For the sake of documenting a moment in time, and perhaps to reflect in five years to ask myself “why on Earth did I use that?”, I wanted to list some of my current skincare favorites. I recently went on a short trip, which is always great for forcing yourself to decide on which products are truly must-haves (and also useful in those moments where you think to yourself, “why did I forget to pack that?!).
Now, of course, I don’t use all of these every single day, but everything listed is in heavy rotation. All of these products have been in my routines for a minimum of five months — some have been in my routine for over six years. I can say that all of these have maintained or improved my sensitive, acne-prone skin. Everyone’s reactions are different, but if I had to recommend products to someone with skin issues, these would all be included in that list.
AM Routine
- COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray
- Melano CC Gel (although I’m not 100% sold on this one yet…)
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
- Rohto Skin Aqua Super Moisture Milk SPF50
PM Routine
- COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser (I obviously love this)
- Mario Badescu Rosewater Spray (same with this, I would spritz this every hour on the hour if I could)
- Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner
PM Exfoliant Options:
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA
- The Ordinary 5% Lactic Acid
- Epiduo
- Derma-E Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream
PM Moisturizer Options
- Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel
- Cerave PM
PM Heavy Moisturizers — “Last Step”:
- Bio-Oil
- CosRX Honey Ceramide Cream
- HadaLabo Gokujun Hyaluronic Solution
Makeup
- IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Illumination – Medium
- Maybelline Stick Corrector Concealer (under eyes, and on/around eyelids with careful blending)
- NYX Tinted Brow Mascara in Brown
- L’oreal Lash Paradise
- Physicians Formula Eye Booster Pencil Eyeliner
- Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Bronze (used as bronzer)
- Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in Molten Rose Gold