Cutting Edge Beauty Products to Know About in 2021

With the new year comes a wave of new advances in anti-aging skin care—and the products that many science-backed beauty brands have launched just ahead of or in early 2021 are no exception. That's why we're taking a moment to focus on the most exciting anti-aging formulas to know about right now. From new-age sunscreens and gentler-than-ever exfoliating treatments to oil-serum hybrids and a retinol eye product like you've never seen before, discover six of the launches we're most excited about, ahead.

• Vitamin C Sunscreen: Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40
• Oil-Serum Hybrid: Versed Sunday Morning Antioxidant Oil-Serum
• Retinol Eye Stick: Peace Out Skincare Retinol Eye Stick
• Energy Serum: Youth to the People Vitamin C Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
• Dark Spot Wand: Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand
• Anti-Aging Hand Cream: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream

Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40

Whenever you apply vitamin C, you should also apply SPF. While vitamin C helps to protect skin against the sun's damaging rays, thanks to its antioxidant properties, adding SPF ensures all-encompassing coverage. Of course, up until now, vitamin C and sunscreen products were mutually exclusive, but thanks to Supergoop!'s latest launch, that's no longer the case. The first-of-its-kind, all-in-one serum touts stable vitamin C—which comes from kakadu plum, the richest natural source of the ingredient—and SPF 40 to protect skin against UVA, UVB, free radicals, and blue light damage. What's more, it's loaded with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, so the serum works overtime to improve elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Shop Now: Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40, $46, supergoop.com.

Versed Sunday Morning Antioxidant Oil-Serum

Oils and serums—two separate product types, correct? Not anymore: Hybrid oil-serums are a new foray in skin care. This one caught our eye because it was designed with two distinct phases—a water phase infused with chamomile extract, vitamin E, and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate, calm, and brighten skin and a reparative oil-based one, with nourishing camellia and sea buckthorn to strengthen skin, prevent moisture loss, and diminish redness. While the sections separate on their own, as soon as you shake it up, the antioxidant-rich, ultra-moisturizing formula blends together to deliver radiant skin after each and every application.

Shop Now: Versed Sunday Morning Antioxidant Oil-Serum, $19.99, versedskin.com.

Peace Out Skincare Retinol Eye Stick

Retinol serums and creams are old hat. A retinol eye stick, however? That grabbed our attention. This one-of-a-kind formula is made with a concentrated serum-balm that's designed to be applied and worn overnight. It's made with encapsulated retinol—which is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin—peptides, squalane, and astaxanthin to make way for smoother, firmer, brighter-looking under-eyes come morning.

Shop Now: Peace Out Skincare Retinol Eye Stick, $28, sephora.com.

Youth to the People Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum

Speaking of vitamin C, this caffeine-infused brightening serum is another first of its kind. Thanks to a strategic combination of ingredients, the smooth—never sticky—serum ushers in brighter, more hydrated skin that doesn't look the slightest bit puffy. What's more, the ingredients are designed to activate upon application, so they don't lose their effectiveness within the bottle (which is a common pain point with most vitamin C-based products).

Shop Now: Youth to the People Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum, $68, youthtothepeople.com.

Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand

If you're struggling with localized dark spots—the result of sun damage or acne scars—you will appreciate this convenient, easy-to-use rollerball pen that makes applying it at home or on the go a breeze. The product itself is formulated with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and gardenia extract, all of which work together to diminish dark spots, well, on the spot.

Shop Now: Hero Cosmetics Lightning Wand, $19.99, herocosmetics.us.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream

It's a well-known fact that your hands often age faster than your face, but you won't find many time-fighting hand-specific formulas on the market. Master innovator Dr. Barbara Sturm just changed that, thanks to one of her newest launches. This cream, packed with daisy flower extract to target age spots and hyaluronic acid, mangosteen, and quince to plump and reduce the visible signs of aging, is a must-add to your purse or nightstand this year.

Shop Now: Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Hand Cream, $65, drsturm.com.