15 pricey skincare products that we actually use in our daily lives — and why we can justify their cost

I recently wrote about this two-step skin treatment in an article that was basically a love letter in disguise. The Extra-Strength Alpha Beta Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross, which consists of two pre-soaked pads that you swipe all over your face, has been a godsend for my acne-prone skin. The powerful combination of hydroxy acids with ingredients like free-radical-fighting retinol and resveratrol create a cocktail that works wonders for eliminating and preventing acne, uneven skin tone, and roughly textured skin. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews senior editor

If you want more information, read my full review here.

I've tried my share of facial cleansing brushes, but the best one I've used is FOREO's silicone device. It comes in four different types (combination, normal, oily, and sensitive) to address your unique skin issues. The bristles are made of silicone, making the two-minute experience gentle and squashing my fears of bacteria build-up over time. My skin always feels smoother and softer after using it, so I try to make it a habit of using my FOREO consistently and even travel with it (if you do want a smaller, more portable option, the LUNA mini 2 is more affordable but equally effective).

It also seems to last forever off of just one charge; I was so accustomed to stepping into the shower only to discover my cleansing brush was dead that I was pleasantly surprised by how long the LUNA stays charged. I've used my FOREO so many times that it completely justifies the $200 price tag. — Connie Chen, Insider Reviews senior reporter

I'm not exaggerating when I say I've tested out hundreds of moisturizers (I wrote a lot of skincare and beauty content in my previous job). But day after day, despite how full my bathroom shelves are of unopened luxury skincare products, this is the one I keep turning to. The formula feels less like a lotion and more like a silky gel, and the effect is an incredibly hydrating, non-sticky finish that lasts all day. Normally, lightweight moisturizers don't work for more than an hour or two on my skin, but this one is the exception. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews senior editor

I've waxed poetic about this moisturizer and this company before, but they have yet to be defeated for me in terms of quality and consistency. Naturally, I want the best of everything, and that makes me not especially brand-loyal — except, accidentally, to Drunk Elephant.

The company makes non-toxic skincare that marries the best in synthetic advancements and clean, natural superfood ingredients. I love the safe, transparent ingredients and have-it-all attitude. This moisturizer was built like a protein shake for your face. It's packed with nine plant-derived peptide growth factors that mimic human peptides and boost your body's natural cell turnover. This encourages your skin's collagen production, which keeps skin bouncy and elastic. But, in the day to day, it sinks into my skin quickly and flawlessly, feels light but deeply hydrates, and makes my skin brighter and smoother. — Mara Leighton, Insider Reviews senior reporter

If you want more information, read my full review here.

This exfoliating facial mask from Fresh is the first product I reach for whenever my tired and dry skin feels like it needs a quick pick-me-up. It's billed as a "five-minute facial in a jar" and uses a blend of natural ingredients, like kombu seaweed, red algae, and lotus seed powder, to gently buff and refine your complexion. My skin always feels smoother and brighter after using it, and while it's technically "anti-aging," I honestly think it's a great skincare product for just about any age or skin type. In my experience, it's also gentle enough for use multiple times a week. —Ellen Hoffman, Insider Reviews executive editor

I used to shrink away from the idea dabbing oil on my face willingly, but this is one of the products that has made me an emphatic convert. After I've washed my face and applied a toner at night, I'll warm up a couple drops of the argan oil in my hands and rub it into my face and neck. From how greedily my skin absorbs this stuff, you'd think I'd been denying it moisturizer for the last decade.

Instead of relying on heavy creams that might clog pores (especially in the summer) this gives me deeper hydration with a more lightweight product. The essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and antioxidants absorb quickly and completely into my skin and make a smoother, softer, bouncier surface. The simplicity of 100% argan oil also appeals to me, since I recently converted my makeup to safer (and "greener") alternatives.

It's pricey, but you can use it anywhere on your body (like dry hair or nails) and it's been a couple months of nightly use and I'm not even halfway through the bottle. — Mara Leighton, Insider Reviews senior reporter

This enzyme peeling gel from Peter Thomas Roth is nuts! It uses chemical exfoliation to gently remove the top layer of dry, dead skin cells from your face, and you can actually feel and see them accumulate and ball up as you massage it around. It's weird and slightly gross at first, but it's also strangely satisfying! It leaves your skin exceptionally soft and helps your products absorb more deeply. It's also gentle enough for daily use. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews senior editor

This is maybe one of the weirder skincare products I use, but it's the absolute best non-chemical exfoliant out there. Dermologica's Daily Microfoliant is actually a powder that you mix with a few drops of water to form a paste. The base is made of pulverized rice, colloidal oatmeal, and cellulose, all of which is infused with hydrating and antibacterial oils like grapefruit and tea tree.

It sloughs off dead skin extremely well without removing your natural oil barrier, and leaves your face feeling incredibly soft and smooth. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews senior editor

Like Sally, I've tested dozens of moisturizers as part of previous jobs, but this super lightweight one from Fresh does the best job of hydrating my naturally very dry skin. I apply a generous amount in the morning and at night for all-day-long glowing skin. If I'm feeling especially lazy in the morning, I'll leave the house with nothing but this moisturizer on my face. — Ellen Hoffman, Insider Reviews executive editor

TATCHA is a luxury Japanese skincare brand that's been getting increasingly popular in the US, and with good reason. Their products are gentle yet effective, and designed with all skin types in mind.

This Deep Cleanse face wash is my absolute favorite. It has tiny exfoliating beads (that won't pollute the ocean) to help get all the grime out from inside your pores. It lifts makeup and excess oil off the skin, but doesn't leave it feeling dry or stripped — which is honestly a hard combination to come by since most gentle cleansers leave makeup residue behind. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews senior editor

This watery essence is expensive, but a little goes a long way so a bottle will last you months. I press a few drops into my face and neck after cleansing and toning, and the result is the softest skin of my life.

I also love the backstory of this brand: Scientists discovered that elderly workers at a sake brewery had extremely smooth hands after years of submerging them in fermented yeast, and SK-II developed a yeast extract called "pitera" to replicate this effect. In my experience, it really works. —Sarah Silbert, credit cards editor

I used this three times a week for a few months before my wedding last August and it made a visible difference in my jawline. It's a small device that fits in the palm of your hand and uses microcurrents to help lift and tighten certain areas on your face like cheeks, jawline, and forehead. It's similar to a jade roller or gua sha tool where you roll it in upwards or outward motions. You have to use it regularly to see any results and I'd say results definitely vary. There are dramatic before-and-after photos online, but mine were subtle yet visible.

The device itself is really expensive but it's a one-time cost that covers years of use. You'd just have to buy extra tubes of the gel primer that helps activate the microcurrents. —Jada Wong, senior editor

This eye cream is straight up the best I've ever tried, and I've been testing and writing about beauty products for years. The texture is deliciously creamy and it swipes on in a thick but easily blendable layer. It's insanely expensive at $95 a bottle, so I reserve it for those days when my eyes really need some extra help or when my skin is looking particularly dry.

It's billed as a tightening cream for wrinkles, and though I haven't quite developed visible lines yet, I have noticed that when I use this eye cream more consistently, the area around and underneath my eyes looks firmer and brighter. —Sally Kaplan, senior editor

Incorporating skincare as a focus in a nighttime routine was an alien concept to me. Using the same soap to wash my hands and face? Totally normal. But after using Jack Black's Dry Erase Ultra Calming Face Cream , I get the appeal of taking care of my skin.

At $38 per 2.5 ounces, I was shocked at just how expensive moisturizers can be, however, I file this under money well spent. There is something to be said about waking up with a face that is fully moisturized and soft. While I am relatively new to skincare and maintaining a routine, I can safely say I have a solid benchmark in this product. —Frank Massaro, strategic partnerships manager

I have sensitive, sun damaged skin and perioral dermatitis currently kept at bay with a comprehensive skincare routine. I need to steer clear of products with oils, glycerin, and many other ingredients common in most skincare products. I am getting age spots from extensive sun (over)exposure, so I also wanted to combat those while also not irritating my skin. Luckily, I have found a great dermatologist, and thanks to him, along with some trial and error, my skin and skin tone have improved. Here are a few products that have made the most a visible difference.

I use either SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic acid or Trish McEvoy's beauty booster serum in the morning, and my skin looks brighter and smoother the moment I put either on. The SkinCeuticals serum does smell like deli ham (thanks to the vitamin c that's in both cold cuts and vitamin c skin products!), but the smell isn't too bad as long as I use it with a moisturizer. The Trish McEvoy serum is so powerful on its own that I don't use any moisturizer or makeup when I put that on for the day.

I replaced my prior moisturizer with Barbara Sturm's Brightening Lotion after seeing my sister's skin glow enviably on our FaceTime calls. My skin instantly brightens when I put it on, and I like that the ingredients are so clean. I do go back and forth on whether it's worth the price, but I have yet to find a moisturizer that nourishes my skin without setting off any redness. —Grace High, senior analyst