Turns Out Marks and Spencer’s Affordable Skincare Is Actually Really Good

From autumn wardrobe wish lists to cult items, there’s one high-street store the Who What Wear fashion team always manage to unearth hidden gems from—Marks & Spencer. When it comes to beauty, however, I have to admit that this British institution is often overlooked. In fact, it was only during a recent work meeting when Joy, our shopping editor, was singing the praises of an M&S serum that I actually decided it was time to take notice of the brand’s beauty offering. Turns out Marks & Spencer has its own in-house range of skincare, Formula Beauty, and it’s seriously good. Oh, and did I mention everything is under £27.

When it comes to all things skincare, there’s nothing I love more than finding an incredible serum or an amazing moisturiser that’s affordable and delivers on results. After all, I don’t think it’s only people with a huge disposable income who should be able to enjoy great skin. So I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Marks & Spencer’s offering uses science-backed technology and trending ingredients to offer up purse-friendly skincare solutions for all skin types. Intrigued? Keep scrolling for the best Marks & Spencer skincare products to shop now.

This is the very serum Joy was raving about. If you don’t already use a serum in your skincare routine, then this one is a great place to start, as it’s a bit of an all-rounder for improving overall skin health and boosting radiance. Plus, if fine lines and age spots are things you’re looking to minimise (although, all power to you if you’re just not bothered—there are more important things in life than a wrinkle or two!), 81% of testers said this serum left their skin looking smoother and firmer after eight weeks of use.

If you’re prone to breakouts and congestion, I can’t recommend looking for skin treatments with kaolin clay in enough. It’s a natural active ingredient that does an amazing job of cleansing, exfoliating and purifying oily skin—and it’s the starting ingredient in this £10 face mask from Marks & Spencer. Use it once or twice a week after cleansing for a fresh, clear complexion.

Of all skincare products, eye creams can be the most costly. In fact, Margot Robbie swears by a £277 one. (Gulp.) Thankfully, Marks & Spencer is offering up a way more affordable way to target everything from under-eye circles to fine lines, while brightening the whole eye area along the way for wide-awake eyes, even when you’re sleep-deprived.

As a city dweller, I’m always interested in anti-pollution products for my capsule beauty kit—especially as good ones are still hard to come by. Thankfully, Marks & Spencer has delivered with this lightweight skin defence mist. It can be used over or under makeup to shield your skin from pollution and damaging environmental factors for refreshed, calm, healthy skin.

Essences are a mainstay in Korean and Japanese beauty routines but are rarely spotted in the offerings of British beauty brands, so I was so impressed to discover that Marks & Spencer now has its very own. The idea is that you apply the essence after cleansing to help the serums and moisturisers you apply afterwards to absorb more effectively.

It’s so important to wear an SPF every day (yes, even during autumn/winter), and this one is ideal if you find traditional sun lotions too heavy for your skin. This has an ultra-light texture that doubles as a great primer pre-makeup. Bonus: It contains antioxidants to protect your skin from pollution too.

This is bit of a dupe for a certain cult cleanser. It has a rich, luxurious formula that works well on all skin types, but dry and sensitive complexions will particularly adore it. Marks & Spencer has come up with a unique hyaluronic acid complex that means this cleansing cream not only dissolves dirt and makeup, but also hydrates your complexion. Genius.

Another of Joy’s Marks & Spencer skincare picks comes in the form of this dreamy night cream. A major glow booster, this stuff is brimming with hyaluronic acid, which helps to deeply hydrate your complexion overnight for plumper, more luminous skin come morning.

I love using skincare capsules for the way that they deliver a precisely measured, targeted dose of active ingredients directly to your skin. However, some of my favourites can cost upwards of £60. These intensely moisturising capsules from Marks & Spencer cost half of that and deliver a potent dose of rejuvenation to skin that lacks brightness.

I’m a big fan of regular exfoliation, which is why I’m always looking for gentle formulations I can use in between my favourite acids. This one ticks the boxes with a mild formula that still does a great job of smoothing rough skin and removing dead skin cells to reveal the fresh, bright skin beneath.

Next up, five reasons J.Lo’s skin is so damn glowy at 50.

Turns Out Marks and Spencer’s Affordable Skincare Is Actually Really Good