We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
13 best skincare products of all time – from cleansers to serums, 2026
Prepare for some A* holy grail product recommendations – and thank us later!
As much as I love makeup (and trust me, I really love it), skincare is the place to invest when it comes to your beauty routine. I'm not saying you have to drop half your overdraft on a face serum, but you do have to invest time, patience, and yes, perhaps a little cash, when it comes to curating a skincare routine that works.
Having a perfect regime doesn’t necessarily mean you need a complicated 10-step routine (although if you do that, bravo), it’s mainly about getting the basics sorted, like your cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. Then add in serums for your specific skin concerns and extras like masks and treatments for regular skin upkeep.
A sneak peek at some of our faves
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
Read review
So, where to start? There's a whole lotta noise out there, and it can be tricky to separate the magic from the marketing when it comes to skincare shopping. That's why I asked the rest of the Cosmopolitan beauty team (past and present) which products they genuinely couldn't live without, from face creams to serums and oils to masks.
Our team try out hundreds of new products each year to keep up with the latest ingredients and buzziest launches on the market, so it takes a very special product to make it into our routines time and time again.
These are the holy-grail picks that we go back to every damn time. Why? Because they really work. If a skincare product has made it onto this list, you can bet it's an A* buy...
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm 100ml
Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm 100ml
Why Cosmo loves it: As someone with incredibly oily skin, I'd long filed cleansing balms under "not for me". Too rich, too greasy, too likely to leave me looking like I'd been basted. Then I met Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm.
This is the formula that converted me. It melts into the skin like expensive butter on hot toast, dissolving a full face of makeup, SPF and eyeliner clag. But the real flex? It rinses away completely. No film, no tightness, no slippery after-feel. Just clean, soft, luxurious-feeling skin.
Once you've used it, every other cleanser starts to feel faintly performative.
Why shoppers love it: "WOW! This cleansing balm is the best makeup remover I have ever used, I cannot believe the way it has just completely melted off my makeup. I’ve never got on well with these kind of makeup removers before as I find them to really irritate my eyes, however this one has left me with zero eye irritation and has completely removed my waterproof mascara. Compared to other removal methods like micellar waters or wipes it’s also a lovely nighttime ritual and feels super luxurious. I could not recommend this any more."
Why Cosmo loves it: Somewhat rogue, but this isn't a favourite skincare product per se, but an entire brand subscription service. Klira, you have my <3.
Around a year ago, for a print piece on prescription skincare services, the Cosmo beauty team tried a different brand each. Mine? Klira, which is where the love affair started. To start my journey, I filled out an online questionnaire that asked me everything from how much sun exposure I usually get to what my mum’s skin looked like. I then took photos of my face from every angle to determine my skin type. (I have oily, acne-prone skin, FYI.)
Once that was done, the process was quick, and I had my prescription within a day, and my treatment –an own-brand serum – was on its way not long after I ordered it. My prescription was based on tretinoin, a prescription-only acid medication used to treat mild, moderate, and severe acne.
Since that first week of use, my skin has never looked better. Sure, I still break out during hormonal periods – or even react to certain ingredients elsewhere – but for the most part, I have never been more confident in my skin.
A Klira Special subscription, which includes a dermatologist consultation and a monthly delivery of a bespoke prescription formula, costs £59 per month. This is a subscription service, and the payment is made on a monthly basis. – Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer
Why shoppers love it: "I’m 62, I’ve had a skin condition pora keratosis /DSAP for a couple of years now . Slightly raised circles , not itchy or sore , on my shins. After investigation and recommendation from St Thomas Hospital dermatology London , I tried Klira.I’m really impressed that my skin has cleared of the circles and look better , which gives me more confidence and makes me feel less self conscious .Thank you Klira"
Laneige Water Bank Gel Moisturiser
Laneige Water Bank Gel Moisturiser
Why Cosmo loves it: Moisturising when you have super oily skin can somewhat feel counterintuitive – I getchu. But (!!) it is super important to keep hydrated (even those of us with oily skin); If not, your skin may produce even more sebum, and we don't want that.
So, with that in mind, fellow greasy gals may want to try out this moisturiser as it adds just enough hydration to the skin to keep it feeling youthful and bouncy, yet doesn't at all feel greasy or heavy.
Laneige, I am now on my third tub and scouting out which of your products I can fall in love with next! You really did your big one with this Water Bank Gel Moisturiser. – Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer
Why shoppers love it: "This is gorgeous! It’s so hydrating, and not at all greasy. I have very dehydrated skin, exacerbated by using prescription Tretinoin, but it’s also very oily and acne prone, so I struggle to find moisturisers that are hydrating enough without clogging my pores, or leaving my skin like an oil slick. This seems to do the job beautifully. It calms any irritation from the retinol, and creates a gorgeous, smooth base for makeup application. Delighted!"
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm
Why Cosmo loves it: I've lost count of how many dermatologists have recommended this balm to me. It's brilliant at soothing irritations and dryness; the smart formula works to repair the skin's barrier, creating the perfect environment for damaged skin to heal.
It can be used on the face and body, and is incredibly gentle on sensitive complexions. These days, I'm never without a tube on hand for soothing any skin flare-ups. – Victoria Jowett, former Beauty Director
Why shoppers love it: "I was recommended this to use after having micro needling and ending up with a rosacea flare. It’s nice and soothing and very gentle and has helped calm my damaged skin barrier but uses this along side my rosacea cream so can’t say if this helped actually alone or in combination with my prescribed cream"
Ceramidin Cream
Why Cosmo loves it: I love this moisturiser so much, I've written an entire dedicated feature on it.
I am religious about keeping my skin barrier protected, and this is one of the few moisturisers I can always rely on. As soon as I apply it, my face feels like it's having a duvet day and everything instantly feels better. Plus, the thicker cream texture makes it the perfect hydrator for autumn/winter when you want some extra protection. – Laura Capon, former Deputy Beauty Editor
Why shoppers love it: "I love this, it's my first time using this product. Really noticed a difference in my skin. Feels balanced and moisturised. Settles well into the skin and doesn't leave any oily residue. Will be a repeat purchase for me."
Why Cosmo loves it: Once upon a time, I got a bit overexcited with some exfoliating formulas and was left with very angry, irritated, red skin. Anything I put on my face stung – until I tried this.
It’s formulated with oat kernel oil and colloidal oatmeal, both of which hydrate skin but, most importantly, soothe and calm signs of irritation. As well as a cleanser, you can apply a layer on skin and leave for 10 minutes for a quick face mask moment – something that I think helped a lot. – Hanna Ibraheem, former Deputy Beauty Editor
Why shoppers love it: "I bought this for my 17 year old who has eczema and dry skin flare ups on her face. This product has helped her condition with it's soothing and moisturising properties. She puts it on after school for 10 minutes and you can see the make up melting off. She says her skin feels super hydrated when she rinses it off. She follows up with a mild face wash. Initially t took a week or two to see the difference and it has been a major improvement, her skin looks and feels soft and hydrated with no dry patches. She was so happy with the results that I have now purchased other products from the inkey list for her which she is just as happy with."
Beauty Pie Superdrops™ Brightening Niacinamide (10%)
Member price: £29
Why Cosmo loves it: Spots followed by post-inflammatory pigmentation are a skincare issue I face on a monthly basis. However, this niacinamide-rich serum from Beauty Pie was a game-changer for me and even cut my monthly breakouts by half – no small feat, trust me.
I adore this so much, I even wrote a lengthy love letter to it, which you can read here. – Charlotte Bitmead, former Senior Beauty Writer
Why shoppers love it: "My skin loves niacinamide. I wanted something that would give me moisture that wasnt a moisturiser and this delivers. My skin is so glowy"
Micellar Hyaluronic Aloe Water
Micellar Hyaluronic Aloe Water
Why Cosmo loves it: I have used Garnier's micellar waters since they launched, and I honestly don't think you can top them when it comes to price and affordability.
They remove your makeup far quicker than any wipe ever could, don't irritate my eyes, and one bottle lasts me ages. I recently switched to this Hyaluronic Aloe version for a change as I'm a sucker for anything 'soothing'. – Laura Capon, former Deputy Beauty Editor
Why shoppers love it: "I really love this micellar water. Its really gentle and works really well at removing makeup, including on the eye area. My oily acne prone skin likes this particular version. And their eco reusable pads work great with it"
Gentle Skin Cleanser Wash
Why Cosmo loves it: If, like me, you have sensitive, blemish-prone skin, then look no further than this Cetaphil cleanser. It’s gentle enough not to irritate the face yet still firm enough to remove any dirt or excess oil from the skin.
So, do feel free to use it twice daily. Plus, it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t cause those pesky under-the-skin bumps. Hallelujah! – Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer
Why shoppers love it: "My favourite cleanser, after trying so many different ones and expensive brands. This is the only cleanser which doesn’t react with my skin, it’s so gentle and doesn’t make my skin feel itchy or tight"
Why Cosmo loves it: Calling this vitamin-C infused eye cream my “holy grail” doesn’t even do it justice. I have severe pigmentation under my eyes (thanks, genetics!), but Tatcha’s was the first I’ve tried that’s made a noticeable difference. Of course, it doesn’t completely erase my dark circles, but with just the tiniest smidge of product, my under-eyes are hydrated, de-puffed and visibly glowing. It sits beautifully under makeup and limits any concealer creasing, too! – Urmi Pandit, Beauty Assistant
Why shoppers love it: "My undereyes are sooo much brighter after consistently using day and night for a week!! Love!!! Does have a tumeric smell but its worth it!!"
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Why Cosmo loves it: With continued use, this genuinely makes your skin look like you’ve only drank water and eaten greens for a month.
The hyaluronic acid sits in two different molecular sizes; the bigger of the two plumps the surface, and the smaller ones penetrate the skin barrier to work from within… It’s all very techy. I just love how dewy my skin looks TBH. – Keeks Reid, Beauty Director
Why shoppers love it: "I bought this a while ago when I was diagnosed with rosacea and was told I needed hyaluronic acid, and my dermatologist recommended this brand. The texture is so luxurious, a little goes a long way and it absorbs perfectly, leaving a lovely glow to my skin, it's now become one of my staples!"
Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Why Cosmo loves it: I used to steal this from my mum’s dresser when I lived at home (sorry, mum), and I still love it years later. It’s just the silkiest moisturiser that makes a fab base for makeup.
It’s especially great for dry skin– I hate when makeup clings to dry patches or doesn’t blend properly, and this eliminates that. – Keeks Reid, Beauty Director
Why shoppers love it: "Amazing product! Leaves my skin extremely hydrated and it’s a beautiful base layer for my make up, it goes on so even when I use it. Will buy this product from now on"
Fenty Beauty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF30
Why Cosmo loves it: As someone with dehydrated skin, I often find that SPF moisturisers are not hydrating enough for me, and I need to apply them separately – until I met Hydra Vizor.
It’s so lightly creamy and the soft pink formula really blends into my skin well (ashiness is a real worry for melanin-rich skin). It's love. – Keeks Reid, Beauty Director
Why shoppers love it:
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
OK, so I know it may sound hard to believe, but everyone mentioned in this article, their full-time, 9-5 job is to test beauty products... I know, cool, right? And most of us (I speak for the collective Cosmo girlie) have been doing this for over five years. Mind = blown.
That knowledge, combined with the differences in our skin types and concerns, makes for a powerhouse of recommendations, even if I do say so myself. Trust me, we don't take this lightly and are always thinking of our readers in mind when we're testing out new formulas, speaking to beauty founders and/or interviewing dermatologists/skincare experts!
So, whether you've got oily, dry, textured, red, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, there's an A1 product rec for you. But as always, if you are struggling with your skin, please do seek professional advice from a doctor or dermatologist <3.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the former Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
10 lash growth serums that *really* work
How hormones affect breakouts, dryness and more
The end of looking your age
This is the treatment that cured my tired eyes
