Introducing the Condé Nast Traveller Beauty Awards 2026 – our annual edit of the best in beauty and wellness. The following products were tried and tested by our expert editors, bringing you the very best buys categorised by wellness, innovation, skincare, SPF, fragrance, hair and the best of the rest. For more winners, see the main Beauty Awards 2026 page.
Whether you’re navigating the drying effects of cabin pressure, adjusting to a new climate, or simply trying to maintain your glow on the move, skincare has never been more sophisticated or more travel-savvy.
This year’s best-in-skin edit spans everything from next-generation peptide serums to barrier-strengthening creams that rescue skin from the rigours of travel. We’ve tested hundreds of formulas, judging each on whether it genuinely delivers visible results, feels like a joy to use, and earns its place in an already-packed wash bag. These are the skincare heroes that passed every test – at home, in the air, and everywhere in between.
Condé Nast Traveller Beauty Awards 2026: best in skincare
Dr. Barbara Sturm peptide serum
Barbara Sturm‘s luxurious serum harnesses the power of peptides to visibly firm, plump and smooth the skin over time. Our team found it delivered the kind of results that make you look twice in the mirror – and reach for it every single morning without fail.
K-beauty innovation at its most satisfying, these pre-soaked pads work to minimise the appearance of pores while refining skin texture with every swipe. Effortless to use, travel-friendly by design and genuinely effective – they’re an addictive addition to any skincare routine.
Aestura Atobarrier265 moisturising cream
This clever cream is a cult favourite of Korean skin doctors and it’s easy to see why. The barrier-strengthening ceramide-rich formula delivers intense, long-lasting hydration without heaviness. Particularly impressive in challenging climates, it’s the kind of reassuring, skin-calming formula you reach for when your skin needs rescuing.
SkinCeuticals P-Tiox neuro-peptide serum
Designed to replicate the coveted glass skin effect without a trip to a clinic, this serum is all about visible, lasting results. Our tester found it softened expression lines, refined texture and boosted their complexion within weeks; the kind of overachiever that justifies every penny.
Prescription-strength results in a thoughtfully formulated package; this is skincare for those who need effective routines, delivered to their doorstep. Combining retinoids and other proven actives, it addresses pigmentation, texture and the visible signs of ageing with a precision that our team found quietly impressive – and increasingly hard to live without.
Reome Biogenic melting cream
This innovative melting-texture cream transforms on contact with skin, delivering a surge of hydration and active ingredients that absorb beautifully without residue. Lightweight enough for layering yet nourishing enough to stand alone, it’s a genuinely clever formula that adapts to whatever your skin needs most.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Hydro Emulsion moisturiser
Ultra-luxurious and unapologetically indulgent, this caviar-powered emulsion delivers deep, lasting hydration alongside a potent lifting and firming complex. Our tester found it transformed the skin’s surface overnight – the kind of skin investment that feels as extraordinary as it performs.
Lancôme Renergie X-tend cream
Although it’s rich, this cream never feels heavy on the skin and that’s largely down to the collagen peptides and copper tripeptides doing their work before you’ve even thought to check the mirror. Ideal for frequent fliers and for cooler climates where you need an extra dose of nourishment.
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