Mixed Makeup Facebook Group Skincare and Beauty Awards 2020
There are tons of skincare and beauty products discussed in our private Facebook group “Beauty Questions Answered by Mixed Makeup,” but which ones made the biggest impact this year? One of our members, Ken Shew, sent out a survey to our 44,000+ members to find out, and the results are so good. We picked cleansers, face tools, and even threw in some hair care!
But before we get into the products, introductions are in order. Here’s Ken to take it away:
My name is Ken and I am a member of the Facebook Group. I became really interested in skincare after high school when my acne started to flare up and decided I was going to figure out how to fix it once and for all. Susan Yara’s videos taught me so much about how to find products that work for me, and it has been a game-changer. I’m about to graduate college and I am pursuing a career in marketing. I hope you enjoy getting to see some of the group’s favorite products of 2020! Connect with me on Instagram @kenwshew.
It’s important to note, there wasn’t a real method to our approach with these awards. We felt like traditional beauty awards seemed biased to media advertisers, so we decided to give our members multiple options in each category and a fill-in-the-blank in case we missed a product or brand. We can assure you, our members share a love for skincare and beauty, and while they likely joined the group after watching a Mixed Makeup video, all opinions are their own. Now let’s get to the products!
First Cleanse/Oil-Based Cleanser
Winner: Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm ($34)
This dreamy cleansing balm is the perfect first cleanse product. The sorbet texture does it all with sunflower and ginger root oils, along with papaya extract to gently exfoliate. Apply it to dry skin to melt down makeup and sunscreen, then rinse it away to get ready for your second cleanse. You can see it in action in our “How to Double Cleanse” episode of “Beauty with Susan Yara.”
RUNNER-UP: Banila Co. Clean It ZERO Cleansing Balm ($21)
It’s no surprise this cleansing balm was runner-up. The formula is rich in vitamin C from acerola cherry and conditioners like Vitamin E to effectively remove makeup and SPF without stripping the skin. It’s easy to use, affordable, and feels like silk when it melts down.
Face Cleanser
WINNER: KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser ($16)
Loved by all skin-types, this cleanser contains matcha, hemp seeds, antioxidants, vitamin B5, and has a bouncy texture that leaves skin feeling hydrated and fresh, without feeling stripped. KraveBeauty also happens to be a fan-favorite skincare brand in our group too!
RUNNER-UP: CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser ($12)
This gel cleanser gently exfoliates with salicylic acid (also known as BHA), leaving skin smooth and deeply cleansed. If you’re unsure why you might need salicylic acid in your routine, it’s great to clear out clogged pores and reduces oil production. This cleanser also features niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin D to soothe and hydrate skin.
Favorite Skincare Tool:
WINNER: Jade Roller
Jade rollers can help stimulate blood circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage, and provide a gentle toning and lifting effect without much effort. Whatever reason you have for using this tool, there is no doubt it adds a relaxing touch to any skincare routine. Just make sure to have oil or another type of skincare product on to provide slip to your skin, so you don’t tug.
RUNNER-UP: Foreo Luna 3 ($199)
This cleansing device has 18,000 “T-Sonic” pulsations per minute, 16 different intensity levels, and silicone bristles known to be 35 times more hygienic than nylon bristles. With one side to cleanse, and one side to massage, this device will deeply cleanse your skin and leave you glowing.
Toner
WINNER: I’m From Rice Toner ($30)
This toner touts a potent percentage of rice extracts (77.78 percent to be exact) which effectively brighten, hydrate, and plump the skin. We consider this to be a K-Beauty cult favorite!
RUNNER-UP: Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer ($33)
This two-in-one toner uses a “Cream Blending Technology” that allows it to contain the same amount of moisture as a face cream with the liquid texture of a toner. This formula features white tea leaves, which are rich in amino acids to hydrate and and strengthen your skin.
Mist
WINNER: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist ($28)
This face mist is packed with hydrating ingredients like watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) from hibiscus. It has an oil-based layer and a water-based layer, so once you shake it up and mist it onto your face you are left with a “watermelon glow” from the hydration.
RUNNER-UP: SIORIS Time Is Running Out Mist ($21)
It’s clear our Facebook group members love hydration! This toner-mist-serum combo enriched with fresh Yuzu and prunus mume fruit water is a dream for thirsty skin. It provides long-lasting moisture and a dewy finish to give you the perfect hydrated glow.
Acne Treatment
WINNER: Peace Out Acne Healing Dots ($19)
We love acne patches. They’re easy to use and hard to spot. You just apply one like a sticker to your pimple and you’re set. But unlike most hydrocolloid acne dots, these unique patches are infused with salicylic acid, aloe vera, and Vitamin A (retinoids) to loosen up the gunk in your pimple and stimulate skin cell turnover, so it minimizes your breakouts overnight.
RUNNER-UP: ZitSticka KILLA Kit ($29)
These microdart patches fight those deep, under-the-surface pimples by penetrating targeted ingredients, like salicylic acid and niacinamide, directly where they’re needed using mini self-dissolving needles (don’t worry, they don’t hurt!). Leave a patch on for two hours or overnight, and your breakout will be noticeably “less angry.”
Chemical Exfoliant
WINNER: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant ($30)
This cult favorite chemical exfoliant tackles pores, acne, and uneven skin texture with salicylic acid (BHA). It also contains green tea extract to help sooth the skin. Pour it onto a cotton pad and swipe it onto your skin a few times a week or as many times as your skin can tolerate. BHA is oil-soluble, so over time you’ll notice your pores will be less noticeable.
RUNNER-UP: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution ($7)
You may have seen this one on TikTok. Maybe because it looks like blood and creates a dramatic effect on the skin while it’s on. This potent mask deeply exfoliates dead skin cells, so you get clear pores and less visible fine lines. A word of caution: make sure to follow the instructions when using this product and take it slow. It’s easy to go overboard with this one!
Physical Exfoliant
WINNER: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment ($85)
Yes, it’s OK to use a physical exfoliant! It just has to be gentle and not tear at your skin. This one has been called “Hollywood’s Two-Minute Facial” for years. It’s an exfoliating treatment that combines ingredients like lactic acid and salicylic acid as well as papaya, pineapple, and pumpkin enzymes to exfoliate your skin, both chemically and physically, and leaves you with glowing skin as a result.
RUNNER-UP: Youth to the People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial ($54)
Thought Yerba Mate was just a drink? Think again! This unique microdermabrasion treatment features active enzymes and micro-exfoliants like bamboo and diatomaceous earth to effectively exfoliate the skin. What sets this product apart is the highly caffeinated ingredients to give your skin a potent energy boost and reduce puffiness.
Essence
WINNER: Naturium Alpha Arbutin Essence 1% ($16)
We love a good essence to prep our skin for the products that follow it. This one from Susan Yara’s skincare line NATURIUM stands out because it contains the brightening ingredient alpha arbutin, known to stop hyperpigmentation, as well as beta-glucan and orange blossom to soothe and hydrate your skin. It feels silky and makes it easy to get the brightening effects in your routine.
RUNNER-UP: NEOGEN Real Ferment Micro Essence ($40)
This hydrating and brightening essence is enriched with 93 percent naturally fermented ingredients. It contains bifida ferment lysate, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, birch juice, and rice extracts that work together to leave your skin youthful and glowing. It also feels so light and hydrating, it’s a perfect addition to your routine.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum
WINNER: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 ($7)
This serum is formulated with low, medium, and high-molecular weights of hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, as well as vitamin B5 to tackle surface dryness. Not sure if you need a hyaluronic acid serum in your routine? Consider it if you want to plump your skin or draw more water to it for added hydration.
RUNNER-UP: Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum 5% ($16)
This serum combines hyaluronic acid at four different molecular weights: very low, low, medium, and high. The combination deeply hydrates and plumps all skin types and doesn’t feel tacky.
Vitamin C Serum
WINNER: Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum ($20)
Every morning skincare routine can benefit from Vitamin C to brighten and strengthen the skin. The problem is l-ascorbic acid, the most studied version of Vitamin C, is hard to keep stable. This serum from NATURIUM features encapsulated l-ascorbic acid to help keep it stable and penetrate deeper due to a technology that combines it with gold and glutathione. There’s also sodium ascorbyl (a vitamin C derivative), and a bioactive fruit blend to brighten skin and defend it from environmental aggressors.
RUNNER-UP: Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus ($25)
This all-in-one supercharged serum contains vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and salicylic acid. You can use it during the day or at night as your treatment. Consider this your skin cocktail to brighten, smooth, firm, protect from pollution, and target the look of fine lines all at once. It also contains encapsulated l-ascorbic acid, as well as encapsulated retinol (yes, it can be unstable too!) to ensure you get results with minimal irritation.
Niacinamide Serum
WINNER: Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% ($16)
This serum gives you that “glass skin” look, while tackling the appearance of pores, uneven skin tone, skin texture, and fine lines. Our Facebook Group members love the texture of this serum and the results. Not sure you need niacinamide in your life? It’s great for most skin types because because it helps balance oil production and soothe your skin too!
RUNNER-UP: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% ($6)
This serum is rich in niacinamide and zinc, and improves the appearance of pores, reduces congestion, and balances visible sebum activity. It’s hard to beat the price of it and the simplicity of the formula!
Retinoids
WINNER: PRESCRIPTION Tretinoin
Tretinoin is the most potent form of vitamin A and the one that has the most proven studies on it, but that’s why you need a prescription to get your hands on it. Retinoids are scientifically proven to combat acne and aging, boost collagen production, and speed skin cell turnover.
RUNNER-UP: Naturium Retinol Complex Serum ($20)
This serum is formulated with a blend of encapsulated retinol and bakuchiol (a plant-derived retinol alternative) that work even better together. This potent, but gentle, formula helps improve fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, and uneven skin tone.
Eye Cream
WINNER: Naturium Multi-Peptide Eye Cream ($16)
No, you don’t need an eye cream. The truth is, you don’t NEED most skincare products, but if you want to feel fancy without breaking the bank, this eye cream is luxury in a jar. It’s packed with a multi-peptide blend featuring Matrixyl™ 3000 and vegan squalane to deeply nourish the eye area and plump the skin.
RUNNER-UP: OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Cream ($39)
This eye cream contains vitamin C, collagen, and banana powder-inspired pigments to instantly color correct and brighten the eye area, while deeply hydrating your skin. It’s light in texture and looks amazing under makeup!
Moisturizer
WINNER: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($17)
Loved by many and highly-recommended by dermatologists, this face cream contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and more skin barrier repairing ingredients. It’s a great choice for normal-to-dry skin and we also love the amount you get for the price. It will last you awhile!
RUNNER-UP: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream ($68)
This plush moisturizer feels rich and luxurious, and leaves your skin with a silky finish. It contains a fermentation of Japanese anti-aging superfoods like green tea, rice, and algae to give you a dewy glow all day, and it happens to be a great primer under makeup.
Face Oil
WINNER: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil ($10)
Not all face oil is created equal, but if you have to have one, look for rose hip seed oil. This one from The Ordinary is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids as well as pro-vitamin A to help reduce the signs of visible aging. It also rich in linoleic acid, so it helps those with acne or clogged pores, and it helps support a healthy skin barrier and hydrated skin.
RUNNER-UP: Biossance 100% Squalane Oil ($32)
This weightless Brazilian sugarcane derived squalane oil is a skin recognizable oil that hydrates and locks in moisture. It also reduces redness and irritation, so it’s wonderful for all skin types and especially great for those with a damaged skin barrier.
Masks
WINNER: Naturium Intense Overnight Sleeping Cream ($25)
This rich sleeping mask contains advanced epidermal lipids, plant squalane, Vitamin C-rich kakadu plum, and a blend of plant-based triglycerides. It helps seal in your nighttime routine (yes, you apply it over moisturizer) and helps your other skincare products works better.
RUNNER-UP: Youth to the People Superberry Hydrate and Glow Dream Mask ($48)
Radiance in a mask! This unique sleeping mask is packed with antioxidant-rich superberries and THD ascorbate (a clinically-proven form of stable vitamin C) to brighten and plump your skin overnight. It feels creamy and light!
Sunscreen
WINNER: Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50+ PA++++ ($13)
We are sunscreen fanatics in the group and take our choices seriously. This UVA and UVB blocking sunscreen is moisturizing, and also packed with centella extracts and madecassoside to soothe the skin and provide a clear guard against the sun. This is one of the most talked about products in our group, and it’s no wonder why! It feels like you’re applying a light moisturizer instead of a sunscreen.
RUNNER-UP: Krave Beauty The Beet Shield ($20)
While this is not labeled as a sunscreen in the United States yet, it is indeed an SPF 50. This serum-like sunscreen fluid is packed with antioxidant-rich beetroot extract to help reduce hyperpigmentation and sun spots, while defending against harmful UVA and UVB rays all day long. We love the clear finish and fluid texture.
Body Wash
WINNER: Nécessaire The Body Wash ($25)
Available in scents like eucalyptus, bergamot, sandalwood, and fragrance-free, this body wash is rich in vitamins B3, C, E, Omega-6, and Omega-9. It has a skin-friendly pH of 5.5 to 6.5 and leaves your skin feeling healthy and hydrated.
RUNNER-UP: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel ($10)
Aside from the brand’s addicting signature fragrance, Cheirosa ‘62, this sulfate-free creamy cleanser is loaded with cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açai oil to provide antioxidant support and leaving the skin feeling ultra-moisturized.
Lip Care
WINNER: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($22)
This leave-on lip mask favored by many includes vitamin C, the brand’s Berry Mix Complex, and their Moisture Wrap technology. This mask uses hyaluronic acid and minerals to form a protective layer over the lips and locks in moisture.
RUNNER-UP: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm ($22)
This silky lip butter is rich in natural plant-derived shea and murumuru seed butters to soothe chapped lips and seal in moisture day and night. Shoutout to the Instagram-worthy packaging too and the shiny lips you’ll have all day!
SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER
WINNER: Olaplex No. 4 BOND MAINTENANCE SHAMPOO ($28) + No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner ($28)
This highly nourishing and repairing shampoo and conditioner instantly restores hair and protects against damage, split ends, and frizz. This duo contains Olaplex technology that relinks broken bonds, so your hair feels healthier and more manageable after each use.
RUNNER-UP: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo ($26) + Conditioner ($26)
This 99 percent naturally-derived hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner duo is free of fragrance, essential oils, lactose, soy, and gluten. It nourishes and hydrates to give you healthy hair and a healthy scalp. No risk of irritation here!
HAIR TREATMENT
WINNER: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask ($36)
This award winning weekly hair treatment repairs damaged hair, restores hydration, and protects against future damage. The formula features rosehip seed oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, vitamin B5, and biotin, so you know your hair is in for a treat with this mask.
RUNNER-UP: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector ($28)
This Olaplex cult-favorite features their patented system that noticeably repairs extreme damage and transforms your hair to be more soft, shiny, and resilient. We get this hype with this one!
Best overall Brand 2020 (Skincare)
WINNER: Naturium
Mixed Makeup founder Susan Yara is a co-founder on this new brand, so it’s not a surprise it won this award. NATURIUM is driven by the belief that high-performance skincare should be and can be clinically-effective, skin compatible, and affordable, but also feel like a luxurious treat. We’ve been impressed by the quality of these products so far!
RUNNER-UP: The INKEY List
Founded by Colette Laxton and Mark Curry in 2018, The INKEY List was born from a belief that better knowledge powers better decisions. With quality ingredients and formulations at an affordable price, this brands a been a big favorite of the Facebook group throughout 2020.
Best overall Brand 2020 (Haircare)
WINNER: Olaplex
Founded out of a California garage in 2014, Olaplex has taken the world by storm. It began as an in-salon treatment where customers found their hair healthier, brighter, and more enhanced with their technology. From there, the brand introduced at-home treatments and maintenance to give you the same reparative results at home.
RUNNER-UP: Amika
“A friend to hair, hair stylists, to her, him, you, and them.” The name amika means “friend” in the Esperanto language and this captures the brand's vision of the power of community and the beauty of diversity. With collections for every hair type, their products feature impressive ingredients, cruelty-free formulations, and environmentally-friendly packaging.
BEAUTY Product of the Year
WINNER: Krave Beauty Great Barrier RelieF ($28)
This reparative skin-soothing serum is loaded with tamanu oil—a breakout-clearing and texture-smoothing skin reviver—as well as safflower and rosehip seed oils to calm redness and irritation. It also features niacinamide to brighten dark spots, and a host of ingredients to repair your damaged skin barrier. We love the versatility of this serum as it can be used on its own when your skin is damaged, as a spot treatment, or as a daily serum.
RUNNER-UP: Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% ($16)
Our group members love this serum for its dreamy texture and high percentage of the star ingredient niacinamide. Great for all skin types, this niacinamide and zinc serum helps control sebum production, reduces the appearance of pores, and improves overall skin health.
Have you tried any of these products? Tell us in the comments what your favorite beauty products of 2020 are.