We Called Upon the Top Experts—These Are 2025’s Best Skincare Products
Welcome to Who What Wear UK’s Next in Beauty Awards 2025. Here, we are crowning and celebrating the very best in beauty, from game-changing industry innovators to the tried-and-tested classics that remain mainstays in our bathroom cabinets and makeup bags. To help us find the worthy winners, we called upon our esteemed panel of industry experts, hard-to-please editors and in-the-know influencers, who put each and every product to the test. We enlisted our judges to document and share their testing for every product they tried, so you can see all the winners in action—as well as those very important before-and-after results. After much testing, swatching and reviewing, the results are in. Join us in celebrating the best skincare products of 2025.
Who What Wear UK Next in Beauty Awards 2025: Best in Skincare
There are now hundreds of facials to choose from out there, but it was Sarah Chapman’s Barrier Restore Facial that impressed our judges the most. Tailored to help repair and soothe the skin barrier, this luxurious facial begins with a skin analysis and features both cryotherapy and near-infrared light within the treatment.
“I am such a big fan of Sarah Chapman facials, and my skin always looks amazing when leaving the clinic,” says junior beauty editor Grace Lindsay. “The clinic itself is luxurious and relaxing, and my facialist was so friendly and kind, talking me through every step and explaining how it would benefit my skin,” she says. “My skin barrier is definitely not the strongest, but I really did notice a difference in the way my skin looked and felt afterwards. I would recommend this facial to everyone I know.”
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With thousands of supplements in the market, it takes something truly special to stand out. However, Aegle’s Clear Skin Complex made a huge impression on our judges, who applauded its effectiveness for improving skin concerns such as acne from the inside out with tangible results.
“This is extremely impactful for textured and acne skin,” says Eleanor Hartley, founder and director at Hart Medical. “It regulated hormonal breakouts, and skin clarity was massively improved. I really loved the INCI list here, and was impressed by the efficacy and research,” she says. “The packaging is also luxurious but sustainable. This is something I will incorporate into my clinic for my patients with hormonally mediated acne.”
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aegle’s
Clear Skin Complex
Dr Sam’s is a firm favourite amongst the Who What Wear UK editorial team, and the Flawless Moisturiser Intense has become a staple in our judges’ skincare routines, thanks to its ability to soothe and heal the skin barrier with its NAD+ formula.
“This moisturiser is phenomenal,” says Dr Ahmed El Muntasar, GP and aesthetics practitioner. “It’s beautifully rich and thick, leaving your skin feeling hydrated, brighter and really nourished. It’s great in its own right, but also exceptional at emulsifying retinoids as well,” he says.
“The texture is thick and immediately effective at moisturising,” says graphic designerEmily Post. “With no scent, it’s a fuss-free staple. I’m adding this to my forever stash as a remedy for dry skin anywhere.”
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Dr Sam’s
Flawless Moisturiser Intense
Our beauty team tests hundreds of face masks every year, but Dr. Althea’s Jelly Seal Dewy Masks made quite the impression on our editors and judges. Our skin has never felt more hydrated.
“Okay, I love this mask. I love how it feels; such a great texture, and it grips the face so it’s easy to wear [without] slipping or drying out. I felt visibly glowy after using it, and I have already re-bought it!” says Hartley.
It also received high praise from beauty editor Eleanor Vousden. “I love using these sheet masks! They’re drenched in serum and feel instantly cooling and hydrating on the skin,” she says. “I like that there are lots of soothing and hydrating ingredients in here, and I noticed a difference in my skin not just after use; it felt noticeably more hydrated and plumped the following day.”
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Dr. Althea
Jelly Seal Dewy Mask
Good skincare needn’t be expensive, and E45’s Cica Soothe and Repair Cream is proof. It impressed our judges so much that it has become a permanent “first-aid” moisturiser in their routines.
“Restorative and hydrating, this moisturiser is perfect for any skin suffering with extreme dryness and sensitivity,” says aesthetician and beauty editor Grace Day. “The super-rich texture immediately soothes and nourishes the skin. I found this to be a great ‘SOS’ product to soothe my skin when I overdid it with active ingredients—it would also be ideal for eczema-prone skin,” she says.
“You can’t really go wrong with this product,” says insights analyst Sophie Cookson. “It moisturises deeply and is perfect if my face is feeling a bit dry. It’s a great price point, and it can be used all over your body, not just your face, if anywhere is feeling dry,” she says.
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E45
Cica Soothe and Repair Cream
We haven’t met an Elemis product that we didn’t love, but the Pro-Collagen Toning Mist received the highest praise from our judges, who loved incorporating it into their daily skincare routines.
“I love love, love this toning mist,” says beauty journalist Zeynab Mohamed. “It feels amazing to use and is an instant refresh and hydration for the skin.”
“This mist feels instantly luxurious; a cooling, hydrating spray that wakes up the skin immediately,” says junior branded content editor Humaa Hussain. “I love using it after cleansing to prep my skin for the next steps, but it also works beautifully as a mid-day refresh when my skin is starting to feel tired. It has that spa-like sensorial quality that makes it a joy to use,” she says.
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Elemis
Pro-Collagen Toning Mist
Meet your new glow-reviver. Our judges were sold on this gentle exfoliator, which works to buff away dullness to unveil softer, smoother and visibly more radiant skin.
“I found that this product delivers a gentle but effective skin reset,” says Hartley. “I like the fine granules and botanical smell, it smooths texture without irritation, leaving my skin softer, brighter and more refined—the results felt immediate. I would recommend to my patients,” she says.
“This might just be my favourite face wash I’ve ever tried,” says editorial assistant Brittany Davy. “Usually, I use two different cleansers to make sure that my face is thoroughly clean, but this not only does the job in one, but my skin looks and feels brighter and smoother after each use,” she says. “I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about a face wash that has physical exfoliating particles, but they’re very subtle and don’t bother me at all.”
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grown alchemist
Polishing Facial Exfoliator
The glowing praise for this vitamin C serum was unanimous amongst our esteemed judging panel, who praised its gentle yet effective formula that left their skin visibly radiant.
“I never thought I would fork out £72 for a vitamin C serum, but this is one of only a few that actually help to brighten my skin without irritating,” says Alicia Lartey, product developer and aesthetician. “This formula inspires me and actually makes me excited to do my skincare routine,” she says.
“This is my favourite serum I tested,” says assistant social media editor Annie Wheatland-Clinch. “It glides on my skin so easily. My skin is quite sensitive, and I don’t find any irritation with this vitamin C serum; it sits really nicely on my skin after I tone and before I moisturise,” she says.
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There are many brilliant tinted SPFs out there, but Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50 stands head and shoulders above its counterparts with its elegant formula, skin-like finish and diverse shade range.
“This is a fabulous product. Usually, tinted SPFs don’t really do that much in terms of coverage or improving the skin’s appearance, but the results of this are stunning,” says freelance beauty editor Laura Pearson. “You get good coverage with it, but your skin still looks like yours. It has an amazing blurring property that perfects the visible texture and tone of the skin. It doesn’t feel sticky or heavy like many SPFs; it feels like a light skin tint,” she says.
“This is, probably, my favourite SPF launch of the entire year. It hasn’t left my face,” says beauty director Shannon Lawlor. “As someone who doesn’t wear foundation, it’s the ultimate base. The coverage is light and skin-like, and it feels beautifully velvety on the skin. I adore it,” she says.
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MERIT Beauty
The Uniform Tinted Mineral SPF 50
Both luxurious and highly efficacious, this cleanser is very deserving of our Best Cleanser award. The cream formula is paired with a kabuki brush to gently massage and draw out impurities from the skin, leaving your complexion feeling deeply cleansed yet nourished.
“If I could give this cleansing emulsion an 11, I would,” says Ata-Owaji Victor, beauty, culture and lifestyle journalist. “I was initially sceptical about this multistep process, because the win often lies with the self-care element rather than the product itself. However, it is nourishing and fantastic on days when my skin feels a tad sensitive, and I’ve recommended it more times than I can count since using it.”
“I really like this cleanser,” adds Davy. “It leaves my face feeling soft and smooth, all without irritating my skin.”
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Orveda
High-Cleansing Skinmulsion
Those with sensitive skin will know that when you find a good skincare product that brings harmony to your complexion, you hold onto it tightly. Our judges loved the Skin + Me Daily Moisturiser with SPF 50 for Sensitive Skin, which not only respects delicate skin but also works across a range of skin tones and feels lightweight, too.
“I adore this product,” says Mohamed. “The clever packaging means that you always get the right amount, and it leaves no white cast on my deeper skin tone. It blends in really nicely and doesn’t feel greasy or heavy,” she says. “And it’s super-easy to reapply throughout the day and carry around with you.”
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Skin + Me
Daily Moisturiser with SPF 50 for Sensitive Skin
SkinCeuticals is a brand that continues to innovate the skincare space, and its new P-Tiox formula received glowing praise from aesthetic doctors and our beauty director alike, who saw visible results.
“This is a lovely peptide formulation, which delivers really nice results for improving texture and fine lines,” says aesthetic doctor Dr Sophie Shotter.
“P-Tiox is probably the most instantly gratifying face serum I have ever used,” says Lawlor. “With one use, my complexion instantly looks better, and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how. Things look tighter, smoother and generally healthier. Over time, the results are even more undeniable,” she says.
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Skinceuticals
P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Serum
With its ability to deliver both an instantaneous glow and a long-term tan, St. Tropez Express Sunlit Face Tint is a must-have for any self-tan fan looking to streamline their routine. It delivers a healthy-looking glow that our judges couldn’t get enough of.
“[This gives a] beautiful colour that has a little shimmer. I would wear this for work in the morning and be tanned throughout the day,” says beauty expert Emily Rose Lansley.
“This product is absolute genius,” says Lawlor. “The instant bronzing results are moreish, leaving my complexion looking wonderfully bronzed. And the long-term tan is just a bonus,” she says.
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St. Tropez
Express Sunlit Face Tint
Thousands of lip balms pass the beauty desk, but our judges collectively agree that Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm is worth the hype. With its buttery texture and nourishing formula, our judges loved the Pink Guava shade that delivers a hint of pink to the lips.
“This lip balm has cute packaging and smells incredible. It’s also hydrating and nourishing on the lips,” says beauty content creator Janet Adetunji.
“I’m not a huge lip-balm person, but having tried this for a few weeks, I get it the hype,” says deputy editor Maxine Eggenberger. “It’s very nourishing, has a delicious smell and taste, and I like the subtle wash of colour it gives. Also, I feel chic every time I pull it from my handbag, which is a bonus.”
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Summer Fridays
Lip Butter Balm in Pink Guava
There’s perhaps no other skincare brand that can send our hearts aflutter quite like Tatcha does. With its impossibly luxe texture, it’s unsurprising that The Indigo Cleansing Balm won over our judges. It turns the chore of removing your makeup into a ritual we all look forward to in our skincare routines.
“This is a fantastic cleanser, which does an excellent job at removing makeup with great slip for massage. It has simple but effective packaging and is easy to travel with,” says brand consultant Rhea Cartwright.
“I absolutely adore how luxurious this product is,” says Lawlor. “It melts into the skin beautifully and dissolves everything in its path.”
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Tatcha
The Indigo Cleansing Balm
We tested hundreds of serums, but it was The Inkey List’s Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex that impressed our judges the most. And that price tag? It makes it all the more impressive and deserving of a spot on your bathroom shelf.
“Another phenomenal product from The Inkey List. After just a few days, I could see a difference in the texture and radiance of my skin. I would absolutely recommend and buy this again,” says Donna Dia, founder of The Beauty Beat.
“This really helped my skin’s hydration and general texture; it felt plumper and brighter from the first use,” says acting deputy editor Rebecca Rhys-Evans. “I can’t help but compare it to more expensive serums, which feel really similar, but this is a fifth of the cost. Thumbs up from me,” she says.
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The Inkey List
Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex
Our judges were impressed by the Ziip Dot, which they loved for treating breakouts and speeding up skin’s recovery time. Its nimble size and efficacy in clearing the skin make it a game-changing tool we’ll continue using in our routines.
“As someone prone to hormonal breakouts and acne, I’m always dubious about tools that promise to zap blemishes or banish breakouts, but the Ziip Dot has really impressed me with its ability to reduce the lifespan of spots and speed up the healing time,” says freelance beauty editor Mica Ricketts. “Of course, it won’t prevent you from getting blemishes or help them to vanish overnight, but for dialling down redness, calming particularly angry spots and minimising post-breakout pigmentation, it definitely makes a worthwhile investment.”
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With its highly bespoke approach, Klira is like having a dermatologist on speed dial. After taking photos of your skin and completing a questionnaire, the Klira team will create a custom formula with prescription-grade ingredients, which is posted to you each month to help address your skin’s unique concerns.
“The skin consultation is vigorous and detailed, but also easy to navigate online,” says global makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis. “The questions and examples were good in identifying the problems with my skin. The education is there with easy-to-follow instructions, and so far, I’ve seen an improvement in my skin,” she says.
“This product’s USP is the personalisation,” says video editor Natasha Wilson. “I love that this caters to your skincare needs and concerns, and is a more clinically led product. The consistency and texture are light and moisturising.”
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When it comes to skin renewal, our judges were blown away by the visible results that the Beauty Pie Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum achieved—it’s one of the most potent and efficacious formulas we’ve ever tried.
“I have actually cancelled my tretinoin prescription to switch to this, as it’s just as effective,” says Pearson. “The triple-blend formula is advanced, and the addition of bakuchiol means it covers all bases. It’s not harsh or drying on the skin either, which my [previous] tretinoin could be. It feels really nice to apply. The price is excellent for such an advanced and effective formula,” she adds.
“I’m on prescription tretinoin, and this serum is just as effective,” says Vousden. “It’s certainly not a retinoid for beginners. But for those who want a stronger formula, this is a great option to step up their retinoid journey. I saw my skin tone and texture improve over the testing period, and I’m so excited to see how the results accumulate.”
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Beauty Pie
Youthbomb Extreme Retinal Triple Renewal Serum
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Finding a good SPF can feel like an arduous feat, with so many sunscreens now on the market. But Haruharu’s Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+ blew our judges away with its light-as-air consistency and zero white cast. Both moisturising yet non-greasy, it works well alone and layered underneath makeup, and it’s quickly become the go-to daily facial SPF amongst our testing panel.
“I’ve tried so many sunscreens, but I have fallen in love with the Haruharu Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+,” says Lartley. “I wish I could remember how many tubes I’ve gone through. It has the best finish, with absolutely no white cast, and it is light as air,” she says.
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Haruharu
Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen SPF50+
Nighttime is often when we want our skincare to work the hardest, and Oskia Midnight Elixir proved itself as a true powerhouse in rejuvenerating the skin overnight. Come morning, our judges’ skin was left glowing, plumped and radiant. It’s worth its weight in gold.
“This is a lovely addition to my routine, and I do look a lot less tired and dull when I wake up in the mornings after using this in my evening routine,” says Mohamed.
“I loved testing Midnight Elixir by Oskia,” says client success manager Jerrylyn Saguiped. “With a whopping 30+ active ingredients, the serum helps to promote skin regeneration, firmness and brightness when your body repairs during sleep. After a few weeks of testing, I noticed my frown lines were less prominent, and I’d wake up with my skin feeling softer and more moisturised compared to when I’d only use a normal cream,” she says.
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Tanning drops can be hit or miss. However, with tanning expert and industry icon James Read behind these, we wholeheartedly trusted them, and it turns out they work brilliantly to deliver a tailored glow to your skin.
“As someone who’s naturally very pale, I have had my fair share of mishaps with tanning products, leaving me looking orange or patchy. These drops, however, are a dream to use, transforming my usually tired-looking complexion into something that looks naturally glowy,” says Ricketts. “I tend to put a couple of drops into my evening moisturiser so that I start the next day looking bright and subtly sun-kissed, but I love that you can mix them with your daytime skincare too for an instant radiance boost. Bonus points for the lovely scent,” she says.
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Self Glow by James Read
Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops
Not all LED masks are created equal, so it takes something truly innovative to stand out. Not only did our judges love the multiple LED settings on the Shark Cryoglow LED Mask, but the addition of the cooling under-eye attachments built into the mask makes it an industry game-changer for rejuvenating the skin and refreshing the eye area simultaneously.
“As someone who battles breakouts, I love an LED mask that contains blue light as well as red, but they’re surprisingly difficult to find,” says Lawlor. “This LED mask does it all in terms of light therapy, but the cooling under-eye cryo system is the cherry on top. One session makes me look a thousand times more alive,” she says.
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Shark
Cryoglow Under-Eye Cooling & LED Anti-Ageing & Blemish Repair Mask
Eye creams are often overlooked, but our judges loved Tata Harper Brightening Eye Gel so much that it has earned itself a permanent spot in our daily skincare routines.
“With a beautiful texture and an impressive ingredient list, this antioxidant-packed eye serum is exactly what my tired eyes need all year round,” says Day. “I particularly appreciated the cooling metal applicator and the fact that the formula contains brightening pigments, which help to subtly mute the appearance of dark circles,” she says.
“I’m not a massive eye-cream user, but as someone who has persistent dark circles, the brightening effects of this cream can’t be ignored,” says Lawlor. “It truly does what it says on the tube. Plus, it feels beautifully luxurious to use.”
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Tata Harper
Brightening Eye Gel
