Best Luxury Skincare
Last updated: · 2 picks
TL;DR
Top pick: La Mer Crème de la Mer
The moisturizer that created the luxury skincare category — still best-in-class for post-procedure barrier repair.
Runner-up: Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream — A Japanese-inspired moisturizer that delivers genuine dewiness — a strong La Mer alternative at half the price.
We spent time researching the best luxury skincare across real user scenarios, not just specs. Every product below has been evaluated on value, performance, and long-term reliability. Our recommendations are independent — we earn a commission if you buy through our links, but this never influences which products we recommend or how we rank them.
Quick comparison
| Product | Rating | Price | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 La Mer Crème de la Mer La Mer | 4.6 | $345.00 | Post-procedure recovery, sensitized skin, or as a deliberate luxury upgrade for an already-solid routine. | See Price |
4.5 | $72.00 | Dry-skin types wanting a luxury moisturizer without the La Mer price tag. | See Price |
Our picks, ranked
- 1La Mer Crème de la Mer$345.00
La Mer
The moisturizer that created the luxury skincare category — still best-in-class for post-procedure barrier repair.
Best for: Post-procedure recovery, sensitized skin, or as a deliberate luxury upgrade for an already-solid routine.
- 2$72.00
A Japanese-inspired moisturizer that delivers genuine dewiness — a strong La Mer alternative at half the price.
Best for: Dry-skin types wanting a luxury moisturizer without the La Mer price tag.
Frequently asked questions
Is La Mer worth the price?
For post-procedure barrier repair or severely sensitized skin, yes — its documented barrier-support properties are real. For daily moisturizing on normal skin, the honest answer is no — a $40 CeraVe delivers comparable hydration.
What is Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream best for?
Dry skin types who want a luxury moisturizer without the La Mer price. It delivers genuine dewiness and strong antioxidant ingredients at roughly half the cost. Too rich for oily/combination skin.
Should I use luxury skincare before my actives or after?
After — always complete your active steps (retinoid, vitamin C, AHA/BHA) before applying a rich moisturizer like La Mer or Tatcha. Applying a heavy cream first can impede penetration of the actives.
Do luxury moisturizers actually work better than drugstore options?
For basic daily hydration, often not. The ingredient research consistently shows that petrolatum, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid in drugstore products perform comparably for hydration. Premium products earn their price in specific use cases: barrier repair, sensory experience, or specific actives not found in cheaper products.
What order should I apply luxury skincare products?
Cleanser → toner/essence (optional) → serum (actives) → eye cream (optional) → moisturizer → SPF (morning). Luxury moisturizers go in the moisturizer step, not as a base or first layer.