New Yorkers do everything all in or all out. Whether it’s leaf watching in the fall, a love for that perfect NYC slice, or their collective obsession with skincare, people in this state are big on the things they love. In 2024, and for a few years prior, New York topped the list as the state most interested in taking excellent care of its skin. Studies have taken a look at online and social media searches for topics like “skincare,” “haircare,” and “makeup” and noted that residents of New York State make up the majority of those looking for information on these subjects. So why do New Yorkers love skincare so much, and what skincare are they using? Let’s find out.
Welcome To New York — Skincare’s Waiting For You
Some of the most popular skincare and beauty searches conducted by New Yorkers include
- Hair oil
- Best blush
- Lip oil
- Lip balm
- Hairstyle
- Nail Polish
- Manicure
- Vegan makeup
- Lip Gloss
- And face oils
An average of 3620 searches per 100,000 people per month show, in no uncertain terms, that New York State loves looking good and having healthy, happy skin. It’s no secret that New York City sets the tone and names what’s “in vogue” regarding all things fashionable and culturally relevant in the state and the whole country. It should come as little surprise that skincare also falls under that umbrella.
Since the desire for a functional and practical skincare routine is at an all-time high amongst skincare lovers of all age groups, somewhere has to become the clear leader of the pack. From tweens storming Sephora to women over 60 reminding the rest of us that there’s no expiration date on looking after one of your most important assets, skincare fanatics spend a lot of time online following trends and finding out about new cult products of “hero” ingredients that they just have to try.
Since all of America has skincare needs, why are New Yorkers doing the most research? Well, reports indicate a few different reasons.
- New York is a city that’s very concerned with how you look. Many New Yorkers, specifically women, who live in or move to NYC feel more pressure to “look good” there than in most other places. Upping their skincare product usage is a natural extension of this experience.
- Living in a city (the majority of the population in New York State lives in urban areas, 40% in NYC alone) can take a real toll on your skin. Pollution, heat, and humidity — all of which New York is known for — affect your skin and require a different skincare approach. Many city residents report the need to double cleanse, purchase extra blemish-fighting products, and use moisturizing products (particularly face mists) throughout the day, not just in the morning and evening.
Which Products Does New York State Love The Most?
1. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Size: 0.7oz / 20g
Price: $24
Available from: Laineg.com
This TikTik viral product has been a massive hit with skincare lovers of all ages — especially over the cold winter months. This product works on extremely dry and chapped lips while you sleep, giving your skin time to heal and restore itself to smooth, supple, glowing health. Laneige has combined nutritious fruit extracts, which soften and exfoliate flaky lips overnight. The brand’s trademarked Moisture Wrap tech forms a barrier that locks in moisture.
2. Black Tea Anti-Aging Ceramide Moisturizer
Size: 50ml/ 1.6fl oz (full size)
Price: $95
Available from: Fresh.com
The city’s airborne pollutants find their way into your pores over the course of a day, contributing to premature signs of aging; that’s where Fresh comes in. Their lightweight anti-aging cream is the best-rated face moisturizer from the many we researched. Fresh’s patented BT Matrix, a much-lauded, very effective, natural retinol alternative, offers regular users 7x smoother wrinkles, 5x visibly firmer skin & 4x more radiance.
3. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Size: 5.07oz / 150ml
Price: $35
Available from: Sephora.com
One of Sephora’s best-selling toners is a massive hit among New Yorkers. This lightweight, fruity, alcohol-free liquid helps unclog pores, even dull and blotchy complexion and keeps skin hydrated all day. This toner is pretty popular amongst younger skincare aficionados because of its ability to minimize the appearance of large pores and keep skin glowing at the same time.
4. Sol De Janerio Bum Bum Body Cream
Size: 240ml (full size)
Price: $48
Available from: Soldejaneiro.com
Taking care of the skin on your body is skincare, too! One of last year’s most viral TikTok sensations, Sol De Janeiro’s Bum Bum Body Cream, isn’t just there to hydrate and soften. It also firms up, smooths, and tightens skin (without drying or discomfort) with a combination of Cupuaçu Butter and Guaraná Extract. A sweet combination of salted caramel, vanilla, and pistachio creates the brand’s signature Cheirose ‘62 fragrance — a big drawcard for purchases.
Do It Your Way
Take a cue from skincare-savvy New Yorkers and look for skincare solutions that work for your skin. Body creams, face moisturizers, toners, and lip care: these are items you should have in your skincare routine, and the ones above may be excellent choices if you live in an urban area. So here’s to skincare, the New York way.
