Women’s Health Beauty Awards—The Best Beauty Products Of 2022
Table of Contents
If the past 365 days have taught us anything, it’s that our commitment to the self-care rituals that ground us remains steadfast, even as the world around us struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy. So, for the 2022 Women’s Health Beauty Awards, we combed through more than 3,100 submissions (up 1,000 from the previous year!) and tested tons of game-changing products that added an unexpected dose of optimism to our beauty routines. The winners are true stand-outs in every sense of the word. Read on to find your new faves.
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Jeffery Westbrook
Our multitasking MVPs create the illusion that you actually did wake up like this.
Best Foundation
Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation SPF 25
Though technically makeup, it has an ingredient list that reads more like skin care, with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and more. It all adds up to a potent, blendable formula.
Best Tinted Moisturizer
Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
fentybeauty.com
$32.00
A buildable, medium-coverage tinted moisturizer that blurs and evens the complexion, this light product lessens the appearance of imperfections and keeps your skin looking like . . . well . . . skin.
Best Concealer
Triple Fix Serum Concealer
sephora.com
$18.00
LYS uses a blend of top ingredients to hydrate while blurring imperfections, without creasing.
Best Blush
Stick Cream Blush
sephora.com
$32.00
Cream blushes are a secret weapon for faking a healthy, well-rested glow. This stick formula melts into skin to create a natural-looking flush.
Best Brow Pencil
BrowKiki Micro Brow Defining Pencil
sephora.com
$19.00
The ultra-thin tip—which includes conditioning vitamin E—allows every stroke to mimic the appearance of hair.
Best Brow Gel
Major Brow Lamination Gel
sephora.com
$26.00
You can use the clear gel to mimic the popular laminated-brow look or to just keep your usual style in place.
Best Eyeliner Pencil
Underlined Kajal Eyeliner
kulfibeauty.com
$20.00
The gel texture of these eye pencils makes the intense colors glide on like butter.
Best Liquid Eyeliner
Lashrocket Liner with Lash Enhancing Peptides
sephora.com
$24.00
A super fine felt tip, impressive staying power, and a lash-enhancing peptide-infused formula? You could say this liner is an overachiever… just the way we like it.
Best Eyeshadow
Matte Fluid Eye Paint
aboutface.com
$16.00
One swipe of this liquid delivers a verrry generous amount of pigment that won’t smear or stain after drying. All-day all-star!
Best Applicator
Bio Pure Sponge
beautyblender.com
$20.00
The go-to applicator for pros (and also anyone who wears makeup) got an eco-friendly upgrade. The new green blender is made of 60 percent plant-based foam (renewable sugarcane) and comes housed in a PCR plastic container.
Best Lip Gloss
Zero Waste Glossy Lip Butter
yourizzy.com
$36.00
Each tube of the balm-like product is sent in a reusable mailer without outer packaging—sustainability for the win!
Best Lipstick
Epic Kiss Vegan Butter Lipstick
sephora.com
$22.00
Yes, the super-creamy, long-wearing formula is awesome, but its leaner version of a lipstick case? Not only did it make application easier, but it also made wearing it feel approachably fancy.
Best Matte Lipstick
Code Red Lipstick in “Laal”
ctzncosmetics.com
$28.00
This dreamy, ultra-pigmented red is an absolute stunner that leaves the lips with a bright velvety finish that—thanks to the addition of shea butter and raspberry leaf extract—won’t dry out your lips. You can also double the fun by dabbing a subtle amount on your cheeks and using it as a blush.
Best Mascara
Badder Boom Mascara
uomabeauty.com
$8.00
The conditioning argan and castor seed oils help to deliver natural yet amped-up volume to lashes.
Best Makeup Setting Spray
Glam Guard Setting Spray
sephora.com
$20.00
This oil-absorbing mist locks makeup in place with a blend of elastomer gel and powder.
Best Face Powder
The Silk Powder
The silk proteins infused into this lightweight finishing powder will turn setting your face makeup into an unbelievably luxe experience. One generous dust of the powder mattefies oily, greasy skin and stops makeup from transferring to other surfaces.
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Jeffery Westbrook
Because the skin below your neck deserves some serious TLC as well.
Best Body Oil
Ekos Tukumã Biphase Shower Oil
naturabrasil.com
$27.00
On top of keeping your post-shower skin moisturized and feeling baby soft, this lightweight oil features a luxe fragrance that clings to the skin all day long.
Best Body Sunscreen
Make It Hybrid SPF 50
blackgirlsunscreen.com
$18.99
Give yourself the best of both worlds with this non-greasy mineral sunscreen that provides UV protection without leaving behind the dreaded white cast.
Best Body Wash
Papaya and Pomegranate Enzyme Exfoliating Body Cleanser
Lactic and mandelic acids join forces in this gentle, exfoliating body wash that targets hyperpigmentation and body acne.
Best Fragrance
Alibi Eau de Parfum
macys.com
$110.00
This rich fragrance brings together notes of mandarin and vanilla orchid to create a long-lasting, sexy scent that’ll make you dream of warm weather.
Best Clean Fragrance
Cathedral Grove Perfume Oil
bathingculture.com
$54.00
Green earthy scents like juniper and redwood accord are harnessed in a base of organic coconut oil for a plant-based formula that subtly makes a statement.
The Deodorant Gel
necessaire.com
$15.00
Th alpha hydroxy acids in this clear gel combat the bacteria that mixes with sweat to cause odor, and also helps fight discoloration and bumps.
Best Deodorant Spray
Rose & Vanilla Natural Deodorant Spray
schmidts.com
$11.49
Love natural ingredients but want the ease of a spray? Schmidt’s is known for their hardworking formulas and you can now get the benefits with a simple press of a button.
Best Body Cream
Take Care + Nourish Advanced Hydration Body Moisturizer
Like skin care for the rest of your bod, this moisturizer has probiotic extracts and ceramides. The aftereffect: brighter skin, head to toe.
Best Body Lotion
Body Lotion
A hybrid lotion with the same OG goodness as the original Bio-Oil absorbs fast yet still leaves the light sheen of an oil.
Best Lotion Spray
Like Butter Hydrating & Soothing Mist
sephora.com
$30.00
Topicals’ beloved hydrating mask for eczema and dry skin now comes in the form of a lightweight mist that really comes in handy for those harder to reach areas of the body.
Best Body Scrub
Coconut Body Scrub
mariobadescu.com
$14.00
No mess, biodegradable beads, and a hint of coconut…all working to make you feel fresh and revitalized.
Best Self-Tanner
Hydraboost Gradual Tan Serum
bluemercury.com
$48.00
Self-tanners get a bad rap but trust me when I say the technology has come a long way. This serum-like version is so thin it can be applied solo or added to your favorite moisturizer or body oil. You’ll get an instant sheen upon application with a more semi-permanent, subtle tint over time.
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Jeffery Westbrook
Blemish blockers, dark-spot correctors, wrinkle slayers…all solutions live here.
Best Acne Treatment
Acne Control Gel
Word to the wise: If you have acne-prone skin, treat your whole face rather than waiting for a pimple to pop up. This one is a triple threat with salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid to clear out pores, smooth skin texture, and help brighten tone. All your acne issues covered in one cream.
Best Pimple Patch
Hydro-Star + Salicylic Acid
starface.world
$12.99
Most zit stickers only contain hydrocolloid (used in bandages to soak up gunk), but these also house salicylic acid to clear out pores and shorten the lifespan of your pimple.
Best Spot Treatment
Clarifying Spot Solution
nordstrom.com
$42.00
For those pimples that need a little more…er… tough love (looking at you, cysts), this is the spot treatment to reach for. Packed with 10 percent sulfur, salicylic acid, green clay, and azelaic acid, it takes ownership of those bumps and keeps them manageable so they don’t take over.
Best Eye Gel
Awaken Peptide Eye Gel
dermalogica.com
$56.00
If you tend to hate eye cream but want the benefits, give this one a try. The extremely lightweight gel formula is packed with peptides to stimulate collagen and tighten skin but doesn’t feel or look goopy. Eye five!
Best Eye Cream
Peptide 21 Wrinkle Resist Eye Cream
ulta.com
$75.00
Fine lines and wrinkles are no match for a lightweight cream that has a strong blend of 21 peptides and neuropeptides.
Best Exfoliating Mask
Fade & Glow AHA Mask
hyperskin.com
$48.00
Silky and packed with powerhouse ingredients such as glycolic and salicylic acids, it reduces dark spots and halts breakouts before they start.
Best Face Scrub
Lemonade Smoothing Scrub
sephora.com
$34.00
Like a glass of lemonade in a bottle, the nonabrasive scrub gently exfoliates and refines skin’s texture while chamomile and basil soothe it. The effect? Refreshing.
Best Face Mist
Reviving Aura Face Mist
ulta.com
$25.00
The key to a good face mist is the actual misting mechanism and this one gives a 10/10 extremely fine mist every. single. time. No prep spritzes needed. Not to mention the rose and witch hazel formula is refreshing, hydrating, and helps tone oily skin.
Best Maskne Treatment
Rapid Response Maskne Spray
reneerouleau.com
$16.50
Made with exfoliating AHAs and BHAs along with a prebiotic sugar, this spray helps ensure that “bad” bacteria can’t thrive. Just spritz it on your face and mask, let it dry, then go about your business as usual.
Best Exfoliating Serum
Lactic Acid Serum
sephora.com
$88.00
The formidable lactic acid formula stops pimples in their tracks and brightens up complexions with—get this—no irritation. How?!
Best Hydrating Serum
Deliverance Serum
dieuxskin.com
$69.00
It’s no wonder this moisturizing serum went viral. The niacinamide and cannabinoid combo calms and tones—if you’re able to get your hands on a bottle, that is.
Best Brightening Serum
Vitamin C + Peptide 24 Brightening Serum
It took Olay over 100 iterations and 10 rounds of testing to land on this game-changing formula. Brightening vitamin C and collagen-building peptides are the stars but there’s also lactic acid to keep skin smooth and help unclog pores. Basically it’s a win-win (win) for all skin types.
Best Tinted Sunscreen
SunnyDays SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Foundation
sephora.com
$30.00
You’d never know the formula was a non-nano zinc oxide mineral SPF if the tube didn’t say so. (So light! So sheer!)
Best Face Sunscreen
Invisible Hero SPF 30
clarksbotanicals.com
$53.00
Using antioxidants to block blue light and hyaluronic acid to keep skin happy, you’ll get so many wins in one slather.
Best Moisturizer
Eden Hydrating Pro Moisturizer
joannavargas.com
$90.00
While offering a next-level boost of hydration, it plumps skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
Best Cleanser
Universal Microbiome Barrier Balancing Cleanser
ulta.com
$38.00
Thanks to coconut surfactants, this cleanser washes away makeup and grime but doesn’t strip the skin.
Best Cleansing Balm
Clearly Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
sephora.com
$34.00
The scent-free balm has a delicate, butter-to-oil texture that can melt away the heaviest of makeup without leaving behind pore-clogging residue.
Best Face OIl
Pore Detox CBD Face Oil
sephora.com
$68.00
Squalane and jojoba moisturize and lock in moisture (respectively) without clogging, CBD keeps skin calm, and tea tree clears the pores. Press it into skin as the final step in your routine (before SPF).
Best Lip Treatment
The Hero Ultra Dry Lip Treatment
One swipe of this reparative treatment is all it takes to transform severely dry and cracked lips into a pillow-soft, moisturized pout for up to 24 hours.
Best Lip Balm
Agave Lip Butter Balm
bitebeauty.com
$11.00
Made with mango seed oil and butter, plus agave nectar, the vegan balm will score you super-supple lips in one swipe. Mwah!
Best Face Wipes
Compostable Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
neutrogena.com
$6.99
Single-use makeup wipes aren’t exactly known for being eco-friendly, but these plant-based, biodegradable alternatives get the same job done—removing dirt, oil, and makeup from the skin—sans the wasteful reputation.
Best Reusable Eye Mask
Reusable Undereye Masks
pacificabeauty.com
$15.00
DIY your own eye masks by simply pairing these reusable, silicone patches with your favorite eye cream. They seal in ingredients to make them more potent. After you’re done just wash them clean with soap and water and then they’re ready to be used again!
Best Lash and Brow Treatment
Brow and Lash Masque
revitalash.com
$49.00
The mask deposits vitamin E, biotin, and other strengthening ingredients onto your lashes and brows because they need a spa day too.
Best Acne Mask
Pore Vac Clearing Clay Face Mask
target.com
$20.00
Salicylic acid is the star ingredient in this clay mask that dives deep into the pores to extract dirt and buildup, stopping breakouts in their tracks and improving the skin’s texture.
Best Hydrating Mask
Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask
pcaskin.com
$69.00
Good thing this mask is meant to be worn overnight: Its hydrating formula is so airy, you’ll forget you have it on. Sweet skin dreams.
Best Neck Cream
Techno Neck Perfecting Cream
skinbetter.com
$140.00
The neck is often the forgotten child in skincare, which is why you’ll need this miracle cream made specifically for that thin, non-porous skin.
Best Wrinkle Smoother
Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Targeted Patches
Looking for a quick wrinkle fix without the price tag or needle exposure of Botox? Enter these patches. The 80 tiny micro “darts” are filled with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to smooth out trouble areas like an iron. Wear them for two hours or overnight!
Best Retinol Treatment
Universal Pro-Retinol
With a mix of retinol and sunflower-seed fatty acids that moisturize and calm skin, Glossier’s formula is a great starting point for retinol rookies.
Best Toner
Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner
biossance.com
$28.00
Trust me when I say not all toners are drying and bad for your skin. The good ones, like this one, take away any leftover pore-clogging residue that cleansers fail to grab and prep skin for the rest of your skincare. This formula also pairs gentle exfoliating ingredients like willowbark extract with super hydrating, skin-friendly squalane for the best combo.
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Jeffery Westbrook
Affordable favorites keep your digits looking strong and stylish.
Best Cuticle Treatment
Lemon Cuticle Cream
farmaesthetics.com
$24.00
Soybean and citrus-peel oils combine to make a multitasker everyone needs. Rub it on your nail beds or all over your hands for extra relief.
Best Hand Cream
Body Love Intense Care Hand Cream
Discover your new staple.…It’s perfectly rich but not oily in the slightest. Use it anytime, anywhere to restore skin and lock in moisture with ceramides and glycerin.
Best Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer Starter Set
evolvetogether.com
$22.00
No more overpowering sanitizer scents—instead, the elevated fragrance is made from essential oils, with sugarcane-derived ethyl alcohol and aloe vera for happy hands.
Best Nail Polish
Miracle Gel It Takes Two
ulta.com
$11.99
Wouldn’t it be nice to get a gel mani without paying gel mani prices? A quick-drying system (color + topcoat) lets you achieve the same look you’d seek in a salon minus the UV light and long wait.
Best Nail Treatment
Breathable Protein Boost
orlybeauty.com
$15.00
Plant-based ingredients including jojoba, pea protein, and brown algae strengthen nails to reduce breakage and hydrate for healthier looking tips.
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Jeffery Westbrook
Get salon-worthy locks from the comfort of your humble abode.
Best Hydrating Shampoo
Hydrating Shampoo
You can’t beat a shampoo that’s super hydrating and cleanses the hair without drying out your strands—especially when it’s under 10 bucks.
Best Clarifying Shampoo
Pure Clean Hair Reset Clarifying Shampoo
Fine, oily strands are zapped back to life after one wash with this powerful cleanser that blasts away build up for an extra clean (but not squeaky) feeling. Citric acid helps balance oil production while aloe keeps things cool, calm, and hydrated.
Best Conditioner
Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Conditioner
sephora.com
$38.00
Creamy conditioner makes hair feel incredibly soft and fights breakage with an argan oil-rich formula that’s worth the splurge.
Best Detangler
Moisture Miracle Hydrate & Renew Curl Milk
amazon.com
$8.25
Whether you have tight curls or loose waves, one handful of this milky leave-in applied from root to tip will make any hairbrush practically glide through your strands with ease (while giving the hair a burst of hydration in the process).
Best Dry Shampoo
Healthy Scalp Dry Shampoo
ulta.com
$39.00
Want to add some life to second-day hair? The starch-free dry shampoo gets it done with “flash wash technology,” along with larch tree and rosebay extract.
Best Hair Gel
Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Touch-Up Gel Cream
If you hate gels that leave your hair feeling crunchy and dry just hours after application, consider this your solution. It has a lightweight, creamy texture and it defines curls without drying out the strands and leaving behind any residue.
Best Hair Brush
Curl Collective Paddle Brush
This brush comes in three different bristle versions to best suit your texture. The curlier your strands, the wider and more space you’ll want between your bristles.
Best Detangling Hair Brush
Wet Brush Go Green Curly Detangler
target.com
$19.99
A cool-looking tool featuring flexible bars that move with—not against—hair, so you can easily detangle without pulling or damaging your curls.
Best Hair Color
Color Cloud
hallyhair.com
$25.00
Besides making coloring hair at home more fun, an ammonia-free, demi-permanent formula foam dye lets you experiment without the commitment.
Best Heat Protectant
Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist
sephora.com
$32.00
This easy-to-use mist goes on dry hair (ideal for touch-ups or second day styles) and protects up to 450 degrees without leaving your hair heavy, sticky, or greasy.
Best Straightener
Professionnel SteamPod 3.0
lorealprofessionnel.com
$250.00
You’ll wonder how you ever lived without this straightener-steamer hybrid. The super fine steam hits hair after you iron it with the heated plates for a final smoothing pass that seals and locks in moisture and locks out frizz.
Best Blow Dryer
AireLuxe Professional Hair Dryer
This powerful dryer comes with five heat settings, three speeds, and a super-easy-to-handle body. The only downside: You’ll have to keep up with the strength training.
Best Hair Mask
No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
sephora.com
$28.00
Olaplex’s standout, bond-building technology has saved many a head of hair, and now that same reparative ingredient is present in this miracle-working mask that adds intense moisture and shine back to damaged hair.
Best Multitasker
Vibrant Shine 3-in-1 Shine Spray
ulta.com
$9.99
Shiny hair is the epitome of healthy strands. But even if you’re doing everything you should be to maintain those healthy locks, sometimes you still need a boost. That’s where this multipurpose mist comes in. The lightweight, silicone-free conditioner leaves hair looking and feeling silky smooth.
Best Scalp Treatment
Scalp Care Revitalizing Treatment
sephora.com
$32.00
A treatment that’s like a serum for the scalp, with bond-building yeast proteins, hair-plumping peptides, and nourishing jojoba.
Best Scalp Oil
Complete Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
Whether you have oily hair, dry hair, or somewhere in between, you can benefit from a scalp oil. Massage a dropper into your roots at least 15 minutes before shampooing to strengthen and nourish strands.
Best Curl Styler
Crazy Sexy Curl Honey Setting Foam
thedoux.com
$15.99
This styler has a foam-to-water texture that almost melts in your hand before it defines those curls, leaving you with a flake-free finish.
Best Dandruff Treatment
Clinical Strength Dandruff Defense Sensitive Shampoo
cvs.com
$9.99
The OG for scalp health, H&S is always a sure bet for fighting flakes. Because dandruff treatments can sometimes cause irritation to an already sensitive situation, this formula was made specifically to be gentle and soothing for easily irritated types.
Best Volumizer
One Step 5-in-1 Volume Spray
target.com
$5.99
Pump up those stringy, fine strands with this super lightweight mist. Spritz it on before blow drying for a major boost at your roots without any crunch.
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Jeffery Westbrook
Necessities for a healthy and bright smile. Say cheese!
Best Manual Toothbrush
Replaceable Head Toothbrush
hello-products.com
$9.99
With a sleek aluminum handle and a replaceable brush head, it’s an eco-friendly winner in our book.
Best Electric Toothbrush
Electric Toothbrush
bruush.com
$95.00
For those who want a toothbrush that has a little more *oomph* than a manual one, this electric one has a built-in two-minute timer and six speeds that give your teeth that squeaky clean, just-left-the-dentist feeling.
Best Mouthwash
Tonic Mouth Rinse
hellotend.com
$28.00
A refillable option that comes with a glass decanter (gorg!), this rinse is better for the planet and your teeth thanks to the natural mint, alcohol-free formula.
Best Whitening Product
To-Go Pen
mylaughland.com
$30.00
An on-the-go version of the brand’s original kit, a pocket-size pen takes the fuss out of whitening.
Best Toothpaste
Sensitive+Whitening nano-Hydroxyapatite Natural Toothpaste
davids-usa.com
$9.95
A special ingredient in this paste was developed by NASA to repair enamel and plug up nerve passageways that are exposed from receding gum lines—typically the root cause of sensitivity and pain. Pun intended!
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This article originally appeared in the May/June 2022 issue of Women’s Health.
Chelsea Burns is the Beauty Director for Women’s Health and has been writing in the beauty and wellness space for over six years with her work appearing in Real Simple, Health, Fitness, and Byrdie.com.
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a39598165/2022-beauty-awards/
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