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This Month’s Best New Skin Care Products Give A Whole New Meaning To Multitasking

May your skin look better than ever.

by Amanda Ross

May 28, 2022

Hannah Mussette skin care radiant glowing skin in the sun

Theoretically, it should be easier than ever to score the juicy, plump, and seriously smooth skin of your dreams. Cosmetic research and technology are better and more accessible than ever, which translates to drugstores and department stores alike teaming with top-rated skin care products, face tools, and accessories all promising the very best skin of your life. But with such a serious influx of high-tech newbies, it almost gets more frustrating to build out the ideal skin-perfecting routine — what are the actual prime picks? This summer, look for a true hybrid experience. The best skin care products of May 2022 include plenty of all-star multitaskers that make juggling smoothing, soothing, hydrating, resurfacing, sun protection, and even self-tanning a breeze.

Even the best new eye creams and SPFs are all about the bonuses — this month’s picks include HIDE’s eye gel equipped with an instantly-cooling metal tip, Ilia’s tone-evening (and seriously hydrating) sunscreen, and Ole Henriksen’s self-tanner-makeup-primer all do more than double duty. Stock up for the summer, experiment, and play around — that’s what summer beauty is all about. Shop all of May’s best new skin care products below.

We at TZR only include products that have been independently selected by our editors. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

May 2022’s Best Serums

erborian bamboo serum

Bamboo Super Serum

By the time summer rolls around (and all the chlorine, saltwater, sweat, and extra sunscreen that comes with it), hydration becomes key for keeping fine lines, dry patches, and even acne at bay. Erborian’s new bamboo-based serum not only helps retain existing moisture with hyaluronic acid, but the bamboo extract itself helps add more in for plump, happy skin. | Pros: K-Beauty-backed; hydrating | Cons: Thin consistency |

Tower 28 SOS serum

SOS Intensive Rescue Relief Serum

A serum spinoff of Tower 28’s best-selling SOS Spray, the skin care version delivers the same benefits of the mist but to a more significant degree. The serum’s key ingredient, hypochlorous acid, neutralizes irritation and keeps bacteria away. | Pros: Doctor-loved; based on existing top-rated product; highly effective | Cons: Some may prefer the spray |

murad custom serum

The new frontier? Couture skin care, and Murad’s leading the charge. Just upload a photo of your skin for expert analysis or answer some in-depth questions that cover everything from diet to stress levels and Murad will come up with a custom serum blend designed for your exact needs — they even print your name on the tiny label. | Pros: Fully customized; multi-use |

Resurfacing Body Serum

Resurfacing Body Serum

Glass skin isn’t just for your face — get your arms, legs, and everywhere in-between in on the super-smooth action with Tata Harper’s pump-dispensed body serum. A below-the-neck version of the brand’s cult-classic Resurfacing Mask, the BHA chemical exfoliants slough away uneven tones and congested pores for a bare-worthy body. | Pros: Powerful; great for smoothing before self-tanning; pump bottle | Cons: Pricy |

May 2022’s Best Self-Tanner

ole henriksen self tanning primer

Banana Bright Sun-Kissed Self-Tanning Face Primer

Two-in-ones continue to advance, and Ole Henriksen’s combination self-tanner-pre-makeup primer is breaking new ground. While the self-tanning agent adds a sun-flushed, bronze tint, the included vitamin C helps further that illumination while protecting against environmental damage. | Pros: Multiuse; Non-greasy | Cons: Might not be right for very fair or very deep skin tones |

May 2022’s Best Lip Balm

alegnist lip collagen

GENIUS Liquid Lip Collagen

Despite the name, Alegnist’s Genius Liquid Lip Collagen makes bouncy, smooth, and plumped lips a no-brainer. The brand’s signature ingredient, patented alguronic acid, smooths the appearance of lines while two more occlusives (vegan collagen and microalgae oil) support suppleness and moisture. | Pros: Slippery and hydrating; cooling sensation | Cons: Thinner consistency |

May 2022’s Best Moisturizer

lano dry skin super cream

101 Dry Skin Super Cream

Super indeed — Lano’s been a longtime favorite of celebs like Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Alicia Keys, and Drew Berrymore, but the Australian brand’s newest product is something everyone can get behind. The Dry Skin Super Cream is a super-concentrated, nourishing blend of go-to hydrators like shea butter and sweet almond oil to keep even sun-ravaged cheeks smooth and moisturized. | Pros: Deeply moisturizing; scentless; convenient tube and price | Cons: Very thick texture, may not be suitable for oily skin types |

May 2022’s Best Skin Care Device

Déesse PRO LED Light Mask

Déesse PRO LED Light Mask

Decadance, thy name is Shani Darden. Beloved by celebs and skin-minded civilians alike, the A-list facialist is all about innovation — and this new LED Light mask takes the cake. Powered by 238 tiny, individual bulbs, the FDA-cleared mask fights acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging through assorted (and adjustable) light therapy frequency colors. | Pros: FDA-approved; highly effective | Cons: Very pricy |

May 2022’s Best SPFs

mario basescu mineral sunscreen

Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30

Mario Badescu’s new physical sunscreen is simplicity done right. While mineral zinc protects against UV rays, Indian Gooseberry and hyaluronic acid smooth, hydrate, and plump that sun-shielded skin. | Pros: Lightweight; safe for acne; hydrating | Cons: Small tube |

Silk SPF

A revolutionary combination of both mineral and chemical sunscreen, Cocokind’s naturally derived, silky-textured ray-blocker is as much a skin-glorifying highlighter as it is a straight-up SPF. Quickly absorbing into the skin, it leaves a dewy, radiant finish behind. | Pros: Silky-feeling | Cons: Hybrid formula not great for those with melasma or other skin conditions that require a purely mineral formula |

Ilia triple serum

C Beyond Triple Serum SPF 40

ILIA’s latest addition might just be your ultimate summer go-to. At once a hydrating serum, a robust SPF, and a tone-evening skin tint, it’s your one-and-done for important June days — and well beyond. Though offered in just three colors, the shades stretch to match plenty of skin tones in-between. | Pros: Multiuse; light coverage | Cons: Pigment may transfer to surfaces, isn’t oil-free so may not be suitable for oily acne-prone skin|

May 2022’s Best Eye Creams

Power Nap Eye Roller

Power Nap Eye Roller

Treat your sensitive undereye area to a refreshing disco nap with HIDE’s instantly cooling, roll-on eye gel. The metal ball tip depuffs and soothes even the most tired eyes while the actual product — filled with cica extract and collagen — smoothes lines and illuminates dark circles. | Pros: Cooling tip; hydrating formula | Cons: Only available on-site; limited feedback |

Korres eye gel

Greek Yoghurt Wide Awake Eye Gel

Mediterranean beauty is all about harnessing the power of local wildlife and age-old traditions to encourage skin to look its best. Korres’s new eye-brightening (and cooling!) gel does just that, capitalizing on the skin-enriching bacteria that’s synonymous with yogurt for perky-looking, well-rested undereyes. | Pros: Microbiome-focused; illuminating and hydrating |

May 2022’s Best Night Cream

eight saints night cream

Up The Anti Anti-Aging Night Cream

Eight Saint’s Anti-Aging Night Cream goes all-in on the concept of refreshing and restoring skin overnight. Ceramide-stimulating niacinamide links up with hyaluronic acid and peptides to work on smoothing, soothing, and rehydrating skin, all while you catch up on your Zs. | Pros: Hefty tub; both smoothing and moisturizing | Cons: Scented, albeit lightly |

May 2022’s Best Toner

Holifrog microflora toner

Utopia Microflora Toner

In recent months, the all-important skin microbiome is finally getting its due. Like an entire ecosystem unto itself, your skin is teeming with both good and bad bacteria that can contribute to its overall state — which means its appearance. Holifrog’s new toner works to keep all of it in perfect balance by dispensing beneficial microflora across the face, setting the scene for optimal skin health while balancing pH levels. | Pros: Microbiome-focused; generous amount of product | Cons: Less of a true toner |

oil control clay mask

Oil Control Clearing Face Mask

Oily skin types rejoice! This newly launched mask from Sand & Sky is here to keep you from looking like a glazed donut (in the bad way). Excess sebum, enlarged pores and blemishes be gone, this clay mask rebalances microbiome, leaving skin feeling and looking clean. Salicylic Acid penetrates deep into pores, dissolving dead skin cells and unclogging pores to prevent acne while natural prebiotics promote a healthy bacteria levels to strengthen the skin barrier and prevent inflammation. | Pros: Gentle yet effective for acne and texture, cruelty-free | Notable Ingredients: Niacinamide, salicylic acid, Australian white clay |