At the end of each year, we release our list of the most-searched brands, products and ingredients on our site. It’s one of our most anticipated stories of the year—but like almost everything else in 2020, this year’s list looks a little different. Based on our analysis of our 2020 search data, it comes as no surprise that we’re all looking for ways to lean a little deeper into our self-care rituals.
In light of everything that 2020 has thrown our way, searches reveal that we’re all ramping up our skin and hair care routines—and paring down our work-from-home makeup. We’re looking for ingredients that target the ways stress might present itself on our skin (like in the form of acne and fine lines) and products that can replicate the in-salon experience. In light of this shift, there are certainly a few key winners in the brand, ingredient and product categories. We detail them all ahead and we look forward to the trends that begin to bud in the new year (in fact, we welcome 2021 with open arms).
1. SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 242 (1.6 fl. oz.)
No surprises here—dermatology-grade skin care brand SkinCeuticals has earned the top spot on our list for the fourth year in a row. The brand’s founder, Dr. Sheldon R. Pinnell, is both a dermatologist and chemist, which makes him dually qualified to develop and formulate these performance-focused products. Like you’d expect from a brand with a robust medical background, you won’t find any gimmicks or kitschy packaging within the SkinCeuticals brand. Instead, you’ll find powerful products with maxed-out ingredient concentrations to target common skin concerns (like acne and aging), packaged in little glass vials and jars that make you feel like you’re working with lab samples.
4. Oribe Serene Scalp Thickening Treatment Spray 4.2 oz
Oribe is one of those artisanal (but attainable) hair care brands that gets the job done for celebrity stylists and novices alike. The brand’s illustriously packaged Dry Texturizing Spray is the most popular product within the Oribe rolodex, but the brand was also at the forefront of the scalp-as-skin movement. Before a time when you could find a scalp scrub alongside your favorite shampoo at the drugstore, Oribe’s Serene Scalp collection was de-stigmatizing scalp care with its delightful millennial pink packaging—at a time when most scalp-care products would be found plainly packaged in the medical aisle, rather than the beauty aisle.
5. Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum 30ml
Second only to sunscreen, Retinol is one of the most important ingredients to include in an anti-aging skin care routine. And since the ingredient boasts acne-fighting properties as well, it’s particularly ideal for those in their mid-20s and 30s who might still be experiencing acne, but also want to ward off fine lines and wrinkles. There’s no question why people searched for “retinol” in record volumes this year; after everything we’ve been through in 2020, people are seeing stress-induced breakouts and fine lines crop up. There’s no shame in having either (both are part of the natural life cycle of your skin), but there’s also no shame in wanting to address these things if they’re a concern for you—and if that’s the case, retinol is definitely the way to go.
8. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (1 fl. oz.)
Whether your ingredient du jour is l-ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate, vitamin C has a place in any skin care routine. Ideal for mature, acne-prone and hyperpigmented skin, giving skin a dose of vitamin C has a host of benefits (especially for those of us who might be seeing the effects of a stressful year coming through on their skin). For starters, vitamin C is a brightening agent, breathing life into dull, tired skin and targeting hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C also delivers powerful antioxidants to the skin, which protect against free radicals and pollution.
9. EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (1.7 fl. oz.)
While we’ve spent significantly more time indoors than in years past, that’s no excuse to ditch your sunscreen—so it comes as no surprise that EltaMD has made the list again. EltaMD is an education-forward brand that formulates mostly SPF products, plus a gentle cleanser and an AM moisturizer to layer underneath your sunscreen. The brand knows that wearing sunscreen every single day (whether you’re indoors or outdoors) is crucial to protecting against skin cancer and premature signs of aging. That’s why EltaMD has formulated an SPF to suit every preference—from clear, lightweight chemical sunscreens to thicker, more acne-friendly zincs.
10. Eminence Organic Skin Care Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum
Eminence Organic Skin Care is 100 percent natural and 100 percent organic. The brand is well-known for its tediously sourced ingredients—herbs and fruits are handpicked, minerals come from pure spring water and every last drop of every last product is free of harsh chemicals. Those looking to give their skin a healthy dose of natural vitamins, minerals and probiotics will find a refined rhythm with this brand.
