12 Hard-Working Skincare Ingredients To Snap Up For Christmas That Won’t Cost You The Earth

We’ll be honest: there’s no shortage of products to buy for friends and family that adore skincare, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t confused navigating it all. Plus, not only do you not want to drop your entire budget on these products, you don’t need to.

And that’s where we come in. We’ve sifted through tons of products to find you the hardest working skincare ingredients to snap up. Some of our favourites include sets with ingredients like polyglutamic acid that work to deeply hydrate skin; an 8-piece set that truly takes the guesswork out of skincare; and a cleansing duo to master the basics. We’ve also found a retinol product that has over 100 positive reviews thanks to its incredible results and price tag. 

What’s better? These products are fun, effective, and won’t cost you the earth. You might even find some gems for yourself while shopping for those on your list. Read on to shop them all.

1. Superdrug Me+ Refining Routine Gift Box

Best for: tackling oiliness

This set of four products from Superdrug’s bestselling Me+ range works to improve texture, tone, and give overall radiance. Inside you’ll find: Me+ BHA Toner working to gently exfoliate with beta hydroxy acids; Me+ Salicylic Acid Cleanser which reduces excess oil while cleansing; Me+ Salicylic Acid + Cica Booster to unclog pores and calm blemishes; and Me+ Niacinamide Booster which acts as an anti inflammatory all-rounder to clear pores and repair the skin barrier.

Shop the Superdrug Me+ Refining Routine Gift Box

2. Superdrug Me+ Hydrating Routine Gift Box

Best for: a dewy glow

For people in need of hydration, this gift box is ideal. For under a tenner, you’ll get four products specifically designed to aid hydration. In the set, you’ll get: Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser that works to cleanse and get rid of grime from the day without stripping the skin; Ceramides Moisturiser to hydrate, soothe and support the skin barrier; Hyaluronic Booster to give skin an extra boost of moisture; and Polyglutamic Acid Booster which is another supercharged serum packed full of moisture-boosting ingredients to prevent water loss and dehydration.  

Shop the Superdrug Me+ Hydrating Routine Gift Box

3. Superdrug Optimum Collagen Box

Best for: plumping results

Optimise any skincare routine with this set designed to plump and smooth. This simple but effective 3-step hydration system contains a serum to deeply nourish, a day cream with SPF 30 to protect (yes, it’s necessary even on rainy, winter days), and a night cream to seal in the moisture while you sleep.

Shop the Superdrug Optimum Collagen Box

4. Superdrug Vitamin C Detox Skincare Collection

Best for: breathing life into a drab complexion

Give the gift of a glow this Christmas with this Vitamin C set, which uses the powerful antioxidant in each of its four products to boost radiance in the skin. Designed to deliver refreshing, glow-boosting hydration, the set contains: Vitamin C Energising Facial Spritz, Vitamin C Brightening Eye Gel, Vitamin C Invigorating Skin Booster, and Vitamin C Nourishing Gel Moisturiser. 

Shop the Superdrug Vitamin C Detox Skincare Collection

5. Superdrug Naturally Radiant Get The Glow Collection

Best for: a serious glow boost

Another glow-inducing set, but this time with a couple of other skin-boosting ingredients, namely glycolic acid, prebiotics, and fruit enzymes. Inside this set you’ll find four products: Naturally Radiant Hot Cloth Cleanser, Naturally Radiant Glycolic Toner Naturally Radiant Glycolic Tonic, Naturally Radiant Glow Soothing Face Cream, and Naturally Radiant Glow Intense Shot — everything you need for a radiant morning routine. 

Shop the Superdrug Naturally Radiant Get The Glow Collection

6. B. Mini Gift Set

Best for: jet-setters

If you’re not sure what ingredients you should gift, consider this set, which covers the skincare basics and works for all skin types. Each of the products do what they say on the tin: cleanse, hydrate and protect — all while being a total pleasure to use. For just £10, you’ll find: B. Melting Cleansing Balm, B. Intense Hydration Serum, B. Moisturising Day Cream SPF 30, and B. Moisturising Night Cream.

Shop the B. Mini Gift Set

7. B. Glycolic Exfoliating Mask

Best for: serious skincare buffs

For those with oily skin prone to clogged pores, this product is just the ticket. This mask uses glycolic acid, which works by penetrating into the skin to rid dead skin cells revealing a brighter, clearer complexion. The formula also contains lactic acid and fruit extracts to work in tandem with glycolic acid to exfoliate, plus the inclusion of cocoa butter and shea butter soothe skin as the acids get to work. 

Shop the B. Glycolic Exfoliating Mask

8. B. Protect Defence Sun Cream SPF50

Best for: long-term skin health

In the beauty world, nothing tells someone you love them more than the gift of SPF—trust us. Even when it’s cold, dark and windy outside, it really is the best protection for your complexion. This formula is lightweight, dries down well (making it ideal under make-up) and is ultra hydrating, helping to change the minds of sunscreen sceptics everywhere.

Shop the B. Protect Defence Sun Cream SPF50

9. Optimum Retinol Day Cream

Best for: retinol obsessives

Known as the gold standard in anti-ageing, retinol has a bunch of benefits far beyond just smoothing out fine lines. This day cream contains encapsulated retinyl palmitate, which gives the benefits of retinol (think even skin tone, blemish reduction, and improved skin texture) without the irritation. 

Shop the Optimum Retinol Day Cream

10. Vitamin E Facial Set

Best for: those with a skincare routine resolution

One of the best value sets of them all, this complete daily routine really delivers on its promise. This set contains a whopping eight products, making it a one-stop-shop for skincare. Complete your routine with the: Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser, Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream, Vitamin E Hydrating Mist, Vitamin E Moisture Boost Facial Serum, Vitamin E Gentle Oatmeal Exfoliator, Vitamin E Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover, Vitamin E Nourishing Eye Cream, and Vitamin E Gentle Micellar Solution.

Shop the Vitamin E Facial Set - Your Complete Daily Skincare Routine

11. Me+ Cleansing Duo Bundle

Best for: a simplified cleansing routine

If your friend needs a little encouragement in the skin cleansing department, give them a nudge with this duo. The Me+ Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser can be used daily to remove make-up and grime from the day, while the Me+ Salicylic Acid Cleanser can be used as a treatment a few times a week in the evenings to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cell buildup.

Shop the Me+ Cleansing Duo Bundle

• Want more gift inspiration? Visit our Superdrug Christmas Gift Guide