SBTRCT Vitamin C Booster Starter Kit, £38
Best facial exfoliator
Don’t be put off by the deep-red hue. This peeling solution from The Ordinary delivers impressive results with its mix of powerful AHAs and BHAs that, together, boost radiance and even skin tone for a brighter, smoother complexion. And thanks to vitamin B5 and hyaluronic acid, the peel doesn’t dry or irritate skin.
Shortlist:
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £34
Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant, £65
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, £78
Best SPF for face
SPF needn’t be a chore to apply. The best formulas, like La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Sunscreen, sink in immediately, without leaving a greasy residue behind. As well as shielding skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, La Roche-Posay has also gone one step further and developed a new filter – named Mexoryl 400 – to effectively protect against long UV rays, which penetrate deeper and unleash more damage. Free from fragrance and hypoallergenic, the formula is also suitable for sensitive skins.
Shortlist:
Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF40, £36
Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF50+ Hydrating Facial Skinscreen, £34
Vichy Capital Soleil Mattifying 3-In-1 SPF50+, £18.95
Best acne treatment
La Roche-Posay steals the top spot again – but this time, for its Effaclar Duo (+) Corrective Unclogging Care. Hailed as the ultimate blemish-buster, this gel-cream minimises the appearance of breakouts, helps prevent acne scarring and takes down shine with a mattifying formula that is laced with salicylic acid to decongest pores and zinc PCA to keep sebum under control.
Shortlist:
Nip + Fab Retinol Fix Blemish Treatment, £19.95
Murad Deep Relief Blemish Treatment, £42
ZitSticka Killa Deep Access Patch, £15
Best pigmentation treatment
If pigmentation is your beauty bugbear, turn to this winning formula from The Ordinary. Pairing niacinamide with zinc, it helps to fade dark spots caused by age, the sun or breakouts, and repairs damaged skin for a more even skin tone and new-found glow.
Shortlist:
Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, £50
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum, £100
Allies Of Skin Mandelic Pigmentation Corrector Night Serum, £98
Best hydrating serum
Inspired by Korean makeup artists, this serum-meets-highlighter serves up glazed skin with a do-good formula that is brimming with hydrating niacinamide. Use it as the final step in your skincare routine, or apply a few drops on top of makeup for a sheer, wet-look glow.
Shortlist:
CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, £21
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Daily Booster, £27.50
Elizabeth Arden Hyaluronic Acid Ceramide Capsules Hydra-Plumping Serum, £49
Best brightening serum
This brilliant serum is powered by THD ascorbate – a powerful, non-irritating and stable form of vitamin C that is adored by skin experts for its brightening benefits. With continued use, this daily essential minimises the appearance of hyperpigmentation and protects against environmental stressors – all while boosting the radiance of even the most sallow skin.
Shortlist:
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical Pure 12% Vitamin C Face Serum, £29.99
Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster With Pure Vitamin C 10%, £63
Lancôme Rénergie HCF Triple Serum, £99
Best retinol
_SQ.jpg)
A great entry-level retinol, this serum from The Inkey List uses 1% stabilised retinol and 0.5% granactive retinoid to soften fine lines, boost glow and even skin tone – all for just £12.99. Gentle yet effective, it also contains squalane to ensure skin stays hydrated and doesn’t become irritated.