I Love Expensive Skincare, But Only When It Works—These 13 Brands Are Worth It

Over the past few years, the skincare market has exploded with choice, and recently, we’ve seen an influx of more affordable skincare brands offering genuinely brilliant products. As a consumer, this is both exciting and overwhelming. After all, if you can buy a £15 serum that promises the same results as a £150 one, how do you know whether it’s worth spending the extra?

The truth is, while some expensive skincare products are overhyped and underperforming, others really do justify their price tag and will be worthy additions to your daily skincare routine. The challenge is knowing how to tell the difference...

Is Luxury Skincare Worth It?

When luxury skincare is worth the investment, it usually comes down to a few key factors: the quality of the ingredients, the potency of the formulations and the delivery systems used to get those actives where they need to go in the skin. Higher-quality ingredients tend to be more stable, bioavailable and less likely to cause irritation, while higher dosages of active compounds can deliver quicker, more noticeable results.

Many luxury brands also invest heavily in clinical testing, ensuring their claims are backed by solid evidence. I’ve seen firsthand that when a luxury product is well-formulated, it can often achieve in weeks what a cheaper alternative might take months to deliver—making it worth every penny for the right skin concern. After all, if it takes ten jars of a £10 night cream to achieve the results you'd notice from one bottle of a £100 night cream, investing is a no-brainer.

As an esthetician and beauty editor, I've been fortunate enough to try hundreds of products (both affordable and expensive) over the years, so below I've compiled a list of the luxury skincare brands I really do think are worth investing in. Plus, the cleansers, moisturisers, SPFs (and more) to shop from each brand.

Best Luxury Skincare Brands

• Augustinus Bader
• SkinCeuticals
• Bioeffect
• Dr. Barbara Sturm
• Skin Rocks
• Tatcha
• Sunday Riley
• Sarah Chapman
• Sisley
• Eve Lom
• Chanel
• La Mer
• Elemis

1. Augustinus Bader

Founded by biomedical scientist Professor Augustinus Bader, this brand emerged from breakthrough stem cell research originally developed to help heal the skin of burn patients and is a favourite of beauty editors and skincare-obsessed celebrities alike. The hero technology—TFC8, a complex of amino acids, vitamins and synthesised molecules—supports the skin’s natural repair processes, helping to improve tone, texture and elasticity.

While the range is small and the prices are high, each product is formulated for efficacy, resulting in visible transformation even in stubborn skin concerns. The premium price reflects the decades of research, clinical results, and highly concentrated, active ingredients that deliver consistently impressive outcomes for those willing to invest.

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2. SkinCeuticals

Founded by Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, a dermatologist and skin cancer researcher, SkinCeuticals built its reputation on rigorous science and peer-reviewed research, and is frequently recommended and used by dermatologists and estheticians. The brand's formulas combine high concentrations of actives with proven delivery systems, often backed by independent clinical trials. The higher price tag reflects their scientific innovation, precise ingredient calibration, and the kind of results that show up both in lab studies and in the mirror (C E Ferulic Serum, I'm looking at you).

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3. Bioeffect

Bioeffect was founded by scientists developing a plant-based replica of epidermal growth factor (EGF), a protein that stimulates skin regeneration. This barley-grown EGF is cultivated using sustainable, chemical-free methods in state-of-the-art greenhouses. The brand’s minimalist formulations are designed to deliver EGF with maximum potency and minimal interference, resulting in firmer, smoother, and more hydrated skin. The cost of the products reflects the intensive scientific process, unique technology, and the rarity of true EGF in skincare (trust me, the dupes truly do not compare).

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4. Dr. Barbara Sturm

A German aesthetics doctor, Barbara Sturm made her name with the celebrity-approved 'vampire facial' before launching her eponymous skincare line. Her philosophy centres on anti-inflammatory skincare, avoiding common irritants and incorporating soothing, barrier-supportive ingredients. The range blends medical-grade innovation with luxurious textures, often combining botanical extracts with advanced actives for skin health and longevity.

While expensive, the products are formulated for both efficacy and skin tolerance, making them suitable even for sensitive skin types. The premium lies in her clinical expertise, high-quality ingredient sourcing, and commitment to formulations that support long-term skin health over quick fixes.

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5. Skin Rocks

While many of the brands on this list are heritage brands with a legacy of impressive results and cult followings, Skin Rocks is a newer (but in my opinion, very worthy) addition to the luxury skincare market. Founded by skincare expert Caroline Hirons, each Skin Rocks formula is designed to be clear in its purpose, with precise ingredient combinations that target specific skin concerns.

Skin Rocks stands out for its transparent communication about actives and dosages—something often lacking in both high-end and affordable skincare—so the value lies in knowing you’re paying for considered, evidence-based formulations backed by one of the industry’s most respected voices.

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6. Tatcha

Inspired by the centuries-old beauty rituals of Japanese geishas, Tatcha was founded by Vicky Tsai and built on a foundation of proven ingredients like rice, green tea, and algae. The brand marries these traditional actives with modern science, creating luxurious, sensorial formulations that are also high-performance. Tatcha’s appeal lies equally in its results and in the enjoyment that users get from incorporating the products into their routines—I'm frequently asked to recommend dupes for this brand, but have yet to find any. The higher price point reflects the brand's premium ingredient sourcing and luxurious formulations.

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7. Sunday Riley

Sunday Riley is a modern, science-meets-botanicals brand known for potent, results-driven formulas. The products combine high concentrations of clinically proven actives—think lactic acid, retinoids, and vitamin C—with plant-based ingredients for balance. Over the years, Sunday Riley formulas have earned a cult following for delivering visible results quickly, and without compromising on sensorial appeal. While price points are high, they're reflective of the potency, stability, and thoughtful pairings of actives, which essentially translates to faster, more noticeable results.

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8. Sarah Chapman

A leading London-based facialist with a celebrity clientele, Sarah Chapman's products feature the same high-potency actives she uses in her sought-after clinic treatments. Known for its luxurious yet highly functional formulas, the brand draws upon the benefits of peptides, vitamins, and botanical oils in order to mimic professional results at home. Chapman’s insider understanding of skin biology means each product is designed for both immediate glow and long-term benefit—you’re essentially getting a piece of London’s most famous facial in a bottle.

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9. Sisley

A French heritage brand founded in 1976, Sisley was one of the first brands to pioneer phyto-cosmetology—the use of plant extracts and essential oils in high-performance formulations. The brand invests heavily in research, sourcing botanicals globally to ensure the highest potency and purity. The luxurious experience is matched by serious efficacy, expect elegant textures, subtle fragrances, and a focus on skin health.

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10. Eve Lom

Launched in 1985 by facialist Eve Lom, the brand has expanded from a single product (its cult cleansing balm) to a tightly edited range focused on skin radiance, hydration, and barrier repair. While expensively priced, the products are rich in carefully selected plant oils, antioxidants, and soothing extracts that deliver both a spa-like experience and visible results.

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11. Chanel

Chanel’s skincare division invests in years-long research projects, often cultivating exclusive ingredients and creating complex formulas to target visible signs of ageing. While it may be better known for its fragrance and makeup offering, Chanel’s skincare stands out for its meticulous attention to texture, fragrance, and experience, making the products as much about pleasure as performance. But the cost reflects more than just the prestige name—there's science, and potency behind every formula.

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12. La Mer

Famed for the Miracle Broth utilised in most of its products, La Mer’s story began with aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber, who created the formula to heal burns after a lab accident. This fermented blend of sea kelp, vitamins, and minerals is central to the brand and (despite many attempts to due it), has never been replicated. Known for intensive hydration and long-term barrier repair, La Mer products are a luxury both in price and experience. The cost of the products may be eye-watering, but it reflects the rare raw materials and time-intensive production that makes the products so effective.

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13. Elemis

A British spa-inspired brand, Elemis draws upon natural botanicals to create sensorial yet effective skincare. Most people know it for the Pro-Collagen line (particularly the cleansing balm) which is a global bestseller for tackling fine lines and improving skin firmness. Elemis products may not be best suited to those with sensitive or breakout-prone complexions—but for more resilient skin types, they balance luxury with results, offering indulgent textures that are truly enjoyable to use.

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How We Tested

Every product in this roundup has been chosen after months (and in some cases, years) of real-world testing. I've had opportunity to assess every brand on performance, ingredient quality, sensorial experience, and—most importantly—visible results over time. Because skincare is personal, I also took into account how each product performed across different skin types and concerns, from sensitive and dry to oily and acne-prone—all of these brands have options that cater to this variety of needs. Where possible, I’ve compared high-end formulas to more affordable alternatives to see if the splurge was truly justified. Only the brands with products that delivered noticeable, consistent improvements made the final cut.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.