We make pilgrimages to French pharmacies in search of quietly brilliant formulas, marvel at Seoul’s labyrinthine beauty stores stacked with innovation and fill our suitcases in Greece with olive-oil-rich skincare and apothecary finds. But when a friend visiting the UK from abroad asked me what iconic British beauty products they should stock up on, I had to really think.
That’s not because there’s not enough to say – if anything, we have the opposite problem. There are so many great beauty and wellness brands in the UK that we are truly spoiled for choice. Our British pharmacy chains like Boots and Superdrug are on almost every high street and are packed with evidence-led skincare, heritage remedies and fuss-free basics – often at prices that make visitors do a double take.
Across the country, there are also independent pharmacies you’ll want to check out. John Bell & Croyden in central London has been an icon in British pharmacy history since 1798. It’s a place where centuries-old remedies sit alongside cutting-edge dermo cosmetics and staples in the British beauty routine. Outside of London, places like Century Pharmacy in Cardiff also have excellent beauty services, like a colossal perfume selection and a Clarins Gold Salon.
We also have health chains like Holland & Barrett that offer brilliant beauty and wellness buys. Many of our iconic British brands began as apothecaries and perfumers, so we have a rich history of excellence in beauty and wellness. Likewise, many of the beauty counters in the largest department stores began as places to pick up health remedies or small beauty items kept under the counter. From heritage chemists to high-street heroes, this is what’s worth making room for in your suitcase.
The best haircare products to buy in the UK
Lee Stafford Anti-Humidity Spray
CNT’s global editorial director Divia Thani swears by this weightless, humidity-shielding formula. Designed to smooth and soften hair without leaving a trace, it works like a liquid umbrella against frizz – whether you’re heading to the gym, out for the evening, or dealing with London drizzle or Dubai humidity. Available at Boots.
Sam McKnight Cool Girl Texturising Mist
Created by iconic celebrity hairstylist Sam McKnight this cult mist delivers effortless, tousled texture like nothing else. Lightweight and never crunchy, it’s the kind of product you reach for again and again. Pick it up at Liberty’s apothecary-esque beauty floor. Buy two, you won’t regret it.
Mason Pearson Pocket Bristle Brush
An enduring beauty icon, this classic hairbrush has remained largely unchanged since 1885, thanks to its pioneering rubber-cushion design and impeccable craftsmanship. It lasts for a lifetime (I still have my childhood one) and makes incredible gifts. Peruse the selection at John Bell & Croydon.
The best skincare products to buy in the UK
Vitamin E All Over Body Cream Intensive
Designed for dry, dehydrated skin, this ultra-nourishing body cream is a cult, British drugstore buy and delivers serious comfort when our cold, damp weather takes its toll. Shea butter and vitamin E deeply moisturises and soothes, while cranberry oil helps smooth texture and rebalance skin. Available at Superdrug.
When you’re travelling, few things matter more than hydration (travel is so dehydrating), vitamins (our diets take a toll) and antioxidants (because… pollution). This handy facial mist delivers all three, helping to fortify skin against free-radical while locking in moisture to support skin regeneration. Created by British skincare expert Caroline Hirons, it’s one to pick up at Liberty’s beauty hall.
_L.jpg)
ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
This is one of the UK’s most-loved cleansers – and a true pharmacy icon. It starts as a nourishing balm, melts into a cleansing oil to effortlessly dissolve makeup, then rinses away as a hydrating milk. The signature blend of nine essential oils, including lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus, smells heavenly while leaving skin deeply cleansed and supremely soft. Find it at Boots.
The best wellness products to buy in the UK
_L.jpg)
Ancient And Brave True Hydration Powder Sachets
Inspired by the natural electrolytes found in coconut water, this intelligent formula delivers key minerals for rapid rehydration – and genuinely tastes amazing, too. As CNT’s commerce editor Sarah Bannerman puts it: “It’s my new obsession. It may ship worldwide, but it was founded in Lewes, England – which makes it even cooler.” A smart, suitcase-friendly hydration buy with a quietly British backstory – available at Boots.
A staple of British wellness, Bach Flower Remedies has been used for decades to support emotional balance, from stress and anxiety to sleep and travel nerves. Developed in the 1930s by Dr Edward Bach, the plant-based remedies are easy to use, discreet to carry and ideal for moments when travel takes its toll. As CNT senior features editor Lydia Bell says: “I always keep Rescue Remedy in my bag when I’m travelling – it’s one of those reassuring classics that just works.” Available nationwide at Holland & Barrett.
Wilder Botanics Hangover Drops
Hit the town a little too hard? This nourishing herbal remedy is designed to help restore balance after overindulgence. A gentle blend of detoxifying milk thistle and burdock root, paired with calming oat flowering tops, works to support the body’s natural cleansing processes and bring things back into harmony. Find it at John Bell & Croyden and Goodhood.
The best bodycare products to buy in the UK
Multi-award-winning and genuinely professional-grade (it’s been tested by dancers in London’s West End) this deodorant ticks all the boxes. Its aluminium-salt-free formula starts as a skin-nourishing balm and transforms into a dry, invisible powder, absorbing perspiration without irritation. It comes in a range of beautifully modern, minimalist scents. Find it at John Bell & Croyden and Goodhood.
Bamford Geranium Bath Oil
A visit to Fortnum & Mason is almost mandatory when you’re in London, and its apothecary-style beauty hall is a hidden highlight. This evocative bath oil is a must-buy, and is crafted in England and infused with geranium, lavender and peppermint essential oils. Enriched with almond and apricot oils, it delivers a deeply relaxing (post-shopping?) soak that captures the feeling of the English countryside in a bottle. Available at Fortnum & Mason.
Neal’s Yard Remedies Natural Defence Hand Care Duo
Few brands are as synonymous with British beauty and wellness as Neal’s Yard Remedies, which has been a high-street staple for over 45 years. While there’s plenty to choose from, travellers in a rush should head straight for this hand sanitiser – widely considered one of the best-smelling and most effective around – and the travel-size hand cream. Both are infused with a purifying blend of essential oils, to protect skin and leave hands feeling fresh, clean and cared for on the go. Available from Neals Yard Remedies.
The best fragrances to buy in the UK
Penhaligon’s A London Dandy
An iconic British fragrance house, this scent captures the rock ’n’ roll spirit of London after dark. Think endless Soho nights that begin with a whisky on the rocks, lift into raspberry and bergamot, then settle into a smoky bass line of oak and cedarwood. You’ll find it across the city at Boots and Space NK, but it’s also worth visiting the newly refurbished flagship shop on Regent Street, redesigned with bespoke furniture and artwork in collaboration with artist Maggi Hambling.
Liberty 1875 Eau de Parfum
Part of Liberty’s LBTY wildly popular fragrance collection, this bold eau de parfum blends smoky tuberose with fresh bergamot and juniper, unfolding into jasmine and ylang-ylang. It’s housed in a bottle designed in collaboration with the Royal Academy, and best of all, when you take it home, you get to say “London” when everyone inevitably asks where you bought it. Find it in Liberty’s apothecary-style beauty hall.
The best makeup to buy in the UK
Founded by Parisian makeup artist Violette Serrat, this brand is fast becoming one of the coolest names in beauty. If your visit to Europe doesn’t include a trip to France stop at Liberty and pick up this lip balm; the smoothing formula hydrates, nourishes and visibly plumps lips with phyto collagen, vitamin E, lupin seed and cocoa seed butter. It’s both chic and effective and the ideal base for her incredible lip products. Find it at Liberty.
Created by Scottish influencer and makeup artist Jamie Genevieve, this cult make-up brand does modern British glam to perfection. Formulated with skin-strengthening niacinamide, this primer hydrates and soothes while light-reflecting pigments deliver an instant dewy glow. It’s also cleverly available in three sizes, from space NK and Sephora UK.
Victoria Beckham Beauty The Foundation Drops with TFC8
Created in collaboration with Augustinus Bader, this is the ultimate barely-there, skin-first foundation that you’ve likely seen praised online. It delivers breathable, serum-light coverage with a buildable, natural-feel finish, powered by Bader’s cult TFC8 technology to support skin renewal. It’s worth the hype and available at Space NK and Selfridges beauty halls.
The best home scents to buy in the UK
Earl Of East Milk Bun Cafe Candle
Poured into an iconic diner-style mug – perfect for repurposing once the candle has burned down – this London-made candle is inspired by our café culture. Hand-poured using soy wax it scents the room with comforting notes of sweet almond milk, buttermilk and sandalwood. It comes beautifully boxed and is available from homewares meets wellness atelier, Earl of East.
Neom Wellbeing Perfect Night’s Sleep Pillow Mist
Created using 100% natural fragrances, this sleep mist blends 14 of the purest, dream-inducing essential oils – including lavender, chamomile and patchouli – with subtle supporting notes to help calm the mind and prepare the body for rest. It’s a simple, effective way to wind down after travelling – and really works. Available at Boots.
The best grooming products to buy in the UK
Floris London Elite Shaving Soap and Bowl
Established in 1730, Floris London is one of Britain’s oldest grooming brands. Triple-milled for a rich, cushioning lather, this shaving soap is subtly scented with fresh green-woody notes and housed in a reusable bowl designed to last a lifetime. It’s a timeless grooming essential and a proper London buy for traditionalists. Plus the brand’s original Jermyn Street store is well worth a visit for its historic charm.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Travel Razor
A stalwart of British grooming since 1854, Taylor of Old Bond Street is best known for its traditional shaving essentials – and its travel razors are no exception. Compact, well-balanced and beautifully made, they deliver a proper wet shave without compromising on craftsmanship. A smart, practical purchase for frequent travellers that you can pick up at their Jermyn street store, where they’ve been located since the 1950s.
Space Nk Nordic Wilds Body Wash
Think forest bathing, bottled. This invigorating body wash is a modern classic and blends black pepper, juniper berry and tonka bean for a fresh, balancing hit, while calming adaptogen centella asiatica and nutrient-rich birch tree water help soothe and purify the skin. Made using post-consumer recycled plastic, you can pick it up from Space NK.
