16 Cult Beauty Products Insiders Swear By for Perfect Skin

What do the skincare routines among beauty insiders really look like? And what are the products they use to whip their complexions into shape or just maintain an already enviable glow? That's exactly what I was determined to get to the bottom of when I flooded the inboxes of some of the beauty world’s most in-the-know women, pleading with them to share the cult skincare items they can’t live without.

The experts I turned to are women working in different areas of the beauty industry—editors, makeup artists, consultants, publicists, and art directors—who are constantly testing the best new products on the market. As someone who is always ready to step up my personal skincare routine, I was curious to find out the truly game-changing products they think are worthy of a purchase.

Here, beauty insiders talk cult skincare products they always stock in their medicine cabinets and refuse to travel without—from the blemish-fighting mask Allure’s executive beauty editor uses to keep her skin clear to the toner Violet Grey’s art director spends 10 minutes pressing onto her face.

Carrie Barber, Art Director, Violet Grey

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Biologique Recherce Lotion P50 (price upon request)

"This is my desert-island skincare product. I've used this for the last decade and always have a backup and a travel size. It exfoliates, hydrates, visibly shrinks pores, and evens skin tone. Insider tip: Melanie Simon taught me to press the toner into the skin to get the most out of it and let it sit for at least 10 minutes so it can balance the pH of your skin. This takes more time, but the results are worth it."

Daniela Dello Joio, Public Relations Manager, Dior

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Jessica Chia, Executive Beauty Editor, Allure

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Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM 400 Toner (price upon request)

"I use the Biologique Recherche P50 PIGM 400 toner every night after I cleanse my face. I love that it's astringent (thanks to mandelic, phytic, and citric acids) and thus helps prevent breakouts and clogged pores, but it also helps lighten the dark spots I have left over from pimples past, so I don't have to wear heavy foundation or cover-up."

Jayme Cyk, Founder, Cannonball Theory

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Jamie Keller, Makeup Artist

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Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. BeforeBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.