These Are The Biggest Skincare Brands In the World Right Now

With skincare brands popping up faster than we can learn to say “hyaluronic acid”, it’s has become nearly impossible to keep up with what’s hot (and what’s not) in the world of skincare. So, we did some digging for you to find the biggest skincare brands of the year.

There are a few brands that are seen in the millions of skincare selfies and video reviews currently doing the rounds on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. So, we've combed through Google to find the highest-searched skincare brands from the past 12 months to determine which had generated the most interest. And no, it isn't an exact science - but it's certainly interesting to see which brands are trending the highest.

DRUNK ELEPHANT
This brand is hugely popular 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 (approximately). The brand is all about healthy pH levels, easily absorbed molecules and effective (but gentle) active ingredients that support and nourish skin.

Hero Product: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

An exfoliating night serum that refines and resurfaces the skin to reveal a smooth, radiant complexion. With a pH of 3.5 this AHA and BHA blend gently lifts away dead skin cells, unclogs pores, fades pigmentation and smooths lines and wrinkles.

ESTEE LAUDER
This brand has more Instagram followers than any other skincare brand in the world. It also has countless formulations 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.

Hero Product: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex

Created to address all signs of ageing from fine lines to loss of firmness, this serum works night and day to provide more hydration, brightening and anti-oxidant protection than ever before.

THE ORDINARY
It comes as no surprise, that The Ordinary, is said to have gathered the highest Google searches over a 12 month period, with more than 37,060,000 globally. The affordable price, coupled with the highly efficacious products, makes for a great brand.

Hero Product: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% +B5 Hydration Support Formula

This formulation combines low, medium and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next-generation HA cross polymer for multi-depth hydration in a water-based formula. It is supported with the addition of Vitamin B5, which also enhances surface hydration.

TATCHA
What do Selena Gomez and Jennifer Aniston have in common, apart from gorgeous glowing skin? A love for the skincare brand Tatcha. 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.

Hero Product: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream

A rich, luxurious cream that intensely hydrates the skin, delivering a healthy, youthful glow in an instant. Best suited to those concerned about dryness, uneven texture and loss of elasticity.

ELEMIS
This British skincare brand has been on the scene for over 30 years and is known for its powerhouse products that merge nature and scientific innovation. 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.

Hero Product: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream

Clinically proven, the powerful anti-ageing ingredients of Pro-Collagen Marine Cream have been shown to reduce the depth of wrinkles, improve skin firmness, tone and hydration in 14 days.

FOREO
Searches for Foreo surged during the pandemic, when we were able to commit to the daily use of skincare tools and gadgets. The Swedish brand does skin tech - including cleansing tools, LED face masks and more recently, micro-current devices - perhaps better than anyone else on the market right now.

Hero Product: FOREO Bear Mini Smart Microcurrent Facial Toning Device

Using this facial toning tool feels like at-home facial and it tones your muscles like a workout. It is non-invasive and easy to use it stimulates and tones the skin, boosting its radiance.

DERMALOGICA
This brand is 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.

Hero Product: Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

Get brighter, smoother skin with this iconic exfoliating powder. Rice-based powder activates upon contact with water, releasing papain, salicylic acid and rice enzymes to polish skin to perfection. It helps balance uneven skin tone and calms the skin.

ROC
There's no denying that retinol holds a prime spot in the skincare world, and when it comes to brands who focus on retinol RoC is at the top. The drugstore staple is known for its use of the proven anti-ageing ingredients, and incorporating it into a wide array of products for face and eyes.

Hero Product: ROC Multi Correxion Hydrate + Plump Eye Cream

Given that signs of ageing show up around the eyes first, retinol is the ingredient of choice in an eye cream, and this formula gets it right. Despite its efficacy (AKA ability to smooth out those pesky crow's feet), it's still gentle and hypoallergenic, and addresses deeper problems– dark circles and puffiness.

COSRX
The world can’t get enough of Korean skincare and CosRx is rated as one of Korea’s best skin care brands. From the great price point to the impressive skin-clearing results, their approach is to make skincare with minimal ingredients and maximum function. It’s exactly what modern-day skin needs.

Hero Product: COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

The formulation of AHA+BHA+Purifying Botanical ingredients exfoliates the surface of the skin and helps to improve skin texture, increase vitality, and control pores. It clears congested pores and eliminate impurities while hydrating all in one step.

AUGUSTINUS BADER
This luxury skincare is trusted by celebrities, supermodels and beauty experts including Victoria Beckham, Hailey Beiber and Jennifer Aniston. It has been voted 'The Greatest Skincare of All Time' thanks to the game-changing formulas and revolutionary approach to skincare.

Hero Product: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

This award-winning, moisture replenishing cream will help restore skin's youthful appearance and make the skin feel soothed and smooth. Intensely luxurious, hydrating and nourishing. The complexion is left with a youthful, healthy, radiant glow.