If you’ve been waiting for a good sale to replace all your empties, you’re in luck: Dermstore’s Beauty Refresh Sale is still going strong but not for much longer. This is your last weekend to shop its steep discounts on more than 200 brands sitewide (I counted). I did some digging to find the most worthwhile deals on the very best beauty products we’ve tested and written about. These include the mineral sunscreen Ayo Edebiri has been applying for 20 years, a few tried-and-true French products our beauty writers swear by, and the best hair mask the Strategist’s beauty columnist has ever used. You won’t want to wait too long to take advantage of these savings — the sale ends on March 10 at 11:59 p.m. PT. And be sure to sign up for our newsletter so you never miss a sale again.
First Aid Beauty’s body scrub is formulated to tackle keratosis pilaris but can be used for hyperpigmentation and strawberry skin, too.
EltaMD’s sunscreens have reigned supreme in our list of best sunscreens for years. This tinted version, our current favorite, is recommended by dermatologists (who wear it themselves) because it’s fragrance free, rich in antioxidants, and skilled at keeping breakouts at bay. Just one thing to note: Denton-Hurst says, “If you have very deep skin, I would recommend patch testing before slathering it all over.”
CosRX’s clear hydrocolloid stickers are one of our favorite pimple patches. “If you pop or pick a zit, put this on immediately afterward, go to bed, and in the morning, you’ll see what I’m talking about and thank me,” Rio writes.
Rio suggests applying this salicylic-acid-based exfoliating toner “on clean skin in areas with congestion or breakouts (most often the T-zone), avoiding any sensitive areas.”
La Roche-Posay’s Cicaplast — a blend of panthenol, shea butter, and glycerin — is great for sealing in skin-care products or treating Accutane-inflicted dry spots.
This moisturizer is our top pick for sensitive, aging skin. It’s a favorite of dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal, who likes that it is deeply moisturizing while targeting fine lines and wrinkles.
These pads were designed for acne-prone skin, but we like also like using them to treat bikini bumps. Lactic acid, fruit enzymes, and witch hazel smooth irritation without drying out sensitive skin.
The “secret to rich-person skin” is rarely on sale, so don’t dillydally.
Beloved by Strategist readers, skin-care experts, and Reddit, this exfoliating treatment from Sunday Riley promises to even out, exfoliate, and brighten skin.
Looking for bushier brows? Strategist contributor Maria Dueñas Jacobs tried this eyebrow conditioner during quarantine and saw results within two weeks. After finishing her first bottle, she wrote that her brows “now appear thicker, but it’s their luscious, healthy feel that is more noticeable to me.”
Blessed in the brow department but looking to lengthen your lashes? Consider this serum that comedian Atsuko Okatsuka found made her lashes longer and thicker in just six weeks.
This Strategist-beloved R+Co formulation comes recommended by Fred Connors, owner and creative director of FRED Salon, who says that in addition to the “bombshell volume” it gives hair, “it has a heavenly scent as well.”
This is our favorite French moisturizer, and it’s also beloved by makeup artists, who religiously carry it backstage to avoid irritating models’ skin, according to Hou. She says its milky texture and minimal fragrance makes it soothing for all skin types.
Actress Ayo Edebiri has been using this mineral sunscreen on her face and body for 20 years. She says it never feels too heavy or oily and “doesn’t leave me white-cast or blue.”
Viera-Newton is also a fan of this olive-oil-based cleanser, which she loves for its ability to flawlessly remove makeup, and says it’s “one of the best products for getting rid of stubborn blackheads.”
This ultrahydrating cream is a staple in Strategist writer Tembe Denton-Hurst’s moisturizing routine. As someone whose skin reacts to fragrances, Denton-Hurst finds this cream “is nourishing without being too thick, and doesn’t feel oily or like it’s just sitting there — it sinks right in.”
If you’re planning a tropical spring vacation, consider adding this oil to your suitcase. It’s our top pick overall for preventing razor bumps.
This is our best overall makeup remover, which Viera-Newton says she owns “five bottles of in different sizes at any given time.” Dr. Lily Talakoub, founder of Derm to Door, uses the gentle formula on her face too: “It’s the only product that can take off my hard-to-remove mascara without losing any precious eyelash hairs.”
After Viera-Newton changed her hair color from platinum blonde to red to a light mushroom brown over seven months, she turned to this hair mask for some much-needed moisture for her brittle and damaged strands. The mask, she says, “is effective both immediately, and long term — after using it, I noticed a change in the softness, shine, and texture of my hair for weeks.” Note that availability depends on color.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
