How We Picked the Winners of the 2023 SELF Healthy Beauty Awards

Welcome to the 2023 SELF Healthy Beauty Awards! We are thrilled to present you with the best skin, hair, makeup, and body-care products of the year. As editors, this is one of the most fun projects we get to work on: We test thousands of items—an admittedly fabulous part of the job—and then scrupulously review them, all in the name of helping you figure out what’s worth it. We dish over Slack, discussing what we loved and what we didn’t, sharing our nutty misadventures along the way. We take selfies, videos, and photos of the stacks of boxes crowding our homes—to the dismay of many significant others and begrudging roommates. It’s a hectic, complicated, and at times overwhelming process—but we do it so that we can leave you with only the best recommendations.

And we don’t just aim to tell you what you should buy; we want to help you figure out how to use all this stuff, and learn what’s best for you. Taking care of your body is an extremely personal endeavor, and just because someone on TikTok has a 12-step routine doesn’t mean you should. After all, each person has their own goals and preferences. So here’s what we’re trying to accomplish instead: We’ll tell you what works and why, and let you fill your shopping cart from there.

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of our 2023 Awards: You’ll see all the usual suspects, including face moisturizers; cleansers; serums, masks, and spot treatments; body care; shampoos and conditioners; hair care products; makeup; and items to help you take care of your nails, hands, and feet. This year, we’ve added a new category, too: the best high-tech devices for skin and hair. Like last year, you’ll notice our Healthy Beauty badges, denoting what’s vegan, pregnancy safe, or Black-owned for shopping at a glance.

To start the process, we opened up submissions, and received more than 3,100 from more than 1,800 brands. Editors went through each one, and determined what was worthy of moving forward to the testing round. From there, we called in 1,200 of those products and put 47 testers—a combination of SELF editors, skin care enthusiasts, dermatologists, influencers, and everyday people who span a wide range of skin and hair types, ages, and even professions—to work. Testers had two months to make their way through dozens of products, and submitted written reviews for each one.

Then, SELF editors dove into the reviews, and combed through tester insights along with ingredient lists. Using criteria we developed alongside dermatologists Shari Marchbein, MD; Fatima Fahs, MD, FAAD; Joyce Park, MD; and dentist Julie Cho, DMD, we determined whether each product had the necessary active ingredients to accomplish its claims. Ultimately, we picked 201 winners. They’re all items we proudly stand behind, and are thrilled to recommend to you.

Below, you can take a look at our Healthy Beauty guide, a breakdown of what products and ingredients you should be looking for based on your skin and hair type. Not sure of yours? No problem—we’ve also included pointers on how to recognize which applies best to you based on your needs. We know that reading the fine print usually isn’t the fun part of shopping for a new product—plus, sleek, aesthetically pleasing labels can be convincing—so we’re happy to do the gumshoe part of it all on your behalf.

Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the scroll—the 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards are here.

The SELF Healthy Beauty Skin and Hair Care Guide

• Dry Skin 101
• Combination Skin 101
• Sensitive Skin 101
• Oily or Acne-Prone Skin 101
• Aging Skin
• Discoloration and Hyperpigmentation 101

• Fine or Thinning Hair 101
• Natural Hair 101
• Oily Hair or Scalp 101
• Dry Hair or Scalp 101

• Pregnancy-Safe Skin and Hair Care

• Best Practices for Oral Care
• Sensitive Teeth and Gums 101
• Oral Care for Teeth Whitening

How to know if your skin is dry: 

You might notice signs of inflammation (like reddening, depending on your skin tone), flaking, or itchiness. 

What to use: 

• Gentle, creamy cleansers 
• A thick moisturizer or barrier repair cream 
• Products that contain hydrating and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, dimethicone, shea butter, squalane, aloe vera, petrolatum, mineral oil, and argan oil
• Soothing ingredients like aloe and colloidal oatmeal can be helpful when dry skin is irritated
• Niacinamide, or vitamin B₃, can help reduce hyperpigmentation and discoloration, minimize redness, and enhance hydration
• Exfoliators with polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which have both exfoliating and hydrating properties
• Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative, instead of traditional retinoids

What to avoid: 

• Foaming cleansers
• Benzoyl peroxide for treating acne
• Frequent use of chemical exfoliants like salicylic and glycolic acids, and physical exfoliants like scrubs and brushes—using these once in a while may be fine for your skin, but proceed with caution! 
• Fragrances and denatured alcohols, especially if your skin is also sensitive

How to know if you have combination skin: 

People with combination skin usually have areas that tend to be more oily—often around the T-zone—and areas that tend to be dry, like the cheeks. The key? Manage one area without aggravating an adjacent one. Generally, that means using a combination of products that are good for oily skin and dry skin, perhaps by alternating them based on the steps in your routine. 

What to use: 

• Chemical exfoliants at night followed by a creamy, hydrating cleanser in the morning
• Light, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin on drier areas
• Exfoliants, retinoids, and oil-absorbing products on your typical shiny areas 
• Niacinamide for soothing the skin

What to avoid: 

• Moisturizers that are too thick or occlusive may include comedogenic (a.k.a. pore-clogging) ingredients, like coconut oil, petroleum jelly, or cocoa butter
• Using strong exfoliants too frequently, especially on dry areas of the face

How to know if you have sensitive skin: 
Your skin may react easily or frequently to skin care and makeup products. People with skin conditions like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema also usually have sensitive skin and may find that their conditions are triggered by certain ingredients like dyes and fragrances. 

People with sensitive skin should always patch test a new product before using it on delicate areas like the face and neck. If you find that products frequently irritate your skin, it’s worth checking in with a board-certified dermatologist for guidance. They may steer you toward certain types of products or ingredients, do an in-office patch test to check for potential allergies, or prescribe treatments for skin conditions.

What to use: 

• Simple, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers
• Hydrating and calming ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, and ceramides
• Acne-fighting exfoliants that are also gentler on skin, like azelaic acid and PHAs 
• Soothing ingredients like aloe, colloidal oatmeal, chamomile, centella asiatica, allantoin, panthenol, calendula, bisabolol, and green tea when your skin is inflamed
• Niacinamide, which can be anti-inflammatory
• Mineral sunscreens, which contain ingredients like titanium oxide or zinc oxide that shield skin from the sun with an umbrella-type effect

What to avoid:

• Fragrances, physical exfoliants, certain chemical sunscreen ingredients, and essential oils, if possible
• Certain chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), which can be irritating
• Retinoids (including retinol) may require an adjustment period, but they can be tolerated with proper and consistent use

How to know if you have oily skin: 
Your skin may produce excess oil (technically called sebum) and can feel greasy or look shiny. Because extra sebum is a common acne trigger, oily skin is also often acne-prone. One upside: That oil also provides a bit of a buffer that makes it easier for skin to withstand more intense exfoliating and retinoid products. 

Try to see a dermatologist if your pimples are cystic (large, inflamed, and oftentimes painful bumps without whiteheads or blackheads) or if over-the-counter products just aren’t working for you.

What to use:

• A cleanser that contains exfoliating, acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, glycolic acid benzoyl peroxide, and azelaic acid
• Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers; these may be marketed as “day creams” or “daily moisturizers”
• Light, hydrating serums containing hyaluronic acid
• Chemical exfoliants like lactic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid
• Physical exfoliants like gentle face scrubs
• Retinoids
• Brightening ingredients like vitamin C, tranexamic acid, licorice, niacinamide, kojic acid, and azelaic acid for combatting dark spots and acne scars
• Calming ingredients like green tea to help soothe inflamed skin

What to avoid:

• Ingredients that may be comedogenic, like vitamin E, and some occlusive oils, including coconut oil, petroleum jelly, and cocoa butter
• Thicker moisturizers that may be marketed as “night creams” or “barrier repair creams”

How to know if you have aging or mature skin: 
Technically, we all have “aging” skin. That said, your skin starts slowing down its collagen production (the protein that keeps your skin full, soft, and plump) around age 25—so anywhere around then, you might begin to explore skin care products that focus on preventing or slowing down signs of aging. We also use the phrase mature skin to refer to skin that already has fine lines, wrinkles, discoloration, or other signs of aging. 

What to use:

• Broad spectrum SPF 30+ daily, which should always be the last step in your morning skin care routine
• Retinoids, which reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by increasing collagen production, speeding cell turnover (which evens out discoloration and brightens skin tone), and unclogging pores
• Antioxidants, which protect skin from environmental damage and further collagen degradation
• Peptides—the building blocks of collagen—to keep skin feeling plump and firm 
• Ingredients that help skin retain moisture, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin

How to know if you have discoloration or hyperpigmentation:
Dark spots can appear in different forms—and have a variety of triggers. Common examples include acne scarring, skin irritation (like from waxing), hyperpigmentation from pregnancy (which usually lightens postpartum), or sun spots/areas that have been damaged from too much UV exposure. 

Certain products can help treat these issues, but it’s safest to check in with your dermatologist before you try them, especially if you have a deeper skin tone, as some ingredients can have a lightening effect.

What to use: 

• SPF—every single day!—to prevent existing spots from getting darker
• Chemical exfoliants, like AHAs (glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid), to help bring new, healthier skin to the surface
• Brightening ingredients like vitamin C, alpha arbutin, hydroquinone, kojic acid, niacinamide, soy, licorice root, arbutin, azelaic acid, and tranexamic acid
• Retinoids to help aid skin cell turnover and lift pigment

What to avoid: 

• Excessive heat on the skin and excessive UVA/UVB exposure 

There’s a difference between fine hair and thinning hair: Fineness refers to the circumference of an individual strand of hair, while thinness refers to the density of how many strands are growing out of your scalp. That said, many people who have fine or thinning hair are looking to add fullness and volume—so recommendations are often similar for each, if not the same. 

Sometimes the reasons behind thinning hair can be more complex; your genetics, hormones, and underlying health conditions, among other factors, can play a role. If you notice excessive hair loss in a short period of time, or that your hair suddenly feels much thinner than it once did, see a board-certified dermatologist, who can look into a root cause and prescribe treatments if needed. 

What to use: 

• A heat protectant product before styling with hot tools (more on this below!) 
• Products that contain silicones (including dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, and cetyl dimethicone), which prevent moisture loss and give hair a fuller look
• Hydrolyzed keratin, which is often in products marketed as thickening and volumizing 
• Minoxidil, a hair growth medication that can be applied topically 
• Rosemary oil, which may help with hair regrowth and protection, according to a few studies  

What to avoid: 

• Frequent heat styling, as it can pull hair from the roots and cause damage to hair health overall 
• Tight hairstyles that may pull on the scalp
• Drying sulfates, which you might see listed as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate
• Oils like argan oil, coconut oil, and olive oil can weigh down fine hair

Natural hair refers to Black or Afro-textured hair, which is often kinky or coily and has not been chemically treated or relaxed. This type of hair tends to be prone to dryness, breakage, and damage, as well as some unique types of hair loss. 

What to use: 

• Deep conditioners that contain moisturizing and soothing ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, argan oil, and aloe vera
• Products containing whey protein or other hydrolyzed proteins to give curls more definition
• Scalp care products like scalp cleansers, scrubs, and exfoliators can help treat the product buildup and irritation that often occurs when using lots of moisturizing ingredients 
• If you’re dealing with dandruff, try shampoos that contain ingredients like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, or tea tree oil 

What to avoid: 

• Shampooing too frequently, as it can dry out hair and cause damage
• Tight hairstyles may cause traction alopecia, which is characterized by hair loss around the temples, or central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, a type of hair loss that starts in the center of the scalp and causes pain, tenderness, and itching - Notice small bumps along your hairline? Those may be indicators of traction folliculitis—inflammation of the hair follicles—and are a sign that your hairstyle is too tight. Experiencing any pain after having braids, weaves, or cornrows done is also a sign that your style is too tight.

Having oily hair or a greasy scalp often (but not always!) goes hand in hand with dandruff. While the oil gland activity on your scalp is predetermined by genetics (more on that here), adjusting your hair care regimen can help you manage buildup. 

What to use: 

• Products that gently cut down on oil but also moisturize—you don’t want your hair to dry out, either
• Products with exfoliating ingredients, like salicylic acid or glycolic acid
• Ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, selenium sulfide, coal tar, tea tree oil, or coconut oil, which can help control the yeast that causes dandruff flakes
• Lighter moisturizing oils, like argan and jojoba oil, if you have thick hair
• Shampoos that contain ingredients like zinc, ketoconazole, or salicylic acid if you’re dealing with dandruff—our derm board recommends using these three times weekly, if not daily 

What to avoid: 

• Excess oils, especially in leave-in products
• Overusing dry shampoos to avoid hair washing—that will just create more buildup!

Everything from the products you use to genetics to the weather can cause hair and scalp dryness. Dry hair might look dull, frizzy, or tangled, and is prone to breakage. A dry scalp may look like dandruff, as they both can lead to flaking—but dandruff is usually caused by a skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis, while dry scalp causes skin to flake off from a lack of moisture, according to the Cleveland Clinic.   

You can relieve dry scalp with over-the-counter hair care products, but if you find that you’re experiencing prolonged tingling or burning, or if you begin to develop blisters or open sores on your scalp, see a dermatologist.

What to use: 

• Silicones (including dimethicone), which give each strand of hair an extra coat of protection 
• Hydrolyzed keratin for a volumizing effect, especially if your hair is also thinning
• Argan oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, shea butter, and (for some) olive oil to lock in moisture, especially if you have a natural hair texture 

What to avoid: 

• Frequent heat styling (especially flatironing)
• Tight braids, extensions, weaves, or perms 
• Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate, which help shampoo lather but can dry out hair and scalp
• Anything else that will further dry hair, including most alcohols (though cetearyl and stearyl alcohol can actually be moisturizing and are okay to use) 
• Hair dyes, perms, relaxers, and similar chemical treatments, which can be drying or irritating and/or contain allergens

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, always talk to your health care provider to determine which ingredients you should avoid. That said, you might be surprised by how many of your usual skin and hair care products are also pregnancy-safe.

What’s okay to use, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): 

• Benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid, all of which help treat acne- These can be used in addition to any ingredients not mentioned on the “avoid” list below

What to avoid, according to ACOG:

• Prescription acne treatments that include hormonal therapy, isotretinoin, oral tetracyclines, and topical retinoids
• Over-the-counter products that contain phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone, retinol, and triclosan

We followed ACOG guidelines to determine which winning products we awarded pregnancy-safe badges to, meaning none of the products with that badge contain phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone, retinol/retinoids, or triclosan. 

While ACOG advises pregnant people to stay away from parabens and phthalates—as noted above—dermatologists are divided on whether they’re harmful to pregnant people and fetuses, largely because studies testing these ingredients aren’t conducted on pregnant people. Here’s what to know about them both: 

• Parabens are a common preservative found in many skin care products. They keep products free from bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and fungi—and prevent them from changing color or spoiling too quickly after you open the package, Dr. Marchbein says. “Additionally, there is good safety data to show that parabens, for the majority of us, do not incite allergic reactions,” she adds. “They are safe and well tolerated for the majority of people.” So while ACOG recommends avoiding parabens while pregnant, your ob-gyn or dermatologist may not find it necessary. 
• Dr. Marchbein holds a similar opinion on phthalates, which are used in skin care to help dissolve other ingredients. There’s not enough research to determine how prolonged phthalate exposure affects people. For that reason, Dr. Marchbein says she doesn’t advise her patients to avoid them during pregnancy: “We really don’t have good studies that support the fact that it actually penetrates and permeates through the skin. There’s nothing that I see that’s well substantiated.”

A quick note on sun protection for pregnant folks: Pregnancy can bring on skin changes like stretch marks, melasma, linea nigra, acne, dark spots, and more—so regularly wearing SPF, which protects your skin and helps prevent or reduce the severity of some of these changes —is key. Both chemical and physical (a.k.a. mineral) sunscreens are safe for pregnant people to use. However, if you have particularly sensitive skin, you may prefer a mineral SPF.

A solid oral health care routine includes brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once daily. Adding in mouthwash is recommended, but don’t substitute it for brushing or flossing as it doesn’t have a comparable effect on removing bacteria from your teeth and gums.

When using a manual toothbrush, a soft nylon brush tends to work best for most people. If you know your teeth and gums are sensitive, you should look for a brush that is labeled with “extra soft bristles” on its packaging.

That said, how you brush your teeth has a larger impact on your oral health than the brush itself. With a manual toothbrush, you should gently brush your teeth using a circular motion with the bristles angled toward the gums, versus scrubbing them using a back-and-forth motion.

An electric toothbrush can be more effective than a manual option because the brushing motion and speed are quicker and more consistent. Budget-friendly electric toothbrushes can usually do the trick—you don’t need all the bells and whistles to find one that works. If you have issues with dexterity, look for an electric brush with a smaller brush head, which may be easier to control. To brush with an electric toothbrush, glide the brush over all surface areas of your teeth, taking 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth. You don’t need to scrub along with the electric brush.

The only way to remove bacteria and food from between your teeth is by scraping floss up and down between them. Traditional string floss is the most effective option. Water flossers are devices that shoot water between and around the teeth but don’t have the same mechanical action of scraping off bacteria. That said, it’s better to use a water flosser, if you prefer, than to skip flossing altogether. Water flossers can also be extremely useful for people with braces, bridges, or other orthodontia.

If the contacts, or spaces between your teeth, are tight together, you may want to opt for a wax floss or tape-like floss, as it’s slightly easier to use than non-waxed floss.

Sensitive teeth and gums will burn or tingle after eating foods that are particularly cold or after using certain mouthwashes and toothpastes. Sensitive gums may be inflamed, swollen, or redder than usual. There are times when some moderate sensitivity is normal, like in the few seconds after rinsing out a mouthwash or flossing. But if that feeling extends for longer—like hours—or your gum tissue has a lingering soreness, you may be dealing with a more significant dental issue. If you experience extreme oral pain or discomfort, or if something with your teeth, tongue, or gums seems off for you, see a dentist as soon as you can.

What to use: 

• Fluoride will help strengthen teeth and combat sensitivity. While anyone can benefit from fluoride, it’s especially helpful for people who are prone to cavities or are looking to prevent them. You can find both toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain fluoride.
• Potassium nitrate can help counteract sensitivity, especially when it’s included as an additive in whitening products.
• A pea-size amount of sensitive toothpaste rubbed onto teeth before bed can help treat sensitivity, especially after being triggered by something like an at-home whitening treatment or a certain food or drink.

What to avoid: 

• If you’re prone to canker sores (also known as stomatitis) or certain skin conditions (like eczema or perioral dermatitis) avoid sodium lauryl sulfate, a chemical compound that acts as a foaming agent in mouthwash and toothpastes.
• You may want to avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Alcohol is included in some mouthwashes in order to break down the essential oils in the solution and can be especially irritating for people who have dry mouth, as it further increases dryness.

While whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes can be somewhat helpful for surface stains on teeth (like those you might have from drinking coffee), their effectiveness pales in comparison to a true whitening treatment done either at home or in a dentist’s office. That’s because the contact time between the whitening agent and your teeth is usually too short to respond to the active ingredients.

What makes a whitening treatment effective will depend on a few variables, like the concentration of bleach, the intensity of the LED light being used (if applicable), and the delivery system (how the light and bleach are coming in contact with your teeth). LED whitening treatments work by using blue light to speed up the chemical reaction between the whitening agent, usually hydrogen peroxide, and your teeth. Most LED at-home whitening treatments are not strong enough to cause damage when used as directed, though they may cause sensitivity—which can be abated with the sensitive toothpaste trick mentioned above.

What to use:

• Mouthwash that contains peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, or another peroxide derivative like carbamide peroxide
• Whitening toothpastes that contain silica, pyrophosphates, or carbamide peroxide, to gently polish the teeth and break down or dissolve stains