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10 best skincare systems

Transform your daily beauty routine with a hard-working collection

Monday 15 February 2016 18:29 GMT

In a skincare rut? It’s probably time to freshen up your regime and try out something new. Taster sets are a great way to discover new brands that work for your skin without splashing out too much cash. From solutions for dry skin to dealing with pesky blemishes, we’ve got the kits that will have you covered.

1. Ren Pure Glow Trio: £35, Ren Skincare

This is ideal for those who can’t pinpoint a specific issue with their skin but would like a little extra radiance. It contains the brand’s best-selling Rosa Centifolia cleanser, a mask to remove dead skin and a water-activated vitamin C wash for an instant injection of luminosity.

2. Liz Earle Essentials Try Me Kit: £24.75, Liz Earle

This kit from the all-natural brand Liz Earle has everything you need including a moisturiser, eye lotion, skin tonic and the all-important hot polish cleanser and muslin.

3. Lancer Irresistible Lips set: £38, Lancer Skincare

It’s easy to get caught up in the quest for perfect skin and wrinkle-tackling, while forgetting other key areas that need attention, like the lips. This set from the LA-based skincare brand to the stars contains an anti-aging exfoliator and plumping lip serum that will help you achieve that perfect pout.

4. Dermalogica Skin Kit Dry: £26.35, Dermalogica

This is an ideal trial kit for those who want to get started with no-nonsense skincare brand Dermalogica. The brand helpfully separates its kits according to skin type, with this version formulated for dryer skin. It contains a nourishing milk cleanser, cream and concentrated formula which will have your skin feeling moisturised in no time.

5. Elemis Beautifully Radiant Daily Essentials: £38.50, Elemis

This set is one for those that want to focus on the cleansing part of their skincare routine. It contains a full-size cleanser and toner as well as an oil and balm for a gentle yet effective approach to getting a deep clean.

6. Avene Cleanance Anti-Blemish Kit: £20, Boots

This kit from the French brand, which utilises the skin-healing properties of Avene spring water, is designed to tackle pesky breakouts by eradicating spot-causing bacteria, all without the usual drying effect that anti-blemish solutions can have on the skin.

7. This Works Light Time Kit: £25, This Works

The secret to good skin is good sleep. Natural beauty brand This Works has put forty winks at the centre of its new kit Light Time, which contains travel size versions of its cleanser and moisturiser. End your day with a mini version of the Deep Sleep pillow spray to ensure optimum beauty rest.

8. Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing Collection: £37.50, Space.NK.apothecary

Is your skin in need of some TLC? This collection contains star ingredient rosehip oil – the secret weapon in many a skincare routine. Enriched with fatty acids, it improves the appearance of all manner of skincare imperfections from scars to wrinkles.

9. Diptyque The Art of Face Care Collection: £48, Diptyque Paris

Diptyque might be better known for its covetable collection of scented candles but it also has a very impressive skincare line. Based on plant distillations and natural ingredients, this kit includes cleansing balm, exfoliating clay, moisturising lotion and our favourite, the infused facial water.

10. Clinique 3-Step System: £20, Boots

Clinque’s three-step – cleanse, exfoliate and moisturise – comes in sets for seven skin types, including two for men. These are fragrance-free, dermatologist-developed products and our tester has been using the ‘type-2’ (dry combination) for a year. For her, rivals don’t match up in simplicity or effectiveness.

Verdict

Investing in a new facial care routine is expensive business, especially when not every product is necessarily suitable for your skin. Make the most out of your beauty budget by opting for skincare sets as the first port of call, which will give you the benefit of a full test-run of the range, without the hefty price-tag. A great all-rounder set is Ren’s Pure Glow Trio for a taster of some of its best-loved products. For something a little more premium Laura Mercier’s Infusion de Rose collection is an indulgent treat.