Health And Beauty Awards For 2008

2008 Healthy Beauty Awards
Behold, SELF's ninth annual healthy beauty awards! Don't take our word for it; these 88 winners were chosen from over 1,000 new products, tested by readers like you! Don't shop without this guide.

Ready to buy? Here's a printable shopping list.
From the May 2008 Issue
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* 2008 Healthy Beauty Awards Shopping List

With thousands of products crowding beauty shelves, it's easy to feel confused about what actually works. How do you separate the treasures from the castoffs? We turned to you! First, SELF's beauty team gathered every one of the 1,072 products that companies launched over the past year (cubicle chaos!), then we shipped them off to 855 reader testers. The brave team slathered, smudged, smoothed and lathered, then scored each product on scent, texture, ease of use, packaging and, most of all, effectiveness. The result? The 88 very best finds, one for each category. So no more head scratching in the skin-care aisle or at the cosmetics counter. Consider this list as essential for beauty shopping as your wallet is. This list will end confusion, save you cash and bring out your most gorgeous, naturally glowing you.

Bargain hunters, great news—35 of the winners cost $10 or less. You'll find them marked with this symbol:

Skip to a category

Face
Body
Makeup
Hair
Sun
Best breakthroughs
Face

Want the smartest ways to care for your complexion? These 13 skin-care stars will leave you looking absolutely radiant.
Best Cleanser

This Works: Clean Skin, $40
Readers adored the way this cleanser left their skin soft, not stripped. "The eucalyptus smell was invigorating, and the olive oil made my skin feel dewy," one said. Plus, they were thankful for what's not in the 100 percent natural formula: synthetic fragrances, sulfates and parabens.
Best Scrub

Clean & Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub, $5
Sloughing off dead skin cells doesn't have to be irritating. "Usually, formulas leave my skin scratched and blotchy, but the tiny microbeads in this scrub gently brightened and evened out my tone. I no longer have bumps under my skin from clogged pores, a problem I've been desperate to solve for years."
Best Toner

La Mer The Radiant Infusion, $90
The get-glowing benefits (thanks to antioxidants, sea salts and sea algae) won over readers. "It's a refreshing product that delivers what it promises—to minimize pores, fight dullness and make skin luminous." More praise: "It sank in quickly, and my skin instantly felt more refreshed."
Best Serum

Clarins Younger Longer Balm, $98
Testers learned that balms aren't only for lips—they can treat skin, too. This thick serum gained points for immediate skin-tightening results. "From the moment I put it on, my skin looked firmer and felt smoother." Also, its hydrating formula (with candlenut oil) didn't cause breakouts. "Not a blemish to be found!" a happy user said.
Best All-Around Moisturizer

Clark's Botanicals Smoothing Marine Cream, $95
Recruits raved about this cream with exfoliating glycolic acid. "After just two weeks, my scaly areas are well on their way to being smooth."
Best Moisturizer With SPF

L'Oréal Paris Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 Lotion, $20
Hyaluronic acid plumps up fine lines. "It absorbs fast, and I like how it protects my skin." Also nice: The pump "squirts out just the right amount" of the fragrance-free lotion.
Best Antiaging Moisturizer

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, $25
Users said massage helped the cream penetrate (how-tos are included). "My fine lines are fading, and my skin feels firmer." Glycerin and amino peptides help improve elasticity.
Best Night Cream

Murad Professional Nightly Hydro-Lock, $120
"I could see the difference in the morning," a tester said. The "clean citrus scent" also received kudos. "I was sad when I had to move on to test the other products!"
Best Eye Cream

Lancôme Rénergie Microlift R.A.R.E. Eye Cream, $58
This peptide eye cream seems to do it all. Firming? "My crow's-feet feel tighter." Depuffing? "My eyes look lifted." Feel-good factor? "I loved how makeup glided over this cream."
Best Mask

Korres Natural Products Cinnamon & Natural Clay Cleansing Mask, $27
"It cleared up my acne and made my pores look smaller," a tester said. Clay and zinc draw out dirt and grime. "Once I run out, I'll be buying another tube!"
Best At-Home Peel

Prescriptives Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel, $45
Testers were amazed at the fast results of this beta hydroxy peel. "My pores disappeared! It's the only thing that has gotten rid of my flaky skin and minimized my pores."
Best Acne Treatment

Boscia Clear Complexion Treatment With Botanical Blast, $35
"Zit zappers are always so harsh—this gel is gentle enough to use daily but strong enough to fight acne," one reader enthused. Willow bark degreases pores, and antioxidants lessen redness.
Best Makeup Remover

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Towelettes, $6
Users agree these portable soothing wipes, with aloe and green tea, are "perfect postgym refreshers." One reader said, "My normal cleanser gives me raccoon eyes, but these remove makeup like a dream."
Body

Don't let your face have all the fun! Care for the rest of you with these 14 pamperers for skin from the neck down.
Best Bar Soap

Olivella Face and Body Bar Soap, $3
This olive oil–rich soap was voted a winner for "moisturizing and cleaning my makeup off while leaving behind a light citrus scent."
Best Exfoliating Bar Soap

Caress Tahitian Renewal Exfoliating Beauty Bar, $3 (for two bars)
Users loved the exfoliating seeds, which "made my skin glow," and the beachy scent, "which even my husband complimented."
Best Bath Product

Sephora Bubble Bath, $16
This sudser "is like sinking into a cloud." Also: "Even when I was testing others, I would sneak in a Sephora session."
Best Shower Gel

Burt's Bees Milk & Shea Butter Body Wash, $8
This rinse delivers the lather, testers found. "It left my skin smoother after only one shower."
Best Body Scrub

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Matcha Tea Body Scrub, $45
Testers favored the spa-esque "euphoric" smell and exfoliating capabilities. "The crystals melted on my skin and left it instantly plumper." The ingredients list reads like a multivitamin bottle, with skin-enriching calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Best Shaving Cream

Johnson's 2-in-1 Shower and Shave Wash, $5
A multitasker that saves coveted bathroom space (not to mention valuable morning minutes), this shave cream lets you skip postshower lotion. Testers said it "gives a close shave," "leaves skin soft" and "gets the jobs of shaving and hydrating done."
Best Body Lotion

Curél Youth-Defense Moisture Lotion for the First Signs of Aging, $8
Chock-full of ingredients usually found in expensive face creams (tightening collagen and redness-reducing sage), this lotion "goes on smoothly, isn't greasy, never clumps and is long-lasting." Testers' favorite part: It has shimmer powders to brighten and even out skin tones.
Best Body Mist

Dove Go Fresh Body Mist in Cool Essentials, $4
Users were excited about its portability and moisturizing capabilities. "It's so easy to take with you, and it really hydrated my skin—one of the best products I've tried in a long time." Bonus: The spray's scent (cucumber and green tea) invigorates.
Best Body Oil

Nivea Smooth Sensation Body Oil, $7
Enriched with avocado oil, this earned top points for moisturizing. "It's very basic, which I like. Because it's lighter than other oils, it spreads easily, and the scent didn't compete with my regular perfume."
Best Hand Cream Without SPF

New York & Company City Beauty Hand & Body Cream, $8
Testers touted the fast absorption, saying, "It comes out thick but sinks into skin." The fruity scent won them over, too. "It smells wonderfully fresh. I found myself coming back to this one again and again."
Best Hand Cream With SPF

Roc Retinol Correxion Hand Repair Cream With SPF 15, $15
Readers saw "a quick reduction of age spots" on their hands from this cream with sunscreen and retinol (which promotes cell turnover). "Also, it really did lessen the appearance of wrinkles."
Best Foot Lotion

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Foot-Tingling Foot Cream, $14
Want to add some pep to your step? Recruits said this peppermint cream "has a tingling sensation that lasts for hours." One raved, "I could feel it work immediately."
Best Foot Scrub

Pedicure by OPI Green Tea Scrub, $15
With exfoliating sugar crystals and alpha hydroxy acids, this scrub "made heels and calluses soft." An enthusiast pleaded, "Make it in a hand lotion, too!"
Best Nail Product

Sally Hansen Nail Nutrition Daily Growth Treatment, $8
"It made my nails look prettier and feel stronger. It's like getting a manicure without going to the salon," one tester said. Credit goes to the restorative formula with mushroom and red tea.
Makeup

Searching for a luminous complexion, brighter eyes and more luscious lips? Here are 27 prettifiers that will enhance your naturally gorgeous looks!
Best Primer

Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Protective Base SPF 15, $17
With a green tint to camouflage redness, this primer sets the stage for smooth makeup. "It evened out my tone, and I'm glad they added SPF. It saves me a step!"
Best All-Around Foundation

Giorgio Armani Designer Compact Foundation SPF 22, $65
Testers complimented the "ideal weight" of this cream-to-powder. "It goes on light but still has coverage." They enjoyed the brush, too, for "letting you build up the base."
Best Tinted Moisturizer

Sugar Cosmetics Sugar Tint, $28
Jojoba and vitamin E hydrate in this fan favorite. It gives light coverage "that allows your skin to glow through the translucent coat." Also, its soft formula "melted into skin."
Best Mineral Powder Foundation

Maybelline New York Mineral Power Powder Foundation, $10
Paired with a Kabuki brush for blending, this talc-free powder scored points for luminous coverage. "A little goes a long way for an even, no-streak finish."
Best Loose Powder

Dior Skin Corrector Extreme Fix Powder, $44
A light dusting "evens out flaws, isn't too sparkly and blends beautifully." More praise: The "puff makes applying the powder completely mess-free."
Best Pressed Powder

Givenchy Prisme Foundation Shaping Powder Makeup, $43
"It lets your face breathe" was one plug. This compact has three similar shades with shine-blotting mica "for a natural blend."
Best Concealer

Redpoint Smooth & Remove Airbrush Pencil With Sharpener, $30
With a pencil tip, this concealer "adds just enough color to cover flaws." Mess up? Blend with the brush eraser.
Best Bronzer

Smashbox Cosmetics Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Starburst, $30
Testers adored this bronzer for "the variety of suntan and highlighter tones." Swirl the shades together for a real-looking glow.
Best Highlighter

Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Talc-Free Illuminating Veil, $12
Catch light with this luminizer that's "not too shimmery." Also: "The brush applicator is sleek for a drugstore brand."
Best Powder Blush

Jane Iredale Twice Blushed Cheek Colour Kit, $46
Testers awarded this duo points for its versatility. "I liked that there was a sparkly and matte option in one compact."
Best Cream Blush

Estée Lauder Tender Blush Sheer Stick, $25
Applauded for a "light texture" that's "easy to spread over cheeks," this blush reflects light for a flattering effect.
Best Makeup Multitasker

DuWop Doubleglow 7, $25
Users said this champagne-toned cream is "all you need for oomph." Wear it under your foundation for a lit-from-within sheen or over to add radiance.
Best Palette

Sonia Kashuk Sheer Magic Mineral Face Palette, $15
This stackable trio of concealer, foundation and blush is "great for on the go." Plus: "They are nicely piled in the order you would use them."
Best Lipliner

Shiseido The Makeup AutomatiLip Crayon, $22
Get the best of both worlds with this crayon that can act as both a liner for day and an allover color for night. "It glides smoothly and feels moisturizing. I usually don't wear liner, but I'm totally sold."
Best Hydrating Lipstick

Stila Long Wear Lip Color, $18
Lipstick can feel like shellac, so our recruits were pumped when they found one that "provides both moisture and a just-right dose of color."
Best Long-Lasting Lipstick

CoverGirl Outlast All Day Lip Color, $10
Permission granted to sip that drink and give a kiss: This lipstick isn't going anywhere. "It glides on like a balm. You can't tell you're wearing anything, but the color stays on so long!"
Best Lip Gloss

Dior Ultra-Gloss Reflect, $25
The creamy formula "is wet but not sticky, the perfect thickness." One swipe, and it's sheer. Two, and you get "a glittery shine that isn't too overpowering."
Best Lip Balm

PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics Eco-Sensual Balm, $3
"It's more glossy and less waxy than other balms I typically use, and it makes my lips so soft," one tester said. A minty smell "instantly revives you."
Best Powder Eyeshadow

Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow, $20
This winner outscored the competition for its longevity. "The shadow stayed in place, which is key for an all-day-and-into-the-night look."
Best Cream Eyeshadow

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow, $18
Finding a creaseless cream shadow can seem impossible. But readers swore by the "milky but still dry" texture that never cakes.
Best Pencil Eyeliner

Merle Norman Soft Touch Eye Pencil, $14
Liners that tug along your lids can irritate eyes' sensitive skin. Thankfully, this pencil "is soft and goes on evenly."
Best Liquid Eyeliner

CK Calvin Klein Beauty Electric Edge Liquid Eyeliner Pen, $16
Readers praised this felt-tip marker for its precise application. "Liquids are usually so messy, but this has the look of a liquid with the ease of a solid."
Best Waterproof Mascara

Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara, $28
Beeswax separates each lash, and the waterproof formula stands up to rain, Spin classes, even tears. "My lashes looked dark, and it stayed on all day."
Best Thickening Mascara

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lash Extending Treatment Mascara, $20
With plumping ceramide, this glob-free formula "doesn't clump." Even better: "It looked as if I had double the amount of lashes I normally have."
Best Lengthening Mascara

Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara, $9
Users admired the brush's tiny bristles for their elongating, precise application. "I could reach each individual lash to pull it away from my lids."
Best Volume Mascara

Avon SuperShock Mascara, $9
Recruits said they could wiggle the wand to lift up each lash. "My lashes looked like the models' do in mascara ads. I even made my husband marvel at the before-and-after."
Best Nail Polish

Orly Sugar Coated Nail Lacquers, $7
Now free of formaldehyde, this polish "dried fast, didn't goop and shined more than others."
Hair

Whether your style needs volume, shine or defrizzing, you'll find your answer with the 26 superstars below (and on the next page). If there were a hall of fame for hair products, we'd be happy to induct these!
Best All-Around Shampoo

Biolage Cooling Mint Shampoo, $14
Fans liked this "deeply cleansing" shampoo for its herbal scent and oil-absorbing glycerin. "It put the kibosh on grease without stripping."
Best Hydrating Shampoo

Redken All Soft Shampoo, $12
With avocado oil and proteins, this "heavenly smelling" shampoo garnered applause from testers for its softening benefits. "I didn't need to follow with conditioner."
Best Volumizing Shampoo

Giovanni Organic Hair Care Root 66 Max Volume Shampoo, $8
Achieving sky-high body and lift doesn't have to take a kit of volumizers, round brushes and blow-dryers. Testers were thrilled to witness "a dramatic increase in overall volume" from this height-infusing shampoo. "It worked wonders. Even after the first time I sudsed up with it, it made my fine, limp hair look like it had natural, God-given body and a lot of bounce," one happy user said.
Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair

Bain de Terre Passion Flower Color Preserving Shampoo, $10
Scrubbing your hair until it feels like straw isn't the way to a squeaky-clean style. With UV protectants to prevent a glossy salon color from fading, this preserving shampoo "made my hair shine more than normal," a tester said. The rich lather gave one enthusiast "silky-soft strands you can easily run your fingers through."
Best Smoothing Shampoo

Palmer's Olive Oil Formula Smoothing Shampoo, $6
Credit this shampoo's olive oil and keratin for filling in the cracks in each strand, which adds shine to the texture and tames all hair types. "I'm an African-American woman, and this shampoo gave my hair shine and softness."
Best Dry Shampoo

Ojon Rub-Out Dry Cleanser, $24
Dry shampoos can be chalky and drying, but readers raved about the refreshing benefits of this easy-to-use spray. "It got the oiliness out of my hair and added some texture without a sticky or flaky feeling." Plus, the spray's bamboo aroma drew praise. "It took any unpleasant scents out of my hair."
Best All-Around Conditioner

Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Conditioner, $3
Users liked its fruity-floral scent. But they loved the way it "left strands silky but not heavy at all."
Best Hydrating Conditioner

Garnier Fructis Shine Burst Fortifying Cream Conditioner, $4
"It leaves hair manageable, soft and detangled," a fan said. Vitamins B3 and B6 restore each strand and help add sheen.
Best Volumizing Conditioner

Yarok Green With Envy Conditioner, $35
This fortifier relies on marshmallow to plump. "It gave me body without drying out my hair."
Best Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair

Logics Color DNA Age Revitalize Conditioner, $26
One colorer said it "gave me the posthighlights radiance I needed." Proteins restore rifts that dye causes.
Best Smoothing Conditioner

Dove Frizz Control Therapy Conditioner, $4
"A little bit goes a long way toward removing tangles." A frizz-prone user noted she had "considerably fewer flyaways even in the rain" after using this.
Best Leave-In Conditioner

Nexxus Salon Hair Care Humectress Luxe, $10
This leave-in spray counts on nourishing ceramides and coconut oil to "control the frizz when the humidity is high."
Best Hair Mask

Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Instant Repair Treatment, $7
Hold this mask upside down and not a drop will fall—that's how rich it is. "Unlike other masks that you have to keep on forever, this one detangled after a few minutes." Also: "The beachy coconut smell made me feel like I was vacationing."
Best Hair Balm

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Relaxing Balm, $16
Users adored how this apple-scented balm detangled and smoothed strands. "It took less time to dry my hair, and my strands weren't frizzy or tangled." About three pumps and you'll be on the way to a tamer style."I have curly hair, and it made my hair so soft that my friend and I were both amazed."
Best Deep Conditioning Treatment

Warren-Tricomi Repair Rejuvenating Serum, $50
Call in the big guns and apply this vitamin-packed treatment once a month for six days straight to repair overprocessed hair. One thirsty-stranded tester raved, "It's like no other product I've used before. The first day I used it, my hair looked healthier."
Best Overnight Hair Treatment

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Crème Serum Overnight Repair Formula, $10
Finally! A lightweight, P.M. glossifier that "doesn't stain your pillows" but does "mend split ends and leave hair silkier." A tester tip: "Instead of greasing up to my roots, I would simply work the serum into my hair from ear level down, so I didn't even have to rinse it out in the A.M."
Best Mousse

Davines Creative Moulding Foam, $21
A good mousse doesn't make hair stiff, and this one fits the bill. Fans applauded the vegetable-protein-filled formula for hydration. "It made my curls shiny and gave my hair lots of hold without the crunch."
Best Volumizer

Bed Head Superstar Volumizing Hairspray, $17
With plumping panthenol, this spray "gave volume that lasted even through high-humidity days."
Best Texturizer

Shu Uemura Liquid Fabric Texturizing Spray, $30
Testers loved this mist for adding "slept-in texture to even just-washed hair." Because the spray covers a large area, you need only a couple of blasts.
Best Straightening Product

Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother, $24
The lotion's aloe targets damage to smooth out strands. "It made my style look straighter and worked wonders to add body to my fine, sometimes lifeless hair."
Best Wave Enhancer

Sunsilk Waves of Envy Gel & Cream Twist, $4
A hybrid of a gel and a cream, this styler is great for creating touchable waves. "I have ringlets that aren't easy to work with. This product kept my waves non-frizzy all day. I'm telling all my curly-haired friends about it!"
Best Heat Protectant

Fekkai Coiff Défense Pre-Style Thermal/UV Protectant, $25
Blow-dry with confidence: This alcohol-free spray is like a bulletproof vest for your hair. It blocks out damaging heat (and UV rays) with wheat proteins and panthenol. "Usually, I have to flatiron to get my hair smooth, but this spray made it lie flat right after blow-drying. Plus, it didn't leave any sticky residue like most other protectants do."
Best Frizz Fighter

Pantene Pro-V Silkening Tranformation Crème, $4
"Smoother hair minus any weigh-down" was the consensus among our testers on this frizz-erasing cream. "It's an inexpensive product that will leave your hair feeling like a million bucks. When I stopped using it for even one day, my husband asked me what happened to my hair!"
Best Styling Paste

Extreme Style by VO5 Texturizing Gum, $4
"It's the only product that helps my naturally curly hair look defined." Fans liked how flexible any style looked after using this marshmallowy molder.
Best Shine Spray

Suave Professionals Vibrant Shine Mist, $3
This shine-enhancing spray is completely oil-free, employing silicone to add sheen to the most dehydrated strands. "The spray made my long, straight hair look like a sheet of glass."
Best Hairspray

Umberto Beverly Hills Regular Hold Hairspray, $9
Recruits favored this spray for the moldability and flake-free formula. "It wasn't too tacky, kept my hair in place and did everything I could hope for in a hairspray."
Sun

Pump up your beach-bag arsenal with these 8 smart protectors so you can enjoy summer and great skin.
Best Face Sunscreen

Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 70, $11
"I'm more apt to wear this sunscreen daily because, even with such a high SPF, it lacks the usual greasiness," a tester said. This sunblock combines antioxidants and proteins for the ultimate shield.
Best Body Sunscreen Lotion

Juice Beauty Green Apple SPF 20 Antioxidant Body Moisturizer, $34
This chemical-free block has peptides to restore elasticity and alpha hydroxy acid to exfoliate. "It brightened, moisturized and smoothed my skin," one enthusiast raved.
Best Body Sunscreen Spray

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunblock SPF 70 With Helioplex, $10
If you sometimes feel like a contortionist trying to get a spray to work, you'll like this sunscreen; it mists from every angle. Readers praised the dry-touch formula. "The mist's smooth, not sticky, spray was easy to use."
Best Mineral Sunscreen

Ahava Sun Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30, $22
"This block soaked in faster than other chalky formulas." With aloe vera to calm sun-exposed skin, the sunscreen has minerals to protect against free radical damage.
Best Face Self-Tanner

Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Glow Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisture Cream SPF 15, $15
Get a subtle faux glow, plus skin hydrators and protection, thanks to fortifying rice proteins, vitamin A and omega oils. Readers said this lotion "felt lightweight, like I had nothing on," and they praised the "not-too-noticeable tint" it gave to their complexion. "It made my skin look healthier overall."
Best Body Self-Tanner Lotion

Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Self-Tanner, $9
For serious self-tanners who want a deep bronze Brazilian tan, this one develops three shades darker than your normal skin tone. "I enjoyed the gel formula and how quickly the tan builds. I applied it in the morning, and I looked more bronze by lunchtime," one tester said. And the ingredients list reads like a summer smoothie, with hydrating mango, guava and papaya extracts.
Best Body Self-Tanner Spray

L'Oréal Paris Sublime ProPerfect Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist, $10
With its hands-free application, this bottled bronzer is like getting a salon spray tan at home. "It gives your body an ideal golden color."
Best Glow Lotion

Jergens Natural Glow Express Body Moisturizer, $8
Finally: a glow lotion that delivers faux vacation color fast (in only three days!). "Others take so much work, but this one lets you see a sun-kissed shade faster."
Best breakthroughs

Four cool finds that blew away SELF's editors: You'll love 'em, too!

Earth Therapeutics Clean + Cool Footwipes, $6
Portable cleansing wipes, packed with tea tree oil, peppermint oil and vitamin E, to freshen up and moisturize even the grimiest, sandal-clad peds.

St. Ives Elements Protective Cleanser, $7
The first drugstore face wash to deliver UV protection. The sunscreens are encapsulated in a silica shell, which sticks even after the water comes off.

Cake Beauty All-Purpose Treatment Balm, $24
A richly concentrated (with 86 percent shea butter), multitasking balm that smooths frizz, hydrates lips and softens rough patches.

Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Shadow Duo, $8
A two-part compact to give eyes the one-two punch of a protective base (loaded with hydrating soy and silk powder) and a vibrant, flattering color.