Why you’ll love it: You may not have heard of kinetin (yet), but it’s a plant growth factor that can help moisturize and improve skin tone. In this Obagi cream, the namesake ingredient is paired with another all-star brightener— ascorbic acid. That’s the especially effective pure form of vitamin C, beloved by dermatologists for its ability to make skin smoother and more radiant. “Ascorbic acid tackles pesky skin concerns, like dullness, discoloration, uneven texture, and fine lines,” says Allure’s Jennifer Hussein. Alongside soothing lactobacillus ferment and aloe, and hydrating soybean and panthenol, this skin-loving blend is the antidote to drying cold weather, leaving complexions softer and with the kind of glow we usually chase all winter long.
How you’ll use it: Apply a pump or two to clean skin, morning and/or night.
Merit Beauty Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil in Bel Air, Au Naturel, Pink Beet, or Jeté (full-size)
Why you’ll love it: These barely-there tints give lips just the right amount of oomph in one of four gorgeous colors: warm, clear Bel Air, caramel-y Au Naturel, rose petal Pink Beet, and peachy Jeté. (You chose which color you’d receive in your box.) Each feels light and comfortable on lips, but lasts for ages—a nice perk given how un-fussy these tints are to apply. Hydrating ingredients like shea butter, rosehip, grapeseed, and jojoba oils (or, in Jeté, sunflower seed oil) make the formula feel extra nourishing. As Allure’s Sarah Hoffman has put it, “I’m obsessed—at this point I have one in every bag.”
How you’ll use it: Swipe on the lip oil by itself or wear it over a lip pencil for a little added definition.