Which Skincare Products Does Our Founder Think Are *Genuinely* Worth the Hype?

It's fair to say I've tried all of the things since co-founding Adore Beauty.

We're talking over two decades of road-testing and trialling everything from skin care and makeup to hair products and fragrance.

Tough job, I know.

A perk of working in beauty is brands will send you samples of their products to try for free.

But which products are the ones I buy in my staff order over and over?

It's a big deal for me if I use up a product and actually purchase it to use it again - that's a pretty big tick of approval in my book.

Even more so if I repurchase more than once.

From a cult vitamin C serum to one of the only retinol serums I use, here's a look at my all-time favourite skincare products.

Watch the YouTube video below, or keep scrolling for all the details.

1. Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Serum.

Retinol is a hard one because we know we should all be using retinol or vitamin A because it's a core skincare ingredient.

But for me, my skin tends to be quite sensitive to retinol.

I have given myself retinol face that many times over the years - it's a common affliction (or an occupational hazard) if you're in an Adore staffer.

Retinol face is when you overdo it on the retinol and impair your skin's barrier it gets red, flaky and sensitised.

Murad Resurgence Retinol Youth Renewal Serum 30ml is really, really good because it's still effective, but nice and gentle.

It works to reduce visible signs of aging, minimising fine lines and deep wrinkles, while evening skin tone and smoothing skin's texture.

Plus, it's one of the few retinol serums I can use on a regular basis without completely frying my face.

If you're on the more sensitive side and you tend to find retinols too strong for you, I definitely recommend giving this one a try.

2. Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask.

Sodashi Brightening Marine Mineral Mask is probably my all-time favourite face mask.

It's an experience. Like if you're gonna do a mask and you really want it to feel like you're at a day spa in Hamilton Island, this is the one you'd use.

Fun fact: This Sodashi mask is the one they actually use at day spas in Hamilton Island, I can vouch for it being being an authentic experience.

The clay-based mask is creamy and doesn't dry hard, so it really is an all-in-one facial in a jar.

Hydration. Brightening. Deep cleansing. I really never get tired of it.

3. Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a classic for a reason.

The cult soap-free gel cleanser contains a botanical blend of Quillaja Saponaria and calming Lavender.

It lightly foams to cleanse the skin, but crucially, it does this without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry.

You can also use it to remove makeup in the shower = a win!

4. Ultra Violette Supreme Screen SPF 50+.

Sunscreen is something I use every day. 365 days a year. Rain, hail or shine.

If you find you don't wear sunscreen as often as you should because you don't like the way it feels on your face, I really strongly recommend you have a look at the Ultra Violette sunscreens.

This one in particular is suitable for a normal to dry skin type like mine.

I use it just straight over my serums and it gives the complexion a hydrated, slightly blurred look and feel like a moisturiser/primer hybrid.

And of course, SPF is only one part of sun protection!

Always seek shade, and wear sunnies, a hat and protective clothing. Use sufficient sunscreen for all unprotected areas and reapply sunscreen as directed. Always read the label. You know the drill.

Watch our best-selling sunscreens YouTube video here for more info and product recommendations.

5. Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8 Serum.

My skin definitely tends to be on the dry side nowadays. I do still get like the odd kind of breakout around the chin, but my skin type is normal to dry.

I feel like I didn't appreciate the difference hydration makes to your skin in my 30s. Now, I'm in my 40s and I can't get enough of it.

My first hyaluronic acid serum love is but I find this one is a bit more budget-friendly, and still super effective.

Alpha-H Hyaluronic 8 Serum 25ml is intensely hydrating and plumping, and contains multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to help the skin retain moisture and improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

You can learn more about our top hyaluronic acid serums in this YouTube video below.

6. Aspect Phytostat 9 Moisturising Cream.

I have honestly never met anyone who didn't love this moisturiser.

Aspect Phytostat 9 is one of my all-time favourites because I find you don't need to change it seasonally.

It's not too heavy for summer, it's not too light for winter, it smells beautiful, goes on beautifully under makeup - it's just such a good all-rounder.

Every time I start using something else and then I come back to Phytostat 9, I wonder why I stopped using it in the first place.

7. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.

A list of my all-time favourites wouldn't be complete without the one and only cult vitamin C serum.

I suffer from melasma, a type of hyperpigmentation brought on by hormones during pregnancy and beyond.

It's really hard to 'get rid of' - in addition to laser skin treatments, I focus on sunscreen and a potent antioxidant vitamin C serum.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum is an expensive habit, but I started using this a couple of years ago and can't really stop.

It helps with the appearance of ageing, but also has a beautiful brightening effect that makes skin glow.

If you made it this far, congrats!

That's the end of my all-time favourite skincare products roundup.

P.S. The Adore team came to me a while back and said they wanted to put together a limited edition value pack of my all-time favourite skincare products.

I mentally went back through my empties for the products I finish and re-order regularly.

The result? My own limited edition skincare gift set!

Adore Beauty Kate's Skincare Faves Essentials Kit is a curated selection of a few of the products I've repurchased and used multiple times!

Although all my favourites aren't in there, it's a great way to try some of these pricier skincare products before you buy them full-size.

You can read more about what's in our Adore Beauty limited edition holiday value sets here. Enjoy!

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