New to Skincare? From Viral K-Beauty to Cosmeceuticals, Here’s Your Ultimate Skin Guide
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
While we might be famous for our TimTams, salon haircare and more here at Adore Beauty, we’d have to say our our biggest flex is our range of incredible skincare.
At Adore Beauty, we house some of the most glow-giving, results-driven formulas you’ll find anywhere.
Think of us as your “home of skincare”.
In fact Adore Beauty houses some of the best cosmeceutical products in Australia.
We’re talking all the most high-performing, science-backed and Dermatologist-approved and formulated brands from top global powerhouses like SkinCeuticals, Dermalogica and Medik8 to homegrown brands like Aesthetics Rx, Asap, Alpha-H and Aspect.
In other words: if it’s trusted by dermatologists and loved by beauty editors, you’ll find it here.
Whatever kind of skincare lover you are - from K-beauty enthusiast (yes, we stock all the best Korean skincare Australia including all your viral K-beauty favourites), well-ageing serum devotee, or someone tackling those stubborn skin concerns - we’ve got you covered.
If you have skin, love skincare or have any kind of skin concern, I’d bet my bottom dollar we've got a serum, moisturiser, cleanser or chemical exfoliant for it.
Just starting your skincare journey? Welcome. Not sure where to begin? We’ve got you.
Our guide below will help you kick things off, and from there, the skincare world is your oyster.
Cosmeceuticals
Think of cosmeceutical products as the overachievers and the most hard-working products of your skincare routine.
Unlike your everyday moisturiser, these formulas are powered by high-performing active ingredients - (think retinol, vitamin C, peptides etc.) that work beneath the surface to really tackle your skin concerns.
Unless you're a teen, everyone can benefit from a cosmeceutical product in their routine, you just have to find the one that's best suited to your skin type and concern.
Try:
Meet your new age-management essential: a powerful serum that targets glycation, one of the main culprits behind weakened collagen and loss of elasticity.
Powered by 30–34.6% Flavo-Proxylane for firmness, antioxidant-rich wild fruit flavonoids, and elasticity-boosting rhamnose with Gentiana Lutea root extract, it works to smooth, lift and brighten while softening fine lines.
Bonus points? It hydrates skin by up to 70 - 80% in just one hour and strengthens your barrier.
A science-backed serum suitable for all skin types - even sensitive.
Expect smoother, more radiant skin with fine lines softened.
Stress, ageing, and environmental aggressors can all take a toll on your skin - often showing up as a weakened barrier.
Enter Dermalogica’s Skin Strengthening Serum, a formula designed to fortify your skin’s defenses and help it bounce back from daily stressors.
Powered by Bioshield Barrier Technology (think biomimetic peptides, antioxidants, and squalane), it strengthens, nourishes, and restores resilience.
Supporting players like cotton thistle and upcycled tangerine extract repair and resist signs of ageing, evergreen extract boosts firmness, while Tasman pepper leaf and bisabolol calm irritation.
The result? Skin that feels stronger, soothed, and visibly healthier.
A $160 serum from one of the most science-backed brands in beauty? Honestly - shut up and take our money.
This advanced peptide treatment is clinically proven, powered by Dual MiniProteins™ and a 30% Multi-Peptide Complex to hydrate deeply and revive skin’s bounce. It helps smooth expression lines, refines texture, and helps restore lost firmness.
For an added plumping kick, a Micro-Filler Hyaluronic Acid Blend in the formula drenches skin in hydration, leaving it looking healthier.
Peptides are the cornerstone of long-term, well-ageing skincare and if you don’t already have one in your routine, we'd consider this your first (and best) move.
Sunscreen
The single most important skincare product and step in your routine for slowing accelerated ageing and helping protect skin from harmful UV rays (alongside seeking shade and protective clothing of course).
Daily SPF wear should be a non-negotiable. You might as well throw your retinol, peptides and all your skincare down the drain if you aren't using sunscreen in your routine because without protection, they’re working overtime for nothing.
The good news? Adore Beauty is not only home to all the highly-praised sunscreens from top brands like La Roche-Posay and SkinCeuticals but now, there’s a new wave of what I like to call “indie cool” sunscreens, think: Standard Procedure, Feel Good Inc. and more.
Try:
Think of this as your daily anti-pigmentation superhero with SPF. The Mesoestetic Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control is a lightweight, tinted SPF 50 formula that protects against UV, HEV, and IR rays while using azeloglycine to help prevent pigmentation and even out tone.
Well all I’ll say is this is my most-used SPF. I find it has a weightless, silky texture that absorbs beautifully into the skin and layers well under makeup with zero white cast.
This We Are Feel Good Inc. Sensitive Sunscreen SPF 50+ is a lightweight, fragrance-free broad-spectrum SPF that glides on like a silky primer, keeps skin protected and hydrated for up to 4 hours even on the most sensitive complexions.
Restorative Age Management
The best “anti-ageing” products that work best will vary depending on your skin type, so take a moment: brew a cup of tea, type your concerns into our search bar, and explore the very best in serums and treatments designed for ageing skin and age management.
After sunscreen, your age-management serum is truly the crowning glory of any skincare routine.
Try:
Beauty IQ Uncensored co-host Hannah Furst reviewed these iconic serum capsules, which you can read here.
Elizabeth Arden's Ceramide Retinol + HPR Capsules combine the power of retinol with ceramides and peptides to visibly reduce wrinkles, improve skin texture, and enhance firmness.
Says one AB customer:
"I react to everything as my skin is crazy sensitive. I have fallen in love with this product. My skin feels smoother, looks glassy and more even. First use I didn't even go red and now I use it nightly." - Milly.
We’ll let the below AB customer review do all the talking here:
"This is my new favourite retinol product! I find it just sinks flawlessly into the skin and I'm left with dewy bright skin after application. It's definitely improved my texture and pigmentation. I also love it because it just goes so well with the Phytostat cream. I would definitely recommend it." - Anna.
K&J Beauty
We could write a THESIS on the best Korean skincare.
We love K-Beauty here at Adore Beauty because Korean skincare products are excellent at delivering two things: affordability and hydration.
So it's absolutely no surprise that more and more people are obsessed with, and adding Korean skincare and Japanese skincare to cart.
Stocking up on these cult-favourite and viral formulas that deliver serious results without the premium price tag is always a great idea.
Try:
From recently viral brand Medicube - this Collagen Jelly Cream is a lightweight, hydrating gel that delivers a radiant glow and improved skin elasticity, thanks to its blend of freeze-dried hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, and squalane.
If you’re constantly dealing with tight, dry skin a hyaluronic acid is imperative in your routine. This affordable one by J-beauty brand Hada Labo sells out EVERY minute in Japan. Enough said. But, we’ll still say more. Here's what AB customer Erin had to say:
"I'm on my 3 bottle and find it smooths and hydrates my skin. I always use it after I've cleansed my skin and before moisturiser. Can't live without it." - Erin.
I reviewed this viral K-beauty mask, so you can see the real results here. But short version - THEY. ARE. AMAZING. If you're about to head on travel, please take my advice and take these with you - instantly dewy skin in a sheet mask. You will truly never regret having these in your skincare stash.
Infused with Beauty Green Tea™ and encapsulated hyaluronic acid, this vegan-certified, serum provides lasting moisture and helps alleviate inner-skin dryness as well as leaving the skin plump, refreshed, and glowing - plus it's only $45!
Solution-Based
Whatever your skincare concern be it acne-prone skin, dehydration, or uneven texture - there’s a serum, toner, moisturiser, or cleanser designed to support your routine.
Our pro tip? Again, simply type your concern into the search bar of our website, and sit back to see all the products that can help deliver and support your skin's needs.
Try:
- Aesthetics Rx BIOFEMAGE Cream - When mature skin starts to feel a little dull and dry this luxe daily moisturiser can help round out your routine. Created to target the visible skin effects caused by perimenopause and menopause, and leave skin looking rejuvenated, smooth and radiant.
- Societe Refinishing Complex 50ml - whether you have uneven texture, pigmentation or scarring, this potent serum used in clinic by the experts (including Beauty IQ Expert podcast host Tegan Mac) helps resurface, firm, hydrate, plump the skin while also helping to prevent discolouration.
- Kora Organics Turmeric Glow Drops Niacinamide Alternative Serum 30mL - Kora's new Tumeric Glow Drops is a "niacinamide alternative" that is said to deliver all the benefits of a traditional niacinamide (refining pores, evening skin tone and strengthening your skin barrier) but using certified organic ingredients. It promises to "give you all the benefits of a tradional niacinamide, without the irritation."
For more skincare inspo and advice, read these next:
