12 Products That Will Give You Better Skin—Instantly

You can transform your skin with the right products—and without a wait. Here’s what to do when you need to look good now.

Calming Mineral Powder
For most people, winter means rosier cheeks—and that’s not always a good thing. Neutralize redness with a yellow mineral powder that won’t cause further irritation as it evens out skin tone. We like Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Powder.

Speedy Exfoliant
You know how your face is all plump and glowing after a facial? Fake the effects with Sonya Dakar NutraSphere Flash Facial—it makes skin look younger and feel softer in 60 seconds flat.

Healing Concealer
Covering zits with heavy concealer will only make breakouts worse. Look for an oil-free formula with salicylic acid that treats blemishes while hiding them. We like Murad Acne Treatment Concealer.

Rich Hydrator
Ward off dry patches with a rich cream that floods skin with moisture throughout the day. Look for one with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, potent antioxidants such as green tea, and, of course, SPF. We like Shiseido Future Solution LX Daytime Protective Cream SPF 15.

Creamy Highlighter
Highlighter might be one of the most abused cosmetics—but it doesn’t have to mean weird gleaming streaks. To get instant radiance, try a cream highlighter that has a lustrous finish, not a glittery one. We like Jemma Kidd Make Up School Dewy Glow All Over Radiance Crème—it’s luminous, but not overpowering, so it looks good on everyone.

Dark-Circle Fix
They make you look tired and older—and nearly everyone gets them. Olay Definity Eye Illuminator Illuminating Eye Treatment instantly brightens the undereye area with mica particles and strengthens the delicate skin with powerful hydrators.

Translucent Smoothing Powder
Don’t smother your face in foundation to get a uniform skin tone. Just do a light layer, then dust on a translucent powder that hides imperfections with reflective microparticles. Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Microfinish Powder leaves a soft, radiant finish and won’t feel like an extra layer of makeup.

Pore-Hiding Primer
The cure for porexia (an obsession with the size of your pores) is not staring at them in a magnifying mirror—it’s primer! Just smooth on one with salicylic acid under your makeup. We like Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner.

Zit-Zapping Tool
It’s not quite an instant pimple fix, but an hour? We’ll take it. Zeno Heat Treat is a two-part system: After you apply a salicylic acid treatment and a device that uses heat to kill bacteria, there’ll be no resuscitating even the most obnoxious breakout.

Moisturizing Mask
Rough, flaky skin means that your face cream isn’t cutting it on its own. Once a week, use an intense moisturizing mask that’s rich in proteins and amino acids—it’ll slough off dead skin and hydrate simultaneously. We like Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask.