Sabrina Elba's Beauty Must Haves, From Her Okra Serum to a $10 Body Oil

2 weeks ago 22

Published on June 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM

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In an era where celebrity beauty brands have become an endless fad, one company that's cemented itself as a standout beyond the hype is S'Able Labs. The brainchild skin-care line of dynamic duo Idris and Sabrina Elba has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the industry since its inception in 2022 — and it's not just because their products get TikTok love. What sets S'Able Labs apart is the couple's core mission, rooted in inclusivity, sustainability, and Sabrina's own experience with acne.

"I was really frustrated with my skin growing up as a teenager, and being in Vancouver, CA, I was the only Black girl in my high school, so I didn't have many people I could relate to about why products were reacting the way they were on my skin," Elba shares. "As I grew up, my acne came back, but this time, I was equipped with more knowledge and realized that actually I'm not the problem; the industry is as a whole."

That personal experience didn't just leave her discouraged, but it motivated her. Together with her husband, she built the brand she wished she had growing up: a melanin-inclusive (not Black skin-exclusive) skin-care line made for everyone.

"There are a lot of people who have a misconception about Black brands, thinking that they're only for Black skin."

Since betting on herself, Elba has developed a slew of staples inspired by ancestral traditions found throughout Africa. One of the hero products includes a face serum derived from okra, which Elba cites as a favorite in her morning routine, along with the brand's newest star: a moringa lip salve. It's formulated with responsibly sourced ingredients, including castor and marula oils, that stimulate collagen and help repair the lips while enhancing their appearance. "There are a lot of people who have a misconception about Black brands, thinking that they're only for Black skin, and the lip salve is a great product to remind people that buying skin care from Black founders is better for you because they incorporate the needs of melanin-rich skin."

Apart from maintaining an otherworldly glow with her brand's offerings, the 35-year-old prioritizes self-care beyond physical form. She uses a grounding mat at night, having noticed a drastic change in her sleeping pattern since using one. "You plug it into your wall, and you're as grounded as you would be if you were standing on the grass outside," she says. "I also have endometriosis; it's the best thing I've ever done for that, and my sleep is so much better."

With these practices, it's no surprise that Elba exudes such grace while balancing life as a partner, entrepreneur, model, and all-around icon. She also wants to ensure every supporter of S'Able Labs feels the same ease when using its ethical products, which are naturally a part of her tried-and-true must haves. Ahead, Elba lets us in on all the beauty obsessions that she loves (and you probably will, too).

Sabrina Elba's Affordable Must Have

While Elba isn't afraid to splurge on anything related to self care, she uses affordable products just like the rest of us, including Aveeno's Daily Moisturizing Body Oil Mist ($10, originally $14). It's formulated with skin-loving ingredients like oats, vitamin E, and jojoba oil that work to moisturize and condition all skin types, especially sensitive. "It's a good drugstore product that I've loved recently, and spraying it on the body after you moisturize just keeps that moisture in," she says.

Sabrina Elba's Investment Must Have

Elba is also a proud member of the LED mask fan club, with The Light Salon's Boost LED Mask ($495) as a staple in her routine. The portable mask delivers nearly the same results as a professional treatment, thanks to its two wavelengths: red (633nm) and near-infrared (830nm). With regular 10-minute treatments, you can achieve a youthful glow — any time, any place. "I know people are tricky with lights, but it's because you need consistency, and red light has so many proven health benefits. So I definitely splurge on a good red light."

Sabrina Elba's Morning Must Have

Elba's skin is always radiant, and her brand's Okra Face Serum ($68, originally $75) is a key step in her morning routine. Apart from okra as its hero ingredient, this serum contains a blend of non-comedogenic oils (moringa, marula, and baobab) that restore the skin's structure, seal its barrier, and prevent hyperpigmentation.

Sabrina Elba's Wellness Must Haves

Another beauty must have that Elba swears by? NuStrips Beauty Supplements ($29). Packed with ingredients like biotin, folate, and vitamin E, these strips contribute to the overall growth and health of your hair, skin, and nails. Most shoppers reported noticing visible results within just two weeks, and you can choose from two other package options: a two-pack and a three-pack. "People forget supplements are also part of your beauty routine, and I love these strips. They melt on your tongue and are good for your nails, hair — all the things," she says.

She also sleeps with a grounding mat, specifically the Silkena Grounding Mat ($40, originally $70). It's made of non-slip and tear-resistant PU leather with conductive carbon material to enhance breathability and comfort while using. A grounding mat may help balance your body's natural charge and provide various health benefits, from sleep improvement and pain relief to cardiovascular health and stress reduction.

Sabrina Elba's Makeup Must Haves

Like most of us, Elba loves a great lip gloss. The S'Able Labs Moringa Lip Salve ($21, originally $23) is one of the brand's newest additions and one product that the model will never leave the house without. Its castor and marula oil formulation help stimulate collagen, while licorice and marshmallow roots help to treat stubborn skin conditions like hyperpigmentation.

She also prioritizes classic products in her routine like the Tweezerman Pink Perfection Slant Tweezer ($25), which features a 25-degree slanted tip that will give your brows a precise shape.

Naomi Parris is the assistant shopping editor at PS, based in New York. With over eight years of experience and previous roles held on the brand's Beauty and Operations teams, she enjoys telling stories that merge fashion, beauty, and Black culture. Naomi has also lent her skillful pen to Essence Girls United, Elle, Bustle, and Elite Daily. When she's not crafting shopping roundups, high-profile features, beauty op-eds, or trend guides, you can find Naomi behind her blog "Eli-Nay," where she inspires readers through style guides, cultural pieces, and innovative content on her Instagram.

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