Festive Favourites: Skincare Gift Recommendations Inspired by Last Year’s Universal Beauty Awards Winners

A curated edit of winter skincare essentials and Christmas beauty gifts.

With the festive season already here, many shoppers are turning their attention to thoughtful skincare gifts that feel personal, indulgent and genuinely effective. The beauty sector remains one of the strongest categories for Christmas gifting, and last year’s Universal Beauty Awards winners provide plenty of inspiration for this year’s stocking fillers and under-the-tree favourites.

Whether it is brightening serums, luxurious eye treatments or winter-ready hydration, these recommendations capture the spirit of the season while reflecting some of the standout formulations recognised over the past year.

Nourishing Eye Care for Winter Glow

Eye treatments make ideal Christmas skincare gifts thanks to their versatility and suitability for most routines. Products recognised last year, such as Surmanti Advanced Anti Ageing Eye Cream or Pure and Care Vitamin C Eye Cream, highlighted the appeal of formulas that brighten, smooth and revive tired eyes.

For festive gifting, look for:

• Radiance-boosting creams that pair well with holiday makeup

• Lightweight serums ideal for morning routines

• Gentle formulas suited to colder weather

Eye care always feels considered, making it a reliable option for anyone who enjoys pampering skincare.

Surmanti Advanced Anti Ageing Eye Cream is a thoughtful festive gift for anyone who enjoys high performing skincare with a touch of luxury. The cream focuses on firmness, brightness and hydration, making it a welcome treat during the colder months when the eye area often needs extra support. With its smooth texture and well balanced actives, it suits those who appreciate gentle yet effective eye care, from beauty enthusiasts to anyone looking to refresh tired winter skin.

Hydrating Serums Perfect for Winter Skin

Hydration is one of the most sought-after skincare benefits during the colder months, which is why hydrating serums remain a strong choice for Christmas gift ideas. Products like Declaré Hydro Balance or Pickle’s Potions Hyaluronic Hydration Serum showed how modern formulas balance moisture, comfort and daily wearability.

Ideal winter picks include:

• Hyaluronic acid blends for moisture replenishment

• Barrier-supporting serums to help with dryness•

Lightweight but long-lasting hydration suitable for all skin types

Declaré Hydro Balance stood out among hydrating serums recognised by the Universal Beauty Awards for its emphasis on strength through simplicity. The formulation delivered robust moisture support without heavy textures, aligning with the growing consumer demand for skin-comfort and daily wearability. As a winter-skincare favourite, it exemplifies how effective hydration blends can perform well in both award-recognised and seasonal gifting contexts.

These are the gifts people often use immediately, making them both practical and indulgent.

Brightening and Vitamin C Essentials

Brightening skincare continues to be a popular choice for Christmas gifting, offering a simple way to add radiance during the darker winter months. Several award recognised products from last year reflected this growing interest in clarity enhancing routines. Picks such as Luuv Super Glow Vitamin C and D Serum and Bee and You Propolis Vitamin C Face Serum showed how brands are pairing familiar brightening ingredients with supportive actives for a more balanced glow. INIKA Organic Phytofuse Renew Serum also stood out for its gentle approach to renewal, making it suitable for a wide range of skin types.

For gifting, consider:

• Vitamin C blends that support luminosity

• Gentle brightening serums ideal for daily use

• Winter friendly products that pair well with richer moisturisers

These formulas offer a fresh start for the new year and make easy, thoughtful festive beauty gifts.

Calming and Restorative Skincare for Seasonal Self-Care

The festive season can bring colder temperatures, busier schedules and more reactive skin. Calming skincare makes a thoughtful gift for anyone who prefers gentle, skin-supportive routines. Last year’s entries, including products from Sorted Skin and Sásta Skin Health, highlighted how soothing blends continue to resonate.

Perfect Christmas picks might include:

• Redness-reducing serums

• Microbiome-supportive blends

• Gentle, fragrance-light formulations ideal for sensitive skin

These gifts speak to comfort and care, which defines the season beautifully.

Luxury Skincare for a Special Christmas Treat

For those looking to give something premium, luxury serums and treatment products always make a memorable gift. Formulations inspired by high-performing entries such as Liolà’s Cosmetics Red Sea Eye Contour Serum or ACAMNIA Elevate Skin Treatment Serum offer a sense of occasion that aligns perfectly with festive gifting.

Look for:

• Serums with elevated textures and refined ingredient stories

• High-performance formulas that feel like an at-home spa moment

• Beautiful packaging suited to luxury gifting

These gifts bring a little celebration into the daily skincare routine.

Bringing It All Together

Christmas skincare gifting is at its best when it feels both thoughtful and genuinely effective. The trends reflected in last year’s Universal Beauty Awards winners offer a useful guide to what consumers are responding to: hydration, radiance, gentle actives and indulgent textures. Whether choosing stocking-size serums or luxurious hero products, these festive favourites help make holiday gifting feel both meaningful and beautifully practical.