You’d be hard-pressed to find somebody who hasn’t heard of Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream. Straight from the eponymous brand founder’s backstage make-up kit, the cult product amassed a large fanbase for its ability to moisturise skin while giving it a healthy-looking glow. Now, the brand has released a water cream version. “I’ve heard so much about this product,” says fashion assistant Soraya Gaied Chortane. “It has a thicker texture than I imagined but I love how it makes my skin appear dewy, bouncy and glowy. I find my skin to look rather dull and grey, especially in the winter months, but this made me feel rehydrated and revived.”

Shop Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream at Cult Beauty, £79

As well as its popular lip oils and cult Double Serum, Clarins is a brand known for its skin-loving moisturisers. This rich cream actually takes the form of a balm, packed with hyaluronic acid (aka the A-lister of hydration). But don’t worry, it doesn’t leave skin greasy or tacky. Instead, the balm melts into skin instantly, for a pillowy-soft complexion that feels comforted and supple.

Shop Clarins Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] Rich Cream at Clarins, £38

From packaging to product, Byoma knows a thing or two about creating must-have skincare products that are worthy of a win. And this barrier-boosting cleansing balm does not disappoint. “I loved how this product made my skin feel,” says Stylist’s fashion manager Hayley Robertson. That’s no surprise: the luxuriously buttery balm promises to cleanse thoroughly yet never strip the skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple. A carefully curated ingredient list makes it a suitable choice for all skin types.

Shop Byoma Melting Balm Cleanser at Cult Beauty, £14.99

This cleanser transforms into a rich lather, leaving no traces of make-up or other impurities behind. With an optimal level of 5% alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), it offers impressive yet gentle exfoliation to sweep away dead skin cells and reveal a fresher complexion underneath. But don’t worry, it also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramide boosters to nourish and leave skin feeling plump.

Shop Simple Smoothing Gel Cleanser at Boots, £8

Ever since launching into the UK earlier this year, cult Korean brand Laneige has been a skincare staple – and we were thrilled to see its bestselling Water Bank range hit our shores. This cleanser uses hyaluronic acid to quench thirsty faces, utilising a low molecular weight of HA that absorbs deeper into skin for glass-like results. Plus, papain enzymes offer gentle exfoliation by lifting away dead skin cells. Combined, the two ingredients are the ultimate barrier-repairing duo to calm stressed-out skin.

Shop Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cleansing Foam at Sephora, £18

Double cleansing is an imperative part of any night-time routine. “A double cleanse involves using two different formulas to thoroughly remove any traces of impurities left on the skin,” says freelance beauty writer Darcy Brown. “This milk-like fluid is ideal for my first cleanse. It melts away a full face of make-up instantly without the need for any harsh rubbing or tugging; I am seriously impressed.” Plus, the inclusion of prebiotics keeps your skin’s microbiome balanced and happy.

Shop Dermalogica Micellar Prebiotic Precleanse at Lookfantastic, £49

We all know and love retinol as a gold-standard ingredient in the skincare industry, and this Elizabeth Arden cream is perfect whether you’re just starting out or a long-time user already. It contains pure retinol to help improve skin texture and tone, while peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid prevent your skin feeling dry or tight.

Shop Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin Renewing Water Cream at Lookfantastic, £75

Beauty sleep takes on a whole new meaning with this overnight serum. Vitamin C is the ultimate night-time companion for your skin, working alongside your body’s natural repair state to reverse environmental damage and improve its texture and tone. This super-serum utilises the beloved brightening ingredient at a high concentration of 10%. The result is a wide-awake complexion, regardless of whether you got your full eight hours.

Shop Marks & Spencer Fresh Elements Glow Radiant Overnight Serum at Marks & Spencer, £15

Any time No7 launches a new skincare range, it causes a buzz before it even hits the shelves. Its Future Renew range was no different, gathering a 94,000-person waitlist ahead of launch. This serum has fast become the line-up’s standout, acting like a reset button for the face by targeting signs of skin damage. With a formulation of peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide (aka all the ingredients your skin loves), it improves skin’s texture, tone, elasticity and hydration within four weeks of use.

Shop No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum at Boots, £42.95

“I have very fair skin that’s prone to damage really quickly, and I was very impressed by this product,” says Stylist’s digital content director Felicity Thistlethwaite. “I actually ended up timing how quickly it absorbed, I was that impressed (from first pour to able-to-put-foundation-on in one minute 30 seconds flat, if you want to know!). The liquid is thin and applies really nicely, leaving a smooth, moisturised finish that’s perfect for heading out sans make-up (there’s no white cast) or using as a base for foundation or CC cream. As a bonus it has a very faint but glorious fresh, floral smell.”

Shop La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Invisible Fluid at Lookfantastic, £19.90

“I’m a big fan of this,” says deputy digital editor Ellen Scott. “I like that there’s no scent and loved the slightly whipped, thicker texture, especially because of how little I needed to use to make my entire face feel deeply hydrated and nourished. It absorbs quickly with no lingering stickiness or oiliness.” That instant nourishment comes from pineapple-extracted ceramides, which flood your face with much-needed moisture and help to strengthen the protective skin barrier.

Shop Q+A Ceramide Barrier Defence Face Cream at Q+A Skin, £12

When it comes to picking an eye cream, there are a few things to consider, and this Olay pot ticks a lot of the boxes. It contains 99% pure niacinamide, an ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to improve skin texture, as well as vitamin E, which strengthens, protects and treats hyperpigmentation. “I’ve never used an eye cream but this had a really light texture and is fragrance-free, which I appreciated,” says Stylist writer Shahed Ezaydi. “It absorbs quickly and makes the skin around my eyes look smoother and less puffy.”

Shop Olay Niacinamide 24 + Vitamin E Eye Cream at Boots, £19

With great fake tan now readily available, there’s no excuse to skip the sun damage and opt for a faux glow. “I’ve tried so many amazing facial tans, but this one has to be my favourite,” says Darcy. “Whether you regularly fake tan your face or have been apprehensive to try it, this formula is a safe choice. It applies just like a moisturiser, so it’s difficult to go wrong.” An infusion of shea butter results in softer skin, too. Win, win.

Shop Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Face Lotion at Lookfantastic, £9.99

Described by founder Caroline Hirons as “a fire extinguisher for the skin”, this oil is the perfect solution for sensitised, tight or dehydrated complexions. It’s packed with jojoba, macadamia and sunflower oils, as well as squalane, to soothe, support and hydrate skin. “The texture was great and left my skin really soft,” says sales director Rachel Flower. “It helped reduce redness and left me quite glowy.” 

Shop Skin Rocks The Support Oil at Skin Rocks, £60

There’s a reason this face mask has made its way onto the wishlists of even the most hard-to-please skincare enthusiasts. It applies with the same consistency as a moisturiser and treats your skin in more ways than one, starting with gentle exfoliation to maximise results. It then delivers a skin-loving blend of salicylic acid, azelaic acid and moisturising plant oils to boost the skin’s surface (and your glow). Try it once and you’ll want to add it to your self-care Sunday rota, asap.

Shop Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial at Cult Beauty, £60

“If you like your products to work that much harder, this essence is worth looking into,” says Stylist’s beauty director Hanna Ibraheem. “It removes leftover post-cleanse impurities without leaving you greasy, while restoring moisture levels in the skin. Consider this nifty bottle a toner and moisturiser in one.”

Shop The Body Shop Edelweiss Prep Essence at The Body Shop, £18

When Hailey Bieber unleashed Rhode into the UK, it caused a flurry of people rushing to get their hands on the products, especially her Peptide Lip Treatments. Heralded for their ability to nourish and restore lips, we’re pleased to report that this product lives up to the hype. “I loved the minimal grey packaging and the luxe texture of the product,” says Stylist’s fashion director Lucy Reber. “Putting it on made me feel like I had my life together.”

Shop Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment at Rhode Skin, £16

Prepare yourselves, because this stick is pretty impressive. The balm bullet is packed with squalane that swipes (no dragging) onto skin to wash it in moisture. It’s also a wonder at smoothing out any areas of dehydration. When you’ve scribbled it over your face, pop it in your handbag and apply it any time your makeup needs a refresh. It’s the perfect travel companion, too.

Shop Tatcha The Serum Stick at Tatcha, £49