The Duchess of Sussex previously shared some of her favourite beauty products, and so I put them to the test to see if they would help me to replicate her fresh, glowing complexion
With the launch of her Netflix show, podcast and lifestyle brand, Meghan Markle also set up a ShopMy page, a site where influencers can share their favourite fashion, beauty and lifestyle products and direct their followers where to buy them. Although the Duchess’s page is constantly updated, a few weeks ago she had a section containing some of her favourite beauty products – and, envious of how radiant and glossy she always looks, I was keen to test some of them out for myself.
While some of the items she had listed look like they’re only available to buy in the US, plenty are on sale here in the UK, and include bestselling brands such as La Roche-Posay, Tatcha and Tata Harper. Some I’d previously tried before while others were completely new to me – and after trying them, I think are set to be new firm favourites…
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La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser
Was from £16.50, now from £13.20 from Lookfantastic
I started my royal-approved skincare routine with this La Roche-Posay cleanser Meghan had listed, which is currently reduced to £13.20 for a 200ml bottle, or £18.80 for a 400ml bottle with a pump.
I’ve used in the past, and often keep in a ‘skincare SOS’ kit if my complexion’s ever feeling irritated or extra-dry. It’s a really brilliant, simple, suits-all creamy cleanser; it won’t transform skin in any huge way but it won’t strip the skin either, and it’s just a great everyday staple.
It doesn’t remove eye make-up on me, and in the shower I like to use something with more of a foaming or gel consistency, but you can’t go wrong with this, and I’m thrilled to have it back in my skincare routine.
Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream
£26 from Boots
This was the product I was most excited to try. I knew that Korean brand Medicube had been going viral in the States for its innovative textures and formulas, but until recently it was only available to buy on Amazon, now, though, it’s just launched into Boots, this lightweight gel-cream texture – which is rich in hydrolysed collagen – is perhaps the hero product.
It has a consistency unlike anything I’ve ever tried before: red, bouncy and surprisingly firm, like actual edible jelly, and comes with a little scoop to spoon it out with. I usually find gel moisturisers not hydrating enough for me, disappearing too quickly into my skin, but not this one – this had a really smoothing, plumping effect, and gave a genuine ‘glass skin’ look without the greasiness that sometimes comes with very dewy creams. I used it before bed and I honestly couldn’t believe how good my skin looked; almost like it was coated in a fine clear layer of PVA glue (in a good way!). This was a surprise hit – and next time I won’t waste these effects on bedtime!
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
£67 from Sephora
Another favourite moisturiser of Meghan, and one she’s shared her love of plenty of times of the years – and one loads of beauty editor (including myself) praise too. A rich face cream containing Japanese purple rice, hyaluronic acid and squalane, this also gives a ‘glass skin’ glow, but in a different way to the Medicube product; Tatcha’s is more nourishing and balm-like, brilliant on normal-to-dry skin but maybe best avoided if you have an oily complexion.
Tatcha products are also so beautifully presented – The Dewy Skin Cream, for example, comes with a little spatula in the lid, and in an origami-style box – making them gorgeous gifts.
I absolutely loved how glowing, plump and healthy my skin looked after using this, and it felt hydrated all day long. One thing I did find, however, is that the Clarins tinted moisturiser and concealer that I applied afterwards didn’t sit that well on top – almost as if my skin was too dewy (it may have been a good idea to wait a few minutes for it to sink in slightly before applying make-up). If you want to try it out first before splashing out on a full-size tub, it’s also available in a mini 10ml pot at Sephora for £24.
Tatcha The Serum Stick
£49 from Sephora
Meghan also recommended this second Tatcha product, this handy serum-in-a-stick. I used it around my eyes and mouth, where my skin often slightly drier, and found it to go on really smoothly – no dragging the skin – yet it’s lighter than a balm stick. It’s great if you’re prone to dry skin and find that your make-up sometimes looks a little patchy during the day
I probably wouldn’t rebuy this as my skin isn’t really dry enough to find this worth the money, and I get enough hydrating from my regular skincare routine. While I’m using up this tube, however, I’ll be keeping it in my handbag for freshening up my face on the go.
Tata Harper Superkind Radiance Mask
£57 from Space NK
Meghan had listed a huge Tata Harper four-piece Multi-Masking Collection but I picked the one that most appealed to me (and would give me the Duchess’s glow): the Radiance Mask. This creamy, 100% naturalformula contains gentle AHAs plus prebiotics to strengthen the skin’s microbiome, and is designed to be left on for 20 minutes before rinsing off.
What I liked about it was just how gentle it was; which is clearly something of a theme amongst Meghan’s skincare routine; there are no harsh actives or potential irritants. Some exfoliating masks can give a bit of a tingle, but not this one; my skin looked slightly fresher and brighter but without any redness, and I’ll definitely continue to use this once a week or so.
RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
£39 from Space NK
To complete my Meghan Markle glow-up, I finished by dabbing a little of the RMS Beauty Living Luminizer onto the tops of my cheekbones, a cream highlighter that’s also said to be a favourite with Khloé Kardashian, Miranda Kerr and Hailey Bieber. Another fairly natural brand (something that Meghan clearly values), it gives a very subtle gleam to the skin.
I tried the shade Living, a sheer pearlescent ivory, but if I was to buy it again, I’d probably pick the shade Magic. I also found that it looks much better applied to very well moisturised skin (for example, after Tatcha’s The Dewy Cream) or on top of a very hydrating foundation or tinted moisturiser; if your skin’s a little dry, it does show up skin texture.
If you’re after an alternative, I also love Lisa Eldridge’s Elevated Glow Highlighter, £27, and Haus Labs’ new Bio Radiant Highlighter Balm, £30.
Overall, I loved how glowy and fresh these products made my skin look, discovered a new favourite with the Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream, and was reminded of an old one with Tatcha’s Dewy Cream Cream. Meghan clearly priorities gentle formulas and hydration in her skincare routine, and it has encouraged me to do the same.
