Best of 2022: The 38 Skincare Products That I Used and Loved the Most (From Head to Toe)

As a beauty editor, I’m always testing skincare products from a range of brands. These were my top picks in 2022:

• Best Gel Cleanser: Agent Nateur Acid (Wash) Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser
• Best Foaming Cleanser: Medik8 Gentle Cleanse
• Best Hydrating Cleansers: The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser and Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser
• Best Deep Cleanser: Verso Deep Cleanse
• Best Micellar Waters: Bioderma Sensibio H2O and Bioeffect Micellar Cleansing Water
• Best BHA Exfoliants: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Mizon BSA Black Head Away Liquid
• Best Toner-Essences: Idealove The Balancing Act Aloe Propolis BHA Toner and Shani Darden Sake Toning Essence
• Best Toner: Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner
• Best Retinoid: A313 Cosmetic Cream with Retinyl Palmitate
• Best Niacinamide Serums: Allies of Skin Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster and The Inkey List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum
• Best Vitamin C Serum: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
• Best Azelaic Acid Serum: The Inkey List SuperSolutions 10% Azelaic Acid Serum
• Best Hydrating Serum: A’pieu Madecassoside Ampoule 2X
• Best Moisturizers: Verso Daily Facial Fluid and Dr. Barbara Sturm Aloe Vera Gel
• Best Sunscreens: Salt & Stone Lightweight Sheer Daily Sunscreen SPF 40, Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 32, Pipette Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 and CyberDerm Simply Zinc Lite Untinted Transparent Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
• Best Powder Sunscreen: Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder SPF 35 PA+++
• Best Face Masks: Agent Nateur Holi (Bright) Resurface Glass Face Mask and NIOD Myrrh Clay
• Best Eye Treatments: Dr Loretta Tightening Eye Gel and Agent Nateur Holi (Glow) Ageless Eye Serum
• Best Lip Balm: Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm
• Best Skincare Tools: Dermaflash Dermapore Ultrasonic Pore Extractor & Serum Infuser and Red Light Man Combo Bodylight 2.0
• Best Body Wash: Nécessaire The Body Wash
• Best Body Exfoliator: Salux Beauty Skin Cloth
• Best Body Lotion: Nécessaire The Body Lotion
• Best Hand Cream: Nécessaire The Hand Cream
• Best Ingrown Hair Treatment: Topicals High Roller Ingrown Tonic
• Best Deodorant: Dr. Mist Deodorant

For more details on each formula, read on.

If I had to pick just one best cleanser of 2022, it would be Agent Nateur Acid (Wash) Lactic Acid Brightening Cleanser. It’s weird, I wasn’t sure I liked it at first. It’s a thin gel, and it doesn’t lather—at all. But once I got used to it, I realized my skin was much calmer when I rinsed it off, with less redness, and it never made it feel dry or tight. A lot of cleansers claim to be gentle and non-stripping, but this one is the mildest gel of all. And yet it still cleans well and doesn’t leave any gross film on your skin.

Also, you know how some cleansers get so foamy, it’s kind of a hassle rinsing them off at the sink (especially late at night)? You won’t have that problem here. Since there’s no lather, it’s quick and easy to remove. I’ve actually purchased this product twice now, and I’m almost done the second bottle. That’s how much I love it now!

Another cleanser that impressed me was Medik8 Gentle Cleanse. I’ve long been a fan of foaming cleansers, so I bought this on a whim and it did not disappoint. It dispenses as a light, airy mousse (similar to Caudalie Vinoclean, if you’ve ever tried it). Since this is specifically made for sensitive skin, it’s even more gentle and hydrating, and it’s also fragrance-free. 

I think all skin types could happily use this cleanser. And the price point is not bad at all for a clinical line—it’s actually cheaper than Caudalie!

Next up is The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser, which has become my number one pick for an affordable cleanser. Personally, I think it’s better than The Ordinary’s cleanser, and it’s half the price! 

Seriously though, they could charge double and I would still buy this. It’s a gel, but it’s far gentler than most. It produces a low lather and easily gets off makeup and sunscreen without that stripping feeling. If you don’t want to spend a lot on a cleanser, give this a try!

Peach & Lily Power Calm Hydrating Gel Cleanser is tied with The Inkey List for best hydrating cleanser. Actually, the two formulas are extremely similar and equally great. This, too, is a non-drying gel with a mild lather (I’d say it’s ever so slightly more foamy). 

I think the difference is that this formula isn’t just hydrating—it also has calming benefits. So if you have sensitive skin, you may want to spend a little more for this one.

Now for the complete opposite type of cleanser. Verso Deep Cleanse is a salicylic acid cleanser that I enjoyed using in the summer. When I bought this, it was called “Acne Deep Cleanse,” but I think they re-named it because you don’t need to have acne to use it. Oily and combination skin will love it, and you can even use it if you’re sensitive. 

This is another gel formula, but the feel is a little thicker, with a more luxe lather. You only need the tiniest amount to do your entire face—a little goes a very long way. So despite the higher price point, the bottle should last you a long time. I found this a really good deep cleanse for getting off summer grime, sweat and sunscreen! 

Bioderma Sensibio H2O is always on this list. I’ve been using it for years! There are a few different ways I fit this into my routine. Usually (unless it’s a no-makeup day), I’ll swipe it over my skin as the first step in a double cleanse at night. I also use it in the mornings with a cotton swab to fix makeup mistakes (like smudged mascara or eyeliner). And then, if I want to refresh my makeup before going out, but not start from scratch, I’ll use it before re-applying concealer, blush and/or foundation. It’s cheap, non-irritating, and it works! 

Bioeffect Micellar Cleansing Water is the other micellar water I loved in 2022. I randomly started using it after finding a bottle in my stash that I’d forgotten about. True story: I was so impressed, I made my mom try it, too, to get a second opinion. (I was like, “Am I dreaming or is this even better than Bioderma?!?”)

She confirmed that yes, it is (which it should be, because it’s much more expensive for less product). I think it’s every bit as gentle, but even more effective at cleansing, and leaves your skin feeling extra hydrated and toned. 

My love for COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid did not waver in 2022. I still haven’t found any exfoliant that works better for my skin than this BHA. The star ingredient, 4% betaine salicylate, is said to be equivalent to 2% salicylic acid, but it’s gentler and more hydrating on your skin. I find it keeps my pores clean while smoothing and brightening my skin surface, but it never causes redness or irritation. I’ve lost count of how many bottles I’ve gone through! 

For once, I have a runner-up in the exfoliant category: Mizon BSA Black Head Away Liquid. It launched fairly recently (I think in 2021?) and I discovered it when searching for products with betaine salicylate. Just as I’d hoped, it’s an alternative to the COSRX BHA. The texture is identical, but this formula isn’t as strong. It’s more like a 0.5% salicylic acid, so it would be suitable for anyone looking for a gentler exfoliant. So now I’ll be recommending both products whenever someone asks me about BHAs! 

Idealove The Balancing Act Aloe Propolis BHA Toner was my top toner pick. Actually, I’m calling it a toner-essence because you can also use it like an essence (it has a slightly thicker texture). Despite being ridiculously cheap, it contains an impressive list of K-beauty-inspired ingredients, including aloe, betaine salicylate, propolis and snail mucin. It’s slightly acidic, so it’s perfect to use after cleansing and before acid exfoliants.

But I have bad news... this is from one of iHerb’s in-house brands that just launched in the spring, and it now says “discontinued item” for the larger size (the travel size is still available). I hope they reconsider, because it was one of my favourite new product discoveries of the year! (And I’m not alone in loving it—there are over 3,000 four-star reviews!)

The other toner-essence I enjoyed using in 2022 was Shani Darden Sake Toning Essence. This one is different because it doesn’t contain any acids. It’s more of a softening and brightening treatment, as the sake water is similar to the famous Pitera in SK-II Facial Treatment Essence. It’s also high in niacinamide, so it can help a bit with large pores and excess oil.

I would say to give this a try if you’re looking for a less expensive alternative to SK-II. Just keep in mind that it’s non-acidic, so it’s not the ideal product to use before an acid exfoliant. 

In terms of toners (not toner-essences), my favourite was Benton Aloe BHA Skin Toner. It’s similar to the Idealove one in that it contains aloe, BHAs and snail mucin. But the type of BHA is different—this contains 0.5% salicylic acid—and it has a more watery texture. 

I use this to remove any residue after cleansing. But if you have dry or sensitive skin, it would work well as a standalone exfoliant, too.

A313 Cosmetic Cream with Retinyl Palmitate remains my number one retinoid. I still haven’t found anything else that compares! If you’re looking for the strongest over-the-counter treatment, this is what I recommend. Be sure to start slowly because it can make your skin dry and flaky at first (and itching is common!). But once your skin gets used to it, you’ll experience benefits like plumper, smoother skin and softening of fine lines. 

Allies of Skin Prebiotics & Niacinamide Pore Refining Booster is on this list for the second year in a row. It has a higher price point than most niacinamide serums, but I think it’s totally worth it. You’re getting 10% of the active, plus a long list of other ingredients to brighten, strengthen your skin barrier, and minimize pores.

I actually find I can wear this as a gel moisturizer and I don’t need anything else on top. But even though it’s very hydrating, it also does a great job of controlling excess oil. I’ve already purchased two bottles and I have a third in my cart at the moment! 

My other favourite niacinamide serum in 2022 was The Inkey List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum, which just launched in the fall. I’d been wanting to try a higher-dose niacinamide for a while, and this has 20% in a lightweight serum base. I know some people can’t tolerate the higher concentrations, but my skin has been fine with this. 

I love this one specifically for combating excess oil through the T-zone. Technically, I’m not supposed to be using it that way, according to the brand. It’s meant to be an all-over treatment for people who experience oily skin all over the face. I’ll probably try that in the summer, but for now, I’m loving it as a T-zone mattifying solution. It works amazingly well!