Congrats! You’ve made it to the end of another year. While there are a number of ways you can reward yourself for getting through the last 12 months, treating yourself to one of December’s latest skin care, makeup, or hair care launches is a pretty solid way to celebrate. With rot week — the lazy days between Christmas and New Year’s — on the horizon, why not make a decadent body cream part of your rest-and-relaxation routine? In fact, all of these December 2024 beauty products will help you end the year on a high note.
For those looking to keep any new additions to their medicine cabinet practical, a number of brands released hydrating and brightening skin care products that ward off common seasonal struggles. Glow Recipe’s plumping moisturizer and Tatcha’s radiant-boosting vitamin C serum are just two options (of many) you’ll want to try. For anyone looking to indulge this time of year, go ahead and add Glossier’s shimmery eyeshadow sticks and Zara’s hair perfume to your cart.
Ahead, you’ll find a complete rundown of the best skin care, makeup, and hair care products arriving on virtual and physical shelves in December.
December 2024 Skin Care Launches
Best New Moisturizer
Cloudberry Bright Moisture Cream
The brand’s cult-favorite Cloudberry Essence Toner now has a sibling, just in time for dry-skin season. This plumping, radiance-boosting moisturizer offers long-lasting hydration without clogging pores. In addition to cloudberry, it includes of-the-moment ingredients CoQ10 and peptide lipids.
Glow Recipe –Best New Vitamin C Serum
The Vitamin C Serum
Dullness won’t be a part of your skin care vocabulary this winter if you have the right vitamin C serum in your routine. Enter Tatcha’s latest innovation. It’s formulated with a 12-hour time release vitamin C and ferulic acid to optimize absorption, which will help minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation and post-acne marks. Participants of the brand’s clinical study saw brighten and visibly firmer skin in just one week. (Available Dec. 13)
Tatcha –Best New Cleanser
Mello Marula Cream Cleanser
Founder Tiffany Masterson created Drunk Elephant’s new cleanser per her husband’s request for a face wash that doubles as a shaving cream. While it can be dual-purpose, the low-lather formula soothes and moisturizes skin in addition to effectively removing waterproof makeup, sunscreen, and pollution. To sum it up, it’s a great option for anyone dealing with winter-related skin issues like redness and dry patches. (Available Dec. 16)
Drunk Elephant –Best New Barrier Balm
Ultra Repair Rescue Barrier Balm
Seal in moisture by adding a rich barrier balm as a final protective layer in your skin care routine. This one, by First Aid Beauty, is formulated with 1% dimethicone to provide relief and hydration to compromised skin for up to 24 hours. It’s designed for chapped skin from frigid whipping winds and the drying side effects of prescription acne products and retinoids.
First Aid Beauty –Best New Cleansing Oil
Pre-Cleanse Cleansing Oil
To really ensure every single trace of makeup, sunscreen, and pollution gets rinsed from your face, make double-cleansing a part of your nighttime routine. Kick things off with Prequel’s Pre-Cleanse Oil, which dissolves impurities without stripping.
Prequel –December 2024 Makeup Launches
Best New Mascara
Paradise Big Deal Mascara
The name of L’Oréal’s latest mascara says it all: If you like to go big with your lashes, this addition to the Lash Paradise collection will quickly become your holy grail. The unique helix-shaped wand evenly coats lashes while defining and separating them, while the volumizing and lengthening formula is designed to remain clump-free, whether you apply one or 100 coats.
L’Oréal Paris –Best New Eyeshadow
Shadow Stick
Yes, holiday party makeup can be effortless. Glossier’s eyeshadow sticks come in rich moody shades with just the right amount of shimmer. Smear one all over your lids for a one-and-done smoky eye or glide one along your lash line for a grungy liner look. Sure, they’re ideal for a soft glam look this season, but the shades aren’t overtly festive — which means you can keep them in your rotation well into the new year.
Glossier –December 2024 Hair Care Launches
Best New Scalp Shampoo
Virtue Labs Scalp Remedy Shampoo
Good hair days start with a healthy scalp. Virtue’s newest shampoo cleanses strands while simultaneously maintaining the scalp’s microbiome to prevent excess oil or dryness. Along with the brand’s proprietary strengthening keratin, it’s packed with exfoliating white willow bark extract.
Virtue Labs –Best New Hair Perfume
Hair Perfume in Dusk
End the year with a little treat-yourself moment courtesy of Zara’s new hair perfumes. Dusk, in particular, is a sweet yet mysterious scent with notes of jasmine petals, sweet pink sugar, and the warmth of light woods. You’ll find yourself reaching for it before heading out for the night.
Zara –Best New Dry Shampoo For Dark Hair
First Class After Dark Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo comes in handy if you need to ride out your last blowout for one more day. The caveat? Most leave white powdery residue on dark hair, which is exactly why IGK treated a tinted version of its beloved First Class dry shampoo. The avocado-coated pigments blend with deep brunette and black shades for an undetectable finish.
IGK –December 2024 Body Care Launches
Best New Body Treatment
Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment
Give the skin below your neck a little extra TLC, too. If sagging and crepiness are specific concerns, add Murad’s firming retinal treatment into the mix. The rich cream smooths skin to tone and improve texture and add hydration – without leaving you feeling sticky or greasy.
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