I feel quite fortunate that I get the opportunity to try out lots of brands because I can really hone in on what I feel is tried, true, and tested —–by me! LOL My skin has changed over the years, through pregnancy and a move out to the desert so my needs have changed because my skin reacts differently. Today, I thought it would be fun to share five products that I have used consistently and feel they are true standout skincare products. I wonder if we will share any of the same!
I should preface this post by letting you know that I’m 39, and have normal to dry skin that deals with congestion, hyperpigmentation, and large pores. My skin can be reactive to products but usually doesn’t translate into a problem (my skin may turn pink when I do an enzyme peel or professional treatment) I only get professional facials when I remember to fit it into my budget, and, but I am very good about removing makeup at night no matter how tired I am. That said, let’s get on to the products!
The Best Exfoliant -Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
I have been hooked on Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant for years because of the results I get from it. This rice-based powder exfoliant uses fruit enzymes and salicylic acid to loosen dead skin cells, unclog pores, and smooth the texture of skin when activated by water. I just pour about half a teaspoon into my hand and add a bit of water to create a paste that I massage over my skin. Green tea and colloidal oatmeal soothe and hydrate while licorice root and phytic acid work to even skin tone. I like to keep this one in the shower for both my husband and me to use. He has oily skin and loves it!
Available at Sephora Available at Ulta
The Best Mineral Sunscreen – Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Sheild SPF 50
You’re never going to get me to shut up about this sunscreen because it’s been the absolute best I’ve used ever. Colorescience Sunforgetabble Face Shield is a 100% mineral-based sunscreen that offers UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection. But it goes beyond that and also minimizes the effects of blue light and infrared radiation. Its non-nano formula is also reef-safe, fragrance-free, and comes in a few varieties for different skin tones and types. I personally use all three shades of face shield (original, glow, and bronze). Face Sheild offers sheer coverage when it comes to color, and has a dewy/natural finish to it. Recently, they released a matte version as well as one called FLEX which offers more makeup coverage (soon to be tested!).
Available at Colorescience Available on Amazon
The Best Eye Treatment – First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream
I don’t know what it is about eye treatments, but most don’t impress. I suppose when I don’t see any benefit to using an eye-specific product I stop and move on. But First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Niacinamide Brightening Eye Cream is one of two eye creams ever that I feel make a difference in my eyes. Eye Duty is a champ at illuminating the eye area with its golden champagne tinted cream that uses peach micro-pearls filled with sodium hyaluronate to hydrate and add dewiness to the skin while niacinamide brightens by reducing melanin production in the under-eye area. While I still need an ice roller to deal with morning puffiness, this does a great job of simply making the eye area look “young”, and somehow got me hooked enough to apply it 1-2 per day. I can attest that it works well with their bendy avocado concealer, inner beauty cosmetics concealer, and kosas revealer concealer, and never experienced pilling or weirdness.
Available at Sephora Available at ULTA
The Best Retinol Treatment – Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum
Retinol treatments take time so it can be really hard for impatient people like me to wait it out and see if there is a difference in my skin. I think I was compelled to continue using this for weeks on end before noticing anything because of the ingredient list that convinced me this was going to be a good one so I needed to stick it out. Sunday Riley A+ uses a 6.5% retinol complex that consists of a Retinol, Retinoid Ester, and Botanical Alt-Retinol combined for gentle exfoliation and retexturizing while CoEnzyme Q10, a powerhouse antioxidant, helps promote collagen production and reduce redness. The biggest difference I notice in my skin is oil production is regulated and more even across my skin, which means fewer clogged pores and breakouts. I never experienced any irritation with this treatment, but I also took it easy in the beginning and worked my way up to five days per week. Other retinol treatments no matter how slowly I used them tended to dry out and irritate me while this one doesn’t. Therefore, it wins the gold ribbon!
Available at Sephora Available at ULTA
The Best Hydrator – Drunk Elephant F Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask
I just wrote about F balm in a recent post about the best hydrators for skin here. Believe me when I say that I have a lot of favorite moisturizers because there are tons out there that are great. But this one? Something about this one balances my skin like nothing else. If I feel my skin is irritated from too many exfoliating products, I go back to this. I wake up with any redness or tenderness gone, my skin feels comfortable, and somehow my pores feel smaller. I haven’t quite figured out what is it that makes my pores appear smaller or more closed, but I’m going to assume this is my skin saying it’s happy and hydrated. F balm helps repair the natural skin barrier with ceramides while niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, omega fatty acids, and vitamin F soften, smooth, and hydrate. My skin takes about four full pumps of this stuff which always makes me worry I’m using too much product, but the bottle seems to last a decent amount of time making it well worth the cost to me!
Available at Sephora
What skincare products do you think stand out? Is there a product that you get excited talking about? Share in the comment section below!
That brightening eye cream sounds amazing!
It’s very nice! The illuminating effect is top notch. I really enjoy how it makes the skin around my eyes look!
Your photos are outstanding and those alone make me want these items. I’d really like to try the eye cream as my next one now that you’ve raved so about it.
I’d love to try that eye cream and the Drunk Elephant moisturizer.
I agree with Marcia: your photos are so professional and enticing! I would love to try the Sunday Riley A+ and the FAB eye brightening cream.
The Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is one of the first Dermalogica products I tried and I love it. That First Aid Beauty Eye Cream sounds intriguing.