Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (2024)

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (1)

(Image credit: Future)

Jump to category:

  • WINNER: Best toner for glowing skin
  • WINNER: Best spot treatment
  • WINNER: Best moisturiser for dull skin
  • WINNER: Best illuminating primer
  • WINNER: Best mattifying primer
  • WINNER: Best foundation with skincare benefits
  • WINNER: Best BB Cream
  • WINNER: Best CC Cream
  • WINNER: Best skin tint
  • WINNER: Best tanning drops
  • WINNER: Best facial fake tan
Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (2)

By Katie Thomas

published

in Buying Guides

Ask any make-up artist about the best way to nail your base and they will unanimously tell you that it all starts with a good skincare routine. And once you've settled on a successful handful of products that help get your skin concerns under control you can be playful with your base.

Thankfully complexion formulas have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and their INCI lists read much like hardworking serums. These are our Ace The Base Marie Claire UK Skin Award winners which celebrate the very best skincare make-up hybrids.

Don't forget to go and take a look at our other wonderful winners: Fantastic Formulas, Body Boosters, Skinnovation, Routine Refresh and Affordable Champions.

How were these products tested and judged?

Earlier this year we sent the Marie Claire UK Skin Awards judging panel products to test and trial. This group, a collection of some of the UK's best dermatologists, skin experts, doctors, facialists, content creators and journalists, set about scoring their products on efficacy, innovation and packaging. We collated their feedback and these are the results.

Introducing the Ace Your Base winners of the 2024 Marie Claire UK Skin Awards

WINNER: Best toner for glowing skin

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (3)

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner

There are a few steps you can take to get glowing skin: you can use an illuminating primer, add highlights to areas of the face that need it, or you can change up your skincare products. Like this one from Glow Recipe, which the judges applauded for its glow-getting ingredients. "A great combination of PHA + BHA for pore-refining and glow-boosting," said Dr Kemi Fab, an NHS doctor and skincare influencer. Ola Awosika, who calls himself the C.E.O. of glow says "Even though it's an exfoliating toner (BHA) the PHA adds nourishment and hydration into the mix, so it's not irritating on the skin. The smell is divine and adds to the sensory experience."

WINNER: Best spot treatment

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

Spots, blemishes, zits, whatever you call them they are a nuisance. And when one (or multiple) appear what you want is a quick solution. Which is exactly what Clinique's iconic Anti-Blemish Gel provides. It contains a high concentration of salicylic acid that helps to unclog pores and control oil production. The brand recommends using it overnight, but it'll work just as well during the day if you don't apply make-up on top and let it do its thing. Marie Claire UK's Contributing Fashion Editor, Penny Goldstone, often has flare ups of breakouts and says "It works a treat. I had quite a large blemish on my chin and within two nights it was significantly reduced."

WINNER: Best moisturiser for dull skin

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (5)

Comfort Zone Skin Regimen LX Tripeptide Gel Cream

Blemishes, dry patches, dehydration - you name it, it's likely to cause dullness. Which is why we take our hats off to Comfort Zone's Skin Regimen LX Tripeptide Gel Cream, which promotes hydrated and healthy skin, and in turn a natural looking glow. Alice Hart-Davis, a journalist and author of The Tweakments Guide, sums it up nicely when she says: "Moisturiser with lots of added oomph".

WINNER: Best illuminating primer

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (6)

Pixi On-The-Glow SuperGlow

Glow on-the-go has never been easier. Pixi's Super Glow stick comes in four lustrous shades, which use 3D pigments and light-reflecting minerals to add instant radiance. However, these are the Marie Claire UK Skin Awards, so there's ginseng, aloe vera and fruit extracts in the line up too to help hydrate the skin. Aesthetic Doctor Sophie Shotter was particularly fond of how just a subtle sweep of highlight could keep the "skin looking dewy" throughout the day.

WINNER: Best mattifying primer

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (7)

Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Primer

"I love the chic packaging, but it’s the inside that matters," says Penny Goldstone, Marie Claire UK's contributing fashion editor who's always trying to tackle the mid-day shine. Thankfully, Grown Alchemist's Skin Defense Primer impressed her as much as the tube did. "The formula glides onto my skin with a pleasantly refreshing feel. And, it keeps my skin matte and my make-up in place all day. Applying foundation feels a lot smoother too." What more could you ask for from the best mattifying primer?

WINNER: Best foundation with skincare benefits

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (8)

Lumene Invisible Illumination Vegan Collagen Serum in Foundation SPF30

We have come to demand and expect more of our make-up. And rightly so, if we're applying it we want to know that it will work seamlessly with our skin, not irritate it. Lumene's Serum in Foundation is a glorious product that's a joy to use. It melts into the skin, never sitting on it and feels like an extension of your skincare routine. Make-up Artist Caroline Barnes loves how it "glides onto the skin seamlessly and hydrates the skin with a natural finish." Celebrity Make-up Artist Zoë Taylor praised its lightweight texture that just makes the skin look great.

WINNER: Best BB Cream

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (9)

Erborian BB Cream

Traditionally a BB Cream was also known as a blemish balm, but Erborian's BB Cream isn't just for those with spots. This is the product you use when you're working from home, for those no make-up make-up days, when you want to even out skin tone but don't want to wear anything too heavy. "I have used the Erborian BB Cream for years," says Marie Claire UK's Katie Thomas. "I use it when I feel my skin needs a rest from normal make-up. It's rather tricky to explain, but it just makes my skin look healthy and hydrated."

WINNER: Best CC Cream

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (10)

e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Hydrating CC Cream

When you're looking for a base product, you want something that makes your skin look its best, without hiding who you truly are underneath. And if it doesn't cost too much, all the better. Well, this is that base product. "This formula works so well on all skin types and the coverage is enough to soften imperfections and leave a subtle glow," explains Caroline Barnes. "It has an excellent shade selection too and an amazing price point."

WINNER: Best skin tint

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (11)

Sculpted By Aimee HydraTint

Not only has this product won best skin tint at this year's skin awards, but it seems the hydrating complexion product has also stolen the hearts of everyone who's used it, including our judges. "There is a reason this product is so popular," says Caroline Barnes. "It makes your skin look flawless, but in a natural way. Light and thin in texture but it softens imperfections and blurs skin beautifully." Freelance Beauty Editor Tori Crowther agrees: "It does exactly what I’d hope from a skin tint, offering that light coverage that blurs imperfections without covering up too much."

WINNER: Best tanning drops

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (12)

Self Glow By James Read Sunbright Tinted Tan Drops

What on earth did we do before tanning drops? The handy bottles of bronzing joy have transformed the way we tan and our esteemed judging panel has deemed Self Glow by James Read's the best. "You can tell these were developed by a tanning professional because it’s thoughtfully designed, instructions are clear (e.g. including a QR code in the box for people to follow) and the results are stunning," explains Tori Crowther. "I also love that they smell beautiful and have inclusive marketing." Make-up Artist and Journalist Rose Gallagher loves that they're tinted: "I really liked that these drops have a guide colour, which sets them apart, as lots of other facial tanning drops don't. This meant that I could clearly see and navigate how the product worked with my skin."

WINNER: Best facial fake tan

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (13)

Sienna X Gradual Organic Self Tan Rose Mist

Self tan is notoriously drying and Sienna X knows this. This is why the brand created a self-tan face mist that works with the skin to ensure it's hydrated not thirsty. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide this is a nourishing way to deliver a sun-kissed glow. Tori Crowther, Marie Claire UK beauty contributor and self-tan aficionado was a big fan. "This is a lovely tan that does as promises," she says. "It gives a lovely natural colour overnight and is super easy to use. Plus, it smells like roses."

Marie Claire Newsletter

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (14)

Katie Thomas

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.

Latest
  • Feeling run down? 6 exercise moves that a trainer swears by to relieve tension and boost calm during busy periodsAnd... breathe.By Ally Head
  • I don't think you're ready for the fashion icon that is Legendary GlammaProving style is agelessBy Penny Goldstone
  • I’ve tried hundreds of cream blushes, but this one has replaced all of them thanks to how fresh and dewy it leaves my skinIt's in my make-up bag every single dayBy Mica Ricketts
You might also like
  • Things are looking up in the skincare world thanks to these 18 incredible Marie Claire UK Award winning skinnovationsLooking into the future has never been so positiveBy Katie Thomas
  • Excellent skincare doesn't have to cost the earth—these affordable champions are the Marie Claire UK Skin Award-winning proofPurse *and* skin friendlyBy Katie Thomas
  • Skin doesn't stop at the neck, treat the rest with care with these 19 body boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award winnersTreat your body like you do your faceBy Katie Thomas
  • The Marie Claire UK Skin Awards judging panel were seriously impressed by these 17 fantastic formulasSupercharged serums and tremendous treatmentsBy Katie Thomas
  • Is it time for a routine refresh? These Marie Claire UK Skin Award winners will have you questioning your current regimenSmart swapsBy Katie Thomas
View More ▸
Ace your base with these 11 complexion-boosting Marie Claire UK Skin Award 2024 winners (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Terence Hammes MD

Last Updated:

Views: 6065

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Terence Hammes MD

Birthday: 1992-04-11

Address: Suite 408 9446 Mercy Mews, West Roxie, CT 04904

Phone: +50312511349175

Job: Product Consulting Liaison

Hobby: Jogging, Motor sports, Nordic skating, Jigsaw puzzles, Bird watching, Nordic skating, Sculpting

Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.