Here’s a list of Adore Beauty’s top 15 bestselling products of all time
IMAGE VIA @SKINSTITUT/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY SALLY EDWARDS AND IZZY WIGHT
Tried and true.
Have you ever wondered what products truly stand out in the growing sea of makeup, skincare, body care and fragrance online and on shelves? Which formulas defy age and the ever-changing nature of beauty trends?
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Well, wonder no longer because we’ve consulted the experts at Adore Beauty (namely the company’s Senior Beauty Editor, Amy Clark) to uncover the beauty hub’s top-selling 15 products and what makes them so damn good.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Price: $10.60
What is it: A high-performance treatment enriched with vitamins and minerals that can transform the texture of uneven skin by helping to clear congestion and minimise the appearance and severity of blemishes.
Why it’s popular: “The fact this serum is a top seller speaks to the power of niacinamide,” says Adore’s Senior Beauty Editor Amy Clark. “Uneven skin tone and texture are super common skin concerns. Niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) and zinc work really well together to brighten, smooth and refine the look of skin.”
How to use it: This strong serum should be introduced carefully into your skincare routine. If you’re also using a vitamin C-based serum, apply your niacinamide and zinc serum at the opposite time of day as the two can interact negatively with each other.
What the reviewers say: “Adore Beauty (or AB) customers and staff swear by this serum – my colleague even went as far as to say it’s the first serum that really transformed her skin!” says Amy. You can read more The Ordinary niacinamide serum reviews here.
Who it’s suited for: It’s intended for people with oily and acne-prone skin because the healing serum can balance oil levels to make breakouts less frequent and severe.
Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%
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Price: $34.30
What is it: A deep and invigorating scrub made from glycolic acid, jojoba beads and tea tree oil that clears and brightens the complexion by treating acne, congestion and pigmentation.
Why it’s popular: “It’s super affordable and packed with active ingredients that actually get the job done,” Amy says.“The glycolic acid in a creamy scrub base effectively eats away the gunk clogging your hair follicles and helps renew skin texture to treat any dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that pimples leave behind.”
How to use it: The active glycolic in this product removes dead skin cells on the skin’s outermost surface, so the trick is to use it once or twice a week to leave skin squeaky clean – any more than that and it may dry out.
Pro tip: Amy’s been using this face scrub to gently exfoliate the skin on her lower body, back and upper arms (keratosis pilaris, anyone?) for years.
What the reviewers say: “This hardworking scrub gets 4.6 stars from AB customers for the way it works on clogged pores to smooth, soften and refine skin texture on the face and body,” Amy says.
Who it’s not suited for: Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% is ideal for anyone without existing redness and sensitivity, so if you have delicate or irritation-prone skin try a more gentle exfoliating product.
Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel
Price: $54.56
What is it: A refreshing soap-free botanical blend of quillaja saponaria and calming lavender. It foams away impurities without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry, with super-soothing balm mint to help calm sensitivity.
Why it’s popular: “Considering they’re only on the skin for a minute or two, finding your holy grail cleanser is trickier than you’d think,” Amy says. “This Dermalogica one is basically the Miss Congeniality of cleansers. It gets the job of removing makeup and sunscreen done, and won’t rub anyone the wrong way.”
How to use it: The Special Cleansing Gel is soap-free and so gentle it can be used every day. You also only need a small amount to achieve maximum foam levels so it will also last a long time if used mindfully.
What the reviewers say: The best-selling cleanser in the Dermalogica range gets 4.5 stars, with users calling it a ‘skincare staple’ and returning to Adore to buy it time and again.
Who it’s suited for: This product works best if you have normal to combination skin.
Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
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Price: $38
What is it: Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence contains one of skincare’s more interesting ingredients, snail secretion, to protect the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated. Hailing from Korea, the mucin filtrate extracted from snails helps to protect the skin barrier in much the same way that snails use mucin to protect themselves.
Why it’s popular: “This snail secretion essence-serum hybrid routinely goes viral for its glow-giving properties,” Amy says. “Famous for delivering deeply hydrated, glowy skin that looks like glass, snail mucin is the secretion that snails… secrete… when they’re stressed or really relaxed, and it helps them slide along happily in life.”
How to use it: Essence is a key part of any 10-step Korean skincare routine, but you can also slot it into a more pared-back regimen. Use this lightweight and highly absorbent watery fluid after your toner, but before your serums and moisturisers, to soothe and hydrate your skin while priming it for the next step.
What the reviewers say: AB customers give this super slimy, sticky essence a whopping 4.9 stars out of 5. Amy adds, “the texture takes some getting used to, but I have to admit, it does give the skin a bouncy radiance instantly.”
Who it’s suited for: This product is especially good for sensitive skin types but can be used by anybody.
Alpha-H Liquid Gold
Price: $64.80
What is it: Just like its name suggests, this Australian-made cosmeceutical works like gold on the skin, boosting collagen production and reducing imperfections.
Why it’s popular: Amy says “Nothing delivers next-day radiance quite like Liquid Gold. It’s what you put on your face when you want to wake up looking infinitely glowier. This is because glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that dislodges dullness-causing dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, revealing fresh, sparkly skin cells underneath.”
How to use it: Apply this product every second evening two to three times a week to build up a tolerance to its powerful properties. For the full effect, don’t use any other products afterwards. If you’re more sensitive, popping a moisturiser or serum on top will dull some of the effects.
What the reviewers say: You’ll find literally thousands of five-star reviews for this product on Adore Beauty, ranging from “Used once and hooked” to “GOLD GOLD GOLD”.
Who it’s suited for: For those concerned about dullness, uneven skin tone and early signs of ageing. This product does it all.
Eleven Australia Miracle Hair Treatment
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Price: $24.95
What is it: A leave-in hair treatment that works miracles on all hair types and needs very little introduction.
Why it’s popular: “Eleven’s Miracle Hair Treatment has been saving damaged hair since 2011. It works a treat on frizzy, fragile, fine, unruly and damaged hair. The budget-friendly price tag is pretty great, too,” says Amy.
How to use it: Massage a pea-sized amount of this product through damp hair from mid-lengths to ends.
What the reviewers say: A solid 4.6 stars for being lightweight yet super moisturising for people with all kinds of hair needs.
Who it’s suited for: Suitable for all ages, genders and hair types, but you’ll get the most benefits if you’re looking for softening, protection from damage or more manageability.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No.3 Home Treatment
Price: $54
What is it: An at-home treatment to restore strength, resilience and elasticity to damaged hair that can be used on its own, or in a three-step routine with the Olaplex No. 4 shampoo and No. 5 conditioner.
Why it’s popular: “Olaplex No. 3 is the original at-home treatment version of the previously salon-only professional service,” Amy says. “This protein bond repair leave-in treatment repairs broken bonds that make up the protein structure of the hair for swishy, shiny, super-soft hair.”
How to use it: Amy says “A great hack is to put it through two or three-day-old slightly damp hair. Slick it back into a sleek bun to really allow damaged hair time to marinate!”
What the reviewers say: Adore customers describe it as “The best hair product on the market” and a “hair God”.
Who it’s suited for: People with damaged, colour-treated or hair prone to breakages will benefit the most from adding Olaplex No 3 to their haircare routine.
Estee Lauder Double Wear Makeup
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Price: $65
What is it: A long-wearing foundation that combines a matte finish with comfortable wear for up to 24 hours.
Why it’s popular: “Double Wear might just be one of the most popular foundations of all time. The ultra full coverage, long-wearing formula isn’t for everyone, but oily skin-havers love how it makes skin look truly flawless,” says Amy. “It’s also a Global Shades foundation, which means everyone will be able to find a shade that matches their skin tone.”
How to use it: Prep skin with a primer that suits your skin type, build the foundation coverage as you apply it, and finish with a little concealer for extra coverage if needed.
What the reviewers say: Overall it gets 4.7 stars on Adore with customers with oily skin commenting it works well for keeping their skin looking matte.
Who it’s suited for: The wide range of options for cool, neutral or warm skin undertones means there’s an option for everybody.
Benefit 24HR Brow Setter
Price: $45
What is it: An invisible shaping and setting gel that holds brow hairs in place and locks on brow makeup.
Why it’s popular: Quite simply, brows stay put. The gel holds them in the shape you style them into and lasts all day.
How to use it: “You can layer this clear brow gel on top of other brow pencils, pomades or waxes to set your eyebrows into your preferred shape. Or, wear on its own for a natural, fluffy look,” Amy says.
What the reviewers say: With 4.6 stars from AB customers, people love a product that does exactly what it says it will.
Who it’s suited for: Everyone, regardless of how unruly or sparse your brow hairs might be.
Eye of Horus Goddess Mascara
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Price: $39
What is it: Made from botanical ingredients used in cosmetics since Ancient Egyptian times, this mascara curls, lengthens, volumises, and adds deep colour to eyelashes without irritating sensitive eyes.
Why it’s popular: With the brand’s roots in Ancient Egypt, the ingredients in this mascara are proven to stand the test of time. Made from smudge-preventing beeswax, nourishing rice bran and antioxidant-rich moringa oil (and a staple of Ayurvedic skincare), Eye of Horus Goddess remains a firm favourite of makeup artists and beauty editors.
How to use it: Simple – just wiggle the lash applicator brush and apply in upward strokes from roof to tip with a second coat on top for a stronger look.
What the reviewers say: Adore customers know this is the mascara to use for awakening your inner goddess and give it a rating of 4.4 stars.
Who it’s suited for: This mascara is recommended for people with sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers, and anyone with brittle eyelashes in need of some extra TLC.
Glasshouse A Tahaa Affair Candle
Price: $54.95
What is it: A candle from Glasshouse Fragrances that takes the distinctive blend of vanilla and caramel in its Tahaa Affair eau de parfum and ramps it up for fans and collectors.
Why it’s popular: “Tahaa is a controversial scent, but the people who love it, love it hard. It’s sweet and salty, with a complex combination of notes like Caribbean rum, raisin, sea salt, pineapple, jasmine sambac, driftwood, butterscotch and dark amber,” Amy says.
How to use it: Light on your next self-care night at home.
What the reviewers say: 5.0 stars or 100 per cent of Adore reviewers recommend this product, calling it “delicious”, “beautiful”, and “deeper and richer than the original Tahaa Affair”.
Who it’s suited for: With no parabens, silicones or polyethylene glycol this candle can be enjoyed by everyone.
Dyson Airwrap
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Price: $899
What is it: An everyday hair-styling wand that dries and styles hair at the same time.
Why it’s popular: The Dyson Airwap has been selling out since it entered the market in 2018. People love how it dries and styles hair at the same time with a controlled level of heat so the hair isn’t damaged.
How to use it: Try the new curling barrels that rotate clockwise and anticlockwise so you don’t need to swap them to do each side of your head.
What the reviewers say: The newest version of Dyson is totally worth the hype! Highly recommend.
Who it’s suited for: With six attachments in the new model, it’s fair to say there’s something for everyone in the Airwrap.
Asap Super B Complex
Price: $78.75
What is it: A powerful niacinamide infusion to help reduce and prevent dehydration whilst boosting collagen production and minimising redness and inflammation.
Why it’s popular: “Another niacinamide serum, people love this cosmeceutical serum because it does a bit of everything,” says Amy. “Vitamin B3 can help with skin clarity, radiance, inflammation, pore size, oil production and the strength of your skin barrier.”
How to use it: Asap Super B Complex can be used in the morning or evening, but if you use it during the day, make sure your skin is protected with an SPF of at least 30 because glycolic and lactic Acids can cause sensitivity to the sun.
What the reviewers say: The easy absorption of the active ingredients in this product that leaves skin glowing wins it 4.7 stars.
Who it’s suited for: Dull or dehydrated skin will drink up this product.
Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ Luminising Sun Serum
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Price: $47
What is it: A locally-made sunscreen that’s free from oils and full of skin-loving native Australian antioxidants, like kakadu plum and dragonsine, to provide protection from the sun and free radicals.
Why it’s popular: This is suncare that acts like skincare and really works hard to support your skin as you take on the elements over time. The lightweight texture of the milky serum melts right into your face, leaving no trace, only a lovely lingering smell of roses.
How to use it: Ultra Violette Queen Screen SPF 50+ Luminising Sun Serum works hard by itself or can sit on top of your normal skincare routine and under your makeup as a base.
What the reviewers say: Fans have described this as hydrating and brilliant, leaving skin glowy and soft.
Who it’s suited for: “This luminous sunscreen was made with normal to dry skin types in mind,” Amy says. “If you love a dewy foundation finish, you might like to add this one to cart.”
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
Price: $233
What is it: A powerful serum that protects against UVA/UVB rays, helps prevent premature signs of ageing, and stimulates collagen production.
Why it’s popular: “It’s hard to believe the C E Ferulic hype until you’ve tried it for yourself,” Amy says. “The patented formula strikes the perfect balance between driving visible results without causing irritation. The radiance this serum gives my skin is unreal.”
How to use it: The quality of Skinceuticals products means they are highly potent. You don’t need a lot to achieve maximum efficacy and overdosing will simply result in the wastage of your favourite product. Just four drops once a day will give you 300 applications of the C E Ferulic Serum.
What the reviewers say: Adore shoppers give this 4.5 stars and say the results speak for themselves, with many receiving comments on the newfound firmness of their skin.
Who it’s suited for: SkinCeuticals have three different vitamin C serums to suit different skin types. This high potency face serum is ideal if you have normal to dry skin, or mature skin. If you have a more oily complexion, or would prefer something with a more mattifying feel, Skinceuticals Phloretin CF may suit your needs better. Same goes with SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF for blemish-prone, reactive skin.
Browse the Adore Beauty collection here.
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