Meghan Markle Doesn’t Look 40 So We Hunted Down Her Skin Care Routine

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, recently celebrated her 40th birthday. And honestly, we’re shook.

We know age is just a number, but if we’d been asked to guess hers before being privy to this information, we would’ve taken a punt around the early thirties.

And so, naturally, we have now done everything in our power to find every morsel of information out there about her skin care routine.

Meghan Markle’s skin care routine

Thanks to Meghan’s former work in the acting world (if you haven’t seen Suits yet, it’s so good), there’s a fair bit of information about her beauty routine from interviews prior to her wedding to Prince Harry. Though, much like the rest of the Royal Family, the personal intel has been scarce since. Here’s what we DID find:

Exfoliator: Tatcha The Rice Polish: Classic

In 2014 , she mentioned this Tatcha pick to Allure. ““I really love the Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder ($93 at MECCA),” she told the publication. “It just sort of foams on your face and gives you a really subtle exfoliation.” The powder contains rice bran and papaya enzymes to help dissolve dead skin cells and is ideal for gently exfoliating combination skin.

Serum: Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum

In an interview with The Lady Loves Couture in 2017 (which has since been removed), Meghan named Kate Somerville’s L.A. Clinic as her go-to place for facials. “I still use the products to maintain that glow that her facials give,” she said, specifically naming the Kate Somerville Quench Hydrating Face Serum ($107 at MECCA). FYI, this product is so popular it can be hard to get your hands on.

Serum: Decleor Aromessence Rose D’ Orient Soothing Oil Serum

Just like the skin care-obsessed among us, one serum is hardly enough for the Duchess. Makeup artist Min Min Ma, who worked with the former actress when she starred on Suits, told Vogue in 2017, “”I prepped her face with a generous coat of the Decleor Aromessence Rose D’ Orient Soothing Oil Serum ($92 at buy.cosmeticsnow.com.au).” 

And yes, it’s as decadent as it sounds, with an ultra-calming and soothing formula that’s ideal for sensitive skin.

Face oil: Caudalie Permier Cru Precious Oil

Turns out Meghan is a fan of French beauty too, once raving about Caudalie in an interview with Citiphile. “I adore the Caudalie boutique,” she told the lifestyle blog . “Their anti-ageing Premier Cru Elixir is a dream.”

The product has since undergone a name change to Permier Cru Precious Oil ($124, Sephora), but it’s still the same lightweight and luminosity-enhancing formula the Duchess fell in love with. In fact, it has a near-perfect score on Sephora AU from over 50 reviews.

Face oil: Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir

Think what you will about there being ‘biff’ between Kate and Meghan, but when it comes to beauty, apparently the two share a love for this particular elixir. “Our source at the palace confirms that they gave Kate the Beauty Sleep Elixir ($70 at credobeauty.com), which is regularly replenished on her dressing table,” brand founder Leila Aalam told Harper’s BAZAAR. “It was then reported that Kate was giving product to Meghan to use too, and now they both receive regular supplies.”

Body moisturiser: Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion Q10 Plus

If you were beginning to think Meghan’s skin care routine seems a bit too decadent for a regular person’s budget, there’s nothing like a $5 body lotion to bring it back down to earth. “I use this religiously; it’s honestly my favourite lotion on the market,” Meghan said about the Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion ($4.99 at Chemist Warehouse) in an interview with Beauty Banter. “It’s so affordable, and makes my skin look and feel amazing. I would buy a case of this at a time if I could find it.” 

Lip balm: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy

In the same 2017 interview with The Lady Loves Couture, Meghan confessed her devotion to one lip balm and one lip balm only. “I have searched high and low and tried every kind of lip balm, but this is the very best,” she said about the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy ($35 at Sephora). “Soft, kissable, buttery lips. I swear by it.”

Facial exercises

In 2014, Meghan told Birchbox that she also does facial exercises. “I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted,” she said, referencing a particular routine developed by aesthetician Nichola Joss.

If you’re interested in trying facial exercises technique for yourself, the aesthetician has shared some of her massage techniques on her IGTV. We also love using a gua sha tool to DIY, like the Nutrimetics Rose Quartz Gua Sha.

Main image credit: Getty

What do you think of Meghan’s skin care routine? Have you tried any of the products mentioned?