Olay Cleansing Infusion Crushed Ginger Body Wash, $5.74, cleanses well. It leaves skin soft. It has little scrubby beads in it so you get a mini exfoliation every time you wash. OK. Great. But who are we kidding? The reason we love a particular body wash over another is because of the smell, am I right? And let me tell you: This one smells like HEAVEN. It has a gorgeous fresh-ginger scent that lingers ever-so-slightly on your skin. I actually find myself sniffing my forearm throughout the day to catch a whiff. It's that good! — Alyssa Hertzig

 

This winter, I went into a six-week tailspin of irritated, swollen, flaky eyes after an unfortunate reaction to a new laundry detergent. Not only did I look terrible but the area around my eyes felt so raw and inflamed and I looked like I had aged 20 years overnight. I tried every product I could find to break the cycle — creams, salves, balms, oils, serums — but nothing soothed my sensitive eyes (other than Aquaphor, which I slathered on hourly). That is, until I tried Dermalogica Ultrasmoothing Eye Serum, $55.

From the moment I applied the fluid around my eyes, I knew it was different. There was no burn or sting like other eye treatments I had tried. It felt instantly calming and soothing on my fragile skin — I could almost feel it repairing my compromised skin barrier. After applying twice daily, my eyes were completely healed in just a few days. All signs of puffiness, dryness and redness were miraculously gone. 

Now that I finally have my pre-allergy eyes back and the dehydration lines have vanished, the serum has become part of my regular a.m. and p.m. routine, along with Dermaologica Intensive Eye Repair, $59. Applied together, I've managed to prevent any relapses and the entire area around my eyes feels soft, bouncy and moisturized all day (and night) long. My eyes have never been happier!—Jennifer Davidson

Here's when I knew Tula Pro-Glycolic 10% pH Resurfacing Gel, $34, was HG: When daylight savings combined with miscellaneous poor life choices had me staring down the barrel of 3.5 hours of sleep, I swiped on a quick layer of this stuff onto my dull, dry skin before bed as a sort of Hail Mary.

Friends, it worked. I woke up the next day with, yes, tired eyes, but also with plump, glowing skin that was about as flawless as it gets (for me, anyway). Since I've started using it, I've noticed a general improvement in skin texture, as well as a diminishment of my acne scars and I like how moisturizing it is too. You see, in addition to the glycolic and lactic acids, the formula also boasts hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as botanical extracts to boost your skin health and, of course, the probiotics that are Tula's signature calling card.

It's worth pointing out that I always treat skin care acids with caution but despite the high content of glycolic acid, this hasn't had any adverse effects for me (though I don't use it every day and I'm definitely extra careful with my sunscreen). At any rate, glow tonics are on the rise — is it something you'd try? — Rosie Narasaki

To see more of my skin care and beauty faves, follow me on Instagram @rosienarasaki

Cover Image via @tula

As a beauty editor, I'm constantly slathering new products on my face. While definitely a highlight of the job, all these products can lead to clogged pores, breakouts and patchy, uneven skin. My fix: The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Liquid Peel, $25. This holy grail, gentle liquid skin exfoliant removes all of the gunk and grime and leaves my face baby smooth.

After washing and drying your face, apply one to two pumps of the product, rub in small circles and watch the magic begin. You'll notice the gel start to clump up before your eyes — it's a combination of dead skin cells and product. The more you rub it, the more it clumps (it's a little gross, yet oh-so-satisfying). After rinsing with warm water, you'll notice an immediate difference in your complexion. Pores are cleaned out and those little dry patches around the nose and forehead are gone. The best part is, the soft, smooth, just-back-from-a-facial glow — and no irritation. It's gentle enough to use several times per week — just enough to undo all the product testing I inflict upon it.

To see more of my beauty favorites, follow me on Instagram @hannah_savin

I used to love interviewing this brilliant product development exec: Don Frey, who has worked with brands like Avon and Method, is now CIO at the Honest Company. What I loved about talking to him is he had no problem giving me straight talk when I was spending way too much on beauty products.

Don knows exactly what goes into making a luxury beauty product. TBH, the high prices of those products have a lot to do with packaging, marketing and department store placement. To that end, Don gave me full permission to buy super-affordable face wash. (The products worth spending money on, he says, are the ones that you apply last in your routine.)

Challenge accepted, Don. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser, $12.99, is one of the most economical cleansers I’ve ever bought and, frankly, it’s fabulous. It’s creamy, moisturizing and gentle as an angel kiss but gets rid of makeup. And I never break out now! I have one in my shower, one at my boyfriend’s house and one in my medicine cabinet — all in the 16-ounce value size, because this is what adulting looks like. Go get yours ASAP. —Katie McCarthy

Image via Instagram @cerave