We skincare fans are all very aware of the multi-step skincare routines coming out of Korea and Japan, right? And if we’re not completely across what every step means and does (hi!, me included) we have at least absorbed the fact that there’s a whole new world of luxury out there in self-care land and it’s not necessarily backed by billions of pounds in traditional luxury cosmetics advertising campaigns.
The new luxury in skincare is in mindful and considered products that many smaller brands – and some big brands - are making.
We’re talking under-the-radar luxe skincare that you want in your next #shelfie: green, ethical, sustainable, natural, vegan – and thoughtful – products that make a difference to the planet and your skin.
That difference could mean less money spent on packaging and marketing so the brand can spend more on expensive and effective ingredients that really work. Or it could be your choice of ethics – vegan, plastic-free, recyclable packaging.
Gone are the days that luxury in skincare meant loads of wasteful packaging and A-list “face of” spokespeople.
Some of our favourite brands for luxury natural and ethical skincare care Tata Harper, May Lindstrom, Oskia, 12, Votary, Josh Rosebrook, de Mamiel, Hourglass, Welleco, Bamford and Prosody London. Yes, they all still have gorgeous packaging, but most is recyclable, recycled or simply re-usable such as Welleco and Hourglass.
It’s worth noting (because we love to learn, right?) that animal testing on cosmetics is illegal in the EU and UK, so all these products are great for our furry friends too.
Here’s our shoppable edit of luxury skincare that hit all the right notes.
Credit: spacenk.com
Votary Cleansing Oil, £45, spacenk.com
It's natural, smells divine, is vegan and made in the UK.
Credit: spacenk.com
May Lindstrom Clean Dirt, £62, spacenk.com
A beautiful second-step cleanser made from natural ingredients; vegan, gluten-free and organic.
Credit: Oskia
Oskia Renaissance Mask, £55, oskiaskincare.com
A Sunday night must-have, it’s vegan, has prebiotics and is made in the UK in a solar-powered factory.
Credit: cultbeauty.co.uk
Tata Harper Mask, £109, cultbeauty.co.uk
All of Tata Harper’s products are gorgeous, and this eye mask smells amazing and is all-natural.
credit: ecco-verde.co.uk
Nuori Vitamin C, £97, ecco-verde.co.uk
For vitamin C to be effective, it must be sealed and kept away from water. This vegan treatment delivers a powerful boost of natural antioxidants.
Credit: twelvebeauty.com
12 Ideal Moisture Level Serum, £52, twelvebeauty.com
Balanced hydration means happy, functioning skin. 12 delivers this naturally, is handmade in Spain using artisan methods and is free from parabens, sulphates, silicones, petrochemicals and glycols.
Credit: cultbeauty.co.uk
Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelarator, £35, cultbeauty.co.uk
A fresh spritz of natural moisture, with many organic ingredients for calm skin.
Credit: herbivorebotanicals.com
Herbivore Body Polish, £27, herbivorebotanicals.com
A natural shower product based on organic coconut oil that leaves skin smoother, moisturised and smelling of Moroccan roses.
Credit: demamiel.com
de Mamiel Salvation Body Oil, £85, demamiel.com
A beautiful UK-made product for all seasons with “a heavenly scent of frankincense, bergamot, myrrh and jasmine”.
Credit: net-a-porter.com
Hourglass Vegan Refillable Lipstick, £55, net-a-porter.com
Vegan make-up brand Hourglass owns the highlighter category for lit-from within glow, and now has a high glam refillable lipstick for extra ethical chicness.
Credit: prosodylondon.com
Prosody London Travel Perfume Set, £155, prosodylondon.com
Organic and natural perfume is hard to come by, but this little set lets you experiment with scents that not everyone owns.
Credit: net-a-porter.com
Welleco Super Elixir, £95, net-a-porter.com
A beautiful refillable caddy holds your daily dose of super supplements.
Credit: bamford.com
Bamford Hand Wash, £24, bamford.com
Some well-known brands are a by-word for luxury on the bathroom sink, and we love them, but Bamford is a new addition we want.
Main image credit: Oskia