The best of Allure's best of beauty

Allure's annual "Best of Beauty" issue is kind of like the beauty junkie's Super Bowl. And let me tell you, from an insider's perspective, those people do not eff around when it comes to choosing the winners. Some corporations (um, I'm talking to you Sephora) and other magazines have copied the format, but having worked there I can tell you that I doubt the copy cats take the whole process as seriously as the Allure editorial staff does. When I was a lowly assistant, my job was to call in hundreds, hundreds of products in every beauty category, organize them in not one but two closets, distribute them to editors, writers, experts, friends and friends of friends, track the months of product testing and of course, the results. Then the winners are further evaluated by the staff and on and on. So when I tell you that this issue contains the consummate list of the best beauty products currently available in the market, believe me. Now, without further ado, let's talk about the big winners in skincare, and give you the Cliffs Notes...

BEST OF THE BEST CLEANSER: Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, $6, drugstore.com
We'll start with the basics, face wash. MD Skincare, Lancome, Pond's and Biore all came away with seals of approval (the only one on this year's entire list that I disagree with slightly is the Biore, but I just think they're too synthetic), but the pick for sensitive skin is only $6! It's Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, and while it is fabulous for sensitive types, I think it's a great, derm-recommended cleanser for everyone.

BEST OF THE BEST MOISTURIZER: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45, $13, drugstore.com
Next is moisturizer, and again, there were a few winners based on different skintypes (Proactiv, Aveeno and Patricia Wexler to be specific), the "Normal Skin" pick, Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45, is not only the most inexpensive and accessible in the category, but I really do think it's appropriate for lots of skin types. And by "appropriate" I mean, awesome and it works.

BEST OF THE BEST ANTI-AGERS: Kinerase Cream, $117, Sephora.com
This is a tough category, not only because there's so much out there, but also, it seems like things just work differently on everyone. Aveeno's most excellent Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 won for day time wear (and it's only $14, so I suspect that's the one most of us here will opt for), and RevaléSkin and RoC both took the cake as well. But having tried them all, I must say that the Kinerase really does seem to work the best, and when it comes to anti-aging products, that's more important than anything else. Just ask Courtney Cox.

BEST OF THE BEST EYE CREAM: Relastin Eye Silk, $69, Blissworld.com
It's our favorite category, eye cream! Pat Wexler and Olay both made the grade, but there is no stopping Relastin's new cult product, which does it all and instantly makes your haggard old crow's feet laden tired eyes look like they did when you were in elementary school and your parents forced you to sleep eight hours a night, because you know, they were the boss of you and stuff. (Check our picks for the best eye creams ever.)

BEST OF THE BEST SUNSCREEN: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55, $10, CVS
I think this stuff is so great because it doesn't give you that trademark, I've-been-working-in-a-fast-food-kitchen greasy look that most SPF leaves you with. Still, I'm intrigued by the sensitive skin pick because it's kind of indie and also available at drugstores: Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF 30 for Sensitive Skin.

BEST OF THE BEST FACE MASKS: Malin + Goetz Detox Face Mask, $38, barney's.com
Proactiv's great sulfur treatment and the newish Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask were both honored, but that oft sold out Malin + Goetz mask really does deliver (see our review here).

BEST OF THE BEST SERUM: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Combination Antioxidant Treatment $135, skinceuticals.com
Okay, that's it, I've got to get my hands on this stuff and try it immediately. Both Allure beauty experts and premier dermatologic researcher David McDaniel can't be wrong: This is clearly the stuff that is most likely to let you age gracefully without looking it. I'm going to eat beans and rice for a week and then I'm going to order it.

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