Every woman needs a hard-working, no-frills moisturizer in her arsenal, and for me, Skinfix fits the bill. This thick moisturizer is chock-full of good-for-skin ingredients, including lipids, jojoba oil and aloe leaf extract, which work together to leave my complexion feeling plump and soft. Its cucumber scent is understated and appealing, and because the formula is 95 percent natural, I never have to worry that it'll irritate my skin. The icing on the cake? As a bit of a germaphobe, I'm also charmed by the sanitary dispenser (you simply push down on it to deposit product, rather than sticking your fingers in the jar). — Mary Squillace
When it comes to my sensitive skin, I always trust this hypoallergenic, derm-recommended brand. With the onset of fall and my testing one too many exfoliating treatments, my skin has been extremely dry and irritated lately. This intensely calming mask, made with thermal spring water and shea butter, soothes my prickly skin almost on contact. Just apply a thick layer to your face, let it sink in and then rinse off. Skin is left soft and nourished — even hours later. — Jill Provost
L'Oreal Pure Clay Cleanser Detox & Brighten, $6.99
I love using clay masks, so naturally when L'Oreal came out with a line of clay cleansers, I was overjoyed. The Detox & Brighten cleanser squeezes out of the tube like a mask and foams into the perfect lather the second you add water. Containing detoxifying charcoal, the mask draws out impurities, leaves skin soft and clean and minimizes the appearance of pores. It also removes my makeup, which is a must for any cleanser I use. — Hannah Savin
Garnier Fructis SkinActive Moisture Bomb The Super Hydrating Sheet Mask, $3.99 apiece
Sheet masks are easy girls'-night-in fodder — and a cheap form of entertainment too, if you're using Garnier's SkinActive masks. Though this drugstore product comes without the double-digit price tag of boutique masks, it still delivers the same refreshing feel, dose of hydration and 15 minutes of relaxation.
There are three masks in this line, each catering to a different need: hydrating, soothing and mattifying. I'm partial to the mattifying mask because a mask that serves up ample moisture without leaving skin slick is such a rare find. Unlike some masks, I can apply this mask before my makeup without worrying that my face will melt off later.
These masks also remarkably easy to use. This sounds like a minor detail, but anyone who has struggled to peel off a tricky backing or wrestled with a slip-sliding mask will appreciate this mask's ability to adhere to the face and the simple genius of having the peel-off backing be blue (instead of nearly invisible). For your next girls' night, I'd recommend letting someone else bring the Pinot, while you come armed with these instead. — Mary Squillace
Between moisturizer, sunscreen, primer and foundation, I need a serum that is as powerful as it is lightweight. This one goes on like a lotion, absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling hydrated, not heavy. No7 Lift & Luminate tackles multiple skin issues at once — specifically, wrinkles, sun spots and sagging — so you don't need to tag-team with other, pricier treatments. The active ingredient, Matrixyl 3000 Plus, is the brand's most potent wrinkle-fighting peptide that prompts the skin to produce more collagen and elastin. The result: firmer, more youthful-looking skin and fewer fine lines. It also contains a vitamin C powered skin-brightener to help reduce hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tones. And it does all this at a very impressive price point. — Jill Provost
