Splurge or Save? How to Build a Luxury Skincare Routine
A luxury routine doesn't mean every product needs to be the most expensive version available. The smartest approach is to put your budget where formulas make the most difference, and keep the rest simple.
Step 1: Cleanse (save)
Cleanser is on your skin for under a minute before you rinse it away. A gentle, well-formulated cleanser at any price does the job. This is the easiest place to save.
Step 2: Essence or toner (optional splurge)
Essences are a lightweight hydrating step that preps skin for the rest of the routine. They're lovely but optional. If you enjoy the ritual, these two are the icons of the category.
PITERA™ Facial Treatment Essence
The famous fermented essence. A watery first step after cleansing, for clarity and bounce.
The Treatment Lotion
A hydrating essence-lotion that preps skin to drink in the rest of the ritual.
Step 3: Serum (splurge)
This is where your money matters most: the most concentrated, targeted step. Choose one serum for your main concern. Our guide to luxury serums explains how.
Advanced Night Repair Serum
The little brown bottle. A decades-old icon, reformulated, for overnight repair and radiance.
Step 4: Eye care (splurge, wisely)
The skin around the eyes is thinner and often the first to show tiredness. A dedicated eye cream is worth it, and because you use so little, a small jar lasts a long time.
Total Eye Lift
A refillable eye cream designed to visibly lift and smooth the whole eye area.
Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
Advanced Night Repair technology in a cooling, fast-absorbing eye gel-creme.
Step 5: Moisturizer (splurge)
The cream you use twice a day. Pick by skin type first; see our moisturizer guide for matches.
The Cream
The lighter sibling of The Rich Cream, suited to normal and combination skin.
Think in price per ounce
A $300 jar isn't necessarily more expensive than a $150 one: it depends on the size. Every skincare and fragrance page on Satiné shows the price per ounce next to the price, so you can compare like with like. Larger sizes and refills almost always bring the cost down.
A sample routine at three budgets
- Considered: one hero serum plus a lighter luxury cream, with everything else kept simple.
- Indulgent: add an eye cream and an essence.
- No compromise: a house's flagship cream and serum together, such as La Prairie or Clé de Peau Beauté.
Our picks are chosen on formulation, reputation and value. Prices are US retail and update with our catalog. We add hands-on verdicts to product pages as we test.