Best Skincare Picks

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is one of the most versatile ingredients in skincare: it supports the skin barrier, helps balance oil and can improve the look of pores and uneven tone. These serums put it high in their ingredient lists.

Hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin for an instantly plumper, more hydrated look, and suits almost every skin type. These serums feature it prominently.

Retinoids are the most studied ingredients for smoothing fine lines and refining texture. They can irritate at first, so start slowly, use them at night and wear sunscreen by day.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps brighten dullness and fade the look of dark spots, and pairs well with daily sunscreen. These serums contain a vitamin C derivative or pure ascorbic acid.

Salicylic acid (a BHA) is oil-soluble, so it can clear inside pores — which is why it is a staple for breakouts and blackheads. These cleansers, toners and treatments contain it.

Leave-on acid toners with AHAs (glycolic, lactic, mandelic) or BHA (salicylic) gently dissolve dead skin cells for smoother, brighter skin. Introduce them gradually and wear sunscreen.

Ceramides are lipids that make up much of the skin barrier. Moisturisers that combine them with humectants help skin hold on to water and recover from dryness and irritation.

Dry skin needs both humectants that attract water and richer emollients that seal it in. These moisturisers are made for dry or very dry skin, or are built around barrier-supporting ingredients.

Oily skin still needs moisture — just lighter textures without heavy butters. These moisturisers are made for oily or combination skin, or use oil-balancing ingredients like niacinamide and zinc.

Fragrance is one of the most common triggers for reactive skin. These moisturisers list no fragrance, essential oils or fragrance allergens and no drying alcohol, and most add soothing ingredients.

A gentle cleanser removes dirt and makeup without stripping the skin barrier. These list no fragrance and skip the harsher sulfate surfactants (sodium lauryl and laureth sulfate).

Micellar water lifts away makeup and grime with no rinsing, using tiny cleansing molecules suspended in water. A gentle first step — especially for sensitive skin.

Daily SPF 50 protects against the UV damage behind most visible ageing and dark spots. These face sunscreens are rated SPF 50 or 50+.

The skin around the eyes is thinner and drier than the rest of the face. These eye creams and serums combine hydrators with ingredients like caffeine, peptides or retinoids.

Serums sit on the skin all day, so fragrance in them is worth avoiding if your skin reacts easily. These list no fragrance, essential oils or fragrance allergens, and no drying alcohol.

Sunscreen goes on every day, so it is one of the best places to cut fragrance. These face sunscreens list no fragrance, essential oils or fragrance allergens.

Moisturisers with no dimethicone or other silicones in the ingredient list, for anyone who prefers a less "slippy" finish or wants to rule silicones out.

Old-style toners relied on alcohol for a tight, "clean" feel that can leave skin dry. These toners and essences list no alcohol denat. or ethanol at all.

Many lightweight sunscreens use alcohol to dry down fast, which can sting dry or sensitive skin. These face sunscreens list no alcohol denat. or ethanol.

Moisturisers with none of the ingredients fungal-acne (Malassezia) guides usually avoid: plant oils and butters, fatty acids, fatty-acid esters, polysorbates and ferments. Checked with the same rules as our fungal acne checker.

Cleansers with none of the ingredients fungal-acne (Malassezia) guides usually avoid: plant oils and butters, fatty acids, fatty-acid esters, polysorbates and ferments. Checked with the same rules as our fungal acne checker.

Serums with none of the ingredients fungal-acne (Malassezia) guides usually avoid: plant oils and butters, fatty acids, fatty-acid esters, polysorbates and ferments. Checked with the same rules as our fungal acne checker.