Millennials have their pink, skin minimalists have their muted shades and subtle branding and skintellectuals have their clinical-looking formulations and tools. Meanwhile, Gen Z (and Gen A if early indications are anything to go by) are going bold and bright with their obsession with all things preppy skincare, according to reports from the Seen beauty group.
Unlike #preppycore, which appeals to a slightly older demographic (think Clueless-esq blazers, knee-high socks, soft knits and glossy blowouts), preppy skincare is unashamedly playful. It’s all about the packaging, with less attention paid to the actual contents and ingredients beyond how they layer up into a routine. Instead, the focus is on colour, with shelfies adorned with bright aquas and pinks, banana yellow, sky blue and pastel violet.
@.avasliife it’s an addiction #skincare #glossier #bubbleskincare #preppy #drunkelephant #skincareroutine #herocosmetics #firstaidbeauty #selfcare #skincareaddict #serum #preppyskincare #cleangirl @bubble ♬ original sound – kardashianjenclips
TikTok is a veritable rainbow thanks to more than 136 million views of #preppyskincare videos, with content creators talking through their extensive stashes and how they organise them onto clear Perspex shelves, supermarket-style sweep hauls at Sephora and lengthy multi-step preppy skincare routines with TikTokers as young as 10 get involved. Brands dominating the trend include Byoma, Milk Makeup, Bubble, Drunk Elephant, Glow Recipe, Pixi and Sol de Janeiro. With their perky, jubilant packaging, it’s easy to see why.
So, add a burst of brightness to your beauty routine with GRAZIA’s edit of the best preppy skincare products that don’t just pack a colourful punch, but that actually do good for your skin too.
Glow Recipe, Pomegranate Peptide Firming Serum
Glow Recipe’s fruit-forward products not only pack a seriously colourful punch, but their clinically effective formulas deliver impressive results. This new serum uses pomegranate seed oil, HA and polypeptides to boost hydration and firmness while targeting fine lines and wrinkles and helping skin appear more lifted.
$72, SHOP NOW.
Byoma, Creamy Jelly Cleanser
Wash away the day without compromising your skin’s barrier with BYOMA’s gentle (but seriously powerful) jelly cleanser. Infused with the brand’s unique barrier-boosting tri-ceramide complex, it also boasts antioxidant-rich licorice root and green tea extract to leave skin squeaky clean and soft but perfectly pH-balanced and nourished.
$19.50, SHOP NOW.
Drunk Elephant, C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Free from the “suspicious six” (aka ingredients the brand believes to be a cause of major skin issues), this peeper perfecting eye cream contains not one, not two, but five forms of vitamin C to brighten and firm the skin around the eye area (which shows signs of ageing faster than anywhere else, FYI). Not to mention the addition of antioxidants, ceramides, actives and plant oils to restore radiance, refresh and protect peepers.
$98, SHOP NOW.
Pixi, Retinol Tonic
Pixi’s tonics have earned themselves cult status over the years, and this pretty purple retinol toner is no exception. Helping resurface skin and give it back its glow, it contains time-released retinol to smooth and reduce signs of ageing, peptides to firm and boost collagen and jasmine extracts to heal and balance.
From $25, SHOP NOW.
Bubble, Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturizer
Dermatologist-developed, plant-based and science-backed skincare at its best, Bubble is on a mission to make effective, fuss-free products simple and affordable. Its Slam Dunk moisturiser is packed with Mother Nature’s finest (aloe leaf juice, hoya lacosuna flower and evening primrose oil included) to deeply hydrate, calm and protect.
$43.90, SHOP NOW.
Sol de Janeiro, Bom Dia Body Scrub
Buff your body Brazilian style with Sol de Janeiro’s bright and beautiful Bom Dia Body Scrub. Using 10% AHAs and BHAs alongside crushed passionfruit seeds, it rids skin of bumps, blemishes and roughness to increase smoothness, clarity and softness. All with a delicious warm, sultry scent.
$67, SHOP NOW.
Milk Makeup, Cooling Water
Instantly de-puff, refresh, hydrate and soothe skin thanks to Milk Makeup’s clever skin-loving stick. Simply slide it over skin and under your eyes to let its caffeine and seaweed-infused formula work its energising, restorative powers.
$59.41, SHOP NOW.
This article originally appeared on Grazia Middle East.