Prevention Picks: 14 Must-Have Beauty, Snacks, and Wellness Products Our Editors Swear By

At Prevention, we take pride in picking the best products for our readers. Our mission has always been to highlight top-rated, expert-backed selections that truly solve a problem for you, make your day easier, or bring joy to your life. That’s why we curate Prevention Picks each month, where our editors hand-select products that have genuinely made a difference in their lives. From brand-new launches to tried-and-true favorites, we shout out beauty products worth your money, fitness gear that will elevate your workouts, convenient gadgets for your home, tasty snacks that stand out from the rest, and so much more. The new year basically calls for pretty much new everything—including food, skincare essentials, and gear!

 

This month, we’re kicking off 2022 with top-rated items that will help you get a fresh start. And since winter is in full effect, our editors have also shared all the products that’ll keep you feeling warm and snug through the colder months. You’ll find a few everyday essentials, like a cult-favorite moisturizing hand lotion (very much needed for the indoor heat and freezing outside temps), sugar-free peanut butter that tastes incredible, and an all-natural deodorant that leaves you smelling like a floral bouquet filled (it has a heady lavender and rose scent). We’ve also discovered new favorites that are great for giving and keeping, including a warm and cozy wool hat, a brightening primer that will banish away dull skin, and leaf-shaped cookie cutters that will level up your baking game. Below, check out our 14 favorite finds and stock up before they sell out!

 

1 Stila One Step Correct Kitten Skin Tone Correcting & Brightening Primer

I’ve never been much of a makeup primer user, but I was tempted to try this one because it has a sheer tint and brightening properties (it even comes in three shades for different skin tones; I chose medium for my olive skin). And wow: When worn just on its own without foundation, it evens skin tone and makes you look just a touch healthier, less tired, and more radiant. It’s perfect for the days when you want to put something on your face to look a little more polished but can't bring yourself to wear real “makeup”. — April Franzino, Beauty Director

 

2 Goliath Sequence Luxury Edition

This board/card game is new to my family this year and it’s been such a hit: You can play individually or on teams (having a team gives it a little bit of a nail-biting bridge quality), and it hasn’t inspired arguments or hurt feelings the way some other games do, probably due to the many paths to victory and the very clear rules. And because you’re so focused on weighing your next move (and you can’t talk to your partner), it’s also mostly quiet when you play, which makes it an exciting but surprisingly restful family activity. Perfect for winter evenings! — Sarah Smith, Editor in Chief

 

 3 La Roche-Posay Pure Retinol Face Serum with Vitamin B3

I’m just starting to dip my toes into retinol, and as someone with sensitive skin, this pick is perfect. I already use a slew of La Roche-Posay products (I always recommend their face moisturizer with SPF!), and this one does not disappoint. If, like me, you’re sensitive to dyes in skincare products, don’t fret—the bottle is the only thing pink about this serum. I also love that it’s unscented and dermatologist recommended. — Emily Goldman, Senior Editor

 

4 The Ritual of Ayurveda Hand Balm

My hands have definitely been feeling the burn with constant washing, sanitizing, and cold, dry temperatures. I received this hand cream in the Ritual’s advent calendar and I fell in love. Its formula is 95% natural and it’s made with nourishing ingredients like almond oil, rose water, and shea butter, which help my hands feel silky soft. My favorite part is the refreshing floral scent, which comes from the almond oil and Indian rose ingredients. — Shauna Beni, Associate Ecomm Editor -

 

5 Williams Sonoma Silicone Perfect Pie Crust Mold

 It’s no secret that I love to bake—and so does my mom! The clear winner of Christmas was this genius silicone pie crust mold that offers five design options. I paired it with a collection of leaf cookie cutters from Amazon that are the perfect size for covering seams or just adding fun design elements—and a shiny new non-stick pie pan, of course. — Allie Early, Digital Director

 

6 Skippy Peanut Butter Spread

I’ve learned in the last few years to check nutrition labels for sneaky sugar where it doesn’t need to be. I eat oatmeal and peanut butter almost every morning for breakfast, and the sugar added to most nut-based butters was starting to add up. When I was introduced to Skippy’s newest zero sugar product, I was amazed at how delicious it is! It has the same creamy texture and flavor I love from Skippy, with just three simple ingredients (none of which are sugar or a substitute). It doesn’t have the dry flavor some sugar-free nut butters have, and it doesn’t split from the oil. It’s creamy, perfection. — Arielle Weg, Associate Editor

 

7 Cult and King Balm

 Hairstylist Sam Garner introduced me to this magic balm, which brings out dimension that I had no idea existed in my hair. With just a zhuzh or two, I walk away feeling (and smelling) like a million bucks. If you’re considering a mullet, shag, or chop, you need this stuff in your rotation—it made all the difference for me. — Jake Smith, Editorial Assistant

 

8 Fjallraven Singi Balaclava Cap

 Calling all the outdoors lovers who also hate being cold—this one’s for you! This cozy headpiece is made from the softest wool and pulls double duty. It’s a hat to keep your head warm, complete with a brim to shield you from wind or flurries, and it can also be pulled down into a balaclava to cover your chin and even your nose so you can stay warm on the most frigid winter day. It’s perfect for a snowy walk or a sweaty run or hike because the moisture-wicking powers of wool help you stay at the perfect level of comfy and dry. It’s hand washable and super well-made (by a Swedish company—talk about being cold weather pros!), so you don’t have to worry about pulls or snags. — Alyssa Jung, Senior Editor

 

9 Native Natural Deodorant

Finding a natural deodorant that works can feel impossible, but Native’s Lavendar + Rose Deodorant actually works. Whether I’m powering through a hot yoga class, hiking up a mountain in the Hawaii heat, or surfing for hours, this deodorant keeps me fresh without a need to reapply. — Nicol Natale, Freelance Editor

 

10 Nestle Nespresso Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker  

After years of lusting over the instant foaminess of Nespresso coffees from afar, I finally gifted myself a machine for Christmas. And let me tell you, it was worth every penny. I look forward to making coffee every morning now—it feels like a luxe experience. Not to mention, the taste is incredible. My french press is getting lonely right about now, that’s for sure. — Kayla Blanton, Freelance Writer

 

11 DAH! Lassi Yogurt Smoothie

 Lassi is a yogurt-based drink from India, and Dah’s delicious version is thick and creamy, plus packed with probiotics (for a healthy gut!), with eight grams of protein and only three grams of added sugar. I add it to smoothies, and it fools me into thinking I’m drinking a fruity milkshake. I love the mango, as well as (trust me on this!) the tomato/mixed berries version, made in a collab with celeb chef Padma Lakshmi. So good. — Lisa Bain, Executive Director, Health Newsroom

 

12 Sensate Relaxation Device

This little chargeable stone-shaped device has really helped me. It’s a palm-sized vibrating thingy (no, not for other stress-reliever, although I have those too!) that you place on your chest while listening to one of a catalog of peaceful sounds through their very simple app. The brand says that the device sends low-frequency waves through the body to trigger the vagus nerve and in so doing, calms your nervous system. The concept is in medical use to treat various issues, such as depression and epilepsy, but typically a stimulator is implanted under the skin. Bottom line, I don’t know if Sensate worked because it did, in fact, stimulate one of my vagus nerves (we actually have two) or if it just feels so nice and the sounds are so soothing, but when I use it I feel much more relaxed almost immediately than when I meditate without it. — Stephanie Dolgoff, Deputy Director, Health Newsroom

 

13 Stio Pinion Down Pullover

 This pullover is my go-to jacket for any casual outing during the winter. I’ve had it for three years now, and it’s held up through every adventure, whether I’m skiing down a mountain or just walking around the city. While it’s pretty thin and lightweight (which makes it super comfy!), it keeps me warm with just a T-shirt underneath in 40-degree weather and works well with a long-sleeve baselayer in colder temps. A hidden zippered pocket in front is great for stashing your phone/wallet/keys, but it also serves as a storage pouch that you can stuff the jacket into to save space during travel. If a pullover style is difficult for you to wear, the company also sells a zip-up version (with zippered hand pockets on the sides instead of a kangaroo pouch in the center). — Kaitlyn Pirie, Senior Editor

 

14 Tata Harper Vitamin-Infused Cream Blush

 I love cream blushes and cream makeup in general for my dry skin, and this pot has become the perfect pair of jeans of my beauty routine. The neutral “no-makeup makeup” shade can be worn with anything and works tapped on eyelids and lips as well for a pulled-together look in 10 seconds. Best of all, it gives your skin a hint of light-reflecting glow that looks believable, as if you just woke up like that. Which I definitely did not! — April Franzino