The Skincare Brands We Think Are Worth Spending a Little Extra On

Skincare shouldn't be scrimped on, but that doesn't mean every expensive formula is worth the hype. These are the best luxury skincare brands to invest in.

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, the choice can be overwhelming, to say the least, 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.

Photo:

@emmahoareau

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. 

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 the 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 delivers seriously impressive results. 

SHOP LA MER:
La Mer Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream 60ml (£230)
La Mer The Concentrate 15ml (£165)
La Mer The Treatment Lotion 150ml (£115)

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, and we all know how glowy her skin looks. 

SHOP AUGUSTINUS BADER:
Augustinus Bader The Cream (£205)
Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel (£50)
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (£205)

CHANTECAILLE 

While naturally derived beauty is all the rage right now, Sylvie Chantecaille recognised the potential in botanical ingredients over twenty 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 healthy, clean beauty products, as well as protecting the planet through philanthropy collections to support wildlife conservation.

SHOP CHANTECAILLE:
Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Face Cream 50ml (£370)
Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Eye Serum 15ml (£179)
Chantecaille Gold Recovery Mask 50ml (£235)

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 being Dr. Alexandrides. 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. 

SHOP 111SKIN:
111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil 30ml (£150)
111Skin Y Theorum Repair Serum 30ml (£190)
111Skin Treatment Kit (£135)

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. 

SHOP 3LAB:
3LAB Anti-Aging Oil 30ml (£216)
3Lab WW Day Cream SPF40 50ml (£275)
3Lab Perfect Balancing Toner 160ml (£75)

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 as on the surface, so you can apply your serums and creams confident in the knowledge that the results will be anything but fleeting. 

SHOP SARAH CHAPMAN:
Sarah Chapman Stem Cell Collagen Activator Set (£269)
Sarah Chapman Age Repair Concentrate 30ml (£95)
Sarah Chapman Platinum Stem Cell Elixir 30ml (£147)

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). 

SHOP ALBIVA:
Albiva ECM Advanced Repair Eye Lift (£145)
Albiva ECM Advanced Repair Nourish & Heal Moisturiser 50ml (£185)
Albiva ECM Advanced Repair Brightening Serum 30ml (£195)

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. 

SHOP LA PRAIRIE:
La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream Sheer 50ml (£407)
La Prairie Anti-Aging Eye Cream SPF15 15ml (£156)
La Prairie Line Interception Power Duo 50ml (£302)

RÉVIVE

Drawing on his expertise as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. 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 ground-breaking 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. 

SHOP RÉVIVE:
RéVive Glow Elixir​ Hydrating Radiance Oil 30ml (£100)
RéVive Intensité Complete Anti-Ageing Serum 30ml (£380)
RéVive Intensité Crème Lustre Night Moisturiser 50ml (£280)

EPARA

Founded by entrepreneur Ozohu Adoh, who had long suffered from a dry, uneven skin condition and couldn't find a product that solved her skincare woes, 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. 

SHOP EPARA:
Epara Hydrating Serum 30ml (£180)
Epara Intense Hydrating Mask 50ml (£105)
Epara Balancing Face Oil 30ml (£105)

DR. BARBARA STRUM

Dr. Barbara Strum believes that the secret to beautiful skin doesn’t lie in an exhaustive routine. Instead, she insists that you only need a minimum 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, which you can now invest in by way of a supersize bottle. 

SHOP DR. BARBARA STURM:
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum 100ml (£650)
Dr. Barbara Sturm Brightening Serum 30ml (£240)
Dr. Barbara Sturm Drops Duo 2 x 30ml (£187)

VALMONT

Another Swiss skincare offering, the expert clinical team at Valmont 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.

SHOP VALMONT:
Valmont V-Line Lifting Cream 50ml (£258)
Valmont V-Line Lifting Concentrate 30ml (£242)
Valmont V Neck Cream 50ml (£229)

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. 

SHOP SISLEY:
Sisley Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream 50ml (£147)
Sisley Global Perfect Pore Minimiser 30ml (£155)
Sisley Botanical Night Treatment With Collagen and Woodmallow 50ml (£141)

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 work 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? 

SHOP NATURA BISSÉ:
Natura Bissé Diamond Cocoon Sheer Cream SPF30 50ml (£195)
Natura Bissé Diamond Life Infusion 25ml (£516)
Natura Bissé Essential Shock Intense Complex 30ml (£179)

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This story originally appeared on: WhoWhatWear - Author:Maxine Eggenberger