Beauty Brands are Redefining Skincare: My Top Picks for 2025
When it comes to skincare, this year has seen a seismic shift towards South Korean brands that have captured the hearts of British consumers. From hydrating formulas to glassy-looking skin, these innovative products have tantalized droves of customers and left traditional skincare in the dust.
I'd like to give a shout-out to Beauty of Joseon's Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+, which embodies everything I love about this genre – elegant sunscreens, gentle formulas, stacks of hydration, featherlight textures, and competitive pricing. For just £15.50, this product delivers more than most of us are used to, making it a wonderful everyday moisturiser.
France has also made significant strides in the skincare world, with Mimétique's Skin Cloud cleansing balm (£25) standing out as a faultless, thorough, and fast cleanse that leaves no residue behind. Meanwhile, CTRL (£43) is an eye cream that I've grown to love using, not just for its moisturising properties but also for its ability to depuff and sit effortlessly under makeup.
In the high-street, The Ordinary's £13.50 GF 15% Solution has been a game-changer, offering a gentle and easy-to-use anti-ageing serum that's suitable for even sensitive skins. It's a great option for those who have struggled with retinoids or other actives in the past.
Another notable development is the resurgence of mineral sunscreen, thanks to brands like Sunsolve MD. Their elegant and makeup-compatible new generation zinc-oxide face creams are leading the charge towards more accessible sun protection.
Last but not least, I'm eagerly awaiting the UK launch of INN Beauty Project's Mineral Sun Glow, a tinted facial sunscreen that I've fallen in love with after buying it in the US and emptying it multiple times. With its affordable price tag, this product has won my heart, and I hope it will soon be available to our British customers as well.
When it comes to skincare, this year has seen a seismic shift towards South Korean brands that have captured the hearts of British consumers. From hydrating formulas to glassy-looking skin, these innovative products have tantalized droves of customers and left traditional skincare in the dust.
I'd like to give a shout-out to Beauty of Joseon's Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+, which embodies everything I love about this genre – elegant sunscreens, gentle formulas, stacks of hydration, featherlight textures, and competitive pricing. For just £15.50, this product delivers more than most of us are used to, making it a wonderful everyday moisturiser.
France has also made significant strides in the skincare world, with Mimétique's Skin Cloud cleansing balm (£25) standing out as a faultless, thorough, and fast cleanse that leaves no residue behind. Meanwhile, CTRL (£43) is an eye cream that I've grown to love using, not just for its moisturising properties but also for its ability to depuff and sit effortlessly under makeup.
In the high-street, The Ordinary's £13.50 GF 15% Solution has been a game-changer, offering a gentle and easy-to-use anti-ageing serum that's suitable for even sensitive skins. It's a great option for those who have struggled with retinoids or other actives in the past.
Another notable development is the resurgence of mineral sunscreen, thanks to brands like Sunsolve MD. Their elegant and makeup-compatible new generation zinc-oxide face creams are leading the charge towards more accessible sun protection.
Last but not least, I'm eagerly awaiting the UK launch of INN Beauty Project's Mineral Sun Glow, a tinted facial sunscreen that I've fallen in love with after buying it in the US and emptying it multiple times. With its affordable price tag, this product has won my heart, and I hope it will soon be available to our British customers as well.
Like, who wouldn't want hydrating formulas that are also super gentle and have glassy-looking skin? 
And CTRL's eye cream sounds so good too - I've been looking for something to depuff under my makeup 
...
! Their sunscreens are so underrated, you know? People always go on about those fancy South Korean brands, but honestly, this one is right up there for me. And £15.50 for a product that actually works is a steal! I've tried a few other new skincare brands recently and they all seem to be following in Beauty of Joseon's footsteps - it's like the whole industry has caught on to their formulas 
. I'm also loving how they're making mineral sunscreen more accessible, because let's be real, who doesn't want to protect their skin from the sun without breaking the bank? 
The Ordinary's GF 15% Solution is another winner, easy peasy to use and not at all harsh on my skin. Fingers crossed we'll see more affordable skincare options like this in the future 
. Like, I get it, hydrating is key and glassy skin is a goal, but what about affordable skincare options for us mere mortals? Why should we have to break the bank just to look good? The Ordinary's GF 15% Solution is still my go-to anti-aging serum, even if it's not as trendy as those newbies. And can someone please explain to me why mineral sunscreen is making a comeback? It's always been there and I'm so over the hype 
. Give me that old-school zinc oxide face cream any day!
I'm loving how the beauty industry is moving away from traditional harsh ingredients & towards more natural, gentle formulas that actually work 
! South Korean brands are killing it right now 
. The Ordinary's GF 15% Solution has also been a lifesaver for me 
- who needs harsh retinoids when you have gentle, effective alternatives? 
And can we talk about the resurgence of mineral sunscreen? Sunsolve MD's new gen zinc-oxide face creams are giving me all the sun protection vibes 
. Can't wait to get my hands on INN Beauty Project's Mineral Sun Glow too! 
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! But seriously, these UK-based brands are killing it, especially The Ordinary's GF 15% Solution - it's like a retinoid reboot for my skin 
. And sun protection is so important, I'm all about that mineral sunscreen life, especially with Sunsolve MD's new gen face creams 
. Can't wait to get my hands on INN Beauty Project's Mineral Sun Glow, it's like they knew I was waiting for them in the US 
.
. But if I'm being real, the best thing about Korean skincare is that it's not just for those with perfect skin... like 80% of people experience some form of acne 
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. It's all about the science and ingredients now, with 71% of consumers saying they research products before buying 
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!
CTRL's eye cream is also amazing, but I'm not sure about the £43 price tag - maybe they could make a smaller size or two for those on a budget? 
. Still, brands like Sunsolve MD are doing great work to educate and innovate.
! For me, beauty isn't just about looking good, but also about feeling good 
! My fave discovery so far has been Beauty of Joseon's Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50+, it's like a dream come true for my skin 
Anyway, I'd say these are some of the best picks for 2025, but we should keep an eye out for more innovative brands to pop up! 
. but i gotta give a shoutout to the ordinary's gf 15% solution 
it's so gentle & easy to use, even my sensitive skin loves it 
sunsolve md is also on point with their new gen zinc-oxide face creams 
] skincare brands are getting lit 
]
! and The Ordinary's anti-aging serum is giving me LIFE 
]
] mineral sunscreen is back and better than ever 
! Sunsolve MD, you're the real MVP 
! I'm OBSESSED with that tinted facial sunscreen 
]
. And don't even get me started on The Ordinary's GF 15% Solution... who needs that much salicylic acid in their face?