The 2024 Nice List: Skincare Edition
2024 has been a huge and innovative year for skincare shoppers. I’ve personally especially enjoyed the new-ish approach to barrier repair and how it seems to be here to stay (yay!) and perhaps the new normal (also yay!).
Some of my highlights this year are previous years holy grails that simply won’t be beat. Others? New and ground breaking launches that made me audibly gasp when using them.
I’ve also made a huge effort to try and test more women owned brands and small businesses, which has been extremely fun and rewarding.
For context: My skin is acne prone, fussy, and honestly just has a bad attitude sometimes.
Let’s jump in!
Melting Balm Cleanser by Gunk Off
I’ve been through multiple tubes and tubs of this cleansing balm.
It’s been a favourite for years!
Gunk Off is a women owned Australian business.
Melts off everything- I’m talking multiple layers of SPF, full coverage makeup, waterproof mascara- everything.
No break outs ever, and sensitive skin friendly. The melting balm cleanser actually calms down my skin and helps clear up congestion.
The emulsification is beautiful, and the lush balm goes milky then rinses completely clean off the skin.
It’s 10/10, and I’ll always recommend the product.
Shop: Melting Balm Cleanser, Gunk Off, $55.00 AUD
Face Flood™ Aquaporin Soothing Hydrating Gel Moisturiser by Boring Without You
I’m on my second tube- and I had the pleasure of trying this in it’s creation stage. Boring Without You is a Australian owned small business that creates skincare specifically for combination skin.
It’s pink! Thanks to the B12 in the formula- the colour and texture is perfect and fun to use.
No breakouts. Perfect for combo / fussy breakout prone skin (like mine)- it’s never given me any congestion or breakouts which gives me heaps of peace of mind.
Water break texture- When the moisturiser hits your skin, it almost “breaks” and helps coat the skin in a non sticky or heavy way that doesn’t cause any shine. It’s beautiful!
Shop: Face Flood™ Gel Moisturiser by Boring Without You
Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser by Embryolisse
The OG, makeup artist loved Lait-Creme Concentre has had a huge year in my routine. Embryolisse is a cult French skincare brand known for it’s multitasking hero products.
Multitasking as a moisturiser, makeup primer, hydrating mask, makeup remover (yes, I tried it, it works as a first cleanse in a pinch!)- It’s a fantastic product to have in any skincare line up. Their sensitive version I use almost everyday!
Juicy and deeply hydrating, it’s a huge relief to dry or parched skin.
Perfect under makeup and for priming, I find my makeup not only lasts longer but my skin looks and feels less textured every time I use the LCC to prime.
Shop: Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser by Embryolisse
Mela B3 Serum by La Roche-Posay
LRP had a huge year, revamping one of their OGs (Effaclar Duo) to be even more barrier friendly, and moving even more into effective pigment fighting with their MELA B3 launch.
It works on my fussy, acne prone skin! Which isn’t always common when it comes to pigment fighters. After one bottle I noticed a difference in my PIH/PIE scarring. Yay!
Texture is beautiful- And although I’m not usually one for more emulsion based serums, the texture is elegant and layers beautifully with all my other steps.
Great technology in the MELA B3 just makes this exciting to use. LRP has always been amazing for pigment inhibiting, and this new launch was no exception. Highly recommend.
Shop: Mela B3 Serum by La Roche-Posay
SPF50+ Top Up Spray by Naked Sundays
Naked Sundays is the Australian Sunscreen brand that is known for it’s innovation year after year. The SPF50+ Top up spray is their OG hero product.
Completely invisible and clear on the skin.
Super fine mist that’s easy to use.
Reapplies over makeup effortlessly.
Travel friendly.
I’ve been using this for years!
Hydrating and has watermelon extract, kakadu plum & hyaluronic acid.
SPF50+ protection.
For optimal sun protection, avoid prolonged sun exposure, reapply frequently, and follow the usage directions. Use multiple methods of sun protection including seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, hats and more.
Shop: SPF50+ Top Up Spray by Naked Sundays
Acne Hack Spot Treatment by Tbh Skincare
Tbh Skincare has had an amazing year, becoming even more accessible launching into Priceline and extending their iconic Rebound range (more on that later!).
Women owned and created with acne prone skin in mind, Tbh Skincare has earned a permanent spot in my routine.
Antibacterial but won’t mess up your skin or irritate blemishes like some products can (think: Benzoyl peroxide or Salicylic Acid)
It works. Like really works. I’m always hesitant to scream “miracle” at a product when we’re so spotty and discouraged at all the other empty products promises- but the Tbh spot treatment is truly the product that will simply work regardless of why or how your skin is being spotty and fussy.
Women owned and changing the stigma around acne, it feels fantastic to back a brand that is changing the culture for the better.
Shop: Acne Hack Spot Treatment by Tbh Skincare
Hydrating Milky Toner With Snow Mushroom & Hyaluronic Acid by Thayers
Thayers is famous for their toners, and falling absolutely madly in love with their Snow Mushroom toner this year was shocking as it is huge. I’m currently trying their OG rose toner and will report back soon.
HUGE bottle that will actually outlast me. I’ve been using it day and night and I’ve still barely made a dent.
Super juicy and layered, it doesn’t just have snow mushroom, there’s all kinds of juicy goodness in the bottle including HA and a generous amount of glycerin.
Will replace your hydrating serum because it’s almost 2025, let’s ditch the expensive 30ml HA serums (unless they’re super duper special)
No break outs or congestion ever and that speaks for itself.
Shop: Hydrating Milky Toner With Snow Mushroom & Hyaluronic Acid by Thayers
CICAVIT+ Repair Cream by SVR
SVR has made such a huge difference in my skin this year, and the Cicavit+ takes the cake for me. The brand is known as the Dermatologist approved pick in France, and it’s extremely popular in Europe.
No break outs or congestion at all. If you’re acne prone, you know that this alone is a huge deal.
The Anti-scarring complex makes up 43% of the formula and means that at every stage of my blemishes, the formula is helping recover my spots and reduce scarring. It really, really works.
Super, super calming almost immediately after application. I noticed calmer skin straight away and less break outs within the first few days of use.
The texture is the best I’ve tried out of all the barrier balms and creams on the market. This is superior, in my humble opinion.
Shop: CICAVIT+ Repair Cream by SVR
Soothing & Barrier Support Serum by The Ordinary
A great year for The Ordinary! The serum that changed the skincare scene and stopped everyone in their tracks quickly became a cult favourite.
Soothing (duh) and barrier supporting, the serum makes a noticeable difference to fussy skin.
Price point is fantastic and it’s accessible at your local Priceline.
No break outs or congestion which is a huge tick for me as someone with fussy acne prone skin.
It’s fun! Pink is fun. Bringing B12 on the market in such a fun and few way really engaged lots of skincare lovers this year which I personally think is a huge deal just on it’s own.
Shop: Soothing & Barrier Support Serum by The Ordinary
Sunsitive® Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50+ by Avène
This year Avene launched 4 new SPFs to replace their previous fluid formulation. The highlight of the range is it’s compatibility for even the most sensitive skin, in true Avène fashion.
Invisible finish on the skin.
Fragrance free.
Dermatologist tested.
Fluid texture.
Lightweight.
For optimal sun protection, avoid prolonged sun exposure, reapply frequently, and follow the usage directions. Use multiple methods of sun protection including seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, hats and more.
Shop: Sunsitive® Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50+ by Avène
Acne Spot Cream by Dermal Therapy
This has been a staple in my routine since it launched—and for good reason.
It’s an all-rounder that tackles blemishes, congestion, and scarring. The formula features triple AHAs, which are surprisingly gentle for acne-prone skin.
While AHAs can seem intimidating, this blend minimises the appearance of pores, controls excess oil, and fades scarring with the help of niacinamide and bakuchiol. It’s a go-to that I cant (and wont) stop recommending to people.
Not harsh even on sensitive skin.
Effective and works on scarring.
All rounder and well loved, at a great price point.
Shop: Acne Spot Cream by Dermal Therapy
Rebound Skin Milk Activated Cica Toner by tbh Skincare x Hannah English
Part of tbhSkincare's new Rebound range extension, this toner is a standout for its immediate calming and soothing on the skin- to the point where redness visibly disappears on the skin after use.
The packaging is beautiful, holding a generous 100ml. I use it morning and night, and the best part (and most obvious part to make this list): Zero breakouts.
Calming and soothing on fussy skin.
Great for repairing and supporting your skin barrier.
Great value for 100ml and the actives the product has.
Very cute bespoke packaging.
Shop: Rebound Skin Milk Activated Cica Toner by tbh Skincare x Hannah English
SPF50+ Collagen Glow Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion by Naked Sundays
This is an OG from the brand, which I've been using since its launch a few years back. As the name suggests, the formula is 100% mineral, using zinc as its UV filter.
It's not only calming on the skin because of the formulation geared towards fussy skin havers like myself, it's also a 4-in-1.
So there's hydration, SPF50+, skincare goodness, and there's priming for makeup. I use this when I'm breaking out, and I know it's popular amongst people with spotty skin.
Made with sensitive skin in mind.
Fragrance free.
100% mineral filters.
Primes for makeup.
Skincare antioxidants.
Shop: SPF50+ Collagen Glow Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion by Naked Sundays
Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid by Alpha H
This iconic product has remained a consistent performer in my routine.
Its 5% glycolic acid formula targets post-acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and clogged pores.
Liquid Gold works hard to fade stubborn marks while preventing future congestion. The packaging got a facelift this year to be chic and fit its hero status. The golden formula inside stays the same.
Effective for almost all skin types besides sensitive.
Quick results- like crazy quick. It’s strong though, so no need to use it every night.
Easy to use and perfect for those after a more straight forward simple skincare routine.
Shop: Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid by Alpha H
