration to skin without any harsh side effects.
Klur Gentle Matter
Daily Cleanser
Best Serum
Whimsy Halcyon Botanic Serum
The Whimsy Halcyon Botanic Serum ($95) gives your skin the same kind of glow you'd get from a trip around the Caribbean coastline, which feels like the most welcome treat in a time when vacations are on hold. The rich, oil-like texture hydrates like a dream, absorbs in a snap, and reduces redness and inflammation almost immediately.