Best Skincare Products for Glowing Skin: 2025 Edition
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent more time and money on skincare products than you care to admit. And while the beauty shelves are full of promises, only a few products actually deliver results worth shouting about.
This year, I’ve tested dozens of cleansers, serums, and moisturisers. The products below are the ones I keep reaching for (and will be repurchasing). Whether you’re looking to brighten your complexion, calm irritation, or find your next holy grail product, you’re in the right place.
This post will be updated throughout the year as I test new skincare products, so stay tuned for future additions.
Cleansers
Best Cleanser for Removing Makeup:
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
- Best for: Dryness, dullness, tired skin
- How to use: Massage onto dry skin, then remove with a warm flannel
This luxurious balm melts away makeup, sunscreen, and daily grime while leaving your skin soft, nourished, and glowing. The calming scent and buttery texture turn cleansing into a little moment of self-care.
👉 More top-rated cleansing balms you’ll love
For more affordable options for removing makeup, I also love The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser or Mixsoon Bean Cleansing Oil!
Best Hydrating Cleanser:
Skin Rocks Cream Cleanser
- Best for: Sensitive skin (fragrance-free version!), barrier repair
- How to use: Use as a second cleanse or morning cleanse
A creamy cleanser that feels rich without being heavy. I received this one in my Space NK advent calendar last year and was instantly hooked. It makes my skin feel clean, plump, and never tight.
Best Budget-Friendly Cleanser:
Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser
- Best for: All skin types, including sensitive
- How to use: Great for AM cleanse or light makeup days
An affordable option that hydrates while gently cleansing. It won’t break down heavy makeup, but it’s perfect for everyday use.
Best Overall Cleanser
Beauty Pie Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser
- Best for: All skin types
- How to use: Massage onto dry skin and rinse; ideal for both AM and PM
This cleanser removes makeup and sunscreen with ease while leaving skin soft and dewy. A great multitasker if you want one product that does it all.
Eye Creams
Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles
Sunday Riley Autocorrect Eye Cream
- Best for: Puffiness, tired eyes, dull under-eye area
- How to use: Pat under the eyes in the morning
This is my go-to on mornings when I’ve had minimal sleep (which is most of them). It visibly brightens and helps me look more alive, even if I’m running on caffeine. Despite its high price tag, this is the only eye cream I’ve re-purchased regularly!
Best Hydrating Eye Cream
Glossier Full Orbit Eye Cream
- Best for: Fine lines, dry under-eye skin
- How to use: Gently tap under the eyes day or night
Lightweight but nourishing, this hydrates without interfering with concealer. Great for layering or using solo.
Best Eye Cream for Wrinkles
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Eye Cream
- Best for: Fine lines, texture, dullness
- How to use: Use in the evening, 2–3 times a week, gradually increasing
Combining retinoid power with a soothing base, this is a must if you want to target crow’s feet or early signs of ageing without irritation.
Serums
Best Vitamin C Serum:
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum
- Best for: Dullness, uneven tone, early pigmentation
- How to use: Apply in the morning after cleansing
The best brightening serum I’ve found under £30. Gentle but effective, and it layers beautifully under SPF.
Best Hydrating Essence:
COSRX Snail Mucin Essence
- Best for: Dehydration, barrier repair, glow
- How to use: Press into skin after cleansing
A cult favourite that genuinely lives up to the hype. Lightweight, cooling, and deeply hydrating.
Best Hydrating Serum:
Medik8 Hydra B5 Intense
With a combination of hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5, this serum deeply hydrates and revitalises the skin, leaving it plump and smooth. I’m on my second bottle of this so far this year- it’s unbeatable! You can find out more about why hyaluronic acid is a skincare essential here.
- Best for: Dry, tight skin and dehydration lines
- How to use: Morning and/or evening before moisturiser
One of the few serums I repurchase again and again. Gives a plump, glowy look instantly.
👉 Why hyaluronic acid is a glow-up essential
I recently finished a bottle of the Skin1004 Tone Brightening Ampoule and was genuinely impressed by how much it boosted my skin’s hydration. I’m honestly torn between repurchasing this or going back to the Medik8 serum—it’s that good. If you’re after a more affordable hydrating serum, you can read my full review of it here.
Best Azelaic Acid Treatment:
Beauty Pie Happy Face Azelaic Acid
- Best for: Redness, hormonal breakouts, texture
- How to use: Use in the evening 2–3x per week
Soothing and effective, this treatment helped calm my hormonal breakouts and persistent red nose.
Best Anti-ageing Serum:
Elemis Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum
- Best for: Fine lines, dryness, firmness
- How to use: Use daily, AM or PM
If your skin is feeling dry, tired, or just a bit “meh,” this brings it back to life.
👉 Read the full serum review here
Budget Pick: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5: An ultra-affordable hydration and anti-ageing serum that layers well and gives your skin a quick plump. Read the full breakdown in my affordable skincare guide.
Retinoids
Best Non-irritating Retinoid:
Skin Rocks Retinoid 2
- Best for: Early ageing, uneven tone, texture
- How to use: PM only, 2–4x a week depending on tolerance
This is what I turn to when I want results without the redness or peeling.
Best Tretinoin Treatment:
Skin+Me Tretinoin
- Best for: Acne, fine lines, pigmentation
- How to use: Apply 4-7 nights per week as part of your PM routine
The most transformative skincare product I’ve used all year. My skin is clearer, smoother, and more even-toned.
Exfoliation
Best Exfoliating Toner:
REN Ready Steady Glow Toner
- Best for: Texture, dullness, congestion
- How to use: Swipe over clean skin 2–3x a week
Gentle enough for regular use, yet powerful enough to keep dull skin at bay.
As REN Skincare is sadly closing down (I’m devastated!) I will update this section once I find another gentle, all-rounder exfoliating toner that I love as much as this one! In the meantime, here are some other acid toners that I rate:
👉 Best exfoliators for oily/combination skin
👉 Gentle acid toners for dry or sensitive skin
Moisturisers and Masks
Best Lightweight Moisturiser for Summer:
Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream
- Best for: Normal to oily skin, layering under SPF
- How to use: Apply after serum, before sunscreen
A refreshing gel-cream that hydrates without heaviness.
Best Moisturiser for Winter:
Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream
- Best for: Dry, flaky, or tight skin
- How to use: Use AM or PM to lock in hydration
Rich but never greasy, this one saved my skin all winter long.
Best Night Cream:
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro
- Best for: Barrier support, overnight hydration
- How to use: Apply at night as your final step
If your skin feels worn out, this will restore it while you sleep. Packed with ceramides and oils, it provides lasting hydration without feeling heavy, making it perfect for those with dry or compromised skin.
Best Sleeping Mask:
Laneige Bouncy Sleeping Mask
- Best for: Glow, moisture retention
- How to use: Use 2–3 nights a week in place of (or on top of) night cream
You wake up to glowy, refreshed skin with no greasiness in sight.
Best Multipurpose Oil:
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil
- Best for: Dryness, glow, softening skin and hair
- How to use: Mix with moisturiser or pat over skin as last step
Lightweight and non-comedogenic, this one does it all.
Sun Protection
Best Everyday SPF:
Beauty Pie Featherlight SPF
- Best for: Daily wear under makeup
- How to use: Every morning as the final step of skincare
Non-greasy, no white cast, no pilling—it’s everything an everyday SPF should be.
If you don’t have a Beauty Pie membership, I would recommend Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water Fit Sun Serum SPF50 as an equally lightweight alternative. Read the full review here.
Best On-the-Go SPF:
Sculpted by Aimee SPF Sun Mist
- Best for: Reapplication throughout the day
- How to use: Spritz over makeup or bare skin
Perfect for topping up SPF on busy days, beach trips, or school runs.
Each of these products has earned a place on this list by being effective, easy to use, and a pleasure to apply. Whether you’re overhauling your routine or just looking to add one new glow-boosting product, these are the standouts of 2025 (so far).
What are your skincare stars of the year? Share in the comments or tag me @hurryupmummy—I love discovering new favourites!
