Announcing 2021's ultimate skin essentials—our w&h clever skincare awards winners!

Getting the skin essentials right will not just boost your complexion, it can enhance your life. That's why it gives team woman&home great pleasure to announce that after months of rigorous testing and judging, the time has come to reveal our 2021 w&h Clever Skincare Award winners!

A skincare routine that works perfectly for your needs is a surefire route to looking and feeling your best. Our skin is the canvas we put our makeup on and using the best products to achieve a healthy, happy complexion can offer a huge self confidence boost. Investing in skincare can be expensive, so when you spend on a product, you need to know it’s going to work and give you the results you want—that’s where we come in. 

Our panel of beauty experts have tested each and every one of these winners to bring you 56 of the best skincare products. From the best eye cream to ascorbic acid serums and the best retinol creams, these are the ultimate award-winning skin essentials for every skin type and concern.

The clever skincare awards 2021 judging panel

Special thanks to our panel of judges whose hard work and expert insights made the woman&home Clever Skincare Awards 2021 possible. This year's judging panel included:

• Pamela Marshall
  Clinical aesthetician and co-founder of Mortar & Milk
• Dr Sophie Shotter
  Skin expert and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinic
• Dija Ayodele
  Clinical aesthetician and founder of West Room Aesthetics
• Catherine Westwood
  Group editor in chief, Women’s Lifestyle
• Miranda McMinn
  Editor, woman&home
• Sarah Cooper-White
  Group beauty director
• Charley Williams-Howitt
  Group beauty director
• Fiona McKim
  Senior beauty editor, woman&home
• Stephanie Maylor
  Beauty editor, woman&home
• Jess Beech
  Deputy beauty editor, woman&home
• Emma North
  Beauty writer, woman&home

The award-winning skin essentials you need now

Serums

'A well formulated "active" serum with equal amounts of anti-inflammatory ingredients. I like how my skin looks after use. This is a great product that is now part of my daily regime.' Pamela Marshall

‘A more gentle vitamin A option for those who find some retinols too strong.’ Dija Ayodele

‘I really liked this Bakuchiol serum. It’s combined with humectants for a product that will be a good retinol alternative for many.’ Sophie Shotter

‘All the results of retinol without the irritation. No7 does it again with a great product to help us fight lines and wrinkles.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘A really lovely nourishing, yet lightweight formula. I know many who swear by this, and I can understand why.’ Sophie Shotter

‘Ideal for dry skin. These capsules absorb quickly, and leave skin glowing.’ Emma North

‘A very good serum. It has a beautiful texture and sinks in leaving skin smooth and hydrated.’ Dija Ayodele

‘As well as the wonderful aroma, this is a pleasure to apply and quickly quenches dry skin.’ Stephanie Maylor

‘Everyone should have a great vitamin C serum in their morning regime. This one is light, easily absorbed and perfect for layering with the rest of your skincare. The high percentage of vitamin C is perfect for brightening, too.’ Emma North

‘As well as loving the fragrance, I was seriously impressed at the way this serum pepped up my skin. Dubbed a power serum, this is really the equivalent to a shot of caffeine, leaving your face energised.’ Sarah Cooper-White

Supplements

‘I’d recommend this if you don’t know where to start with skin supplements. It’s a good all-in-one. A must-have for people who have acne.’ Emma North

‘I think gut health is so important for good skin and these did a great job of clearing my spots. They’re small, easy to take and don’t smell – which a lot of probiotics do.’ Emma North

‘An impressive amount of vitamins and minerals in each capsule. They definitely restored some glow to my dull skin.’ Emma North

SPF

‘Perfectly hydrating and sits well under make-up.’ Emma North

‘Protection, plus actives to reduce wrinkles and dark spots.’ Charley Williams-Howitt

‘Simple to apply, plus it smells lovely. Big fan.’ Sarah Cooper-White

Sinks in beautifully. Skin is left smooth, soft and protected.’ Charley Williams-Howitt

Tools

‘A fun, clever little gadget giving a different masking experience for every skin type.’ Sophie Shotter

New Launches

‘Cleverly releases glycolic acid slowly into the skin, with no redness or irritation. It left my skin noticeably brighter and smoother.’ Charley Williams-Howitt

‘A must for anyone experiencing menopausal skin symptoms. This clever product is a must for your handbag if hot flushes are a problem. Amazingly cooling thanks to both the formula and the metal roller ball applicator, it quickly dilated any redness in my skin.’ Sarah Cooper-White

Oils

‘Great price, great aroma and gives skin a great glow. Fine lines are plumped and it sinks in a treat.’ Stephanie Maylor

‘A luxe treat for radiant skin. The texture is so light that you can even mix it with foundation. Pricey? Sure. Worth it? Yes!’ Stephanie Maylor

A savvy choice for your skin and the environment, with a light texture and beautiful scent.’ Stephanie Maylor

One to watch

‘From day and night serums and moisturisers to eye creams, the results of each product in this range really wowed me. Skin looked fresher, smoother, glowing and fine lines disappeared. A really impressive range that’s worth the investment. Top marks from me.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘Ultra-cool packaging, luxurious textures and effective ingredients. This range looks and feels so much more expensive than it is. Even better, it was founded by the musician Alicia Keys. Huge fan!' Fiona McKim

‘A simple, yet effective skincare regime with impressive eco credentials. The brand is natural, vegan and sustainable with lovely luxe formulas that have achieved COSMOS certification. Great plastic-free packaging, too.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘I love Weleda. The biodynamic farming methods. The eco packaging. It’s a great brand and this new ultra-hydrating face care range is as good as it gets.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘This is my new favourite radio frequency home-use device. It is able to safely heat the tissue close to a level we would in-clinic, which will deliver superior results. Comfortable to use and clinically effective.’ Sophie Shotter

‘Uses prescription ingredients in a formula that doesn’t need an in-clinic consultation, just a virtual one. Totally bespoke, depending on needs, while still allowing skin to be assessed.’ Sophie Shotter 

Moisturisers

‘If you love your skin to smell as good as it looks, this is the product for you! It’s a treat to use and works wonders. Used twice a day, I can see and feel the years dropping away...’ Catherine Westwood

‘Dewy skin – check! Glowing complexion – check! five years younger – check!’ Catherine Westwood

‘If I could dream up my perfect summer day cream, this would be it. The delightfully airy, but deeply hydrating’ Stephanie Maylor

‘This cream is enriched with ceramides, and free from any irritants so dry, sensitive, irritable skin will lap this up.’ Stephanie Maylor

‘This lovely, soothing cream, although pricey, is worth the investment if you have delicate, sensitive skin in need of deep hydration and TLC. Even my husband has been stealing this at bedtime to soothe his redness-prone skin. Hands off hubby, it’s mine!’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘It’s not easy convincing people to wear SPF every day, but anyone would love this. A silky feel, rose-tinted glowing finish and sexy, yet eco-friendly packaging.’ Fiona McKim

‘The perfect cream to apply at the end of your night-time beauty regime, to calm the mind as well as the skin. Gorgeously rich and thick, but quickly absorbed, smells like an expensive spa and is wonderfully hydrating.’ Miranda McMinn

‘Great for drier, mature skin in need of a boost. Lovely botanical scent, good ingredients (hyaluronic acid and retinoids) to treat and plump the skin.’ Dija Ayodele

Masks

‘This product has made it into my regular beauty regime! It’s a joy to use and left my skin the cleanest I’ve ever experienced.’ Sophie Shotter

‘This recyclable, biodegradable mask is 100% worth the investment. It will smooth and plump lines and wrinkles before your very eyes. It’s incredible.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘I would really recommend this for anyone whose skin feels dull and lifeless in the mornings. It gives a real glow.’ Sophie Shotter

Eye creams

‘The skin around my eyes is smoother and less lined. The skin texture has improved beyond what I thought was possible and I look more relaxed and rested – I love this product!’ Catherine Westwood

‘This product has a wonderful softening effect, both on the face, which is left feeling hydrated, but also on the eye as lines appear less pronounced. It feels rather indulgent using an eye cream for the whole face, but it definitely works!’ Catherine Westwood

Cleansers

‘Love, love, love! It’s pricey, but you get so much bang for that buck as it’s a cleanser and active treatment in one. Manages to be both sensorial and hard-working.’ Fiona McKim

‘A luxury product in a generous size pot! Feels like a spa experience in just one use and leaves your skin feeling plumper, cleansed and moisturised.’ Catherine Westwood

‘LOVE! Packed with ingredients to nourish and smooth the skin. It removes all traces of dirt and make-up to leave skin fresh, not sapped of moisture. Ideal for dryer or mature skin types.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘I like a simple cleanser that is quick AND that removes every trace of make-up. This does that and more. It leaves skin feeling clean, not tight. I’ve got the whole family using it, it’s so good.’ Sarah Cooper-White

Exfoliators

‘I recommend this to clients. It leaves skin smooth and bright.’ Pamela Marshall

‘This refined breakouts and transformed my skin from dull to radiant and glowing.’ Emma North

‘An expensive-feeling mist that leaves skin fresh and hydrated. It makes for a cooling treat on warm days, too.’ Jess Beech

‘Incorporate into your routine a few times a week for increased radiance and glow.’ Jess Beech

Problem solvers

‘This is anti-bacterial, anti- porous, antiviral and antifungal, with a skin-neutral pH. It changes skin dramatically without any irritation or disrupting the skin’s barrier like AHA’s can.’ Pamela Marshall

‘I really like the healing aspect of this treatment. A great formulation with an active anti-inflammatory, as well has multiple forms of hydration.’ Pamela Marshall

‘The combination of acids and vitamin C are the perfect combo for sorting acne scars. It’s lightweight and doesn’t cause any irritation.’ Emma North

‘If age spots and pigmentation are your bugbear then this is a good investment. I noticed a difference in my skin after just a week. It gives your complexion a beautiful glow and feels fresh on application, too. A pleasure to use.’ Sarah Cooper-White

‘The absolute business for rosacea or flushing, combining soothing skincare, instant redness reduction and SPF in a surprisingly light texture. A very useful product at a democratic price.’ Fiona McKim

‘The peptide-packed formula of this line and texture-improving fluid matches up to any hardcore retinol product. Expect results without irritation.’ Fiona McKim