19 skincare winners that claim their place in the Glamour Beauty and Wellness Awards 2024
GLAMOUR’s readers are ‘skintellectuals’ – and, boy, do you know your stuff when it comes to deciphering the most effective skincare ingredients and formulas. From the acid exfoliator that guarantees a glow to the decadent cream that supports the skin’s barrier, it seems you can tell your salicylic acid from your ceramides.
So, when it came to the GLAMOUR Beauty & Wellness Power List Awards 2024, we knew the skincare winners would be chosen wisely.
Shortlisted by our expert panel, every nominee came highly recommended by renowned experts in the field, including Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme, founder and medical director of the Adonia Medical Clinic and Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London. But the final winners were decided by you.
This year’s line-up includes new entries from need-to-know brands, as well as cult classics that refuse to be replaced. Scroll on to see the standout stars that will give you a brighter, more robust complexion…
Best moisturiser
This purple pot from Tatcha is a godsend for drier complexions. With its ultra-nourishing formula, which combines Japanese botanical extracts with hyaluronic acid, it strengthens the skin’s defences and helps it hang on to moisture. With daily use, skin looks firm and bouncy with a luminous sheen.
Shortlist:
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream
The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Repairing And Plumping Moisturizer
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Best night treatment
Lock in hydration overnight with Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream. The kind-to-skin formula is 98.6% naturally derived and contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to strengthen the skin’s barrier, along with powerful plant oils to treat dryness. The result? A glowing complexion come morning.
Shortlist:
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Night Cream
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream
Shiseido Vital Perfection LiftDefine Radiance Night Concentrate
Best face mask
A sheet mask is the quickest way to restore glow to your face, and Garnier’s Moisture Bomb Super Hydrating + Replumping Sheet Mask gets your vote. Designed to hold as much hydration as a week’s worth of serum, the soft tissue mask (which is biodegradable) noticeably smooths, brightens and plumps up skin after just 15 minutes.
Shortlist:
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores
111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask
Best eye treatment
Looking for an eye treatment that actually makes a difference? Look to L’Oréal Paris’ Revitalift Filler 2.5% [Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine] Eye Serum. Containing all the same goodness as the brand’s bestselling Revitalift Filler face serum, plus added niacinamide, this targeted treatment brightens and smooths the delicate under-eye area. A must-try.
Shortlist:
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Eye Crème
Best cleanser
Cleansing is the cornerstone of every skincare regime, and this luxurious balm from Elemis is the guy for the job. Brimming with barrier-boosting plant oils, the hydrating formula – which transforms into a creamy milk on contact with water – removes surface makeup and grime without stripping the skin of moisture.
Shortlist:
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser For Normal To Dry Skin
Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
Rhode Pineapple Refresh PGA Daily Cleanser
Best facial exfoliator
Ideal for blemish-prone skin, this leave-on exfoliant is a global bestseller for a reason. Powered by salicylic acid, the winning formula swiftly rids skin of dulling dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, clearer complexion. Gentle enough for daily use, it also helps minimise future breakouts (thanks to anti-inflammatory ingredients).
Shortlist:
Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Best SPF for face
As well as shielding skin from the damaging effects of UVA and UVB rays, La Roche-Posay has gone one step further and developed a new filter – Mexoryl 400 – to protect against ultra-long UVA rays (which penetrate deeper and unleash more damage). Ticking all our boxes, this SPF is non-greasy, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, too.
Shortlist:
Eucerin Sun Protection Pigment Control Sun Fluid SPF50+
Supergoop! Every. Single. Face. SPR-Shield Watery Lotion SPF50
Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen SPF50
Best acne treatment
For a clearer complexion, give this Effaclar Duo+M Anti-Imperfections Triple Corrective Care moisturiser from La Roche-Posay a whirl. Seriously hard-working, the unbeatable formula is brimming with active ingredients (including procerad to help prevent acne marks, zinc PCA and salicylic acid) that together banish blemishes, fade dark spots and keep excess sebum in check.
Shortlist:
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Acnecide Face 5% w/w Gel Benzoyl Peroxide
Murad Blemish Control Rapid Relief Spot Treatment
Best pigmentation treatment
This brightening wonder from Caudalie corrects existing dark spots and prevents the appearance of new ones with viniferine, an alternative to the best vitamin C serums that is derived from grapevine sap. Alongside this hero, the formula features olive-derived squalane to hydrate and soothe skin, too.
Shortlist:
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum Intensive Anti-Dark Spots Concentrate
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense Serum
Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
Best hydrating serum
Like a big glass of water for your skin, this hydrating hero is loaded with hyaluronic acid and mineral-rich thermal water to quench skin’s thirst – fast. Loved by dermatologists and Power List voters alike, the refreshing gel formula soothes inflammation, promotes better glow and has a plumping effect. Triple tick!
Shortlist:
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
Best multitasking serum
Step up your nighttime regime with these single-serve skincare pods from Elizabeth Arden. The clever capsules target fine lines and dullness, providing the perfect daily dose of gentle retinoids (including HPR, 2024's buzziest ingredient) and soothing ceramides that together transform skin without any irritation. Expect a firmer, smoother and clearer complexion in a matter of weeks.
Shortlist:
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate
Best brightening serum
It’s no secret that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has a multitude of skincare benefits. Find it in abundance in Sunday Riley’s CEO Brightening Serum. Powered by THD ascorbate (a highly stable vitamin C), the lightweight formula evens skin tone and boosts radiance while protecting skin against environmental stressors.
Shortlist:
L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Clinical 12% Pure Vitamin C Serum
Best retinol
A derivative of vitamin A, retinal has the same skin-plumping powers as retinol – but it works faster. Find it in Medik8’s Crystal Retinal Stable Retinal Night Serum (available in six strengths), where the superstar ingredient is buffered with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and glycerine to soften fine lines and improve firmness without drying skin out.
Shortlist:
Youth To The People Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum
Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin-Renewing Water Cream
Shop more of the best night creams.
Best facial oil
This lightweight, non-greasy oil is suitable for all skin types (especially dry) with its plant-based formula that is loaded with blue orchid extract and patchouli oil to restore radiance, while hazelnut oil prevents moisture loss. Massage a few drops into cleansed skin and revel in your newfound glow.
Shortlist:
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil
Sarah Chapman Skinesis Overnight Facial
Best lash serum
Get fuller lashes (and brows) without the need for falsies using The Ordinary’s Multi-Peptide Lash And Brow Serum. Laced with 11 key active ingredients (including peptides and zinc chloride), the lightweight, concentrated serum is designed to be swept over your lash line and brows to boost hair density.
Shortlist:
RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum
Best fake tan for face
Totally foolproof, these self-tanning drops from Charlotte Tilbury are so easy to use. Two to four drops applied directly to your skin, or mixed with moisturiser, is all you need to build a believable, sun-kissed glow. Unlike some other self-tans, these drops aren’t drying thanks to the hyaluronic acid-laced formula.
Shortlist:
St Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Face Mist
Tan-Luxe The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops
Self Glow By James Read Break Of Dawn Rejuvenating Glow Mask
Best toner/mist/essence
The standout product from Rhode’s skincare offering? It has to be the Glazing Milk. Rich in barrier-boosting ceramides, the milky essence reduces redness and calms inflammation with its deeply nourishing formula that leaves skin cushiony soft and seriously dewy. Apply onto freshly cleansed skin, before your moisturiser.
Shortlist:
Omorovicza Queen Of Hungary Mist
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
Best lip care
A viral sensation, Laneige’s Lip Sleeping Mask is totally worth the hype with a buttery smooth formula (loaded with vitamin C, coconut oil and the brand’s ‘berry fruit complex’) that deeply hydrates lips while you snooze so that, come morning, they feel soft and supple. Dry lips? We don’t know her.
Shortlist:
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
Best sustainable brand
Tropic is a beauty brand that is committed to nurturing nature. Using recyclable and refillable packaging, the natural products (which are all certified vegan and cruelty-free) harness responsibly sourced tropical botanicals that have a big impact on your skin – but minimal impact on the planet. Our favourite products? The Elixir Radiance-Boosting Omega Oil and the Body Smooth Refreshing Polish.
Shortlist:
