Top Wellness Beauty Products of the Shape Beauty Awards 2023

The axiom "beauty is only skin-deep" has been contested by the exciting discovery of a type of hyaluronic acid that satiates our skin’s perpetual thirst. Increasingly, there’s an overlap between the beauty and wellness markets, exemplified by products like collagen powders, hair-care gummies, and advanced skincare innovations. Evidently, beauty products are no longer restricted to items applied with a brush on your face.

According to Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, beauty is increasingly being seen as a form of self-care – not solely about aesthetics, but also enhancing one’s well-being. She further emphasized the growing regard for prevention methods, as maintaining youthful skin is easier than remedying signs of aging. Additionally, Dr. Garshick advises leading a healthy lifestyle by staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, regular exercise, and practicing sun-protective behaviors, to feel and look your best.

The Beauty Awards in 2023 have expanded to mirror this shift in the beauty industry, by introducing a new category – Wellness Beauty Products. These seven categories encapsulate the evolving face of the beauty industry.

Many health problems, including skin issues, can be traced back to the health of your gut. Recent research has highlighted the potential of probiotics in maintaining not only your gut health but also your skin. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that aid in maintaining equilibrium in your body, particularly your digestive system.

Seed’s Daily Synbiotic, a robust supplement, substantially benefits your gastrointestinal health. Further, it contains conducive strains of bacteria that support other bodily systems. A blend in the supplement is aimed at enhancing skin health and reinforcing a healthy gut-skin connection, thereby fostering healthy gut and skin.

Intended Audience: Those who simultaneously experience digestive discomfort and skin peculiarities.

Several factors can trigger hair thinning and loss, such as genetics, stress, and pregnancy. Nutrafol’s scientifically validated formula targets six root causes and supports hair growth with a unique, all-natural blend. Specialized supplements are also available for vegans, women over 45, and postpartum women.

For instance, the Women’s Balance supplement for women over 45 is geared to address hair loss triggered by hormone fluctuations, aging, and metabolism. In these targeted supplements, the formula is customized to effectively handle the causes of hair thinning specific to different life stages. However, patience is required, as noticeable results typically surface within 3 to 6 months.

Intended Audience: Those who are self-conscious about their thinning hair.

The efficacious skincare device, which is compact enough to fit snugly into the palm of our hands, brings about significant improvements in the skin when used regularly and consistently. Its microcurrent feature subtly lifts and tones facial muscles while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles in just five minutes a day.

Although the NuFACE Trinity series has more advanced features, the Mini+ is versatile enough for most users. Its smooth, silver spheres effectively deliver the microcurrent over large facial and neck areas. The Mini+ is small enough for comfortable handling and easy packing during travels. A Bluetooth-compatible NuFACE app customizes and guides treatments, and it is available in a range of attractive colors.

Intended Audience: Those interested in skincare technology and seeking non-invasive treatment options.

Read our comprehensive review: I'm A Beauty Editor, and I Tested The Viral NuFACE Device for 10 Months — Here Are My Before and After Pictures

Collagen has gained massive popularity in the wellness-beauty sector due to several health benefits associated with it such as improved skin texture, elasticity, and hydration as mentioned in Shape. In addition, it may help reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. There are also claims that collagen powder strengthens hair and nails, but there is insufficient scientific research to substantiate these claims.

Given these benefits, we decided to add collagen powder to our daily routine. Specifically, we tried Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides and were highly impressed. The product dissolved quickly providing a smooth texture and a delightful lemony flavor. It works well in both hot and cold drinks and the aftertaste isn't bothersome. We also appreciated the 18 grams of protein in each serving. The collagen powder also comes in an unflavored variant. This product is perfect for constant hydration seekers.

We also put a series of light therapy masks to test. We were collectively impressed by the FOREO UFO 3. This handheld device offers full-spectrum LED to hydrate, massage, and rejuvenate the skin in a short time span. The UFO 3 is markedly more effective than your typical drugstore face mask due to hyper-infusion which enhances your skin’s absorption of potent skincare ingredients. The device is cordless and portable. It offers five different treatment types to address specific skincare objectives. The FOREO UFO 3 pairs well with any skin type.

Who It’s For: Anyone who is looking to invest in a high-end, multi-purpose skincare gadget.

Each hair removal method has its pros and cons, be it shaving, waxing, hair removal creams, or epilators. We found the Silk’n Infinity Hair Removal Device to be the most convenient, efficient, and effective. This device is user-friendly, corded and easily manageable with one hand. We liked having the option to use the gliding setting for a faster session and found the pain bearable, even at the highest energy setting. As for results, we saw a decrease in hair thickness after just three weeks of use.

Who It’s For: The person who regularly schedules wax appointments.

We would all like to have an infrared spa at home but that is not always possible. The HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket is an alternative that offers infrared heat up to 158 degrees and can be folded to the size of a sleeping bag when not in use. We found it to be the best infrared sauna with premium features such as a double-sided zipper, eight temperature settings, and an effortless maintenance exterior. We particularly enjoyed using it after intense HIIT workouts for faster recovery, improved blood circulation, better sleep, and pain reduction.

Who It’s For: Fans of weighted blankets looking for additional health-beneficial features.

As the Senior Commerce Editor at Shape, Kristen Geil tests, reviews, and analyzes all the products and gear that can help enhance your wellness journey. As a NASM-certified personal trainer, she's particularly passionate about testing new fitness equipment and finding her next favorite pair of running shoes. Before moving to Commerce, Kristen was Shape's Senior Fitness Editor, where she oversaw the Fitness category and covered workout trends, exercise tips, recovery, and more. For this article, she interviewed a dermatologist, reviewed dozens of test results and hundreds of individual insights, and pulled from her own experience testing microcurrent devices, collagen powers, and sauna blankets.