9 best beauty advent calendars worth your money for 2026

Beauty advent calendars have become something of a Christmas tradition, with brands collating their best-selling skincare, make-up and fragrances into one festive box that’s considerably more exciting than a chocolate a day.

But as more brands release their own advent calendars, knowing which ones are actually worth your money is becoming increasingly difficult. Some now cost several hundred pounds, and while the higher price tags can sometimes be justified by products worth more than twice the calendar’s retail price, it doesn’t always mean you’re getting your money’s worth – particularly if half the contents are things you’d never normally use.

From cult Korean and organic skincare to designer fragrances and make-up, this year’s calendars cater to almost every beauty enthusiast.

So whether you’re looking to overhaul your beauty routine or simply get the most for your money, here are nine of the best beauty advent calendars for 2026.

Best for skincare obsessives: Sunday Riley 12 Days of Sunday Advent Calendar, £105

Sunday Riley has developed something of a cult following for its ingredient-led skincare, and its 12-day advent calendar brings together some of the formulas that have earned the brand its reputation.

Expect vitamin C serums for brightening dull winter complexions, alongside ceramide-rich creams designed to replenish moisture and support the skin barrier.

Unlike calendars that offer a little bit of everything, this one is devoted entirely to skincare, making it particularly appealing to those who know their retinoids from their hyaluronic acid.

And with travel-sized versions of the brand’s typically expensive formulas, it’s a chance to see what works for your skin before committing to the full-size products.

Best for all-organic and cruelty-free: Neal’s Yard Remedies 45th Anniversary Advent Calendar, £195

To celebrate its 45th anniversary, British beauty brand Neal’s Yard Remedies has looked back to its beginnings in Covent Garden, with an advent calendar inspired by its original shop and decorated in Morris & Co.’s distinctive Snakeshead print.

But it’s what’s inside that makes this one particularly appealing. Behind the 24 doors are 25 products, including an impressive 17 full-size formulas, with a combined value of more than £500.

Included are some of the brand’s best-selling items, such as its Vegan Wild Rosehip Beauty Balm, Goodnight Pillow Mist and Remedies to Roll, alongside three new launches, including the Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence.

For those who lean towards more natural and botanical ingredients over more clinical skincare, there’s plenty to enjoy – and with two gifts tucked behind the final door, Christmas Eve gets an extra treat.

Best for professional-grade skincare: Dermalogica 2026 Advent Calendar, £229

If you’re a serious skincare enthusiast, some of the beauty advent calendars may feel like a waste of money or a gimmick. Dermalogica’s 2026 calendar is aimed at those who are more interested in medical-grade skincare than novelty.

Priced at £229, with a stated product value of £546, the calendar features a mixture of full-size, travel-size and deluxe miniature products.

Highlights include the brand’s iconic Daily Microfoliant, a powder exfoliant designed to smooth the skin’s surface, and Pro-Collagen Banking Serum, which focuses on hydration and supporting the appearance of firmer skin.

It’s a great option for someone looking to build a more comprehensive skincare routine with top-tier products, although those with sensitive skin should introduce active formulas gradually rather than trying everything all at once.

Best for perfume lovers: The Perfume Shop Advent Calendar, £99

For anyone who would rather discover a new signature scent than another face cream, The Perfume Shop’s £99 calendar is a strong contender.

Its 24 doors contain fragrances from leading names including Yves Saint Laurent, Rabanne, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Mugler, Lancome and Carolina Herrera.

The advent calendar also includes a silver Travalo refillable perfume atomiser, meaning recipients can take their favourite fragrance out with them without carrying the entire bottle.

The calendar is a really good way to experiment with different perfume families before investing in a full-size fragrance.

Beyond the contents of the calendar, £5 from every one sold will go to Look Good Feel Better, the charity supporting people affected by cancer.

Best for Korean beauty: PURESEOUL Advent Calendar, £140

Korean beauty continues to be one of the biggest influences on the beauty industry, so it would be remiss not to include a K-beauty advent calendar – which many retailersincluding Look Fantastic have had a go at this year.

But the stand out for the price and what you get is PURESEOUL’s debut calendar, containing 28 beauty treats spanning skincare, make-up, hair care, fragrance and tools, with the retailer putting their combined value at more than £500.

If you’re wanting to explore K-beauty but don’t know where to start, this is a great introduction. The calendar features Korean brands you may not have heard of, such as Luvum and the haircare newcomer Narka as well as mainstream best-sellers from the likes of Medicube and Biodance.

And with 28 products included, rather than the usual 24 or 25, it’s one of the more substantial calendars in this year’s selection – particularly considering the difference between its selling price and stated contents value.

Best bang for your buck: M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2026, £75

Marks & Spencer’s advent calendar goes somewhat under the radar in the beauty space, but this year the high-street stalwart is offering 26 products worth more than £450, with a reported saving of 82%.

M&S has one of the most impressive beauty selections on the high street, and its advent calendar reflects that. Behind its 25 doors are 10 full-size products and a mixture of skincare, make-up, haircare and fragrance from established names including Clinique, Estee Lauder, Benefit, Aveda and Philip Kingsley.

There are also 12 brands making their debut in the calendar, including skincare favourites Pai and Organic Pharmacy, alongside haircare from Colour Wow and Hair by Sam McKnight.

Fragrance fans can look forward to Floral Street’s Ylang Ylang Espresso, while products from Cowshed and This Works offer something for a more relaxing evening.

Housed in a red and pink striped case, it’s a perfect option for anyone wanting to try a wide range of beauty brands across the board of skin make-up and hair – without spending a fortune.

Best for make-up beginners: Pixi 12 Days of Glow Discovery Advent Calendar, £40

If you’re still figuring out the difference between a setting powder and a finishing powder, Pixi’s 2026 advent calendar is a great starting point for experimenting with make-up.

Curated by founder and make-up artist Petra Strand, the 12-day calendar combines skincare and make-up with a series of tutorials, shared across the brand’s social channels, explaining how to get the most out of each product.

Inside are some of Pixi’s best-known formulas, including its cult Glow Tonic, Hydrating Milky Mist and DetoxifEYE patches, alongside make-up staples such as Liquid Fairy Lights, Sheer Cheek Gel, Brow Tamer and a full-size +HYDRA LipTreat.

There’s also a petite blending brush, making it a useful introduction to building a make-up routine without investing in dozens of products.

At £40, it’s one of the more affordable options on this year’s list, and the accompanying lessons mean you’re not simply accumulating products without knowing quite what to do with them.

Best for full-size favourites: Elemis Advent Calendar, £225

If you’re already a fan of Elemis, this year’s advent calendar may be a more economical way to stock up on some of the brand’s best-selling products.

For £225, you get 25 days of skincare and body care worth a reported £662, including a full-size 100g Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm – one of the brand’s most-recognisable products – alongside a 50ml Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and 200ml Frangipani Monoi Body Cream.

Unlike calendars dominated by miniature samples, these larger products mean there’s plenty you’ll actually be able to incorporate into your daily routine well beyond December.

The calendar itself comes in a fully recyclable keepsake box, and there’s an added incentive for a lucky few: 20 calendars contain golden tickets offering the chance to win £1,000 worth of Elemis products.

Best for head-to-toe beauty: Odylique Advent Calendar, £225

While most beauty advent calendars are dominated by skincare and make-up, Odylique has gone for a more holistic and comprehensive approach, featuring products for your face, body and hair.

The organic beauty brand’s £225 calendar contains a selection of its best-selling formulas, alongside natural make-up and plastic-free beauty tools from Acala.

There are at least 12 full-size products included, with the contents valued at £357, plus a reusable calendar box worth a further £20.

It’s a good calendar for those wanting to discover head-to-toe organic beauty, particularly if you’d rather discover essential products you’ll use every day.