When it comes to splurging on skincare, it pays to find products that work. To find the best luxury beauty products, we looked beyond star power and social media popularity to find brands with proven results and thoughtful origin stories.
SK-II spent years searching for the ingredient responsible for beautiful skin (and finally found it in a sake brewery). Its bestselling Pitera Facial Treatment Essence is now used by celebrities and beauty editors alike.
SkinCeuticals
If there's one over-the-counter skin-care brand that dermatologists stand behind and recommend time and time again, it's SkinCeuticals. The science-driven brand is known for its high-performance antioxidant serums, which help reduce signs of aging (like fine lines and wrinkles) while boosting radiance and improving skin tone. While the high price point can deter some, those who have tried the line swear by it. For example, Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has been using the brand's popular C E Ferulic serum for years, and it has been a staple in her routine.
The brand's story began long before the company was founded in 1997, thanks to the pioneering research done by Yale-educated scientist and dermatologist Dr. Sheldon Pinnell. His first vitamin C patent was filed in 1992, and it was the beginning of an entirely new skincare category. Since then, SkinCeuticals has built on his work, with formulas that are based on three fundamental principles: prevent, protect, and correct.
The brand's dedication to research has extended far beyond free radical damage and into the effects of other environmental aggressors, such as infrared rays and ozone pollution. SkinCeuticals' focus on scientific advancements has helped to advance the field of cosmeceuticals and has provided customers with advanced products that can rival prescription-level treatments. The brand is also committed to philanthropy and donates to the non-profit ReSurge International, which helps provide reconstructive surgery to those who cannot afford it. You can shop the full lineup of SkinCeuticals products at LovelySkin today!
RoC
RoC is a mass brand with a long history of delivering anti-aging skincare. Over the past three years, it has relaunched its products in new packaging, invested in social media and DTC e-commerce, and launched a partnership with Sarah Jessica Parker for its Look Forward Project—a campaign to promote optimism about aging as a key driver of wellbeing.
The patented retinol formula and the range of products available cater to different skin concerns and types. The line is popular for its ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, reduce sun damage, and reduce acne breakouts.
Although individual results may vary, many users have reported visible improvements within a few weeks of continued use. For best results, apply a small amount of the product to clean, dry skin each evening and follow the directions on the label.
The mid-range price point, coupled with Sephora Discount, makes the products even more affordable for most consumers, and the fragrance-free formulations are a bonus for those with sensitive skin or allergies to added scents. The brand's cleansing products, especially with the use of a Sephora Coupon, are a good way to start an anti-aging routine as they help optimize other RoC skincare formulas by removing dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. A favorite is the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Filler, which, with the added benefit of a Sephora Coupon, visibly reduces deep lines and crow's feet in four weeks.
La Mer
If you've flipped through any beauty magazine in the last decade, there's a good chance you've seen a (seemingly) poreless celebrity lauding the benefits of La Mer. The luxury brand, which counts Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, and Blake Lively among its fans, is known for its deeply hydrating and restorative products — most of which contain the brand's proprietary Miracle Broth (it's not soup). It took aerospace physicist Max Huber 12 years and 6,000 experiments to perfect this formula of sea kelp and other pure ingredients that are now found in a wide array of their best-selling face and body creams, serums, and balms.
The brand's cult-favorite Moisturizer is an essential staple in any skincare arsenal, and it's one of the most widely used products in the world. It's also a top pick of many dermatologists, including Dr. Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in New York City and a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Board.
She recommends applying it after cleansing and toning in the morning and at night, before a moisturizer or treatment. "The oil is nourishing and moisturizing, but it's also super lightweight, so you can layer it without feeling greasy or heavy," she says. The oil contains ingredients such as meadowfoam seed oil, squalane, dimethicone, and caprylic/capric triglyceride, all of which help to strengthen the skin barrier. It also has a pretty short list of fragrance ingredients and no parabens, making it an excellent option for those with sensitive skin.
Another product in the line is The Renewal Oil, which also has a short ingredient list but does contain some potentially irritating fragrance ingredients as well as dyes (Yellow 5 and Yellow 6). Kaufmann, however, notes that it still provides plenty of healthy fats, such as the Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexane, along with skin-loving oils, such as jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and shea butter.
Augustinus Bader
Launched in 2018 and backed by over 30 years of research, Professor Augustinus Bader’s eponymous brand is the epitome of luxury. The premium skincare line is renowned for its disrupting, game-changing technology—and its ability to deliver real, transformative results. The core of the range is its patented ingredient, TFC8 (Trigger Factor Complex), a combination of amino acids, high-grade vitamins, and synthesized molecules that support the skin’s natural ability to renew and promote optimal skin health.
Bader wasn’t initially aiming to build a skincare empire when he developed the cream that would become his namesake brand’s foundation product, The Cream. Rather, his goal was to figure out how to heal severe burn injuries without the need for skin grafts and harness our body’s innate healing powers. However, when his cream successfully healed his burn patients, he realized that it was a game-changer for the industry—and that it had much more potential than just to be used on burned skin.
What set his cream apart was that it stimulated cells to produce collagen and elastin, which resulted in the skin healing itself and making scars less visible. It’s this same principle that the brand uses to formulate its other skincare products, including its cleansing gel and moisturizer. And it’s no wonder that the beauty editors, celebrities, and makeup artists who swear by it can’t get enough of its glow-boosting and skin-smoothing effects.
The line is a regular staple in celebrity skin-care routines, with Victoria Beckham, Gwyneth Paltrow, and even the Duchess of Cambridge all loving it. But it’s not just the A-list crowd that’s obsessed with Augustinus Bader—the line also has a dedicated following of normal people who love its clean, highly efficacious products.
SK-II
SK-II’s star ingredient, Pitera, is so powerful that the brand has patented it. It’s a clear liquid derived from the fermentation of yeast that’s rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and organic acids. It’s also said to mimic the skin’s Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF) and helps to maintain proper skin hydration.
SK-II products have a cult following and are often featured in the “best skincare for” lists of beauty websites and magazines. They’re a favorite of celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie and are loved by beauty editors, too. They’re a must-have for anyone who wants to achieve that glowing, baby-faced look. They can help minimize dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles, and improve skin tone. They’re also hydrating and leave the skin feeling soft and supple.
One of the best things about SK-II is that they have a range of skincare products, so it’s easy to find the perfect formula for your specific needs. It’s a good idea to start with an essence, which is a watery liquid that you apply BEFORE your serum. It’s a trick taken from Asian skincare and it’s been known to improve skin clarity, refine pores, and boost the effectiveness of your skincare routine.
Try the Facial Treatment Essence with Pitera, which is a great product to start with, especially when you can get it at a discounted price using a Sephora Coupon. Then, you can move on to other products in the line to address specific concerns. Be sure to read the ingredient lists, too. You'll want to avoid any that have harsh chemicals or fragrances, which can irritate the skin and cause it to break out. Instead, opt for cleansers, creams, and lotions that contain niacinamide, AHAs, or hyaluronic acid, which will brighten the complexion and keep the skin healthy and hydrated. Don't forget to use your Health & Beauty Voucher Code for additional savings on these skincare essentials.
Conclusion
when it comes to determining the number one skincare brand in the world, it ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs. However, some popular and highly regarded options include brands like La Mer, Estée Lauder, and L'Oréal Paris. It's important to do your research and find the products that work best for your skin type and concerns. Remember, consistency and proper skin care techniques are key to achieving healthy, radiant skin.
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