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Best of · 11 guides

The best of beauty, researched.

Answer-first buying guides for the questions people actually ask — which sunscreen, which retinoid, which blush. Every award comes with the trade-offs, the specification behind it and a link to the source.

By Kaiser Khan, Founder & Editor Updated Editorial policy

All guides

Start with the question.

Each guide leads with a short answer, then a comparison table and the reasoning behind every pick. Product details link to their own guide and to the official source.

SPF · 4 picks

Best Korean sunscreens (UK)

The best Korean sunscreens sold in the UK, compared by UV filters, PA rating, texture, fragrance and price. Four SPF50 PA++++ picks, desk-researched.

  • Best overallBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Niacinamide SPF50+
  • Best serum textureSKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
  • Best for dry skinRound Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
Read the guide : Best Korean sunscreens (UK)

Complexion · 5 picks

Best foundations for oily skin

The best foundations for oily skin, compared by finish, coverage, shade range, oil-free claims and UK price, from £8.99 to £40. Desk-researched picks.

  • Best overallEstée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation SPF 10
  • Best full coverageCharlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation
  • Best natural matteFenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Fluid Flex Natural Matte Foundation
Read the guide : Best foundations for oily skin

Skin prep · 4 picks

Best retinol & retinal serums

The best retinol and retinal serums in the UK, compared by retinoid type, strength, fragrance, directions and price. Four desk-researched picks.

  • Best overallMedik8 Crystal Retinal
  • Best first retinolLa Roche-Posay 0.3% Retinol + Vitamin B3 Serum
  • Best budget retinalGeek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
Read the guide : Best retinol & retinal serums

Skin prep · 4 picks

Best vitamin C serums

The best vitamin C serums in the UK, compared by vitamin C form, strength, texture, fragrance and price, from £7.70 to £169. Desk-researched picks.

  • Best overallSkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
  • Best budgetThe Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
  • Best oil-based serumMedik8 C-Tetra
Read the guide : Best vitamin C serums

Setting · 5 picks

Best setting sprays & powders

The best setting sprays and powders, compared by wear claims, finish, shade range, talc, fragrance and UK price. Five desk-researched picks.

  • Best long-wear sprayUrban Decay All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray
  • Best natural-finish sprayCharlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
  • Best loose powderLaura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Read the guide : Best setting sprays & powders

Eyes & brows · 5 picks

Best mascaras

The best mascaras in the UK for volume, length and curl, compared by brush, formula, shades, waterproof versions and price, from £12.99 to £33.

  • Best for volumeYves Saint Laurent Beauty Lash Clash Extreme Volume Mascara
  • Best volume and curlCharlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Volume Mascara
  • Best hourglass brushToo Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Read the guide : Best mascaras

Skin prep · 7 picks

Best affordable beauty under £20

The best beauty under £20 in the UK — sunscreen, vitamin C, retinal, exfoliant, foundation, mascara and hair care — with verified prices and trade-offs.

  • Best sunscreenBeauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Niacinamide SPF50+
  • Best vitamin CThe Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
  • Best exfoliantThe Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Read the guide : Best affordable beauty under £20

Skin prep · 5 picks

Best K-beauty for oily skin

A five-step K-beauty routine for oily and combination skin, from cleanser to SPF, with UK availability, fragrance and price. Desk-researched picks.

  • Best cleanserCOSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  • Best tonerAnua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
  • Best hydrating essenceCOSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Read the guide : Best K-beauty for oily skin

Head to head

Deciding between two?

Side-by-side comparisons of products people weigh against each other, each with a specification table and a “choose this if” verdict.

Skin prep · Medik8 vs The Ordinary Crystal Retinal vs The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Skin prep · SkinCeuticals vs Medik8 C E Ferulic vs C-Tetra SPF · Beauty of Joseon vs Round Lab Relief Sun vs Birch Juice Sun Cream Lips · Dior vs Rhode Dior Lip Glow Oil vs Rhode Lip Treatment Complexion · Charlotte Tilbury vs Estée Lauder Airbrush Flawless vs Double Wear

All comparisons ↗

Our method

Desk research, stated plainly.

We start from the specification: the active ingredient and its stated strength, the UV filters and labelled protection, the finish, the shade range, fragrance and the price in the UK. Brand claims are reported as brand claims and kept apart from our own assessment.

Awards describe fit — best for oily skin, best first retinoid, best budget option — rather than a single winner. Where a product is harder to buy in the UK, or a formula differs by market, the guide says so.

Questions

Best-of guides, answered

Are these beauty guides based on hands-on testing?

No. Each best-of guide is desk research: we compare published formulas, ingredient lists, specifications, shade ranges and brand or retailer information. Products were not tested in a laboratory or worn by our editors, and every guide says so.

Can a brand pay to be included in a best-of guide?

No. Inclusion and awards are editorial decisions and are never sold. Some product pages carry labelled shopping links; those links do not decide which products appear or which award they receive.

How often are the best-of guides updated?

Each guide shows the date its prices and specifications were last checked. The current set was reviewed on 25 September 2026. Formulas, prices and shade ranges change, so the linked official page is the final word before you buy.

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