Beauty expert Nadine Baggott has tried ‘every cleanser and moisturiser under the sun’ in her 30-year career. And while some skincare products can cost a pretty penny, the This Morning regular has revealed two affordable high street products she adores - and says people would be ‘crazy’ to spend more than £20 on a cleanser.
Known for her candid advice and wealth of experience, the 60-year-old has often been an advocate for affordable, effective skincare, and there are two brands in particular that ‘hold a place in her heart’ for their gentle, purse-friendly products.
“If we’d had this conversation 20-30 years ago, I’d have probably picked a really expensive product to take to a desert island,” she tells me, “But there has been a revolution in high street beauty and if I lost my job, I would exclusively buy high street beauty.”
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For her, two standout brands leading the charge for ingredient-led, easy-to-use skincare are The Ordinary and The Inkey List. "The Ordinary was revolutionary for its time, and The Inkey List is like a British Ordinary," she enthused. Both brands have become staples in her routine, with products that consistently deliver high-quality results at a fraction of the price of luxury alternatives.
One of Nadine’s top recommendations is The Ordinary’s Glycolipid Cleanser, which costs £11.10. Launched last Spring, this lightweight, creamy lotion has become a go-to for the beauty guru, thanks to its dreamy consistency. "It’s creamy enough to melt makeup at night, but light enough to use in the shower in the morning. It’s really lovely and really affordable," she explains.
According to the brand, it’s suitable for ‘all skin types’ but Nadine reckons it’s best for normal to dry skin. "It’s unscented, and contains barrier repair lipids which help remove debris and sebum without stripping the skin."
The cleanser has a rating of 4.3 stars out of five on the Boots website , with one shopper commenting: “I really love this cream cleanser, a gentle non drying non greasy cleanser. Removes everything from a normal day of activity. Would definitely repurchase.”
Another added: “I was really impressed with this lovely gentle cleanser and a good price. Better than more expensive ones I’ve tried.” Though some people prefer foamier consistencies, commenting: “Makes my skin feel clean, however it would be better if it foamed as you can’t see where it is once it’s rubbed in.”
Nadine is a big fan of The Ordinary cleanser’s under £15 price point, adding: “I don't know why anyone would ever spend huge amounts of money on a cleanser. I look at brands launching cleansers upwards of £50 and I just think it’s crazy because it literally goes down the drain. I pull my hair out if I see someone spend more than, at the most, £20 on a cleanser.”
Another hero product in Baggott’s routine is The Inkey List Bioactive Ceramide Moisturiser . A huge fan of its texture and results, she’s recommended it to countless people of all ages, who agree with her. "It’s unfragranced, gentle, and it’s not heavy—I don’t like thick, petroleum jelly-like textures," she says.
"It sits on the skin and sinks in beautifully, and no matter their age, everyone seems to like it. I'm on my second pot of this, and it’s quite big for the price, and it doesn’t pill under makeup which is really important." she added.
The £19 nourishing cream is designed to smooth, firm and protect your complexion. The formula is powered by bio-active ceramides which work to protect your skin barrier from environmental stressors, while locking in long-lasting moisture.
And while these are some of Nadine’s must-have skincare products, there is one high end product that she cites as the secret to her youthful complexion, and that’s the award-winning Medik8 Crystal Retinal .
She told The Mirror : “I’ve been using retinal for a very long time and Medik8 were the first company in the UK to do it, I think. You can work your way up from the first to the last for minimum irritation, and sometimes even I still get some irritation from the 20 so I’ll step back and use the 10 for a few days and then go back up - but I use it every night.
“I always have a 10 and 20 on the go all the time. Vitamin A is like your skin’s cheerleader and helps your skin repair at night. It boosts collagen production, elastin production, boosts hydration and stops the clumping of pigment which causes age spots and brightens the skin too.”
But even then, Nadine still advocates for affordable beauty, adding: “ The Ordinary has a 0.2% which is the equivalent of Medik8 20 for a fraction of the price, but if you’re going to use a budget product, I recommend creating a retinal sandwich, so put a moisturiser or serum on first, then your retinal and moisturiser on top because it just helps buffer it into the skin and is more hydrating. More budget products tend to be in a less luxurious base, but I understand why most people couldn't afford to opt for brands like Medik8.”
You can shop Nadine’s go-to cleanser here, and her moisturiser top pick here.
