If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Victoria Beckham knows a thing or two about looking polished. From her sharp tailoring to her signature smoky eye (thank you, Satin Kajal Eyeliners), everything VB touches carries an effortless elegance—and her beauty line is no exception.

So, when The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator (£142) (formerly the Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturiser) received a recent glow-up, I knew it was finally time to try it out for myself. I'm already a superfan of Victoria Beckham Beauty and ever since I've been testing the illuminators, I've not only bid farewell to foundation for good, but I've had people asking me if I've just come from a facial. Scroll ahead for everything you need to know.

Victoria Beckham Beauty The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator Review

The Formula

Developed in collaboration with Augustinus Bader (the cult skincare scientist behind the namesake brand), it includes Bader's patented TFC8® complex—this isn’t your average illuminator. It’s designed to support skin regeneration, plump out fine lines and bring radiance to lacklustre complexions.

The pearlescent tint (which comes in three shades, including a pinky rose and radiant golden tint) it bridges the gap between skincare and makeup. The silky, light-as-air formula melts into skin to hydrate while lending the skin a dewy glow, which looks beautiful worn alone, underneath foundation or applied strategically as a highlighter.

Alongside Augustinus Bader's TFC8® complex (which contains a cocktail of vitamins, amino acids and peptides) the illuminators also include fermented black tea extract and ectoin to shield the skin against environmental stressors such as pollution. You'll also find niacinamide, squalane and hyaluronic acid in the formula. The radiance of the illuminators themselves comes from plant extracts that help reflect the light on your skin.

The Shades

Victoria Beckham Beauty illuminator swatches; Golden, Pearlescent and Rose.

The Pearlescent shade is a translucent, pearly base that leaves skin looking healthy, rested, and ever-so-slightly angelic. Think “I just got back from a facial” kinda of glowiness, but without the spenny trip to a clinic. Golden brings a warm, subtle bronze radiance that’s stunning on medium to deep skin tones (and doubles as a subtle bronzing veil on lighter complexions). And Rose is soft pearly pink and gives that lit-from-within glow.

I’ve been using Golden on no-makeup days for a touch of sheer bronze and Pearlescent under a skin tint for an extra dose of radiance. On the other hand, Rose looks beautiful worn alone on the days when I don't want to wear makeup but still want to look effortlessly glowy, or tapped onto cheekbones over makeup as a highlighter. Whether worn alone or with makeup, it wears beautifully throughout the day—no pilling, no greasy T-zone situation, just gleaming, healthy skin. Bonus points for the packaging, which feels satisfyingly weighty in-hand and looks very chic on a dressing table.

The Verdict

Yes, it’s a splurge. At £142 to 50ml, it's a considerable investment and eyewateringly expensive. However, it does come in a 20ml vial for £76 if you did want to try it before committing to a full-sized bottle.

But, if you’re someone who’s looking for a hybrid product that actually earns its place in your routine—think skincare benefits, radiant glow, luxe texture and skin blurring effects—The Cell Rejuvenating Illuminator ticks all the boxes and may even replace your foundation. The fact that it's what VB uses herself for her fresh, luminous skin is another draw, alongside the skin-boosting benefits of Augustinus Bader's skin technology. When you wear this, the light catches your skin just right, you might want to forgo foundation forever.

In fact, you'll notice that Victoria Beckham Beauty is yet to come out with a foundation (it's just the concealer pen in the complexion category right now) and I think the brand really leans into the "no-makeup" makeup when it comes to the complexion with these illuminators. When I used this, all I needed was a touch of concealer around a few areas of redness and I felt comortable enough to head out without needing to mask my skin in makeup. Perfect if you're someone who loves the look of invisible makeup while wanting to remain looking and feeling polished.

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Cleansing is an essential step in every skincare routine, vital for removing makeup, product residue and excess oil, as well as for prepping skin for future product application and targeting concerns like dullness and congestion. "Washing your face really is the cornerstone of a great routine and glowing skin,” says facialist and skin expert Charlie Perry. "If you aren't cleansing your face properly with the best cleanser for your skin's needs, it’s very hard for everything that follows in your routine to go right.” Choosing the right formula can make a vital difference to your skin, with options ranging from balms and oils through to gels, milks, and foams. However, the best cleansers don’t necessarily need to be expensive or packed full of pricey active ingredients in order to be effective. 

"‘You get what you pay for’ is true of many consumer goods, but not necessarily beauty,” says beauty journalist and brand founder Sali Hughes. "I love many luxury beauty brands and their products, and I always will, but it’s important to remember that for every fancy jar, magnetic lid, beautiful ad campaign and gold-foil box, pennies and pounds are added to the price you ultimately pay from your purse.” It’s always worth keeping in mind that a product’s price tag is often dictated by these factors and so doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the ingredients used or the product’s formula. "I think increasingly, people are paying more attention to what matters,” adds Hughes. "The product at the heart of the fantasy. That’s what needs to be great. The rest is delicious detail.” It’s true; take a look at the offerings of affordable skincare brands like The Ordinary, CeraVe, and Beauty Pie, and you’ll see that there are plenty of standout affordable face washes out there. They may not have luxurious packaging, but it’s what’s inside that counts.

Hughes herself recently collaborated with beauty brand Revolution to create her own line of affordable skincare products. "It was my number one priority to make this product range available to as many people as possible, and that meant keeping the prices as low as I could squeeze them without compromising on quality and ingredients,” she says. "I just very strongly believe that great, effective, high-quality and intelligently formulated skincare formulas should be available to the overwhelming majority of people who have to consider and prioritise where their hard-earned cash goes.” We are, after all, in a cost-of-living crisis, and so it makes sense to cut down where it’s possible to do so. "A cleanser is always the product I'd recommend saving rather than spending on,” says Perry. "It's not on your skin for long, so pricey actives have a short time frame to work their magic, and the best formulas don't need huge amounts of actives to be effective.”

If you’re building a budget-friendly skincare routine and looking for affordable versions of your favourite luxury cleansers, look no further. With like-for-like textures, formulas, functions and hero ingredients, these cleanser dupes are just as good as (if not better than) their more expensive counterparts.

If you love: Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel

Try: Revolution Skincare x Sali Hughes Clean Sheet Morning Cleanser

If you love: Kate Somerville Delikate Soothing Cleanser

Try: E.l.f. Skincare Pure Skin Cleanser

If you love: Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Try: Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser

If you love: Eve Lom Cleanser

Try: By Beauty Bay Chamomile + Oat Lipid Cleansing Balm

If you love: Dermalogica Clearing Skin Face Wash

Try: CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

If you love: Tatcha The Camellia Cleansing Oil

Try: The Body Shop Camomile Makeup Cleansing Oil

If you love: Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

Try: Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Hot Oil Cleansing Balm

If you love: SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel

Try: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser

If you love: Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel 

Try: The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser

If you love: Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip

Try: Skin Proud Wonder Clay Cream Cleanser

If you love: Bioderma Sensibio Cleansing Micellar Water

Try: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Next Up: These 15 Budget Serums Are Just as Good as the Expensive Versions

 Opening Image: @amaka.hamelijnck

If there's one thing people ask me the most as a beauty journalist, it's whether the luxury skincare brands are really worth the money. After all, it's so easy to be drawn in by the allure of a £200 pot of moisturiser for the thrill of owning a cult product. There's nothing like an eye-watering price tag to build hype and intrigue.

Sure, those luxury skincare brands that you see dotted on the vanity tables of Instagram do look enticing, but do they actually cut the mustard when it comes to results? When you're looking to invest in beauty products, you want to ensure that your hard-earned money is going to give you a good return on investment. Whether it's glowing skin or the promise of targeting troublesome acne or pigmentation, when you're making a skincare investment, you want it to work.

We're big believers that you don't have to spend a fortune to get great skincare. (These cheap moisturisers feel so much more expensive than their price tags.) But sometimes, it's fun to splash the cash on luxurious skincare. So I spoke to some of my beauty-journalist pals who have tried all the best brands during their careers. These are the best skincare investments they recommend.

Keeks Reid, Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear Contributor

"The KateCeuticals range by Kate Somerville is expensive but so, so worth it. I'm honestly obsessed with the Total Repair Cream and do a little cry each time I get to the end of the tub, as it costs a whopping £110. Kate describes it as her facial in a bottle, and I get it. My skin looks and feels instantly plumper and hydrated after use."

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Georgia Seago, Editor of The Tweakments Guide

"Exuviance is probably my favourite skincare brand. It’s all I’d use if I had to choose just one brand. It’s clinical-grade, professional skincare that I’d be confident recommending to anyone because it just works. The level of skin science that goes into research and development is truly impressive. Plus, the formulas and textures are really enjoyable to use. The Skin Rise Bionic Tonic pads literally change people’s skin, and I also love the brand’s 20% vitamin C capsules—the best vitamin C I’ve used."

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Anita Bhagwandas, Beauty Journalist and Author of Ugly (out 2023)

"One premium skincare brand that's really impressed me is Ranavat, which is based on traditional Indian and Ayurvedic ingredients. Not only are the textures one-of-a-kind and packaging incredibly chic, but I notice a huge difference to my skin when using them. Because the smells—like jasmine and saffron—feel so familiar to me, and I know the care that's gone into creating them, I feel more connected to myself and my Indian heritage each time I use them. I can't stop raving about it—definitely worth every penny."

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Amanda Pauley, Deputy Editor at Professional Beauty

"111Skin is known for its super-hydrating sheet masks, but this serum from the brand should be in everyone’s beauty cabinet too. Yes, it is on the spenny side, but it really is worth it. If, like me, you struggle with hormonal breakouts every month, then this serum is going to be a game changer. I’ve been using it for the past three months, and my complexion is now glowy and spot-free on the regular, and that’s thanks to its powerful blend of salicylic acid, colloidal silver, colloidal sulphur and kojic acid, which targets blemish-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation and helps minimise pigmentation marks after a breakout. The serum is super lightweight—perfect for oiler complexions—and it doesn’t dry the skin out like other spot-fighting products do, so you won’t experience any annoying flakiness during the day."

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Sarah Barnes, Beauty Editor at PIBE Magazine

"Is it just me? Upon entering my late 20s, I have found that my dark acne spots tend to outstay their welcome long after the spot itself has gone! Shiseido's White Lucent Illuminating Micro-Spot Serum is a pricey bottle but worth every single pump. Silky in texture, it's like a big drink of water for my skin and contains Shiseido’s advanced 4MSK skin-brightening technology. This star ingredient has helped even out my skin tone, work on pesky hyperpigmentation and brighten up my whole complexion. It has honestly become my most-reached-for serum and choice of weapon against those stubborn dark spots."

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Lollie Hancock, Editorial Assistant at Professional Beauty

"If you told me a year ago I'd be considering spending £280 on a 30-millilitre serum, I would have called you crazy. But Augustinus Bader made me realise some products may actually be worth the price tag. Whilst I definitely try not to use this every day for the sake of my bank account, the serum is now essential in colder months when my skin needs a bit of extra TLC. I like to use it as the last step after giving myself a full at-home facial to really lock in those products and give my skin one last hydration boost."

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Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear U.S.

"I've recently become obsessed with this brand after I got a Luzern facial with organic aesthetician Katie Sobelman. The brand's products are rich in Swiss Alpine botanicals and blend both organic elements and advanced cosmeceuticals together so perfectly. To me, it's better than other iconic brands out there, and I couldn't recommend the brand's L'Essentials Hydrating Essence, Serum Absolut Radiance Brightening Booster Complex, and Force de Vie Crème Luxe enough!"

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Erin Jahns, Senior Beauty Editor at Who What Wear U.S.

"U Beauty makes some of the most expensive products in my medicine cabinet, but I find them worth every single penny due to how transformative they've been for my skin—smoothing out my bumps, evening out discolouration, curbing breakouts, the full monty! If you don't believe me, celebrities are equally smitten, and most recently, Paris Hilton waxed poetic to me about her love for the brand's Barrier Bioactive Treatment. It contains the brand's signature technology, the Immortal Siren Capsule delivery system, and is the closest thing to bottled magic I've tried in a long, long time. I'm also obsessed with the new Plasma Lip Compound, which is the next best thing to filler."

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Katie Berohn, Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear U.S.

"SkinCeuticals is a brand founded on skin health, so you can be confident that every product you use is scientifically backed. SkinCeuticals' philosophy is 'prevent, protect, correct,' and every product I've tried from the brand has lived up to these pillars. With SkinCeuticals products, I actually have seen my skin change for the better, particularly after religiously incorporating its cult-favourite CE Ferulic."

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Shannon Lawlor, Freelance Beauty Editor and Who What Wear Contributor

"I fundamentally believe that luxury skincare is only worth the money if you can actually afford it. Never, ever put topical skincare on a credit card—it's not worth it, and it won't change your life. Having said that, if you do have the money to spend, Dr. Barbara Sturm products would be my go-to. Celebrities swear by these products, and I love them every bit as much. While the cleanser is adored by the likes of EmRata and the Clarifying Mask is Hailey Bieber's go-to, my favourite products are without a doubt the Sun Drops (they come Rosie HW approved, FYI) and Enzyme Cleanser. Sun Drops is easily the most glow-boosting, non-greasy, easy-to-wear SPF product I have ever come across and genuinely makes the chore of daily sun cream application feel luxurious and joyful, while Enzyme Cleanser is one of the hardest-working blackhead-busting treatments that my skin has experienced."

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Zeynab Mohamed, Freelance Beauty Journalist

"There is nothing that compares to finding skincare that actually works for your skin. One brand I always find I can rely on to deliver the goods is Allies of Skin. Everything that I’ve tried from the brand I’ve been seriously impressed with. My skin has a complicated history with vitamin C, but the Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum is seriously impressive stuff. Expect glowing, radiant skin within days. And of course, I have to mention the almost always sold-out Allies of Skin Promise Keeper Blemish Facial. This is what skincare dreams are made up of. As someone with pesky breakouts, I can say this product has helped to keep them at bay, and trust me—I’ve tried heap-loads of breakout products. It works to nourish problematic skin, unclog pores, tackle old blemishes, refine skin texture and brighten the complexion. I mean, what more could you want from a product?"

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Up next: These Budget Skincare Buys Are Just as Good as the Expensive Versions

As a bit of a rule, we beauty editors don’t like being asked "What’s the best…” questions. Not because we don’t know what the best products around are, but because tastes and preferences vary so vastly. While the best retinol for one person might be something gentle, for another that product might seem ineffective. Most of the time, when someone asks after the best anything, we’ll have to ask what your requirements are first.

However, when it comes to skincare brands, I’m a little more inclined to make sweeping recommendations. The reason is that some popular skincare brands just get it right every single time. Out of the thousands of brands out there, there are only a few that manage it, I’ll admit, but I believe the ones that do to be the very best.

They are the brands that just seem to really understand the skin’s health. They don’t get sucked in by trending ingredients and instead focus on skincare products that give the skin exactly what it needs to stay healthy. It’s not to say that every single one of the products in that brand’s offering will be suitable for everybody, but rather everybody will find a great skincare product, whether it be a face wash, a moisturiser or sunscreen, that suits them.

In order to make a definitive list of the best skincare brands around, I didn’t think it smart to compile a list of my favourites. In a bid to make this as fair as possible, I reached out to everybody I know to get their insights. I received a huge number of nominations from Who What Wear editors to beauty PRs and every beauty buff and lover who follows me on Instagram.

After considering every single brand suggested, I used my own knowledge as a beauty editor to whittle it down. The criteria for making it onto the list were simple: Is there a single product in this brand’s offering that I would be loath to recommend? Of course, it makes sense that these brands also offer some of the best products out there in terms of formulations (there are some seriously hero face serums on this list, FYI). So without further ado, behold (in no particular order) the 31 best skincare brands in existence.

The Best Skincare Brands According to Beauty Editors

1. La Roche-Posay

I know I said that this list was in no particular order, but I would like to point out that if I had to choose only one skincare brand to label the best, it would be La Roche-Posay. Out of the 70+ nominations I received, La Roche-Posay was by far the most recommended. Traditionally a French pharmacy brand (although now available just about everywhere), it is a brand adored by skin experts who really know their stuff. I'm talking dermatologists, aestheticians, beauty editors and influencers. Forming the basis of French skincare routines far and wide, it puts efficacious ingredients that target some of the most common skin issues, from rosacea and irritation to acne and ageing, at the forefront of its formulations. The branding is minimalist, and the packaging doesn't ooze Insta-worthy shelfie, but what's inside is exceptional. It's also one of the more affordable skincare brands around.

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If you experience breakouts, La Roche-Posay's Effaclar range is considered the gold standard, Toleriane is a go-to for those with sensitivity and Lipikar is, without doubt, one of the best body ranges out there for those with eczema. Oh, and the suncare is second to none.

2. SkinCeuticals

Another skincare brand that really champions science is SkinCeuticals. It's (a lot) more expensive than La Roche-Posay, but the active ingredients it delivers are much more powerful too. It was created after decades of research into skin cancer and the power of antioxidants. A straight-talking clinical brand (seriously, I've been recommended this stuff by both dermatologists and plastic surgeons), it delivers high-octane ingredients that really work. No skincare product is worth bankrupting yourself over, but if you have the money to spend on your skin, SkinCeuticals is the way to go.

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SkinCeuticals is a brand that knows how to make a stellar face serum. In particularly, the brand's vitamin C serums are regarded by many to be among the best skincare products in existence.

3. Paula's Choice

It's not a great thing for a beauty editor to admit, but there are very few brand founders who I am willing to trust implicitly. Most have an agenda that pushes their products or champion a belief that might not necessarily put skin health first. (When you really love your own products, it's only natural for this to sometimes happen.) The founder of Paula's Choice, Paula Begoun, however, is someone who really knows her stuff. She has pretty much dedicated her life to demystifying the complex world of skincare and formulating products that are backed up by proper science (not the sort of small studies a lot of other brands latch on to). The products are simple to shop and come with easy-to-follow guidance. It's safe to say the results are pretty spectacular too.

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Paula's Choice is most famous, perhaps, for its iconic BHA treatment that is adored by those with oily and breakout-prone skin. In fact, I'd say Paula's Choice is one of the best skincare brands out there for those with congested skin.

4. Elemis

Most of the brands on this list are all substance but lack a certain "style” when it comes to packaging. Sadly, really efficacious skincare tends to be this way. However, a lot of respected dermatologists admit that while fragrance-free, sulphate-free, fun-free skincare is typically the best way to go, the very best skincare products are the ones you actually use. Elemis is a brand that straddles this line expertly. A spa brand first, the products are luxurious and joyful to use while delivering really great results, too.

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Having been a huge fan of Elemis for years, I stand by the fact that the brand does what I like to call "spa in a jar" products best. I'm talking sumptuous balms, unctuous moisturisers and great-smelling essences. These are the sorts of products that don't just smell great but also put natural-looking glow and hydration first.

5. Augustinus Bader

Please trust me when I say that recommending really expensive skincare products makes me feel very uncomfortable. However, it would be irresponsible for me to discredit certain skincare brands based on their price tag. Because, yes, while Augustinus Bader products (and a couple of others on this list) are ludicrously expensive, they're also really very good. All of the products are formulated with the brand's TFC8 complex, which aims to nourish and tackle virtually every major skin concern out there.

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While all of the products contains TFC8, which makes them particularly hardworking, I would say Augustinus Bader is best known for its richly hydrating cream textures—the moisturisers are easily some of the most adored in existence.

6. CeraVe

When it comes to affordable skincare, it can be very tricky to find a brand that hits the nail on the head every time. Many brands bring out huge lines that leave us feeling confused and let down by false claims. CeraVe, however, has a tight edit of products that really do deliver everything that they promise. The products are formulated alongside dermatologists and, as a result, give skin the essentials.

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I've never met a dermatologists who would disagree when I say that CeraVe's affordable cleansers are the best that money can buy. There are different formulas for each skin type and concern, but the Hydrating Cleanser is perhaps the most universally adored.

7. Sunday Riley

Alongside the above, Sunday Riley is another brand that is amongst the most-nominated for this roundup. The brand's ethos is "Powered by science, balanced by botanicals,” and I would say that sums it up quite nicely. The active ingredients are powerful and do their job expertly, and the botanical extracts also do their job to create a more luxurious user experience. The "natural” fragrances can take a little while to get used to, but the amazing results will have you repeat-buying for eternity.

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Truthfully, Sunday Riley products are so cult that everyone seems to have their own favourite. Having said that, the brand's ability to create a stellar glow-boosting face cream and hard-working, results-driven face oils is really exceptional.

8. Tatcha

When Tatcha finally launched in the UK back in 2022, my beauty excitement levels reach an all-time high. I had seen beauty editors and customers in the U.S. rave about the brand for years and yet had never managed to get my hands on any of the products. A part of me thought there was no way the brand could live up to its hype—but my word was I wrong. The Tatcha products in my skincare collection are, hands down, my most coveted. And it's not just me who things so—all of my beauty-editor friends are head-over-heels in love with the Japanese-inspired beauty products and rituals. The products combine clinical ingredients with luxurious botanicals to create formulas that truly work (and feel totally superior when it comes to luxury, too).

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If we're talking about the hero products that exist within Tatcha's offering, it would be wrong for me to not mention the brand's famed moisturisers—notably The Dewy Skin Cream. The brand's gentle moisturisers are, in my opinion, impossible to dislike and deliver instant buttery radiance. But don't be fooled into think Tatcha is just a moisturiser brand—its cleansers are hardworking while remaining beautifully gentle on the skin, making them my most cherished.

9. Dr. Barbara Sturm

I have written about the wonders of Dr. Barbara Sturm products a lot, purely because I get asked about them a lot. It seems as though every celebrity out there swears by the power of this brand, which makes sense, seeing as Sturm herself is a facialist to the stars. The products are eye-wateringly expensive but are also exquisite. Do you need to part with the cash to get great skin? Absolutely not. However, the science-backed formulas do their best to convince you otherwise.

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Sturm is probably most famed for producing one of the most popular hyaluronic acid serums amongst the rich and famous—it creates dewy, plump skin in a matter of seconds. However, do not overlook the brand's cleansers, either, particularly if you enjoy some exfoliation.

10. Biossance

It is of my firm opinion that Biossance does simply not receive enough airtime. Among beauty editors and skincare insiders, Biossance is regarded as one of the best skincare brands of the moment (hence why it's on this list), but I simply don't think its products are well-known enough across the masses. So, let me indulge you. Biossance is a pretty science-led brand, but the formulas are still a total joy to use and possess an air of luxury.

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All of the products champion squalane, in this case a skin-identical molecule to works to really effectively boost hydration that the brand creates from sustainable sugarcane. Each product is formulated with the brand's iconic squalane ingredient as its heart, along with other active ingredients to cater to your skin's needs.

11. Templespa

If you're not yet acquainted with Templespa's formulas, then allow me to introduce you. You'll find Templespa products in the most luxurious of spas and hotels, and its skincare is seriously efficacious too (not to mention many of the products are award-winners). The founders work alongside doctors, artisan herbalists and botanists to create luxurious products that have now garnered a devoted following around the world. The beauty of the products is that they are both results-driven and sensorial to use—making taking off your makeup less of a chore and more of a luxurious ritual. The brand also boasts a number of awards and 5-star reviews amongst its skincare, too.

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12. Avène

A far cry away from some of the really active skincare brands on this list, Avène puts skin-soothing formulas at the heart of its ethos. Another French pharmacy brand, Avène utilises the "healing” powers of thermal spring water. I'm not entirely sure I buy into it, but the products are great nonetheless. Ideal for those with skin prone to redness or those with particularly dry skin, Avène products make for great skincare-shelf staples.

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13. Medik8

Medik8 products might not look fancy and don't really spark much joy on application, but that's not the point of them. You see, Medik8 products are formulated for the purpose that all great skincare should be: to work. It's likely you have seen Medik8 products dotted around at some of the best skin clinics in the country, and that's because they're potent, proven and really efficacious.

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I could sit here and say that all Medik8 products are as good as each other, but I'd be lying. Not that any of the products in the line-up are bad, of course, but rather there is one category that Medik8 does so well that it would be wrong to recommend anything else above it. Listen carefully: if you are ever in the market for a new retinol serum or cream, Medik8 should be your first destination.

14. Naturium

Naturium has fast become my most highly recommending skincare brand of the past year. Why? The products look great on the shelf, they are formulated to perfection, and they don't totally break the bank. If you are wanting to start taking your skincare routine more seriously and also like for your products to ooze a certain luxury, Naturium is the brand for you.

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I truly don't think you can make a wrong turn when shopping Naturium's extensive product offering. While the brand is most famed for its cult favourite body washes, its facial skincare is equally as good—most notably its active-ingredient serums and multi-tasker moisturisers.

15. FaceGym

You might not be familiar with FaceGym's skincare offering, but trust me when I say it's time to get on board. Famed for its hardworking, lunchtime facials, the brand knows a thing or two about what people really want from their skincare products.

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While the intense facial massages that they offer (seriously, they're like a workout for your face) focus on lifting and tightening, the products are simple and put general skin health first.

16. The Ordinary

I have been feeling some sort of way about The Ordinary for a little while now. I know that the products are great, but I had a moment where I worried that the brand was contributing to the growing confusion around skincare products in recent years. But after sitting on it, I have come to the conclusion that without The Ordinary, accessible skincare might not exist in the way that it does now. Truly, the products are truly excellent given the price.

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I'm a little reluctant to recommend hero products from The Ordinary. Before you shop from the brand, I truly recommend doing a little bit of research into the product you are buying, the skin types it is best suited for and exactly how to use it. It's not an easy brand to navigate. However, if you know your stuff and buy the right products, you're on a one-way track to great skin.

17. Kate Somerville

Another facialist to the stars, Kate Somerville really knows skin. Having worked with it every day of her career, she sees exactly how skin reacts to certain products and ingredients. As a result, it's safe to say that every single one of her skincare products works exactly as she promises. The thing that is most admirable about Somerville is her honesty. She doesn't promise that her products will clear up chronic skin conditions, but she can deliver products that will help keep issues at bay and prevent exacerbating them.

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Personally, I adore Kate Somerville's Delikate range, but it would be irresponsible of me to recommend it to the masses when not everyone needs barrier-help as intensely as I do. Goat Milk, on the other hands, is a total all-rounder. The face cream and cleanser sit in my top 10 beauty products ever made, and I know I'm not alone in those views.

18. Dermalogica

Ask any facialist which skincare brands they recommend and I can pretty much guarantee that Dermalogica will be in their top three. Indeed, chances are if you've ever had a facial, then you've already experienced the brand. It's a favourite amongst skincare professionals and facialists worldwide.

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With hundreds of cult products—plus a continuous stream of innovative new launches—the brand has something to offer to every skin type, goal, and concern.

19. Fresh

You might best know Fresh for its bodycare products, but the brand's extensive skincare line is well worth checking out. As a brand, it champions natural ingredients and botanicals that really work in tandem with the skin. Every single one of the products leaves your skin feeling just what the brand's very name promises: undeniably fresh.

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From cleansers and moisturisers to face masks and serums, there's something for everyone, no matter what your skin type, concern, or goals. Plus, all of the products are packed with high-quality natural ingredients, and look (and smell) amazing. My advice? You really can't go wrong with any Fresh cleanser or face mask.

20. The Inkey List

On a mission to make ingredient-led skincare feel more accessible and less intimidating, The Inkey List is another brand you'll frequently find popping up in our affordable skincare recommendations. It shines the spotlight on both familiar ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide) as well as lesser-known ones (such as polyglutamic acid and succinic acid), and provides useful information about how to apply and layer each one within your skincare routine. If you're just getting into skincare, it's a great place to start.

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The area I think The Inkey List really excels in? Moisture and hydration. Every serum and moisturiser that the brand offers has a distinct lack of stickiness or coating—it just feels like straight-up, no-fuss nourishment.

21. Skin Rocks

With 26 years of beauty industry experience, it only made sense for Caroline Hirons to channel her knowledge and expertise into her own product line. Although only just over two years old, Skin Rocks has already built up a huge fan base thanks to its no-nonsense, easy-to-figure out products, which do exactly what they say on the bottle. Whether you're a skincare newbie, a seasoned retinoid user or prefer fragrance-free products, there's something for everyone.

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Two things Caroline Hirons knows better than anyone (besides just skincare as a whole, I suppose)? Cleansing balms and exfoliants. If you're looking to try something from Skin Rocks and you're not quite sure what, you won't regret investing in The Cleansing Balm.

22. Beauty Pie

I love Beauty Pie’s candles, body washes, and lipsticks, but its skincare really is *chef’s kiss*. What makes it so good? The brand's business model sits at the heart of why its more affordable products give those ten times their price a run for their money. By functioning on a membership model, Beauty Pie cuts out the middlemen between the manufacturing process and the point at which we, as customers, buy said product. Just sign up for your membership to get seriously impressive products for a fraction of their RRP.

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Offering everything from moisturisers and exfoliants to cleansers and an (always sold out) LED mask, Beauty Pie presents a more affordable alternative to luxury skincare, but with the same quality of ingredients and formulations.

23. Dr. Sam Bunting

With a clinic in Harley Street and a passion for delivering expert skincare advice, you know that Dr Sam Bunting's eponymous skincare brand is going to be good. Designed to make building your own skincare routine as simple as possible, the brand has an impressive range of products to choose from depending on your skin type or concern.

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Dr Sam's products are total gems for when your skin is overwhelmed and is craving some simplicity. Look to the brand for basics, such as cleansers, moisturisers, and problem-solving serums.

24. Byoma

Affordable skincare products that still deliver results aren’t always easy to come by, however the Byoma range does just that. With skin barrier support at the forefront of the brand’s mission, every product is designed to work without stripping or irritating skin—and nothing costs more than £18.

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Another great brand for basic skincare, Byoma's cult products really champion daily no-fuss skin rituals that just create a healthier-looking complexion. There are no gimmicks, no intense fragrances and no frills—just great basics that you'll want to use over and over again.

26. Perricone MD

Founded by world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, Perricone MD set the precedent for results-targeted skincare over two decades ago, drawing from proven ingredients, cutting-edge research, and extensive clinical and consumer studies. The products are powered by antioxidants and nutrients that our bodies naturally create on their own in order to deliver dramatic results more quickly.

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I have noticed that, in recent years, the buzz around Perricone MD products has died down somewhat, but in my opinion the brand's core products will always be great. Its vitamin C products are particularly stand-out, but if I'm spending big on my skincare I want them to deliver a real pamper moment, so that puts cleansing balms and masks high up on my personal Perricone MD shopping list.

27. Allies of Skin

One thing that Allies of Skin does particularly well is active ingredients. The brand's formulas are powerful, draw from top quality ingredients and are rigorously tested to ensure that they deliver the benefits they promise. Powered by the likes of vitamin C, prebiotics, niacinamide, peptides, these products work fast to target stubborn skin concerns like dull skin, congestion, and hyperpigmentation.

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Truth be told, Allies of Skin specialises in any and all skincare ingredients that are really proven by science. If you want your product to work, Allies of Skin is going to deliver. Look towards products that contain the likes of vitamin C, retinal, peptides, antioxidants and clarifying acids.

28. Eve Lom

As effective as it is luxurious, Eve Lom is the kind of skincare brand that will make you actually enjoy your daily skincare routine. Founder Eve Lom developed the line based on herbal remedies sourced from her family, as well as from her training as a facialist to some of the most famous faces in Hollywood.

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Much like a couple of the other brands on this list, Eve Lom is a great brand to turn to for those days when you really want a skincare treat (for me, this is every day). Most famously, the brand is known for its famous cleansing balm and results-promising face masks.

29. Curél

Formulated specifically for dry and sensitive skin, cult Japanese skincare brand Curél has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with trends leaning towards hydration and skin barrier repair. The brand advocates for double moisturising—the practice of applying a pre-moisturising lotion before moisturiser in order to prep the skin for deep and lasting hydration.

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Obviously it's hydration that Curél does best, so I would say stick to its moisturising creams and hydration-boosting additions. In fact, I know several dermatologists and skin experts who typically advise against adding in unnecessary steps to your skincare routine, but are willing to make an exception for Curél's moisture spray.

30. Murad

Although doctor-led skincare brands are becoming far more common, back in 1989 when Murad was founded it was pioneering—a line of clinical formulations with high-performing results. Aiming to help everyone achieve healthy skin, these products are focused on helping skin to retain water to improve hydration at a cellular level and alleviating the visible signs of stress on the skin.

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Contributing beauty editor Mica Ricketts is a huge fan of this brand (and not just because she shares the same birth year!) but credits the products with keeping her adult acne in check and boosting brightness. And it's no surprise, either—Murad is considered to know acne, dark spots and scarring better than most beauty brands around.

31. Caudalie

I am forever in shock at how overlooked Caudalie is in the UK in comparison to some of its other French pharmacy shelf mates. As a brand, it harnesses the antioxidant powers of grapes but stills comes at its product development with a science-first approach. The thing I love most about Caudalie is that you get all of the French skincare expertise without having to forgo the sensorial aspect of skincare application that I really adore. The products feel, look and smell as great as their results.

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Chances are you have encountered Caudalie's Grape Water facial mist at some point in your skincare travels, but in my opinion there are so many other harder-working products that I don't want to spend too much time talking about it. If you're in the market for a hydration-focussed moisturiser or a treatment serum, I urge you to take a look at Caudalie's offering

How We Tested

To create this list of the best skincare brands, beauty director Shannon Lawlor and esthetician and beauty contributor Grace Day drew on over a decade of combined experience within the world of skincare. Each brand was rigorously evaluated across multiple criteria, including ingredient efficacy, formulation innovation, product range, consumer perception, and overall skin benefits. Products were tested on various skin types to ensure broad suitability, while long-term results and consistency were also considered. The team consulted scientific studies, expert insights and customer feedback to corroborate their findings. This comprehensive approach ensures that every brand featured meets the highest standards of performance, safety, and luxury.

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, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up 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.

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

When it comes to hair products, I am more than a little fussy. My hair is thin and fine (as well as being very, very long), which makes it difficult to disguise any mishaps. In short, if my hair is greasy or weighed down with too much product, you’ll know about it. The perfect hair product, if you ask me, is one that gives my hair a little bit of body without weighing it down.

Sounds simple, right? Only it’s not. You see, the term weightless is thrown around a lot when talking about hair products but rarely does it actually refer to its true meaning. Having thin hair means strands are particularly susceptible to "weight” in hair products. Whether it’s a super-nourishing mask that leaves strands heavy and flat at the root or a styling spray that causes hair to clump, in order for my thin hair to have any sort of volume, I need to avoid any sort of heavy product.

As a result, I am on a never-ending quest to find the very best hair products out there that suit my needs. Every shampoo, conditioner, mask, treatment and oil that comes my way gets tested meticulously. More often than not, I am let down. But a couple of weeks ago, news broke that cult skincare brand Augustinus Bader was releasing a haircare line, including shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, scalp treatment and leave-in.

And at first, my hopes weren’t particularly high. Don’t get me wrong—I love Augustinus Bader products, but they tend to champion rich hydration, which doesn’t bode well when it comes to lightweight volume in hair. On top of that, as you would expect, the products are really expensive, with the shampoo and conditioner priced at £40 each. But given the track record of success I have had with all of the brand’s skincare products, I felt it was important to give it a go.

The packaging is as you would expect—simplistic blue and gold, in the typical Augustinus Bader design, and very chic. The formulas contain the brand’s famous TFC8 complex to deliver hydrating and nourishing nutrients to hair, scalp and follicles for healthier growth and stronger, smoother strands. The products promise to suit every hair type and claim to deliver healthier, stronger and fuller hair from root to tip to help prevent loss and breakage. So with the claims in mind, I overhauled my hair routine to be exclusively blue and gold and dove right in.

Before I get into the nitty-gritty of each product, I want to address something very important. As we’ve established, my hair is thin, fine, long and naturally very straight. After using these products for a couple of weeks now, I want to say that I would never in a million years dream of recommending them to someone with thick curls or coils. Because actually, they’re not nearly as rich as I expected. In fact, in order to get the nourishment you’d need, you’d probably have to empty the entire £40 bottle of conditioner onto your ends. So I'm busting that "suitable for all hair types” claim.

But if your hair is thin and fine, like mine, then listen up. The shampoo is really hard-working. My hair was squeaky clean from root to tip (literally, the squeak was real). And the conditioner was not what I was expecting at all. Part of me thought it would be thick, rich and creamy, much like the brand’s cult moisturisers, but it’s runnier than I expected. At first, you’ll question whether you’re using enough, but then it sort of nourishes the hair and detangles ends without coating it in a thick, weighty cream.

After towel-drying my hair, I massaged in the scalp treatment and applied the leave-in treatment and oil to the ends, as they felt like they needed some extra nourishment. (My strands are bleached and prone to matting.) Before I turned the hair dryer on, I couldn’t help but feel as though my hair lacked moisture, but once my hair was dry, the magic happened.

After washing, my hair feels light and bouncy and possesses a certain amount of grit that means a quick zhoosh with fingers gives roots a long-lasting lift. But the best bit is said grit is totally invisible and doesn’t add anything but body. No, my hair doesn’t look the silkiest it’s ever looked, but the volume and movement are all there.

Would I personally spend circa £40 on each product and use them every day? No. They’re good, but no amount of volume is worth clearing my bank account for. If I had to hero one product for thin-haired folk, it would be the conditioner (but remember it probably won’t be rich enough for thicker styles). However, if you do have the money to spend, chances are you won’t be let down. Keep scrolling for more information on each individual product.

Next up, 15 haircuts that will trick people into thinking you have three times more hair.

As a beauty lover long before becoming a beauty journalist, I have fond memories of saving up my weekly college money and heading to Superdrug and Boots on my lunches with my twin sister to check out (and ultimately buy) the latest makeup and skincare products on offer. There was something about it that would give me the biggest boost of serotonin and still to this day, I love nothing more than taking myself on solo shopping trips to check out what's in store.

As I've gotten older the amount I spend on beauty products has definitely increased but isn't extreme. I realised quite early on that the price of a product whether affordable or on the higher-end doesn't determine how you get on with the product.

Now, the most I've spent on a serum is probably around the £30 mark. I'm yet to personally spend anything over that but have been lucky enough to have been sent higher priced ones under £100 that I personally loved and would happily consider purchasing once I run out (preferably when it's on offer). So when a buzz started to circulate around Augustinus Bader's The Serum (£280) it was safe to say I was more than intrigued and for good reason too. Below, I detail my honest review.

Vanese Maddix before applying Augustinus Bader The Serum.

I without a doubt had high hopes for this serum, not just because of the price tag, but also due to the sheer volume of praise that it has received from beauty lovers, editors and celebrities. The first thing I noticed was its lovely texture, which lightweight but not too thin or thick. It's described as a serum that works to nourish, replenish, protect and hydrate the skin due to the use of TFC8, which is the brand's famous complex of amino acids, vitamins and synthesised molecules that mimic those found naturally in the skin, and in turn, the formula is said to create an optimal environment for your skin's own repair and renewal processes.

You're encouraged to use it in the morning and evening, or as you desire. Simply take some serum and in an upward motion smooth over the face and neck until it has fully absorbed before proceeding with the next step in your skincare routine.

Vanese Maddix after applying Augustinus Bader The Serum.

I've been testing it out in the mornings and evenings over the past few days and I have to say it's been a really nice addition to my routine. I have a normal-to-dry skin type but the frequent cold weather has my skin feeling drier than ever before. I've found the serum has really helped with giving an instant boost of hydration and radiance to my skin when applied. It helped my skin to feel super soft and supple with no dry patches in sight.

Whilst I can't fault it for the instant improvements it's been able to make I personally didn't find it to be as long-lasting with its hydration as the other serums I reach for. As I say with all products, everyone will have their own skin concerns that they want products to tackle, and mine is definitely all about the feeling and look of hydration from the inside-out that pretty much lasts all day.

I'll definitely continue to reach for this until the very last drop as it has definitely helped with giving instant hydration for my skin, but I couldn't justify and wouldn't want to justify spending £280 on a product that personally doesn't check all the boxes for me. I'll continue to stick with the products I currently know and love but it's clear to see why this serum is so raved about.

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Whether you're looking to smooth, hydrate, plump or bestow radiance, finding the perfect skincare to suit your derma needs isn't always easy. With thousands of creams, serums and oils to choose from, it can be overwhelming, which is why many of us will make our selection based on the formula we can afford at that particular moment. 

While there are countless amazing affordable skincare buys out there, many of which are staples in our editors' respective routines, that doesn't mean you should disregard luxury skincare altogether.

As with every purchase we make, we don't take investing in luxury skincare lightly, but there is some truth to the saying "you get what you pay for." Between us, we've tried our fair share of products from luxury skincare brands, most of which promise instantaneous results. Of course, some fall short on that promise, but others? They're a skincare revolution!

So whether you're looking to up your skincare ante or you're keen to see if the cult product you've been reading about for years is truly worth the hype, we're here to help. Keep scrolling to see our edit of what we consider to be the best luxury skincare brands to spend your precious earnings on. 

1. CHANEL

Chanel has some extraordinary skincare amongst its range. Beauty editor Eleanor Vousden says that the N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Mask was amongst one of the best new skincare products she has tried, saying that it leaves her skin looking like glass. The Sublimage is both luxurious and efficacious, and worth the investment if you want to address fine lines and wrinkles, while the Hydra Beauty range hydrates and plumps skin like none other. Naturally, the textures and formulas feel luxurious on the skin, and even the subtle scent makes your skincare routine feel that little more indulgent. And who doesn't want a jar on Chanel upon their bathroom shelf?

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2. LA MER

No luxury skincare roundup would be complete without La Mer. The beauty brand's origin story is as epic as they come. It was initially developed by scientist Max Huber to treat burns sustained after a lab accident. La Mer's signature sea kelp formula has seen its moisturiser become one of the most iconic products on the skincare scene and counts many an A-list celebrity amongst its fans. Today, the range has expanded to serums, balms, and body products, all of which deliver seriously impressive results. 

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3. AUGUSTINUS BADER 

The work of world-leading stem cell research expert professor Augustinus Bader, this skincare collection has been 30 years in the making, and it’s undoubtedly been time well spent. Augustinus Bader’s groundbreaking skincare uses a unique, patented Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8) to help visibly reduce lines and wrinkles, as well as damage caused by environmental stressors. Victoria Beckham has previously professed her love for this brand (so much so that she actually collaborated with Bader for her own line), and we all know how glowy her skin looks. 

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4. TEMPLESPA

Templespa's efficacious formulas have earned the brand a number of beauty awards. Not only do the products have sensorial, spa-level formulas, but you only have to take a look at the several 5-star reviews from the brands loyal customers to know that these products really work to deliver visible results. The Trufflelixir range is particularly worth the investment, which features the namesake ingredient that delivers both short and long term results to leave skin looking smooth and radiant. We'd also recommend the bestselling Let's Concentrate serum if you're looking to address pigmentation while giving your skin an unrivalled glow.

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5. SKINCEUTICALS

SkinCeuticals products might not have the same luxurious packaging and texture as most of the others on this list, but trust us when we say the products work. Formulated to be used in clinical settings, the products are totally no-frills, but are created with science at their core. Do they look luxury no? But you'll soon realise that the hefty price tags are worth it once you try the products.

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6. STELLA MCCARTNEY BEAUTY

Stella McCartney beauty is the pairing of both luxury and eco-conscious skincare. Offering clinically proven results, you'll find a concise edit of sustainable and vegan skincare which focus on regenerating the skin barrier to reach optimum glowing results. What's unique about this luxury skincare brand is that each and every product is refillable (even its travel-sized miniatures) so you can play your part in cutting down on waste while indulging in great skincare, too. If you only try one product, make it the Alter-Care Serum, which boasts an award-winning formula of hyaluronic acid, squalene and rock samphire extract, which work in tandem to cushion and fortify the skin's delicate barrier. Fun fact: The serum is perfumed with the brand's High Cliff scent, created by Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian (yes, the very perfumer behind the TikTok-viral Baccarat Rouge 540 fragrance).

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7. CHANTECAILLE 

While naturally derived beauty products are all the rage right now, Sylvie Chantecaille recognised the potential in botanical ingredients over 20 years ago, when the idea was less commonplace. She created a company that tapped into plants, flowers and ground-breaking science for its game-changing, high-performing skincare products. Today, Chantecaille is a family-owned, independent business that is committed to making healthy, clean beauty products as well as protecting the planet through philanthropy collections to support wildlife conservation.

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8. 111SKIN

Upon hearing the words "Harley Street," chances are the words "plastic surgery" swiftly follow suit. The area in London is known for its industry-leading procedures, carried out by the world's most-skilled surgeons, one of whom is Yannis Alexandrides, MD. Recognising the gap in post-treatment skincare, Alexandrides set out to develop the perfect skincare collection for his patients. What he ended up creating was the renowned luxury skincare brand, 111Skin. Designed to protect skin against environmental aggressors, the products' potent healing ingredients promote a youthful and radiant complexion like nothing you've seen before. If you're new to the brand, we recommend starting with its face masks. They're the best we've tried. 

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9. 3LAB

Another brand that brings science and beauty together is 3Lab. This technology-led range has been rigorously developed to tackle your every skin concern, from combating environmental damage to smoothing and hydrating. Expect surprisingly lightweight formulas that stretch way beyond what you might expect—a little goes a long, long way with 3Lab's creams, serums, and toning sprays. 

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10. SARAH CHAPMAN

As one of London’s most sought-after facialists, Sarah Chapman’s Chelsea Skinesis clinic has become a mecca for skin-savvy celebrities, editors and skin obsessives—all of whom were beyond delighted when she finally launched her eponymous range. Her products deliver results at a cellular level and on the surface, so you can apply your serums and creams confident in the knowledge that the results will be anything but fleeting. 

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11. ALBIVA

Some of the best luxury skincare brands surpass all expectations, and Albiva is one of them. Albiva blends more than 50 high-quality active ingredients, which seek to stimulate and support the skin's cellular healing. The products are free from chemicals‚ synthetic compounds and fillers, so the impressive results you see entirely, down to its potent blend of sustainable ingredients. Owing to the active properties found within its bottles, Albiva products are best kept in a fridge (even though the wooden packaging would look stylish sitting on your bathroom shelf). 

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12. LA PRAIRIE

Skincare stalwart La Prairie utilises the latest scientific breakthroughs to provide true excellence in skincare. Developed at Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland, its products help prolong the youthful appearance of even the most delicate skin. Using the most precious ingredients (think rich caviar, rare platinum and opulent gold), the term "luxury skincare" was practically invented to summarise La Prairie's range of cult products. 

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13. RÉVIVE

Drawing on his expertise as a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Gregory Bays Brown developed his luxury skincare brand, RéVive, to help restore the skin with a luminous glow. Inspired by patented and Nobel Prize–winning science, RéVive's groundbreaking formulas help renew and rejuvenate skin by boosting collagen and elastin production for a youthful, glowing complexion. Its Radiance Oil is a great product to start off with. Though, RéVive's anti-ageing serum is fast becoming the stuff of legend. 

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14. EPARA

Epara was founded by entrepreneur Ozohu Adoh, who had long suffered from a condition that made her skin dry and uneven. She couldn't find a product that solved her skincare woes, so she set about developing her own formulas. As such, Epara was born. An edit of high-quality, scientifically proven products, all derived from the rich soils of Africa, Epara skincare boasts potency and luxury in equal measure. The products work to repair and pamper simultaneously, leaving skin moisturised, hydrated and looking its very best. 

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15. DR. BARBARA STURM

Barbara Strum believes that the secret to beautiful skin doesn’t lie in an exhaustive routine. Instead, she insists that you only need a minimal number of expertly crafted products to see the best results. And that’s precisely what she has created with her namesake luxury skincare brand. Based on a thorough medical understanding of cells and anti-ageing, her products protect, strengthen and detoxify without overburdening the skin and are gentle enough for sensitive complexions. While her entire range is noteworthy, her most iconic product is undoubtedly her hyaluronic serum.

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16. VALMONT

The expert clinical team at Valmont, another Swiss skincare offering, has been creating top-of-the-line skincare on the banks of Lake Geneva for over 30 years. Utilising pure and natural ingredients and implementing them with unique cellular cosmetic research, Valmont's efforts have resulted in highly effective products that instantly revive and rejuvenate the skin, leaving the complexion radiantly healthy and smoothed.

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17. SISLEY

Sisley might not be the first French beauty brand that comes to mind, but it's certainly deserving of your attention. Founded in 1976, Sisley was one of the first companies to use botanical essences in cosmetology and to this day remains a family business—albeit one with worldwide success. Renowned for its advanced scientific formulas, which combine the best of technology with the best of nature, Sisley skincare is known for its outstanding results and formulas of the highest quality. 

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18. NATURA BISSÉ

Barcelona-born luxury brand Natura Bissé uses groundbreaking technology with high-performance, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients for targeted smoothing results. Natura Bissé's powerful concentration of amino acids works to stimulate skin cells, fight free radicals and erase imperfections, leaving you with glowing, rejuvenated and visibly plumped skin. What more could you ask for? 

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19. DIOR

While we understand that people can be dubious of buying skincare from brands that have their eggs in many baskets, trust us when we say that Dior get it right across the board. The brand's skincare labs, based in France, are at the forefront of cutting-edge skincare technologies—and it shows from the products. If you like your skincare to ooze luxury while knowing your skin is in safe hands, Dior is a great place to start.

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20. SUSANNE KAUFMANN

Formulated and created in the Alps, specifically in Kaufmann's hometown of Bezau, this eponymous skincare line is one that beauty editors swear by for healthy skin. Yes, it's fairly expensive, but the formulations are science-led with a spa-like feel and they genuinely work. Plus, the unassuming packaging is both chic and also sustainable. The brand prides itself on running their production units on renewable energy, the glass packaging is made from recycled glass and a great many of their products offer refills. If you haven't tried it yet, then it's well worth the investment. 

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21. EVE LOM

Founded by Hollywood facialist Eve Lom, this skincare line is one that beauty editors and skincare professionals have long since recommended to those looking for spa-grade products to use at home. The nourishing formulas are focussed on restoring and rejuvenating skin with healing and reparative ingredients. Plus, every product is designed to feel and smell incredible, so you really can recreate a spa facial from the comfort of your own bathroom.

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This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

I’m a bit of a cleanser snob if I’m being honest. I don’t care about luxury or expense (some of my favourite cleansers ever cost less than a tenner), I’m just fussy. If you ask me, a great cleanser that offers up a deep clean without disrupting the skin barrier and causing tightness lays at the heart of any perfect skincare routine. Because the truth is, and I know you don’t want to hear this, but that rather satisfying tight feeling you get after going in with a new cleanser doesn’t mean your skin is super clean, it’s just its way of crying out for help.

My skin is naturally quite oily, so although my cleanser of choice is never stripping or drying, that’s not to say balmy, creamy, moisturising cleansers do my skin any good either. The sweet spot, for me, is a cleanser that really does its job at clearing pores of gunk and bacteria, but doesn’t leave it looking or feeling taut afterwards. It doesn’t sound like a big ask, but you’d be surprised. The real issue is that actually, cleansers that promise to keep the barrier in check all too often leave a sort of moisture film over the skin which always proves bad news for my blackhead situation.

So, when I caught news of the fact that Augustinus Bader was due to bring out a new cleanser, you can probably understand that I was a little bit dubious. For those that aren’t familiar with the brand, Augustinus Bader is a super-luxe German skincare brand (headed up by professor Augustinus Bader himself) famous for creating seriously efficacious moisturisers that are loved by some of our favourite celebs (VB, Alexa and Margot, I’m looking at you). From the iconic The Cream to the cult glow-boosting, skin-loving Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum formulated in collaboration with Victoria Beckham Beauty, all of the Augustinus Bader products have one thing in common: they all contain the brand’s famous (and of course patented) TFC8 complex which works to reduce signs of damage and ageing.

Let me first say that I am a huge fan of the TFC8 complex. The VB Beauty serum is basically one of my favourite skincare products ever and there is no doubt that long-term skin health is at the centre of all Bader products. So, in theory, I should have been totally over the moon about the new cleanser. However, my initial reservations were founded in the fact that I’m not a huge fan of the original moisturisers (The Cream and The Rich Cream). For my oily skin, they are simply just too rich for my already congested complexion. My concerns were that the new The Cream Cleansing Gel (£50), would also have a thick, rich cream consistency that my skin rejected. But good grief, how wrong I was.

After using Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel.

The truth is, the new cleanser is genuinely the most perfect cleanser my face has ever been blessed to. My concerns that the texture would be overly creamy and sumptuous were totally wrong. Actually, it’s a relatively runny, gel-like formula that has the silkiness and nourishment of a cream, but the deep cleansing abilities of a gel. With aloe vera leaf juice, cucumber extract and rose flower water, it’s calming, soothing and purifying, making it ideal for sensitive skin types like mine. However, most importantly, it’s formulated with TFC8 to deliver all of those high-grade vitamins and amino acids to boost cell renewal and repair. When massaged into damp skin, it creates a luxe-feeling lather that cleanses pores with ease and, once rinsed, leaves skin feeling healthy and, dare I say, normal. Plus, after a couple of weeks of use, my skin looks healthier, clearer and noticeably more glowing than it did previously.

Any downsides? Well, as with all Augustinus Bader products, the price is a total elephant in the room. Sure, it’s wonderful in just about every single way, but a puny 100ml will set you back a staggering £50. However, as I sat in front of my bathroom cabinet and really thought about this for some time, I realised that actually, if I were to add up the cost of all of the waste-of-space cleansers that I find myself buying throughout the year just to "give them a go”, I’d probably get to £50 in no time at all. Plus, the power of this cleanser means you require much less product than you might be used to applying.

In fact, after much debate, I’ve come to the conclusion that if testing new products wasn’t my job and my life as a beauty editor was a distant memory, Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleaning Gel would be the only cleanser I use.

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Chances are you've seen or at the very least already heard about Victoria Beckham's new Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum. It could be that you recognise the distinctive glass bottle from your Instagram feed or it might just be that you've heard all about the expensive new skincare product that Victoria Beckham is loving. Either way, it's fair to say that the beauty world is a little obsessed. And when a product garners as much hype as this one has, it can make it difficult to figure out whether it's actually any good at all.

If you're more or less in the dark about what exactly Victoria Beckham Beauty is and why everyone seems to be so excited about it, let me give you a little rundown: Last year, Victoria Beckham launched her beauty line with a range of eye makeup products. The products were incredibly pretty to look at, seriously pigmented and impressively luxe (with price tags to match). Basically, the beauty world was seriously impressed. Gradually, over the course of a couple of months, the collection expanded into lips and later skincare. In November, VB announced that she was launching into skincare with a priming moisturiser, formulated in collaboration with beauty's brands of the moment, Augustinus Bader, famous for its game-changing moisturisers already loved by celebs including Margot Robbie, Alexa Chung and VB herself.

And the truth is VB's first foray into skincare proved really quite popular, with the moisturiser promising a natural-looking, radiant glow that provided the ultimate perfecting base for foundation. It's safe to say, therefore, that a VB serum, also formulated with Bader's patented technology, was destined for greatness.

When I first discovered that Victoria Beckham Beauty was bringing out a serum, I'll admit that I got just as excited as you'd expect a beauty editor to get. Within seconds of getting my hands on it, I'd torn the box open and was pretty much cradling the glass bottle, whispering "my precious." This brings me onto my first point: It really is a beautiful product. Housed in a frosted glass bottle with a chic tortoiseshell-patterned base and a unique dispensing system, it really isn't a bottle I'd want to hide away in my bathroom cabinets.

But as we all know, pretty packaging does not justify a £180 price tag. So what exactly is it that this serum actually claims to do? Well, essentially, it's what the beauty industry calls a "barrier protecting" product. Using Augustinus Bader's TFC8 technology, the formula contains a whole host of antioxidant vitamins, amino acids and moisturisers to strengthen the overall health of the skin. In short, it promises to "turn redness down and radiance up" as well as defend skin from potentially damaging aggressors such as pollution.

Before we get into my actual review, I would really like to highlight a couple of things that I feel you might benefit from knowing. First of all, I want you to know that I really appreciate that it is eye-wateringly expensive, and that's one of the reasons I want to give an in-depth review. Secondly, it's probably worth knowing that I am by no means a huge fan of Augustinus Bader The Cream. I have combination skin that is prone to congestion and redness, and even though I like the product, I do appreciate that other much more affordable products do better things for my skin. So with that out of the way, here's what happened when I put Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum to the test.

Because I wanted to give the serum a fair chance, I started using it at a time when my skin was more or less behaving itself. As a rule, because my skin is so sensitive, I personally rate a product on whether or not it causes my skin irritation or upset, maintains a healthy-looking state or actually manages to improve its appearance.

So besides the blackheads on my nose (which are more or less always there), my skin was starting out in good shape. For three weeks, I swapped out my usual antioxidant serum for this one and used it morning and night. I simply applied a few drops directly onto my face (at £180, I didn't want to waste any product on my hands, thank you very much) and massaged it in upward strokes.

As far as using the serum goes, it's actually quite an enjoyable experience. The texture isn't particularly rich or oily, it doesn't have much of a scent and my skin totally drinks it up which means it doesn't leave behind any residue. If I had to compare it to anything else on the market based on texture and consistency, I'd liken it to Estée Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. If you like that one, then I think it's safe to say you'll love Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum too.

During my three weeks of use, it's worth noting that I was hit with the flu. Usually, when I get even a hint of a cold, my skin is the first thing to freak out. It breaks out, dries up and gets sore and red. This time around, however, my skin didn't have anything to say. It stayed radiant, glowing and clear. And while I can categorically say this isn't the sort of skincare product that will have you waking up in the morning looking like a totally new woman, it does seem to keep your skin looking and feeling its best without any fuss. Unlike other VB or Bader products, this stuff doesn't moisturise for an instantaneous glow.

Three weeks later, and my skin is totally clear and actually looking really healthy. Whereas my cheeks are often plagued with redness and my chin is dry and prone to breakouts, I've had three weeks more or less problem-free—something that's usually unheard of for me.

So, overall, yes it's very, very, expensive, but it's an investment I'd be willing to make. If you're looking for a product that is going to totally change your skin texture and inject next-level glow overnight, move along. However, if like me you're constantly on the lookout for a no-frills product that works to keep your skin happy, this could well be it.

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Next up, eight products that VB actually keeps in her makeup bag.