The Skincare Products We Should All Use, According to a Chanel Skin Expert

The Lineup is a monthly series where we're giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of cool fashion people, editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and estheticians—all the people we trust the most. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can't-live-without products that make their worlds go round.

For Australian esthetician and skincare expert Melanie Grant, beauty was always written in the stars. "I never had issues with acne or blemishes, but I was burnt in a house fire when I was a baby, so I was always very hyperaware of the skin on my body, especially on my forehead where I had scarring," she tells me."I think having to care for my skin at such a young age and learn how to take care of skin grafts, and understanding how to apply dressings, triggered an interest in beauty and skincare."

Fast-forward to now, and Grant's interest has grown into a full-blown business. Not only is she a Chanel skin expert, but she also has her own skincare line and studios for clients to book special treatments in cities like Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne, and Paris. As if that's not impressive enough, she has a roster of clients that reads like a guest list at an award show after-party (don't worry, Victoria Beckham is in attendance), but her approach to skincare is simple. "More is not more. We see so many clients come in who have 15-step routines and every homecare device, which is really nice because they're investing that time into themselves, but it can cause issues and problems as well. I think it's important to keep things really simple," she says. 

In addition to keeping skin routines simple, eating well is one of the pillars for good skin, Grant says, so that means incorporating lots of healthy fats, antioxidants, and bright foods and avoiding anything processed. Sleep should be top of mind, too. "When you get older, you can really see the effect lack of sleep has on the skin," she tells me. "I'm really beginning to understand the benefits of good sleep. It's when our body really repairs and rejuvenates."

But on the occasion that a normal night of rest is out of the cards, there's really good skincare to help. Keep scrolling to see Grant's lineup of must-have products for getting an A-list glow all on your own at home. 

"I've been using it for probably more than 10 years. It's a lactic acid–based cleanser that exfoliates and brightens. It's one of those multitasking products that I sometimes also use as a mini mask or a little peel when I want to exfoliate and brighten my skin before going out, and especially when I'm traveling and I don't have too many products with me."

"I use this as a pre-cleanse or a first clean in the evenings just to really melt away all my makeup and sunscreen. I think it gives the skin a really nice deep clean whilst feeling really nourished and comforted. Especially in winter as well, it's really good to use as a starting cleanser."

"This is one of my all-time favorite products. It probably is for most people in the beauty industry. It's another multitasking product that really purifies, refines, exfoliates, brightens, balances pH, and all of those things. There are so many products in the market inspired by this that I think just don't really compare because they don't have the same fermentation process that really makes P50 special. The formula is really unique."

"This is my favorite moisturizer. It's one of those products that are really restorative, very nourishing, and rich, but it's not too occlusive. It's still very breathable. It's great for my redness, and it restores the skin, giving the skin a beautiful sheen, a nice healthy glow. I feel it's hard to find a heavy, nourishing cream that doesn't clog or suffocate your skin."

"This is an enzyme formula you can use as a mask. I think it's quite close to giving yourself a professional enzyme treatment at home. It's lactic acid–based with cranberry enzymes. I think it's an amazing chemical exfoliant that can kind of just breathe life back into the skin." 

"Serums are the real workhorses of the regimes. You can really customize a regime using different serums, and one of my top picks is this one. I personally love this serum, and it's become a staple in my routine. It has the TFC8 complex from Augustinus Bader as well as multi-weight hyaluronic acids, so it's giving deep hydration with surface hydrating patting out fine lines and giving the skin a nice juicy appearance. It's also packed full of niacinamide, and I love niacinamide. I think it's one of the best ingredients in skincare. It's great for my skin, which is quite sensitive and red, so I love that one."

"Another favorite is this. I think it's the gold standard in vitamin C. I've been using C E Ferulic for years as well. I like to apply it in the morning to protect my skin against free radical damage." 

"The serum feels more like an oil. I love to use it in the winter and when I give myself a massage. I think it's one of the most nutrient-dense, beautiful products and is always, always great when skin is sensitized or dry. I even recommend it to people with blemish-prone or oily skin because it's based in grape-seed oil, which is suitable for all skin types. It's not comedogenic, meaning it doesn't block the pores, but it really, really restores and nourishes the skin. It's great for those who are more conscious of their chemical load or toxins. It's a nice natural product."

"This mask. We've been using it for years in clinics and also on my own skin. It's a clay-based formula that has lots of proven actives alongside some amazing Australian botanicals." Editor's note: The mask will be available to shop in December 2021. 

"This is another huge favorite of mine. It's one of those products you can apply before going out, and it just gives the skin that instant radiance."

"Now that I'm getting a little older, it gives a real firming effect, which is very rare in a product. I usually reach for a laser or treatment for this kind of result, but Biofixine is a really restorative, nourishing product. For anyone over 30, 35, when you start getting thinner skin or some crêpiness, it's incredible."

"This oil is just so decadent and luxurious. It gives the skin a real sheen. I always put it on before going out to give my décolleté and my arms a real beautiful glow. It smells amazing, and it just feels like luxury when you apply it. It's still breathable, and it doesn't transfer onto clothes, which I think is amazing for a body oil. I love the packaging sitting on the counter. It's so beautiful, and it makes for a great gift as well."

"These are so great. You can apply them as a booster and infuse that product via the gel patch. They're great on the plane, great pre-event, great when you're doing something simple at home. It's the easiest thing to do."

"I have always removed my cleanser and cream masks with a flannel or a face washer. It just gives you such a thorough clean, and I think it’s a great way to buff and polish the skin. I'm really hypervigilant with my skincare routine, but even I don't wash my towel after every use. I'm guilty of leaving it hanging in the bathroom for a couple of days. Discovering Resorè, it's nice to know I'm not transferring bacteria to my skin. Bacteria transfer isn't something only those who are blemish-prone need to worry about. If you have sensitive skin like me, the transferring of bacteria to skin back and forth can be really damaging. The towel also just feels super luxurious and fluffy and amazing. I love the Resorè face towel, and that's something I use morning and night."

"I've introduced the body towel into my routine as well. If you are prone to blemishes on the back, the back of your arms, or the décolleté, it's guilt-free knowing you're not transferring pathogens, irritants, and bacteria onto the skin. It's super soft, so it's great for sensitivity in the décolleté and bust. I think it's incredible technology, and I'm surprised it wasn't thought of earlier."

Next: I Started the "Dewy-Dumpling" Skincare Craze—Here's How You Really Get That Glow

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