Allure's 2026 Best of Beauty Skin Care Winners Announced

Allure has announced the winners of its 2026 Best of Beauty awards for skin care. The publication selected 42 products after a testing process that combined scientific evaluation of ingredients and clinical data with the subjective experience of its editors.

According to Allure, the winners represent formulas where science and user enjoyment converge. Editors tested the products on their own skin, which addressed a range of concerns from sun damage and acne to rosacea and eczema.

Best Face Cleansers

Five cleansers received top honors in the 2026 awards. The selection includes oils, balms, and foaming washes praised for their efficacy and skin feel.

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil won for its silky, herbal-scented formula. Allure notes it contains ten oils, including ginseng, coconut, soja, olive, camellia, and black cumin, which help soften skin and remove makeup. Commerce editor Sarah Han stated the oil thoroughly breaks down long-wearing makeup without leaving skin feeling dry. "The added ginseng is a fantastic ingredient that helps soothe my skin," Han said.

The Inkey List Oat Balm Cleanser is a repeat winner, first favored in 2020 and reformulated in 2026. The publication describes it as a liquid-y, milky balm meant to be smoothed over dry skin and emulsified with water. It removes makeup quickly and soothes skin with oat kernel and sea buckthorn oils. Beauty director Sarah Kinonen noted the reformulation made the texture lighter for easier squeezing from the tube, while maintaining its effectiveness at a price under $20.

Youth to the People Adaptogens Supershroom Calm Cleanser is a creamy, fragrance-free gel that cleanses without stripping the skin. Allure reports it contains lipids and ceramides to help bolster the skin's barrier. Designer Briana Rengifo, who has dry and sensitive skin, found it did not unnecessarily strip moisture and felt soft and sudsy.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Moisturizing Milky Facial Cleanser babies skin with mineral-rich thermal spring water and glycerin, according to the source. Commerce editor Sarah Han recommends it for dry or sensitive skin, stating it leaves skin feeling baby-soft and respects the skin barrier with a minimal ingredient list.

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Foaming Cleanser transforms from a cream into a rich lather. Allure states it cleans pores while cushioning skin with moisturizing ceramides. Senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor praised its simplicity in removing SPF and complexion products in one step.

Best Face Scrub

Isdin Essential Scrub was named the best facial scrub. Allure describes it as gentle, with fine olive seed powder grit suspended in a lightweight gel that delicately buffs away dead cells. Senior news editor James Manso, who typically prefers chemical exfoliants, praised its gentleness. Manso stated it never leaves skin feeling red, tight, or irritated and has even used it for shaving.

Best Essence

Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer won the award for best essence. The publication calls it a milky prep step that heavily hydrates skin with the help of peptides and ceramides, which form a protective film.

Allure's testing methodology involves checking for clinical data and promising ingredient lists, while also assessing whether editors are excited to use the products. The final list aims to help readers find a joyful and effective skin-care routine.