Shopping·11 min read

2023 Was a *Year*, so Pamper Yourself With These Products

our favorite self-care products of the year
Design: theSkimm | Images: Amazon, Sephora
December 13, 2023

Products you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Oh, and if something's out of stock, oops, it was there (and all prices were accurate) at time of publication.

It happened in the blink of an eye, but 2023 has nearly come to a close. In our quest to help you shop smarter, we've given you endless product recommendations and showcased mission-driven brands we truly believe in. Now, we're taking a look at Skimm'rs favorite, most-purchased self-care products of the year. What's risen to the top? We're glad you asked. This list includes things that’ll upgrade your beauty cabinet, wellness and sleep routines, relaxation time, and more.

For more of our favorite products in other categories (from home to problem-solvers), click here.

mario badescu overnight lip hydration mask
Mario Badescu

A hydrating lip mask with a subtle, sweet scent…

Mario Badescu for the win. As we get deeper into winter, cold temps and nights spent by the fire are all well and good until chapped lips enter the group chat. Say hello to this moisturizing lip mask we actually swear by (we own it). A savior for dry, thirsty lips, this lightweight balm will live on your bedside table. We use it right before bed — just a swipe or two, and boom — supple lips in the morning. ($14, Mario Badescu)

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self-care tracking pad
Amazon

A weekly self-care tracker to help you relax…

With reminders to take a walk and put your phone down, plus weekly affirmations, goals, and feeling check-ins, you’ll be on the path to your better self in no time. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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razor kit
Athena Club

A razor kit that won the Allure Best of Beauty Award for 2023…

Athena Club has raised the stakes. This razor has a silicone grip, which makes control all the better while shaving. The blades have a built-in skin guard so you won’t experience irritation. Since they’re spaced a certain distance apart, the blades won’t clog as you’re going about your routine. With the kit, you’ll receive two five-blade cartridges, the handle, and a magnetic storage hook. We adore the Barbie pink. ($10+, Athena Club)

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solawave red light therapy face wand
Amazon

A red light skincare wand that’s all over TikTok…

Hello, at-home facial vibes. You only have to use this for three minutes, three times a week, and you should see reduced blemishes, decreased puffiness, and other benefits. The head swivels from a T-shape to an elongated bar, so you can even customize the experience for different parts of your face and neck. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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almond shower oil
Ulta

Almond shower oil that’ll make your skin feel heavenly…

Lather this up, ASAP. When it mixes with water, this almond oil transforms into a milky foam that’ll gently cleanse your body, leaving it velvety-soft. One HQ’r said that it feels like you’re rubbing pure softness on your skin, which sounds like exactly what the doctor ordered. ($29, Ulta)

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cordless heating pad
Target

A cordless heating pad you can wear around the house…

So you won’t have to be tied to your couch or bedroom. This one has three heat levels. Wear it on your belly if you’ve got period cramps, or flip it around to your back if you’re feeling any soreness and pain there. The velvet backing is designed to prevent skin contact burns and the automatic shut-down design will turn off the device after two hours. ($84.99, Target)

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patchology foot peel
Amazon

An at-home foot mask to treat calluses and rough skin…

This foot peel includes a trio of chemical exfoliants: salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acid. Each works to slough away layers of dead skin to reveal baby-soft feet. You just have to pour the activating essence into the booties, strap them on, and put your feet up for an hour of streaming. While you won’t notice results the second you take the booties off, within just a few days your skin will begin to peel. We can vouch for this one; our feet have never felt so smooth up to a week after. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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vibrator
Amazon

A vibrator with 20 patterns and eight speeds…

Made with medical-grade silicone, this vibrator is fully waterproof and easy to wipe clean. Depending on what you prefer, you can start with gentle vibrations and increase to deep pulsations. It’s USB-rechargeable and makes a great travel buddy. The catch? None to speak of — we just think everyone deserves a trusty vibe in their life. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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wellness patches
The Good Patch

Wellness patches designed to help relieve common ailments…

Like period pain or muscle strain. They’re vegan-, gluten-, paraben-, and latex-free, and have been dermatologist-tested. To use them, all you have to do is peel the back off and stick the patch to the affected area. You can wear the patch for up to 12 hours then discard when you’re done. Pssst…we tested these ourselves — they’ve also got ones designed to target fatigue, hot flashes, and hangovers — and you can read our official review here. ($4/patch, The Good Patch)

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hair oil to tame frizz
Sephora

A luxury hair oil for your frizziest locks…

The Oribe Gold Lust line is (ahem) the gold standard of luxury hair care, and we can confirm this lightweight oil is a godsend for dry, brittle ends and dull hair. It sinks into your hair shaft to strengthen and condition, which reduces frizz and promotes soft strands. The best part? It bears the brand’s signature Côte d’Azur scent, an expensive-smelling blend of jasmine, bergamot, and sandalwood. ($39+, Sephora)

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cerave body moisturizing lotion
Amazon

An irritant-free, unscented cream you can use all over…

This dermatologist favorite can do it all. It’s got hyaluronic acid and ceramides and will make your skin feel like pure butter, sans greasiness or stickiness. We love that you can use this one on your face, body, or hands so it’ll never go to waste. Just slather this everywhere and be on your merry way. It's noncomedogenic (it won’t clog your pores) and hypoallergenic. It's one of the best dry skin moisturizers out there. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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olaplex hair shampoo
Amazon

An Olaplex hair mask to replenish dry, brittle strands…

Use this cult-fave product one to three times a week for softer and shinier locks. It’ll repair any broken bonds and make damaged locks stronger. Apply on damp hair from roots to ends. Thank us later. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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multiuse balm to help dry skin
Amazon

A multipurpose beauty balm for ultra-dry cracked skin and lips…

Do-it-all products for the win. This hydrating salve actually started out as a balm for cow udders (not kidding) and has now become a staple in the beauty sphere, thanks to celebrities like Alix Earle and Madelyn Cline. Our editors are truly obsessed and use it for flakey lips, cracked heels, dry hands, and more. Throw it in your bag and go. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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mario badescu pimple drying lotion
Amazon

Drying lotion that gets rid of pimples like none other…

This acne treatment puts salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide to work to absorb excess oil and unclog pores. We like to dab it on our problem areas and leave it on overnight. Keep in mind that this product shouldn’t be shaken. Separation is necessary for the product to work and this works leagues better than other acne treatments out there. It’s a classic for a reason. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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micellar water to remove makeup
Amazon

A micellar water that’ll remove every ounce of makeup…

Believe the hype about this one. The solution attaches to makeup, dirt, and debris, gently lifting them away, all while maintaining the moisture barrier of even the most sensitive skin. It’s great for travel and can periodically stand in for your daily cleanser if you’re really tired. But you didn’t hear it from us. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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vitamin c serum for skin
Amazon

L'Oreal Paris vitamin C serum to even out your complexion…

Pure vitamin C, vitamin E, and salicylic acid combine to make your new favorite everyday serum. You could pay for a more expensive version, or you could buy this one that fades our dark spots and brightens skin just as well. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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eucalyptus lavender bundle for shower
Etsy

A eucalyptus and lavender bundle to bring spa vibes to your shower…

Once things get steamy, the scent of eucalyptus will fill the bathroom. The bundle comes with a stainless steel shower hook and is available in three sizes. For the best, most fragrant results, aim to change the bundle every month. Daily hygiene, but make it luxurious. ($3.50+, GreeneryBackdrop via Etsy)

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peppermint essential oil for headache relief
Amazon

A peppermint essential oil roller to relieve stress…

Filled with 100% peppermint essential oil, this pocket-sized roller can help alleviate headaches when applied to the back of the ears and neck. A sniff can also help ease congestion and quell nausea, or encourage relaxation when applied to pressure points. Psst…this comes in five more essential oil varieties, from soothing lavender to energizing grapefruit. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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snail mucin for hydrated skin
Amazon

A snail mucin essence we swear by…

We've been seeing this all over TikTok, and we can confirm it makes our skin just...better. Use it before moisturizer for a glowy (but not sweaty) look, and over time, it can heal imperfections, increase hydration, and decrease fine lines. Believe the hype, people. ({{dynamicPrice}}, Amazon)

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Augustinus Bader skincare starter set
Nordstrom

An Augustinus Bader Starter Set of four must-have essentials…

You’ll get a face oil, face moisturizer, exfoliating toner, and cream cleansing gel. All in all, the value is $239, which also includes the mesh travel bag. We love Augustinus Bader because the products are sulfate-, talc-, paraben-free. ($205, Nordstrom)

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