The Best Chanel Skincare, So You Can Splurge Responsibly (Ish)
From a cloud-like cleanser to the eye cream editors hoard, these Chanel skincare products are worth knowing.
Let’s be honest, Chanel skincare is an indulgence. But indulgence is the whole point, and the black-and-white counter at the beauty hall has a gravitational pull that science cannot explain. Beneath the packaging of recyclable glass and camellia-seed lids, here’s what Chanel skincare is worth splurging on, category by category.
Best Cleanser: La Mousse Camellia Cleansing Cream-to-Foam
Starting your routine with a different face wash after this feels like going back to a dissapointing ex. La Mousse is a rich cream that whips up into a cloud of foam the second it hits water. It shifts makeup, city grime and the general residue of life, without leaving your face feeling like sandpaper. A pea-sized amount goes an almost suspiciously long way. Clean, soft, glowy, done.
Best for: washing off the day, the commute and that thing you accidentally said in the work meeting.
Best Serum: N°1 de Chanel Revitalising Serum
This serum is the main character of the entire N°1 line and honestly, it’s deserved. This velvety gel-serum targets five signs of ageing at once, including fine lines, wrinkles, slack pores, lost bounce and dull skin. It’s powered by that famous red camellia extract and all housed in recyclable glass with a satisfyingly weird pop-up cap. It sinks in instantly, layers like a dream under everything else, and smells floral in a way that feels expensive. If you buy one thing from this list, make it this.
Best for: the ‘prevention’ girlies and anyone whose skin has recently been described as tired.
Honourable mention: Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum – hyaluronic-acid micro-bubbles for skin that drinks up moisture.
Best Moisturiser: N°1 de Chanel Revitalising Cream
Lightweight enough for daytime, but bouncy enough to feel like a treat, this moisturiser comes in a refillable red jar with a lid made from camellia seed shells. It melts in without a trace of grease and leaves that lit-from-within finish that makeup artists keep promising you. If your skin runs Sahara-dry, size up to the Rich Cream version and thank us later.
Best for: anyone whose ‘no-makeup makeup’ look needs the skin to actually cooperate.
Honourable mention: Hydra Beauty Camellia Water Cream – a glow-giving gel-fluid for the dewy-not-dripping crowd.
And, if money were no object: Sublimage La Crème, the cult £300-plus jar that longtime devotees swear is the best cream they’ve ever used. We’re not saying skip a holiday for it. We’re just saying people have.
Best Eye & Lip Care: Le Lift Crème Yeux + N°1 de Chanel Lip & Cheek Balm
The eyes and lips share a section because Chanel understands multitasking very well. Le Lift Crème Yeux is the sleeper hit of the whole counter, smoothing, firming and tackling dark circles. Pair it with the N°1 Lip and Cheek Balm for a flush of colour and a hit of moisture in one chic twist-up, and people will be thinking you woke up like this.
Best for: hangover mornings, 9am Zooms and lying about both.
Best Body Care: Body Excellence Firming & Rejuvenating Lotion (Plus a Cheeky Spritz)
Yes, Chanel does body care, and yes, it’s as luxurious as you’d hope. Body Excellence is a silky, fast-absorbing lotion that firms, smooths and makes moisturising your legs feel like fun rather than a chore. And if you want your entire person to smell like a first date going well, the fragranced body creams in Coco Mademoiselle or Chance are the softest possible way to wear your signature scent from the neck down.
Best for: bare-leg season and beach holiday prep.
