Welcome back to the AR Beauty Beat. The weather is starting to cool down, but the beauty industry continues to heat up.
We’ve got new releases from affordable no-nonsense favourite The Ordinary, a retinol body treatment from Murad (by the way, the cooler months are the perfect time to try active body care!), and innovative new products from the likes of Biossance, Clarins, and Medik8. On the sensorial side, the likes of Aesop and Kit cater to the olfactory senses. However, not all products are created equal. So, to help you differentiate the hits from the misses, we’ve put together the recently released products worthy of your attention this month.
Without further ado, here are the 15 best beauty and skincare releases worthy trying in May 2025.
1. Isamaya Beauty launches at Mecca
Beauty brand Isamaya, by makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench, has landed in Mecca. The brand champions formulas that marry effortless wear and application with high-impact results, through pigmented products, hyper-realistic finishes, and makeup with skincare ingredients. Highlights include the Colour Correcting Serum and Metal Lip Balm.
Price: from $27AUD
2. Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser
Aesop has launched its fist cream-based body cleanser. The Aesop Eleos Nourishing Body Cleanser employs emollients including shea butter and jojoba seed oil to soften the skin while a woody and herbaceous medley of cedar atlas, patchouli, and clove add an aromatic element to the the ritual of ablutions.
Price: $49AUD
3. Clinique Even Better Clinical Vitamin Makeup SPF 25
The new Clinique Even Better Clinical Vitamin Makeup SPF 25 combines skincare ingredients with makeup, with the medium-coverage foundation offering a natural finish with an antioxidant blend protects the skin from environmental aggressors during wear. Available in 25 shades.
Price: $68AUD
4. Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP
The result of 18 months of research, Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP employ Dual MiniProteins—micro-molecular sized proteins—to combine the deep penetration of peptides with the enhanced potency of proteins to create an effect akin to wrinkle injections. Medik8 claims Liquid Peptides Advanced MP diminishes the appearance of expression lines in just 10 minutes and reduced deep-set wrinkles in eight weeks.
Price: $160AUD
5. Benefit Benetint Dark Cherry
Almost half a century after its debut in 1976, Benefit has released two new shades of its iconic Benetint formula. Joining the original Rose hue are Dark Cherry and Raspberry; the former, a deep berry shade, is our pick of the duo.
Price: $42AUD
6. Clarins Extra-Firming Jour & Nuit
Formulated to boost the skin’s collagen reserves, Clarins has added to its Extra-Firming range with a new day and night cream. A blend of collagen polypeptides, pecan tree extract, and mitracarpus extract are designed to promote skin elasticity and prevent a loss of firmness. Alongside this trio are niacinamide, date extract, oat sugars, and aloe vera which work synergistically to improve skin tone and texture.
Price: from $150AUD
7. Murad Retinal Resculpt Body Treatment
Encapsulated retinal is the hero ingredient of this moisturising body treatment, which works to smoothen the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks and tighten saggy and crepey skin. Retinal is joined by milk thistle, bearberry, bentonite clay-encapsulated shea butter, avocado extract, and squalane, which prevent moisture loss and even out skin tone.
Price: $120AUD
8. Mecca Max Max Vol. Tubing Mascara
Affordable beauty brand Mecca Max has released a tubing mascara formula designed to deliver high-impact defined, fluttery lashes without smudging or flaking. The vegan-friendly formula is priced at $28AUD.
Price: $28AUD
9. Mecca Cosmetica Gel Cream Moisturiser
Delivering hydration sans heaviness, the Mecca Cosmetica Gel Cream Moisturiser is a lightweight-fragrance free formula that contains squalane, niacinamide and an amino acid complex to visible improve skin texture and imbue the skin with lasting moisture and hydration.
Price: $55AUD
10. Trinny London Trinity
Trinny London has released a multi-tasking new product that works across the lips, cheeks, and eyes. A dual-ended product, Trinny London Trinity pairs a creamy matte colour with a glowy highlighter with a dewy finish.
Price: $68AUD
11. Airyday Peptide Powerhouse Moisturiser
One of our favourite sunscreen brands has released a new moisturiser designed to restore the skin barrier. Harnessing the benefits of a triple peptide complex, soothing allantoin, and bisabolol, the Airyday Peptide Powerhouse Moisturiser works to restore hydration, soothe the skin, and strengthen the skin barrier.
Price: $49AUD
12. Inskin Co launches “simple, but not basic” skincare range
Inskin Cosmedics, the company behind O Cosmedics and Neurocosmedics, has launched Inskin Co, a cosmedical skincare brand aimed at a younger audience. Placing an emphasis on botanical ingredients and simple routines, each product is priced at $55AUD and can be mixed and matched. Highlights include the Arbutin & B3 Serum and Powder Cleanser & Exfoliant.
Price: $55AUD
13. Biossance Squalane + Firm & Lift Dual Serum
This dual-phase formula employs a Hydralift complex comprising gravetye giant, ectoin, and bisabolol to firm and lift the skin, teaming it with hyaluronic acid and squalane to hydrate the skin and lock in moisture.
Price: $115AUD
14. The Ordinary Multi-Active Radiance Serum
Taking a multifaceted approach to antioxidant protection, the The Ordinary Multi-Active Radiance Serum goes beyond vitamin C, teaming the popular skincare ingredient with seven other antioxidants (including ginseng and mushroom extracts and peptides) to create a serum that brightens dull skin, boosts radiance, smooths skin texture, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Price: $24AUD
15. Kit Good Night Pillow Mist
A botanical blend of lavender, cedarwood, and sandalwood are tinged with a hint of vanilla to create a soothing, grounding mist that aids in lulling one into a peaceful slumber.
Price: $45AUD
Words by Arabella Johnson
