Skincare Rockstars 2018

i have been trying out a ton of new skincare products over the last few months and thought an update to my last skincare post was in order. the list below is quite long, but these products are honestly too good not to share. if you have any other recommendations, i’d love to hear them!

*for reference, i have normal but slightly acne-prone skin

BEACH BORN witch hazel wash and bam balm are two of my absolute daily must-haves. the cleanser is gentle but keeps my skin balanced and pesky break-outs at bay, while the lip scrub is an essential step before any lip color application. add to that the fact that they are locally made — i truly cannot recommend this brand enough.

V&M NATURALS witch hazel toner is an absolute godsend for acne-prone skin. when i get hormonal break-outs, this stuff really helps to calm them down, and refreshes my skin so it doesn’t feel so yucky. although this is recommended to either be spritzed directly onto the face or on a cotton pad, i prefer to do a couple of mists on my hand, work it into my palms and gently pat into my skin. that way i feel like i get the most out of the product without spraying excessively.

ERBORIAN doudoune for lips is my go-to night time lip conditioner. it’s more oily than waxy in texture, and feels very luxurious going on. i’m not a fan of the pot packaging but because the lip balm works so well for me, i don’t mind it.

GARNIER micellar water (for sensitive skin) is a fantastic makeup remover that gets everything off — except hardcore waterproof makeup. it’s also so cost efficient that i can’t imagine shifting to a different brand anytime soon.

SIMPLE dual effect eye make-up remover always accompanies my micellar water, because this stuff is so good at dissolving anything waterproof: mascara, eyeliner, matte liquid lipstick — all of it. it’s got a dual-phase formula (oil + water-based cleanser) so it needs to be shaken before use, and i don’t find that it leaves any weird residue on the skin. granted, i always wash my face after this step anyway…but still.

THE ORDINARY glycolic acid 7% toning solution is my skin’s BFF. it really is an all-rounder: it keeps skin super smooth and soft, helps fade blemishes and reduce the appearance of pores, controls break-outs, and brightens the complexion. i only use it a couple of times a week though because i find that it can be overdone (i break out when i use it too frequently). just remember to load up on sun protection when using this stuff, or any other acid treatment for that matter.

THE ORDINARY 100% plant-derived squalane is a fabulous hydrator for those with normal to oily skin, as it is very lightweight and sits nicely on the skin. while i know this should ideally be used daily, my skin is rather finicky and can’t seem to handle too much moisturizer. but even with just 2-3 uses a week, this does wonders for me.

DHC lip cream is what i throw in my handbag when my lips are feeling especially dehydrated. like the erborian lip balm above, this is on the oily side of the spectrum, but feels amazing on. it’s fuss-free, effective, and looks super cute in the sleek pink packaging.

SHEET MASKS (i use several but pictured are BARONESS and BEAUTY BUFFET by watsons) are the perfect pick-me-up for any day of the week. i especially love it when my skin is looking dull, or if i’m bored/stressed and need a bit of perking up.

INNISFREE jeju volcanic pore clay mask is the best clay mask i have ever used, and my #1 go-to fix for acne. it visibly minimizes the appearance of break-outs and with continued use, can dry them out completely. this stuff has saved my face from plenty of disasters, that’s for sure.

PIXI peel & polish is a resurfacing product chock-full of AHAs that leave the skin super smooth and glowing. it’s amazing for those pesky under the skin bumps and clogged pores, and i always notice immediate effects after use.

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EXTRAS (not pictured)

– i still use my SHISEIDO ibuki gentle cleanser when i need a deeper cleanse after a long day of wearing makeup out and about
– on lazy days, i pull out one of my trusty SIMPLE makeup wipes for quick makeup removal; they’re just the best
– the COSRX acne pimple master patch is an absolute lifesaver and will always be part of my skincare arsenal
– i am on the hunt for the next eye cream to try, and i’m considering the triple treat eye cream by IN HER ELEMENT