Cosmo Editor’s Favorite Beauty Products for January 2026
Keep reading for a full rundown of our favorites, including a moisturizer that’s perfect for winter weather, a concealer that costs less than a coffee, a luxury fragrance that’s universally pleasing, and a styling cream that makes curls look extra juicy.
Don’t miss our editors’ favorite beauty products from October, November, and December.
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“This is the perfect winter moisturizer for sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. It is rich and hydrating but doesn’t clog my pores. It’s full of soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal that help calm redness and flaking from cold weather or overdoing it with actives like retinol or glycolic acid. I normally reserve thicker creams for nighttime, but this is great for the day because it creates a protective shield over my face without feeling greasy. It’s also really nice under makeup too.” —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
“This is truly the best makeup product I’ve tested in months—and it happens to cost just $5. As someone with chronic dark circles no matter how much I sleep, this formula can somehow conceal them seamlessly. It even pairs flawlessly with my current favorite foundation (which is more than 10 times the price).” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Read our full e.l.f. Soft Glam Satin Concealer here
“I haven’t found a perfume I’ve loved as much as Tom Ford’s Figue Érotique in a long time. I’ve already traveled with it, which is saying something (I almost exclusively bring my favorites so I know I’m not gonna smell rank the entire time I’m on a trip). This fig-based scent is unique thanks to the addition of juicy bergamot but also universally yummy. The staying power is impressive too. One spritz on my pulse points easily lasts all day.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
“This mask is pure comfort skincare. I slather it on when my face feels irritated, dry, or just plain dramatic. It instantly calms things down. It’s thick, golden, and slightly sticky, and it leaves my skin deeply hydrated, bouncy, and glowy every single time. I use it before special events, after travel, or whenever my skin needs a reset. It’s clutch when my skin is acting up after a pro skin treatment or rough bout with retinol. This mask is definitely one of those products that makes you say, ‘Why didn’t I know about this sooner?’” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
“I’ve never really cared about setting sprays. I’m not a huge makeup wearer, and most formulas I’ve tried feel like I’m spritzing hairspray directly onto my face. But Saie founder Laney Crowell promised me her brand’s new setting spray would be different—and she wasn’t kidding. CitySet feels more like a hydrating face mist you’d use in your skincare routine, yet somehow keeps my skin tint and blush looking fresh well into the afternoon.” —LB
“I’ve been secretly using this for a few months (brag), and it’s become one of my weekly rituals to get all the blackheads outta my nose with this. Apply the mask all over congested areas of your face, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then use the spatula to help physically remove clogged pores. It works extremely well–after I use this, my pores look like they do after I get a professional extraction treatment, but with less pain and irritation.” —BG
“Attention, curly girls! I love it when a luxe brand really thinks about us. This cream does a knock-up job of defining without crunch, and adds moisture without weighing my hair down. I’ve been reaching for this when I want my curls to look juicy and intentional. I rake it through my hair, do my two-strand twists, let it air-dry, and my curls come out immaculate and hydrated (read: they bounce and move). It also smells divine (but ofc, it’s Oribe), and my hair feels soft, touchable, and polished.” —JW
“I have at least 20 different mascaras in my makeup drawer, but recently I keep coming back to this one. The formula isn’t new, but the brown shade is, and it’s perfect for an easy, everyday no-makeup makeup effect. Two coats and I look more fresh-faced and awake but not in an overly made up way.” —LB
“My entire FYP right now is frosted lips like it’s 2007 again. And I’m loving it. But usually frosted lipsticks cling to dryness. Not these crayons from MAC. It’s practically all I’ve been wearing. I start with a base of lip liner in a corresponding shade, then swipe this crayon all over my lips. It adds shimmer and shine but doesn’t make my lips look crusty.” —BG
“This was the only face sunscreen I brought with me on a recent trip to Florida, and it did not disappoint. As someone with super fair skin, I need a heavy-duty sunscreen, and this one blended in like a hydrating moisturizer, didn’t break me out, and prevented sunburn after many hours in the sun.” —JH
“I’ve been hard keeping this launch a secret, but it’s finally out. This concealer gives me soft-focus skin without looking heavy or cakey — like your face but freshly rested and well hydrated. I tap it under my eyes, around my nose, and over any little redness and hyperpigmentation. It just melts in and blurs without erasing me, which I obviously love. The goal is to always look like myself…but the best version. Think polished, effortless, and very luxe energy.” —JW
“Barrier creams are historically ultra-thick and occlusive, which is fine unless you’re prone to blackheads and clogged pores like me. Lucky for me, this gel-cream option from Skimmedica hydrates and repairs without the heaviness. I’ve been using it as my night cream over my prescription serums, and my skin looks super refreshed and bouncy in the morning.” —LB
“I wasn’t the biggest fan of the OG Luminous Silk—it was just a bit too heavy for me and not flattering on my dry skin. But the reformulated version is lighter and more hydrating, aka everything I need in a foundation. I’ve been a skin tint devotee for years, but this luxe formula officially converted me to full-on foundation girl.” —JH
Read our full Armani Luminous Silk Foundation review here
“I’ve been using this as a little magic eraser for lines and crepey texture—especially around my eyes and mouth. The cooling metal applicator feels great, and the formula is packed with peptides and bakuchuiol (a gentle alternative to retinol) to really smooth and plump skin with continued use.” —LB
“This MUTHA’s newest iteration of their cult-favorite body bar, and it totally lives up to the hype. It gently exfoliates while you cleanse, so my skin feels smooth, fresh, and never stripped when I step out of the shower. The scent is clean and green—think leafy, spa-like, and super calming. I use it a few times times a week and my whole body feels ridiculously smooth. Plus, I notice when I’m consistently using it, my body lotion and oil sink into my skin so much better. It’s low-effort body care with high-impact results.” —JW
“My skin is drier than it usually gets in the winter, so I’ve been playing around with a lot of new moisturizers (and there are a lot). Sweet Chemistry’s has fully integrated itself into my daily routine, though. It’s packed with peptides from cows’ bones (weird, but done in a sustainable, regenerative way, which is cool) and seriously has been making my skin look hydrated and plump. I use it every night, and it has a rich texture but sinks in after a few minutes so I’m not going to bed with a super-greasy face. And my face is responding so well. My skin looks the best it has in a very long time since I started using this.” —BG
“I’ve been romanticizing my bodycare routine recently with a bunch of fancy steps (I’ll do anything to make my tiny NYC apartment feel like a spa!) and this body serum from Tronque is the epitome of luxury in a bottle. Since it’s a chemical exfoliant, it’s not rough on the skin which is much appreciated during the dry winter months, and it keeps my legs smooth, even, and flake-free after I shower.” —JH
“Just like the entire internet, I am suddenly a beacon of health who is spending every day at the gym. And without this deodorant, I’d probably smell really bad, especially after heated workouts. But this deodorant is easily the best one I’ve ever used. It glides on easily without a white residue and keeps me fresh all day long. Heck, I wake up the next morning still smelling good.” —BG
“I’ve quickly become obsessed with all of Lore’s perfumes (did you know that the caps of the bottles double as a cute candlestick holder?!), but I’ve specifically been spritzing Sublimity on repeat. It’s a fruity and musky scent that’s been getting me through the trenches of winter in NYC.” —JH
“I’ve been known to obsess over a body oil, and this one just skyrocketed to the top of my list. It melts right in and leaves this warm, intimate scent that smells like creamy coconut, soft vanilla, and sun-warmed skin. Nothing overpowering, just quietly sexy and addictive. I use it straight out of the shower, and my skin instantly looks soft, glossy, and deeply moisturized—without feeling slick or heavy. I love it on my legs, shoulders, and collarbone when I want that low-key glow that turns heads without trying. Effortless, sensual, and absolutely my new go-to.” —JW
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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