Introducing: The 2023 Marie Claire Skin Awards

Over the past few months, our beauty team, along with seven board-certified dermatologists, have tested hundreds of products. Here’s what came out on top.

marie claire 2023 skin awards
(Image credit: Future)

Welcome to Marie Claire’s inaugural Skin Awards. Over the past few months, our beauty team, along with seven board-certified dermatologists, have tested hundreds of products. Their mission: Identify the absolute best skincare on the market. As judges, we admittedly got judgy, taking a long, hard look at efficacy, ingredients, and texture. In the end, we identified the 94 best formulas in the skincare world—each and every one has been thoroughly tested and deemed undeniably transformative. 

Our winners span eight categories and will see you through every step of your skincare routine. There are cleansers, toners (or the occasional essence!), serums, moisturizers, treatments, eye creams, sunscreens, and, for those who really like to indulge in a well-rounded routine, devices. Here, you’ll find tried and true cult-favorite winners with reputations that precede them, you’ll get the down-low on newly released, albeit beloved favorites, affordable skincare under $50, and the ideal items for sensitive, acne-prone, and mature skin types. 

So, without further ado, scroll ahead for little love letters to the 2023 Marie Claire Skin Awards winners.

beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


beauty awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended 


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commended


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable 


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

***

marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable 


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Highly Commendable


marie claire skin awards 2023

(Image credit: Future)

Deena Campbell

judges for marie claire skin awards

Deena Campbell is the Beauty Director of Marie Claire where she oversees all beauty and health content on all platforms. Deena joined Marie Claire after a decade-long career as an editor in print and digital media. Before joining the brand, she managed editorial content for L’Oréal owned Makeup.com and Skincare.com. In 2015, she launched Essence.com’s hair channel where she received Time Inc.'s Henry R. Luce Award, shortly before joining Allure.com’s staff as Senior Beauty Editor. Along with her editorial positions, she also consulted on content and marketing strategies for beauty companies including DevaCurl and Dove, and has appeared at various speaking events and live television segments. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Byrdie, SELF, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, and a host of others. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. She is a Libra in the truest sense of the word and is in the process of learning to play the guitar. You can find her on Instagram at @deenacampbell.

(Image credit: Future)

Samantha Holender

judges for marie claire skin awards

Samantha Holender is the Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Carmen Castilla

judges for marie claire skin awards

Carmen Castilla, M.D. is a Manhattan-based, board-certified dermatologist specializing in personalized, patient-centered treatment plans in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She graduated cum laude from New York University before going on to attend Rutgers New Jersey Medical School where she was a member of the highest honor society—Alpha Omega Alpha. She then completed her internship in internal medicine at the renowned Brigham and Women’s Hospital-Harvard Medical School in Boston and her dermatology training at New York University Langone Hospital, one of the top-ranked programs in the country. As an internationally-recognized thought leader in skincare, and holistic medicine, she has published numerous papers and textbook chapters, is an expert source for media, and has a passion for sharing her evidence-based knowledge. She sees patients at New York Dermatology Group and is a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital.

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Amanda Doyle

judges for marie claire skin awards

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Robert Finney

judges for marie claire skin awards

Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. Finney completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at Pennsylvania State University. He completed his internship and dermatology residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where he served as chief resident during his final year. He also performed a postdoctoral research fellowship in eczema and allergic contact dermatitis at Rockefeller University in addition to an advanced fellowship in aesthetics, hair restoration, and skin surgery with renowned hair surgeon Dr. Marc Avram in New York. Dr. Finney is a clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine.

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand

judges for marie claire skin awards

Dr. Elizabeth Houshmand is a double board certified dermatologist specializing in cutaneous laser surgery and the dermatologic care of patients with a special interest in Cosmetic Dermatology, Laser Medicine, Acne, Hair Loss, and Melasma. She also enjoys educating on public health concerns. Dr. Houshmand’s completed her undergraduate degree as a specially selected Presidential Honors scholar from New York University and graduated from medical school with prestigious clinical distinction honors. She completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Georgetown University Hospital and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. Dr. Houshmand completed a two year intensive Dermatopharmacology fellowship under the guidance of leading medical dermatologist at Wright State University. 

 

 Dr. Houshmand is double board certified. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Houshmand is also a member of several professional organizations—the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, the Women’s Dermatologic Society, and The International Dermatology Society. 

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Karan Lal

judges for marie claire skin awards

Dr.Karan Lal is the only double board certified adult pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist in the USA. He practices medical and cosmetic dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona, and in New York City. He is a national speaker and has been involved in multiple clinical trials for cosmetic lasers, injectables, and cosmeceuticals. He is a media correspondent for a number of outlooks including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Prevention, Forbes, Women's Health, and Byrdie. He is an expert in body contouring, injectables, laser resurfacing, hyperpigmentation, and skin of color cosmetic dermatology.

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Sapna Palep

judges for marie claire skin awards

In 2010 Palep founded Spring Street Dermatology which is now one of the leading private dermatology practices for cosmetic dermatology. For 14 years, Palep was the head of the HIV clinic for dermatology at Mount Sinai. In 2018 she sold her practice, but remained the Medical Director at both the SOHO and 58 th street locations. In 2019 she and her husband, Guido Campello, acquired Journelle, a lingerie brand and retailer with several stores in NYC and Chicago. It will house both cosmetic dermatology, lasers, injectables and luxury lingerie. This year Palep will launch a fashion medical apparel brand called, S.P. Wings.

(Image credit: Future)

Dr. Shari Marchbein

judges for marie claire skin awards

Dr. Shari Marchbein is a board-certified dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Marchbein earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Binghamton where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and became a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Dr. Marchbein earned her medical degree at the State University of New York at Syracuse in 2004. Dr. Marchbein then completed her internship in Internal Medicine and residency in Dermatology at Pennsylvania State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Marchbein’s academic and clinical interests include the treatment of acne, in particular adult female acne, acne scarring, and rosacea. She also specializes in various aesthetic procedures and laser surgery. Dr. Marchbein has been sought out as a leader in her field for the treatment of acne and rosacea and has published multiple articles on acne pathogenesis and treatment.

(Image credit: Future)
Deena Campbell
Beauty Director

Deena Campbell is the Beauty Director of Marie Claire where she oversees all beauty and health content on all platforms. Deena is a leader who is passionate about driving conversations on beauty topics, and is particularly dedicated to ensuring BIPOC feel seen and that their stories are told. Deena joined Marie Claire after a decade-long career as an editor in print and digital media. Before joining the brand, she managed editorial content for L’Oréal owned Makeup.com and Skincare.com where she led and developed a team of beauty editors and edited their contributions. She also crafted and successfully executed comprehensive brand strategies that resulted in brand growth and differentiation, a skill she currently brings to Marie Claire.

In 2015, she launched Essence.com’s hair channel where she received Time Inc.'s Henry R. Luce Award, shortly before joining Allure.com’s staff as Senior Beauty Editor. Along with her editorial positions, she also consulted on content and marketing strategies for beauty companies including DevaCurl and Dove, and has appeared at various speaking events and live television segments. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Byrdie, SELF, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, and a host of others. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Pittsburgh and lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. You can find her on Instagram at @deenacampbell.