Anyone who knows anything about beauty will tell you that “expensive” doesn’t necessarily mean “good.” Some of the best moisturizers on the market are hiding at the drugstore, and my own forever-favorite mascara costs $6. But, I have to admit: There’s something to be said about the experience that comes with using a pricey product. Be it the luxe smell and texture, the chic packaging, or the fancy ingredients from some of the bougiest destinations in the world, a little luxury goes a long way.
My own routine includes plenty of options from both sides of the spectrum, but there’s one brand that’s become a mainstay thanks to the fact that it doesn’t force me to choose between an affordable price and a high-end experience: Beauty Pie. As a beauty editor who has tried a lot of products on the market, I can say with full confidence that you really can’t go wrong investing in one of the brand’s products; no matter what you buy, you’ll still be getting more than you pay for. But with so many great options to choose from, actually deciding what to add to your cart can feel overwhelming—here are 10 of my favorites that really are worth their coin.
About Beauty Pie
While you may already be familiar with Beauty Pie from its viral products (like the Wondercolour Longwear Cream Shadow Sticks ($24) or Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser ($24), what you may not realize is that there’s a good reason why people can’t stop talking about its formulas. The brand operates with a unique, direct-to-consumer model that cuts out the middleman wherever possible, kinda like Quince. It sources formulas from the same labs as high-end cosmetics brands, then sells them on its website—sans marketing and distribution—for a fraction of what they’d typically cost.
Shoppers have the option to become members (for either $15 a month or $59 a year) to access the lowest prices, but even non-members can still score some serious deals. For example, Beautypie’s hyaluronic acid serum goes for $29 for members and $55 for non-members, while a similarly formulated product would run you $100 retail. Pretty cool, right?
Member or non-member, here’s what Beauty Pie products are worth spending your money on.
The best Beauty Pie products, according to a beauty editor
Member price: $33; Non-member price: $68; Retail price: $135
Key ingredients: niacinamide, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, grape stem cells
For anyone who, like me, prefers to keep their morning routine as minimal as possible, a moisturizer has to check a lot of boxes. It’s got to keep your skin hydrated, sure, but it also needs to lay well under SPF and makeup, and ideally offer some sort of active benefit and antioxidant protection. Beautypie’s Super Healthy Skin Cream does all of that and then some. It’s made with vitamin C (which brightens the skin and protects against environmental stressors), niacinamide (for evening skin tone and reducing redness), hyaluronic acid (for plumping and hydrating), and grape stem cells (which offer firming benefits). What’s more, it feels really good to apply—it’s got a sort of jelly-meets-creamy texture that sinks instantly into skin and leaves behind a radiant finish.
Size: 1.69 Oz.
Pros:
- Contains brightening and skin-tone evening actives
- Delivers lightweight, effective hydration
- Offers antioxidant protection
- Lays well under makeup and SPF
- Can be used in the morning or at night
Cons:
- Does not contain SPF, so must be paired with a sunscreen for AM use
Member price: $23; Non-member price: $39; Retail price: $40
Key ingredients: ceramides, lipids
My skin is currently in its pre-wedding bootcamp era, which means my nighttime routine is packed with a whole host of heavy-duty treatments I got from my dermatologist (shoutout to Dr. David Kim at Idriss Dermatology!). Because my regimen is so hardcore, I need to be absolutely sure that my skin barrier can hold up—which is why these capsules have become a very important addition. They’re made with skin-identical lipids, which help to boost your skin’s natural production of ceramides and keep the barrier as strong as possible. I also love that they come dosed out in single-serving, highly-concentrated capsules, which helps me be sure that I’m giving my skin exactly the amount of fortifying goodness it needs.
Size: 60 x 0.01 oz.
Pros:
- Contains barrier-strengthening ingredients
- Comes in single-serving capsules
- Easy to integrate into the rest of your routine
Cons:
- Should be used alongside another moisturizer
Member price: $14; Non-member price: $28; Retail price: $35
Key ingredients: vitamin C, vitamin E, grape polyphenols
While you can certainly get everything you need from an under-$15 drugstore cleanser, there’s something to be said about the sensory experience that comes along with using a luxury option. Thankfully, with Beautypie’s Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser, you don’t have to choose. It starts off as a creamy balm, but turns into an oil (the best format for picking up oil and makeup) as you massage it into your skin. Then, when you add water, it transforms into a nice frothy milk that’s easy to wash off. The formula—which is infused with vitamin C and polyphenols—is super gentle and effectively removes dirt and debris without disrupting your skin barrier
Size: 3.38 oz.
Pros:
- Safe for all skin types (including very sensitive)
- Japanese “hybrid cleansing” method provides a luxurious cleansing experience
- Effectively removes makeup and dirt without disrupting the skin barrier
- Fragrance free
Cons:
- May not be the best pick for those with oily or acne-prone skin
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Member price: $32; Non-member price: $54; Retail price: $90
Key ingredients: aloe, glycerin
I’m a big believer in scent layering, and that process always starts in the shower with a good-smelling body wash. This duo delivers exactly what you need for a mood-boosting shower in the morning and at night. The Brazilian Lime scent is a “zingy” scent meant to evoke a sun-drenched escape and is packed with energizing citrus notes that make it the perfect way to start your day. At the other end of the scent-emotion spectrum is the brand’s “green and grounding” wash, Une Balade En Forêt, which evokes the same calming feelings as forest bathing. Scents aside, the formulas are infused with skin-friendly ingredients like aloe and glycerin to leave you smelling *and* feeling great from head to toe.
Size: 13.52 oz/each
Pros:
- Made with hydrating, skin-nourishing ingredients
- Includes an energizing morning scent and a grounding evening scent
- Two great options to switch up your shower routine
Cons:
- Contains fragrance, so may not be suitable for those with sensitivities
Member price: $25; Non-member price: $42; Retail price: $55
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen amino acids
It’s hard to decide whether this product is skincare or makeup, mostly because it’s so darn *good* on both fronts. It’s got the same vibes (read: texture and ingredients) as your usual hyaluronic acid serum, but comes along with a slight tint. This means that in addition to the plumping and hydrating effects you’d get from HA, you also get an even, more radiant complexion. It’s the perfect product for days when you want to enhance your skin but don’t want to bother with actual makeup, and you can feel good knowing that your tint is working overtime with nourishing ingredients.
Size: 1.01 oz.
Pros:
- Blurs pores and evens skin tone
- Packed with hyaluronic acid
- Can be used alone or mixed with foundation
- Leaves behind a sheer, radiant finish
Cons:
- Shades are flexible, but there are only 7 of them
Member price: $14; Non-member price: $24; Retail: $30
Key ingredients: sunflower oil, castor oil, light-reflecting pigments
There are some mornings when your eyes need a little extra TLC, and I for one am endlessly grateful for this product any time my hangovers decide to show up in the form of dark circles. It’s technically a concealer in that it helps mask the appearance of discoloration, but it takes things one step further. Nourishing plant oils, like sunflower and castor, help to moisturize and smooth the area (which is particularly helpful for fine lines and crow’s feet) while light-reflecting particles add a little bit of brightness to help you fake the appearance of *actually* being awake.
Size: 0.14 oz.
Pros:
- Brightens and conceals the under-eye area
- Packed with nourishing plant oils for moisturizing and line-smoothing benefits
- Comes in 3 flexible shades
Cons:
- Shade undertones may not work with all skin types
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Member price: $25; Non-member price: $43; Retail price: $70
Key ingredients: glycolic acid, lactic acid, fruit enzymes, willow bark, kakadu plum
There’s a fine line between effective exfoliation and over-exfoliation, which is why it’s important to find a product that’s Goldilocks-level “just right.” This gentle formula uses AHAs and fruit enzymes to melt away dead skin cells, clearing and decongesting pores in the process. Five minutes are all you need for it to work its magic, and you’ll be left with brighter, more radiant skin with no irritation to speak of.
Size: 2.5 oz.
Pros:
- Offers gentle, effective exfoliation
- Delivers results in only 5 minutes
Cons:
- AHAs may be too intense for those with sensitive skin
Member price: $24; Non-member price: $40; Retail price: $65
Key ingredients: activated oxygen, salicylic acid, vitamin A
This is the product I reach for whenever I feel like my face is just looking blah. It was designed (by a very famous Swiss skincare scientist, no less) to mimic the results of an oxygen facial, and contains a stabilized version of the stuff to give skin a near-instant boost. It works by delivering an activated compound of oxygen and water (called H2O2) into your skin, where it floods cells with the molecules to ultimately enhance brightness, vitality, and hydration at the surface. It’s also got salicylic acid, which dives way down deep into pores to clear away dirt and debris, and vitamin A, which stimulates cellular turnover—making it my go-to mask after a long flight or late night when my skin needs a serious refresh.
Size: 1.69 oz.
Pros:
- Brightens and hydrates skin
- Works in 20 minutes
- Prevents breakouts
Cons:
- May be too intense for those with sensitive skin/anyone who can’t tolerate vitamin A or salicylic acid
Member price: $49; Non-member price: $93; Retail price: $185
Key ingredients: peptides, marine actives
It’s rare to find a single anti-aging serum that feels like an entire 10-step routine in one, but that’s what makes this formula so special—it quite literally does it all. It addresses nearly all of the visible signs of skin aging you can think of—from tone to texture to brightness—and offers such instant results that the name “Youthbomb” actually doesn’t feel so farfetched. It combines peptides, marine actives, and a proprietary complex to leave skin smoother, firmer, more radiant, and more hydrated delivering far more than what you’d typically expect from *one* serum (let alone one that costs under $50).
Size: 1.69 oz.
Pros:
- Multi-tasking anti-aging serum
- Can be used in the morning or at night
Cons:
- Limited discoloration-fighting abilities
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Member price: $29; Non-member price: $50; Retail price: $100
Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, polysaccharides
There’s a reason why this hyaluronic acid serum has been all over TikTok. It’s one of the best-of-the-best hydrating serums on the market, so much so that it’s regularly been compared to another very popular (and much more expensive) HA serum. It contains three different weights of hyaluronic acid molecules to hydrate your skin at multiple levels, leaving behind the sort of plump, juicy bounce that skincare dreams are made of. It also contains skin-strengthening ceramides to keep your barrier strong and feels smooth—not sticky—on top of the skin.
Size: 1.7 oz.
Pros:
- Extremely moisturizing
- Leaves skin smooth, not sticky
- Strengthens skin barrier
Cons:
- Might be too hydrating for those prone to oily skin