With skincare brands popping up faster than you can say “hyaluronic acid”, it’s near impossible to keep up with what’s hot (and what’s not) in the world of skincare. So, when a brand secures itself on the global Top 10 Biggest Skincare Brands list, taking into account Google searches and Insta follows, it’s worth taking note. Thankfully, you don’t have to put your high school maths skills to use, because the beauty experts at Landy’s Chemist analysed data from public search trends (searches, followers, engagement rate, yearly increase…) to determine the most popular and biggest skincare brands from the past year.
Without further ado, meet this year’s biggest skincare brands. And yes, some might just surprise you…
1 – Drunk Elephant
Drunk Elephant is officially THE biggest skincare brand of the year thanks to its searches and Instagram following. The brand also boasts over half a million followers on TikTok and ‘#drunkelephant’ has garnered over 1.7 billion views. Created by Tiffany Masterson, who was tired of misleading claims and sensitising ingredients, you’ll never find one of the “suspicious 6” in any of the products. Instead, it’s all about healthy pH levels, easily absorbed molecules and effective (but gentle) active ingredients that support and nourish skin. It’s no wonder the likes of Hailey Bieber and Khloé Kardashian are fans.
2 – CeraVe
Granted it’s not the chicest of brands, but when it comes to simple but effective and purse-friendly skincare, it doesn’t get much better than CeraVe. Loved by dermatologists, skincare enthusiasts and celebrities (Emma Chamberlain and Blake Lively included) who swear by its ceramide-packed products, this drugstore staple has enjoyed a huge rise in fans thanks to platforms like TikTok. Focused on restoring the skin’s natural protective barrier, there’s everything from calming cleansers to emollient-rich moisturisers, SPFs and healing ointments. Plus, they’re created for eczema and acne-prone skin.
3 – TATCHA
What do the likes of Selena Gomez, Jennifer Aniston and Meghan Markle have in common? They all turn to Tatcha to achieve gorgeous, glowing skin. Inspired by the beauty rituals of geishas, the Japanese beauty brand harnesses the power of natural Japanese ingredients (algae, rice, green tea) to create gentle yet efficacious products crafted in Tokyo.
4 – VERSED
Priding itself on cruelty-free, vegan and “clean” formulas, Versed is all “high performance, not hype”. Well, some hype. It is the fourth biggest skincare brand in the world, after all… No-fuss, low waste and developed in collaboration with its customers, Versed puts skin, body and planet at the forefront of everything it does. Even better? Everything is under 100dhs.
5 – DR. Barbara Sturm
We’re not surprised to see Dr. Barbara Sturm‘s medi-luxe skincare brand in the top five. Hailed by everyone from Kate Moss to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, her revolutionary anti-inflammatory approach is all about healing skin and tackling inflammation, in turn reducing everything from dehydration to redness and wrinkles. All without toxic, damaging and irritating ingredients. With skincare, haircare, supplements and babycare under her belt, she’s got you covered.
6 – elemis
British skincare brand Elemis has been on the scene for over 30 years and is known for its powerhouse products that merge nature and scientific innovation. Not to mention its foundation in aromatherapy, which ensures every product smells sublime, sans artificial fragrance and nasty ingredients. If there’s one product you need in your beauty bag, it’s the multi-award-winning Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. With one selling every nine seconds around the globe, we can safely say the stats speak for themselves.
7 – Estée Lauder
“It all started with four creams and a dream” 77 years ago when Estée Lauder started her eponymous beauty business. Fast forward to today, and not only is her name known in households across the globe, but the brand has more Instagram followers than any other skincare brand in the world. It also has countless lotions and potions that beauty aficionados and a-listers swear by, including its legendary Advanced Night Repair, the first-ever night serum and skincare product to use hyaluronic acid.
8 – Face gym
Ever wondered how the likes of Sienna Miller, Sophie Turner, Suki Waterhouse and Bella Hadid get red-carpet ready? Well, wonder no more, because they all turn to Face Gym’s high-tech tools and products to bag themselves super-sculpted, radiant skin. Dubbed the OGs in “facial fitness”, Face Gym’s ethos is simple and seriously effective. Give your facial muscles a workout, and you’ll get lifted, sculpted, tighter skin. Fast. Whether you visit one of their studios or use their products at home, you won’t be disappointed.
9 – Clinique
Fun fact – Clinique was also created by Estée Lauder, and it’s the second most followed skincare brand on Instagram. It was also the world’s first allergy-tested, dermatologist-driven skincare brand, revolutionising the way in which people thought about their skin. Priding itself on formulations for all skin types, tones and needs, Clinique has performed over 6 million allergy evaluations on products. Plus, how many moisturisers are instantly recognised by their yellow formula and bottle alone? DDML, we’re talking to you.
10 – dermalogica
Last – but certainly not least on the list of the biggest skincare brands – is Dermalogica. Founded back in 1986 by a skin therapist who was tired of searching for effective products that didn’t clog pores or were made without irritants. Today, it’s a brand loved and used by dermatologists, professionals and consumers alike, with gentle yet powerful products that help nourish and treat skin without compromising its barrier. Plus, its entire line is vegan, cruelty-free, and made without microplastics, artificial colours and fragrances, alcohol and parabens. Sold.
