I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a total nerd when it comes to skincare. Luckily, as a beauty editor, it’s my job to sift through all the new launches and unpack what actually works – it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!
While claims and studies are strong evidence of efficacy, I like boots-on-the-ground journalism, specifically finding out how these products work in the wild across different skin types and tones. Admittedly, at a party, I’m the person cornering people to ask what their favourite skincare products are and why.
So, as everyone focuses on their skin at the start of the year, what better way to help you navigate the thousands of products out there than by enlisting some of our favourite skincare obsessives to share their all-time favourite holy grail products? The skincare products they’d take with them to a deserted island.
From cult faves to undiscovered gems, keep scrolling to find out the skincare products that our 17 skincare experts swear by.
Dominic Cadogan
‘Picking my all-time favourite holy grail skincare products is a difficult task! As you’ll find out below, my fellow skincare obsessives have highlighted loads of great products that are already on heavy rotation in my routine – think cult faves from the likes of Paula’s Choice, Tatcha, The Ordinary and more, but I wanted to put you onto some undiscovered gems.’
‘COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a hydration hero, but the lesser-known Comfort Ceramide Cream is a repeat purchase for me. As a dry skin girlie, the nourishing texture of this rich moisturiser is perfect and the skin-loving ceramide and centella asiatica gives my skin a noticeable plumpness and refined finish.’
‘While La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ is hardly undiscovered, I couldn’t not mention it. A product that took a while for me to get my head around, for me it works best as a skin saviour on days where I’m feeling particularly dry and need some extra TLC. Before bed, I apply a thin layer of this as the last step in my routine and wake up the next morning as if skincare elves have given me a nighttime facial – refreshed, glowing and intensely moisturised.’
‘On the rare occasion that I do get spots or blemishes, I immediately reach for The Inkey List Succinic Acid Blemish Treatment. I remember being sceptical when this product first launched, as lots of products promise to banish blemishes, but this one really works. Apply directly onto any spots as soon as they appear and like magic they’ll disappear overnight. Has to be seen to be believed!’
James Welsh
‘A far more grown-up and gentle way to deal with congested nose pores, blackheads and whiteheads. ilso Super Melting Sebum Softener gently softens and loosens congestion without ripping at the skin, making old-school pore strips feel harsh, outdated, and unnecessary! This product takes inspiration from a popular aesthetician product called desincrustation solution, so it’s like you are getting a professional extraction at home.’
‘Then I Met You Bong² Bounce Cream is what a modern barrier care cream should feel like! Bouncy, super hydrating, lightweight yet nourishing and healing. This is perfect for all skin types. It sits beautifully under makeup, giving you that iconic K-beauty glass skin glow. A barrier care cream that doesn’t feel pharmaceutical and boring.’
‘Not groundbreaking to be honest, but iconic for a reason. What I love about Elemis Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm is that it gives a deeply sensorial cleanse that turns makeup removal into a ritual and ‘you time’ rather than something to rush. Reminding you to slow down, massage, enjoy the scent and actually enjoy and benefit from the first step of your routine.’
Natalie O’Neill
‘All of these products I’ve been using since 2020, so for roughly six years now, and there’s a reason for that. Jordan Samuel Skin The After Show Treatment Cleanser makes me look forward to my evening skincare routine every single night. While I do like runnier oil cleansers, I find the gel-to-oil formulas, like this one, more practical, easier to travel with and less messy. This warms up easily in my hands and melts almost instantly when I massage it into my face. It removes all traces of makeup and sunscreen, without ever making my skin feel dry or tight. I also have perioral dermatitis and very breakout-prone skin, especially from new products, and this causes me zero issues.’
‘Dr Sam’s Flawless Cleanser has a unique texture that reminds me of ultrasound jelly, which sounds a little odd but is really enjoyable to massage into the skin. It may feel odd to you if you’re used to a foaming formula, but I promise it works just as well. The gel also has an almost cooling sensation (not derived from any irritating ingredients, moreso just that it’s a cool gel) that is refreshing to use after the gym or the oil cleanser I mentioned above. Together, this makes for the perfect double cleansing combination that completely cleans my skin without any irritation.’
‘Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser is criminally underrated – it’s so simple but effective. The texture is very lightweight, but it’s super efficient at keeping water content in the skin – my skin still feels hydrated hours afterwards. Over the years, I’ve tried it with tonnes of different makeup and sunscreens, and I’ve never had an issue with pilling. It really feels like a drink for my skin without being too much for summer or too little for winter.’
Mia Maugé
‘An iconic product, Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair is the first repair serum of its kind. I love the oil-free water gel texture. The active ingredients include the exclusive peptide that supports skin's natural day/night rhythm of protection by day and renewal at night. I find it comforting to use at night, but it also sits nicely under makeup too and gives a nice glowy base whilst it deeply hydrates my skin with hyaluronic acid.’
‘Eadem Mami Wata Ultra-Calming Rescue Mist is new to me, but it’s a staple now. I use it as the final part of my skincare routine on days when I’m going makeup-free and also as a skin refresher on top of my makeup throughout the day. It hydrates and protects your skin from daily aggressors and has a nice dewy finish.’
‘By Terry Tea to Tan Face & Body is one of my favourite products ever! It’s a hydrating and bronzing skincare mist, so it nourishes your skin with ingredients like bio cherry active essence while giving you a beautiful sun-kissed radiance. I use it on clean skin before my serum to get a natural looking tan from within.’
Okikiola Emaleku
‘As an aesthetician, I try out lots of products week in, week out – helping clients to make better choices. Choosing all-time favourites on five fingers is almost an impossible task!’
‘We have all been there, your skin suddenly starts to sting, burn and break out. The Inkey List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum is the perfect antidote for irritated skin.’
‘I discovered haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ around this time last year and haven’t stopped talking about it since. It checks all the boxes for what makes a perfect sunscreen.’
‘Kate Somerville Exfolikate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash is one of the mildest, yet most effective exfoliating cleansers that you’ll ever use. It’s great for all skin types and a staple in my routine.’
‘Medik8 Crystal Retinal 24 is the closest to prescription retinoid available over the counter. I love that it comes in different strengths, helping users find the right fit for them.’
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Jake-Jamie Ward
‘I could never justify spending £200+ on a moisturiser when products like the Mixsoon Bean Cream exist. It genuinely feels like it should come with a Crème de la Mer price tag because everything about it feels rich and luxurious, yet it is only around £20. It gives insane glow and instant payoff without leaving you looking like a greasy frying pan or sticky to the touch. It is comfortable to wear and just makes the skin look like you are having a really great skin day.
‘What really makes it a staple for me, though, is how good my skin looks over time. The longer I use it, the better the results get. There are so many products on the market and you do not always know if something is really working until you have used it consistently for a long time, but after using the Bean Cream for around a year and a half, it is something I can actually see. When I look in the mirror, I can tell that it has made a real difference to my skin.’
‘I have sensitive skin and one thing I absolutely despise in a cleanser is that stripped, squeaky, gasping for air tight feeling afterwards. As a skincare content creator, I have tried pretty much every cleanser going and I always come back to the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It gives me everything I want from a cleanser. Yes, it cleanses properly, but it also leaves my skin feeling comfortable and hydrated, with my barrier feeling supported and calm. It is also a huge bonus that it is affordable and comes in packaging you can just chuck in the shower. I am busy and I love that I can literally cleanse my face while I am in the shower and then it is done, which makes it so much easier to stay consistent. A cute aesthetic glass bottle cleanser might look nice on a dressing table, but in my everyday routine it just is not practical.’
‘It took me years to find a face tan that actually looked natural. Body tan was easy, but every face tan I tried never played nicely with the rest of my skincare routine. It would cling to dry patches, my beard and my brows, and then fade so unevenly. It was honestly a disaster. Then I found Fake Bake Flawless Coconut Tanning Serum For Face and Body and I have never had any of those issues again. It is a fake tan and skincare hybrid that just works, and one I genuinely never want to be without. The finish is natural, it fades evenly, and it fits seamlessly into my routine. If you also struggle to make tan look natural on your hands or your face, this one is completely foolproof.’
Evie Samuel
‘It’s really hard to choose my all-time favourites, but these are three products I find myself reaching for over and over again. Sunday Riley Good Genes is a lactic acid exfoliator that quite literally makes you look like you have very good genes. I love to use it to refine texture and give my skin a glow that looks like I’ve just had a facial. I also use this as a mask before events and the results and always gorgeous.’
‘Medik8 Crystal Retinal is also one of my most-used products. Retinal is such a star ingredient and there are so many skin issues it can help with. I personally see a huge reduction in breakouts when I’m using this and it really helps fade my dark marks. I love that it comes in different strengths and you can slowly work your way up as your tolerance builds.’
‘Finally, I have to mention Skinceuticals Silymarin CF. As someone who often struggles with finding the right vitamin C serum, this is pretty close to perfection. It’s especially formulated for breakout prone skin so it brightens whilst also helping to control breakouts. I’m always using this!’
Emma Jane
‘Dr Sam’s Neutralising Gel is a one-stop-shop treatment for blemishes and skin texture, which I'll be recommending to everyone until I'm in my grave. It works wonders on keeping my hormonal acne at bay!’
‘Lush Dream Cream is my sensitive skin saviour. Smells delicious, glides on literally like a dream, instantly leaving me feeling hydrated without any irritation.’
‘haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotic Barrier Essence is glass skin in a bottle. You get an immediate glow after using this, it absorbs instantly and lasts all day.’
Xavi Guillaume
‘I’d honestly die before someone could tell me, ‘Xavi, your skin looks dry.’ When it comes to cleansers, I hate those that strip the skin, so it’s great that Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam is incredibly moisture-rich. If skincare products had a Letterboxd, I’d probably give this five stars.’
‘Living in a big city can really do a number on your skin, so it’s no surprise your skin gets stressed. Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Cream is a holy grail, and I’ve been recommending it to every single person I know. Nourishing, hydrating, de-stressing, powerful multivitamins and boost skin resilience to prevent signs of skin ageing? Dermalogica, you really did your big one!’
Janet Adetunji
‘Curél Deep Moisture Spray is one of my favourite pick-me-up mists for replenishing moisture straight after cleansing. It instantly calms and soothes my skin while restoring that comfortable, hydrated feel. I love how it brings freshness back without heaviness as the mist is incredibly fine – perfect for supporting the skin barrier throughout the day.’
‘Hyperpigmentation is something I’m consistently managing, so SkinBetter Even Tone Correcting Serum plays a key role in my routine. With regular use, it helps support clarity and a more even-looking complexion over time, making my skin appear brighter and more balanced without irritation. It’s quite multifaceted, I don’t always wait till there’s something to fade before using, sometimes I even use it to prep for advanced treatments to keep my skin at bay.’
‘I take lip care just as seriously as face care – neglect shows up quite quick in the form of crust, flakes and cracks. S’able Labs Moringa Lip Salve strikes the perfect balance between deep nourishment and a soft, dewy finish. It keeps my lips smooth, hydrated and healthy looking without feeling sticky or heavy.’
Zak Heath
‘The lightweight cooling texture to Torriden Dive In Soothing Cream really surprised me. I was using it in summer because it gave instant relief from the hot sun, but now I’m using it in winter because my skin is extremely dry. The ultra-thin formula melts effortlessly into the skin without irritation, delivering hydration without heaviness or residue.’
‘After countless overnight masks that promised hydration but left me waking up just as dry, I was close to giving up until… Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Mask. The texture is rich and buttery; however, it absorbs beautifully into the skin, so you’re never left feeling extremely greasy! Instead, it seals in moisture overnight, and it leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated by morning.’
‘When it comes to affordable but science-backed skincare, The Ordinary never misses. The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum is a favourite because it’s going to protect your skin from UVA and UVB whilst leaving your skin super radiant and luminous. If you want a matte SPF I’d suggest something else but this is my drugstore holy grail.’
Temi Ojora
‘When I’m travelling, my two goals are to re-hydrate and de-puff. My starter pack is Fenty Skin Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask and 111Skin Cryo De-Puffing Eye Mask. This combination is soothing, rejuvenating and low effort for high reward. You wouldn’t know I’d just stepped off a 15-hour flight!’
Tobi Ojora
‘I love Skinceuticals Phloretin CF because it skins instantly and gets straight to work! It makes my skin look smoother, more refined and gives it this nice luminous glow. It truly does wonders for my complexion.’
‘Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one product that I will never ever part with – anytime I take it out of my rotation, it goes straight back in. It gives my skin a clear, polished, glassy look.’
‘There is something incredibly soothing about COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. It wraps my skin in hydration, giving it a soft, plump, supple look.’
Pamela Hughes
‘Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is my go-to when my skin needs an extra TLC. Super light so it layers well under makeup and mixes with other skincare without flaking . Perfect for spot control and smoothing texture.’
‘Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturiser is my favourite glowy moisturiser that feels hydrating and doesn’t clog my pores. A liquid version of the original Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, made for oilier skin types. Leaves a perfect amount of glow that stays all day. Also a perfect base for makeup.’
Shelley Auguiste
‘I use a prescription retinoid, so moisture is a non-negotiable in my skincare routine. Which explains why rhode Glazing Milk is a personal favourite. It’s deeply moisturising, without feeling heavy, and it doubles as the perfect makeup prep. My skin laps this up, especially overnight! I always wake up feeling smoother and plumper than the night before.’
‘Tatcha The Water Cream is my daily indulgence: it’s both weightless and intensely hydrating, despite being oil-free. Also, the little gold spatula feels unapologetically luxurious.’
‘My understated, no-nonsense favourite hydration source is The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. As a straightforward, reliable product, it can definitely fly under the radar. This is a product I’ve consistently used for years; it quietly does the work, reinforcing moisture and keeping my skin comfortable and resilient. I make sure I am always stocked up on hyaluronic acid, wherever I am.’
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% and B5
- Best for: Plumping and smoothing.
- Skin type suitable for: All.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 and glycerin.
- Cruelty-free? Yes.
- Fragranced? No.
- Tester: Shani Cohen, Glamour's Beauty Commerce Writer & Ashleigh Spiliopoulou, Glamour contributor.
Glamour editor review: “This drugstore hyaluronic acid serum not only carries an affordable price tag, but it also easily matches other products on the market when it comes to quality. The formula impressed me the most. For under £10, you’re getting 5 different types of low, medium and high-molecular weights of hyaluronic acid as well as HA cross-polymer and vitamin B5 to protect and support the skin barrier. It does feel a little tacky on the skin once it's dried, but it’s one of the best budget options around in my opinion.” - Shani Cohen.
Beauty writer Ashleigh Spiliopoulou is also a big fan of this serum, and has been using it for the past five years. In her full Glamour review, she said: “I’ve been using The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum for the past five years. Since 2021. I switched to the updated ceramide-infused version when it launched in 2024, and it’s remained a staple in my skincare routine ever since.
What I love most is how simple it is to use. The bottle, available in 30ml or 60ml, fits easily into a gym or overnight bag, so I’m never without it. I apply it straight after double cleansing whilst my skin is still damp, and find that it creates a lovely cooling feeling on my skin.”
Ama Qamata
‘L’Oréal Paris Glycolic-Bright Serum is an amazing product. At the risk of sounding like a nerd, it’s incredible how much I’ve learned about the science of caring for my skin as a Black woman. Our skin has different needs – for example, higher melanin levels make us more prone to acne scarring, dark marks and hyperpigmentation. L’Oréal created this product specifically to address those concerns. The key active ingredient is glycolic acid, which is truly a miracle worker – and it works! I’ve introduced this product to my entire family and friends – and now everyone is using it.’
‘L’Oréal Paris Plump Ambition Hyaluron Lip Oil gives pure ‘I’m that girl’ energy. It’s extremely hydrating and gives the lips a beautiful shine. There is a slight tingling or warming sensation, as it also helps to plump the lips.’
‘I love how my skin looks and feels when I use body butter. Have you seen how gorgeous dark skin looks when it’s properly hydrated and moisturised? It gives such a natural glow. I’m completely obsessed with body butters – I even make my own at home using shea butter, jojoba oil, avocado oil, vitamin E, sweet almond oil and sandalwood fragrance.’
Aamirah Esof
‘La Roche-Posay MelaB3 Serum is amazing for clearing hyperpigmentation quickly and effectively, not only does it brighten current pigmentation it helps to prevent future dark spots too, I really can’t be without it! Hero ingredients are patented melasyl, 10% niacinamide and vitamin B3.’
‘Medik8 Crystal Retinal is my absolute holy grail retinol. I’ve been loyal for six years, starting with Crystal Retinal 1, working my way through the strengths, which makes it ideal for beginners. My favourite thing about this formula is that there’s no irritation and my skin has been thriving - minimised fine lines and radiant skin!’
‘As a chronic dark circle girl, Tatcha The Eye Brightening Cream has significantly brightened my under eyes, and I don’t feel the need to wear concealer on no makeup days anymore. The formulas is lightweight but still hydrating so you can use it morning and night, this is the one eye cream I will always keep in my routine.’
