Many personal care products on the market promise innovation, but few actually deliver. Companies often use buzzwords without backing them up with real research. However, there are some standout products in the beauty and wellness space that have truly delivered on their promises this year. From high-tech sleep trackers to cutting-edge hair dryers, these five products have impressed with their innovative features and functionality.
(Editor’s Note: This is a section from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Be sure to read the full list of the 50 greatest innovations of 2024.)
Grand Award Winner
Oura Ring 4 by Oura: A wellness tracker with a slimmer profile and beefier features
The Oura Ring 4 is a standout wellness tracker that offers a slimmer profile and enhanced features compared to its predecessors. With a new Smart Sensing algorithm and flatter sensors, this model is more comfortable and capable than ever. The ring’s sensors include red and infrared LEDs for blood oxygen levels, green and infrared LEDs for heart rate and respiration tracking, a digital thermometer, and an accelerometer. The redesigned Oura App provides a customizable platform for translating the ring’s data into valuable insights on sleep quality, recovery, stress, fitness, and fertility. With a range of sizes and luxurious finishes, the Oura 4 ring sets a new standard for wearable wellness technology.
Custom-Jet Oral Health System by Proclaim: Finally, a true alternative to flossing
Flossing is a chore for many, but the Proclaim Custom-Jet Oral Health System offers a revolutionary alternative. This device, which may resemble a typical water flosser at first glance, is in a league of its own. Featuring a custom-molded mouthpiece that can be 3D scanned at a dentist’s office, the Proclaim system positions up to 60 water jets precisely to clean between teeth and below the gum line. This 360-degree power wash takes just seconds, and multiple mouthpieces can be swapped out on a single device, making it suitable for multiple users in a household.
Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding Treatment by Olaplex: A quick fix for damaged curls
Olaplex is known for its bond repair treatments, and the Bond Shaper Curl Rebuilding Treatment is no exception. This salon-strength treatment uses a proprietary peptide to rebuild curl-shaping disulfide bonds, leaving curls looking healthier and bouncier. Unlike other bond repair treatments that focus on smoothing hair, this product is specifically designed to enhance and repair curls damaged by heat and styling.
