[insert drumroll here] And the best skincare products of 2011 are...

It always warms the bottom of my heart to see that the beauty experts of the world agree with my product selections. 

Year after year the products that win the "Best of ...." categories are usually the same ones that can be found lining our shelves-- and the validation this gives my product choice is priceless. 

This year is no exception, as both Obagi and SkinCeutical's skincare products won New Beauty's 2011 "Beauty Choice Awards", as picked by readers, editors, and experts. 

The lofty title of "The best OVERALL SKINCARE BRAND SOLD IN A DOCTOR'S OFFICE" was awarded to Obagi Medical Products.

Why it won: Obagi is a time-tested skincare line that combines the most powerful skin ingredients in an easy-to-follow numbered skin care system, which provides dramatic results. 

The experts like it because: "This is a great line that's been around for a long time. The brand continues to reinvent itself and utilizes clinical studies from dermatologists to show its benefits." says Nashville, TN dermatologist Michael Gold, MD. 

The editors like it because: "This supercharged skincare line works over time to really deliver dramatic results!"

We like it because: "They make certain products better than anyone else. Their gentle cleanser works well on every skin type, their Metrogel is better than anything else on the market, and I couldn't live without their hydroquinone-- it's used by every single one of my darker complected patients before a laser treatment." says Naomi Fenlin, co-owner of Cosmopolitan Skin Care Solutions.

And Obagi chalked up another win for it's "Nu-Derm Clear" product, under the category of "The best OVERALL DARK-SPOT ERASER" 

Why it won: Obagi Clear gets rid of dark spots on the skin, while also fighting the other signs of aging.

The reader likes it because: "I believe that Obagi Clear is a superior product because it repairs my damaged, aging skin."

The editors like it because: "Active ingredients in a strong concentration tackle common discoloration problems to achieve perfect, evenly toned skin."

We like it because: "Hydroquinone is a tricky chemical, that can provide great results when used properly. Obagi makes it the easiest for patients to safely and correctly use, with their 'Clear' product." 

 

SkinCeutical's line of anti-aging and antioxidant products won the Best Choice Award for "The best ANTI-AGING ANTIOXIDANT LINE."

Why it won: SkinCeuticals is always on the forefront of cutting-edge science and ingredients-- their products deliver what they promise. 

We like it because: Simply put, our skin looks and feels better after using these products.