The Best New Skin-Care Products Launching in July 2021

Before the pandemic, the beauty industry had already been growing at breakneck speed, with new launches dropping every single day of the week. But after over a year of forgoing makeup (if you wore foundation every day during lockdown, we seriously applaud you) and focusing on the status of our skin, the skin-care sector in particular positively exploded. From new launches [1] and collaborations to the recent influx of skin-care lines by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez [2] and Alicia Keys [3], it's become hard to keep track of all of the latest and greatest, as well as what's actually available here in the UK without paying exorbitant shipping fees. Well, that's where we come in. Every month, we round up the most exciting skin-care launches coming to the UK, from classic brands to indie newcomers [4] and all the serums, creams, and sunscreens in between.

July 2021 is a big month, and not just because the government is lifting all coronavirus restrictions (although, we highly recommend continuing to be cautious by wearing masks indoors and on public transport and getting your jabs as soon as you can). Whether you love skin care or you're looking to finally put together a skin-care regimen of your own, you'll be interested to know that Alicia Keys [5] has brought her body-care range to Harrods, UK-brand Scientia launched a range for decongested, acne-prone skin, and Foreo has a few new facial tools.

Keep reading to discover all of the skin-care products arriving in the UK this month.

Key Soulcare Renewing Body + Hand Wash

"A lot of people have said the Keys Soulcare Golden Cleanser is really a favourite and that they just want it all over for the body . . . so boom, we have this amazing hand and body wash," Alicia Keys [6] told POPSUGAR over Zoom about the inspiration behind her KeKey Soulcare Renewing Body + Hand Wash [7] (£24). The creamy gel cleanser comes in a gorgeous amethyst-coloured bottle and features the same soft, comforting scent as the rest of the products in the range (which is a combination of sage and oat milk by the way). We especially love how silky and smooth it leaves our skin after we step out of the shower.

Scientia Pure Clarity Targeted Blemish Paste

This month, Scientia, the UK-based vegan and cruelty-free skin-care brand, introduces its Pure Clarity range, a three-product collection geared toward gently treating decongested, acne-prone skin. There's a PHA-based cleanser, a toner laced with niacinamide and PHA, and the Scientia Pure Clarity Targeted Blemish Paste [8] (£16), which is a pretty lilac-coloured spot treatment that contains clay and white willow (to soak up excess sebum and clean pores) and a host of soothing and hydrating ingredients like calamine and glycerin to keep skin balanced and happy.

Foreo Luna Play Smart 2

The Foreo Play Smart 2 [9] (£79) is a new-and-improved version of the brand's facial cleansing device. Available in four colours, the Play Smart 2 is slightly smaller than the original Luna Play but features the same super-soft, ultrahygienic silicone material. It also lasts up to 1,000 uses, which is 10 times more than the original Luna. What really makes this cleansing device stand out though is the fact it gives you a personalised cleansing experience, measuring the moisture levels of your skin at 1,000 times per second and analysing those readings, which in turn determines the intensity pulsations given off by the brush.

Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum

The star ingredient in the new Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum [10] (£75) is tranexamic acid, which helps inhibit the production of tyrosinase in the skin — the enzyme that allows the overproduction of melanin in the first place, leading to dark spots and hyperpigmentation. We spoke to Dr Amelie Seghers, consultant dermatologist at London's Cadogan Clinic, a while back about tranexamic acid for a story on skin-care acids [11] and learned that "tranexamic acid is a drug originally designed to reduce blood loss and is on the World Health Organisation (WHO) list of essential drugs precisely for this reason. Over time, it became clear that it has additional benefits such as improving the pigmentation seen in melasma," she explained. "It works by disrupting the the formation of melanin and the way it is transferred to skin cells and has excellent qualities in improving the appearance of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and melasma with fewer side effects compared to hydroquinone."

Neom Super Shower Power Body Cleanser

Launching on 19 July is the Neom Super Shower Power Body Cleanser [12] (£26). In addition to being the brand's first body wash, it also features a new fresh and minty scent that is the result of combining spearmint, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils. The invigorating fragrance is the beauty equivalent of a shot of espresso in the morning, which is an apt metaphor seeing as the body wash also contains a shot of organic coffee and oat milk on its all-natural ingredient list.

Guerlain Abeille Royale Advanced Youth Watery Oil

Launching online on 19 July, Guerlain Abeille Royale Advanced Youth Watery Oil [13] (£73) is more than in just a ridiculously pretty package. The serum contains some innovative technology, including a new blend of honeys that, when combined, help speed up the skin's natural self-repair mechanisms. All sustainably and ethically sourced, the blend includes black bee honey from the French island of Ouessant, as well as honey from Corsica in France, Ikaria in Greece, Åland in Finland, and royal jelly, which is a milky secretion produced by worker honeybee. And because honey and oil are actually not compatible, Guerlain also to create a new unique type of formula that is rich and decadent like an oil, but as light and refreshing as water.