Daily Essentials

If you want to wear a sunscreen that doesn’t just have SPF50+ protection but makes your skin shimmer like a mermaid, then this is your ticket. It looks extraordinarily good under make-up, like a glow-boosting face filter and, like all of Airyday’s innovative formulas, it contains plenty of skincare ingredients including vegan collagen, niacinamide, blue light protection and vitamin C, E and F.

It’s hydrating, smoothing, blurring… is there anything this sunscreen can’t do? With 100 per cent mineral zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, it delivers a sheer tint that melts seamlessly into skin with a light-as-air, velvety finish. Fine natural powders blur imperfections, while lightweight emollients keep the texture soft and never greasy. Non-comedogenic, oil free and dermatologist tested, it’ll be your go-to every day. “This could be my new fave tinted sunscreen,” says Amanda. “It doesn’t feel like sunscreen: it’s lightweight, a joy to apply, melts into the skin. Can you tell I like it?”

Give this liquid SPF a good shake before use, then smooth the silky liquid over your skin for a gorgeous hit of radiance. This formula stands out for its ultra-light, hydrating texture that glides on like skincare. The sheer, buildable tint helps even skin tone and calm redness, and features a slew of antioxidants including vitamin C. It wears beautifully alone or under make-up, leaving a smooth, luminous finish that feels breathable, even on a scorching summer’s day.

An excellent sunscreen for those whose skin tends to be more on the oily side, this provides a lightweight, non-whitening, fast-absorbing formula with a shine-free finish. Silica helps absorb excess sebum and mattify the complexion, moisturisers including shea butter, panthenol and hyaluronic acid keep the skin feeling hydrated, and the non-comedogenic formula won’t clog pores or leave an oily residue. It’s an ideal option for every day.

This daily dose of fruit and greens delivers hydration without heaviness. Fast-absorbing and packed with skin-loving oils, like broccoli seed, grape seed, sunflower seed, jojoba, oat and squalane, it calms and smooths stressed-out skin. Though fragrance is listed as an ingredient, it’s very subtle to the senses. “This instantly moisturised my dry skin and delivered a satisfying glow without grease,” says Cecily. “Feels good and absorbs well.”

A breath of fresh air for oily or blemish-prone complexions, this Ayurvedic-inspired clay mask draws out congestion without stripping the skin. Powered by tulsi to purify, bakuchiol to calm inflammation, and manjistha to refine and soothe, it’s a weekly essential that leaves skin feeling clearer, calmer and beautifully balanced. Aromatic, cooling and non-acnegenic. “I really liked this mask, which smells beautiful,” says Amanda. “It feels uplifting and I enjoyed relaxing while it worked its magic, with herbal and fruit extracts to help even skin tone. It left my skin glowing!”

There’s something comforting about massaging in a rich night cream, setting yourself up for a peaceful sleep and knowing your skin will be supported all night. This luxurious formula is powered by Weleda’s natural ingredients, including blue gentian, edelweiss and centella asiatica, designed to firm, nourish and visibly reduce deep wrinkles. It helps improve skin density and hydration while you sleep, leaving skin looking smoother, plumper and more resilient by morning. “Weleda’s products are a treat to apply and this is no exception. Absolutely beautiful, nurturing, nourishing goodness,” says Cecily.

This velvety night cream works while you sleep to restore fatigued skin, strengthen the barrier and reduce the look of wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness. Formulated with ceramides and lavender hybrid extract, it deeply hydrates and calms for smoother, plumper skin by morning. “Love this product: it’s super hydrating, calming and soothing, excellent for mature skin and at a price point that makes it very accessible,” says Dr Yiasemides. “A beautiful rich cream that feels no-nonsense and really delivers on its promise,” adds Amanda.

“Dermal Therapy’s skin repair products have earned quiet cult status for their hardworking formulas and accessible price point, and this overnight moisturiser is no exception,” says Cecily. “Use this as a final ‘slugging’ step to lock in your serums, or on its own when you want to slather on something rich and reparative and call it a night.” Designed to support your skin’s natural regeneration process, this intensive yet lightweight cream contains a powerhouse line-up of ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, collagen, peptides and urea, which work to restore moisture, smooth rough patches, boost elasticity and gently exfoliate while you sleep.

Arbutin is a skin-brightening ingredient that helps reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots and uneven tone. It works by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production – which in turn decreases excess pigment in the skin. This antioxidant-rich cream contains 0.4 per cent arbutin to visibly fade pigmentation and restore radiance, supported by a protective antioxidant complex. Suitable for most skin types, it helps improve tone and clarity while keeping skin nourished. “Think of this as a daily brightening ally that slips seamlessly into any routine, targeting pigmentation via a lightweight cream,” says Cecily.

The vote was unanimous. This hit cream containing skin microbiome-supporting postbiotics and protectors is a bathroom cabinet staple, beloved for a long list of reasons. “This is a fabulous barrier cream for everyone, useful for extremely dry skin or sensitive skin that needs intense hydration, is also fantastic for children and can be used on all ages,” says Dr Yiasemides. “It’s effective after any sort of professional treatment, like laser, as well as to soothe and help repair the skin.” It’s good for soothing chapped lips, cracks or irritation, skin discomfort or trauma… we could go on. But, in a nutshell, it’s a great all-rounder.  

This five-in-one cream fuses the cult-favourite Lait-Crème Concentrate with a natural retinol-like active from French big clover for gentle yet effective anti-ageing action. Designed to smooth wrinkles without the irritation of traditional retinol, it’s hydrating enough for day, reparative as a night cream, soothing as a mask, and even doubles as a make-up base or body lotion. Packaged in a 95 per cent recycled aluminium tube, it’s multitasking, sustainable and sensitive-skin friendly. “I really like this moisturiser – a non-irritating ‘retinol-like’ cream that feels light, fresh and brilliant for those who want to baby step into the world of vitamin A and retinol but have sensitive skin,” says Amanda.

Dermaviduals is known for its clinical, skin-first approach: no frills, no fragrance, just formulations that work with your skin. This cream stands apart for its skin-mimicking formulation: a blend of ceramides, squalane, shea butter and natural moisturisers to enhance the skin’s natural lipid barrier. The result is a non-greasy, fast-absorbing veil of comfort that hydrates, soothes and supports even sensitive complexions. “The packaging isn’t flashy but it’s the formula that counts,” says Cecily. “It’s excellent; deeply hydrating and a win for barrier health and skin resilience.”

HydroPeptide has built its name on peptides, and this rich reparative cream shows why. Power Luxe is loaded with next-gen peptides to support the skin’s structural integrity, visibly firming and restoring lost bounce. Bakuchiol and red algae extracts smooth and brighten, while four forms of hyaluronic acid flood the skin with lasting hydration. The result? A plumper, more resilient complexion that feels deeply replenished.

“This skin-quenching gel-crème applies like a silky dream and delivers potent nourishment in a feather-light layer,” says Cecily. Powered by a blend of antioxidant-rich superfoods (collaborating with indigenous growers), including Australian tomato, prickly pear and green tea, it works to brighten, hydrate and soften skin while supporting barrier health. Designed for sensitive skin, it helps address signs of sun damage, fine lines and dark spots.

This silky, fragrance-free moisturiser delivers serious hydration thanks in part to seven types of hyaluronic acid that visibly plump fine lines, and pro-collagen amino acids to smooth and firm. Gentle enough for sensitive skin, it’s hypoallergenic and won’t clog pores. “This is the ideal cream for dry skin and anyone who’s sensitive to scent,” says Cecily. “It absorbs beautifully and delivers a visibly effective moisture boost.” 

Proof that luxury doesn’t have to cost a bomb, this dermatologist-approved moisturiser comes in at under $30. Powered by hydrators, barrier-loving bakuchiol and shea extract, it melts into skin to deliver lasting hydration, repair and resilience. “This is a really luxurious feeling, super-hydrating cream,” says Dr Yiasemides. “It contains an effective mixture of ingredients, including ceramides, which are great at repairing the barrier, and bakuchiol, which is a vitamin A-like ingredient. A really good, rich cream.”

A true icon for more than 80 years, Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream does it all and then some. This multitasking miracle balm hydrates, soothes and protects everything from dry hands and chapped lips, to smoothing cuticles, brows and cheekbones. Use it as an intensive overnight treatment or for a dewy daytime glow. “This is the original ‘skin slugger’ and is an intense, occlusive hydrating product,” says Dr Yiasemides. “It’s really good for skin injuries, particularly burns, sunburn or cracked lips or abrasions, and it’s also great to use around the eye area or intensely dry areas such as cuticles or the elbows.”

In a cost-of-living crisis, you can’t go past a cleanser that does exactly what it says it will (provide an easy, gentle cleanse that sweeps away make-up) and all for just a fiver for 100ml. This simple cleansing lotion from Priceline leaves the skin soft and clean, with the addition of calming cucumber and nourishing vitamins A and E. “This is a really great product at an excellent price point. I found it removed all my make-up with ease, and left my skin feeling supple and hydrated, not stripped,” says Dr Yiasemides. Both face- and wallet-friendly and a total win-win for the skin.

Soft and calming from the first inhale, this milky cleanser transforms a basic cleanse with a gentle, nutrient-rich formula that melts away make-up while supporting the skin barrier with nourishing organic oils, vitamins and calming botanicals. Skin feels comforted, not stripped, supple, not squeaky. We especially love the delicate, relaxing aroma and post-cleanse softness.

This clever cleanser looks like a gel, feels like an oil and emulsifies to a soft milk when activated with water. It melts away make-up and impurities while actively protecting the skin barrier from dehydration, thanks to a blend of botanical waxes, camellia oil, cucumber and aloe vera. The result? Clean, calm, cushiony-soft skin. “This is a luxe cleanser that leaves skin feeling extremely soft and smooth,” says Cecily.

This is no ordinary cleanser. With its striking blood-red hue and pearlised texture, it feels more like a facial treatment in a jar. Designed to do more than just remove the day, this formula supports collagen and elastin production, replenishes essential fatty acids and strengthens the skin barrier, all while delivering a soothing, cushiony cleanse. “This is an uber-luxe cleansing balm that’s a joy to use; skin feels comforted, nourished and looks radiant,” says Cecily. “It’s the sort of product that turns cleansing into sensorial self-care.”

A beautifully balanced daily cleanser that fuses science-backed actives with a gentle exfoliation. This is a radiance-boosting formula that pairs brightening vitamin C with resurfacing glycolic acid to lift away dulling dead skin cells, even tone and texture, and leave skin fresh and clean without any harshness or tightness. The gel texture feels silky and is ideal for anyone chasing that smooth, low-effort glow.

This light exfoliating lotion delivers a gentle yet effective peel, using papain enzymes to gently lift away dead skin cells and brighten lacklustre complexions, no scrubbing required. Niacinamide works simultaneously to calm, hydrate and strengthen the skin barrier, making it a smart choice for sensitive, dry or mature skin. Leave it on for up to 15 minutes, and rinse to reveal smoother, more radiant skin. “This is a fabulous exfoliating serum, as it contains some hydroxy acids as well as vitamin B3 and smells lovely,” says Dr Yiasemides. “It feels good and delivers a great exfoliation without stripping or irritating the skin. I recommend using it once or twice a week.”

When your skin is dry, sensitive or easily irritated, finding a cleanser that comforts instead of strips is key. This soap‑free, pH‑balanced formula is enriched with colloidal oatmeal to calm redness, relieve dryness and protect the skin barrier while gently lifting away impurities. Hydration including sodium PCA and glycerin moisturise, while vitamin E protects. Use from top to toe for skin that feels soft, hydrated and balanced. Endorsed by the Eczema Association of Australasia, it’s ideal for eczema or allergy-prone skin.

A multitasking cleanser that transforms from oil to milk, it deeply purifies while hydrating and soothing with humectants, skin-friendly lipids and natural extracts. “This is great for dry, sensitive, or more mature skin,” says Dr Yiasemides. “It’s really good at removing residual make-up, leaves skin hydrated and soft, and doesn’t strip.” Perfect for make-up removal, pre-cleansing or even as a shaving oil.

With its cute packaging and unique formula, this clever water-activated cleanser is a standout. It’s a finely milled, dry powder that transforms into a gentle, creamy foam on contact with water, effectively lifting away make-up, excess oil and impurities while preserving the skin’s moisture barrier. Snow mushroom delivers hydration and bounce, calendula soothes, and hydrating prebiotics nourish the skin’s microbiome, leaving the complexion smooth and balanced.

A note first on the scent of this gentle exfoliating cleanser. It’s infused with a lavender tea tree and honey myrtle essential oil blend that delivers a vibrant, vivid, zesty fragrance, reminiscent of fresh lemongrass, both sensorial and delicious. It’s a beautiful start to a night-time skincare regimen, relaxing the senses as it smooths and cleanses the skin. “This invigorating cleanser is formulated with lactic acid to remove dead skin cells and clear congestion, while soothing aloe vera and calming chamomile bring the TLC, leaving skin feeling radiant and fresh,” says Cecily.

A luxuriously creamy cleanser designed for normal to dry skin, this lotion gently dissolves surface impurities while preserving the skin’s natural moisture balance. Enriched with antioxidant-rich sorbitol, soothing olive derivatives and nourishing jojoba seed oil, it leaves skin soft, supple and comforted with every cleanse. Perfect for morning or evening, this formula refreshes without stripping, delivering a lovely velvety after-feel.

This dual-action polish combines glycolic acid with aluminium oxide crystals to mimic the results of an in-clinic microdermabrasion for smoother, brighter, more refined skin in minutes. The resurfacing formula clears congestion, fades discolouration and boosts collagen for long-term skin renewal. “This is for anyone who loves that deep, physical and chemical exfoliant,” says Cecily. “It’s like bringing a clinical microdermabrasion treatment home. You can feel it working as it polishes and resurfaces. If your skin is sensitive or prone to redness, you might want to sit this one out.”

Give your skin a hydrating, refreshing snack throughout the day with this cooling mist that revitalises both skin and make-up. Powered by a blend of almond, açaí and kiwi seed oils, plus hyaluronic acid, green tea and brightening fruit extracts, it delivers a burst of moisture and radiance with every spritz. “Love the fresh, fruity, uplifting smell of this hydrating mist,” says Amanda. “Keep it on your desk and maintain hydrated skin all day long.”

If you’ve never tried a sheet mask you wear overnight, let this be your entry point. Inspired by K-beauty’s viral glass skin trend (think smooth and shiny in the best way possible), this innovative hydrogel treatment starts white and turns clear as it melts into your skin, proof that all that juicy serum is going exactly where it should. It locks in potent hydrators, including hyaluronic acid, glycerin and allantoin, to deeply plump, smooth and restore. Bonus points for the snug, no-slip fit that makes it easy to wear overnight. You’ll wake to skin that’s firmer, glowier and glassier, just as promised.

An instant ticket to glowier skin, these clever dual-sided wipes offer both gentle and intensive exfoliation. One side smooths, the other gives a deeper peel, so you’re only a few swipes away from a fresher, more radiant complexion. “These genius wipes renewed my skin in a serious way, with an impressive line-up of hydrating, antioxidant, anti-irritant and exfoliating ingredients,” says Cecily. “Easy to use (simply swipe over face, neck and dec) – expect a slight tingle as the acids get to work and enjoy the luminosity that results.”

If your skin is flaring up, this cute little milk carton contains all the calm you need. Lightweight yet comforting, the milky lotion is enriched with 100 per cent Australian-made probiotic lysates to help support skin barrier health and balance delicate microflora. Jojoba oil and grape seed oil add extra nourishment, while plant-based emollients lock in moisture. “Love the adorable packaging, and this is such a fabulous calming milky serum,” says Amanda. “Use morning and night to calm the farm.”

Proof that powerhouse skincare doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag, this affordable yet excellently formulated serum pairs 12 per cent niacinamide with 2 per cent zinc to refine pores, even tone and smooth the look of fine lines. The silky, non-sticky texture layers seamlessly under other products, while the fragrance-free vegan formula is gentle enough for sensitive skin. It’s a high-performance staple that delivers on results and value. “I’m a fan of Naturium generally for its excellent price points, effective formulas and sensory textures,” says Cecily. “This silky serum is a key example. The combo of niacinamide and zinc is great for skin like mine, which is prone to breakouts.”  

This hydrating serum does a sterling job at replenishing skin moisture, supporting skin firmness and delivering antioxidant protection. “This is a really nice product containing hyaluronic acid as well as vitamin B3, active ingredients which are proven to both help hydrate and act as an antioxidant and anti-ageing mechanism. It absorbs well and doesn’t leave a sticky residue,” says Dr Yiasemides. Suitable also for sensitive skin, it layers seamlessly under make-up. No product pilling here!

Byoma caused quite a buzz when it landed in Australia in early 2025, and for good reason. This affordable, effective brand with fun packaging delivers, and this eye cream is a key example. Cooling on contact and cleverly formulated, this gel-serum hybrid hydrates, smooths and brightens, leaving skin feeling fresh, firm and awake. “A nice cooling, soothing product for the eye area that has hyaluronic acid as well as vitamin C and ceramides,” says Dr Yiasemides.

Could this be a holy grail face oil that not only smooths and hydrates, but also actively softens the appearance of fine lines? We say yes: it feels amazing and leaves skin looking incredibly fresh and luminous. “I have used this for seven years and have told anyone that will listen to get onto it,” says Amanda. “It’s like a multivitamin shot for your skin but with two extra hero ingredients, acmella oleracea extract, which behaves like a wrinkle relaxer, and 24K gold face oil for radiance and resilience. It truly is incredible. All your friends will be asking you what you’ve done to your skin!”

Barrier-boosting, deeply hydrating and SPF50+,  this reformulated take on Clinique’s cult classic is made for skin that craves comfort and protection. The silky lotion glides on like a serum-infused moisturiser but works overtime as both a barrier repair treatment and high-performance sunscreen, without the heavy feel or white cast. Formulated with pure glycerin and hyaluronic acid, it delivers plumping hydration while strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier. “You know it’s a good SPF when you look forward to applying it,” says Cecily. “I love everything about this; it feels calming, cushiony and leaves skin looking luminous.”

This radiance-giving, hydrating toner contains slow-release polyhydroxy acids (a gentle exfoliating acid), niacinamide and botanical extracts from hibiscus, finger lime and jojoba leaf to gently resurface and brighten the skin while maintaining a healthy barrier. “A gentle alternative to some of the stronger chemical exfoliants out there, this leaves your skin baby-smooth and hydrated,” says Amanda. “It’s brilliant in my make-up kit, as all types of skin seem to tolerate it, too.”

This humble hydrating elixir holds the title of Japan’s No.1 face lotion, an accolade it’s maintained for years, with more than 55 million units sold worldwide. Its enduring success lies in its no-fuss, minimalist formula and deeply quenching hydration. “Powered by multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, this ultra-light lotion is an absolute thirst-quench for dry skin, helping to plump and smooth,” says Cecily. “It’s accessibly priced and an absolute skin-loving superstar, with cult status for good reason. Apply before your serum and moisturiser for skin that stays hydrated all day.” 

A naturally sun-kissed complexion is just a few drops away, no UV rays required. We adore the customisable aspect of these drops, which allow you to control the level of glow by mixing the product (between one to six drops) into your serum. They contain natural self-tanning actives and soothing organic grape water to hydrate the skin. “I like that you can customise this by dropping it into your serum or moisturiser, as I find a lot of my clients love the idea of face tan, but aren’t quite sure where to fit it into their routine. Brilliant,” says Amanda.