When we think about potent, powerful skincare that addresses and alleviates our concerns, we most often assume those formulas will cost a pretty penny. Some of the industry’s trendiest products, after all, have price tags in the triple digits. But when we asked experts to weigh in on the conversation, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dara Spearman maintains that “price doesn’t always dictate effectiveness,” she says.
According to her, drugstore brands like e.l.f. Skincare “formulate products with active ingredients in concentrations that can produce real results.” This democratization of skincare—efficacious ingredients at affordable price points—is central to e.l.f.’s ethos. The brand believes that clean beauty should be readily accessible to all, delivering a range of gentle, vegan, and cruelty-free cosmetics that take the guesswork out of caring for your complexion.
Vogue’s Favorite e.l.f. Skincare Products
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e.l.f. Skincare Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
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e.l.f. Skincare PLZ Clarify Facial Oil
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e.l.f. Skincare Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30
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Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch applauds e.l.f. for what they’re doing for the skincare market. “More accessible products have sparked curiosity and education about skincare,” he says. “People are learning about actives, how to layer them, and the importance of consistency, which is critical for results. It’s perfect for consumers who are new to skincare, budget conscious consumers, or anyone looking for effective daily products that are not too harsh on the skin.”
For those interested in trying some of the formulas out for themselves, read on to discover Vogue’s favorite e.l.f. products—along with some insight from our experts on what makes each formula so good.
Best Brightening: e.l.f. Skincare Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Serum
- Why We Love It: Of all the e.l.f skin-care formulas, this brightening serum is my favorite—for both its powerful composition and feel on skin. Vitamin C, a lauded ingredient for its ability to boost circulation, illuminate the skin’s complexion, and stimulate collagen production, is paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid. The latter, as dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan previously shared, “helps stabilize both vitamin C and vitamin E, adding to their antioxidant effects;” thus improving the serum’s ability to combat signs of oxidative stress like fine lines and dark spots. These skin agents are mixed into a lightweight serum that applies without the stickiness you’re likely accustomed to with vitamin C serums, layering well under moisturizer and makeup sans irritation. Our experts say its suitable for those new to vitamin C and all skin types.
- Key Ingredients: 15% vitamin C, 1% vitamin E, 0.5% ferulic acid, bisabolol
- Best For: Dark spots, dull skin, mature skin
- Size: 1 oz / 15 mL
Best Face Cream: e.l.f. Skincare Holy Hydration! Face Cream
- Why We Love It: The beauty of the Holy Hydration! Face Cream is that it’s “hydrating and lightweight, suitable for morning and evening use” Dr. Gratch says. Hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient here, lending it its moisture retention properties despite the cream’s weightless feel on skin. Then, there’s niaciamide which helps even tone and minimize the appearance of pores—an added benefit for oily skin types and those prone to discoloration. All around, this face moisturizer is as reliable as they come.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides
- Best For: All skin types
- Size: 1.7 oz
Best for Oily Skin: e.l.f. Skincare PLZ Clarify Facial Oil
- Why We Love It: Those with oily, combination, or acne-prone skin types might think facial oil isn’t for them; well, e.l.f.’s PLZ Clarify drops flip that notion on its head. The non-comedogenic formula retain’s face oil’s nourishing benefits while honing in on calming, clarifying, and evening. It does so with 2% BHA, licorice, aloe, and tea tree oil—agents that help eliminate blackheads, remove gunk from pores, and soothe skin in destress.
- Key Ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, licorice, aloe extract, tea tree oil
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, combination to oily skin
- Size: 1 oz
Best Sunscreen: e.l.f. Skincare Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30
- Why We Love It: UV protection and a sun-kissed glow? Get both with e.l.f.’s Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30. The formula gets its sun ray-shielding benefits from broad-spectrum chemical UV filters, safeguarding against damage while ensure skin remains moisturized via aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. One will appreciate that this goes on without piling or a white cast; instead, imparting a shimmering glow no matter which of the three golden-bronze hues you choose from.
- Key Ingredients: Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 9.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 7.0%, aloe, hyaluronic acid, squalane
- Best For: Sun protection
- Shades: 3
- Size: 1.69 fl. oz / 50 mL
Best for Acne: e.l.f. Skincare Blemish Breakthrough Acne Fighting Spot Gel
- Why We Love It: Looking for a way to treat that stubborn zit? Blemish Breakthrough to the rescue! Dr. Gratch explains that this “targets breakouts effectively with minimal irritation.” The secret sauce here is 1% salicylic acid which board-certified dermatologist Dr. Richard Bottiglione previously said is “primarily used to treat acne because it’s great at eliminating oil from the pores and exfoliating the skin.” When paired with witch hazel and aloe, you get a spot treatment apt for reducing the size of blemishes in a matter of hours.
- Key Ingredients: 1% salicylic acid, aloe, witch hazel
- Best For: Acne
- Size: 0.25 oz
Best Retinol: e.l.f. Skincare Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum
- Why We Love It: Both our experts agree that e.l.f.’s Youth Boosting Advanced Night Retinoid Serum is a great for beginner’s. Those new to the world of vitamin A’s should proceed with caution—opting for a formula that gentle, yet effective. Via a Retinoid + Antioxidant Complex—the brand pairs granactive retinoid with low-concentration retinal—hyaluronic acid and peptides, Dr. Gratch says this “helps with texture and signs of aging without heavy irritation.”
- Key Ingredients: Retinoid + Antioxidant Complex (1% Granactive Retinoid, 0.06% retinal, and antioxidants), hyaluronic acid, peptides
- Best For: All skin types, mature skin
- Size: 1 fl oz / 30 mL
Best Night Treatment: e.l.f. Skincare Youth Boosting Blue-ty Sleep Night Oil
- Why We Love It: According to Dr. Spearman, the Youth Boosting Blue-ty Sleep Night Oil is “best for those looking for gentle anti-aging support” because it “supports overnight skin recovery and hydration.” The formula cocktails 1% granactive retinoid with blueberry fruit extract and a host of botanical oils (think: sunflower, grape, avocado, and meadowfoam) into a silky blue oil that locks in moisture and improves skin’s firmness.
- Key Ingredients: 1% granactive retinoid, blueberry fruit extract, sunflower, grape, and avocado oil
- Best For: All skin types, mature skin
- Size: 1 fl. oz / 30 mL
Best Cleansing Balm: e.l.f. Skincare Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm
- Why We Love It: A good cleansing balm should remove makeup and sunscreen without stripping skin of its natural oils, and e.l.f.’s does so with ease. Per Dr. Gratch, the formula rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid “smoothly melts makeup off while keeping skin soft,” making it especially useful for dry or sensitive skin types. The solid balm quickly melts into a silky face oil as you massage it into your fingers, giving it exceptional glide as it sweeps residue off skin’s surface. Just rinse with water to reveal a squeaky clean complexion.
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Makeup removal, cleansing
- Size: 2 oz / 3.5 oz
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to the best e.l.f. skincare products, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
- Dr. Noah Gratch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in treatments for acne, eczema, hyperhidrosis, rosacea, psoriasis, and skin cancer.
- Dr. Dara Spearman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, specializing in melanoma and skin cancer care.
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