Are luxury skincare products worth the money? Unfortunately for my wallet, the answer is yes.
My skin has suffered whenever I tried to use a “dupe” instead of the original product.
Of course, I also notice issues almost immediately when I neglect my routine, travel, or overeat fat and sugar. It’s also a challenge for me to stay hydrated. I have a hard time drinking water outside the gym. Lately, I’ve been using straw top water bottles to make it easier.
As a sleep-deprived woman over 35, I am trying my best to take care of my skin. So far, I have avoided popular treatments like Botox and Filler. I am not against these things. Honestly, I’m just a bit scared of them.
I have done microneedling with PRP and chemical peels in the past. I have also tried retinol-based products. These were all too harsh for my sensitive, dry skin. Another thing to note is that my skin is prone to occasional breakouts. I did not anticipate still having acne this close to 40. But, here we are!
After a long hiatus, in 2023, I began getting facials again. It had been years since I’d done extractions or proper exfoliation. My aesthetician recommended several products that I began using right away. There was no hard sell, which I appreciated. I bought almost everything. I was ready to start my new skincare routine.
In the past, I have tried many brands of drugstore and luxury skincare. I’ve used everything from Aveeno and Cerave to Skinmedica and La Mer.
The luxury skincare products below are what I am currently using. It seems I need to add or remove things every six months, depending on the weather, my diet, and my stress levels.
While I get most products from a local spa, I’ve linked online retailers whenever possible. While there are some affiliate links, none of this post is sponsored. I didn’t receive any free products or compensation. This is an honest review of products purchased with my own money.
Morning Luxury Skincare Routine
My morning and evening routines are very similar. What’s the difference? I don’t use sunscreen at night or the MBR overnight refiner in the morning. I’ve also recently switched to a different eye cream in the evening.
Step 1: Luxury Skincare Cleanser: Biologique Recherche Lait S.R.
This cleanser goes on dry skin. Do not wet your skin first. I like to massage it all over for a full minute. You can blot it off with a washcloth or rinse it with cool water.
Step 2: Toner: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 W
This is the gentlest version of the cult favorite Biologique Recherche (BR) P50 lotion. Even so, I was instructed to wet a cotton ball with water. Then I add a few drops of P50. Then, I apply the diluted product by pressing it into the skin, not swiping.
This method also helps the product last longer. My first bottle took me 7 months to finish. When I finally ran out, I attempted to replace this with a “dupe” in a pink and green bottle. Sadly, It didn’t work. It aggravated my skin, unfortunately.
Step 3: Luxury Skincare Serums
First, I use Biologique Recherche Serum Complexe Iribiol. Then I follow it with BR’s Extraits Tissulaires. As water-based serums, these sink into my skin almost instantly.
Step 4: Sisley-Paris Black Rose Eye Contour Fluid
I always thought eye cream should be applied after moisturizer, but it’s the opposite. This luxury skincare eye cream is my favorite for the daytime. It imparts some brightness to the eye area, which I desperately need.
This is available at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. There is also a lovely Sisley Black Rose gift set. It includes my favorite moisturizer, eye cream, and a body lotion sample for under $300. This would make an excellent Mother’s Day gift.
Step 5: Luxury Skincare Moisturizers
I have oscillated between the Sisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream and BR’s Creme Verte Espoir A.R. Currently, I am finishing the BR cream. I’ll go back to Sisley once this jar is gone.
I am also adding a drop of Furtuna’s Biphase Oil to my moisturizer before applying it. My aesthetician and I are hoping this helps combat the dryness.
The Furtuna Bipahse Oil is available at Neiman Marcus. The Sisley Black Rose mositurizer is at Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s.
Step 6: Luxury Skincare SPF: Sisley-Paris Tinted Sunscreen Cream SPF 30
When I’m out in public or outdoors, I like to use Sisley’s tinted sunscreen instead of foundation. Truthfully, I even use it as a foundation at night! It doesn’t irritate my skin or burn my eye area.
A little goes a long way. I still have plenty of this sunscreen, even though I bought it eight months ago. On days when I’m working from home, I don’t want any skin tint or makeup products. On those days, I like to use SkinMedica’s Essential Defense.
The luxury sunscreen cream is available at Bloomingdale’s.
Luxury Skincare Evening Routine
As mentioned above, my morning and evening routine is fairly similar. I use the same cleanser, toner, and serums.
I will sometimes double cleanse if I wear makeup during the day.
Night Time Skincare Routine Steps 1-3
These remain the same as above: cleanser, toner, and serums. I am slowly introducing two new evening products to my lineup.
After my Biologique Recherche serums, I am using the new items below.
Step 4: MBR Medical Beauty Research Overnight Refiner
After my Biologique Recherche serums, I use MBR’s overnight refiner. This should help the breakout I’m experiencing. Since I’m not a fan of retinol, this was recommended as a gentler alternative.
Note: Against my instincts, I tried a new waxer last month. The type of wax they used irritated my skin. This is my lesson to stick to my beloved waxing salon, no matter how crazy my eyebrows get between appointments.
Step 5: MBR Medical Beauty Research ContinueLine Protection Shield Eye Luxury Eye Cream
This luxurious eye cream is new to my routine. So far, I like that it doesn’t irritate my eyes. Even products designed for sensitive skin tend to give me a burning sensation.
Step 6: Luxury Skincare Moisturizers
As I mentioned before, I am currently using a BR moisturizer. I am planning to go back to Sisley’s black rose cream. While both luxury moisturizers are nice, I need to use a lot of the BR lotion to penetrate my skin. This causes the product to run out too quickly for my liking. I’m also adding in the Furtuna Skin Biphase Oil at night.
Final Thoughts on Luxury Skincare Products That Are Worth the Money
My journey through skincare has been nuanced and marked by trial and error. Luxury skincare products are the cornerstone of my routine. I don’t consider them an indulgence, but an essential investment in the health and vitality of my skin.
By experimenting with many brands, I’ve learned the importance of quality ingredients. Attempts to substitute with cheaper alternatives have often led to disappointment.
Navigating aging, sensitive, and acne-prone skin has been a challenge. While I’ve shied away from invasive procedures like Botox, Dysport, and fillers, I’ve found solace and efficacy with luxury skincare.
As I refine and tailor my routine to my skin’s evolving needs, one thing is clear. Luxury skincare is not just about opulence. It’s about efficacy, reliability, and ultimately, empowerment. Beauty standards may fluctuate, but the confidence that comes from healthy, radiant skin is timeless.
I am planning to update this post in three months. Then we’ll see how my skin reacted to the new products, namely MBR’s overnight refiner and eye cream.
Do you have any favorite luxury skincare products that are worth it to you? I have yet to find a decent lip mask. Yes, I’ve tried Laneige and Tatcha. Have you found one that isn’t drying? I’d love to hear from you!
