M&S Beauty Has Given Formula the Ultimate Skincare Reset
M&S Beauty has given Formula — its skincare range that has spent the last three decades sitting pretty in British bathrooms — a complete top-to-bottom overhaul. But this is more than a packaging tweak. You may as well consider it an entirely new brand.
Rather than banking on a single ingredient, the new 16-piece range is all about cocktailing actives for long-term skin strength. We’re talking targeted multi-peptides, biomimetic proteins, NAD+ boosters, and barrier repairers, all packed into single formulas.
The upgrade was actually sparked by a consumer study of 532 women (aged 25 to 55) who reported that concerns such as loss of firmness, fine lines, dryness, and uneven texture tended to appear at the same time. Formula’s answer is simple: stop making shoppers choose between hydration and elasticity, and tackle the whole checklist in tandem.
Leading the lineup is the Ultra Peptide Collection, which is engineered around four powerhouse peptide technologies — Matrixyl 3000, Idealift, Epitensive EVO, and Col-Frag Remastered — alongside an NAD+ booster to support cell energy, DNA repair, and natural collagen production.
We recommend the Ultra Peptide Serum (£29), which combines peptide technology with ceramides, niacinamide, and omega-3 and omega-6. In a four-week consumer trial involving 110 women, 92% felt their skin was instantly hydrated, 89% reported a visible improvement in signs of ageing, 81% saw a tightened and lifted appearance, and 84% noted a boost in overall skin confidence.
Alongside the serum, the collection includes an Ultra Peptide Eye Cream (£20) to help tackle puffiness, fine lines, and dark circles, a lightweight Ultra Peptide Day Cream (£27) powered by niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and polyglutamic acid, an Ultra Peptide Night Cream (£27) with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E to support overnight repair, and an Ultra Peptide Neck & Décolletage Cream (£22), which blends shea butter, pullulan, and blackcurrant seed oil to nourish and firm the skin.
The range extends beyond peptides, too. Another 11 products round out the routine (think cleansers, toners, and oils), bringing together familiar skincare staples such as vitamin C, next-generation retinoids, AHAs, and multi-molecular hyaluronic acid to brighten, smooth, hydrate, and support the skin barrier.
The new Formula collection launches online and in stores on 6 August and will be available exclusively in the UK.