10 Best New Skincare Products We Tried In 2020 

Self-care became a non-negotiable part of our daily routine in 2020 and one of the most integral self-care rituals was our skincare regimen. Thankfully, during the rollercoaster ride of the year, we tried some seriously bomb skincare products that soothed our stressed-out skin, reclaimed our glow up, and provided some much-needed me-time. From the brightening scrub we couldn’t live without to the most hydrating serum that rescued our stress-induced flare-ups, here are 10 of the best skincare products we tried in 2020. 

1. The Serum: Alpyn Beauty PlantGenius® Brightening Survival Serum, $68

Source: alpyn beauty

This formula is a true overachiever! We’ve been using it religiously since the first lockdown as it leaves our skin looking radiant, dewy, and healthy – perfect for Zoom calls! The powerful formula boasts a skin-brightening cocktail of vitamin C, bearberry leaf, and licorice root extract as well as soothing sage, arnica, and chamomile to calm inflammation. All the while gentle exfoliants – lactic, azelaic, and glycolic acid – get to work to refine and smooth skin texture. Slot it into your routine after you’ve cleansed and toned and before you apply moisturizer.

2. The Oil: WISHFUL Get Even Rose Oil, $63

True story: we refer to this as “our magic oil” as it’s just that good. Formulated with 15 luxurious oils, it’ll help hydrate your skin, restore uneven skin tone, and minimize the appearance of post-pimple marks while leaving your skin with a radiant glow. If you don’t believe us, check out the before and afters! Simply apply it as the last step in your morning or evening routine and massage it gently into the skin. Check out our fave application hack that’ll also help detox your skin and sculpt your cheekbones.

3. The Cleanser: Herbivore Pink Cloud Cleanser, $24

Source: Herbivore

This product reignited our love for cleansing this year (yes you still need to cleanse if you wear no makeup!). Formulated with calming rose and coconut water, it’s ideal for your morning and second cleanse in the evening. The all-natural formulas lathers into a rich foam thanks to plant-based surfactants and squalane that lift dirt and oil to clarify the skin without drying. We love it as it leaves our skin feeling soft, smooth and instantly refreshed. 

4. The Brightener: Hyper Skin Hyper Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum, $36

Source: Hyper Skin

If you’re looking for a product to brighten and restore uneven tone, this serum is about to become your BFFL. Infused with 15% vitamin C, plus antioxidant-rich vitamin E, this glow-getting formula will instantly revive dull skin, brighten dark spots, and soften fine lines and smooth uneven texture. That’s not all, it’s also enriched with brightening turmeric root extract and soothing aloe vera to combat dryness. To use, apply two drops after you’ve cleansed and toned and before you apply moisturizer.

5. The Scrub: WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39

When people ask us what skincare product we couldn’t live without, it’s the WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39, every time! It’s our not-so-secret secret to radiant, soft and smooth glowing skin. Formulated with pineapple and papaya enzymes, and BHAs and AHAs, it helps to decongest pores and buff away dead skin that can otherwise make your skin look dull and feel textured. Unlike other scrubs, it’s also super gentle, so you can even work up to using it daily. The result is a perfectly smooth, glowing canvas that’s ideal for makeup application, which is why we love to use it most days.

6. The Treatment: Sisley Phyto Blanc Le Concentré Pure Bright Activating Serum, $380  

Source: Sisley

There’s no denying that this is a major splurge, but if you do spend on it, we promise you won’t be disappointed. In just 15 days, the potent treatment will visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots while delivering more radiant, luminous skin. The transformative formula is enriched with Sisley’s patented Le Concentré, which combines four key ingredients: Egyptian myrobolan extract for brightening, vitamin E to fight off aging free-radicals, alpha-bisabolol to soothe and protect, and another targeted complex to treat dark spots.

7. The Toner: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA +BHA Pore-Tight Toner, $34 

Source: Glow Recipe

If you’re in need of a new toner, this should be at the top of your list. The best-selling formula from our fave K-Beauty brand, Glow Recipe, is infused with PHAs that provide gentle exfoliation, and watermelon extract to hydrate and deliver essential vitamins and amino acids to soothe and plump. It also contains cactus water to lock in moisture while delivering electrolytes and antioxidants for bouncy, supple skin. Apply after cleansing morning and night and you’ll notice the benefits in weeks.

8. The SPF: Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $65 

Source: Murad

Ask any dermatologist and they’ll tell you that sunscreen is the secret to glowing, healthy skin, and this Murad daily sunscreen is the bomb. The broad-spectrum solution offers SPF 30 to shield your skin from UVA, UVB, and free radical damage. Enriched with vitamin C and a patented skin repair system, it’ll also work to brighten skin tone and improve skin clarity and elasticity while hydrating your skin. The lightweight formula also works amazingly under foundation.

9. The Hydrator: DIOR Capture Totale C.E.L.L. ENERGY High-Performance Treatment Serum-Lotion, $65 

Source: Dior

Rescue your dry winter skin with this plumping, glow-getting essence-like serum. Formulated with Dior’s patented Bio-Cellular Technology, which combines longoza from the Dior gardens, peony, white lily, and jasmine, it instantly energizes and rebalances the skin. The unique floral cocktail is literally bursting with brightening and protective amino acids as well as vitamins and nutrients that’ll leave your skin feeling youthful and plump all day. After just one week our skin felt softer, more hydrated, and more luminous.

10. The Moisturizer: Kate Somerville DeliKate™ Recovery Cream, $80 

Source: Kate Somerville

As soon as we tried this rich recovery cream it became a staple in our evening routine. The rich recovery cream is packed with peptides and a ceramide complex to relieve redness and irritation while working overtime to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier to prevent future moisture loss. Apply a pea-sized amount to your face and decolletage after you’ve applied your serum and before you apply face oil. Although this cream is amazing for dry, sensitive, or compromised skin types, it also works well to nourish and restore all skin types.

What were your favorite skincare products that you tried in 2020? Let us know in the comments.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products, however, some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.