These were some of the most talked-about skincare brands of 2020 (and prices start from just £4.90)
This has been a big year for skincare. Maybe it's because we've all been confined to our homes much more than usual, so have had more time to dedicate to our skincare routine; or maybe it's the innovative, hard-working formulas that have sky-rocketed sales of new product drops and their brands.
One way to tell which brands have proved the most popular this year is to track mentions in online forums and platforms. Reddit have published their first ever UK 2020 Year in Review report, working with their internal data team to highlight the top trends and topics across UK-interest communities in 2020.
"In the UK, we’re continuing to see an increase in users coming to the platform for skincare and makeup advice, with both r/skincareaddictionuk and r/makeupaddictionuk seeing increases in year-over-year activity in the past 12 months," a Reddit spokesperson told GLAMOUR. "Whether it’s seeking advice, trialing new products or simply sharing personal experiences, beauty fans on Reddit continue to be a very passionate and engaged community."
These were the top five most discussed skincare brands on Reddit in 2020...
1. CeraVe
CeraVe is the number one dermatologist recommended skincare brand, according to a IQVIA 2019-2020 ProSource survey. The brand was developed in 2005 after experts noticed that common skin complaints – acne, eczema, psoriasis and dry skin – all derived from a compromised skin barrier. That's why all CeraVe's products contain three essential ceramides to help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier.
You can shop CeraVe at LookFantastic (click here for LookFantastic discount codes), Boots and Superdrug.
2. The Ordinary
A brand falling under the DECIEM umbrella, The Ordinary sent beauty lovers into meltdown when it launched in 2016 with the drop of their £5.80 retinol, a fraction of the cost of other brands' retinol-infused products. Their ethos is transparent and cruelty-free, catering to a variety of complexion concerns and skin tones, too.
You can shop The Ordinary at Beauty Bay (fancy a Beauty Bay discount code?), Cult Beauty (we've got Cult Beauty discount codes, too) and Boots.
3. La Roche Posay
La Roche Posay are the OG sensitive skin specialists. They're committed to creating dermatological skincare, developed in partnership with dermatologists, that's accessible to all. Reportedly recommended by 90,000 dermatologists, the brand tackles skin concerns from allergies to acne, with efficient yet gentle formulas that can be tolerated by even the most sensitive skin.
4. Paula’s Choice
Paula Begoun struggled with acne and eczema for years and began researching the science behind skincare, eventually making it her mission to launch a no-BS beauty brand; with honesty and integrity at its core. Paula's Choice was born in 1995 and is now one of the best-loved skincare brands on the market, particularly the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant which was one of the industry's first leave-on exfoliants, and quickly became a global bestseller.
You can shop Paula's Choice at Cult Beauty and Feel Unique. Use this Feel Unique discount code while you're at it.
5. The INKEY List
It's safe to say The Inkey List is one of the buzziest brands in beauty right now, so we weren't surprised to see it make the list. In fact, last year it was claimed that they sold a product every 30 seconds in the UK since launching. No wonder, really, seeing as they're the pioneers of simplified, straightforward skincare – with no more complex or pseudo-scientific jargon – and labels and packaging that give you a clear and concise rundown of what the product is, what it does and what it should and shouldn't be used with.
You can shop The INKEY List at Feel Unique, Cult Beauty and Boots. Fancy yourself a Boots discount code to make your order cheaper? Course you do.
CeraVe Reparative Eye Cream,
£12£9, BootsA wonder product for dark circle sufferers, hyaluronic acid helps to lock in moisture for more wide-awake eyes. We love how the silky texture instantly soaks into the skin.
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin,
£9.50£7.12, BootsSome foaming cleansers can be too harsh, stripping skin of essential oils and leaving it thirsty and lacklustre, but CeraVe's foaming cleanser is gentle, retaining skin's natural moisture and protecting its barrier, while effectively removing make-up and the day's dirt and oil.
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream with Salicylic Acid,
£12£9, BootsIdea for anyone who suffers with eczema, psoriasis, bumpy skin, uneven texture or sensitivity, this SA Smoothing Cream uses salicylic acid to gently smooth the skin's surface. Don't be put off by the word 'exfoliate' – maintaining the skin's natural protective barrier is the name of the game for CeraVe.
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane, £11.90, Cult Beauty
Want to try retinol without the commitment? This hard-working, low-irritation serum is for you. It uses a concentration of advanced retinoid active 'Granactive Retinoid', which has been shown to have anti-ageing benefits without any of the potential irritation of regular retinol.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, £5, Cult Beauty
Niacinamide is the underrated wonder ingredient for blemish-prone skin. This serum will become your go-to for banishing breakouts, clogged pores and confused combination complexions.
The Ordinary 100% L-Ascorbic Acid Powder, £4.90, Cult Beauty
A breakthrough in vitamin C products (which have been flooding the market this year), this vit C powder is mixed with other treatments in the palm of your hand and applied to your face once a day. Check the label for advice, as combining topical vitamin C with some other ingredients can affect its integrity.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Ultra Concentrated Serum,
£32£27.20, Feel UniqueIf you've been suffering a serious case of lockdown face this year, you need to add this serum to your basket ASAP. We've slathered it on every morning since we got it, and now we wouldn't be without it. The combo of glycolic acid with salicylic acid and LHA turfs out any impurity-causing dirt from pores to tackle blemishes and imperfections. The result? A clearer, smoother complexion.
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Lait Urea 5+,
£22£18.70, Feel UniqueSuffering with rough, dry, flaky skin this winter? Containing 5% pure UREA plus an exfoliating factor, this cream gently buffs away any 'bitty' areas while instantly quenching skin's thirst.
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Facial Ultra Light Fluid,
£17.50£14.85, Feel UniqueOkay, summer may feel a very long way off, but we are great believers in wearing SPF year-round, even when there's (sadly) not a ray of sunshine in sight. Plus, the lightly-tinted finish will add a subtly healthy glow to sun-deprived winter skin.
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster, £46, Cult Beauty
A little goes a long way of this potent vitamin C serum, so it'll last you for ages. And at this time of year, we're very much in need of its brightening, radiance-boosting properties.
Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturiser, £30, Cult Beauty
A lightweight, nourishing day moisturiser is a beauty cabinet must-have all year round, and this one is packed with plant-powered ingredients, like kiwi and liquorice root extract to help combat environmental pollutants.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £10, Cult Beauty
There's a reason this BHA Liquid Exfoliant is one of Paula's Choice's best-sellers. The gentle leave-on formula uses beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to help battle breakouts and blackheads for a more even, clearer complexion.
The INKEY List Collagen Booster, £8.99, ASOS
You may not be bothered with adding collagen to your skincare routine if you're young, but we're firm (see what we did there?) believers in it at all ages. This pre-serum booster helps support skin firmness and elasticity for a plumper, youthful look.
The INKEY List Eye Caffeine Serum, £8.99, ASOS
A fine line-busting, silky eye serum without the premium price tag so commonly associated with eye products? Sign us up. Coffee-derived antioxidants are inflammatory, helping to de-puff, and collagen-boosting peptides help fight the signs of tiredness and ageing.
The INKEY List Tranexamic Acid Brightening Night Treatment, £14.99, ASOS
We don't know about you, but we've been suffering more hyper-pigmentation on our skin than ever this year – perhaps as a result of being confined to our homes more than usual. That's why we've been loving this night treatment, which helps to reduce pigmentation and brighten the complexion using a wonder cocktail of vitamin C, acai berry and tranexamic acid.
