Anyone who's ever talked to me about skincare knows that I love a bargain. My beauty stash consists mostly of affordable products from brands such as The Ordinary (I particularly like Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA, £4.90), The Inkey List (Fulvic Acid Brightening Cleanser, £10.99).
Great for spots) and Aldi’s skincare brand Lacura (their latest Vitamin C serum has worked wonders for my hyperpigmentation). I don’t think you need to spend money to get effective skin care products. Of course, luxury goods also have their advantages.
Many contain expensive and rare ingredients, are formulated and tested by the best dermatologists in the industry, and are packaged to better extend their effectiveness (not to mention look great in your #shelfie).
As a beauty editor, while I've tried my hand at expensive purchases, I always seem to settle for more affordable options—but there's one luxury brand that still stands out.
If you're a skincare enthusiast with an Instagram account, you've probably discovered the little blue bottles, tubes, and capsules. Google searches for the brand have increased 180% in the past few weeks, and TikTok users are incorporating the products into their popular skincare routines.
So what's so special about it? The decree was signed by Dr. Anita Sturnham is a GP with a special interest in dermatology and aesthetics. She often shares valuable skincare tips on social media, from the ultimate morning and night routine to the best ingredients to look for when purchasing products.
It's fair to say that Dr. Steenam knows her field - including what her patients want: clearer, healthier skin. I first heard about Decree from other beauty editors, who praised the plumping effects of Peptide Emollient Veil+ (£115) and Treat Tincture (£130) for brightening dull skin.
Admittedly, the prices are a bit shocking, with a few products costing well into the hundreds. But I have to say, there are some real gems in this series. First up is the Decree Light Cleanse, £44 (30ml £15). According to Dr. Sturnham, your morning cleanse should be nourishing, hydrating and non-stripping.
Excess oil can build up overnight, and the residue from night cream can clog the skin. However, morning cleansing should be much gentler than evening cleansing because you don't need to remove the day's dirt or makeup (unless you wear it to bed)! I really like this cleaner.
Not only does it smell luxurious (like rose water), but it cleanses without drying out and leaves my combination skin glowing (it's hydrating glycerin and rose seed oil). Sealed pumps mean you won't get a splash in the shower or expose ingredients to the elements, which means they last longer.
If you don't want to buy a separate product, you can double cleanse at night (cleanse, rinse and repeat) as it will also melt away heavy foundation and mascara. If your skin type is oily, acne-prone, or combination and you're looking for a moisturizer that provides great hydration without clogging your pores you'll love Peptide Emollient Veil (Price £115). It's one of the more expensive products in the range, but I agree with all the five-star reviews (and there are many). The main ingredients are peptides (mainly proteins), which repair the skin and give it elasticity.
Although there is no tint, skin instantly looks more vibrant, radiant, healthy and youthful. Plus, it's great for sunscreen and makeup, although I find that if I use it regularly morning and night, I can skip foundation entirely.
You've probably heard a lot about Decree's serums, the most popular of which is Treat Tincture, which costs £130, as it contains the popular ingredient of the year, retinol, or more specifically hydroxypinacol retinoic acid ester.
Don't let the complicated name put you off. The ingredient reportedly works similarly to prescription retinol without causing the typical irritation that manifests as skin soreness, flakyness, redness, and sensitivity enough to turn you off forever.
When I ran out of Differin (a drug used by dermatologists to treat acne, hyperpigmentation and fine lines), I've added it to my skincare routine - and the results are impressive. While not as strong as prescription medications, using it every other night can prolong the smoothing, plumping and purifying effects.
My only criticism? I wish the bottle was three times the size. Finally, I recommend Weekly Decree, £120, a two-step acid peel and nourishing mask. In my opinion this is the next best thing to a professional facial (considering London prices it's much cheaper in the long run).
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Express Treatments are very powerful and can cause a tingling sensation on the skin, making it look very red. But it starts by exfoliating the top layer of skin, leaving it looking brighter and fresher.
If you're sensitive or dry, I'd recommend avoiding this product entirely (perhaps opting for a milder skin care acid), but if your skin is oily or congested, or you want to treat rough skin texture, this is an excellent product.
Applying the mask afterwards feels like a treat and together they give the skin a glow that no other acid treatment on the market has. While I'm a big fan of Decree, I know it's expensive. If you are looking for similarly effective skin care products with dermatological qualifications (just a little cheaper)
I would recommend the CeraVe skin care range. The Hydrating Cleanser (£9.50) is cheap and has the same smart formula as the Light Cleanse, with ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid to repair and moisturize dry skin while removing makeup, oil and everyday grime.
You might also like Face Theory, specifically the Regena C20 Vitamin C Serum (19.£99), affordable and powerful.
You can also try dermocosmetics brand Pharmaceris, which offers a wide range of skincare products from cleansers and serums to sunscreens (including high-quality retinol) at affordable prices.
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