Best skincare products | What Bazaar's beauty team really use

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1

Bridget March, Digital Beauty Director

Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser

1

Bridget March, Digital Beauty Director

Dr. Sam's Flawless Cleanser

The perfect basic; this clear jelly cleanser curated by revered London dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting is not only efficaciously formulated, but elegantly so. It suits all, comes free from irritants and is reasonably priced despite feeling like a luxury. Season after season, whether for day or night cleansing, I always return to it – and recommend to anyone who’ll listen.

2

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Make-Up Removing Solution

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Bioderma Sensibio H2O Make-Up Removing Solution

When it comes to my lip and eye make-up removal, I find this triumphant at erasing even waterproof formulas while simultaneously soothing the skin. Created for sensitive types, the alcohol- and fragrance-free micellar water hydrates as it cleanses and – unlike some traditional eye make-up removers – leaves no residue in its wake.

3

Dr. Sam's Flawless Brightly Serum

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Dr. Sam's Flawless Brightly Serum

I always use an antioxidant serum during the day and find this one grants visible results. Combining vitamin C with azelaic acid, niacinamide and bakuchiol (a retinol alternative) it’s a potent cocktail for a brighter, more even complexion. My 2021 beauty mantra was to ‘buy less, buy better’ (why should it only apply to fashion?), and this hardworking hyphenate is a perfect example of something that does the job of multiple products that might not work as well.

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4

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

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Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Now 19% Off

A stalwart anti-ager in many a serious skincare routine, Advanced Night Repair (or ANR as its legion of fans refer to it) is the serum I always go back to between bouts of retinol use and whenever my skin is feeling parched, overstimulated or appearing lacklustre for whatever reason. It brightens the complexion, tightens pores and visibly plumps away crepiness.

5

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum

5

Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum

Now 20% Off

Many eye creams over-promise and under-deliver, but I find this thoughtfully formulated serum to be worth the investment. Smile lines are beautiful, but I’m seeing accelerated ageing thanks to sleepless nights and know that retinol is one of the only proven ingredients to target wrinkles. Where other retinol-based eye creams have sensitised my skin, the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum is heavily hydrating (despite its light texture) which successfully minimises irritation in this delicate area.

6

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield

6

Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart SPF50 Hydrating Shield

This is my holy grail SPF – and I’ve tried a lot. Its assets are myriad; the lightweight formula glides on, blending beautifully and departing a universal near-sheer tint which instantly makes my skin appear more radiant and uniform in tone. The clever mineral formula also acts as a safeguard from pollution as well as UV rays, and packs antioxidant properties to treat the skin as it protects. Should I have to choose one desert island item, this would be it.

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7

Roberta Schroeder, acting digital beauty editor

Decree Light Cleanse

7

Roberta Schroeder, acting digital beauty editor

Decree Light Cleanse

When a bad clinic experience with a too-strong peel left my skin sensitised last summer, I was forced to re-think parts of my skincare routine.

Now, I tend to limit the 'active' formulations and gravitate towards products that’ll rebuild my stressed-out skin barrier while also keeping hormonal breakouts at bay. 

Decree’s Light Cleanse is my current go-to first step: as a breakout-prone teenager I would have screamed at the thought of a milky, nourishing cleanser, but they really are better for soothing and calming acne-prone skin. 

8

Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment

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Paula's Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment

While I like to switch between a few serums depending on how my skin is feeling, I don’t believe a heaving shelf of options does any good for your complexion (or the planet, for that matter).

My go-tos all tend to be targetted, ingredient-focused formulas that deliver specific benefits, rather than hazily promising a ‘glow.’ When you're acne-prone, it's appealing to understand exactly what a formula contains, and what it claims to do. 

For keeping blemishes as bay without challenging my skin barrier, I reach for Paula’s Choice 20% Niacinamide Booster. I find it keeps my pores in check better than most, and feels as light as water on the skin.

9

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum

9

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 Serum

When it comes to over-the-counter retinoids, Medik8 makes the most reliably effective options. 

It can be baffling trying to work out exactly how much vitamin A is actually in your retinoid serum – which is crucial to know in order to avoid irritation – but the brand's Crystal Retinal collection eliminates any brow-furrowing. Simply start with Crystal Retinal 1, finish the tube, then progress to the next in line: 3, 6, 10 and 20 (the latter of which is available only through a clinic).

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10

Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum

10

Dr. Barbara Sturm The Good C Vitamin C Serum

For antioxidant protection, I love Dr. Barbara Sturm’s The Good C (in fact, all of her serums get a firm thumbs up from me). 

Many vitamin C products irritate my skin (it’s to do with the low, acidic pH), but this one is gentle enough to provide antioxidant protection without inducing inflammation. If you're easily irritated, or acne prone, it's a safe bet. 

11

Augustinus Bader The Cream

11

Augustinus Bader The Cream

When it comes to moisturisers, I like something loaded with ceramides and lipids to strengthen, but nothing so rich it feels suffocating. Augustinus Bader’s The Cream is my current go-to: if you’re looking to invest in your skincare, it’s truly worth the splurge. 

12

Ultra Violette Clean Screen Sensitive Skinscreen SPF 30

12

Ultra Violette Clean Screen Sensitive Skinscreen SPF 30

This is simply a brilliant sunscreen that ticks all the boxes – and I'm especially fussy when it comes to SPF. It applies like a primer, looks great both under make-up and alone, and doesn't pill once layered with other products. There's no white cast and, after a month of loyal usage, I can confirm it hasn't made me break out (no easy feat for a sunscreen). 

But most importantly, I trust the blend of chemical and mineral filters to truly shield my skin – after all, it was formulated in Australia, which has the toughest SPF regulations in the world. 

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13

Medik8 Press & Glow

13

Medik8 Press & Glow

For exfoliating, I prefer swipe-on toners containing poly-hydyoxy-acids: these chemical exfoliants have larger molecules than glycolic acid, so don’t penetrate the skin as deeply. 

Medik8’s Press and Glow is the perfect starter exfoliant, while Augustinus Bader’s The Essence feels slightly more intensive: both contain the PHA gluconolactone, which hydrates as it resurfaces. 

14

clinisoothe Skin Purifier

14

clinisoothe Skin Purifier

A dermatologist recommended this antimicrobial mist to me after – along with most of the country – I started struggling with mask-induced breakouts. It's pH balanced and alcohol-free, and works to eliminate the bacteria that causes spots.

What it lacks in sex appeal, it more than makes up for in efficacy: spritz it on each morning to keep redness, irritation and acne firmly at bay. 

15

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask

15

Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Mask

I love face masks that feel luxurious and pampering – but of course they have to perform as well. Tata Harper straddles this divide like no other: her masks are undeniably a sensorial treat, but leave skin looking incredible too. This one is packed with soothing floral extracts as well as hyaluronic acid, and delivers supreme hydration. It's perfect for make-up prep.  

If my skin is breaking out, I'll reach instead for Esse’s Clay Mask, which is great for deeply decongesting after a week in the city (and contains probiotics to strengthen the microbiome).

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16

Currentbody LED Light Therapy Mask

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Currentbody LED Light Therapy Mask

LED face masks are everywhere at the moment, and the hype is justified. I like this one from Currentbody, as the flexible silicone material feels more comfortable than the more rigid styles. It emits both red and near-infrared light, meaning it'll penetrate the lower layers of skin to soothe redness and prompt collagen formation. 

17

Becki Murray, beauty editor

Bioderma BIODERMA Sensibio Micellar Water 250ml

17

Becki Murray, beauty editor

Bioderma BIODERMA Sensibio Micellar Water 250ml

Now 25% Off

I have touch-sensitive rosacea, which means that even attempting to take off my make-up can cause my skin to flush red for hours. To avoid that happening, I complete my first cleanse by saturating a (reusable) cotton round with Bioderma's best-selling fragrance-free micellar water, formulated especially for sensitive skin.

It's actually the product I would mourn the most should the bottle ever be discontinued or, god forbid, I forget to pack it on my travels.

18

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

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CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

There's been a lot of hype around CeraVe recently, but you can trust in the multitude of recommendations that this hydrating cleanser has behind it. I use it as my second cleanse and I trust it to give my skin a deep clean with no scrubbing required - try low, gentle massaging circles instead. 

What's more, it leaves my complexion feeling plump and smooth, rather than dry or irritated - even before applying moisturiser. That's why my boyfriend is hooked too. 

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19

Esse Probiotic Serum

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Esse Probiotic Serum

I don't normally 'do' oily textures, but when my rosacea flared last year, I was recommended this balancing serum and I haven't looked back since. The formula utilises probiotic microbes, which are designed to support your skin's natural ecosystem, in turn soothing your complexion.

The science behind why and how you might want to add bacteria to your face is nuanced (and I'd love there to be more research into this branch of skincare), but I can't disprove how much less prone to irritation my skin seems to be.

Skin & Me Personalised Serums

£19.99

skinandme.com

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Instead of constantly chasing the next 'big thing', I always tell my friends and family to start by identifying one main thing they want to improve about their skin. Then, to tackle that, you can't go far wrong with a personalised approach to skincare.

I especially like Skin & Me, which provides targeted serums, tailored to your specific needs through skin analysis (photos and a detailed questionnaire). With proven active ingredients in concentrations that really make a difference (they increase as the months progress), the results only get better over time.

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