Cult classic products, state-of-the-art science, and world-renowned facialists secure Britain as a leading player in the global beauty game. In 2018, the UK led the way for skincare launches, contributing over 37% of the world’s product launches, of which 71% consisted of luxury skincare. With an emphasis on innovation and a strong foothold in heritage and immaculate credentials, British beauty brands combine the best of nature and science, ensuring that elegance is key and quality is of the utmost importance. Ahead, we round up the British beauty brands and the stand-out skincare products to try, from iconic cleansers to award-winning masks.
Oskia
British clean beauty brand Oskia (derived from the Ancient Greek term for “delivering nutrients and beauty”) is a nutri-cosmeceutical brand that specialises in bio-cellular skin nutrition. Their formulas feed your skin with a cocktail of cellular nutrients — vitamins, minerals, proteins and omegas — combined with high-tech bio-actives such as plant stem cell technology, peptide complexes, antioxidants, and probiotics. And if the cutting-edge science and premium natural ingredients aren’t enough, their elegant, delicately rose-scented formulas will surely do the trick.
Sarah Chapman
Sarah Chapman is one of London’s most sought-after facialists whose Chelsea clinic draws in the most discerning celebrities and beauty editors from around the world. Her eponymous skincare line aims to mimic the transformative results of her Skinesis treatments at home, fusing science and nature to deliver powerful key active ingredients that work at both the cellular and surface level. Her Ultimate Cleanse is an intelligent oil-based formula that has a natural affinity with your skin’s sebum, meaning effective cleansing that respects the skin’s acid mantle, while her Morning and Overnight Facials work in sync with your skin’s natural biorhythm for optimum performance throughout the day.
Votary
Votary makes some of the most luxurious and effective cleansing oils we’ve tried. Founded by Charlotte Semler and famed make-up artist Arabella Preston (who hand-blends all formulations herself), the luxury skincare line harnesses the power of premium plant oils, which are jam-packed with soothing and anti-ageing nutrients that beautifully cleanse, treat, and nourish skin of all types. These elixirs are contained in emerald glass bottles which not only protect the oils from over-exposure to sunlight, but are also recyclable and sustainably produced. Grab a hot wash cloth and indulge in clean, green beauty.
Eve Lom
It all started with a cleanser, built on 25 years of expertise and which took 10 years to perfect, that then led to a full range of cult luxury skincare products that have been honoured by various beauty halls of fame. For the uninitiated, Eve Lom’s iconic multi-tasking balm cleanser is the foundation for achieving a glowing complexion. The sumptuous formula combines the finest botanicals — such as Egyptian chamomile, coca butter, hops and clove oil — to flawlessly cleanse, exfoliate, clarify, tone, hydrate and nourish your skin, providing the perfect canvas for skincare to perform. Follow up with their award-winning Rescue Mask or Moisture Mask.
Amanda Lacey
Once a by-referral-only facialist who only treated the most exclusive clients and beauty editors, Amanda Lacey bottled over 20 years worth of expertise when she launched her eponymous skincare range. Her supremely luxe formulas are packed with radiance-boosting antioxidants and potent plant extracts, delivered in light but nourishing textures that are naturally scented with essential oils. Her first products, the oil-based Cleansing Pomade and Camellia Oil, were launched in 1998 and have since remained beauty editor staples to this day, and her blemish-banishing Miracle Tonic and Oils of Provence prove to be new classics.
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare
We’ve long heard of the benefits of taking probiotics for your gut, but these good bacteria are just as brilliant in your skincare routine. Aurelia Probiotic Skincare is a pioneer in harnessing this new, natural skincare technology, using the purest of BioOrganic ingredients sourced sustainably from around the world. Their formulas activate the skin’s natural ability to repair itself, calming natural immune triggers in your skin which can be overstimulated by pollution and stress, and boosting the natural process of restoring collagen, elastin and healthy cells. The result? Healthy, balanced, glowing skin. Start with their award-winning Miracle Cleanser.
REN Clean Skincare
Known for ingenious formulations that work effectively but gently, REN Clean Skincare caters to all skin types and concerns using natural bio-actives and zero potentially harmful ingredients. Each product is formulated with 100% pure plant, mineral-derived extracts and ethically-sourced oils that nourish and soothe your skin while respecting the environment. Their soothing Evercalm range is a holy grail for sensitive skin, and their Daily AHA Tonic has been a long-time best-seller.
The Organic Pharmacy
Before there was the clean beauty movement, there was The Organic Pharmacy. Since launching their first store in 2002 on London’s Kings Road, the organic beauty brand’s product range has expanded to skincare, haircare, body care, makeup, health supplements and everything in between. Their innovative, carefully formulated products are developed with homeopathic principles and packed with potent plant extracts, vitamins and pharmaceutical-grade herbal extracts — all manufactured and produced in the UK.
Editor
Joanna Fu
