We’re pretty sure that you’ll be stocking up on these popular picks in 2022 too
The New Year’s the perfect time for a bit of reflection - to celebrate where we’ve been and where we're going. It can also be the ideal time to try something new and rejig our beauty regime, whether that’s to meet the changing needs of our skin or to step outside our make-up comfort zone. So, in keeping with that spirit, we thought we’d provide some insider intel to offer up some serious ‘add to cart’ inspiration for what to buy at Boots in the year ahead - meet 12 of your 2021 best sellers!*
From a lash-lengthening mascara that went down a storm on TikTok to high performing (and low cost) skincare products and a multi-tasking brow gel, these are some of the Boots best sellers you and your fellow customers couldn’t get enough of.
12 OF THE BEST-SELLING BEAUTY PRODUCTS AT BOOTS IN 2021
The blemish buster
Try: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (£5)
• Size: 30ml
• Oil-free
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Cruelty-free
When it comes to high quality skincare with a low price tag, look no further than The Ordinary. Its skincare line can be found brimming with the industry’s most buzzed about ingredients and this serum’s the perfect example of that. Containing calming niacinamide and soothing zinc, its formulation helps reduce the appearance of spots while also dialing down oiliness. With ‘maskne’ being a key concern for many this year, it’s no wonder it’s been so popular.
Began using this product last year after having an awful breakout from all the mask wearing... this serum worked amazingly for me!
The hydrating toner
Try: Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic (£16.50)
• Size: 200ml
• Alcohol-free
• Cruelty-free
If you’re looking for aromatic botanicals that appeal to all of the senses, make a beeline to Liz Earle. Enriched with plant-based extracts and actives that leave your complexion seriously glowing, its range offers a dose of instant ‘ahhhh’ (technical term) to each skincare step. This hydrating toner, containing a skin softening blend of calendula, chamomile and cucumber and vitamin E and fragranced with an energising combo of pure essential oils, is a treat for mood, skin and mind. Sweep it on after your cleanser to prep skin for the rest of your routine.
It doesn’t make my skin feel dehydrated and itchy as other toners do...and the packaging and little hole in the lid is a good idea as I can easily control how much product I want on the cotton pad
The day cream
Try: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ (£32)
• Size: 125ml
• Fragrance-free
Clinique’s results-driven ethos and science-led tech have earned the brand legions of fans the world over. Providing hard-working skincare that offers both style and substance, its range of daily staples wouldn’t be complete without a reliable moisturiser and DDML (as it’s more colloquially known) fits the bill to a T thanks to its non-greasy formula that sinks in like a dream and keeps skin feeling soft and supple from morning until evening.
The texture is lightweight, I only needed to use a small amount and the difference to my skin after one week was incredible – it feels smoother and has a lovely glow
The redness neutraliser
Try: Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment (£15)
• Size: 15ml
If you have redness-prone skin, you’ll know only too well how tricky it can be to find skincare that calms and cares. Well, this bestseller not only does both, but colour corrects as well to provide benefits in both the short and long-term. Its green colour (don’t worry, it dries to beige!) neutralises redness and evens out skin tone, while its formula containing a de-stressing cocktail of niacinamide, tiger grass (aka Cica) and probiotic ferment among other goodies gets to work beyond the surface. If you love this (and it seems that a good number of you do!) then you’ll love the rest of the K-Beauty brand’s Cicapair range too.
I have fair skin that goes blotchy with mild rosacea. This evens out my skin and looks like an expensive CC cream. It’s a game-changer
The mascara that broke TikTok
Try: Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara (£9.99)
• Size: 9.6ml
• Allergy tested
• Ophthalmologist tested
When it comes to mascaras, we’d hazard a guess that at least one of Maybelline’s extensive collection features in your make-up bag. The brand knows what our lashes love, as evident from how much of a storm this pick caused on social media. A frequent visitor to our For You Pages, creators around the world were bowled over by Sky High’s lengthening and volumising abilities, its Flex Tower brush and fiber-filled formula. It’s had quite the year. It even won the prestigious Best Lash Award at this year’s The Sunday Times Style Beauty Awards.
I bought this mascara after reading an article about its popularity - so glad I did! This mascara is amazing, such a good price and I always get complimented on my lashes
The mattifier
Try: Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£4.49)
• Size: 14g
• Six shades
Where would our bank balances be without Rimmel, right? With make-up that offers big results at a low price point, the brand proves time and time again that you don’t need to have deep pockets to have amazing products. This pressed powder is a particular favourite of yours – and for just cause. Perfect for toning down T-zone shine or setting your base so that it stays in place and not down your face by midday, it stealthily soaks up oil making it ideal for touch-ups on the go.
I’ve used this product for years. It’s perfect for oily skin and doesn’t look powdery using the right brush. It leaves you with a nice matte finish – I hope that they never discontinue it
The bargain brow gel
Try: Collection Colour Lash All Day Wear Colour Mascara in Clear (£1.99)
• Size: 8ml
‘Brow saviour’ and ‘game-changer’ are just some of the phrases that pop up in the reviews section for this brow booster and the fact that it’s under £2 adds to its impressiveness. A clear mascara that can be used to create a brow lamination effect, as well as on lashes to help eyes appear bigger and brighter, it’s one of those products you didn’t know you needed, but were elated that you discovered. It can be used alone, but it also plays nicely with brow powders, pomades, pencils and tinted mascaras to keep them tamed.
This is hands down the best brow gel I’ve ever used! Unlike what most brow gels promise but don’t actually do, this gel holds your brow hairs in place ALL DAY!
The make-up Velcro
Try: NYX Professional Makeup Matte Finish Setting Spray (£8)
• Size: 60g
• Vegan
Like us, we’re sure that you love the chance to experiment with your make-up and use it as a means of self-expression and platform for creativity. We can always rely on NYX Professional Makeup when it comes to supplying us with the tools for helping our inner make-up artist run wild, whether it’s the brand’s high pigment lip colours or eye-catching eyeshadow palettes. For the perfect finishing touch to seal your handiwork, we’d highly recommend trying this setting spray – especially if you have oily skin. It’ll add a good few hours of staying power to your efforts.
Had to buy this after getting a sample. It’s one of the best makeup setting sprays I've used
The SPF
Try: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50+ (£18)
• Size: 50ml
• Broad, photostable UVA/UVB protection (SPF50+)
• Sweat, water and sand resistant
Dermatologists love this brand, as do you, for its range of high performance products that a range of different skin types can tolerate (even the most sensitive). From dryness to breakouts, there’s something for every concern with its formulas built around supporting skin health. Sun protection plays a key role in this, which is where this best-selling SPF comes in. Non-greasy, with a silky formula that doesn’t leave behind a tell-tale white cast, it’ll actually have you looking forward to applying it (which is no small feat when it comes to sunscreens in our opinion).
I’ve been using this suncream for about a year now and I must say, I absolutely love it. It goes on top of my moisturiser really well and has a nice natural finish to it. No greasy look, lovely. Will always use it now
The face wash for breakout-prone skin
Try: CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid (£12)
• Size: 236ml
• Fragrance-free
• Non-comedogenic
Developed by dermatologists, CeraVe’s stripped back formulas work as the perfect ‘skintervention’ for those whose skincare routines may have become a bit too complicated. They’re all about supporting barrier function to help reduce moisture loss and strengthen skin’s defences against environmental aggressors. The brand’s cleansers are particularly sought-after, with this salicylic acid option a great fit for those who have oily and breakout-prone skin. Great for helping unclog pores, it also contains hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides to help prevent skin from drying out. If you’re new to an acid cleanser, start by incorporating one into your routine once a week and see how your skin reacts to it.
I've been using this cleanser for over a month now and I can't recommend it enough!!
The face wipes
Try: Boots Biodegradable Cucumber Cleansing Wipes (£1)
• Contains 25 wipes
• Biodegradable
• Plastic-free
• Chlorine-free
Need a refresh in a flash? Then try these super affordable face wipes. Containing cucumber extract and aloe vera, they feel wonderfully cooling – definitely one to keep to hand to clear up any make-up mishaps (from wiggly feline flick to wobbly red lip, we’ve all been there) and also wonderfully handy as an extra step before going in with your face wash of choice in the evenings.
I've been using these for about 13 years. I love them - they’re cheap and so good
The sheet mask
Try: Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate Tissue Mask (£2.99)
• Size: 32g
• Vegan
SOS skincare - we all have our go-tos when we need to de-stress skin and mind. A Garnier mask is one of our favourites, not only because they cater for a range of concerns, but also because they don’t break the bank! Ideal for January when pay day seems so very far away… If your skin’s feeling the effects of the cold water and central heating, this ultra-thin tissue mask can help as it’s enriched with a week’s worth of hydrating serum. Simply unwrap, unfold and unwind with this on for 15 minutes and bouncier, more hydrated skin can be yours.
Rehydrated my skin beautifully and my skin was glowing. Will definitely be repurchasing!
