15 Must-Have Skincare Products To Add To Your Routine
I’m not one to switch up my skincare routine regularly - it takes consistent use of products to really see an impact so when I do share product recommendations, you can be confident that they have thoroughly been tried, tested and reviewed. I often get asked about the skincare I use and if I have discovered any new must-haves and my answer is usually a boring “no” followed by the same old recommendations because once I find something that works, I’m rebuying it!
That being said, I thought I’d share this blog post summarising my absolute favourite skincare products over the last few years, from face washes, serums and lip balms, that are well worth trying out. I’ve shared links to online sites as well as any sample-sized bundles which are a great way to test out new products without commitment. There are always sales and offers on too so be sure to shop around for the best deals!
If you’re looking for a daily serum to help you reduce puffiness and under-eye circles - this one is for you. You can read my full review here but in summary, this caffeine-packed product is why I stopped wearing concealer for work zoom meetings! A lightweight serum that can be used alone or under makeup makes this super easy to slot into your daily skincare routine.
This cleansing balm is the ONLY cream cleanser you need in your life. The consistency is smooth like butter which effortlessly melts away makeup - including your stubborn makeup - and leaves your skin free from makeup without any sticky, leftover residue. You can also use this as a face cleanser when you’re not wearing makeup to refresh your skin while keeping it soft and hydrated. This product deserves 5 stars! Check out my full review here.
I’ve said this multiple times on my Instagram over the years but this product is a lifesaver for sensitive and dehydrated skin types. The thin consistency absorbs straight into the skin and can be applied before additional layers of moisturisers in your day and night routine. My skin instantly feels nourished and plump after using this. If you feel like your skin needs a hydration boost, this is it! You can try this out in the Dr Jart+ Vital Hydra Solution trial kit which comes with a gel moisturiser for added hydration.
Dr Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleepair Intensive Mask
Another Dr Jart+ favourite - the whole Cicapair range is again, great for sensitive and dehydrated skin types. After using the Vital Hydra Solution, I seal in the moisture with this before bed and it leaves my skin smooth, plump and hydrated the next morning. If you feel like you’re skin is irritated or you’ve had facial treatments, applying this instantly gives your skin a cooling effect and is a great alternative to a sheet mask. Alternatively, it’s a great product to lather on your face and neck before bed in the winter months when the air and central heating can excessively dry out our skin.
This stuff is on the expensive side and I understand why! Within a week of using this daily, I could see significant improvements with dark spots on my face and overall, my complexion had a much healthier glow. I love that this is a serum - it’s perfect to wear alone or under makeup. This product is well worth the investment if you have stubborn dark spots or scars you want to brighten quickly and effectively.
Treat yourself (or a friend) to the Murad gift sets so you can try out multiple products with up to 55% savings.
After using the Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum, I wanted to try out more from Murad and so I opted for this retinol serum to add to my nighttime routine. Surprise, surprise, I love this too! While I don’t have many fine lines to see if this helps firm your skin, I have noticed that my skin texture has become smoother and my skin feels very hydrated and radiant after use. It also works well with the Dark Spot Correcting Serum to brighten dark spots and scars as well as prevent more.
Treat yourself (or a friend) to the Murad gift sets so you can try out multiple products with up to 55% savings.
I tried this product when I bought the Biossance Overachievers starter kit. Biossance is well-known for its clean and vegan ingredients with award-winning, effective products. When I first used this resurfacing serum, I was impressed with the smooth texture of the product which quickly absorbed into my skin, leaving me with a subtle healthy glow. The real noticeable impact was in the morning when my skin was much smoother, fresher and brighter. Although the acid-base is Lactic Acid, this goes head-to-head with the Murad Retinol Youth Serum if you’re looking for a product for your nighttime routine.
Another product I tried out from the Biossance Overachievers starter kit, this eye cream has a unique whipped texture which is the perfect base for your under eyes for a smoothing effect making it a dream base for concealer! Highly recommend adding this bestseller into your routine if you’re looking for a moisturising and smoothing cream for your under eyes.
If you’re looking for an eye cream that acts as a base for your concealer which doubles up as an under-eye brightener, this is for you. The eye cream is now fragrance-free and contains real gold to help brighten up dark, tired under eyes. This is a great product to supplement your winter skincare regime.
After hearing all the hype about this moisturiser on IG and Tiktok, I finally gave in. I won’t lie, I was obsessed with the Touch in Sol Beauty Aid Cream for years. But as it’s really hard to get hold of in the UK, I needed to look for a replacement and this is the best I could find! This Embryolisse Cream is an affordable winter moisturiser for day and night which instantly makes your skin plump and moisturised with a healthy glow. This cream is thick enough to give you a smooth base for makeup application without it sliding off (just wait 5 mins before applying makeup to prevent it from rolling).
Another classic that is all over social media - this is an ultra-light SPF that gives you protection from both UVA and UVB. The lightweight formula means you can layer it on as a final step in your skincare routine without it feeling heavy as well as under your makeup. For deeper skin tones, this gives all the protection without any white cast so it’s ideal for all skin tones.
One thing about me is that I love glowy skin! This is the precise reason why I chose this sunscreen from the Supergoop! range. It’s an instant win for no-makeup days that layers on beautifully on top of your skincare and the glow you get from this is like no other - no grease, just a sheer, healthy glow! I always get compliments when I wear this and sometimes I add a bit of concealer and cream blush on top for an “effortless natural makeup” look.
The product comes in two shades, one for cooler tones and the other for warmer tones - be sure to check before you purchase.
I really don’t like lip balms that coat your lips with a layer of balm without intensively moisturising your lips which then require you to re-apply constantly. I have tried every single brand of lip balm and this is the only one that actually moisturises your lips fully. I apply this day and night and maybe 1-2 times throughout the day but I genuinely don’t need to think about re-applying more than this because this multi-balm does the job. It’s a bonus that these are multi-use so this can act as a quick saviour for ashy elbows and knees (we’ve all been there). They are also available in larger sizes and multiple flavours so you will definitely find something suited for you.
This was was the first product I’ve used from Medik8 and I’ve continued to repurchase it since. This cleanser is gentle enough for all skin types and is great for rebalancing your natural oils to leave your skin soft, plump and hydrated after use. The pump makes it really easy to disperse the foam which means you can also guarantee no leaks when packing this for travel! Check out my blog post for more details on this product.
Another favourite cleanser of mine, I love that this cleanser gently exfoliates the skin which helps keeps my skin bright and clear of any dark spots and scars. This cleanser is also travel-friendly as it’s in powder form which needs to be mixed with water before use. It ensures that my skin feels fresh and smooth for the day which in turn helps absorb my skincare products much better too. For more details, check out my previous blog post here.
So those were my top 15 skincare products that I’m obsessed with, if you’ve tried any of these products - let me know your thoughts! What are your holy grail skincare products? Let me know in the comments below!
Kavita K xo
If you enjoyed this post then don't forget to subscribe to receive my future posts straight to your email inbox. Follow me on Instagram/TikTok to see what I'm up to before my next post!
***My views on these products are from my own personal experiences. Please remember that everyone reacts differently to different products – products that work for me may not work well for you. Be sure to do some research before making purchases, especially if you do have allergies to certain ingredients.***