22 Celeb-Approved Skincare Products That Are Actually Worth the Cash

It likely won't come as a surprise to you that celebrities like their skincare expensive. Not only do they have access to the best aestheticians, dermatologists and beauty experts around, but they also have the added bonus of a comfortable amount of disposable income to spend on larger ticket skincare items. And while, as a beauty editor, for the most part, I believe that money doesn't have to be spent in abundance to get really great skin, it would be silly to deny that having all of the money in the world to throw at skincare products gives you a helping hand. For this reason, I always recommend taking celebrity skincare recommendations with a pinch of salt.

For starters, the real secret to great skin lies in a lot of expert help (something celebs can afford by the bucketload). Any topical product is, truthfully, just a helpful addition. So if you think any celebrity-favourite skincare product is going to instantly deliver celeb-like skin, you're sadly mistaken. Secondly, it's worth remembering that they have the money (and connections) to try whatever skincare product they so wish, regardless of the price tag. For these reasons, it's totally understandable if you are sceptical of celebrity skincare recommendations—I know I am.

Having said that, years of being a beauty journalist have taught me that while you don't always get what you pay for when it comes to skincare, some of the very best skincare products around come with hefty price tags. The tricky bit is in knowing which ones are all hype and which are actually worth the expense. So, to help you navigate the world of celebrity-approved skincare recommendations, I've rounded up the ones that really aren't a waste of money. No, I don't recommend buying them if you need to put them on a credit card, but if you're looking to make a skincare investment, the following products are a good place to start. 

J.Lo

J.Lo is a fan of Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream.

Before J.Lo had her own skincare brand, back in 2014, it's reported that she told Andy Cohen that she has used Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream for 10 years. And the good news is, in the grand scheme of things, this daily moisturiser is relatively affordable (and can be picked up from pharmacies and the like). Formulated with nourishing shea butter, rose petal and marshmallow, it's a great calming option for those with dry, irritable skin. If your skin is oily, however, it's best to steer clear—shea butter is comedogenic (meaning it has a tendency to block pores and cause breakouts).

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham swears by Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser and Victoria Beckham by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum.

I'll be honest, Victoria Beckham's skincare routine is elite. I wish it wasn't true, considering her most-loved products all come with big price tags, but sadly, her go-tos are truly exceptional. It's no secret that she's a big fan of Augustinus Bader's TFC8 complex, which is why she collaborated with brand on her own skincare products for Victoria Beckham Beauty. She told Glamour last year that she loves using the Victoria Beckham Beauty by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum every day (makes sense). And I can attest that this product is truly exquisite. Formulated with plumping hyaluronic acid, it also contains TFC8 complex to help boost cell renewal and generally improve glow.

But that's not to say VB only uses products from her namesake brand. In fact, she also revealed in the same interview that she swears by Dr. Barbara Sturm Enzyme Cleanser. "I’m a longtime fan of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Enzyme Cleanser. It’s delicate enough to use daily; with the powder formula, a little goes a long way." If your skin is prone to congestion and blackheads, I can't recommend Enzyme Cleanser enough.

Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller uses Skinceuticals C E Ferulic.

While some celebrities are happy to shout their skincare routines from the rooftops, Sienna Miller is a little more reserved when it comes to sharing her secrets. However, one product we do know she likes (according to The Telegraph) is Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum. A beauty editor-favourite, the vitamin C serum helps boost glow and protect skin from environmental aggressors. If you're looking to invest in a vitamin C serum that really works, C E Ferulic should be your first port of call. 

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung turns to Weleda Calendula Face Cream when her skin needs some TLC and swears by Augustinus Bader The Cream.

When Alexa Chung discusses her beauty routine, we listen. In 2021, she told Stylist that she loves using Weleda's Calendula Face Cream—and I agree it's a great affordable moisturiser. With almond oil and calendula, it's a great option for sensitive skin. In fact, it's so gentle it can even be used on babies. 

Last year, Chung also told Harper's Bazaar Arabia that she swears by Augustinus Bader The Cream, although was keen to highlight that The Rich Cream (which is the usual celeb go-to) is too thick and heavy for her skin. As a fellow oily-skinned gal, I agree that The Cream, which contains a gentle retinol to help diminish fine lines, is a much better option for those prone to breakouts.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell uses a zinc mist from La Roche-Posay to start off her routine and also incorporated a vitamin C from Dr Sebagh.

As a beauty editor, I've wanted to know Naomi Campbell's skin secrets for many years, and back in 2020, Vogue delivered. Campbell shared her 10-minute skincare routine on YouTube. While a big chunk of her routine is made up of specialist products, she did share that she always starts her routine with La Roche-Posay's Serozinc, a zinc facial mist that helps keep breakouts at bay and refresh and soothe stressed-out skin while it's at it. 

For her antioxidant hit, Campbell turns to Dr Sebagh Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream. Housed in small, travel-friendly vials, the clever formula keeps vitamin C at its most potent by keeping it in powder format (as soon as vitamin C is mixed with water, it risks becoming unstable and less effective). Apply just a small amount to the skin and it will transform into a cream. Whenever I go away, I always pack a vial of Dr Sebagh vitamin C. 

Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski has revealed she uses Omorovicza's luxurious Thermal Cleansing Balm.

If there's one celeb whose skincare routine I want in on, it's Emily Ratajkowski. Her clear, glowing complexion is absolute goals. So imagine my joy when I found out then I'm already an avid user of her go-to cleansing balm, Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm. Sharing her skincare routine to her Instagram stories, Em Rata said she uses the balm as a first cleanse. Rich, nourishing and decongesting at the same time, the balm makes for the ultimate spa-like first step to your evening routine.

Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber is vocal about her skincare choices and has proclaimed her love for Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Butter Cleanser, Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask, and Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream.

Hailey Bieber might have recently launched her own skincare brand, but she's had years of experiencing in trying great skincare products to know what makes an excellent product. Posting to her Insta stories in September, the model shared her love for Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup Melting Cleansing Butter—a great no-fuss makeup remover that leaves skin suitably glowing. She also declared her love for Dr. Barbara Sturm Clarifying Mask, a seriously effective treatment packed with kaolin and zinc to unclog pores and leave skin feeling baby-soft. Finally, she finishes off with a generous layer of Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream—because what celeb doesn't?

Zoe Kravitz

A celeb-favourite, Zoe Kravitz is a fan of Caudalie Beauty Elixir.

In a YouTube video for Vogue last year, Zoe Kravitz revealed that, sadly, a lot of her skincare go-tos aren't available to shop this side of the Atlantic. One cult product that is, however, is Caudalie Beauty Elixir. A facial mist, I'd be lying if I said it's a must have, however if you're looking for a spa-like add-on product to your routine that will help deliver instant glow, Beauty Elixir is the one to go for. 

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

A fan of clinical skincare brands, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley turns to iS Clinical Cleansing Complex and cult moisturiser Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore for her skincare regimen.

Trust Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to have exceptional taste in skincare. On her YouTube channel, she revealed that her skincare selections tend to cater towards acneic skin and come courtesy of hard-working, clinical brands. Her go-to cleanser? iS Clinical Cleansing Complex. Formulated with a source of salicylic acid, it helps deliver a hardworking, but gentle cleanse, perfect for breakout-prone skin that doesn't take well to drying cleansers.

Also in the video, she mentions that makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes recommended Skinceuticals Triple Lipid Restore moisturiser to her, and that she's also a big fan. Considered a cult product amongst beauty buffs, Triple Lipid Restore gives skin a next-level pillowy glow, thanks to a concoction of barrier-loving lipids.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

We're also big fans of Priyanka Chopra's much-loved cleanser, Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel.

In an interview with Vogue, Priyanka Chopra Jonas admitted that she likes to try an array on skincare products and rarely sticks to the same ones. However, she did give one product a special shout-out, and I'm a big fan too. "At the moment I’m using an Augustinus Bader face wash which I really like it’s super gentle," she revealed. Super-gentle and non-irritating, The Cream Cleansing Gel is ideal for those that like their evening cleanser to remove makeup with zero fuss and leave skin feeling suitably hydrated. I'd say it's one of my favourite cleansers of all time—if only it didn't cost a cool £52.

Poppy Delevingne

Poppy Delevingne appreciates affordable (but effective) skincare such as CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum.

It's refreshing to hear that super-chic celebs like Poppy Delevingne appreciate affordable skincare selections. According to Grazia, two of her favourite skincare products are CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum. The cleanser costs less than a tenner and is adored by dermatologists and beauty editors alike thanks to its non-irritating, gets-the-job-done formula. Whatever your skin type, CeraVe's Hydrating Cleanser will be for you. To restore hydration after cleansing, Vichy's Minéral 89 is perhaps one of the most plumping, dew-boosting hyaluronic acid serums on the market.

Beyoncé

It's no secret that Beyoncé credits Eucerin Aquaphor for her glowing complexion.

Little is known about Beyoncé's beauty routine (as is the case with most aspects of her private life), however rumour has it that she's a huge fan of slugging skin with Eucerin Aquaphor before bed. She told Elle all the way back in 2010, "I go to bed looking totally greasy." 

If you have dry skin and want to give skin slugging a go, Eucerin's Aquaphor provides the perfect recipe of hydrating ingredients. However, if you have oily or breakout-prone skin, it's best to stay clear of heavy formulas like Aquaphor.

Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan Dunn's clinical skincare routine features Neostrata Foaming Glycolic Wash and Clinisoothe Skin Purifier, finished off with Black Girl Sunscreen SPF30.

Ever wondered how Jourdan Dunn gets her supermodel glow? Wonder no more. All the way back in 2019, Dunn ran through her skincare routine with Vogue. Like so many other models, Dunn relies on clinical skincare brands for her clear complexion. She starts with Neostrata Foaming Glycolic Wash, which delivers a gentle but effective exfoliating cleanse (sensitive skin types, beware).

Then, she relies on Clinisept (or Clinisoothe as it is now known) to help fend off any spot-causing bacteria. Clinisoothe has long been an under-the-radar beauty-editor favourite product that comes highly recommended by dermatologists and aestheticians. And the best bit is, it's wildly affordable. To finish up her routine, she slathers on a layer of SPF every single day. She says, "I like to use Black Girl Sunscreen because for me it's very moisturising. It doesn't leave that grey, shiny tin-man look. I mean, anyone can use it, but I love that it's dedicated for black and brown girls."

Next up, dermatologists and celebrities swear by this affordable brand.