‘Love Island USA’ Star Leah Kateb Shares Her Beauty Routine

For most, stardom doesn’t happen in one day. It takes time, careful planning, and a bit of help from a seasoned PR guru. But Love Island USA’s Leah Kateb can only be described as an overnight sensation. Fans of the reality dating show—where contestants, known as “islanders,” live in a villa and try to find love—had a connection with Kateb from the jump, thanks to her down-to-earth attitude, killer wardrobe, unwavering loyalty, and unforgettable one-liners. After being crowned by viewers as “The People’s Princess,” it is no surprise that Kateb’s career is taking off—specifically, in the direction of beauty.

Since returning from paradise, the starlet has taken to TikTok and, most recently, YouTube with her body care, skin care, and makeup recommendations. Most notably, Kateb’s gourmand shower routine had products flying off shelves, selling out at nearly every retailer. Now, she’s pulling back the curtains even further for Team Byrdie, giving us a peek at what’s on her vanity and face.

Ahead, Kateb shares the products she’s used and loved the longest, her journey with acne, and the latest budget-friendly body lotion she’s loving.

About Her Skin

“I had combination skin up until I was 21, and then I started breaking out really badly with cystic acne and pus-filled acne centered on my cheeks and chin. I went to a derm, who told me it was likely caused by a hormonal imbalance. I ended up having to go on medication and Accutane for eight months. I finished my course on Accutane a month before going on Love Island, which was perfect timing as you have to be careful about sun exposure when taking it. My skin was so sensitive on Accutane—it felt like a raw chicken.”

Her Journey With Acne

“It took years, from age 21 to 23, to figure out what was causing the acne. I was trying to do all-natural treatments as everyone kept telling me that Accutane should be my last option, So I was doing peels and acupuncture. I even went on spironolactone. It would go away for a week, and then it would come right back. So, my treatments did not produce permanent results. As someone who wasn’t used to having acne and didn’t know how to treat it, it was extremely stressful. You get it in your head that everyone’s looking at you, and it feels like when you’re talking to someone, it’s all they’re looking at.”

How Her Routine Has Evolved

“Young Leah was using any and every product she could get her hands on. I used a harsh scrub and a random cleanser and then would top it off with coconut oil. It was weird and not put together, but my skin was so forgiving at that age. Then, in high school, my mom took my sister and me to a dermatologist, which started my skincare journey.”

Her Favorite Skincare Products

“I’ve kept my skincare routine pretty much the same since going on Accutane. I use Alastin’s Gentle Cleanser. It’s so hydrating and not stripping at all. Avène’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream literally saved my skin during the Accutane process: I had been looking for something that would help my skin feel more hydrated and moisturized, but I didn’t want a cream that was going to clog my pores and potentially make my acne worse. I also like Weleda’s Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream. It’s super thick, so it’s great at holding moisture in.”

The Skincare Ingredient That’s Made the Biggest Difference

“I like vitamin C a lot. It brightens up the face, and this is coming from someone who has under-eye bags. I see a difference when I consistently use a vitamin C-based under-eye cream versus after a week of not using one. I love Revision Skincare’s C+ Brightening Eye Complex. But if you’re looking for a dupe of that, I like CeraVe’s Skin Renewing Vitamin C Eye Cream.”

Her Favorite Body Care Products

“It makes me so happy when people come up to me and say they’re wearing Lush’s Sticky Dates or Eos Vanilla Cashmere because of my shower routine video. It’s so cute. I still love Vanilla Cashmere, but I have a new favorite from them that I’m so obsessed with. It’s the Strawberry Dream Body Lotion. I need to do an updated shower routine video because a few things have changed.”

The Beauty Tools She Loves

“I like to use a Gua Sha because I carry a lot of water weight in my face. When I eat salty foods, and my face gets bloated, people will say online, ‘Oh my God, she got more filler,’ and I’m like, ‘Honey, no. I just ate three grilled cheeses from In N Out and seven Animal Fries.’ A few times a week for extra self-care, I’ll use a dry brush on the body and a scalp massager in my hair to promote growth.”

The Perfume She Always Reaches For

“If I had to pick one perfume to wear for the rest of my life, it would be Guerlain’s Double Vanille. I tried to gatekeep her, but I just had to share it with my girls—I would love it if we all smelled like this.”

Her Favorite Hair Care Products

“I used to have a split dye, and the bleached hair on my left side was fried to hell. I had to cut it to a bob that was right under my chin. But I had a great hair care routine that brought my hair back to life. I religiously used Redkin’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo as it helps with severely damaged hair. I love all of Amika’s masks, especially Soulfood, which I still use today. I would combine those two products, and my hair would feel so nice afterward.”

The Skincare Advice She Would Give

“My tip would be to use a lot of sunscreen—more than you think. I carry a spray sunscreen from Coola in my bag at all times. Also, don’t pop your pimples. I know it’s tempting, but acne scars can last for years. Just slap a pimple patch on it, and it’ll be nearly gone by morning.”