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Cosmopolitan Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards 2023: The Year’s 85 Best Products

From skincare breakthroughs to cult-favorite hair tools, discover the top beauty products—vetted by 75,000 Cosmopolitan readers—you can’t miss in 2023.

By Medha deb

Created on Oct 2, 2025

From skincare breakthroughs to cult-favorite hair tools, discover the top beauty products—vetted by 75,000 Cosmopolitan readers—you can’t miss in 2023.

The beauty world moves fast, but the wisdom of the crowd never goes out of style. This year, Cosmopolitan’s Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards returns, bringing you a curated guide to the best skincare, makeup, haircare, and beauty tools that truly lived up to the hype in 2023. Over 75,000 readers cast a combined 7 million votes, whittling down hundreds of contenders to an essential list of 85 must-have products. Whether you’re a seasoned beauty enthusiast or just now overhauling your routine, discover fan favorites that deliver visible results—plus, honest testimonials from real-life reviewers on why these picks are essentials.

Ready to refresh your vanity?

Skincare Heroes
Makeup Must-Haves
Haircare Game Changers
Essential Beauty Tools
Self-Care Treatments
FAQs

Skincare Heroes

Great makeup starts with a great canvas. Your fellow Cosmopolitan readers raved about these products for their transformative results, gentle formulas, and multi-tasking abilities.

Standout Cleansers & Makeup Removers

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water All-in-1:
- Claimed by 4,800 readers as their top makeup remover.
- No residue, no irritation, and effective on waterproof formulas.
- Testimonial: “It’s my go-to. Leaves my skin so clean and refreshed.”
Related: Cosmopolitan Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards 2022: The Ultimate Winners List

Exfoliants for Brighter, Smoother Skin

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant:
- Praised for clearing breakouts, brightening tone, and refining texture without harshness.
- User rave: “I can’t live without it—it keeps my skin smooth and calm around my period.”

Targeted Treatments & Eye Care

Byoma De-Puff and Brightening Eye Gel:
- Loved for its lightweight texture and affordable price.
- Reviewers highlight improvements in dark circles and morning puffiness.
- Bonus: “Fun, travel-friendly packaging made me use it every day.”

Overnight Hydrators and Barrier Creams

Bubble Over Night Hydrating Sleep Mask:
- Acclaimed for its deep hydration with zero greasiness or breakout risk.
- “My skin feels incredible by morning. I wake up dewy, never oily.”
Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment:
- The ultimate multi-tasker: “Not just for lips—anywhere my skin is stressed or sensitive.”

Influx of Brightening Serums and SPFs

Readers didn’t just stop at cleansers and spot-treatments. Vitamin C serums and broad-spectrum SPFs were also standouts, reflecting a shift to radiant, healthy skin as the year’s top priority.

Makeup Must-Haves

Whether aiming for ‘barely-there’ or ‘full-glam’, these makeup winners blend innovation, longevity, and universal appeal.

Base Products and Foundations

Saie Glowy Super Skin Lightweight Hydrobounce Serum Foundation:
- “Best-feeling foundation I’ve ever put on my face.”
- Impressive for its featherlight feel—and unexpectedly substantial coverage.
- Delivers that coveted glowy, hydrated finish.

Lip & Cheek Essentials

Hydrating lip tints and cream blushes continued dominating. Readers cited formulas that are comfortable, long-lasting, and easy to layer.
- Top picks included balmy lip crayons in wearable nudes and mauves, and dewy cheek sticks for a fresh, natural flush.

Eye Makeup Innovations

Smudge-proof tubing mascaras and versatile eye palettes received top marks for making eyes pop—with minimum fuss.
- Favorite features included bendable brushes, intense pigment payoff, and budge-proof wear, even on sensitive eyes.

Setting & Finishing Touches

Mist-on setting sprays and illuminating powders sealed in every look. Readers praised those that extend wear and give a soft-focus finish without chalkiness.

Haircare Game Changers

2023’s winning haircare formulas honor diversity in texture, protection, and transformative results—from root to tip.

Shampoo & Conditioner Standouts

Color-safe, sulfate-free shampoos and creamy conditioners topped the charts for their ability to gently cleanse, detangle, and boost shine—even for the most sensitive scalps.

Oils, Masks & Intensive Treatments

Kérastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Hair Oil:
- “Seals split ends, smooths hair surface, and controls frizz up to 92 hours.”
- Enhanced with camellia and marula oils for instant softness and 8x more shine.
- Loved for a luxurious scent that lingers.
L’Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Metal Detox Oil:
- Protects hair from damaging metals found in water.
- Guards against breakage, maintains color, and enhances shine.
- Provides thermal protection up to 230°C—ideal for all hair textures.
Kérastase Masque Chroma Filler:
- Creamy mask that deeply nourishes dyed hair, enhancing strength and color retention.
- Especially notable for reducing porosity and improving resilience.

Styling Products

Lightweight, non-crunchy mousses, flexible-hold hairsprays, and gloss-imparting serums dominated the styling category. Readers loved affordable picks alongside salon-level launches.

Innovative Hair Tools

Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System:
- “The biggest hair breakthrough of the year.”
- Does it all: dries, smooths, curls, and styles—at a competitive price point.
- “No more pricy pro blowouts needed!” shared a user.

Essential Beauty Tools

Upgrade your beauty routine—or indulge in salon-quality results at home—with these hardware MVPs.

Hair dryers and hot brushes: Sought-after for speed and smooth, frizz-free finishes.
Precision brow trimmers and facial razors: For those who DIY their grooming with minimal irritation.
Dermaplaning blades and gentle facial rollers: Boost skin and product efficacy while providing a facial massage experience.

Self-Care Treatments

Beyond home products, readers also voted for their favorite in-office and at-home treatments that give next-level results when you need a reset.

Professional Treatments

Hydrafacial:
- More than 2,000 readers called it “the best for healthy, hydrated skin.”
- Praised for its deep-cleaning, hydrating, and instantly glow-boosting effects.
- Regarded as gentle enough for sensitive skin, yet transformative for all skin types.

At-Home Devices

LED light therapy masks and targeted microcurrent tools continued to trend for delivering salon-quality results without leaving home.

Table: Sample Award Winners in Key Categories

Category	Product	Reader Praise
Makeup Remover	Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water	“The way it leaves my skin so clean is amazing—no residue and no irritation.”
Exfoliant	Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant	“The best for clearing breakouts—never stings.”
Foundation	Saie Glowy Super Skin Hydrobounce Foundation	“Gives the ultimate glowy skin look.”
Hair Oil	Kérastase Elixir Ultime Beautifying Hair Oil	“Makes my hair shine and smell amazing all day.”
Beauty Tool	Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System	“Dries, curls, and styles better than any other tool—and saves money on blowouts!”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How were the products chosen for the Cosmopolitan 2023 Readers’ Choice Beauty Awards?

A: Products were nominated and then voted on by more than 75,000 Cosmopolitan readers in April 2023. Final winners were determined based on nearly 7 million individual votes, ensuring these products are beloved by a truly diverse community.

Q: Are these award winners available internationally?

A: Most products are available globally online, but check your local retailers or official brand websites for regional availability, as stock and offerings can vary by country.

Q: Are the award winners suitable for all skin and hair types?

A: The list includes a wide range of products that address different needs across various skin tones, types, and hair textures. Look for reviewer notes and brand claims highlighting suitability for sensitive skin or textured hair for the most tailored picks.

Q: Can I trust that these products actually work?

A: All products featured received numerous real-user testimonials and high ratings for efficacy, providing social proof that they deliver visible results when incorporated into your routine.

Q: Where can I purchase the award-winning beauty products?

A: Most products can be found at major beauty retailers (e.g., Sephora, Ulta, Target, online), as well as through the brands’ own direct-to-consumer websites.

Photography and beauty direction by Joe Lingeman and Lauren Balsamo, with creative direction and visual support from the Cosmopolitan team. Product details and reader testimonials sourced from official Cosmopolitan editorial.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb