Good Housekeeping May/June 2025

1 RUSTIC HOME OFFICE Make your morning commute into a backyard stroll. Designed to mimic an old cabin, the “writing she shed” on the previous page is an inspiring workspace for an Atlanta-based author. Kate Duffy and Christy Scott Spearman, founders of Duffy Scott Interiors, filled the serene area with a mix of modern and vintage pieces. Beneath the bare wood is modern insulation, so the room stays warm year-round. 2 GARDEN STUDIO The casual space above used to be a garage. For designer, realtor and TV host Mar Jennings, it’s now much more: a set for filming content (complete with professional lighting), a chic place for entertaining and a cozy haven for family game night. Heated floors keep the interior warm, while a custom door allows for indoor-outdoor living, weather permitting.…

Lately I’ve noticed something surprising about myself: I have become a morning person. For most of my life I was a proud night owl, thriving in those quiet late-night hours. But somewhere along the way—maybe it was work, maybe it was just life—I started looking forward to bedtime. Like, really looking forward to it! Now I’m in bed early (sometimes embarrassingly so) and popping out of bed between 5 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., even on weekends. And judging by the memes I see floating around, I know that I’m not alone. “Adulthood is saying ‘I can’t hang out too late.’” “You know you’re getting older when a night out means getting into bed by 9:30.” “Remember when we used to resist naps? What fools we were.” Are you feeling it?…

Brightening Serum The winner of the Beauty Lab’s dark spot serum test, SkinMedica’s niacinamide formula outshone the competition at illuminating and evening skin tone. LAB RESULTS It earned the highest marks for brightening; making dark spots less visible and skin tone more uniform; and boosting radiance in four weeks of use. “My skin was glowy and brighter,” a tester reported. SKINMEDICA EVEN & CORRECT ADVANCED BRIGHTENING TREATMENT, $178, SKINMEDICA.COM Sheer Face Sunscreen Innisfree’s cream makes daily SPF application a breeze. It was a favorite of both GH Beauty Lab testers and scientists with a range of skin tones and types. LAB RESULTS The formula was top-rated for being easy to apply and not causing bumps or breakouts. Several users noted that it didn’t leave a white or oily cast on…

Fab Face Wash La Roche-Posay topped all other cleansers tested, leaving skin purified and radiant without irritating. LAB RESULTS An impressive 100% of users agreed that the gel effectively washed away impurities and excess oil. It scored best for brightening skin in one week. LA ROCHE-POSAY MELAB3 CLEANSER, $27, DRUGSTORES 3-in-1 Cleanser Melt away both makeup and grime with Garnier’s shea butter balm (it works as a mask too!). LAB RESULTS It completely removed waterproof eyeliners in Lab tests, yet left skin “soft to the touch,” said GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann. GARNIER SKINACTIVE ERASE IT ALL MAKEUP CLEANSING BALM WITH VITAMIN C, $15, DRUGSTORES Polishing Scrub This mild Mary Kay exfoliator silkens even sensitive skin with no dryness. LAB RESULTS In a weeklong test with 109 women, 95%…

Firming Serum This cutting-edge formula from PCA Skin contains growth factors and five types of peptides to noticeably tighten and silken skin. LAB RESULTS It was the best serum tested at leaving skin feeling firmer after four weeks of use. Plus, 100% of users found that it softened skin and was easy to use. “This visibly firmed my skin, including mild jowls,” one said; two others received compliments on their skin. PCA SKIN PRO-MAX AGE RENEWAL, $219, DERMSTORE.COM Stellar Night Treatment Maximize your beauty rest with Mary Kay’s novel agefighting peptide and niacinamide gel. It’s powered by plant-based beads that contain smoothing, brightening antioxidant resveratrol and vitamins A, C and E. LAB RESULTS In a 28-person study, the treatment significantly decreased the appearance of forehead wrinkles in four weeks, Lab…

Double-Duty Exfoliator Pamper the skin below your chin with this luxe yet mild Rare Beauty exfoliating cleanser. LAB RESULTS The gel scored high for lathering well, rinsing off easily and smoothing skin, and 100% of users said it didn’t irritate. One likened the warm fruity-floral scent to a “fine” fragrance; another said it made for “an elevated shower experience.” RARE BEAUTY FIND COMFORT GENTLE EXFOLIATING BODY WASH, $24, SEPHORA Dazzling Sunscreen Hawaiian Tropic’s GH Beauty Lab test–winning lotion is proof that mineral SPFs can be a pleasure to apply. LAB RESULTS Testers’ most-loved mineral formula, it was easy to use, wasn’t drying (two called it “moisturizing”) and didn’t transfer. Its”beachy” scent got the top score. HAWAIIAN TROPIC MINERAL SKIN NOURISHING MILK SPF 50, $13, TARGET Brilliant Oil A gold standard, Palmer’s…