January is when most people decide to take their skin seriously, and then buy six things that do the same job. This list is built as a routine instead: something to cleanse and prep, one or two serums, a moisturiser, and a few extras for eyes, lips and body. You do not need all of it. Pick one from each section and you have a complete routine. The brands run from the famous jars, such as La Mer and Estée Lauder, to the newer names that beauty editors talk about, such as Augustinus Bader, Dr. Barbara Sturm and Vintner’s Daughter.
The Shopping List is an independent editorial selection, for reference only. Ayerhs Magazine does not sell these products and does not earn a commission from any link on this page. Every link goes to the brand’s official website. Prices are in US dollars as listed on the brands’ US sites on 14 November 2026; “from” means the smallest size on offer. Prices vary by country and can change. This is not medical advice; if you have a skin condition, ask a dermatologist first. Product images belong to the respective brands.
Cleanse and prep
The first two steps: a cleanser that does not strip the skin, and an essence or treatment lotion that goes on before serum.
Vintner’s Daughter Active Treatment Essence
The watery first step from a brand that makes only a handful of products.
$230 · View at VintnersDaughter.com
Tatcha The Essence
Tatcha’s signature step, pressed into the skin with your hands after cleansing.
$157 · View at Tatcha.com
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Recovery Treatment Essence
The treatment lotion that goes under the famous brown-bottle serum.
$130 · View at EsteeLauder.com
Vintner’s Daughter Active Renewal Cleanser
A cleanser at a serum price, for those who believe the wash matters most.
$105 · View at VintnersDaughter.com
Tatcha The Rice Wash
A soft cream cleanser and one of the brand’s best sellers.
$59 · View at Tatcha.com
Sunday Riley Pink Drink Firming Resurfacing Essence
An essence under $50, and an easy way to try the step.
$48 · View at SundayRiley.com
Serums and treatments
This is where the money in a routine usually goes. Choose by what you want it to do: hydrate, brighten or resurface. Introduce retinoids and acids slowly, one at a time.
Augustinus Bader The Vitamin C Serum
The brightening serum from the professor’s line, in a refillable case.
$380 · View at AugustinusBader.com
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum
The richer of her two hero serums, aimed at firmness.
$380 · View at DrSturm.com
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
The product the whole brand was built on: a concentrated hydrating serum.
$325 · View at DrSturm.com
La Mer The Concentrate
La Mer’s barrier serum, for skin that is stressed, dry or travel-worn.
From $225 · View at CremedelaMer.com
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum, 30ml
The cult face oil. A few drops at night is the whole routine for some people.
$215 · View at VintnersDaughter.com
La Mer The Resurfacing Treatment
A smoothing treatment for dull, uneven winter skin.
$160 · View at CremedelaMer.com
Clarins Double Serum
Two formulas in one pump, and the French pharmacy favourite for decades.
From $142 · View at ClarinsUSA.com
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum
The little brown bottle. On dressing tables since 1982, and still the reference.
From $135 · View at EsteeLauder.com
Tatcha The Silk Serum
Tatcha’s gentler alternative to retinol.
$99 · View at Tatcha.com
Tatcha Indigo Overnight Repair
A serum and night cream in one, made for sensitive or irritated skin.
$94 · View at Tatcha.com
Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
The exfoliating treatment that made the brand’s name.
From $50 · View at SundayRiley.com
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
A vitamin C serum for mornings, at a sensible price.
From $50 · View at SundayRiley.com
Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
A strong retinoid for nights. Start with twice a week.
From $50 · View at SundayRiley.com
Moisturisers
Rich creams for winter, lighter ones if your skin is oily or the heating is fierce. The first three are the jars people photograph.
Augustinus Bader The Overnight Restorative Cream
The night cream in the line, in the brand’s refillable case.
$365 · View at AugustinusBader.com
Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream
A light daily cream designed to sit over her Hyaluronic Serum.
$240 · View at DrSturm.com
Tatcha The Silk Cream
The firming moisturiser that pairs with The Silk Serum.
$125 · View at Tatcha.com
La Mer Crème de la Mer
The most famous jar in skincare. The small size is the sensible way to try it.
From $100 · View at CremedelaMer.com
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
The blue bottle that changed luxury skincare; the Rich version suits winter.
From $99 · View at AugustinusBader.com
Augustinus Bader The Cream
The lighter version, for normal to oily skin or warmer climates.
From $99 · View at AugustinusBader.com
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream
The purple jar. Rich, glowy, and best for dry skin.
$93 · View at Tatcha.com
Tatcha The Water Cream
The blue jar. A light gel cream for oily or combination skin.
$93 · View at Tatcha.com
Eyes, lips, sun and body
The extras. If you add only one thing from this section, make it the sunscreen, which you need in January as much as in July.
La Mer The Body Crème
A rich body cream, and a very generous gift.
$335 · View at CremedelaMer.com
Vintner’s Daughter Active Refining Mask
A weekly mask from a brand that launches something new very rarely.
$295 · View at VintnersDaughter.com
La Mer The Broad Spectrum SPF 50 UV Protecting Fluid
A light daily sunscreen that sits well under make-up.
$140 · View at CremedelaMer.com
La Mer The Hand Treatment
A hand cream for winter, when hands show the cold first.
$130 · View at CremedelaMer.com
La Mer The Lip Balm
The least expensive way to own something from La Mer.
$85 · View at CremedelaMer.com
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Creme
The eye cream from the same family as the brown-bottle serum.
$78 · View at EsteeLauder.com
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening + Depuffing Eye Cream
An eye cream for mornings after late nights.
$65 · View at SundayRiley.com
Augustinus Bader The Tinted Balm
A tinted lip balm, and the entry point to the brand.
$47 · View at AugustinusBader.com
How we choose: every piece on The Shopping List is picked by Ayerhs editors on design, craft and how much use it is likely to get. No brand pays to be included, and prices were checked on the date above.
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