Meghan Markle's highlighting secret is down to this balm, and it's under £10!

The secret behind Meghan Markle's gorgeous highlighter is down to this super useful makeup hack...

meghan markle's highlighter
(Image credit: Pool / Getty)

Meghan Markle's drugstore highlighter has been revealed and we can't wait to try the hack that mimics the Duchess' fresh-faced glow with a simple inexpensive balm.

The Duchess of Sussex has been the inspiration behind many of our recent makeup finds, from the lipstick Meghan Markle wore for one of her most iconic moments to her speedy concealer trick, we love the Duchess' make-up hacks. But it's Meghan Markle's skincare that is truly awe-inspiring as the Duchess always had fantastic blemish-free, bright and natural skin—but what's the secret behind her beauty?

We already know that she's a fan of Nars Orgasm blush and wore Dior for her wedding day to create a nude lip, softly defined eyes, and barely-there base using the best foundation that let her freckles shine through. 

But it turns out that the lustrous sheen atop the Duchess' cheekbones isn't down to any kind of highlighting stick, but rather a cheap skincare find.  

The Duchess of Sussex's makeup artist Daniel Martin, who created her wedding look, told E! Online, "a lot of my highlighting is done with skincare." And when it comes to creating Meghan's fresh-faced glow he explained he uses Eucerin's Aquaphor.

This multi-use balm contains petroleum jelly (a bit like vaseline), alongside glycerin and bisabolol (a soothing extract from chamomile) to help heal cracked skin. 


Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm 45ml Was £9, Now £6 | Eucerin
was £9 now £6 at SkimLinks - feelunique.com

Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm 45ml Was £9, Now £6 | Eucerin

Eucerin Aquaphor Soothing Skin Balm is clinically proven to hydrate and support skin regeneration to aid the recovery of extremely dry, damaged, or irritated skin. It is also the Duchess of Sussex's choice of highlighter.

Aquaphor is normally used as the best moisturizer for dry skin on the hands and feet, or to smooth damaged nails and cuticles. Although, there was a time when some US dermatologists advocated applying it on top of your eye serum at night as a type of eye cream to lock in all those hydrating ingredients.

lip balm Meghan Markle - Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends The Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020 in London, England

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

So switching it up to have a makeup function is the type of clever idea we can really get on board with, as this versatile balm can be used for hydration and highlight as both make-up and skincare.

Martin continued, "When you think about it, using skincare in lieu of makeup makes sense. For one, you're adding hydration to the skin, rather than potentially clogging your pores.

"And, glowing skin is simply the appearance of very healthy and moisturized skin. Aquaphor will give you that same texture, especially in a photo when applied on the high points of the face."

We love this hack, and for such a reasonable price, this is a skincare trick that anyone can try out!

Fiona Embleton is a beauty writer who is now Acting Beauty Editor at Stylist. She is obsessed with Isabel Marant and cats.