Skincare favorites — past and present
The peak of my skincare consumption came in the first few years out of college. It was the mid-2010s. I had just discovered Sephora and beauty Youtubers. Glossier soon popped up with the goal of simplifying beauty — but that didn’t even speak to me because I was out to explore. I clicked on those articles about 10-step Korean skincare routines. I lurked in my company’s skincare Slack room. I made Sephora VIB.
Then, after a couple of years, it simply felt impossible to keep up. The proliferation of social media/influencers meant skincare recommendations were coming from everywhere all the time. New direct-to-consumer beauty brands sprang up every week (and continue to do so since every celeb now needs to have their own line). I was also getting older and generally not caring as much about what’s new and cool. Fast forward to today: Unless I’m seeking out a specific solution (like a hormonal acne treatment or an untinted mineral face sunscreen that I’d actually want to put on everyday), I pretty much stick to my tried-and-trues1.
Which brings us to this post. I started keeping a list of my all-time favorite products just to have options in case something is discontinued or if I really want to switch things up a little. Below, my favorites are organized by each step of my routine.
An asterisk (*) denotes a product I’m currently using.
LAST UPDATED: 3/22/24
Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser* — the gentlest. It also has an ever-so-slight rose scent that I love.
The Face Shop Herb Day 365 Cleansing Foam (Lemon)*— nice lather, heavenly scent.
Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser — looks, smells, feels like health. This was a gift from family, but I would also restock myself.
Toner
Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner* — continues to get the job done (for me that means removing lingering grime after cleansing).
Then I Met You Birch Milk Refining Toner — helped drive away my persistent hormonal chin acne last year.
Serum
Innisfree Green Tea Serum* — great value for money. Been using forever.
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum — a gentle retinol!
Sulwhasoo Anti-Aging First Care Activating Serum — luxe feel all over.
A.M. Moisturizer / SPF
EltaMD Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 44* — the slightly-tinted-ness has been growing on me, gives me a glow that almost feels like a BB cream lite.
Murad Oil and Pore Control Moisturizer SPF 45 — does not feel like a sunscreen.
P.M. Moisturizer
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream* — been liking as a solid, less expensive option, although this seems to go faster than my long-time fave below 🤔 will keep observing…
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Night Cream — literally used this for 7 years.
P.M. Eye cream
Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream* — the only eye cream I’ve used that feels like it’s doing something. It has what I think is the perfect eye cream consistency and a nostalgic floral scent… (maybe my mom used something with a similar scent when I was young?)
Miscellaneous nice-to-haves
Cosrx Pimple Patch — I buy these in bulk just to have around. Pleased to say that I haven’t really needed them lately!
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask — gentle, fairly effective. I like to use it mid-week as a pick-me-up.
Earth Therapeutics Foot Repair Balm — this is the thing I always try to find at a TJ Maxx or Marshall’s (for around $5), works so well.
Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel — especially nice to have around in the summer for some ad hoc cooling.
Nivea Moisture Lip Balm — no frills, just works for me! For some reason I’ve been getting a stinging sensation from other lip balms (like Burt’s Bees and eos) but not this one.
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil (Natural) — started using this during pregnancy to moisturize my belly, working well so far.
Melixir Vegan Lip Butter — sleek case, smooth texture, more tinted than I expected but still lightweight. I have it in Dewy Rose, Havana, and clear Agave.
Eucerin Advanced Repair Hand Cream — feels strong, dries fast, that’s all I ask!
Do you use any of these? What’s your skincare journey been like?
— Jenny