Whether it is via my Instagram DMs, over a virtual skincare consultation, or mid-facial, as an esthetician (and beauty editor) I’m regularly asked for my top beauty product recommendations. “Are microcurrent devices worth it?”, “can you recommend an affordable vitamin C?”, and “what’s the best product for dark circles?” are up there as the most frequently asked requests I get, but I regularly recommend products for all manner of skin types and concerns, from dry and dehydrated through to oily and acne-prone.
Now as a beauty editor I’ve tested an unprecedented amount of products, which makes things a lot easier when it comes to making recommendations to my clients as an esthetician. I have my personal favourites—the failsafe spot treatment I always have a backup of and the soothing face mist I buy in bulk to name a few—but for me, the sign of a good product is when it gets great feedback from those I recommend it to.
There are so many things to take into account when I recommend a product to a client, or a friend. Not only do I consider whether it’s right for their skin type and if it addresses their skin concerns, but I also consider the individual ingredients within it, the texture of the formula, and how it will feel and last on their skin.
In addition I always like to be conscious of budget when making product recommendations to clients. However, if I truly believe that a product is worth the price—and there’s no cheaper alternative—I’ll always recommend it, no matter what. So when someone writes back with good feedback or tells me they’ve repurchased a product, I know it’s worth keeping in mind for a future recommendation.
Over the years, I’ve been able to draw up my ultimate list of the product recommendations that always impress. So without further ado, scroll down to discover my most-recommended skincare products.
When I trained as an esthetician, this was the cleanser we used in beauty school. I fell in love with its ability to totally melt away makeup, and the fact that it’s suitable for all (yes, even oily) skin types.
When clients ask me for an affordable cleanser recommendation, this is always my go-to—it’s only £10! Since the formula is basic and gentle, it’s also great for those who have over-irritated their skin with too much exfoliation or by layering too many active ingredients.
A lot of people who have oily or breakout-prone skin make the mistake of reaching for cleansers that are too harsh and stripping—which actually irritate breakouts and can trigger more oil production. Instead, it pays to use something gentle and kind to skin. While this formula contains clay and charcoal (which help to absorb excess oil and clear congested pores) it also has probiotics and aloe to calm and balance skin.
Some face mists are no more than fancy scented waters, but this is basically a hydrating serum in spray-on form. If you have dry skin or find your skin can feel tight and sensitive after cleansing or when the weather is cold, this will be a great addition to your routine.
Zinc is amazing for healing skin and soothing inflammation, so if you have any kind of inflammatory skin concerns (such as acne, rosacea, eczema), it’s a key ingredient to look out for. This cooling mist is packed with zinc and also feels super soothing.
This is one of those rare and wonderful products that has benefits for every skin type and concern. It contains hypochlorous acid, which is naturally produced by our white blood cells to defend against infection and bacteria. Spraying this on basically disinfects your face, but without drying skin out—it’s great for treating breakouts and dryness without irritating sensitivity.
Every bit as powerful as a moisturiser but with the light gel texture of a serum, this product never fails to get great feedback from those with dry skin. Even the hard-to-please clients who have extreme dryness and chapped skin love it.
An essence typically has a texture which falls somewhere between that of a serum and a toner. Essentially though, you’d use it in place of a serum—after cleansing or toning and before moisturiser. My clients with dehydrated skin love this one because it makes such an immediate difference.
An ‘affordable vitamin C serum’ is one of my most frequent product recommendation requests—and was one I struggled with until this one launched. Many cheap formulas use unstable forms of vitamin C, but this one feature ascorbyl glucoside which is not only really stable but also shows similar benefits to pure vitamin C—antioxidant protection, boosted collagen, and faded hyperpigmentation.
I work with a lot of clients who have breakout-prone skin, so once their skin is clearer and less congested, they want to focus on treating scarring and pigmentation. I love to recommend this NIOD serum—it features a copper peptide complex with amazing wound healing and skin remodelling properties.
Prescription-strength retinoids are not always easy to get hold of on the NHS, which is why Skin & Me was founded. The service connects you to a dermatologist who, after an in-depth consultation, prescribes you a unique serum blend to target your individual skin concerns. It can be a great option if you have breakout-prone skin or want to target signs of ageing, and haven’t seen results from on-the-shelf serums.
Those with acne-prone skin are often nervous when it comes to applying moisturiser, but I always assure clients not to worry—not all moisturisers will clog pores and irritate skin. This oil-free and water-based formula provides intensive hydration (which is much needed to help clear breakouts and support the skin barrier) but feels totally weightless.
This rich cream is great for dry skin types or those who experience an annual flare up of ‘winter skin’—increased redness and sensitivity. It contains ceramides, which are essential to supporting the skin barrier, preventing moisture from escaping and keeping bacteria out. This works great as a day cream if you have dry skin, or as a night cream for other skin types.
Sensitive skin can be hard to tackle since it requires stripping things back to a bare minimum, but still needs the basics (cleansing and hydrating) in order to heal and repair. As it’s fragrance-free and water-based, this moisturiser won’t irritate. What’s more, it contains squalane to strengthen the skin barrier, niacinamide to soothe, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
Dark circles are another common concern amongst my clients, but I always like to manage expectations—they’re largely genetic, so it can be hard to treat them topically. I always recommend this eye cream, since it contains light-reflecting yellow pigments which brighten and coolour correct, while vitamin C works to brighten in the long term.
If your main eye related concern is fine lines or wrinkles, check out this underrated eye serum. It contains multiple collagen-stimulating peptides, argireline (known as ‘Botox in a jar’), and other hardworking active ingredients including vitamin C, lactic acid, and cica. The first person I ever recommended it to was my mum, and she couldn’t believe the difference it made.
Lots of people experience dryness near their eyes—the skin here is very thin and delicate so it’s often the first place to show signs of dryness and irritation, as well as signs of ageing. La Roche-Posay are one of my go-to brands for sensitive skin skincare, and this eye cream never fails to help soothe and moisturise.
Many spot treatments work so fast because they essentially dry out the spot, but this can lead to scarring and hyperpigmentation. Designed to calm breakouts instead, this soothing cream contains acne-targeting ingredients like salicylic acid and zinc, as well as soothing niacinamide and hydrating squalane.
There are hundreds of spot patches and breakout stickers out there, but Zitsticka’s Killa Kit really is the best of the best. Each patch contains tiny microdarts which dissolve ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide into the pore. They’re effective against even the most stubborn and deep-rooted under-the-skin breakouts.
If you need to get rid of a breakout fast, benzoyl peroxide will do just that. 5% is the highest strength you’ll find from an on-the-shelf product in the U.K. but it’s still incredibly effective.
Dry, dull, and lacklustre skin doesn’t stand a chance against this brightening moisture mask. I refer to it as my ‘hangover mask’ since it always helps to make depleted skin look and feel like a healthier, happier version of itself.
This is another product I like to recommend to those who have previously taken a too aggressive approach to targeting acne. Using antibacterial manuka honey it reduces breakouts by soothing and calming instead of stripping and drying out skin.
Now I know £65 sounds like a lot for a face mask, but I’ve never found anything quite like this, or even as effective. It contains ingredients like kaolin clay, honey, and camphor—perfect for treating congestion and inflammation. When I myself had severe cystic acne, this was the only product that helped to relieve a bad flare-up.
Oilier skin types will love this SPF formula—it’s mattifying, subtly tints skin to even skin tone, and functions as a makeup primer.
If you’re after a lightweight SPF that sits well under makeup and gives skin a dewy glow, look no further. Because it’s a serum, this one feels totally weightless as well.
A lot of my clients have never worn daily SPF and still associate it with the thick, chalky sunscreens they wore as children. Once I’ve explained the importance of using SPF to protect skin and prevent signs of ageing, they’re much more on board—and even more so once they’ve tried this formula. It’s lightweight, quick to absorb, and only £11!
Lots of people ask me if LED masks are worth it, and the answer is yes, if you choose the right one. Of course, nothing will ever be as powerful as the devices used by professionals, but this mask is the next best thing.
Like LED, microcurrent treatments are often offered by skin professionals. They help to lift and tighten by building up facial muscles. While in-salon devices are often strong enough to show immediate results, at-home ones will require frequent and consistent use. If you’re committed then this one is totally worth it.
I’ve spoken before about my love for my Foreo cleansing brush—I use it daily in my evening skincare routine and frequently recommend it to clients with concerns related to blackheads, textured congestion, and enlarged pores.
Good skincare practice is all about taking a holistic approach, and while I’m by no means a nutrition expert, I’ve seen first-hand just how much of a difference supplements can make to skin. This nutrient blend is a favourite amongst my acne-prone clients—each ingredient is chosen for its ability to help clear skin from within.
Omegas are known for their nourishing properties—think of them as an internal moisturiser. For this reason I always recommend them to dry skin types, but they’re also beneficial to those with oily and acne-prone skin as they can help to soften the sebum that (when hard) builds up and clogs pores.
