Skinnovations
The trailblazers, the trendsetters, the firsts of their kind - call them what you will, but the next Beauticate Top 100 category is a pretty stellar bunch. Introducing the Skinnovations - the crème de la crème of what the skincare world has to offer. Whether they were the first (ever!) product of their kind, or boast cutting-edge technology straight out a lab, these are the products every skincare lover (or débutant) needs in their collection.
Sensibio H20 Micelle Solution
The original micellar water to hit the market back in 1995, there’s a good reason it remains a mainstay in makeup artists kits nearly 25 years on. It demolishes makeup and removes pollution gently but thoroughly, leaving skin cleansed but not in any way parched – we like to use it as a first cleanse at night or first thing in the morning. It’s also a dream for fixing makeup mishaps, or removing the day and starting again when you go out at night. It’s little wonder that one is sold every two seconds worldwide.
Solar Defense Booster
SPF supercharge the products already sitting in your bathroom cabinet. A few drops of this beauty transform your favourite foundation, tinted moisturiser or day cream into a sunscreen, with an impressive SPF 40 – meaning you don’t have to add yet another layer of product to your face every morning. Plus, it also contains skin-beautifying antioxidants green tea and grapefruit extract, and vitamins A and C.
Lotion P50
The exfoliating toner that the world’s most exclusive facialists, glowing celebrities, and in-the-know beauty obsessives swear by. Packing a powerful dose of brightening AHAs and BHAs, Lotion P50 strengthens the epidermis and balances its pH, for a brighter complexion in one swipe of a cotton pad.
Ultra A Skin Perfecting Serum
Looking to take your skincare routine up a notch but not sure where to start? Vitamin A is a very excellent first port of call: it’s one of the few skincare ingredients that’s actually scientifically proven to actually reduce the signs of ageing. And Ultraceuticals’ cult retinol serum takes it one step further with their high-tech Ultra-Reti delivery system, meaning the good stuff absorbs more effectively – for better skin, quicker.
EGF Serum
This state-of-the-art serum from Icelandic brand Bioeffect is loved by beauty insiders the world round – Karl Lagerfeld claimed it as one of his must-have products, and Uma Thurman and Rozalia Russian are also fans. Its star ingredient is Epidermal Growth Factor (or EGF); in layman’s terms, EGF stimulates collagen and elastin production, two proteins that become less abundant as we age – so getting more of it in your skincare routine equals younger looking skin. And it uses bioengineered barley EGF, meaning that it’s totally vegan friendly, too.
MineralWhip
The skincare/makeup hybrid your beauty collection needs. It offers broad spectrum SPF protection (thanks to key ingredients zinc oxide and titanium oxide), while providing a flawless glowy coverage. Its compact size makes it the perfect prod to pop in your handbag for top ups throughout the day.
Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum
In case you weren’t aware, much like our bodies, our faces need probiotics too – they’ve been shown to work wonders on our complexion’s delicate microbiome to keep skin in optimum health. Want to feed your skin in the most literal sense? Opt for Lancôme’s iconic Advanced Génifique, which earned its cult status thanks to its legendary waiting lists (it was pretty much constantly sold out). It contains yeast and bifidus extracts, plus helps stimulate the creation of proteins that are plentiful in young skin, but (alas), tend to slow in production as we age. It also contains hyaluronic acid and ceramics, for a properly hydrated and nourished complexion. It’s brilliant for all ages and for both your morning and evening skincare routines.
Mia 2 Skin Cleansing System
Want to make your skincare routine a little more hi-tech? The Clarisonic will be your new next friend. Using 300 sonic vibrations per minute, it removes makeup and sunscreen, and dislodges oil and dirt more effectively than your cleanser can alone – which means the products you apply afterwards actually absorb properly and can work better. And these micro-vibrations over time help stimulate collagen and skin turnover, for younger looking skin – win, win, right?
Trinity Device
You work out your body – and there’s a good argument to be made that you should be exercising your face, too. NuFACE’s cult Trinity Device makes light work of this – pulsing micro-currents through the skin, it helps stimulate collagen production, and tones and firms tired-looking skin. Yep, you can carve out a pair of supermodel-worthy cheekbones with this beauty.
Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment
Farewell breakouts with this compact but powerful little pen. It nixes blemishes with its combination of red and blue light – blue light kills bacteria, while red light reduces the breakout’s inflammation. So it’s not unlike a fancy salon treatment, but in the comfort of your own home. Best of all, it only takes two minutes to work. It’s our go-to device when we feel our skin about to act up.