12 of the best British skincare brands to try

Update your cosmetics portfolio with the best British skincare brands, recommended by our beauty team.

an image of some of the best British skincare brands we tested
(Image credit: Future)

The best British skincare brands have so much to offer. Natural, sustainable, highly effective and incredibly luxurious, the UK beauty scene is more than impressive across the beauty board. 

If you're someone who loves British clothing brands or Black-owned beauty and skincare brands then you'll want to hear about these heritage British skincare brands. Offering some of the best face moisturiser options as well as the best vitamin C serums, the best British skincare brands have it all. In this round-up- up there will be a mix of some known brands that have notable sustainable beauty credentials, locally sourced ingredients and other worthy benefits. In addition to introducing you to some lesser-known but equally as impressive products. 

So whatever your skincare needs or your beauty budget, there's something here for everyone whilst celebrating all that's wonderful about the best British skincare brands. 

The best British skincare brands, picked by our beauty team

Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

1. Liz Earle

an image of liz earle british skincare brand products

(Image credit: Liz Earle)

Specifications

Price point: ££
Born in: Isle of Wight
Best for : Botanical-focused buys

Reasons to buy

+
Sustainable packaging
+
Cruelty
+
Naturall active ingredients
+
Certified carbon neutral

Founded in 1995, co-founders Liz Earle, an author and botanical beauty authority, and Kim Buckland, a skincare industry expert, were united in their quest to find beauty that would suit their different skin types. Believing in the potent power of naturally active ingredients, they were among the first to make sourcing botanicals for their unique efficacy a priority – and this is where one of the best British skincare brands was born. 

Committed to building relationships with growers and farmers, not only to ensure the quality of precious ingredients but also to monitor their impact on the environment, the community and fair working conditions. The Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish is a beauty staple in its own right, as it’s the world’s first naturally active triple-action cleanser and has won over 130 awards in the UK alone. 

2. Neal's Yard Remedies

an image of british skincare brands neals yard products

(Image credit: Neal's Yard)

Specifications

Price point : ££
Born in : London
Best for : Organic products

Reasons to buy

+
Organic and ethically sourced ingredients
+
Free from chemicals
+
Sustainably sourced 
+
Cruelty-free
+
Carbon neutral

From small beginnings in a quiet corner of London's Covent Garden, Neal's Yard are now a global leader with a growing presence across five continents. Using ethically sourced herbs, botanicals and essential oils, their experts handcraft potent blends of love, science and nature – making them one of the best British skincare brands that care about the environment. They are proud to create effective, award-winning health and beauty products that are natural, organic and ethical. 

From becoming the UK’s first certified organic health and beauty brand, to helping ban plastic microbeads, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a truly pioneering force. Best known for their indulgent bath and body products, the brand has gone on to create a seriously impressive portfolio of skincare products too. 

3. BYBI Beauty

an image of british skincare brands BYBI products

(Image credit: BYBI)

Specifications

Price point : £
Born in : London
Best for : Shopping by key ingredient

Reasons to buy

+
Upcycled ingredients 
+
Recycled and recyclable packaging 
+
UK manufactured products 
+
100% vegan & cruelty free
+
Superfood ingredients 

BYBI co-founders Elsie and Dominika started out in their kitchens, meticulously crafting DIY beauty recipes with potent natural ingredients. BYBI was born in 2017 and quickly became known for its efficacious, pro-planet formulas and standout eco packaging, in addition to being budget-friendly. It's one of the newest launches on our list of best British skincare brands. 

The brand's philosophy is to be pro-planet from seed to shelf and is committed to producing skincare with the lowest possible environmental footprint, utilising low-carbon production processes across our entire supply chain. This led to the creation of the world’s first carbon-negative skincare product; the Glowcurrant Booster. 

4. Formulae Prescott

an image of British skincare brand frances prescott products

(Image credit: Frances Prescott)

Specifications

Price point: £££
Born in: Kent
Best for : Travel

Reasons to buy

+
Multipurpose and benefit products
+
Natural active ingredients
+
Food, plant and botanical derived ingredients 
+
Sustainable sourced 

Founded through the desire to create a skincare range in which every product combines at least three essential benefits, using natural active ingredients derived from foods, plants and botanical oils; this British skincare brand's ethos is seriously impressive.

After 3 years of research and development, a capsule collection was launched, and then 19 months and countless formulations later they launched their first product, Tri-Balm - an award-winning 3-in-1 multitasker designed to effectively cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise in one simple step. They are constantly innovating to deliver multi-benefit, multi-purpose skincare formulated using the highest quality natural active ingredients, plus, actively seeking to reduce wasteful packaging and conserve water whilst sustainably sourcing ingredients.

5. Oskia

an image of british skincare brands oskia products

(Image credit: Oskia)

Specifications

Price point : £££
Born in : Wales
Best for : Science-backed natural ingredients

Reasons to buy

+
Naturally derived ingredients
+
Use cellular nutrients 
+
Cruelty-free
+
Charity focused 

Georgie Cleeve launched OSKIA and the concept of nutritional skincare in 2009 after witnessing first-hand the skincare benefits of MSM, more commonly known as the 'Beauty Mineral'; a natural form of organic sulphur, MSM boosts collagen production, promotes circulation and helps decrease inflammation for a brighter, younger-looking complexion. 

The concept based on one exceptional mineral soon evolved into a new and unique nutritional approach to skincare and after 3 years of extensive research, OSKIA launched in 2009. One of the most unique British skincare brands out there; OSKIA’s bio-nutritional formulations are designed by Georgie and a team of internationally - recognised nutritionists and skincare experts, and manufactured in OSKIA's own factory and lab in Monmouth, Wales. 

6. Olivanna London

an image of british skincare brands olivanna products

(Image credit: Olivanna)

Specifications

Price point : £££
Born in : London
Best for : Homegrown skincare for all ages

Reasons to buy

+
Made from homegrown UK botanical actives
+
Inspired by the changing British seasons
+
Clinically proven formulas
+
A product for everyone no matter their age 

From your very first skincare needs, British skincare brands; My Olivanna and Olivanna are designed to be passed from mother to daughter, friend to friend and women at every stage of their lives. Born out of her love for her children and belief in the power of botanicals, they combine potent, high-performing ingredients that are as safe for your skin as they are effective.

Wanting only the best for her family, founder Janine Summers was an early adopter of organic and natural beauty. Its luxury, clinically proven and sustainable skincare uses British-grown natural ingredients that have each been selected for their unique benefits to your skin. Offering customers products for every stage of their lives, Olivanna skincare has something to help with every skin concern and age.