I know, I know, skincare doesn’t seem like a topic I’d normally talk about on my site. Only, I’m big on business owners taking time for themselves and for me, indulging in face masks and facials are my favorite ways to stay sane in the midst of running my business, my household, and juggling all of the other things I have to handle on any given day! Here are my favorite products, and my favorite ways to relax while taking care of my skin!
For me, life can be non-stop, and sometimes carving out time to relax can feel nearly impossible. I also have an unreasonable fear of wrinkles, and as I am now 30 (and have found a few gray hairs) I feel compelled to take care of my skin as best I can! My skin is combination: not really dry but not oily, and I get some occasional breakouts. I have tried A LOT of products, and am so happy to finally be in a place where I have my dream team assembled!
I get so excited about talking about the products I love and was asked recently by a client if I had any suggestions, so I thought, best I write a post about it!
Here are my favorite products, listed out by category. Remember, not everything that works for me will work for you, but it never hurts to try something new! Most places have great return policies if something you purchase doesn’t live up to what you imagined, so never be afraid to bring something back after a few weeks if you’re not happy!
Cleansers
First of all, I’ll start by saying how much I love my Clarisonic facial brush. I use it every evening, and if I go on vacation and forget to pack it, and have to wash without it for a few days, I can tell the difference in my skin!
Shea Terra Rose Hips Black Soap: I love how clean this makes my face feel! I tend only to wear makeup when I’m going somewhere important as not to clog my pores, but whenever I do wear it, I ALWAYS use this face wash to remove it! I feel like it’s a little harsh to use twice a day, so I reserve it mainly for days when I need a little extra oomph, but it could be a great daily cleanser for someone who has a more glamorous life than me and does not spend their days working from home on the computer in yoga pants sporting a (really) messy bun! Plus, I was SUPER excited to see that the lovely Sarah Jessica Parker (love her!) likes it, too!
Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser: Sometimes I have the occasional breakout along my chin (thanks, bunches, hormones!), so for those times, I switch it up and use this cleanser as my go-to. I love that it seems to help me clear up, without leaving me to feel dry.
Philosophy Purity Made Simple: This is my every day, FAVORITE, cleanser. It’s gentle but does an excellent job of removing any traces of the day. I have the giant bottle that I linked, and it lasts forever! Totally worth the investment. A few times, I’ve tried going to another product when I run out, but I always wind up tossing it and coming back to Philosophy!
Pssst! For those times you just can’t bring yourself to wash your face before bed, try using a cleanser that doesn’t require water. I LOVE Ultrabland, from Lush. Simply rub it in and wipe off with a warm washcloth. It takes off even the toughest makeup and leaves you feeling squeaky clean, without the hassle of making a mess at the sink.
Exfoliation
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: I use this product every night, after using my regular cleanser. It’s a powder, so you dump a quarter size amount in your palm, add a drop of water, and scrub your face for about a minute. Seriously. This is amazing. I love that it exfoliates without any abrasive particles, and my skin feels wonderful after using it. After about a month or so of daily use, I could tell the difference in the evenness of my skin. Beware, it smells a little strong, but the benefits heavily outweigh the scent in my book!
Aqua Reveal Satin Bright Soft Water Peel: This is another product that does a great job of exfoliating without any harsh particles irritating your face. I’ll be honest, I have no clue how it works, but it does! All you do is smooth a layer over your skin, and start massaging it into release dead skin cells. Rinse with water, and you’re done! I typically use this product if my skin is particularly dry or dull, and it works wonders. I also use it on the tops of my hands!
PMD Personal Microdermabrasion Device: Y’all. This is a marvelous investment if you ever deal with uneven skin tone, acne scars, or any other imperfections. I use this product once a week, and it has been a game changer. I’m a hopeless acne picker and had some light scars from back in the day that drove me nuts. This is a relatively heavy duty exfoliating treatment, and over time, my scars have disappeared! It’s a steal compared to in office microderm treatments, and while it’s likely not as intense as professional treatments, the results are great! Warning, it needs to be used sparingly! I’ve burned my face a few times because I tend to think “more is more” and have disregarded the “only go over each area once” directions. I promise, less is more, and if you overdo it, you’ll be sorry!
Toner
Lush Eau Roma Water: This is an easy one because this is the only product I use when it comes to toners. I’m obsessed with this one, and I always go back to it! It smells amazing and makes me feel hydrated after I wash my face. I use it every time I wash my face before I put on any other products. Sometimes, if I really haven’t left the house after washing my face in the morning, and didn’t use a trace of makeup, I’ll just use this before bed and skip washing to give my skin a little break.
Serum
Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate: Again, easy, because this is the only one I ever use! If you only try one thing I mention in this post, make it this one! Sephora explains it best: “the ultimate treatment for enhancing skin’s essential multi-defensive power against visible signs of aging, environmental factors, and daily stress. It restores skin’s powers to resist, protect, regenerate, and strengthen, leaving skin smooth and deeply nourished.” It leaves my skin glowing, and is said to improve the performance of your moisturizer.
I tried it when it was first released, and have been a loyal user ever since. I buy the 1.6oz. bottle, and it lasts me months. A little goes a long way; three pumps cover my whole face, and really, two would probably do it. I apply the serum in the morning because I use more powerful treatments at night. I cannot say enough about this product!
Eyes
Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels: I use these whenever my eye area is looking dull or tired, and I love them! You peel them off and stick the gel strips under your eyes and leave them on for about 10 minutes, and they feel so refreshing! I typically use them while doing a face mask, or while working!
Supergoop Eye Cream with Oat Peptides: I LOVE this product so much because it is the only under-eye product I’ve ever tried that does seem to brighten up my eye area! I’m cursed with dark under-eye circles, and while wrinkles aren’t really a concern, that darkness kills me. Mainly because I hate putting on makeup if I’m not going anywhere exciting. This feels hydrating and helps make me look more awake while reducing the darkness. This is my go to morning eye cream!
Benefit Puff Off Under Eye Gel: This product gives me an extra boost before I leave the house, so I typically put it on before heading out without makeup, or underneath concealer. It has a nice cooling effect, and helps boost my brightness!
Origins Plantscription Eye Treatment: My ultimate nighttime eye cream. I love how hydrated this makes my skin feel. I’ve heard that the skin under your eyes dries out very easily, which leads to dark circles and wrinkles. This product makes my skin feel well nourished. It is said to help visibly repair crow’s feet, under eye cross hatching, crepey lids, and sagginess.
Moisturizer
Origins Starting Over Age-Erasing Moisturizer with Mimosa: This is my daytime moisturizer. I’ve tried a TON of moisturizers; this one does a great job of leaving me feeling hydrated, without feeling greasy. Somehow, a lot of moisturizers leave me feeling dry (huh!?) but my skin loves this one! A little goes a long way, seriously, it’s ridiculous how little you need to use! Too much and you’ll feel greasy because you’ll have too much product sitting on your face. A tub of this could probably last me well over 6 months using it every day.
Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins: My go-to nighttime moisturizer. I love how thick this cream is, without feeling like it’s heavy on my skin. Again, a little goes a long way!
Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask: I live in Chicago, and winters can be brutal! I hate going outside when it’s below zero and feeling like my skin is about to instantly crack off. So, I use this product before going outside, when it’s unusually cold and windy! It does a great job of keeping my skin glowing and feeling good, even in the harshest weather! Technically, it’s an overnight mask, but I find using it as needed in the daytime works wonders!
Sunscreen
Coola Face: We all know how important sunscreen is, and this one is my favorite! I love the scent, and that it doesn’t leave any residue on my skin.
Treatments
I use the things mentioned above in the mornings, in that order. Cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen. At night, I wash my face, and use a combination of these treatments, then follow with my night eye cream and moisturizer.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid: This is a fantastic leave-on exfoliating treatment! I use it once or twice a week, and my skin is always glowing the next morning! It doesn’t leave me feeling dried out after I swipe it on. Typically, I let it sink in for about 10 minutes before putting on my moisturizer.
Whish Correcting Gel: On the days I don’t use the BHA liquid above, I use this gel to help fight aging. It smells like coconut, which I adore, and though it feels a little sticky for a while after I put it on, it makes my skin feel great in the morning. Bonus: it helps heal sunburn!
Origins Super Spot Remover and Mary Kay Clearproof Acne Gel: Both are perfect for spot treating when a pimple pops up!
ROC Deep Wrinkle Night Cream and Philosophy Help Me: I am all about my retinol for fighting wrinkles, and I love both of these products! I don’t use them on my whole face, only between my brows and sparingly on my forehead. Again, a little goes a long way; you don’t need much!
Face Masks
I won’t get into why I love each one, but these are my favorites!
Farm House Fresh: Splendid Dirt (minimizes pores, clarifying) and Pajama Paste (hydrating, skin tightening)
Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Mask (exfoliates, anti-aging, not for sensitive skin)
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Mask (moisturizing)
Sarah McNamara Miracle Skin Transformer Mask (clarifying, nourishing)
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (mix this powder with apple cider vinegar for an amazing clarifying mask! I mix a little to put on if I have a breakout, and it works wonders!)
Hand Treatments
I know, you’re probably wondering what the heck skincare has to do with your hands. But the skin on the tops of your hands often shows signs of aging before your face does! So, I have a few products I use daily on my hands that I figured I’d share, too!
The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum: I use this morning and night (PSSST! Vitamin E does so many great things for your skin! Check out this article from Health Ambition for tips on how to use it to fade acne scars!)
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask: Morning, after the serum
Loreal Revitalift Intensive Overnight Mask: Night, after the serum
There you have it, a list of all my must have skincare products! I know it seems like a lot. But, I really wouldn’t want to be without any of these products. Remember, I’m not using them all every single day!
Also, I try to get a facial once a month, to give my skin a little extra boost, and get a little time to pamper myself!
PSST! You should be heading to the dermatologist yearly to have your skin checked!
The majority of these products I’ve stumbled upon because I’m a Birchbox member. I get awesome samples sent to me each month! It’s a great way to try things I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, and I love that when I purchase products there vs. other stores, I get points that I can redeem for money off of future purchases! The last time I bought something, I had over $100 worth of points I could use. It felt like such a treat because I earned them buying things I would have bought anyway.
Want to know more about Birchbox, head here!
What are your favorite skincare products? I love trying new things, so link them in the comments below!
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