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'The Better Sister' Star Elizabeth Banks Drops Her Secrets to Great Skin at 51
Plus, the actress shares her favorite memories from working with co-star Jessica Biel.
In the Celebrity edition of What's in My Cart, stars reveal the everyday products they're shopping ā complemented by expert insights from our editors and analysts when it's something we love too.
The mystery at the heart of the thrilling new limited series The Better Sister may keep you up at night, but star Elizabeth Banks is here to help you catch up on your beauty sleep ā literally.
The actress recently added a new role to her impressive list of credits: the first-ever U.S. ambassador for skincare brand No7. Luckily, Elizabeth's skincare routine at 51 is a lot less extravagant than the looks she donned as Effie Trinket in the Hunger Games movies might suggest. Good Housekeeping caught up with Elizabeth to hear about her favorite No7 beauty products and how she incorporates them into her daily routine, as well as her other essentials at home and on set.
We also had to ask her to weigh in on Elle Fanning's casting as young Effie Trinket in the upcoming prequel film, Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. "I'm thrilled that Elle is taking over the character of Effie. She will do an incredible job and wear the hell out of the costumes."
Elizabeth also told us that when filming The Better Sister with Jessica Biel, some of her "favorite memories are from off set, like playing padel on the weekends and enjoying Broadway shows together. We also got to see Justin Timberlake in concert at Madison Square Garden."
Keep reading for more from Elizabeth!
"Over the years, I've learned that 'beauty sleep' is a very real thing. I initially discovered No7 during a conversation with my dermatologist. What I love about No7 is that you get science-backed, luxurious formulas at affordable prices," Elizabeth tell us.
Three products from No7's Future Renew collection are "all I need for my skincare routine." First up? "I start with the Future Renew Peptide Cleanser," she says.
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum
"I use the No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Serum every night as the second step in my routine," Elizabeth continues.
"I started using it because it's specially formulated to work with the skin's natural cycle of self-repair at night when it reaches its peak. I've seen visible improvement in fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots."
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Night Cream
"After I apply the Future Renew Night Serum, last but not least, I finish off with the Future Renew Night Cream. Did you know our skin does its best repair work while we sleep?" Elizabeth says.
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute do, and the No7 Night Cream is a GH Beauty Award winner. Beauty Lab results found that it raised hydration 85% in eight hours and reduced lines over time. "Skin was plump and lines looked softer in two weeks," Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann noted.
The product was also chosen as the best anti-aging night cream in 2025, with Sabina adding that "the cream is light and silky, allowing you to go straight to bed without waiting for it to absorb."
No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum
"The No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Eye Serum is a must after a long flight. It's great for depuffing and erasing any dark circles," Elizabeth reveals.
"The Future Renew Day Serum and Night Serum are TSA-friendly too, making it easy to stay consistent with my routine and bring my essentials with me when I'm on the go," she adds.
Two other No7 eye products, the No7 Pure Retinol Eye Cream and the No7 Restore & Renew Multi Action Eye Cream, made our list of the best eye creams of 2025, according to Beauty Lab testing.
To ensure the best beauty sleep possible, Elizabeth stresses that "it's all about the routine leading up to bedtime. I try to eat earlier and drink more water so that my sleep isn't disrupted by digestion and I stay hydrated," she says.
"I have a water bottle that tells me how much Iām drinking throughout the day, and I really rely on it to help me to stay hydrated."
While Elizabeth didn't specify the exact bottle she uses, the Hidrate Spark PRO is the GH Institute's best overall smart water bottle pick. Actress Erin Krakow is also a fan!
Nespresso by De'Longhi Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker
When it comes to her at-home essentials, Elizabeth says that "for my husband [Max Handelman] and I, it's all about the Nespresso coffee machine."
The Nespresso by De'Longhi Vertuo Plus Coffee and Espresso Maker is our overall pick for the best Nespresso machine, according to testing and reviews, but we also have the best value, the best small and the best for beginner recommendations on our list.
Browse GH Expert Picks: 6 Best Nespresso Machines, Tested and Reviewed
Elizabeth and Max share two sons, Felix (14) and Magnus (12). She reveals that "for the kids, they love our ice maker. Sometimes we combine the two for delicious Freddo Espresso."
At $170, this one from COWSAR is the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab's choice for the best value nugget ice maker.
Browse GH Expert Picks: The Best Nugget Ice Makers, According to Testing and Reviews
You may think celebrities require all kinds of expensive products on set, but Elizabeth's set trailer must-have is super simple.
"Bananagrams and cards, so we can all stay competitive between set ups. It's a fun way to pass the time," she shares.
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