As 2025 draws to a close, the UK beauty landscape has been transformed by a wave of exciting new product launches. From long-awaited international brand arrivals to groundbreaking formulations, it has been a standout year for skincare, makeup and bodycare innovation.
A Year of Beauty Breakthroughs
The past twelve months saw British shoppers finally gain access to coveted brands from the United States and Australia, including Rhode, Saltair and MCoBeauty. Iconic pharmacy brand No7 caused a sensation with a new glass-skin range that sold out rapidly, while Sol de Janeiro continued to dominate the bodycare scene. The passion for Korean beauty shows no sign of slowing, with viral ingredients like snail mucin cementing their place in routines nationwide.
Metro's shopping experts, including beauty contributor Louise Whitbread, have spent the year rigorously testing hundreds of new products. From luxurious lip balms to potent serums, only the most exceptional have earned a permanent spot in their beauty cabinets, replacing longtime favourites.
The Standout Products of the Year
After nearly a decade in the beauty industry, Whitbread has curated her definitive list of the year's best launches. These eight products represent the pinnacle of 2025's innovation, offering real results and are still worthy of your attention as we move into 2026.
BYOMA Blemish Redness Relief Soothing Toner (£12.99) emerged as a hero for sensitive, acne-prone skin. This lightweight mist calms rosacea and reduces redness without smudging makeup, making it a perfect all-day soothing treatment.
In bodycare, Vaseline's Gluta-Hya Overnight Radiance Serum Burst Lotion (£8.66) was a surprise triumph. Its unique jelly-to-water texture delivers intense hydration without greasiness, outperforming many luxury alternatives.
For the complexion, Merit The Uniform Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (£34) was hailed as the year's best base product. This mineral SPF offers sheer, buildable coverage with a radiant finish, eliminating the need for heavy foundation.
The UK debut of influencer Iskra Lawrence's brand, Saltair, was a major 2025 event. The Saltair Santal Bloom Body Oil (£25), with its hydrating blend and sensual sandalwood scent, became an instant favourite for achieving silky, glowing skin.
L’Occitane's Almond Candle (£42) translated the beloved scent of its iconic shower oil into a long-lasting home fragrance. Made from natural wax, it provides a luxurious sensory experience.
Proving high performance doesn't require a high price tag, Boots Glossy Lip Balm (£3) in its new 2025 shades rivalled cult favourites. The buttery formula hydrates and adds a flush of colour, with 'raspberry' being a standout shade.
For those with oily skin, Saie Slip Tint Undetectable Baked Setting Powder (£26) was a game-changer. It delivers a soft-matte, velvety finish that controls shine without looking cakey or flat.
Finally, Sol de Janeiro expanded its scented empire with Rosa Charmosa Dewy Cream (£21). This delicate rose and coconut-scented cream uses a crystal peptide complex to hydrate dry areas like elbows and knees while imparting a subtle luminosity.
Building Your 2026 Beauty Routine
These eight products represent the cream of the 2025 crop, each solving a specific beauty concern with impressive efficacy. From the budget-friendly lip balm to the indulgent candle, they offer a blueprint for a refreshed and effective routine in the new year.
With expert testing complete, these are the launches that have proven their worth, promising to deliver results long after the hype of their initial release has faded. Did you have a favourite beauty buy of 2025 that's not on this list?
