After working in the beauty industry for over 13 years, I’ve come to realise skincare is where my passion lies. I obsess over routines; I’m more interested in molecules than movies, and my friends always tag me in skincare memes. If that doesn’t show you how into it I am, the list below certainly should. Here are my nine favourite innovations of 2019…
#1 The ‘Tweakment’
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler 10% Pure Vitamin C Booster
Booster serums are worth the investment, especially if you can’t afford to visit a facialist every month. Eucerin’s latest Vitamin C Booster won the team and me over in just seven days. From day 3, you see dullness diminish and marks disappear; I’d recommend this serum to anyone who wants to see a real difference with their skincare without switching up their routine dramatically.
See what happened to mine and the team’s skin after using the serum twice a day for just seven days.
#2 The Best All-Rounder
This year I saw that our customers wanted more from their skincare. Cutting back, but investing in efficacious products was a key trend. Avene’s Aqua Gel was the answer this savvy customer was looking for. This moisturiser/night mask/eye cream hybrid is hydrating enough to plump and comfort, but light enough that it feels as if you’ve only splashed water over your face. It’s one to invest in if you want a moisturiser that ticks all of the boxes.
Find out more about Aqua Gel and the Avene Hydrance collection in Ceryn’s review
#3 The Eye Cream
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Eye Concentrate
Dark circles, puffiness and bags were the most frequent eye concerns this year. Again, do-it-all solutions were the demand. I found the perfect one. It’s the award-winning Shiseido Ultimune Eye; a weightless eye cream that also tackles wrinkles and protects the delicate skin around the eye area. I’m a massive fan of the Ultimune message, great skin starts with proper protection, and this powerful eye cream reduces friction damage around the eye area by 30%, which is ideal if you rub your eyes, or use a lot of eye makeup remover.
#4 The SPF
Clarins Mineral Sun Care Compact for Face SPF30
As a teenager, I always used to steal my mum’s Clarins products. What 13-year-old needs an Extra-Firming Cream? My love for Clarins has lasted well over a decade. Still, to this day, their innovations always pique my interest, particularly their Mineral SPF30 Compact. It’s the comfiest SPF I’ve ever worn, and if you hate SPF, you need this in your life. Its tinted formula makes skin glow; and when I saw glow, I mean it. Perfect for an off-duty base, or as a primer for fuller coverage – this is one of my best discoveries of 2019.
#5 The Face Serum
Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Over 20 years of research is behind Lancome’s number 1 serum: Genifique; this award-winning serum has sold over 25 million bottles worldwide, and it’s not slowing down either. This year, Lancome got inspired by microbiome science. They reformulated their iconic Genifique with prebiotic and probiotic-derived ingredients (good bacteria) to protect the skin and fight ageing. This serum is one for all ages, and anyone looking to preserve the health of their complexion with minimal effort.
#6 The Cleanser
Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Gel Cleanser
One day I stumbled across the famous Dr Pimple Popper using a salicylic acid face wash. I tried every one I could get my hands on. Then, in came Caudalie’s Vinopure face wash. A cleanser for combination skin that’s so gentle, even sensitive skin types can use it. After trying this for a recent Vinopure review for the blog, I was taken aback by the impressive results. The fresh and clean feeling it gives your skin is incomparable. I’m impressed by the value, too, as a little bit goes a long way. If you have spots on your back and chest, its efficacious foam also helps to clear bacne.
#7 The Day Cream
GUERLAIN Abeille Royale Mattifying Day Cream
When it comes to skincare, Abeille Royal is royalty. As soon as you touch the products, you can instantly feel the quality of their craftsmanship while being in awe of the smell, texture and meltiness of everything in the range. New this year was the Mattifying Day Cream; GUERLAIN’s first AR moisturiser explicitly for combination skin. Finally, their black bee honey can benefit shiny t-zones globally, and the results are noteworthy. After using this for three months, my skin was smoother, my shine decreased. People believed it was my foundation, but no, it was all down to this moisturiser.
#8 The Face Mask
DIOR Capture Totale Dreamskin 1-Minute Mask
It’s all in the name: Dreamskin. Anything that can make skin glow in 60 seconds is always of interest to the masses, but what stood out about the new version of DIOR’s icon mask was its ingredient line-up. You’ve got a range of gentle but effective acids (glycolic and citric) alongside floral acids, which relieve the skin of the burning feeling often associated with peels. My advice? Don’t skip an exfoliating mask, especially one as good as this. After using twice a week before bed, my skin has never looked more even – thank you, DIOR!
#9 The Body Balm
Nuxe Reve de Miel Melting Honey Body Oil Balm
When India Knight says something is ‘Almost perfect’, it almost definitely is. The smell? Delicious, like honey. The texture? An ideal harmony of balm and oil – it’s rather indulgent. Way back in August, this body balm ended up on my desk, and since then, I’ve been using it every day. It’s stood the test of time soothing my sunburn on holiday, moisturising my dry elbows during winter and most importantly, not irritating my legs after shaving.
Read more about Reve de Miel and its eco-friendly honey face and body range in my Editor’s picks.
