Welcome to “Your Shopping Cart,” wherein we break out the top-ten products that you, devoted Strategist UK readers, bought in droves. Think of this as the TL;DR of the Strategist UK: If your like-minded brethren are buying these items, maybe you’d like to as well.
This month saw one new entry in the Strategist top ten: a magnetic dad gadget perfect for DIY enthusiasts. Our readers also bought gel moisturisers, olive oil, and vitamin-C serum.
Here’s to a third month in the top ten, and a second month as your most-bought, for this vitamin-C serum — an “insider secret” Skinceuticals dupe, according to beauty journalist Rhea Cartwright. The Timeless serum comes in at only £30 and shouldn’t oxidise (i.e., lose its potency when exposed to light, air, and heat), thanks to its airtight pump. That may explain why so many of you have added it to your cart in June — and why Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths declared it the very best vitamin-C serum after speaking with experts and reading up extensively.
Meanwhile, this lightweight suitcase by Aerolite has gone up five places since last month, making this its highest entry yet. Clearly, Strategist readers have started planning their holidays en masse, since we’ve never had a suitcase this high in our roundups before. When we looked at the best suitcases, we polled frequent fliers, pored through reviews on Amazon, and checked restrictions on over 15 airlines, including Norwegian Airlines, British Airways, and Aer Lingus. We’ve found the best hard-shell cases for every kind of trip, from long-haul to a short stopover in Amsterdam, so whatever trip you might be taking this summer, take a look at our comprehensive guides.
Arguably, Flairosol’s spray bottle needs no introduction, having now been in our most-bought for 26 months. Unlike typical misters, this releases a mist as light as steam, which means spraying a plant doesn’t coat the leaves but rather fills the surrounding area with a cloud of water droplets. This is essential for misting, which is ultimately about increasing the humidity around the plant, not simply making it wet.
Neutrogena’s gel-like moisturiser is our fourth-best-selling item in June, and has now spent 27 months in our most-bought. With the sun (occasionally) coming back out this month, it’s no surprise to see lighter moisturisers returning to our most-bought after an influx of creamier options. This Neutrogena moisturiser is featured in our story on the best moisturisers for oily skin thanks in part to its oil- and alcohol-free formula. However, it’s also something of an all-rounder — it has been recommended to us for dry skin types, the rosacea-prone, and even pregnant women. Staff writer Chris Mandle says it’s especially soothing on sunburnt skin, too.
Olaplex’s hair perfector has now spent 14 months in our most-bought, a non-mover from May. It comes recommended by stylists and was deemed a “lifesaver” by author Shon Faye after she grew out her shorter, pandemic-era bleached-blonde hair: “I have come to enjoy the ritual of slicking it over my hair and leaving it for so many hours that my hair and the product dries out as it repairs the bonds in the structure of my hair. Then I relish the satisfaction of getting to wash it out and letting it air-dry into a boosted shine.”
This is the fourth time this set of sketching pencils has been in our most-bought list. They haven’t made an appearance since February, but June marks the highest entry for them at No. 6. We’ve featured them before in our roundup of Father’s Day gifts, but we think they’d be perfect for anyone with a creative streak, such as a graduating younger sibling or a boyfriend trying to de-stress from his day job.
Now in its fifth total month in our top ten, Cetaphil’s thick moisturising cream hasn’t been as popular as Neutrogena’s lighter gel option, but it’s still a Strategist-approved product. Dr. Hadley King, clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University, says this is “a great cream for both face and body.” Because it’s packed with hydrating humectants like glycerin and skin-softening emollients like glyceryl stearate and sweet almond oil, it’s highly effective for treating dry skin.
Our first and only new entry this month is a magnetic wristband for DIY. It can hold all manner of bolts, nuts, washers, and screws (or the Allen keys required for a typical Ikea assembly job) and would make an excellent, inexpensive gift for the person in your life who can’t say no to a bit of home renovation.
Belazu’s olive oil was missing from our most-bought last month, but it returned in June, making a total of eight months in our top ten. While reporting our best-in-class story on the best olive oils, staff writer Chris Mandle became a convert, noting that the buttery finish and bananalike aroma made it ideal if you dislike peppery oils that catch in the back of your throat.
After a strong start this year (peaking with being our most-bought product in April), Cerave’s thick moisturiser is now our tenth-best-selling product this month. It hasn’t been this far down our list since November 2021, but it’s surely a seasonal thing, as people focus more on SPF and light moisturisers in the warmer months. Contributor Daniela Morosini told us it’s a long-lasting cream that works just as hard as her more expensive moisturisers. Experts said this is suitable for dry to very dry (and even cracked) skin thanks to its high lipid content. In fact, one dermatologist told us that no matter the reason for your dry skin — whether it’s dry in winter, dry year-round, or dry because of aging — this is a universally good choice.
The Strategist UK is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Read about who we are and what we do here. Our editors update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.