These were the best selling beauty products of 2020, according to Space NK

Ever wonder what everyone else is buying when it comes to skincare or make-up? Wonder no more, thanks to Space NK

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(Image credit: Space NK)

We all have our favourite beauty products, but do you ever sit and wonder what the most popular beauty products are when it comes to everybody else? 

Wonder no more, as we’re about to shed a little light on that one – Space NK has revealed its best selling products for 2020, and it makes for seriously interesting reading.

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Wonder no more, as we’re about to share some insight – Space NK has revealed its best selling products for 2020, and it makes for seriously interesting reading.

When a product achieves best seller status, it’s usually a sign that it’s a pretty effective and well-loved product, as well as being most-shopped.

So whether you’re shopping the Space NK Black Friday sale or simply feeling nosy, these were the retailer’s best selling beauty products of the year. Consider it a little pre-Christmas inspiration, if you will...

1. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, £57 at Space NK

1. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fskincare%2Fmoisturisers%2Fday-moisturiser%2Fprotini-polypeptide-cream-MUK200021928.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£57 at Space NK

Considering its army of loyal fans, it's no real surprise that Drunk Elephant came out on top. This repairing, nourishing and hydrating cream is "up 22% on last year and is our most popular moisturiser."

2. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, £67 at Space NK

2. Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fskincare%2Ftreatment%2Fserums%2Fc-firma-day-serum-MUK200021920.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£67 at Space NK

A potent Vitamin C serum with 15% L-Ascorbic acid that helps boost skin's radiance and tackle the visible signs of skin ageing. "This year’s bestselling serum is a year on year top seller, and has climbed up the ranks to 2nd place this year."

3. Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector Treatment, £26, Space NK

3. Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector Treatment, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fhaircare%2Fhair-treatment%2Fhair-treatment%2Fno.-3-hair-perfector-MUK300053878.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£26, Space NK

Once only available salons, this really is the ultimate antidote for damaged hair. “Olaplex became our top haircare brand after launching with us in June 2019. Almost a quarter of all haircare sales at Space NK are from the Olaplex range.”

4. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, £27 at Space NK

4. Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Wash, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fbath-body%2Fbody-cleanser%2Fhandwash%2Fresurrection-aromatique-hand-wash-MUK200006989.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£27 at Space NK

It's not an exaggeration to describe this as the holy grail of hand washes. "This product is up 40% on last year, with the whole hand washing category up 70% due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our customers wanting to treat themselves to more luxurious, less clinical handwashing products."

5. Olaplex No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, £26 at Space NK

5. Olaplex No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fhaircare%2Fshampoo%2Fshampoos%2Fno.-4-bond-maintenance-shampoo-MUK300053879.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£26 at Space NK

Unsurprisingly, the next two items on the list are two more from the excellent Olaplex at-home range. "Our bestselling shampoo, responsible for 21% of all Space NK shampoo sales in 2020."

6. Olaplex No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, £26 at Space NK&nbsp;

6. Olaplex No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fhaircare%2Fconditioner%2Fconditioners%2Fno.-5-bond-maintenance-conditioner-MUK300053880.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£26 at Space NK 

Although they make a great match for coloured hair, you don't need to have dyed your hair to benefit from the Olaplex range. "Responsible for 27% of all Space NK conditioner sales and proof that customers will buy into a full regime if they can see the results."

Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, from £27 at Space NK

Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Ffragrance%2Fhome-fragrance%2Fcandle%2Fbaies-scented-candle-MUK101791295.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from £27 at Space NK

This rich and fruity scent has to be one of the most popular scented candles in the world. "Home fragrance saw a 24% increase, driven by candles, due to people using scent to create a calming ambience while confined to their homes."

8. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, from £18 at Space NK

8. Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fbath-body%2Fbody-moisturiser-oils%2Fbody-lotion%2Fbrazilian-bum-bum-cream-MUK200024308.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">from £18 at Space NK

The celeb favourite skin smoothing body cream that almost smells good enough to eat, you can also buy the iconic Sol de Janeiro scent in candle form.

9. Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, £29 at Space NK

9. Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fmakeup%2Feyes%2Fmascara%2Funlocked-instant-extensions-mascara-MUK200027450.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">£29 at Space NK

Don't believe us when we say this is a seriously popular contender for the <a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/beauty/best-mascara-for-length/" data-link-merchant="womanandhome.com"" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" target="_blank">best mascara? It's "Space NK’s fastest-selling mascara ever, which, at launch sold at a rate of 1.6 units per minute." Wow.

10. Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment, £85 at Space NK

10. Sunday Riley Good Genes <a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/beauty/skincare-acids-guide-362968/" data-link-merchant="womanandhome.com"" target="_blank">Glycolic Acid Treatment, <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=59805&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spacenk.com%2Fuk%2Fskincare%2Ftreatment%2Fserums%2Fgood-genes-glycolic-acid-treatment-UK200022775.html" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" data-link-merchant="womanandhome.com"" target="_blank">£85 at Space NK

We may not be able to get the lactic acid version in the UK now, but this is still a wonder product in our eyes. "This year saw a 70% uplift on peel products (i.e. <a href="https://www.womanandhome.com/beauty/best-retinol-cream-105698/" data-link-merchant="womanandhome.com"" data-link-merchant="spacenk.com"" data-link-merchant="womanandhome.com"" target="_blank">retinols, resurfacing pads). With more time spent at home, customers were ready to invest in results-driven products."

Now that's what we call a beauty shopping list.

“I think this top ten shows that people are continuing to invest in products that really deliver consistent reliable results, investing in their skin and hair," explained Sarah Meadows, Space NK's head of buying. "The inclusion of the Aesop handwash obviously speaks to people’s new obsession with handwashing thanks to COVID-19, but also being willing to treat themselves to a little bit of everyday luxury in their own home.”

Well, if ever you needed some beauty shopping inspiration...

Lucy Abbersteen

Lucy is a UK-based beauty journalist who has written for the likes of Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, OK!, Women's Health and more, as well as contributing to woman&home. Her work covers everything from expert skin and haircare tips to the latest product launches and the show-stopping beauty looks spotted backstage at London Fashion Week. During her career she's interviewed some seriously famous faces, from Little Mix to Drag Race royalty The Vivienne, as well as chatting to the industry's leading hairdressers, dermatologists and make-up artists.