Skip to Content

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

nicole richie what's in my cartpinterest
Product Shot Image

Nicole Richie, 43, Reveals Her Skincare, Beauty and Self-Care Essentials

Plus, the actress and fashion designer shares her surprising at-home hobby.

By

In the Celebrity edition of What's in My Cart, stars reveal the everyday products they're shopping — complemented by expert insights from our editors and analysts when it's something we love too.

Gen X may recognize her as the daughter of famed musician Lionel Richie, Millennials remember her as a star of the TV show The Simple Life and Gen Z know her as the brain behind fashion brand House of Harlow. Whatever comes to mind for you, there's no denying that Nicole Richie has influenced style and pop culture for decades.

Good Housekeeping caught up with the fashion designer and actress, who's partnering with TurboTax, to get all the details on her favorite products. As a punctual Virgo, Nicole says she's always made it a point to stay on top of her taxes. She knows "we all live very busy lives," so she's excited that TurboTax Full Service makes tackling the task "the easiest it can be." You can file from your phone and get expert help along the way, or hand off the responsibility to a TurboTax Full Service expert who will do your taxes for you.

Keep reading for Nicole's essential beauty, wellness and self-care products, which she'll be stocking up on with her tax refund this year.

Nicole's Favorite Skincare Brand

Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

"There's a brand called Avène, and they have very gentle, soothing products, really good for the skin, very moisturizing," says Nicole. "I would say, if there's one brand that I use a lot of their products, it's that brand."

Multiple experts in the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab also use the Avène cream in their skincare routine because of how well it relieves inflammation, redness and eczema flare-ups. The Good Housekeeping Institute included Avène as their pick for the best face moisturizer for redness, according to testing.

Nicole's Secret to Hydrated Skin

Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil for Face

Skin Therapy Oil for Face

"I have southern parents," Nicole says. "I was never allowed to leave my house without grapeseed oil on and lotion on. I'm very moisturized."

Grapeseed oil is great for retaining skin's moisture. In tests of moisture retention conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute, grapeseed oil outperformed sunflower, coconut and olive oil.

Our Beauty lab experts recommend Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil as a great grapeseed oil option that's also backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Nicole's Go-to for Healthy Lashes

Typology L37 Eyebrow & Eyelash Serum

L37 Eyebrow & Eyelash Serum

Nicole's beauty routine often involves "putting false lashes on, taking them off and wearing mascara," she shares. "So I've decided that I need to really take the time and take care of my lashes."

Her favorite way to do so is by brushing on a layer of Typology's eyelash serum. "I've been putting that on my lashes every night, and it helps."

Browse GH Expert Picks: 10 Best Eyelash Growth Serums That Actually Work

Nicole's Current Obsession

Farmacy Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm

Honey Butter Beeswax Lip Balm

"[I'm] very serious about my lip balm," says Nicole. So it came as no surprise when she shared one she's been loving lately.

"It's the only lip balm that I have used that is truly moisturizing. I swear by it. I'm obsessed with it, and I tell everyone I know about it."

Browse GH Expert Picks: Best Lip Balms for Soothing Dry, Chapped Lips

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Nicole's Everyday Makeup Staple

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

Concealer

Nicole prefers to focus on her skincare routine rather than regularly wearing makeup, but when she does decide to don a few cosmetics, she reaches for French beauty brand Clé de Peau.

"My basic overall makeup is just an under-eye concealer," the 43-year-old reveals.

Browse GH Expert Picks: Best Concealers, Tested by Experts

Nicole's Preferred Cheek + Eye Combo

Merit Beauty Flush Balm

Flush Balm

In addition to under-eye concealer, Nicole will also apply a bit of Merit blush to brighten up her face.

"They have a really great cheek balm that I'll use," she says. "I'll use it on my cheeks, and I'll use it on my eyes a little bit."

Many celebrities swear by Merit, such as Kristen Bell and Virgin River actress Alexandra Breckenridge, who wear it as part of their daily makeup routines.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Nicole's Daily Supplement

Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

Taking a Seed probiotic is "the number one thing that I do every day," says Nicole. "I have to have [it] on me all the time."

Good Housekeeping's Nutrition Lab Director, Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., NASM-CPT, says the supplement is "likely one of the best options on the shelf at the moment" for a pro and prebiotic, thanks to its extensively researched strains, strict quality control standards and third-party testing.

Read Our Review: Our Registered Dietitian's Honest Take on Seed Probiotic

Nicole's Book Recommendation

'The Hours' by Michael Cunningham

'The Hours' by Michael Cunningham

Nicole never travels without a book. Her most recent five-star read was The Hours by Michael Cunningham, which was published in 1998 and later adapted into a film starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman.

She called the book "excellent," saying she "loved" the psychological drama.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Nicole's Favorite Gluten-Free Snack

Simple Mills Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

"Because I live in LA., I'm all over the place all the time," says Nicole. "I bring my own snacks when I fly. I just like having my own food on me."

Along with clementines, trail mix, meat sticks and berry granola bars, one of Nicole's favorite snacks comes from the brand Simple Mills.

"They have really great gluten-free cookies. They have really good snacks," she adds.

Nicole's Surprising Hobby

Ball 4oz Mason Jars With Lids and Bands, Set of 2

4oz Mason Jars With Lids and Bands, Set of 2
Now 10% Off

A big hobby of Nicole's is beekeeping. She likes the process of harvesting her own honey. "I just love that no one else has touched it. It just feels pure and mine," she explains.

Once the honey is collected, she adds it to jars and gives them to friends. "I ask my friends to give me back the jars when they're done, and then I reuse the jars."

While beekeeping may not be on everyone's hobby list, these small jars are great for storing homemade jams, adding dressings to packed lunches, storing herbs and spices and so much more.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

More From Our Celebrity Shopping Series 🛒

Headshot of Kate Franke
Kate Franke
Editorial Assistant

Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!

Watch Next 
2024 baby2baby gala
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below