Although it's highly unlikely that a member of the Rank & Style staff will find themselves stranded on a desert island any time soon (fingers crossed), it's always good to be prepared, right? Assuming we'd be allowed at least one of our favorite skincare products, we tasked our staff with choosing the holy grail they'd never leave behind should disaster strike. Ahead, we're giving you the lowdown on the life-changing products that we actually rebuy when the bottles run dry, from a splurge-worthy serum our CEO can't live without to a pack of insanely cheap face masks our site merchandising assistant has been using on the reg while she quarantines. If you find yourself indulging in a little retail therapy over the next few weeks and can't decide which skincare products are worth the buy, consider the list below your definitive guide. Happy shopping! Opening image: @katesomervilleskincare
Love our 10 Best Desert Island Beauty Products? Then we think you’ll really enjoy our 10 Best Drugstore Staff Favorites!
February 1, 2021
Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
The Rankings
Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
STAFF SAYS: "I have been mixing it up with cleansers lately, but I always use the Bioderma micellar water as the second step in my skincare routine. It removes any leftover makeup or grime, leaving my face super clean. I highly recommend the pump cap, too!”—Taylor DeBaylo, Site Merchandising Associate
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
STAFF SAYS: "The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is hands-down my holy grail. Not only does it smell phenomenal (I have the vanilla), but it also leaves your lips insanely soft and supple by morning no matter how chapped they were the night before. I apply it religiously—sometimes even during the day—and the jar still lasts for months and months."—Kate Ferris, Staff Writer
Acure Brilliantly Brightening Glowing Serum
STAFF SAYS: “I found this product on Rank & Style back in 2016 and I have probably gone through 5 bottles now. It is my holy grail serum and my dry, sensitive skin can’t live without it. I usually apply a thick layer before bed every night and wake up with the softest, brightest, most glowy skin (hence the name). Tip: try it under your foundation for an extra dewy look!”—Emma Manning, Digital Brand Manager
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
STAFF SAYS: “All. The. Dew. I started using this about a month ago, and now I don’t think I’ll ever be able to use another moisturizer again. It’s super hydrating and gives your skin a nice healthy glow.”—Meredith Rimmer, Managing Editor
EltaMD AM/PM Routine
STAFF SAYS: "I know we're only allowed ONE product, but does a bundle count? I feel like a broken record when talking about my love for the EltaMD products, but I have used their morning and nighttime moisturizer for years and have found that no other product comes close. I will forever be EltaMD's biggest fan!" —Taylor Reagan, Site Merchandising Associate
Esarora Ice Roller For Face & Eyes
STAFF SAYS: "I discovered this on our 10 Best Ice Rollers list and have used it ever since. I pull it out of the freezer and use it every morning! It helps whether my face is puffy, I have a headache, or I just need something to wake me up!"—Georgia Jones, Site Merchandising Assistant
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
STAFF SAYS: "As far as my current beauty routine goes, I have pretty much dropped every part of my seemingly 1,000 step regiment except for exfoliating. *Enter Kate Sommerville’s Exfolikate treatment*. This powerful dual-action exfoliator has helped me keep my skin smooth, even, and bright—what more could you ask for from a single product?”—Maiya Evans, Digital Marketing Assistant
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
STAFF SAYS: "I bought this product after seeing it had over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, and now I know why! If you are just starting out on skincare this product is great for you! It is also super affordable and multi-use. I use it on my face and my body and have seen amazing results.”—Molly Parken, Marketing Associate
Weleda Skin Food
STAFF SAYS: “If I could only pick one skincare item, it would be the Weleda Skin Food lotion. This product does it all! It is still my #1 night cream, it adds a nice glow to my skin during the day when dabbed on as a highlighter, and has been a savior for my hands with all of this hand washing!”—Beth Zerdecki, Chief Product & Marketing Officer
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
STAFF SAYS: "I have a handful of skincare products that I can’t live without but if I had to pick one it would be Skinceuticals C E Ferulic. This product is hands down the best vitamin C serum on the market and has completely transformed my skin. I never go to sleep without lathering it all over my face knowing that I will wake up with tighter and brighter skin."—Jamie Chandlee, Chief Executive Officer
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