My faves of 2025 are deeply unsexy and quite cheap. There's not many new items.
Top item
Biodance cera nol gel toner pads.
I have rosacea and these are amazing. Feel red flush coming on usually in winter and over heating pop one on each cheak and it's gone. And even better rosacea can stack up and your skin gets worse but woke up this morning and no sign of the flush. I've got some other pads I haven't tried yet so they might have same effect but these are tried and tested.
Joint top
Red light mask - redness gets worse in winter then fades but it didn't this year so went back to research and these came up. I already owned 2. Zutta and Stylpro which also has infra-red. These make a difference and also make skin look better. I've been slacking last 2 weeks and I can tell the difference. The stylpro was on LF for £70 very recently and I did my research so I'm confidence it's a good one. I since got Beautypro for the yellow and don't recommend that due to the battery pack being a well known dud. The Zutta is now cheaper on Amazon I've seen it at an amazing £65 but doesn't have infrared but would be better for acne blue light than the stylpro as it has a stronger blue light. I use mine when I wake up which is always before my alarm, slap on for 10mins before getting up.
2nd
Q+A azelaic acid. If you're looking for a serum that gently exfoliates and has nice soothing ingredients and amazingly only £7-9 try this it's fab. I've got the PC from Liberty advent and prefer Q+A. I'd imagine it's very good for spots too.
3rd
Drowning in cleasers but really like Clever soaps sulfur deeply unsexy but just leaves my skin clean, not tight and might help with rosacea, not 100% sure but it just works as a cleanser for me. And I'm drowning in expensive Algenist, Votary, elemis cleansers and this just works.
4th
La Roche Posay cica plast baume - recommending this if your skin is sensitised been a bit stripped or weather beaten. Nice, nothing anti-aging but solid get your skin back cream.
GOATS
Ren (cry) Dark spot sleeping cream - don't have dark spots but how often do you put something on and then next day go ooh wow. This is probably the product I've bought most of. Got it as a mini in an M&S box and they got a lot of purchases on the back of it.
Dr organic Manuka mask - if you're looking for a clay mask that doesn't dry out but pulls out the crap this is perfect.
Duds.
Dud of the year Medik8 Vit C SPF moisturiser - god this made my skin look terrible like I'd put butter on it. Just no.
Niod modulating glucosdes - impressive ingredients promises so much, does nothing. So sad.
Niod SMDS or something spray - product might be good but it's like putting your face in a car jet wash. It's assault, why not have a spray that mists.
Other faves
OTO pillow mist -fab combined with a sleep supplement I no longer use Nytol.
Liberty 1875 most I've ever spent on a fragrance but after been let down by unisex scents I loved this and bought the whole thing.
Honourable mensions
You lot, Beauty detective, Vouchercodes (got some serious vouchers coming my way), Beauty advent.
Vieve complexion balm - I'm still figuring out best way to put this on but it's a great colour match and soft matt not dewy.
Lisa eldridge pin concealer.
Set of face poofs I bought in a plastic stack jar for £6 from Asda (part of xmas stuff with face sponges and hair bands which I've not tried). Seriously Huda etc selling them for £8 each. They're no different, I've got both.
Wrist bands when washing your face, always seem to get water running down right hand which ends up on my boob area. Why? This stops them.