Cosmo Editors' Skincare and Body Empties

Cosmopolitan beauty editors test thousands of products annually but only a few earn permanent spots in their routines. The publication's staff shared the skincare and body care items they repeatedly finish and buy again, highlighting staples for concerns like anti-aging, hydration, and acne.

Growth Factor and Anti-Aging Serums

Beauty editor Beth Gillette credits Dr. Diamond's Metacine InstaFacial Plasma Bioactive Growth Factor Serum with tightening her skin and staving off stress lines. She has used it for over a year. Dr. Diamond is a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon known for his celebrity clients and an in-office InstaFacial treatment; his serum line is inspired by that procedure. Gillette says the lightweight formula soothes, hydrates, and does not cause breakouts.

Assistant beauty editor Jasmine Hyman also praises a growth factor serum for its preventative benefits. She uses the Face Reality hydraBalance Gel, which she says provides hydration without heaviness and is formulated for acne-prone skin. Hyman, who is 26, finds it a suitable alternative to irritating retinol formulas.

Gentle Exfoliants and Cleansers

Beth Gillette is a devoted user of the Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Acid Exfoliating & Clearing Serum. She began using it regularly six months ago after a facial with the founder, who recommended a regimen of mandelic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Gillette says the gentle serum reduces blackheads on her nose.

Jasmine Hyman consistently repurchases the Sofie Pavitt Face Clean Clean Gentle Gel Foaming Cleanser. She says it removes grime and sweat while leaving her skin hydrated and glowing, and it lathers well without requiring a large amount of product.

Julee Wilson, beauty editor-at-large, has used the Elemis Pro-Collagen Original Cleansing Balm nearly every day for a decade. She calls its balm-to-oil-to-milk formulation magical for washing away dirt, sunscreen, and bad vibes.

Hydration and Multi-Taskers

Contributing beauty editor Mary Honkus simplified her routine with the Mara Pearl Peptide Glaze Hydrating & Brightening Facial Essence, a three-in-one product. She has finished four full-sized bottles and one mini, stating it gives her pearly mermaid skin.

For body care, Honkus repeatedly buys refill packets for the Josie Maran ...In Bed Whipped Argan Oil Refillable Body Butter Jar. She describes the cream as rich and thick but weightless on the skin, with a musky, spicy vanilla scent.

Body Wash and Deodorant Favorites

Several editors highlighted body washes. Beth Gillette favors the Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash for its hydrating feel and sudsy lather, swapping between scents like Vanilla Verve, Rose Bud, and Sacred Santal. Julee Wilson is hooked on the Dove Serum + Radiance Oil Body Wash, a 2024 launch with a serum-to-oil texture that leaves her skin hydrated.

Wilson also buys the Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant herself despite having access to free products. She says it smells like heaven and keeps her dry.

The editors' recommendations are based on their personal testing. Beth Gillette, who has eight years of beauty editing experience, polled the entire Cosmopolitan beauty staff for this story.