You can get food delivery boxes, toilet roll on tap and the best shaving subscriptions sent to your house as regularly as you need them, all designed to free up time and take away some of life’s never-ending admin.
We’re in a brave new era of never having to leave our house for the boring stuff, and, crucially, ensuring we never run out of loo roll. But should we be adding the best beauty subscription service to that list? Combining practicality – no more running out of deodorant or moisturiser when you need it most – with the joy of unboxing and discovering new beauty products, do they genuinely offer value for money?
The Good Housekeeping Institute experts recruited 140 panellists to help us find out. These are their winners in a handy list, but keep reading for the detailed reviews.
What are the benefits of beauty subscription boxes?
Beauty subscriptions make practical sense. Deodorant delivered direct to your door means you won’t run out just before you head out to work. A new toothbrush head in the post just when your old one starts to look a bit tired is one more job ticked off the to-do list. When you’re busy, they’ll ensure you always have the essentials.
Tailored skincare subscription services can be equally useful for those with specific skin concerns or needs. Created with dermatologists, they take the guesswork out of your routine, eliminating excess and finding the most effective solutions for you.
But a beauty subscription doesn’t just have practical benefits; they also make a gorgeous regular treat for makeup and beauty buffs (either you or a lucky recipient), helping you discover the latest must-have brands and products.
We tested a range of makeup, haircare, bodycare and skincare subscription boxes from the likes of LookFantastic and Glossybox, which will treat you to small (and sometimes full-sized) versions of cult favourites or exciting new launches, so you can try before you buy.
Skin + Me vs Dermatica – which skincare subscription is best?
Skin + Me and Dermatica are slightly different to the other subscriptions we tested as they offer a tailored service. But which came out on top? We’re not just saying it to be diplomatic, but our testers truly found each brand suited slightly different needs. Skin + Me was better for newcomers to active ingredients, as the tretinoin (prescription-grade ingredient) percentage is less, which also makes it suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Dermatica appealed to panellists with specific skin conditions or concerns, and those more accustomed to using actives in their routine already.
In short, if you’ve never used a product with actives in before, we’d suggest opting for Skin + Me, while Dermatica is more appropriate for those with acne, rosacea or anyone looking to treat target areas. Both offer a trial service, so you can test them out and see for yourself before committing.
How we test beauty subscription boxes
We asked 140 panellists to trial a range of subscription services across beauty, bath and bodycare over a four-week period, while the skincare subscriptions from Dermatica and Skin + Me were both tested over three months to allow time for our testers to assess the products’ efficacy.
We asked panellists to provide feedback on the delivery service, ease of use and design, as well as telling us how much they liked the contents of each box. For skincare prescriptions and deodorant subscriptions, they were also asked to tell us about the performance of personalised products. Our experts then collated all the feedback to award final scores.
These are the ones we’d love to receive on repeat.
The Box Subscription
Score: 85/100
This may be the most exciting box of the bunch for makeup addicts and haircare obsessives. Each delivery includes a combination of treats across all categories, with a guaranteed value of at least £50 (but often more), for just £15 a month (or £13 a month if you buy an annual subscription). LookFantastic is home to some of our favourite beauty products, with the assortment including both quality brands and cult buys that will fit into your daily routine.
Our panellists were impressed with the variety and quality. “What amazing products,” said one, while another added: “I used all the products inside – two were full-sized and I trialled two others that I’ll be repurchasing in future!”
It’s worth noting that the box arrives at the same time every month, so depending on when you first purchase, you may be waiting some time for it to arrive.
However, all our testers were impressed with the level of customer service from LookFantastic and how easy it was to cancel, too. So, no nasty surprises before payday.
Beauty Subscription Box
Score: 83/100
The glamorous Glossybox box includes a great range of haircare, makeup and skincare products and costs either £13.50 a month or £12.50 a month if you buy a year’s subscription. It comes with five treasures hidden inside each time. Testers told us it was easy to sign up and the box arrived quickly, with many adding that it was a great way to try new products they’d never have thought to buy.
Testers found it less simple to cancel than LookFantastic’s offering, and our panellists were already familiar with some of the products received. Overall, though, it scored well, and there was a good selection of full-sized and travel-sized treats within, including everyday essentials such as a pair of tweezers.
The Deodorant Balm subscription
Score: 80/100
The USP of this deodorant is that it doesn’t contain aluminium, which can cause irritation and stain your clothes. It also comes in super-chic packaging – the squeezable metal tube, a beauty insider favourite, will look great on your bathroom shelf.
While even the best natural deodorants aren’t known for being the most effective, AKT is often touted as one of the only natural formulations that truly performs. So did it deliver when it came to keeping our panel fresh and dry, as well as acing the subscription service?
According to our feedback, it’s a resounding yes on performance. “I didn’t smell of BO even after I exercised,” said one tester, while another added: “I love everything about this product — it delivered better protection than my normal deodorant.” The reusable ‘key’ provided will also ensure you get every last drop out of the packaging, preventing wastage, and we found the scent delicious, with a hydrating, creamy texture that leaves underarms soft.
Panellists praised the website and found the subscription service easy to use, with a delivery every six to eight weeks. Some complained of having to get their hands dirty during application, but we feel it’s a small price to pay for such a high-performing natural deodorant.
Refillable Deodorant Subscription
Score: 78/100
Another natural deodorant, but this one comes in refillable, wind-up packaging for mess-free application. So, what did our panel think of Proverb’s door drops?
They adored the selection of scents available and how easy the case is to refill, and found ordering it online simple, with speedy delivery times. One told us the packaging is “weighty and feels luxe”, while another said the formulation “melted into the skin immediately”.
Points were lost for the lack of visibility over which fragrances you were going to receive, and some of our sweatier panellists claimed it wasn’t powerful enough to protect against the stresses of daily life. Therefore, this may be better suited to those who experience moderate perspiration.
Personalised Skincare Subscription
Score: 75/100
Claiming to give you clearer, brighter, more brilliant-looking skin from six weeks, this brand comes with big promises. Online reviews and before and after pictures show happy customers, who say the formulations have helped improve melasma, rosacea and general dullness. So we were keen to put this personalised service to the test.
The process is simple – you share your treatment goals via an online consultation (you need to share some selfies) and Dermatica’s dermatology team then selects the perfect combination of active ingredients for you, packaged up in a personalised formula, with a new bottle arriving every 28 days (approximately).
When it came to the level of service, our panellists were impressed. “I liked the communication and found the advice really helpful,” said one. They also appreciated the attentive follow-up emails and found it a breeze to personalise the subscription to their skincare needs. When the product arrived, it was clear why the ingredients chosen had been selected for them, exactly what the product would do and how and when to use it.
Some would have liked a less neutral scent, and a few felt the service was more aimed at those with specific skin conditions such as acne (rather than skin dullness or minimising fine lines). Some of those less used to active ingredients also experienced a tiny bit of sensitivity. Overall, though, our testers found Dermatica a brilliant, fuss-free option for targeting specific skin concerns or goals.
Skincare Subscription
Score: 71/100
Skin + Me put tailored skincare subscriptions on the map. The process starts with an online session with a dermatologist where you can talk to them about the elements of your skincare regime that aren’t working. Post-consultation, you’re sent genuinely effective products to help streamline and improve your routine (saving you time and money).
In terms of the formulation they received, one tester told us, “My skin looks more even and, dare I say, radiant,” while another commented on the dispenser, saying, “It’s easy to tell exactly how much product to use thanks to the twist-and-screw base.” The sign-up process was also a success for our panellists, who found it “thorough”, “accurate” and “detailed”, reassuring many of them that the product they were receiving was right for them. Plus, they couldn’t get enough of the fact each ‘daily doser’ had their name on it. It’s the little things.
A couple of people found the product made their skin dry or flaky, but this is to be expected when you’re using active ingredients for the first time.
Kitchen Box
Score: 71/100
Home of the mighty bath bomb, Lush stores are a real experience – a Willy Wonka-esque wonderland for wellness lovers. And now you can sign up for a selection of goodies posted straight to your front door – your very own golden ticket to sumptuous smellies. The subscription contains four or five full-sized body and bath products each month, as well as tester sizes (which is mighty generous if you ask us).
The box is made from 100% recycled board and, as always with Lush, all the products inside are vegan and Leaping Bunny certified (meaning they’re cruelty-free and not tested on animals).
Our panel loved the story behind each product and the beautiful packaging. Testers were also fans of the posy inside, with one saying, “The lovely fragrances filled the room, capturing the scent of summer.”
The verdict: Which beauty subscription box is best?
If you’re after a fun range of cult-favourite treats each month, our testers loved LookFantastic.
For personalised skincare that really works, Dermatica scored slightly higher, but Skin + Me is great for those new to prescription-strength skincare.
For deodorant, AKT is a staple in every beauty journalist’s bathroom cabinet.
Why trust The Good Housekeeping Institute?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over 100 years, from the best vacuum cleaners and the best mattress to the best LED face masks.
Our testers are experts in their fields, whether that’s home appliances or skincare science. They develop rigorous protocols to ensure we’re putting every product through its paces in the lab. We also use our extensive at-home panel to try them in real life, to ensure they live up to their claims.
Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, has been writing about beauty products for several years, which includes trying them herself at home, so she can understand the benefits (and limitations) of every product she writes about.
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