How to Enter the Universal Beauty Awards 2026: A Practical Guide for Beauty Brands

The Universal Beauty Awards 2026 are open for entry, with categories spanning skincare, cosmetics, makeup, hair care, devices, fragrance, wellness and body care. This guide explains how to enter, what products qualify, how judging works and what deadlines and sample requirements brands should prepare for. It is written to support both emerging and established companies looking to participate.

The Universal Beauty Awards recognise product performance, formulation quality and innovation across the beauty sector. There are no restrictions on launch dates, which means both new releases and existing hero products are eligible. Brand size is not considered in scoring. Independent labels frequently sit alongside global names. In 2025, gold winners included LUMI for the Re Vulvar Serum, Viking Beauty Secrets for Certified Organic Glow Facial Oil, Artean Skincare for Rich Regenerative Cream and Salt of the Earth for Refillable Roll On Deodorant.

Eligibility

Any market ready product may be submitted. Final formulation and packaging must be provided. Each entry requires two product samples for judging which takes place in early January. If a brand needs additional time for sample dispatch, extensions may be requested by emailing editor@globalmakeupawards.com.

How judging works

Products are reviewed by an editorial testing panel under real use conditions. Product efficacy accounts for 50 percent of the judging process. The remaining assessment includes ingredient profile, texture and sensory quality, packaging usability, visible results and long term user experience. Sponsorship does not influence decisions and outcomes are based solely on performance and testing feedback.

Judges value clarity when evaluating entries. Brands are advised to present claims concisely and avoid heavy marketing language. Straightforward product information is easier for testers to assess against performance.

Categories available for 2026

The awards cover a broad range of sectors to reflect the diversity of the beauty industry. Categories include:

• Skincare, serums and treatments

• Retinol and Vitamin A products

• Cleansers, toners and exfoliants• SPF and sun protection development

• Makeup and colour cosmetics

• Hair treatment and scalp care

• Beauty tools and devices

• Body, bath and wellness products

A full category list is available here

Entry fees

• One single product entry: £122 plus VAT

• Up to ten products in unlimited relevant categories: £699 total

The multiple entry option is often used by brands wishing to enter several SKUs or ranges to achieve wider visibility across categories.

Key dates

• Entry deadline: 20 Decembe

r• Sample deadline: first week of January

• Judging begins once samples arrive

Submitting ahead of the deadline is recommended as internal sign off and logistics often slow during December.

Early entry also helps ensure samples arrive in time for the scheduled judging window without courier disruption.

Why brands enter

Beauty awards can support credibility, positioning and product communication. Shortlisted and winning entries frequently feature award badges in marketing, retail decks, packaging, press releases and website product pages. Some brands report that award accreditation assists with new retail conversations and consumer trust at launch.

The Universal Beauty Awards continue to see strong participation across the industry.

In the 2025 Universal Beauty Awards, several products stood out in the skincare and facial care categories. Best Toning Mist was led by Tropic Skincare Morning Mist, recognised for its refreshing texture and daily use appeal, followed by FIGGI Beauty The Miracle Mist and Reluminate Beauty Elderflower Facial Toner Mist, both noted for gentle hydration and soothing botanicals. In cleansing, Avant Skincare Bi-Phase Hyaluronic Acid Rejuvenating Micellar Water was awarded in the Best Micellar Water category for its effective makeup removal and skin-conditioning benefits. The moisturiser segment was also competitive, with Angelina George Skincare Blue Tansy Balm taking a top position, supported by Tropic Skincare Skin Feast and Proaora Intensive Face Cream for nourishment and long-wear comfort.

Anti-ageing products remain a central focus for brands entering beauty awards, and 2025 reflected this through a strong range of formulations. In the Best Anti-Ageing Moisturiser category, Purodoré Natural Skincare Balancing Day and Night Cream performed strongly with its rich texture and barrier-supportive ingredients. Twentytwo Rejuvenating Anti-Ageing Day Cream and Loelle Organics Reboost Balm were also recognised, offering active-driven approaches to firmness and radiance. Notably, Nu Skin ageLOC Tru Face Essence Ultra Uplifting Cream featured in results, showing continued interest in clinically backed formulations in award submissions.

Day creams and hydration-focused skincare also delivered varied results across natural, scientific and hybrid beauty brands. In the Best Day Cream category, INIKA Organic Phytofuse Renew Day Cream was awarded for its performance in long-term moisture retention and plant-based formulation. Eleni and Chris Active Vitalizing Day Cream, Angelina George Skincare Revitalising Day Cream and Kinvara Active Rosehip Day Cream also placed, demonstrating a wide balance of textures, ingredient stories and consumer profiles. The 2025 results continue to show that judging is product-led, with efficacy accounting for a significant part of scoring, and that both established names and emerging brands achieve meaningful placements at the Universal Beauty Awards

Brands preparing submissions for 2026 can review categories and complete entry forms through the official website.