When it comes to beauty goals, you may think of top concerns that include anti-aging and winter dryness, but experts say developing a routine based on what your skin and body are dealing with right now can help achieve better results.
To elaborate, NewBeauty’s Senior-Editor-at-Large and TODAY contributor, Sarah Eggenberger, stopped by Studio 1A to share helpful tricks to achieve your beauty goals in 2026. From prioritizing products when the skin is feeling tight to depuffing eyes after a sleepless night, Eggenberger highlights top products that tackle concerns from head to toe.
So, if your skin is still feeling the effects from post-holiday travel or the up-and-down winter temperatures, keep scrolling to check out the best products for your most challenging skin concerns.
Beauty and skin care problem-solvers to shop by concern, seen on TODAY
Concern: Uneven, tired or dull skin
"When cell turnover slows, dead skin cells linger longer on the surface, scattering light instead of reflecting it," says Eggenberger. "At the same time, stress hormones and prolonged screen exposure can increase low-grade inflammation, which subtly disrupts pigment distribution. Dehydration exaggerates all of it — fine lines, uneven tone, and that flat, grey cast people describe as “looking exhausted.”
Eggenberger recommends “gentle, regular exfoliation” compared to “aggressive treatments” to tackle tired and uneven skin. This lotion is exactly that: a gentle exfoliant that also works to clean and purify the skin.
The brand says the "P" in this lotion refers to the peeling process that takes place after 50 days of use, helping to achieve "epidermal reconditioning" that's necessary to "purify" the skin.
With just two or three dime-sized drops of this primer, you'll have fewer fine lines and pores, and your skin will look brighter. Skin care meets makeup thanks to ingredients like vitamin C, which works to improve the texture of your skin.
Concern: Dryness, tightness and uncomfortable skin
"Dryness is usually a barrier issue, not just lack of moisture," says Eggenberger. "When skin lipids decline, water escapes faster than it can be replenished. Travel, workouts, hot showers, and indoor heat all worsen this."
She goes on to recommend moisturizers that "mirror the skin's natural lipid balance," such as the cream below.
Multiple Shop TODAY editors are fans of Tower 28's SOS line, which consists of three products (a face cream, spray and a gel cleanser) that work to give skin a refreshing cleanse.
This cream works to "reset" skin with gentle and hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Plus, it's earned stamps of approval by the National Rosacea Society, National Eczema Association and the National Psoriasis Foundation.
Concern: Under-eye darkness and puffiness
"Under-eye darkness can come from thin skin, visible blood vessels, pigmentation, fluid retention, or genetics — not just lack of sleep," says Eggenberger, further noting that "puffiness is often related to lymphatic drainage and salt intake."
For relief in as little as one minute, reach for these affordable eye drops. These eye drops include the key ingredient, brimonidine, which specifically targets redness, according to the brand.
Concern: Rough arms, Keratosis Pilaris
"Keratosis pilaris (KP) is caused by a buildup of keratin that plugs hair follicles," explains Eggenberger. "It’s genetic, extremely common, and not related to cleanliness. Dry skin, cold weather, and low humidity can make the texture more noticeable, which is why many people see it flare seasonally."
Salicylic acid, vitamin E and chamomile and green tea work as a team to provide better-hydrated, bump-free skin, says the brand.
Eggenberger notes that smoother skin is a direct result of "steady hydration." This product exfoliates and removes dead skin with each use, leaving you with smoother skin.
Consistency is key with products that work to reduce KP and promote smoother skin, says Eggenberger. The inclusion of ceramides within this lotion helps to strengthen the skin's barrier while working to smooth and hydrate skin, thanks to other key ingredients like vitamin D, hyaluronic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid.
Editor-loved beauty and skin care problem-solvers to shop
"This is my holy grail body cream," raves editorial assistant, Madison San Miguel. "I have very dry skin, and depending on the season, I'm prone to eczema, so I've gone through many body products to narrow down my perfect match. This cream has continuously impressed me, as it is highly moisturizing year-round."
"I have a couple of trouble areas when it comes to dry skin that develops during the day (most prominently around my nose and chin and on my elbows), so it's nice to have a mini balm that fits into my pocket to treat these areas while I'm on the move," says deputy managing editor, Jess Bender, on this travel-friendly solution for dry skin.
Suffer from dry skin? This editor-loved serum earned the award of "best value serum" during Shop TODAY's 2025 Beauty Awards, with editors saying "it feels really light when applied and doesn't leave you feeling sticky or greasy."
Per associate editor Kamari Stewart, this product helped her eczema-prone skin feel softer, nourished, and more hydrated than before.
"I'm super prone to ingrown hairs, and this exfoliating splash is one of the few products I've tried that actually helps keep bumps at bay," says production associate, Audrey Ekman. "The AHA blend gently exfoliates, and I've found that it's been especially effective on the bikini line."
“I have very dry skin and I always notice an increase in flakiness when the weather gets colder, but this winter I haven’t had many issues and I think it’s in part, because I’ve been using this cream nightly (and sometimes in the mornings too when I know it’s going to be particularly cold),” says writer Emma Stessman. “It’s ultra-rich and moisturizing, and you really only need a little to feel the effects. I also have sensitive skin, so I love how gentle the formula is.”
If your days are spent staring at a screen, utilize this eye cream throughout the night to help bring the phrase "beauty sleep" to life.
"I've incorporated this serum into my evening routine over the last two months and can't believe how much moisture it delivers around my under-eye region in such a small amount," says Bender. "While I can't speak on how well it tackles fine lines (I don't have many at this point), it works wonders when it comes to puffiness and dryness after a long day staring at screens."
"Okay, hear me out: I know a bar of soap doesn't sound very exciting, but it's unreal how much of a difference a quality product makes in your self-care routine," raves Bender. "The cooling peppermint scent that emits from this is unmatched, so much so that I could smell it from rooms away. The exfoliants contained within the soap (sea salt and poppy seeds) are less abrasive than other options I've tried in the past, but they work just as effectively in smoothing out my skin."
This pint-sized product delivers resounding results, employing the use of peptides and proteins to reduce puffiness.
"I've been on the fence about whether eye creams were worth up until I tried this one," admits partnerships associate editor, Lauren Witonsky. "I've been using this product for months now, but swear after just the first application, my under-eye area looked brighter and more lifted. The metal applicator feels soothing to apply during my nighttime routine, and I use my ring finger to dab any excess product over my eyelids — a little goes a long way!"
Eggenberger names caffeine and peptides as two primary ingredients for reducing puffiness, both of which are featured within this eye gel.
Simply apply under your eyes for near-immediate results — reduced puffiness and wrinkles — in 10 minutes.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. These items were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Sarah Eggenberger.
- Sarah Eggenberger is a TODAY contributor and the Senior Editor-at-Large at NewBeauty Magazine.
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How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers. The products above were chosen by Sarah Eggenberger and members of the Shop TODAY editorial team.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
