Paula Begoun's Favorite Beauty Products
With so many beauty products out there, what's right for you? Paula Begoun, author of Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, has spent more than 25 years testing cosmetics. Now, she's sharing a few of her face, hair and feet favorites with you. Drugstore steals, high-end brands and everything in between!
Best Cleansers
- Almay Cleansing Lotion for Dry Skin with Cucumber ($10.99 for 4 ounces)
- Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser Sensitive Skin ($4.39 for 8 ounces)
- Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Cleansing Cream ($14.50 for 8 ounces; for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin)
- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Gel Cleanser ($35 for 8 ounces)
- Bioelements Calmitude Hydrating Solution ($26 for 4 ounces)
- Estée Lauder Verite Soothing Spray Toner ($23.50 for 6.7 ounces)
- Remede Alchemy Toning Lotion ($42 for 4.2 ounces)
Best Moisturizers for Dry Skin
- Jason Natural Ester-C Lotion Anti-Oxidant Regenerating Moisturizer ($16 for 4 ounces)
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream ($19.99 for 1.4 ounces)
- B. Kamins, Chemist Redness Defying Lotion, for Normal to Ultra-Sensitive Skin ($75 for 1.7 ounces)
- Babor HSR Lifting Décolleté Cream ($84 for 1 ounce)
- M.A.C. Strobe Cream ($29.50 for 1.7 ounces— a good moisturizer for boosting radiance and giving skin a "glow")
- Remede Complete Treatment Anti-Aging/Maximum Moisture ($105 for 1.7 ounces)
- Clinique Moisture In-Control Oil-Free Lotion ($38 for 1.7 ounces)
- Clinique Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer for Combination to Oily Skin ($42.50 for 1.7 ounces)
- M.D. Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel ($45 for 1 ounce)
- Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Lotion ($80 for 1.7 ounces)
- Peter Thomas Roth Environmental Repair Hydrating Gel ($40 for 2 ounces)
Best Antioxidant Serums for All Skin Types
- Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum, Fragrance-Free ($18.99 for 1.7 ounces)
- Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement ($60 for 1 ounce)
- Chanel Age Delay Rejuvenation Serum ($68 for 1 ounce)
- Cosmedicone MegaDose PM Skin Fortifying Serum ($85 for 1 ounce)
- Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrate Recovery Boosting Treatment ($85 for 1 ounce) or Re-Nutrive Intensive Lifting Serum ($175 for 1 ounce)
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Antioxidant Firming Serum ($95 for 1 ounce)
- Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Deep Repair Facial Serum ($198 for 1 ounce)
Best Facial Sunscreens for Normal to Dry Skin
- Kiss My Face Face Factor + Neck SPF 30 ($11.95 for 2 ounces)
- DDF Protect and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15 ($58 for 1.7 ounces)
- Prescriptives Anti-Age Advanced Protection Lotion SPF 25 ($60 for 1.7 ounces)
- Cosmedicine Primary Care Multi-Tasking Moisturizer SPF 20 ($48 for 1.35 ounces)
- Almay Daily Moisturizer for NEstéemal/Combo Skin with Grape Seed SPF 15 ($12.99 for 4 ounces)
- DDF Matte Finish Photo-Age Protection SPF 30 ($28 for 4 ounces)
- Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.99 for 4 ounces)
- Prescriptives All You Need + SPF 15 Continuous Action 24-Hour Moisture for Oilier Skin ($39.50 for 1.7 ounces)
- Estée Lauder Future Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Radiance Lotion SPF 15 for Normal/Combination Skin ($65 for 1.7 ounces)
- Clinique City Block Sheer Daily Face Protector SPF 25 ($16.50 for 1.4 ounces)
- Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 ($9.89 for 4 ounces)
- Clinique Sun Care Body SPF 25 Sun Block ($18.50 for 3.4 ounces)
- Kiss My Face Sun Screen SPF 18 ($11.95 for 4 ounces)
- Physician's Formula Sun Shield Extra Sensitive Skin SPF 25 ($9.95 for 6 ounces)
Best Retinol Products
- Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5 Refining Night Cream with 0.5% Pure Retinol ($42 for 1 ounce)
- Alpha Hydrox Retinol Night ResQ ($14.99 for 1.05 ounces)
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer SPF 20 ($11.99 for 1 ounce; provides retinol plus broad-spectrum sun protection and a sheer tint)
- RoC Multi-Correxion Night Treatment ($24.99 for 1 ounce)
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Radiance Renewal Serum ($95 for 1 ounce)
- MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Serum ($90 for 1 ounce)
- DDF C3 Plus Serum ($62 for 0.5 ounce)
- Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Combination Antioxidant Treatment ($122 for 1 ounce)
Best Eye Creams/Gels
- Kiehl's Light Nourishing Eye Cream ($20 for 0.5 ounce)
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream ($19.99 for 1.4 ounces)
- Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum ($18.99 for 0.5 ounce)
- Kate Somerville Line Release Under Eye Repair ($125 for 0.5 ounce)
- Perricone MD Cosmeceuticals Advanced Eye Area Therapy
Best Lip Balms with Sunscreen
- Blisslabs Super Balm Lip Conditioner with SPF 15 ($10 for 0.5 ounce)
- B. Kamins, Chemist Lip Balm SPF 20 ($19 for 0.5 ounce)
- Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36 PA++ ($19 for 0.14 ounce)
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($5.99 for 1.75 ounces)
- Prescriptives Lip Specialist Triple Action Therapy ($15 for 0.21 ounce)
- L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Lip Conditioner ($7.99)
Best Body Lotions
- Clinique Deep Comfort Body Moisture ($19.50 for 6.7 ounces)
- Olay Age Transform Body Crème Serum ($9.99 for10.1 ounces)
- Olay Quench Body Lotion Normal to Dry Skin with Green Tea ($9.99 for 20.2 ounces)
- Aveeno Advanced Care Moisturizing Cream ($9.49 for 6 ounces)
- CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ($12.99 for 12 ounces)
- Boscia Daily Hand Revival Therapy SPF 15 ($16 for 2.8 ounces)
- RoC Retinol Correxion Hand Repair SPF 15 ($12.99 for 1.7 ounces)
- Aveda Hand Relief ($19 for 4.2 ounces)
- Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream SPF 30 ($9.79 for 2 ounces)
Best Sunscreens for Hands and Body
- Almay Sun Protector for Body SPF 30 ($8.99 for 4.2 ounces)
- Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Continuous Spray Sunblock SPF 30 ($9.99 for 6 ounces)
- Clinique Sun Care UV Response Face Cream SPF 30 ($15.50 for 1.7 ounces; great nongreasy option for hands)
- Estée Lauder Multi-Protection Sun Lotion for Body SPF 30 ($22 for 5 ounces)
- Jason Natural Sunbrellas Active Sunblock SPF 40 ($11 for 4 ounces)
- Peter Thomas Roth Uber-Dry Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 ($26 for 4 ounces)
Best Body Exfoliants
- Paula's favorite: a clean washcloth
- DermaDoctor KP Duty Body Scrub ($44 for 16 ounces; DermaDoctor is sold at Sephora)
- Peter Thomas Roth Botanical Buffing Beads ($36 for 8 ounces)
- Any of those from Dove, Olay, Caress, St. Ives or Neutrogena are effective, gentle and readily available. Dove offers a fragrance-free option.
Best Foundations with Sunscreen for Normal-to-Oily Skin
- Almay TLC Truly Lasting Color 16-Hour Makeup SPF 15 ($12.49)
- L'Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Makeup SPF 17 ($9.99)
- Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Soft Matte Makeup SPF 15 ($52)
- Cle de Peau Beaute Refining Fluid Foundation SPF 24 ($115)
- Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Custom Face Perfector Cream Compact Foundation SPF 18 ($9.99)
- Revlon New Complexion One-Step Compact Makeup SPF 15 ($12.99)
- Giorgio Armani Designer Shaping Cream Foundation SPF 20 ($65)
- M.A.C. Select SPF 15 Moistureblend ($29)
Best Foundations Without Sunscreen for Normal-to-Oily Skin
- Clinique Superfit Makeup ($19.50)
- Cover Girl TruBlend Liquid Makeup ($9.49)
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($55)
- Lancome Teint Idole Enduringly Divine and Comfortable Makeup ($38)
- Bobbi Brown Moisturizing Cream Compact Foundation ($40)
- Laura Mercier Moisturizing Foundation ($40)
- Lorac Satin Makeup ($35)
- Trish McEvoy Even Skin Foundation Moisturizing ($55)
Best Concealers
- Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Concealer ($16)
- L'Oreal Paris True Match Concealer ($7.99)
- Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($8.99)
- Chanel Quick Cover ($36)
- Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer ($68)
- M.A.C. Select Cover-Up ($15.50)
- Prescriptives Flawless Skin Total Protection Concealer SPF 25 ($22)
- Lancome Photogenic Skin-Illuminating Concealer ($27.50)
- Revlon Age-Defying Concealer SPF 20 ($8.99)
- L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Line-Minimizing & Tone-Enhancing Concealer SPF 20 ($8.99)
Best Way to Prevent Cracking Feet
- Neutrogena Comforting Butter Body Cream, Butter Cream ($9)
- Stridex Essential Care Triple Action Acne Pads with Salicylic Acid, Regular Strength
- Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover ($5)
- Socks
Best Shampoos for Dry, Damaged Hair
- AVEDA Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo ($24 for 8.5 ounces)
- Neutrogena Triple moisture cream lather shampoo ($5.99 for 8.4 ounces)
- Pantene relaxed and natural Intensive Moisturizing Shampoo ($4.99 for 12.6 ounces)
- Pantene Relaxed & Natural Breakage Defense Conditioner ($5.99 for 8.5 ounces)
- Bumble + bumble Creme de Coco Masque ($24 for 5 ounces)
- Nexxus Humectress Luxe Ultra-Moisturizing Leave-In Spray ($9.99 for 5.1 ounces)
Best Flat Irons
- Remington Wet 2 Straight Flat Iron ($20)
- BaByliss Pro Porcelain Ceramic Flat Iron ($29)
- Vidal Sassoon 1875 Watt Quiet Hair Styler Vs750 ($20)
- Revlon RV544 1875 Watt Tourmaline Ionic Lightweight Dryer
- Got2Be Dazzling Shine Spray ($5)
- Citre Shine Color Prism Anti Frizz Serum ($6)
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