The Stylist Skincare Awards are back and bigger than ever – here’s our full list of worthy winners

Removing make-up has never been easier thanks to this balm-to-oil moringa-rich formula. The buttery texture melts off mascara in a flash, leaving skin feeling cleansed and hydrated – no tightness to feel here. The heavenly spa-like scent will also make this the most calming moment in anyone’s self-care routine.

Available at Space NK, £52

This cleanser creates a soft lather to help banish excess sebum and clear clogged pores, thanks to the exfoliating trio of salicylic, mandelic and polyhydroxy acids. Despite sloughing away dead skin cells like a pro, this won’t leave skin feeling dry and actually works to strengthen your skin barrier and retain moisture. It can be used day and night, as well as on the body, making it a great all-rounder.

Available at Boots, £22

Whenever we feel a breakout erupting, this is our first port of call. Pink clay draws out impurities to target blackheads, grime and excess oils to leave pores clear, while papaya enzymes brighten and Caudalie’s signature ingredient, grape, helps protect the skin barrier. Use twice a week for up to 10 minutes to reap all the benefits.

Available at Cult Beauty, £26

As the name suggests, this is an at-home facial in a colourful bottle. This contains two of our favourite skincare ingredients: azelaic acid and salicylic acid. The former can help soothe everything from sensitivity to breakouts, while the latter promotes radiance and clear skin. Niacinamide and ceramides are also in the mix to support the skin barrier and brighten. Apply a pump or two as the last step of your nighttime skincare routine and you’ll wake up with happy skin.

Available at Space NK, £64

The Stylist beauty team has been through more bottles of this serum than we can count – yes, it’s really that good. It contains a potent mix of 15% pure L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% vitamin E for the ultimate antioxidant blend to help protect against environmental aggressors taking a toll on the skin. The serum itself adds an instant radiance to the skin, while leaving it looking more even and smooth with continued use.

Available at Lookfantastic, £169

PDRN is arguably the ‘it’ ingredient of the skincare world, and for good reason – it supercharges your skin’s healing processes and provides strong anti-inflammatory effects. K-beauty is leading the charge with Medicube. Containing 1% salmon PDRN, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and peptides, this serum tackles a plethora of issues ranging from pigmentation to texture irregularities. The lightweight formula soaks in instantly and helps nourish the skin barrier where it needs it most. 

Available at Space NK, £18

Struggling with pigmentation or post-acne scarring? Tranexamic acid is going to be your new best friend. This plush serum contains the star ingredient, as well as 2% vitamin C derivative and acai berry extract to give you a triple pronged approach to brightening and evening out your skintone. At under £20, we can’t get over how sophisticated this formulation is for the price tag.

Available at Space NK, £17

This innovative serum does what no one has done before and combines the powerhouse ingredients of retinol and vitamin C into one bottle. To help support the skin in rejuvenation, there’s also a soothing peptide in there to make sure this efficacious formula doesn’t irritate skin. Use at night and these hard-working ingredients will refine texture, add radiance and make pores appear less noticeable.

Available at Boots, £60

Featuring a vegan alternative to the classic PDRN, which is usually derived from salmon DNA, as well as multiple types of thirst-quenching hyaluronic acid and glycerin, dry skin is no match for this silky serum. As a base for make-up, this ticks a lot of boxes: it’s not sticky or greasy. It delivers an instant plumping effect to the skin. And it will have your complexion radiating dewiness after just a few drops.

Available at Boots, £31.99

Despite its lightweight, almost jelly-like texture, this serum is deeply hydrating, without leaving any greasiness behind. Camellia is the powerhouse behind this formula, in both extract and fermented form, thanks to a Japanese bio-fermentation process. It helps slow down the loss of elasticity and firmness within the skin while retaining your moisture barrier. Expect to see a visible plumpness to the skin, as well as softness and a boost of radiance, too. 

Available at Space NK, £97

For those days when skin is looking a bit worse for wear due to some late-night doomscrolling (no judgement here), this Dior serum is a welcome lifeline. A plant-derived version of PDRN is paired with niacinamide, vitamin Cg (a water-soluble derivative of pure vitamin C), and exo-liposome technology that allows for these efficacious ingredients to work deep beneath the skin’s surface over a number of hours to maximum results. This helps tackle everything from dark spots to dullness. It’s the skincare equivalent of a lightbulb moment.

Available at John Lewis, £72

Bespoke skincare almost sounds too good to be true, but Klira has made the impossible possible. After an extensive online skin analysis to decode your customised formula, you’re given your unique prescription of active prescription skincare, delivered straight to your door in one serum. It helps cut out the middle man and streamlines your skincare routine, making sure you’re only using the ingredients you really need. It’s a genius way to cut through the noise of the skincare world.

Available at Klira, £75 per month

When it launched, Clinique’s Moisture Surge became an instant beauty hall of famer. As well as its comfortable oil-free gel-cream texture, we love the way it sinks into skin instantly to flood the skin with deep moisture. Oily skin can often lack hydration, leading your skin to over-produce oil in a bid to hydrate itself. But this formula’s lightweight formula combined with its plumping finish makes it perfect for those with oilier skin types.

Available at Lookfantastic, £42

If you have blemish-prone skin, it’s important to make sure you aren’t using a product that’ll exacerbate them. This Bioderma formula contains a powerful combination of AHAs and BHAs that help to eliminate signs of spots and blackheads. It also fades post-inflammatory marks without drying out skin, leaving skin ultra-smooth.

Available at Lookfantastic, £19

When you have sensitive skin, it can be scary knowing which brands you can trust and which won’t leave you red, flaky and irritated (in complexion and mood). Enter Dr Sam’s. The eponymous brand is the brainchild of cosmetic dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting, who creates thoughtful formulations – and this has become a beauty team favourite. It’s packed with ceramides to hydrate skin and works on every skin type, including those with eczema.

Available at Space NK, £36

If you struggle with dry skin all year round, or find it gets worse in the winter, this pot is glowing, intense hydration in a jar. It contains a 3% ceramide complex and 1% phyto-lipids that makes this buttery texture sink in with ease, not leaving a hint of grease in its wake. And once its absorbed, you can’t help but notice how much fresher your skin looks, too.

Available at Keats, £29

The lightweight formula of this Tatcha moisturiser feels like a refreshing drink for skin. Once it’s applied, multi-molecular-weight gylcerine reduces water loss and strengthens the skin barrier. Tapping into its rich Japanese heritage, the formula also contains a trio of double-fermented rice, green tea and algae to leave skin looking healthier. And there isn’t even a hint of tackiness.

Available at Space NK, £69

We always call for the need to apply a separate SPF 50, but Skin + Me’s moisturiser-meets-sunscreen innovation guarantees a sufficient dose of SPF 50 with every application. It has a clever ‘doser’ in its packaging to ensure you apply the correct amount. Not only does it mean cutting a step in your routine, but you don’t have to second-guess whether you applied enough in the morning. Just make sure you reapply throughout the day, of course.

Available at Skin + Me, £21.99

Tapping into CeraVe’s signature ceramide complex, this ointment also contains pharmaceutical-grade petrolatum to prevent water loss and deliver instant relief to dry skin. Despite its thick texture, it doesn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable and sinks into skin easily. Consider it the ultimate chapped skin saviour, particularly during the colder months.

Available at Cult Beauty, £15

Does this product need an introduction? Ever since launching in 1930, Eight Hour Cream became a skin-soothing icon, proven by the countless amounts of tubes the Stylist beauty team has got through. It combines petrolatum, beta-hydroxy and vitamin E to nourish and treat skin and can be used in numerous different ways, from lip balm and cuticle care to treating sunburn and dry elbows.

Available at Lookfantastic, £31

Nothing refreshes the skin quite like a mist, but this unique formula will not only feel good to use but also directly impact the skin. Originally designed for Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, this ancient formula has become an icon. Featuring rich thermal waters to help heal and kickstart skin rejuvenation, this purifies and tones with every spritz.

Available at Cult Beauty, £70

Spot treatments can be a tricky thing to get right. They have to be quick at getting to work, while not pilling on the skin or leaving your breakout bone-dry. This lightweight gel is everything you want from a spot solution without any of the pet peeves. It dries invisibly and leaves no residue, working perfectly with your make-up. 2% salicylic acid helps clear your pimple, while niacinamide brightens and eliminates redness.

Available at Lookfantastic, £25

Having tried and tested too many spot stickers to count, these are the ones we reach for the most. As the name suggests, these really are barely visible on skin and stay put, too. No, you won’t wake up to find them stuck to your pillow when your alarm goes off. Even better? They shorten the lifespan of your breakout, speed up the healing process and help prevent skin-pickers from making matters worse.

Available at Boots, £9.99

Coming in three shades (light, medium and dark), these drops can be used on the face or body to bronze up your complexion and balance out your skintone. Not your average tanner, the liquid is also infused with green, peach and purple colour-correcting pigments for the ultimate even canvas. If that wasn’t enough, the golden glow these drops add should be.

Available at Cult Beauty, £19.95

Clarins’ cult classic serum has been turned into an eye-specific formula, to help specifically address this delicate area of the skin. Despite its lightweight texture, it doesn’t skimp on hydration and helps to combat puffiness and darkness around the eyes. A powerhouse of turmeric extract, niacinamide and horse chestnut escin, it works hard to refresh and renew.

Available at Boots, £64

Harnessing biotech-powered ingredient DHK-3, this pot of wonder works hard to firm and strengthen skin. Additional ingredients like pro-collagen bio-ferment, a ceramide complex and arctic sea water also help to brighten, nourish and smooth the area around the eye. When you tap on the non-greasy, silky gel-cream, it feels instantly cooling, making it our go-to for a quick hit of refreshment.

Available at Space NK, £144

As skin-boosting as they are chic (and very chic, they are), these under-eye patches are infused with low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, which can penetrate the skin more deeply. Alongside diminishing signs of puffiness, they also make the perfect step before applying make-up and leave skin feeling soft and smooth.

Available at Harrods, £86 for 10

Beauty sleep in a jar, this potent formula works overnight when your skin is busy repairing itself to help support healing and deliver visible results. The rich balm cocoons the skin with a lipid infusion to feed your skin barrier, while peptides encourage skin renewal and multi-molecular weights of hyaluronic acid pump the skin with moisture. It’s like a battery pack to recharge the skin.

Available at Marks & Spencer, £89

From handbags and glove compartments to bedside tables and office desks, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Stylist beauty team have little pots of this everywhere – and for good reason. It’s packed with a blend of antioxidant-rich grape and pomegranate extracts, alongside ultra-nourishing coconut oil, murumuru butter and shea butter to leave even the flakiest of lips soft and deeply hydrated.

Available at Space NK, £21

The Stylist beauty desk gets inundated with lip care products and this is the one that genuinely helps prevent peeling and dry skin from the get-go. Rich in an endless list of oils, including castor, jojoba, coconut and pomegranate to name just a few, this buttery mask plumps and replenishes your pout. Trust us, your lips will have never felt so smooth.

Available at Cult Beauty, £21

Whether your complexion is constantly dry, feels irritated or needs an extra helping hand in prepping, adding an essence into your routine is the ticket. Tapping into the Japanese trend for double-moisturising, this lightweight formula has a water-like texture enriched with hydrating glycerin and eucalyptus extract. It also helps with the absorption of any moisturisers that follow.

Available at Boots, £17.50

When testing, we were on the lookout for any products that added an obvious glowy boost to our complexion, and this ticked the box. It contains brightening saffron extract, antioxidant vitamin E, softening baobab, soothing olive oil and exfoliating lactic acid: all of which team up to give skin a natural-looking luminosity.

Available at Boots, £18

Skincare expert Caroline Hirons has long versed us on the importance of a healthy skin barrier, so it makes sense that her face oil helps achieve exactly that. Ingredients like squalane, jojoba oil and seed oils not only tackle dryness but reduce moisture loss, too. Massage it onto skin at the very end of your routine and you’ll notice how much softer and more supple your skin feels.

Available at Space NK, £65

You don’t need to drop a small fortune for good skincare formulations. This luxurious-feeling cream contains hyaluronic acid and squalane for hydration and to prevent further moisture loss, niacinamide to brighten skin and peptides to leave it feeling plump. It has become our go-to no-frills moisturiser when we want a hit of hydration at a very reasonable price tag.

Available at Boots, £14

Originally launched in 1994, Marks & Spencer has overhauled its Formula range, and the results are brilliant. Expect innovative formulations grounded in science without the eye-watering price tag (the most expensive product sits under £30). The line-up includes a peptide serum, vitamin C eye cream, retinoid serum and AHA toner, to name a few, and each product was a hit with our beauty team.

Available at Marks & Spencer, from £12

Hailing from J-beauty brand Bioré, this is one of the beauty team’s favourite innovations. Japan is known for its water-based sunscreens and this one works to not only deliver high protection against the sun, but feels refreshing and energising on skin, too. It blends easily, leaves zero white cast and sits well under make-up. The perfect addition to any skincare routine.

Available at Superdrug, £15.99

While primers are typically associated with our make-up routines, they’re also a vital step for prepping our skin. In fact, we’d consider them an essential bridge between our skincare and make-up regimes. As well as creating a base to lock in your foundation, this water-based formula contains 2% niacinamide to leave skin feeling plump and juicy.

Available at Lookfantastic, £10.99

If your skin is prone to redness or irritation, sometimes you have to call in the big guns. This salon-strength formula uses red algae and plant stem cells to quickly soothe and calm skin, as well as reducing inflammation associated with rosacea. It also helps to build up your skin’s resilience over time.

Available at Katherine Daniels, £93

We’ve lost count of all the ways you can use this multipurpose toner. With 7% glycolic acid in the mix, reach for this if you’re looking to erase any bumpy texture and achieve brighter, smoother skin. Despite its effective exfoliating properties, it won’t dry out skin, thanks to a soothing combination of aloe vera and ginseng root. Apply on any bumpy areas of the face, to the scalp to rebalance, or on the body to treat ingrown hairs.

Available at Boots, £11.90

We all know the importance of wearing sunscreen, yet around 40% of Brits don’t apply it daily. The reason usually comes down to texture, and this is something La Roche-Posay has tackled (and conquered) with its latest SPF formula. Hinted at in the name, UVAIR is ultra-lightweight and once applied, you’ll forget you’re even wearing it. And, of course, it still delivers very high protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Available at Cult Beauty, £27

Gentle, easy-to-clean silicone bristles help supercharge your cleansing routine using gentle pulsations to massage the skin and sweep away impurities and grime. With 16 intensity options to choose from, you can find one that works perfectly for your skin. With use, you’ll spot fewer breakouts and more balanced skin over time. This is a saviour for all skin types and has a sacred spot in our skincare routines.

Available at Lookfantastic, £189

These collagen sachets not only completely dissolve into water, leaving no gritty residue behind, but they also have a subtle taste – both a rarity in the world of collagen supplements. The combination of fast-acting tripeptide collagen, hyaluronic acid and digestive enzymes makes for a powerful skin-caring trio, guaranteed to leave you with a visible glow. Just add to your water bottle or morning coffee.

Available at Cult Beauty, £55 for 30 sachets

Supporting skin from within, these capsules contain everything your could need for a healthy complexion. You have the obvious ingredients, such as vitamins A and C, zinc and biotin, but it also includes amino acids, the building blocks for collagen production and hyaluronic acid. This promotes stronger hair, nails and skin by protecting and hydrating from the inside. If your skin is in need of some serious TLC, this is the ultimate no-faff approach.

Available at Artah, £45

Nivea is a brand that is synonymous with reliable sunscreen and this blue bottle is the perfect example of why. When it comes to body sunscreen, a formula that sinks in quickly, doesn’t feel greasy and leaves zero white cast are absolute musts, and we’re pleased to report this ticked off all of those requirements. It’s also water-resistant (though be sure to reapply) and contains a vitamin C and hyaluronic acid complex to offer skin an additional protective barrier.

Available at Boots, £8.70

Body acne is a tough one to treat at the best of times, but it’s made even more difficult if you can’t reach the spot you’re trying to treat, like your back. This clarifying spritz eliminates the application conundrum (it can even be used upside down, unlike traditional sprays) and is packed with salicylic acid to target blemishes, tea tree and witch hazel to clarify, and Moroccan argan extract to soothe. Bacne won’t stand a chance.

Available at Cult Beauty, £25

Thanks to crunching over our laptops and gazing at screens all day, our necks need some TLC. This non-greasy serum does exactly that, helping to repair the delicate neck and décolletage area. Hyaluronic acid soothes and hydrates, while peptides repair to give your neck a smoother finish.

Available at Boots, £42.95

Revitalash has been in every beauty editor’s make-up bag for years, and it’s the foolproof way to achieve longer, fuller lashes with minimal effort. The unique BioPeptin Complex (that features a cocktail of peptides and botanicals) strengthens the lash at the root, as well as preventing breakages and brittleness, so they are more resilient. There’s also added flexibility and hydration, all resulting in a fluttery set of natural lashes.

Available at Cult Beauty, £99

Brow trends come and go, but the one constant theme is that we want healthy-looking arches. They’re the defining feature of our faces, after all. This lightweight serum is going to make that a whole lot easier. Designed to thicken sparse hairs and stimulate new growth in just four weeks, thanks to a cocktail of vitamins (H, F, E and B5, to be exact) and blend of nourishing argan and coconut oil.

Available at BBB London, £27

We’re well-versed in the toll multiple heatwaves take on us, and this has been a saviour this summer. For those moments when you feel sticky and in desperate need of a rinse, with no access to a shower, this deodorant can be used head-to-toe for instant freshness. The gourmand combination of raspberry and rose is a crowd-pleaser while the formula is dermatologist-tested, too. It’s a gym bag must-have.

Available at Boots, £6.30

The moment we spritzed this body serum onto our skin, we knew we were onto a winner. Harnessing the brand’s clever HydroCell technology, it not only deeply hydrates skin but stimulates the skin’s own natural production of hyaluronic acid. Meaning it actively encourages your skin to hydrate itself. Our favourite part was the gorgeous, dewy glow it leaves behind. It hasn’t got a hint of stickiness but makes even the dullest skin look revived in mere seconds.

Available at Boots, £12.99

When you consider what you put your feet through every day, it’s only right that they have a targeted product to keep them in good condition. The skin on our soles and heels is thicker to protect us against impact. Add to that the way we stuff them into socks and shoes on the daily, and it’s clear you need a product that can keep them fresh, which is why this is so brilliant. Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream is formulated with tea tree oil for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, while salicylic acid eliminates foot odours. Plus, its rich balmy texture leaves feet softer than ever.

Available at Space NK, £24

With our diaries getting busier than ever, we’re always looking for ways to incorporate little pockets of joy and relaxation into our day. This body oil has notes of uplifting geranium to boost your mood, while softening and smoothing skin. Even better, it can also be used as a body wash, transforming your shower into your very own at-home spa.

Available at Bramley, £32

When it came to the results of our VIP votes, this product won unanimously, and we weren’t surprised. These aluminium tubes are a mainstay on the Stylist beauty desk. It harnesses 20% organic Fairtrade shea butter, creating a luxurious, buttery cream that sinks into skin like a dream. While it keeps hands moisturised for hours on end, we can’t resist reapplying it throughout the day, thanks to its soothing jasmine and ylang-ylang fragrance.

Available at John Lewis, £27

When we talk about exciting innovation in the world of body care, this is what we mean. Sanctuary Spa has created a three-phased formula – three oils that deliver different levels of hydration. Simply shake to blend the oils together. As well as being gentle on skin and leaving limbs feeling ultra soft, its dreamy scent instantly makes showering feel more luxurious. Think warming notes of black pepper, freesia and sandalwood.

Available at Boots, £9.50

We want a body scrub that does a thorough job at shifting dead, dull skin cells, doesn’t cause irritation and still manages to simultaneously hydrate skin. This one nails it. It delivers a gentle chemical exfoliation to renew and brighten skin, while soothing prebiotic oats add a hefty dose of nourishment.

Available at Lookfantastic, £10.49

Consider this a good night’s sleep, bottled. It contains tension-releasing magnesium, skin-smoothing coconut milk and mineral-boosting Himalayan salts to create the ultimate indulgent bath. Sprinkle it into your tub, enjoy a dreamy soak and come out feeling refreshed and prepared for solid sleep. Just don’t forget to set your alarm.

Available at Space NK, £70

When it comes to fake tan, there are two things you need to get right: the right shades and undertone, as well as a smooth and breezy application process. This body gel by Lancaster ticks both these boxes. The undertones aren’t too orange, nor too ashy, and the hydrating gel blends seamlessly on the skin without fear of streaks or patches. Best of all, this won’t stain your white bed sheets. 

Available at Boots, £30

We’ve all been there: no matter how careful you tried to be, you caught just a little too much sun during your holiday and your skin is in desperate need of some TLC. This handy tube utilises the powerful benefits of aloe vera to leave skin feeling instantly soothed. During testing, we enjoyed popping it in the fridge to really amp up its cooling benefits.

Available at Holland & Barrett, £8.99