You can't beat the anticipation of opening a new beauty product, wondering if this is the cream that will leave you with a covetable glow or the serum that will slay those pesky pores. But when your new purchase doesn't live up to the hype, the disappointment and annoyance are real—right up there with cold Deliveroo, laddered tights, and bad dates.

That’s why Women’s Health launched their annual Skincare Awards over a decade ago. Every year, we enlist the help of the UK's top skincare professionals to whittle down more than 1,000 product entries, before scrutinising their claims and putting them through their paces. Our hope is that next time you hit the skincare aisles, you'll be better equipped at telling the difference between the workhorses and the show ponies.

From savvy serums to complexion game-changers, here are the recipients of the 2024 Women’s Health Beauty Awards—a total of 34 products that are worth buying on repeat.

Meet The Judges

Claire Sanderson

WH editor-in-chief, who’s after products to optimise her skin in her forties

Perdita Nouril

WH beauty editor, who’s been testing skincare formulas for 15 years

Dr Anjali Mahto

Consultant dermatologist, Author of The Skincare Bible and Self London clinic founder

Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme

Medical consultant and founder of Adonia Medical Clinic

Dr Sophie Shotter

Aesthetic doctor and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic

Body boosters

The skin on your body deserves the same TLC as that on your face – and these hi-tech formulas have got you covered from below-the-head to toe.

Best Fake Tan: This Works Perfect Legs Gradual Tan
Best Fake Tan: This Works Perfect Legs Gradual Tan
Now 25% Off
£30 at thisworks.com

'The buildable formula makes this a hit for tanning novices, while skin-nourishing goodies such as vitamin C set it apart from the average tanning product. A multitasking wonder with serious glow-giving results.’ CS

Best Bath Soak: Neom Perfect Night's Sleep Wellbeing Soak
Best Bath Soak: Neom Perfect Night's Sleep Wellbeing Soak

‘This bath oil is addictive. The blend of camomile, patchouli and English lavender helps to melt away the day and gently influence you into taking deep breaths. Every time I use it, I emerge calmer, with soft, nourished skin. It’s heavenly.’ CS

Best Body Treatment: Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Triple Action AHA Body Scrub
Best Body Treatment: Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Triple Action AHA Body Scrub
Now 16% Off

‘There are so many reasons to love this treatment. It’s gentleyet powerful, thanks to skin-sloughing AHAs that refine bumpy skin. Pleasingly, the sweet hit of cherry lingersall day long.’ IE

Best Shower Product: Rituals of Hammam Exfoliating Bar
Best Shower Product: Rituals of Hammam Exfoliating Bar

'Powerful enough to slough away dead skin cells, but not so powerful that you scrub yourself raw. A dose of argan oiland eucalyptus also helps skin hold on to moisture, leaving it feeling buffed and smooth. At this price, it’s a steal.’ PN

Best Body SPF: Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+
Best Body SPF: Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+

‘Don’t be fooled by its silky, light-as-air finish. This formula offersunbeatable protection against the sun, no matter how many laps of the pool you complete. Plant-derived Pentavitin moisturises skin, while aloe vera soothes and nourishes.’ IE

Best Body Hydrator: Dove Pro Age Body Lotion
Best Body Hydrator: Dove Pro Age Body Lotion

‘For less than a fiver, this boasts some impressive ingredients. Rather than plonking ceramides on your skin, it disperses their building blocks, and these tiny molecules penetrate deeply, kick- starting cells to produce more ceramides of their own for soft, resilient skin. Genius.’ PN

Best Body Oil: OTO Sleep Soundly Bath and Body Oil
Best Body Oil: OTO Sleep Soundly Bath and Body Oil
Now 27% Off

'After a vigorous workout, the blend of camomile, ylang-ylang, mandarin and CBD works to rescue sore limbs while nourishing and replenishing ultra-stressed skin.’ CS

Skintelligent Saviours

From masks that fake a facial to acids that dial up your glow, these products are proof that the future of beauty is only getting brighter.

Best Serum: Reome Active Recovery Broth
Reome Best Serum: Reome Active Recovery Broth

‘This serum does it all. Packed with 18 active ingredients, it strengthens the skin barrier, hydrates and helps with luminosity over time. In my never-ending quest for healthy-looking skin, I can now officially call off the search.’ PN

Best Mask: Kate Somerville Mega-C 30% Vitamin C Brightening Facial 60ml
Kate Somerville Best Mask: Kate Somerville Mega-C 30% Vitamin C Brightening Facial 60ml

‘Brimming with a potent yet stable mega dose of 30% vitamin C, as well as sea buckthorn oil and ceramides, this does a stellar job atleaving skin radiant, glowy and hydrated. It’s nothing less thana total joy to use.’ SS

Best Eye Cream: Garnier Brightening 4  Vitamin C  Niacinamide  Caffeine and Banana Powder Eye Cream 15ml
Garnier Best Eye Cream: Garnier Brightening 4 Vitamin C Niacinamide Caffeine and Banana Powder Eye Cream 15ml

'The price point is excellent given the formula, as it boastsa dose of vitaminC, niacinamide and caffeine: ingredients that make for a hard-working eye cream.It also feels lovely on the skin and sinks inquickly.’ AM

Best SPF: Trinny London See The Light Moisturiser SPF 50+
Best SPF: Trinny London See The Light Moisturiser SPF 50+

‘This formula is akin to a hard-working serum.It blends in seamlessly and delivers long-lasting protection, plus adose of skin-restoring antioxidants. My skin looks healthier and I love how it sits happily under make-up, too.’ PN

Best Day Cream: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream
Charlotte Tilbury Best Day Cream: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Water Cream

‘A lighter version of its famous big sister, this has all the hallmarks of a luxury cream without feeling heavy. It also “trains” the skin barrier to retain more moisture. Clever stuff.’ PN

Best Overnight Treatment: Byoma Barrier+ Repair Treatment Restorative Face Care 50ml
Byoma Best Overnight Treatment: Byoma Barrier+ Repair Treatment Restorative Face Care 50ml

‘This rich and nurturing product is great for sensitive or sensitised skin, helping to soothe the barrier and lock in moisture overnight .Bonus: it’s very affordable, too.’ SS

Best Acid Treatment: 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant
Paula's Choice Best Acid Treatment: 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

‘The concentrations of mandelic and lactic acid are at levels backed by clinical data, which is always a big tick for me as a dermatologist.’ AM

Best Facial Oil: Ally Recovery Facial Oil
By Sarah Best Facial Oil: Ally Recovery Facial Oil

'This lightweight oil leaves your face feeling hydrated and is a winner for congested skin, thanks to papaya fruit and hempseedextract, which quell inflammation and mildlyexfoliate. It’s great for sensitive skin types.’ SS

Best Cleanser: Clinique Take The Day Off™ Facial Cleansing Mousse 125ml
CLINIQUE Best Cleanser: Clinique Take The Day Off™ Facial Cleansing Mousse 125ml

‘This cleanser ensures washing your face feels less of a chore and more of a delight. It lathers into a luxurious foam, makinglight work of cleansing. It’s fragrance- and oil- free so can be used on all skin types.’ AM

Best Exfoliator: The Gentle Acid
Skin Rocks Best Exfoliator: The Gentle Acid

‘I love the combination of acids (AHAs and PHAs) in this formula,as they help to increase skin cell turnover without sensitising the skin barrier. A brilliant product that helps make acids more accessible to all.’ SS

Best Facial Tan: Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist
Three Warriors Best Facial Tan: Three Warriors Face Tan Aqua Mist

'This feels like a cooling facial mist on application and the effects are subtle but impressive – as if you’ve returned from the south of France. It fades like a real tan, too, and doesn’t interfere with my skincare.’ PN

Problem Solvers

Acne soothers, dark spotcorrectors and wrinklebusters... choose your fighter

 Best Treatment for Sensitive Skin: Dr Jart  Cicapair So Soothing Treatment 30ml
Best Treatment for Sensitive Skin: Dr Jart Cicapair So Soothing Treatment 30ml
Now 10% Off

‘This works rapidly to soothe and heal dry, sore and flaky skin. Its secret weapon is centella asiatica extract, a herb with potent antioxidant properties. I’m never without this skin-restoring hero.’ PN

Best Anti-Redness Treatment: The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum 30ml
Best Anti-Redness Treatment: The Ordinary Soothing and Barrier Support Serum 30ml

‘A great no-nonsense formula that can quickly calm redness in theskin. It feels lovely and cosseting on the skin and would be helpful for someone battling sensitivity.’ AM

Best Skin Smoothing Product: Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin-Renewing Serum
Best Skin Smoothing Product: Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin-Renewing Serum

‘The combo of gentle retinoids with ceramides is a winning one, helping to iron out lines and plump skin. The pre- packaged capsules also mean you always use the correct dose.’ SS

Best Spot Treatment: PURIFIDE by Acnecide 3-in-1 Power Patch Salicylic Acid Spot Patches for Blemish-Prone Skin 36 Spot Stickers
Best Spot Treatment: PURIFIDE by Acnecide 3-in-1 Power Patch Salicylic Acid Spot Patches for Blemish-Prone Skin 36 Spot Stickers
Now 16% Off

‘Acne scarring is much harder to treat than the spots themselves, sot hese pick-preventing patches get a tick from me. They also contain salicylic acid to help to unblock pores and clearaway blemishes.’ AM

Best Treatment For Dry Skin: CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin
Best Treatment For Dry Skin: CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin
Now 15% Off

‘This hydrator combines petrolatum, hyaluronic acid and ceramides to bolster the skin barrie and seal in moisture. Its gentle formula makesit perfect for overnightslugging, too.’ IE

Best Treatment For Pigmentation: La Roche-Posay MelaB3 Serum Intense Anti-Dark Spot Serum for Hyperpigmentation 30ml
Best Treatment For Pigmentation: La Roche-Posay MelaB3 Serum Intense Anti-Dark Spot Serum for Hyperpigmentation 30ml

‘A mightily efficacious product, this lightweight serum absorbs into the skin quickly and earns bonus points because it’s been tested on all skintones.’ IE

Best in (Gym) Class

Stow-and-go products that all workout warriors should keep in their gym bags

Best Active Beauty Hero
Best Active Beauty Hero: Jones Road The Neutralizer PencilGoodbye Dark Circles
Best Active Beauty Hero: Jones Road The Neutralizer PencilGoodbye Dark Circles

‘A flushed face is no match for this clever pencil that works instantly to hide under-eye imperfections after a sweaty session. It’s ideal if you don’t have the time or inclination to apply a full face of make-up.’ PN

Best Deodorant: Akt The Deodorant Balm SC.00
Best Deodorant: Akt The Deodorant Balm SC.00

‘I was amazed by how well this cream works. Akin to a moisturiser, it sinks in instantly without leaving any residue on your skin or clothes. It hasn’t once let me down, no matter how much I sweat.’ CS

Best Foot Treatment: Margaret Dabbs Miracle Foot Cream
Best Foot Treatment: Margaret Dabbs Miracle Foot Cream

‘This extraordinary overnight treatment goes the distance and works to nurse sore, dry feet back to their former glory. The blend of emu oil (extracted from feathers) and salicylic acid makesit a must-have.’ CS

Best Post Workout Product: Cooling Body Gel
Best Post Workout Product: Cooling Body Gel

‘Not only does this top up my moisture levels, but I also love how the blend of peppermint, liquorice root extract and jojoba seed oil leaves my skin feeling cool and my senses invigorated.’ CS


Beauty Game Changers

These MVPs hold the power to transform your skin and revolutionise your routine

Best Probiotic Skincare: AWvi The Active Cream
Best Probiotic Skincare: AWvi The Active Cream

‘Working with your skin’s microbiome, this hydrating cream contains ectoin, a type of probiotic that createsan invisible film overthe skin’s surface. My skin certainly felt more robustly protectedafter using this.’ PN

Best Skincare Innovation: Dr Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Intense
Dr Sam's Best Skincare Innovation: Dr Sam's Flawless Moisturiser Intense

'This cream uses sunflower shoot extract (SSE), which increases a coenzyme in the skin called NAD. This maintains cellular energy, ensuring skin cell health. SSE also outperforms niacinamide, resulting in 34% less damage to the skin cells’ mitochondria (the control centre, which keeps things running) when exposed to environmental damage.’ PN

Best Make-up Skincare Hybrid: Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint,
Best Make-up Skincare Hybrid: Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint,

'Teaming the perfect amount of pigment with 78 skincare ingredients, this tinted moisturiser boosts skin’s moisturelevels and delivers a dewy glow.’ PN

Best At-Home Gadget: Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series IPL hair removal device with SenseIQ for face & body
Best At-Home Gadget: Philips Lumea IPL 9900 Series IPL hair removal device with SenseIQ for face & body

‘Hair removal has never been easier or quicker, thanks to this cordless device with different attachments that hug every nook and cranny. My legs were smooth and hair-free in no time at all.’ PN

Trailblazing Treatments

Best Facial Treatment: Augustinus Bader The Skin Lab Rejuvenating Facial, £375‘

A brilliant does-it-all facial, it covers all bases for an incredible skin-transforming finish. There’s microdermabrasion for thorough exfoliation, and intensive oxygen therapy and LED light for maximum absorption of the brand’s renowned skin-smoothing formulas that harness stem-cell technology. I glowed like no one’s business after this treatment.’ PN

Best Clinical Treatment Extracellular SySTEM, £595 at Illuminate Skin Clinic

‘This brilliant treatment involves funnelling exosomes into the skin via microneedling, allowing them to hunt out cells in need of repair and help them to speed up collagen and elastin production. Three weeks on, my skin still looked tonally even, plump and dewy. The best part? My foundation has become redundant, saving me precious time in the morning.’ PN

Headshot of Perdita Nouril
Perdita Nouril
Beauty Editor

Perdita Nouril is the Beauty Editor for Women’s Health UK. She has worked in the beauty industry for 15 years since graduating from the University of Nottingham. Adept at exploring the colossal world of beauty, she loves to scratch beneath the surface to debunk the myths, decode the science and challenge traditional notions of beauty. You can always find her preaching sermons on the power of a red lip, extolling the virtues of a decent serum and championing the very best female beauty founders.  
You can find Perdita on Instagram on @perditanouril