Black Friday skincare deals worth it: three expert favourites, and one to think twice about

Black Friday has every beauty editor telling you what to add to your cart. We would rather tell you what the skincare experts we follow actually rate. Four products have come up again and again in their videos over the last few weeks. Three of them are long-time favourites with Guru Scores between 77% and 90%. The fourth, a much-loved vitamin C serum, has plenty of fans, but they keep attaching warnings to it. Here is the short list, and who each one suits.

Which Black Friday skincare buys are worth it, according to the experts?

Three of these four, if they suit your skin. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (90%, 12 experts), Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 (89%, 17 experts) and Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (77%, 15 experts) are all classics the experts have backed for years, and all three came up again in new videos at the end of October.

The fourth, Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum, holds a Guru Score of 70% across 18 experts, the lowest on this list. It is worth a closer look before it goes in your cart, and we explain why below. For a wider list of cult and K-beauty buys, see our expert verdict on 13 Black Friday favourites, and for breakouts, the acne products worth buying this Black Friday.

Is Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream worth it?

For dry and normal skin, the experts say yes. It has the highest score here, 90% across 12 experts: 11 said yes, 1 was mixed, and nobody said no. Dr. Shereene Idriss calls it a basic moisturizer with no actives, and says she loves it in winter or anywhere very dry, especially at night. Dr. Daniel Sugai likes it for drier skin and says it pairs nicely with his retinoids.

Do not expect more than moisture. Dr. Shereene Idriss says it will not brighten or give a glow. The one mixed vote came from AliceintheRabbitHole, who thinks it is a fine moisturizer that just did not stick for her. Dr. Vanita Rattan likes it for dry skin prone to eczema, but she says it contains myristyl myristate, which she calls comedogenic, and tells acne-prone skin to avoid it. If you break out easily and are unsure, a dermatologist or pharmacist can help you choose.

Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 worth it?

Most of the experts think so: 15 of its 17 said yes, for a Guru Score of 89%. Dr. Jenny Liu calls it one she loves and highly recommends, and describes it as a gentle retinoid for fine lines, wrinkles and uneven tone and texture. Dr. Shereene Idriss likes that you can increase the strength slowly rather than start aggressively, and Mad About Skin says it has been in his routine on and off for six years.

The one no came from Dr. Vanita Rattan. She thinks Medik8 had first-mover advantage with retinaldehyde, that the market has caught up, and that it is just not worth it now. Mixed Makeup, the one mixed vote, says her skin got really sensitive when she tried to use it more than twice a week. Dr. Jenny Liu adds that it is not one for acne, which she says needs a prescription, so talk to a doctor or pharmacist if that is your goal. Our retinaldehyde guide has the other retinals the experts rate.

Is Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm worth it?

If you wear makeup or heavy sunscreen, the experts mostly say yes: 13 of its 15 said yes, for a Guru Score of 77%. Dr. Jenny Liu uses it as the first step of her evening routine and says it removes everything without stripping the skin barrier. Dr Dray calls it a classic, no-nonsense and free of fragrance, and Dr. Shereene Idriss suggests it for anyone who wears heavier makeup.

The doubts are about value and feel, not about whether it works. James Welsh, the mixed vote, says it does its job but is very average and pricey for what it is, with cheaper alternatives around. Hyram, the one no, says it leaves a bit of a film on his skin. Dimma Umeh, who still rates it, noticed breakouts when she used it every day, so if a balm seems to break you out, it may be worth checking with a pharmacist.

Which popular buy should you think twice about?

The Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum. Plenty of the experts like it: Dr. Daniel Sugai calls it a great dupe for SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, and The Budget Dermatologist calls it one of her favourite budget vitamin C serums. But its Guru Score is 70% across 18 experts, the lowest of the four, and 6 of those 18 experts have featured it in a sponsored video.

The warnings are about strength. Dr. Sam Ellis says the 20% L-ascorbic acid is amazing if your skin can tolerate it, but not everyone's will, and that her own skin starts to feel a little sensitive after about a month. Dr. Shereene Idriss tells sensitive skin to start at the 10% version. Dr. Vanita Rattan said no after she felt it tingling on her skin, and Dr Dray, in a video this month, calls it pretty good and genuinely helpful, though not a game changer she feels has to be in her routine. Two more notes: Beyond50Skin says it is too viscous for oily skin and that it turned her nails yellow, and Dr. Daniel Sugai passes on a patient's warning that it can stain light or silver hair. Our vitamin C guide covers the gentler options.

So what is worth adding to your cart this Black Friday?

For dry skin, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream (90%). For a retinoid you can build up slowly, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 (89%). For taking off makeup and sunscreen, Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (77%). The Timeless serum has real fans, but if your skin is sensitive or oily, the experts suggest thinking twice, or starting with the gentler 10% version.