The Beauty Product I Always Finish | Cup of Jo (2024)

aside from my esthetician, i’ve only met one other person (the woman who helps me at sephora!!!) who knows the brand, so reading this was very affirming. i swear by one love organics, especially the vitamin b cleansing oil. i use their skin dew moisturizer and easy does it cleanser as well. i’ve been using them for years and now, and when i come in for an annual or semi-annual facial, my esthetician is just so proud and blown away. huge wins!!!

hahaha yes

I have relatively sensitive skin, a lot of allergies, and try to use science-backed products in a mix of drugstore brands and splurges:

Morning:
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser – (use during shower)
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic – (the best Vitamin C for me, but it is ungodly expensive)
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion – (my skin can be a bit dry so this is my daily)
La Roche Posay Double Repair SPF 30 – (love the texture of this for daily use; I use EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 for hiking / beach / other outdoor activities)

Evening:
Bioderma Sensibio H20 Micellar – (for removing makeup, then wash face with just water)
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA – (use almost every night, but occasionally, like once a week, replace with one of the other products listed below)

Paula’s Choice 10% AHA
Sunday Riley Good Genes – (also ridiculously expensive)

Planning to add in a retinol very slowly, by using about 2x a week at night and working my way up to greater frequency and eventually slightly stronger formulations.

Sounds like we have a very similar approach to skincare and use the same brands! Not sure if Medik8 is available where you live but their retinol is the best I’ve found for my skin- gentle formulations from a science led brand and lots of intensity levels to scale up through :)

Thanks for the recommendation, Ashley! I actually just bought the Skinceuticals 0.3 because I am familiar with their products, but will check out the Medik8 one soon :)

Hi Marie! I use it in addition to moisturizer :) I use my moisturizer in the morning and the serum alone at night! Hope this helps!

In the AM, I either just rinse with water or may use a gentle cleanser if my face feels really sweaty from my morning workout. I apply azelaic acid to my damp skin (thanks for the rosacea, dad!) and apply moisturizer afterwards. I am really loving Malezia’s urea moisturizer. I’ve learned so much from the founder’s blog, Simple Skincare Science, and love his moisturizer! I apply mineral sunscreen afterwards. My favorites are by Coco*kind, Pipette, and Biossance.

The product I’ve repurchased the most is Jordan Samuel’s after show treatment cleanser for sensitive skin. I use that first to break down my sunscreen, and then I wash my face with a gentle cleanser. I’m currently using the iS Clinicals one, and I really like it. I apply .025 tretinoin to my skin 3x/week and then use the Walgreens AHA cream on Saturdays. The other nights I just apply my moisturizer and then some Vaseline, and I’m good!

Ooooh I’ve heard great things about their products! I’d love to try their liquid eyeliner, I need to restock mine!

Origins Ginzeng SPF Tinted Moisturizer.

I often gift this to friends and it has turned into their hero product too :)

La Roche Posay cicaplast balm = all purpose miracle product for me!

I thought it would be greasy and pore-clogging because the texture is rich, but it’s just soothing without clogging pores. I apply it anywhere I have a “problem” of any kind: dryness, irritation, acne, redness, under eye, even lips. Feels like the Windex thing from Big Fat Greek Wedding, but it truly helps me with anything, and I have super sensitive combination acne prone skin and I live in a way humid climate.

Oh no not at all! I’m very pro freckles, and do everything I can to protect them and keep them visible. They haven’t faded at all with the serum. :)

I LOVE Biossance sunscreen (and moisturizer, and cleanser…). It converted me from Supergoop Matte Screen (which I still think is a nice velvety mineral sunscreen). I have sensitive, dry skin and can’t use chemical sunscreen on my face anymore.

thanks for sharing that! BTW i used SloBrew face masks and they made my face so glowy too!!!

Whoo hoo!
Great rec!

ooh thank you!!

I love skincare/make-up posts, but I would be interested to know more about what procedures (if any) CoJ authors follow in terms of cosmetic dermatology etc. Mostly because I find that this kind of information is largely absent (although inseparable) from product reviews. I am speaking to the wider blogosphere here, not singling CoJ out…this just happens to be the blog I visit most often. I hope this doesn’t come across as though I am throwing shade on any of the post authors- nobody is obligated to disclose this kind of private information (I personally cringe when people compliment my “youthful” skin and my response is “sunscreen”, followed after a lengthy pause by “…and botox” and that’s just among close friends. I know this is something people often prefer to be discreet about because there is a LOT of judgment out there on cosmetic dermatology!) Anyway, I love all the product reviews for “glowy” products, but when I read reviews like this I sometimes wonder if I’m getting the entire picture.

P.S. Yes! I would absolutely love to see more hair tutorials :-)

I appreciate this comment. Personally I am against any procedures for myself. I’m often told I look younger for my age, but I do look older than I did 10 years ago. That being said, I can run the comparison game all too often only to find out someone looks “younger” due to cosmetic procedures. It makes me think of all the years I compared myself to magazine images only to discover EVERYTHING was photoshopped. Transparency is valuable.

Its funny when people say “I would never do that” – and they’re stunningly youthful at the time… then let’s see what happens when at 47 their neck start to resemble a goose, and by 49 there is no hiding it those are jowls…. whilst I still have not have any invasive procedures at all, it’s simply my moral high horse that holds me back… instead I spent all my time bemoaning internally how fat and old I am. I imagine those who got the face jobs are probably off living a glamorous life. who knows, maybe as per the weekend articles, maybe husband swapping with a younger model.

I splurge on the Maestro Fusion foundation by Giorgio Armani and use it up to the single last drop. It feels light yet covers my redness gently and effectively. Plus it has SPF 15.

For cleansing and care I swear by the Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream and afterwards their Clarifying Day Oli.

My ride or die product has to be Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF 50+++. I’ve been using it for years now, and it’s hands down the most comfortable sunscreen I’ve tried.

Also, no sunscreen passt without mentioning Lab Muffin: https://labmuffin.com/answering-almost-all-your-sunscreen-questions-with-video/
So glad someone mentioned her blog in the CoJ comments ;-)

Yesssssss! The Biore watery essence is the best sunscreen!! Not greasy at all! And it’s a fairly reasonable price so I don’t mind using it for my arms and neck too.

I’ve just ordered the Watery Essence for the first time and your comment makes me excited to start using it when it arrives 😊

I loved this until they changed the formula, at which point I literally gave it away I hated it so much :'(

I was trying to figure this out too!

Same here, Leah! Have you tried MDSolarSciences Mineral Kidcreme? I have rosacea and super sensitive skin and always struggled to find sunscreen that wouldn’t upset my skin but was also cosmetically elegant (very hard to find in a mineral sunscreen). I discovered MDSolarsciences Kidcreme a few months ago and I’m OBSESSED. Totally invisible on me, plus it’s pore-blurring and has a beautiful, natural looking finish.

Leah – have you tried the Hero cosmetics sunscreen? It’s zinc and I don’t feel like it goes on too thick. It has a green tint that helps balance out redness but it’s not super noticable!

Try Le Prunier, MD Solar Sciences or Pipette!

I use the Australian Gold Botanical tinted mineral sunscreen – it’s actually reef safe (some mineral sunscreens still contain chemicals that are damaging to coral reefs) and cruelty free and because of the tint, no white cast! It rubs on really easily and leaves my skin looking glowier and more even and I love it so much!

You may like CeraVe hydrating mineral sunscreen with “sheer face tint,” which has a beige tint to mask the white tint of the minerals.

josie maran get even sun milk is amazing! supergoop mineral products are also pretty good.

Seconding the pipette rec! Also recommend kinship.

I have very pale skin and use Cerave’s tinted moisturizer sunscreen mixed with their white one, and that gives me the right shade with a more cool/neutral undertone.

My skincare faves:

1. Fancy Farm Goat Milk Bar Soap for face (and the whole body) they do restocks every couple weeks: https://fancyfarmskincare.com/products/farm-fresh-goat-milk-tallow-soap-bar

2. I use the above-mentioned soap with Pai muslin cloths https://www.paiskincare.us/products/organic-muslin-face-cloth-pack

3. Facenearth Colloidal Silver Green Tea Chamomile Toner: https://www.etsy.com/listing/213751980/colloidal-silver-green-tea-chamomile

4. Still in search of a serum ride-or-die but like the Cos de BAHA Niacinamide 10% and their Centella serum https://www.iherb.com/c/cos-de-baha

5. HUM Nutrition Daily Cleanse (I’ve bought so many bottles of this I swear it works, it’s not an overnight miracle but always seems to add an extra layer of protection against blemishes)

6. Bone broth, spearmint tea, and other herbal teas like moringa and hibiscus (taste great and a great way to get vitamins too)

What I avoid: chemical exfoliators, Vitamin C for skin, anything fermented for skin, retinol. I know people rave about these ingredients and say there’s a purging period and all that, but for now it’s just not for me, I’ve tried. I’ll focus on gentle nourishing hydration for now, that seems to work.

Agreed, Janelle you look amazing! Any chance you’ll share the lip color you’re wearing? It’s lovely and I can never pull off the bold red lip look…

Hello from a fellow Aesop devotee

TBH you’re normal moisturizer will prob be just as effective. I’m pretty sure eye cream is a scam.

** your

I would recommend True Botanicals eye cream. I’ve been using it regularly for months (I am twice your age) and haven’t found anything better or more gentle.

Biossance has 2 nice options when on sale. Looks like their samples are out of stock, but are perfect for trying. If you like gel, W3LL people at target is nice.

Christina Moss makes great eye cream and moisturizer. The eye cream has a scent, but it disappears quickly. My skin is allergic to everything – fragrance, alcohol, polypropolene glycol, which is in everything. Other than these two products, my skin routine is basically marula oil for cleansing and overnight moisturizing. CM has a website or that website named after a tribe of powerful women carries it, too.

I’ve been using the Avene eye cream which has been fine for my sensitive skin and is reasonable!

You could try the Benton Fermentation Eye Cream! It’s really good for nighttime and under makeup. It’s super nourishing but without being greasy.

Hi! I also have very sensitive eyes and the only eye cream I can tolerate these days is the Cerave one.

I’ve used SkinMedica’s eye creams for a few years and love them – I use the TNS Eye Repair at night and the TNS Illuminating Eye Cream for day. The line is crazy expensive but clinically tested, and it’s really made a difference in my skin.

I’ve tried a LOT of eye creams, but my new favorite is YENSA Pink Lotus Peptide Eye Cream. I received it in an Ipsy bag recently, and it’s fantastic.

I rec Boissance , it’s soothing and no fragrance. I have actually noticed my eye area has looked better since using it. Seems firmer with less fine lines. About to order more….

I love Kiehl’s avocado eye cream, it’s super hydrating, and you can buy a half size to see if you like it (they’re also always giving out samples of it). I’ve tried the Biossance eye cream too and it’s nice! Could you also use a regular heavy moisturizing cream? Probably!

Thanks everyone!

Hi COJ Team!

Are posts being limited to 1 post per day? I am used to seeing 2 a day :)

Hi! Yes we are just doing one post per day this week while Joanna is out on vacay :) But don’t worry, we’re going to pick up our two posts a day cadence soon! xo

It could be a sensitivity to sun – some antibiotics cause sun/photo sensitivity and for many who get that, it remains long afterwards.

Yes, the Tacha silk sunscreen. I also manage to either break out or just straight up get a rash with basically any sunscreen. It’s been a lifesaver and is now part of my daily routine. If you also need a moisturizer, the Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence (the big one) is great and stronger than you’d think.

Kirst! That’s true in many cases! And I would think it might be true for me, but a March trip to Hawaii – where I got a sunburn but no rash – tells me there are other culprits at issue.

I have rosacea and my skin reacts to a lot of sunscreens. I like the Paula’s Choice mineral sunscreens and MyChelle mineral. I mix them together because the tint from Paula’s Choice alone is too dark for my skin tone.

Helen Kaminski’s Newport hats – tightly woven matte straw with a four inch deep crown and brim that shades my face well. Lots of other styles, too, some with five inch brims. The rest of my body I keep covered for the most part, but it will tolerate sunscreen for a day here and there.

Sensitive skin with rosacea and a lotttt of sunscreens irritate my face. Supergoop and Biossance were both no gos for me, but my HG is now Paula’s Choice. The essential glow mineral moisturizer is my favorite for day-to-day wear and feels really good on my dry skin. If I’m going to be outside, I’ll put on Cetaphil’s mineral liquid sunscreen for face. You could definitely wear it daily, but I find it a little thicker than the Paula’s Choice one. Sephora offers free returns and Paula’s Choice’s website has sample sizes to ty things out. I hope you find your perfect sunscreen!

I’m reading this in 2024, but my derm recommended LaRoche Posay like 20 years ago for extreme sun sensitivity (esp. in low latitudes – RASH CITY). I used to order it from Canada because it hadn’t gone through the FDA approval process yet, but now that it’s readily available at any drugstore in the U.S. too, it’s so much easier.

I agree! That’s the sunscreen that I have been using and wear it everyday instead of foundation.

I keep it very simple and will cautiously try new products once a year or so. Out of the new product experiments, I rarely find something that makes enough difference to keep using.

My skincare keepers are:
Everyday Oil, EltaMD UV Clear 46, Bioderma Micellar Water, Dove bar soap, Cetaphil cream

I’ve tried a few acid-based products with mixed results. Nothing seems to really make a difference in my sensitive, combo, dermatitis prone skin. Right now I’m using the Ordinary’s mandelic acid serum and it’s so-so.

Does anyone else get Jessica Delfino’s newsletter The Unpublishable? https://jessicadefino.substack.com/

She takes a very critical look at the beauty industry and all of the things they tell us we need to do. It’s fascinating, and I think many COJ readers would enjoy!

yes, I love her writing! I also read her other newsletter, All in Her Head https://jessica.substack.com/ about more general feminist topics, not limited only to beauty culture. 100% recommend everyone subscribe to both (even just the free articles)

Kara! I came here to comment about Jessica DeFino’s newsletter! I love her ethos and critical learning lens about the structural systems of power and oppression that play into our cultural understanding of “beauty”. Highly highly recommend and my favorite current beauty secret is unlearning those systems! And sunscreen haha.

Thank you for this link! Diving into this now (in the middle of a work day, oops). Hopefully a nice antidote to the anxiety that I’m not doing enough with/to/for my skin.

Ooooh thanks for this rec! I’m bookmarking it and am excited to check it out this weekend!

I think Unpublishable is doing work but I’ve noticed women on the subreddit putting undue pressure on themselves to reject the aspects of beauty culture they enjoy. Seems like just another side of the same coin: women feeling like they’re “supposed” to do a certain thing.

Okay it is months later hahaha but I just discovered today that the sub stack All In Her Head is written by Jessica Valenti, not Jessica Defino as I wrote in my first comment. Still follow both of them! Support the Jessicas! Just wanted to correct myself :))

I can’t wait to try this!

Also, I’ve heard that I should be using retinoids and vitamin C. I am a skincare minimalist and don’t want to add to many things, but does anyone have a recommendation for these products?

Hi Dawn! I am a skincare minimalist too and don’t generally spend a ton on products. I followed some derms on Instagram, and for drugstore versions of these things, most recommended Cerave for Vitamin C and Differin for retinol. I’ve been using both for a few months and am seeing slow improvement in my skin.

I also will be keeping an eye on this comment thread! I’ve heard that retinoids and vitamin C work wonders but I’m nervous about how my skin would respond to products that have an extra oomph.

As a doctor (albeit not a derm) what I have been told by derm friends is that retinoids and sunscreen are really the only anti-aging stuff that works. I have been using retinoids now for years – the flakey redness at the outset is tough but can be managed by going to every other day. Need a good sunscreen and moisturizer but well worth the initial pain. Everything else is largely woo woo.

I’m a minimalist in that I can’t stick to a routine and a minimalist in that I don’t want to spend too much money and then decide I can’t commit. Have you tried The Ordinary? Super affordable, and also a great way to try one “miracle ingredient” at a time and see if it’s for you. xox

I’ve been using both the Bare Minerals Ageless face moisturizer and neck moisturizer that has a plant based retinol in it and have really liked them. Retinol irritates my skin and after trying so many different brands that I’ve had sensitivities to, I’ve had great luck with this line! (Also, I wish they would drop the ‘Ageless’ in the name, but overall, the product is wonderful). I also second CeraVe’s vitamin C serum and have had good results with Maelove’s Glowmaker as well.

Thank you so much for this breakdown Lucy! It’s such a treat to hear such a thorough explanation from a professional!

Before you give retinoids a go, starting with an OTC retinol may be helpful. Cerave resurfacing retinol serum and the Good Molecules retinol cream are my recommendations. I like Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum. My friend who has very sensitive skin uses Mad Hippie vitamin C, and it’s never given her a problem. If you’re looking for an effective drugstore AHA, I’ve been a devoted user of the Walgreens in house AHA cream. It’s usually on the bottom shelf. It makes my face glow!

Totally a minimalist, too. Not sure how “good” they are, but they are affordable at Target and have made my skin feel better than any of the one-off pricier things I have tried or been gifted: bliss Vitamin C moisturizer at night and elf 30 spf moisturizer for daytime. Love them!

I don’t know if you’re seeing a dermatologist for your face medication, but if so, they may have some recommendations! Mine has been willing to recommend products (though they were drugstore products, which may not be as fun to use).

I think keeping things simple is always the way to go. Your derm knows a lot more than us internet amateurs! I will say that Vanicream (both the tube moisturizer and the original pump version) makes great products that really help when your face is feeling sensitized. The general rule of thumb to layering products is to apply products from lightest to heaviest.

I find this interesting. In my circle people invariably speak with apple AirPods or some other headphones, both for hands-free ease and for one-way privacy. Can’t remember the last time I saw someone hold the phone up to their face! So, if you want to avoid phone germs, headphones are a solution!

I would love if there were real science or rigorous testing to see if any of the myriad of skincare products work. You can’t even tell from the name what something is supposed to do (a la serum).

I’ll stick with sunscreen.

Interesting article from a derm: https://www.inquirer.com/health/skin-care-products-scam-dermatologist-sunscreen-vaseline-20190625.html?outputType=amp

I love stuff like this. I am a skin care minimalist. One of my greatest tricks is a layer of Vaseline under my eyes and on my lips every night before bed. I get compliments on my skin all the time. Never again will I buy expensive eye cream.

@whitney — my mom always used vaseline to remove eye make up and swears that’s why she has fewer wrinkles than peers. I do the same and I think it’s at least as god as fancy remover and way cheaper!

@michaela My mom too! She introduced it to me in high school. I’ve all but given up on eye make up, so I switched to using it as eye cream at night. My skin is so sensitive and Vaseline just works!

Anytthing other than Vit C, retinol, and sunscreen is money down the drain.

After struggling with acne for the last ten years, I’m happy just to have skin that isn’t painful to touch. Eventually, I found using a combo of hormonal birth control, Curology prescription skincare, a very basic moisturizer and a very gentle cleanser would result in only a little breakout before my period every month (and at this point a small breakout is as good as perfect skin to me). So that’s been my safe-space routine for the last few years. I’m also like that with meals and workout routines – anything that has been proven safe stays in the routine FOREVER.

BUT I’d love to add something new to spice things up, and Janelle’s glow is making a good case for this serum!

I have been LOVING Moon Juice’s Milk Cleanser! I have sensitive skin and feel like most face washes I’ve tried dry me out and give me that tight, itchy, irritated feeling. This one doesn’t! And it is gentle and smells lovely. I’ve also been loving Maelove’s Sun Protector (SPF 30 mineral sunscreen) on my face. It’s scentless, which I love, goes on smooth and sheer, blends well, and does not leave a white cast or make my skin feel heavy, clogged, or greasy!

Looking forward to following the comments on this, because I’m still trying to find a toner and serum I love. I’ve been using Herbivore Botanical’s Nova Vitamin C serum and like it but am not sure I can detect a visible difference in a more even skin tone?

I didn’t see results with the first vitamin C serum I tried (Mad Hippie), which was Mad Hippie’s. I tried tried L-ascorbic acid power + the Ordinary’s resveretrol and ferulic acid serum, I saw a large difference. I use Dr. Brenner’s vitamin C serum and also notice a difference in my skin. It’s supposed to the a Skinceuticals dupe and came recommended by the Simple Skincare Science blog.

Wow, I have many products I’ve been using for years that I always finish & restock. Probably because I’ve always had problem skin and I am committed to my daily skincare routine….

1) Osmia Black clay soap (have used since Feb 2015 & will never go back)
2) Timeless Vitamin C/E/Ferulic serum (have been repurchasing since 2017)
3) The Ordinary Azelaic Acid, Niacinimide & Zinc serum, Chia seed oil, and Buffet serum (countless tubes/ bottles of each)
4) Dr. Jart Cicapair cream (probably around 6 tubes, possibly more?)
5) Pixi clarity toner (I’m on my 4th bottle, used to use SW Basics toner but can’t find this anymore)
6) Neogen dermalogy SPF 50 sunscreen (have been through 20+ tubes of this but recently switched to Hero Cosmetics Sun Shield because I can purchase it at Target)
7) Aztec Secret bentonite clay (probably on my 5th container? I mix it with manuka honey & ACV for a face mask 2-3x/week)
8) Burts Bees mango butter lip balm (I’ve lost count but I’m sure I’ve been through hundreds of tubes by now)
9) The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy serum (been through 4 bottles but have since switched back to TO salicylic acid solution- both work great)
10) Epiduo Forte prescription (have used this version since May 2017, but used the regular Epiduo for several years before that)

I switch out moisturizers & eye creams more frequently. I also added in the Coco*kind Ceramide serum about a month ago and that product is legitimately life changing!

I’ve been using the Coco*kind ceramide serum lately, too! I really like it. I apply it to damp skin in the AM before I apply my azelaic acid and sunscreen. Their SPF is also great!

I finally caved and bought the Vinters Daughter serum after going through more rounds of samples than I’m willing to admit. It’s absurdly overpriced. But OMG, I love it so so so much. https://vintnersdaughter.com/products/active-botanical-serum?variant=40747845065

I JUST figured out that probably 60% of my adult acne is actually sensitivity to the ingredient “fragrance,” and not just in face products, but also in HAIR products, since that makes contact with my skin. So, if you have any favorite fragrance-free hair products, I’m just beginning that journey!

Hero repeat-purchase products for me:
-DHC lip cream (in the pink tube, so so good);
-DHC tubing mascara
-Ilia mascara
-Bare Republic mineral face SPF 30 (not the SPF 70!)
-Maybelline Perfector 4-in-1 whipped matte (which gets mixed reviews but happens to work perfectly for me)
-RMS un-coverup, especially if you use their brush to apply it and are careful to get a dark enough shade once it’s out of the jar and on your face
-La Roche Posay toleriane ultra night moisturizer

Hi, Ruth- I really like Paula’s Choice hair products, including the All Over Hair Shampoo and Body Wash (I use it just for my hair) and Smooth Finish conditioner. I notice my scalp is much less irritable- less itchy and flaky- and I don’t lose as much hair when I wash. My ears, neck, eyebrows and forehead also seem in better shape.

My mom and husband both are similar to you, in that neither washes their face with anything but water. I tried that for several months but my skin broke out horribly – I kept hoping it would self correct, but it never did. So I do all the other stuff you mention, but also use a gentle cleanser on my face. Maybe that’s part of the consumerist hamster wheel, but acne is painful and my life is better when I care for my skin in that way. Not everyone is blessed with your skin (or my mom’s or my husband’s).

Thank you for this comment! I apply religiously sunscreen as my skin can be reactive to sun but I’ll think of you and only wear a hat next times I go out for errands or at times where the sun is no too harsh.
And I agree with you that we need to change the narrative about our “needs of products” and look for our joy and contentement in other areas of life.

I completely understand this viewpoint and that’s amazing that you can get away with just using water to take care of your skin (so lucky!) But I have a similar experience as Lora, and whenever I don’t use a facial cleanser or moisturizer, my skin acts out in the form of breakouts and dry patches. I wish I could have skin that feels good without using other products!

Not sure what you mean by “gunk” but surely you recognize that other people have legitimate skin concerns that can improve with care and treatment, including some of the products people are discussing here. There is no need to put people down or belittle them for that. Personally your care routine wouldn’t work for me at all, and would probably make things worse. My skin would be both dry and breaking out at the same time. Nice that you can get by with nothing though!

Lydia, you’re right! Best things for your skin, are good sleep, good nutrition, plenty of fresh air and relaxation. Stress is a big culprit. It will wreak havoc on your skin.

By gunk my guess is you mean sunscreen. That gunk protects me from melanoma. That’s a non negotiable for some. Good for you on your method. But it’s not for everyone.

Capitalism requires us alright but we’re responsible for our awareness and to make the right decision to what to buy or not buy. On the other hand, not everyone can get away with just water or sunhats, even after doing all the things that you do. Our skins are like climates, not everyone gets to live in California!

The one product I always finish is my moisturizer, which I love: Glossier Priming Balance

https://www.glossier.com/products/priming-moisturizer-balance

It’s gentle, unscented, sinks into my skin, and leaves it feeling so soft.

I’ve heard great things about this primer!

I love Vanicream! I use the cleanser and moisturizing lotion–so simple and gentle (yet effective).

God bless Vanicream. Their lighter daily facial moisturizer is awesome.

Woohoo this is my kind of post!
Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel – I struggle with dry skin in the winter months and a few drops in the morning and evening have eliminated flaky skin.
Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner – a splurge but it WORKS!
Cerave PM Face Moisturizer
Olay Complete Moisturizer with sunscreen for sensitive skin SPF 15
Cetaphil Hydrating Eye Gel Cream (for AM, layers beautifully under concealer)
BeautyCounter Countertime Ultra Renewal Eye Cream (for night)
Fresh Sugar lip balm

Looking forward to reading these!!

Yes to CeraVe PM! I love buying the CVS brand version when they have sales.

What a kind instinct after a hard day! I hope tomorrow is better.

That TJ’s moisturizer feels so light and refreshing in the summer.

I have bought on repeat the following for years:
DHC Oil cleanser – melts away whatever is on your face.
Cervae Hydrating Facial Cleanser.
Acure Resurfacing Glycolic and Unicorn root cleanser
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel

I am on my first bottle of iS CLINICAL Super Serum Advance (a vitamin C serum) and I plan on NEVER being out of it. It makes you GLOW and you only need 4-5 drops per night. It’s not inexpensive, but the bottle lasts a long time. I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for some extra “ooomph” in their skin care regimen.

seconding the DHC oil cleanser! what a game changer. will look into the vitamin c serum!

This sounds amazing, I want to try it out!

I started using that a year ago with my sensitive and acne prone skin and it is 100% worth it. I feel the cost gets justified from everything else I have been able to stop (treatment serums, lotions, masks) because my skin is just clearer with fewer products.

Marguerite, I came here to say the same thing about Maelove’s Glow Maker serum! Complete game-changer! I’m on my 5th (6th? 7th? who’s counting?) bottle. It’s effective yet gentle, at a great price point, and makes my skin feel (and look!) hydrated and healthy. 11/10 would recommend!

For those interested in ethical products: Marlove is cruelty free, Skin Ceuticlas is not.

I’ve heard good things about this serum and have been meaning to try it–this post might be the thing that puts me over the edge, especially since now I think they sell it at Target.

I’m a big fan of Neutrogena’s HydroBoost Water Gel–I get the City Shield version, which has SPF 25, to use during the day and the regular version to use at night. Not super-cheap, but it lasts a while, so it’s worth it for me.

I love Neutrogena! I always get their oil-free face lotion when I’m traveling and am running low on my regular face lotion.

I use the serum nightly and need to repurchase– thanks for the tip about Target, much easier and I have a gift card, WIN!