The 24 Best Luxury Skincare Brands Worth an Investment, Tested & Reviewed
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What luxury skincare should look, feel, and smell like—and unfailingly accomplish, according to InStyle editors and beauty industry icons.
InStyle / Kristin Kempa
We can’t define luxury skincare—three-digit price tags and museum-quality packaging simply aren’t enough to slap this label on a product. Although these factors can (and do) become deciding details for splurging on a luxury makeup or skincare item, our experiences, and lifestyle choices will outweigh any purchase decision. According to Sarah Brown, Chief Brand Officer at Violet Grey, every investment purchase comes with a set of standards. "The product must be covetable—you have to want it and you have to want to use it—and it has to not only outperform your expectations, but also outperform the other products you’re currently using, and it has to improve your life,” she says.
Celebrity endorsements, famed founders, and opulent packaging give some brands their notoriety. Others are under a year old, but their highly effective products have earned them a stellar reputation. And, a few have been offering products since the inception of skincare itself—consistently proving their worth in a cutthroat industry. Discover them ahead, and the products we believe are truly the height of luxury skincare.
Sofie Pavitt Face
Everyone is talking behind Sofie Pavitt’s back—in a good way. We’ve heard whispers across Manhattan about this celebrity esthetician, whose clientele includes Lorde and Zendaya, and her heaven-sent facials. Last year, Pavitt expanded her goodwill and knowledge outside her NYC-based studio with a minimalist product line. The items address the most stubborn acne concerns with well-balanced formulas, that balance potent exfoliating acids with gentle, hydrating ingredients. The goal? Knock out several issues with and declutter your bathroom cabinet in the process.
Alongside face wash and serum, the collection features our new favorite frozen friend—the Nice Ice Frozen Toner Pods. These ingenious ice-cube-shaped items contain glycerin, niacinamide, and green tea extract to soothe inflammation and puffiness from breakouts or sun exposure.
Pro Pick:
Mandelic Clearing Serum: “Sofie Pavitt is known for being really good with problematic skin. Apply this serum as one of your first steps in your skincare routine: Not only does it help acne-prone skin and clogged pores, but it’s a gentle chemical exfoliant that’s anti-inflammatory and hydrating so it won’t cause irritation or dry out your skin.” — Brown
Bestsellers: Mandelic Clearing Serum | Claim to Fame: Multi-purpose products designed by celebrity facialist
Chantecaille
Powered by plants, and praised by scientific peers, Chantecaille was at the forefront of brands to use plant stem cells in its formulas. Many have followed suit since, but its highly effective peptide and collagen-infused anti-aging masks and eye creams keep the brand at the top of the skin care food chain. Beyond that, the clinical results don’t lie: In a clinical study conducted for The Bio Lifting Mask+ 82 percent of the 32 women tested saw an immediate lifting effect and 100 percent of the participants said they instantly felt smoother skin. And, the brand continued making strides toward a cleaner, sensitive-skin-friendly beauty by offering vegan products free from phthalates, palm oil, synthetics, and other potentially harmful ingredients.
Indicated by the leaf-embossed eyeshadow pallets and animal kingdom imagery interwoven across its product line, Chantecaille also has a clear philanthropic purpose with a mission with several causes to preserve endangered species. Profits from every opulent tiger-eyed compact and shimmering eye shade go toward a worthy conservation cause.
Pro Picks:
Chantecaille Bio Lifting Serum+: “It plumps, soothes, brightens and tightens. I can see a difference in my skin texture using this both day and night.” — Autumne West, Nordstrom Beauty Director
Liquid Lumière Highlighter: “Wow, wow, wow. These not-very eloquent words are the easiest way to describe my reaction once my skin slipped into the pigmented, creamy highlighter. Similar to how you can immediately spot the difference between plated jewelry and 24-karat gold, these liquid illuminators have a golden hue far more luxurious than their copycats.
The subtle sparkles seem to flicker like embers rather than shine and its lustrous sweep of color sends my cheekbones to new, noticeably defined heights. The formula also contains bamboo, pea extract, glucosamine, and other hydrating ingredients to moisturize my dry skin. If this highlighter is the effect of crossing makeup and skincare, I never want the lines to be divided again.” — Irene Richardson, InStyle Commerce Writer
Bestsellers: Biolifiting mask, Rose de Mai Cream | Claim to Fame: Botanical formulas, conservation efforts
Kindred Black
Co-founders Alice Kindred Wells and Jennifer Black struck out from their previous careers on a trailblazing road to redemption: Counteract their years in the fashion industry by developing a slow beauty brand free from plastic packaging and harsh chemicals. Every item creates an infinite loop that’s never broken with a new plastic purchase, courtesy of hand-blown glass bottles you never want to toss and its refillable recycling program.
Its designs have an endearing hodgepodge quality that feels uniquely curated to the user, like a collection of seashells, vintage accouterments, and family heirlooms you’ve acquired. Produced in limited quantities, every holistic-centered formula within the vessels promises cold-pressed natural oils, organic plant-based ingredients, and detoxifying clays. In addition to its hydrating serums and healing body oils, the brand offers fragrances, eye pigments, cheek rouge, and other makeup items to round out your at-home beauty apothecary.
Editor Picks:
Cloudless Eye Pigments: “Every time I dip my brush into these precious pigments I become an artisan myself. The fine shimmery powder lays across my lids in a subtle wash of color. I know the ‘lit from within’ effect is typically reserved for bronzers and dewy illuminators, but that’s exactly the kind of finish my sparkling eyes are left with.” — Richardson
Moon Dew: “The very first thing I noted about the Moon Dew, aside from its gorgeous vessel and enticing name, is the inviting fragrance. The best way to describe it is stepping foot into a luxury spa after wrapping yourself in a plush cotton robe (That’s pretty hard to achieve for a serum!). Initially, I thought the glistening water-like consistency would leave my skin greasy, but my complexion immediately absorbed the product and truly did radiate like the big satellite in the sky.” — Richardson
Bestsellers: Savannah Viper Lip Oil, Moon Dew | Known for: Opulent glass packaging, organic ingredients, refillable recycle program
La Mer
Even for those who consider skincare an alien world, La Mer is synonymous with luxury beauty—beauty aficionados consider it the crème de la crème of skincare. And for good reason: The brand’s signature Miracle Broth, which features a fermentation of sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals that help renew and revitalize skin, took no less than 6,000 experiments and 12 years to perfect. The brand focuses on the art of fermentation—after all, its signature broth takes three to four months to reach its greatest form.
Created by physicist Dr. Max Huber to heal the appearance of the scars he suffered during a lab accident, the brand skyrocketed to fame thanks to its deeply hydrating, restorative Crème de la Mer.
Editor Pick:
La Mer Lip Volumizer Lip Oil: “The packaging is of course divine and chic. I love pulling it out of my purse. But more importantly—it's plumping without the burning sensation that makes me think I need an EpiPen and it is so deeply hydrating that I don't apply anything for the rest of the day.” — Alnuweiri
Bestsellers: Crème de la Mer Moisturizer, The Treatment Lotion, The Eye Concentrate | Claim to Fame: Miracle Broth (the proprietary, top-secret elixir in every La Mer product), skincare centered on marine botanicals and sea kelp, regenerative creams and lotions
Dr. Loretta
It’s not simply the pastel packaging that make Dr. Loretta’s serums, eye gels, moisturizers, and masks an enjoyable aspect of our skincare regime (though that's certainly a perk). From her refreshing face washes that seamlessly remove makeup to high-coverage, soothing face sunscreens, Dr. Loretta formulates her products with every skin tone and type in consideration. In fact, the Harvard-trained dermatologist was at the forefront of the research that developed the Fitzpatrick Skin Spectrum, a six-level classification system that measures the amount of melanin in one person’s skin related to its reaction to UV rays. Her formulas focus on a potent blend of botanical and patented ingredients that address the effects of pollution, climate, light, and irritants.
Pro Picks:
Tightening Eye Gel: “When many eye creams feel like a dime a dozen this Tightening Eye Gel is the rare million-dollar find among them. I use it every single morning to refresh my dark morning bags and I can actually see the difference on days I don’t. Seriously, upon first use, the skin instantly feels tighter. And, the product’s thin gel texture is one of the few non-sticky under-eye products I’ve found that doesn’t cause my concealer to crease.” — Richardson
Best sellers: Tightening eye gel, Urban Antioxidant Sunscreen SPF 40, Intense Replenishing Serum | Claim to Fame: Formulas developed by Harvard-trained scientist
Augustinus Bader
Along with numerous awards from nearly every major outlet, one walk down a red carpet and you’ll find it full of Augustinus Bader fans—notably Hailey Beiber, Margot Robbie, and Leonardo DiCaprio have sung the brand’s praises.
Accolades aside, the brand is steeped in science and a data-first approach. Clinical trials feature consistently jaw-dropping results. Bader skincare is powered by its patented Trigger Factor Complex technology, which was inspired by over three decades of cutting-edge research on skin healing and tissue repair. There’s not just one product that works, though. The brand has over 20 offerings spanning across skin, hair, and body that are all expert-formulated, expert-tested, and expert-approved.
Pro Pick:
The Augustinus Bader: The Cream: “It has cutting edge science behind the formula – TFC8 is a patented ingredient. It has been clinically shown to dramatically increase cellular renewal, turning back the signs of aging on the skin. This is an ingredient you won’t find in any other product on the market,” — Sephora Beauty Director, David Razzano
Bestsellers: The Cream, The Rich Cream | Claim to Fame: Highly effective patented technology, endorsement from celebs like Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Anniston
Ross J. Barr
The proven benefits of acupuncture include regulated gut health, eased muscle tension, fewer headaches, and an overall euphoric feeling. That is if you know who to go to, and Ross J. Barr is currently one of the most celebrated practitioners. “Ross J. Barr has helped Meghan Markle and Sofia Richie—he’s an acupuncturist to the stars,” says Brown. Welcoming him into our home isn’t (likely ever) an option. However, his unique product line provides a similar effect to the treatment by slowly releasing essential oils and nutrients in a patch format.
Pro Pick:
Patch Pack: “Leading British acupuncturist Ross J. Barr’s Patch Pack—which comes with topical calming, sleep-improving, and pain-relieving patches— is our new obsession at Violet Grey. I’m not exactly sure how (acupressure points, aromatherapy, his special blend of herbs), but they work!” — Brown
Bestsellers: Patch Pack, Sleep Pack | Claim to Fame: Targeted innovative formulas that simulate the effects of acupuncture
Guerlain
For a centuries-old (yes, really) brand, the impeccable craftsmanship behind each Guerlain bottle and formula has never faltered. Although many will recognize the living heritage company for its luxury perfumes bedecked with Swarovski diamonds and signature gleaming bee emblems, its scientifically based skincare back is a true masterpiece. The test tubes and beakers behind each meticulously crafted formula bring forth lightweight complexion-soothing creams and anti-aging serums that glint in golden packages on our nightstands.
Undoubtedly beautiful, and unquestionably efficient: Guerlain exclusively sources ingredients from which they’re naturally found, such as Corsica, Greece, and Finland. Additionally, Guerlain coined the term BlackBee Repair technology to describe the neuroscience, bee products, and decades of research its scientists pour into each formula, which acts similar to skin’s natural repair system.
Editor Pick:
Abeille Royale Advanced Youth Watery Oil: “The term ‘liquid gold’ is hurled around a lot in skincare but this skin plumping serum is the real deal. Even the sounds of my roommate’s incessant vacuuming slip away (which is worth the price tag alone) as the microbeads dissolve upon contact with my skin and the honey-scented oil drenches my skin in a light, aromatic fragrance. Self-care at its very finest. After I massage in the rich serum, my complexion is a primed canvas for flawless makeup: Brighter, smoother, and devoid of any unsightly patchiness.” — Richardson
Bestsellers: Advanced Youth Watery Oil, Honey Treatment Day Cream | Claim to Fame: Luxury fragrances, sophisticated packaging
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
If you can’t get on the books for famed plastic surgeon Dr. Diamond’s trademarked InstaFacial, consider these two products, a serum and a moisturizer, from his clinical results-driven brand a close second. Instead of a one-and-done procedure, the Metacin Plasma serum and Metacine Emulsion work cream work overtime to infuse skin with a powerful clinical-results-driven formula from the comfort of your home.
“The science is what initially drew me in; it supposedly mimics (on a lesser scale) the effects of Dr. Diamond's famous laser and micro treatment. It has retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides—everything you could really ask for,” says InStyle news and deals senior commerce writer Tamim Alnuweiri.
“Because it is so expensive I cycle through it; I'll go through a bottle then switch to a different product, but then once I finish that bottle I'll go back to Dr. Diamond's Metacine,” says Alnuweiri. “It makes my skin less puffy, brighter, plumper, and less covered in hyperpigmentation. Right now I'm in one of my off periods and my skin can definitely tell.”
Editor Pick:
Dr. Diamond's Metacine Instafacial Emulsion: “My skin is sensitive and reactive which is a match made in hell. In the past, my attempts at treating this have resulted in everything from a pseudo-tumor to blood clots. So if something costs $350 but delivers incredible results without any horrifying side effects I will fork over the cash. Such is the case with Dr. Diamond's Metacine Instafacial Emulsion.” — Alnuweiri
Bestsellers: Metacine Plasma Serum, Metacine Emulsion | Claim to Fame: Line of at-home products that mimic the effects of the trademarked InstaFacial
SK-II
Would you believe a chance encounter sparked the impetus behind SK-II’s now-famed line of powerhouse treatments? Scientists behind the Asian-owned brand discovered the unique yeast strain, known as Pitera, featured throughout the luxury skincare brand in a sake brewery during the ‘70s. (They noticed the elderly workers had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful-looking hands.) You’ll find it throughout SK-II’s product collection, including brightening and pore-minimizing serums and rich anti-aging creams.
Pro Pick:
Pitera Facial Treatment Mask: “I cannot stress enough the power of these sheet masks! If you have a special occasion or an event, or just want to look your absolute best, then get these immediately. They contain an exceptional level of Pitera, which is a bio-ingredient derived from fermentation that is exclusive to SK-II, this powerhouse skincare ingredient is like vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and retinol rolled into one. The sheet masks pack a punch and will instantly reveal plump, glowing skin — creating a smoother, softer look and tighter defined features.” — Razzano
Bestsellers: Pitera Facial Treatment Essence, GenOptics Aura Essence Serum, Facial Treatment Mask | Claim to Fame: Pietra, a fermented yeast ingredient
Ourself
Ourself gets under your skin—though not with needles. However, its products do address the skincare concerns that land many of us under a plastic surgeon’s bright white lights in the first place, such as thinning lips, hyperpigmentation, and skin laxity. Instead of injecting you with filler, Ourself uses Intides, patented pending peptides the brand claims go below the dermis to stimulate elastin and collagen production to firm and give the appearance of lifted skin.
You can find this Subtopical Technology throughout the range of products, including its sunscreen, moisturizer, dark spot corrector, and hyaluronic acid serum. Even something as seemingly simple as its Daily Purifying Cleanser offers dramatic benefits. It efficiently scrubs away grit and grime with a gentle sulfate-free cleansing agent while beet root extract, niacinamide, and saccharide isomerate provide all-day moisture.
Editor Picks:
Ourself Lip Filler: “I will do and try anything for a bigger pout except for actual injectable fillers. (No judgment, the whole needle thing just makes me nervous.) This has made my top lip look and feel full. This isn't like a plumping gloss. It will take time and regular routine to work but once it starts to, you won't be able to ignore the difference which makes it worth the splurge for me.” — Alnuweiri
Ourself Lip Conditioner: “No, this is not another gloss, although it does give my pout a gorgeous shiny sheen and subtle tint. The Lip Conditioner is truly what the name suggests: A thick, conditioning treatment for the lips that nourishes them with what feels like a prescribed formula specifically made to revive my persistently dry lips. Seriously, one swipe and I’m done for the entire day and my lips look full even once the luster has worn off,” — Richardson
Bestsellers: Daily Purifying Cleanser, Lip Filler | Claim to Fame: Innovative technology that produces similar results as injectables
Ranavat
Ranavat is a budding South-Asian skin and clean hair care brand that merges the traditional holistic practices of Ayurvedic with forward-thinking new ingredients. The brand interweaves ingredients South Asians have incorporated into this ritual for thousands of years such as ashwagandha, turmeric, and ginger, into its eye creams, cleaners, and toners. In addition to the restorative and meditative benefits of these combined worlds, simply holding the weighty packaging in your hand and adorning your shelves with the line of cool-toned color palettes simulates an introspective moment.
“The creation of this brand stems from the devotion to daily self-care in India—using pure ingredients that are obtained in responsible ways, maintaining their highest potency,” says Razzano. The Brightening Retinol Eye Cream, for instance, uses a milder micro-encapsulated form of retinol alongside bakuchi seed, sometimes considered, nature's retinol, which diminishes the appearance of fine lines by encouraging collagen production.
Pro Pick:
“Radiant Rani-Saffron Brightening Dark Spot Treatment: “This treatment uses the ayurvedic power of Saffron to even out skin tone and fight dark spots and fine lines. Think of Saffron as a vitamin C upgrade, it's a powerful antioxidant that is considered a miracle skincare ingredient—it can transform your complexion.” — Razzano
Bestsellers: Brightening Saffrom Serum | Claim to Fame: Luxe packaging, signature spa-scent fragrance
Obagi Medical
Obagi is one you’re probably familiar with, either because it likely lines the shelves in your dermatologist’s office or you’ve had a friend recommend its (some would say) life-changing Eyebrow Boosting Serum. For over three decades, the straightforward skincare line has worked with dermatologists and scientific researchers to create potent formulas that target hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and acne. And, Obagi does it with every skin type in mind. According to the brand, it was one of the first to test products across the Fitzpatrick Skin Spectrum.
Additionally, Obagi gained recognition for its patented development of Isoplentix Technology—a game changer in how the products feel and deliver ingredients to your skin. Serums featuring this technology consist of small suspended beads that create the sensation of tiny little massages and contain potent forms of vitamin B3 and Abyssinian and hibiscus oils.
Pro Pick:
“I'm obsessed with a cooling eye roller for puffy, tired eyes first thing in the morning to wake up my face. The skin feel is incredible and this roller delivers a serum of caffeine and minerals to soothe and brighten dark circles.” — Jill Di Donato, Associate Editorial Director, Commerce
Bestsellers: Daily Hyrdo Drops Facial Serum, Eyebrow Boosting Serum | Claim to Fame: Scientific-backed products trusted by dermatologists
Tata Harper
Tata Harper is one of the few brands that truly lives and breathes the clean beauty ethos. With plant-based ingredients sourced from its own farm (and onsite formulation and packaging), the luxe brand is a favorite among celebs like Brooke Shields, Kate Hudson, and Rosie Hungtington-Whitely.
It’s not just the elegant green-glass packaging or commitment to sustainability that sets Tata Harper apart: Products are results-driven and multifunctional, thanks to highly concentrated, high-performance ingredients. Take its Hydrating Floral Mask—which features a whopping 39 botanical ingredients to plump, hydrate, soothe, and nurture compromised skin. The brand even has an entire line, the Superkind collection, designed for reactive skin that includes gentler versions of beloved products.
Editor Pick:
Revitalizing Body Oil: “The slightly sweet, herbaceous scent of the Revitalizing Body Oil could easily bring me out of a coma, and its enriching formula always brings my dry skin back from dehydration. I use it after I apply self tanner because the clean, organic ingredients won’t strip away my faux color, and they’re moisturizing properties make my bronze glow. What’s best is the results stay for skin that looks healthier long after I’ve washed it off—no slick, snake oil tricks here. ” — Richardson
Bestsellers: Regenerating Cleanser, Resurfacing Mask, Hydrating Floral Essence | Claim to Fame: 100 percent natural ingredients sourced from a Vermont farm
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Known for vampire facials (a Kim Kardashian favorite) and her highly effective hyaluronic acid serum, German aesthetics doctor and skin therapist to the stars Dr. Barbara Sturm launched her eponymous skincare line back in 2003—and it’s remained a beauty editor and celeb favorite ever since.
While Dr. Sturm’s skincare philosophy and regimens are simple, her products are anything but. The line is centered around the hero ingredient purslane, a plant extract rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that, according to the brand, activates the skin’s internal antioxidant system and protects against inflammation and free radicals.
Editor Pick:
The Better B Niacinamide Serum: “I started testing The Better B Niacinamide Serum from Dr. Barbara Sturm as part of my research for our best niacinamide serum story, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect because it’s a rather lightweight, innocent-enough serum, so I figured at best, I’ll look more hydrated, and worst case scenario, it won’t do much at all. But after using it for a few days as part of my morning and evening routine, I woke up one morning and just…all-around looked better. My face didn’t look as red or flushed in the morning as usual, but really, I don’t know how to describe what it did to my skin other than I looked like I drank 10 glasses of water, got eight hours of sleep every night and lived that yogi healthy lifestyle.” — Kaitlin Clark, InStyle Senior Beauty Commerce Editor
Bestsellers: Hyaluronic Serum, Face Mask, Glow Drops | Claim to Fame: Anti-inflammatory products, purslane-centered formulas
La Prairie
La Prairie began in a stunning chalet hidden in the Swiss mountains, where glandular transplant specialist Dr. Paul Neihans developed the brand’s exclusive cellular complex in the 1930s. That complex—which is produced in three separate laboratories to ensure no one chemist will ever know the full formula—remains a staple in the brand’s product range. From its origin story and weighty packaging inspired by stunning Swiss landscapes to its jaw-dropping efficacy and hard-working formulations, everything about La Prairie is an experience.
The brand brings art and science together in such a sophisticated, dizzying manner that suddenly the $975 La Prarie’s night cream feels like a justifiable splurge. Its iconic collections center around luxurious hero ingredients: The White Caviar and Skin Caviar collections harness the power of, you guessed it, caviar; the Pure Gold collection contains a pure-gold infusion fit for a king; and the Platinum Rare collection centers around a firming, wrinkle-reducing platinum peptide.
Editor Pick:
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift Serum: “Believe the hype: This Swiss-born anti-aging skincare brand is worth the extra coin. Case in point: Its Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, which is among the few products I reserve for extremely special occasions, as it truly does tighten within moments post-application. While I can't say it transforms me into a Hadid, I feel significantly closer to supermodel status in light of its lifting effect. Plus, fine lines around my mouth appear very much less apparent, making it the perfect base for foundation.” — Sophie Wirt, InStyle news and deals writer
Bestsellers: Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, Skin Caviar Luxe Cream | Claim to Fame: Caviar-based ingredients, formulas backed by cellular therapy, luxe packaging
U Beauty
Meet U Beauty, the brainchild of Instagram’s OG-fashion-blogger-turned-skincare-founder extraordinaire Tina Craig. Though still relatively new to the skincare scene (it launched its first product in 2019), U Beauty has more than earned its spot among the luxury elite, thanks to its proprietary SIREN capsule technology, top-notch sustainability credentials, and a refreshing focus on simplicity.
Editor Picks:
Lip Plumper & Hydrator – U Beauty PLASMA Lip Compound: “It makes my lips feel like pillows; my favorite way to use it is to apply the treatment before bed. I wake up to soft, hydrated, plump lips!” — Ruby McAuliffe, InStyle news and deals associate commerce editor
Resurfacing Compound: “If I was relegated to just one skincare product, I think I would choose U Beauty's Resurfacing Compound. I can't understand how it is so incredibly transformative. The price tag doesn't bother me at all because when I switch to something else my skin and I see and feel the difference.” — Alnuweiri
Bestsellers: Resurfacing Compound, The Plasma Lip Compound, The Super Hydrator | Claim to Fame: Sensitive-skin-friendly formulas
SkinCeuticals
Doctor-founded and dermatologist-loved, SkinCeuticals has been strongly committed to science- and research-backed skin care for over 25 years. It’s built a reputation upon a cushy foundation of patents, exhaustive clinical studies, and efficacy above all else.
SkinCeuticals is, oddly, a brand perhaps best known for a legendary, hot dog water-smelling product: the C E Ferulic Serum, which is adored by the masses, big-time celebrities, and seriously impressive derms and doctors alike. Since its launch in 2005, it continues to top lists as the best vitamin C serums on the market and has garnered endless awards and accolades for its liquid gold-like formula.
Editor Pick:
C E Ferulic with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid: “A vitamin C serum is a mainstay in my routine and this is a splurge that is totally worth it—my skin looks bright, glowy, and overall more refreshed. It layers easily with SPF, other serums, and makeup. The price is justified with the long-term anti-aging benefits, too.” — Shannon Bauer, InStyle associate commerce editorial director
Bestsellers: C E Ferulic, Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 | Claim to Fame: Highly concentrated active ingredients, dermatologist-developed skincare
Sisley Paris
Family-owned French brand Sisley-Paris offerings encompass everything from, hydrating lipsticks and haircare to floral perfumes, all the products primarily focus on plant-based beauty, drawing inspiration from plants’ capacity for regeneration and adaptation. Sisley also uses a self-appointed phrase to encapsulate its work: phyto-cosmetology, which, according to the brand, involves infusing “the vital energy of plants, their adaptive and regenerative potential, as well as their protective systems” into beauty products.
Editor Pick:
Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid: “Sisley’s Black Rose Eye Contour Filler is one of the few products I look forward to using every day. The delicate formula is soothing and smells incredible. When I apply it directly to my face through its cooling applicator, it immediately wakes me up and makes my eyes look brighter. Not to mention, a little goes a long way; my boyfriend bought it for me as a birthday gift last year and I’m still making my way through the container.” — Christina Oehler, InStyle news and deals senior commerce editor,
Bestsellers: Black Rose Cream Mask, Black Rose Precious Face Oil, Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream | Claim to Fame: A plant-cell based approach to skincare
Tatcha
Tatcha fans, which include Meghan Markle, Selena Gomez, and Kim Kardashian, quickly point out the brand’s ultra-luxe packaging and hard-working formulas as hallmarks of true luxury. Founder and CEO Victoria Tsai emphasizes the importance of looking at skin care through not just a physical lens, but also a mental and emotional one, in which skincare acts as the anchor of your own larger well-being rituals. The ethos is evident in every product Tatcha launches.
Editor Pick:
Dewy Skin Cream Replenishing Moisturizer: “I have combo-oily skin but it's not so oily that I can forego moisturizer, especially in the winter when my steam-heating wrecks havoc. Tatcha is one of the few moisturizers that is light enough to do what I need without the bottom-of-the-doughnut-bag effect. It's a hybrid of a gel and a cream in a luxe little jar that feels like a treat every time I apply.” — Bauer
Bestsellers: Dewy Skin Cream, Water Cream, The Essence, Luminous Dewy Skin Mist | Claim to Fame: Luxurious packaging, holistic-forward skincare, ultra-hydrating products
Allies of Skin
What originated as a grad school project quickly became a staple beloved by beauty editors and skincare enthusiasts alike when Nicolas Travis launched Allies of Skin in 2016. The Singapore-based brand is based around a seemingly simple concept: Supercharged formulas that solve common beauty hang-ups and pain points. The results include a waterless vitamin C serum that stays fresh longer than traditional formulas and encapsulated, time-released retinol that delivers all the benefits without any irritation.
Editor Pick:
Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser: “This under-the-radar skincare brand, used by the likes of January Jones and Kaia Gerber, is my best-kept secret to smooth, seemingly poreless skin. I was fortunate enough to have the brand's cleanser roll across my desk one day, and have since finished two tubes of the gentle, satisfyingly slippery stuff, which contains a bevy of ingredients your dermatologist would commend you for using. Vitamin C, for instance, brightens; silk amino acids function as humectants, drawing moisture from the surrounding air and into the skin, delivering a dewy—never tight—post-cleanse complexion. For what it’s worth, my sister, a fellow skincare snob, purchased her own moments after trying mine.” — Wirt
Bestsellers: Promise Keeper Nightly Blemish Treatment, Peptides & Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment, 35% Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum | Claim to Fame: Clean and sustainable ingredients and formulas, multifunctional, gentle products
iS Clinical
iS Clinicals’ minimalist blue and silver bottles may look simple, but the results you’ll experience from using the formula within are anything but discreet. The two biochemists behind the brand built it around a four-step approach to skincare (cleanse, treat, hydrate, and protect) and pack highly active, plant-derived extracts into every offering. The approach is based on a biological principle called xenohormesis, which is the concept that plants under pressure produce bioactive compounds that pass on stress-resistant and survival benefits to humans who consume or apply them. The result is gimmick-free formulas that cater to specific skin types and concerns. These products are seriously hard-working, delivering notable results in minimal time.
Editor Pick:
IS Clinical Cleansing Complex: “For those without a specific skincare concern to address, splurging on a fancy cleanser is perhaps beyond reason. However, in my struggle with adult acne over the last few years, this product has been an all-star item, essential to helping me get clear. Post-cleanse, my skin feels nourished, never stripped, and feels like the perfect canvas for all of my other essential steps, from vitamin C in the morning to retinol in the evening.” — Hayley Prokos, InStyle Associate Fashion Editor
Bestsellers: Cleansing Complex, Active Serum, Pro-Heal Serum Advance+ | Claim to Fame: Hardworking, multi-tasking products
Dior
In 1967, Dior launched its first skincare products formed from flowers. Today, Dior cultivates its flowers in seven Dior Gardens worldwide and uses a signature extraction method to transform the very best of flowers into the very best of skincare.
Beyond florals, the brand’s scientists have spent the last 50 years studying skin structures and analyzing the latest medical findings to bring them to use in cosmetics. It’s also partnered with some of the most reputable research institutions around the world to delve deeper into areas of interest and produce truly cutting-edge skincare solutions. With an emphasis on innovation and performance, Dior struck that rare balance of prestige and efficacy.
Editor Pick:
Capture Totale Hyalushot: Wrinkle Corrector with Hyaluronic Acid: “I am reaching an age where I can see the faint beginnings of wrinkles. My marionette lines are bothering me the most and Dior's Hyalushot Wrinkle Corrector is a short- and long-term confidence-boosting solution. I only apply it where I need to so the tube lasts me a long time. It works just as well under makeup as it does on its own.” — Alnuweiri
Bestsellers: La Mousse OFF/ON Foaming Cleanser, Dreamskin Skin Perfector, Capture Totale Super Potent Eye Serum | Claim to Fame: Flower-based formulas
Clé de Peau Beauté
Clé de Peau Beauté and its headline-making launches, such as a limited moisturizer housed in an 18-karat gold, diamond-encrusted jewelry box, certainly capture our attention. Yet, we most appreciate how the brand’s promise hidden within its name (Clé de Peau Beauté quite literally means “the key to skin’s beauty,”) holds up.
Founded in Japan in 1982, Clé de Peau focuses on skin cell science and something it calls “skin intelligence,” which is the concept that skin, much like the mind, is smart and can discern between positive (moisture, sleep, nutrients) and negative (pollution, stress, dryness) stimuli to maintain optimal conditions. Its products are meant to amply this intelligence, using cutting-edge, luxurious formulations to boost skin radiance.
Pro Picks:
Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum SPF: “I took a chance with the sunscreen and have been coming back ever since. SPF is a must for my skincare routine, and this has the added benefits of blue light and environmental protection. I’ll use this as my moisturizer while on a trip.” — West
Clé de Peau Concealer: “The magic wand of the concealer world, this solid stick of camouflage is a favorite among celebrity makeup artists, per the countless conversations I've had over my career. A single swipe below my shadowy under-eye transforms my sallow demeanor into that of someone who sleeps eight hours nightly. Notably, the formula contains SPF—the likes of which I've yet to see in other under-eye brighteners. For what it's worth, this concealer lasts longer than most of my past relationships: I've been using the same solid stick for years, and have hardly made a dent.” — Wirt
Bestsellers: Concealer SPF 27, Protective Fortifying Emulsion SPF 22, Softening Cleansing Foam | Claim to Fame: Innovative use of skin cell science, weighty gold packaging
What to Keep in Mind
High-Quality Ingredients: “Luxury skincare ingredients are often rare and highly effective – this is the reason for the higher price, and why non-luxury brands don’t use these specific ingredients despite their effectiveness,” says Razzano. For instance, he explains how vitamin C is highly effective, yet extremely unstable. In turn, the cost for the brand to keep it stable and potent leads to an uptick in what you pay at the counter. “In this case, quality is extremely important when it comes to achieving your desired results. It is important to remember that everyone’s skin is unique – what works wonders for one person may not be the best for you,” says Razzano.
Packaging: “When it comes to luxury skincare, I want all the product elements to be elevated, including the feel of the packaging,” says Razzano. Gorgeous packaging should be the cherry on top, rather than the deciding factor to purchase an expensive skincare product, but we can’t deny that stunning glass jars that feel weighty in our palm and look great on our shelfie attract us like a magnet. Many skincare brands are debuting new and improved packaging made with sustainable materials or refillable inserts to reduce waste.
Clinical Results: “The first question I ask is, does it work for my skin?” says West.
“Before I splurge, I need to know if the product has a positive impact that is worth implementing into my skincare routine, one that will show results and have me feeling good.”
For solution-oriented shoppers who are bothered by a specific skin concern and are willing to spend more to resolve it, they aren’t wowed by surface-level smoke and mirrors—they want to see data-backed evidence from a clinical study or peer review, including before and after photos, that proves a product is worth the splurge. And for those willing to spend, the majority of potent formulas are developed by the world’s top physicians and researchers and usually contain a secret, proprietary blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and collagen-builders. "I always think about the fact that whenever I am bringing something new into my routine, I am likely taking something else away,” says Brown. “So, I have to think: Is this better than something else I’m already using?”
Luxury or not, skincare is only as useful as the result it provides.
Your Questions, Answered
Do more expensive skincare products work better?
A distinguishable factor between luxury and non-luxury skincare is not only what ingredients the brand uses, but how they’re formulated. Luxury skincare brands often use patented technology and higher concentrations of potent ingredients to achieve real results.
As Razzano explains, “Imagine you’re in a grocery store and you want spinach. You can buy fresh spinach—the most flavorful and full of nutrients, or you can buy frozen – which is less costly, but also slightly less flavorful and nutrient-rich. Lastly, you can buy canned spinach, which is the least expensive, but it has very few nutrients. Well, these are all technically ‘spinach’ but, the quality of the spinach is what you pay for.”
Is expensive skincare worth it?
“I use luxury skincare for two reasons— when you invest in luxury skincare it's an elevated experience, you get quality active ingredients, the product is typically not mass-produced or carelessly packaged, ingredient lists lack things like filler and water that dilute a product's efficacy,” says Di Donato. “The other reason I continue to splurge on luxury skincare is I get a daily affirmation that I'm doing something special for myself when I use the product—it's a little luxury injected into my day or nightly routine, and that makes me feel good.”
How can you tell if a skincare product is luxury?
No detail is overlooked in the world of luxury skincare, says Razzano. “From the texture of the product, and of course the quality and effectiveness of the ingredients,” he says, adding that he gravitates toward skincare filled with rare, hard-to-obtain ingredients that nourish and support skin while delivering powerful results.
Why Shop with Us
Irene Richardson is a beauty and fashion commerce writer at InStyle. For this story, she tapped the InStyle team of beauty editors and writers for their favorite luxury skincare brands and products. She also spoke with Sarah Brown, Chief Brand Officer at Violet Grey, David Razzano, Beauty Director at Sephora, and Autumne West, Beauty Director at Nordstrom, for their wealth of knowledge and expert recommendations for the best luxury skincare.
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