Simplify Your Skincare Routine With These 7 Discovery Kits for All Skin Types

Raise your hand if you ever feel overwhelmed by skincare.

Same.

Even though as a beauty writer I literally get paid to learn about and try new products, I too get lost in the ingredients list from time to time.

I may understand the science behind glycation and its role in premature aging, but don’t even think of asking me to pronounce “tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate”. Why can’t they just call it vitamin C!?

With literally thousands of products at our fingertips and more dropping on the daily, it's easy to get decision paralysis when pulling the add-to-cart trigger.

Especially when said trigger will set you back a pretty penny.

Thankfully, the beauty gods have a solution for us by way of discovery kits.

These cleverly curated boxes take the guesswork out of finding the right products for you by giving you a bunch to try. The highlight reel of skincare, if you will.

Below, I’ve assembled seven skincare discovery kits for you to dip your toes into the world of cosmeceuticals.

They also make for an excellent gift too just quietly, if you’re in need of some holiday inspo.

1. Viviology Super Seven Discovery Set.

If you haven't yet experienced Viviology and their budget-friendly range of cosmeceutical skincare, this discovery kit serves as the perfect initiation.

The brainchild of Melbourne-based dermal therapist James Vivian, Viviology is all about results-driven skincare that’s inclusive, fun and easy to use.

In the kit, you’ll find sampler sizes of some of Viviology's best-selling products, including:

• Viviology Gentle Foaming Cleanser 200mL

• Viviology Liquid Exfoliant 200mL

• Viviology Vitamin C Serum 30mL

• Viviology Niacinamide + HA Serum 30mL

• Viviology Retinol Serum 0.3% 30mL

• Viviology Ceramide Moisturiser 50mL

• Viviology Moisturising Mineral SPF50 Sunscreen 75mL

Our resident dermal therapist Yads gave us a full rundown on Viviology and shared her recommendations for an AM and PM skincare routine here.

2. AB LAB Skincare Bundles.

When it comes to skincare that exceeds expectations without breaking the bank, AB LAB is your go-to.

Our in-house brand was built and developed in response to our customers' needs, blending the efficacy of cosmeceutical skincare with affordability for products that are refreshingly simple yet potent.

In terms of discovery kits, there’s something for everyone; from oily/combo skin to dry/dehydrated and all skins in between.

Personally, I’ve just run out of the AB LAB Double Cleansing Duo Bundle (which includes a glow-inducing cleansing balm and skin-softening cream cleanser) and will be restocking, stat.

And I’m not just saying that as an AB staffer.

This dynamic duo has been a godsend these last few wintry months in restoring some of the moisture lost from my skin and calming it down when I’ve overdone it on the actives.

Our team and I shared our thoughts on AB LAB Skin in a previous Beauty IQ article which you can check out here.

3. Skinstitut All Stars Kit.

Now I know you’ve come across Skinstitut – whether it’s their distinctive white and purple packaging adorning your friend’s skincare shelf or our social feeds.

The Aussie cosmeceutical company is easily one of our most popular brands.

Why? Their products are beloved for their straightforward, high-impact formulas that cater to a multitude of skin types and concerns.

Enter the All Stars Kit, precisely what you’d expect: a collection featuring four samples of their best-sellers, designed to illuminate, hydrate, rejuvenate and revitalise your skin.

Including:

• Skinstitut Gentle Cleanser

• Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14%

• Skinstitut Rejuvenating 15 Serum 30ml

• Skinstitut Moisture Defence - Normal Skin

In other words, it’s everything you need to build a fuss-free and reliable skincare routine.

4. Aspect Age Management Kit.

Let’s be real – the idea of ageing isn’t exactly thrilling.

If we had a choice, most of us would probably prefer to skip that whole process entirely.

But alas, it’s an inevitable part of life. So we might as well make peace with it and enjoy the ride, right?

Of course, this kind of self-love isn’t always easy to practice. Thankfully, there are plenty of skincare options to help us embrace the skin we’re in.

Like this kit from Aspect.

It features four of Aspect’s best-selling products, tailored to nurture ageing skin, including:

• Aspect Purastat 5 Cleanser 220ml

• Aspect Extreme C 20

• Aspect Retinol Brulee

• Aspect Phytostat 9

Most of these products happen to be in my Aspect dry skin routine which I've previously shared alongside my reviews in a Beauty IQ article here.

5. Medik8 The CSA Kit Retinal Edition.

When it comes to vitamin A products, Medik8 is up there with some of the best in the biz.

Ask anyone in the Adore office and there’s a strong chance they have a tube of Crystal Retinal on their skincare shelf. Or at the very least on their wishlist (myself included).

Formulated with retinal (or retinaldehyde) – a potent form of vitamin A stronger than retinol but not as strong as prescription retinoids – Crystal Retinal is available in four different strengths to help to improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture and tone.

This kit features the intermediate edition (Crystal Retinal 3), along with three other samples of Medik8 favourites, all aligned with the brand's CSA philosophy—vitamin C, sunscreen and vitamin A.

Including:

• Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse 150ml

• Medik8 C-Tetra Lipid Vitamin C Antioxidant Serum 30ml

• Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect

• Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

Sure, she’s a little exxy. But if you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to try Medik8’s line of powerhouse cosmeceuticals, this is it.

6. Dermalogica Daily Brightness Boosters Kit.

Forever chasing that elusive, lit-from-within glow? (Who isn’t.)

Well, then I’d like to kindly point you towards this discovery kit by Dermalogica.

Designed to help bring the sparkle back to dull skin, the pack includes three samples of the cosmeceutical brand’s best brightening-boosting products in one neat routine.

Including:

• Dermalogica Daily Glycolic Cleanser 150ml

• Dermalogica Age Smart Biolumin-C Serum

• Dermalogica BioLumin-C Gel Moisturiser 50ml

Beauty IQ contributor and journalist Sarah Tarca assembled a list of her favourite serums for brighter, firmer skin, and a more even skin tone in a previous article here.

7. BOOST LAB Supercharged Skincare Pack.

If you’ve scrolled down this far and found yourself utterly lost amid the sea of serums, worry not—this is your perfect starting point.

The BOOST LAB Supercharged set comprises seven single-focused serums, each tailored to address your specific skin concerns.

Feeling dull? Reach for the vitamin C. Uneven skin tone? Opt for the exfoliant. Having a flareup? Vitamin B3 to the rescue. You catch my drift.

But that’s not even the best part: the entire set is yours for less than $150, which boils down to roughly $20 a serum.

Now, I’m no mathematician but I do know a thing or two about girl-math. So, in girl-math terms, if each serum costs $30 at full price, by investing in this set, you’re practically making money.

Set includes:

• BOOST LAB Vitamin B3 Blemish Rescue Serum

• BOOST LAB Vitamin C Brightening Serum

• BOOST LAB Multi-Peptide Anti-Ageing Serum 30ml

• BOOST LAB 2D-Hyaluronic Hydro Boost Serum

• BOOST LAB AHA Glow Resurfacing Serum

• BOOST LAB Retinol Night Renewal Serum

• BOOST LAB Bio-Active Eye Reset Serum

For more on BOOST LAB, head to this Beauty IQ where I shared my thoughts on a handful of their serums for hydrated, glowy skin.

For more on skincare, check out these Beauty IQ articles:

• My Favourite IT Cosmetics Products for a Glowy, Mature Skin Routine

• Why I’ll Never Stop Using This Physical Exfoliant

• I Asked The Partners of Adore Beauty Staffers For Their Skincare Routines