IT’S TIME TO REFRESH YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
We get older. We try more. We learn more. The majority of the skincare products we cling to rarely get to travel through this progression with us. Although this is probably a net positive, turning your back on a once lifeline cleanser, cream, or toner feels a bit like treason when you think of all the times they have helped you. For me, my breakup with Clean & Clear’s foaming essentials was near traumatic. It was the center of my day, midday, and night wash cycle, and the grip it held on the teenagers of 2015 was vise-like. However, change is inevitable, and my two-year tango with the blemish controller came to a close with CeraVe’s line on deck to take its place. I learned more, found that others were a better fit, took the leap, and refreshed a part of my skincare collection as a result. Bittersweet, but necessary if you—like me—wish to consistently improve your skin’s wellness.
I give all of this to say that most, if not all, of us regard our skincare products as sacred. The thought of forgetting one on vacation, or being hit with a discontinuation announcement never fails to make our list of top ten recurring nightmares. We know we can depend on them, and we equally know that it took forever to find one that does not personally introduce us to hives. Skin can be so picky, and we do not want to restart the testing period if we do not have to. Slightly tweaked: we do not want to restart the testing period if what we trade with is not significantly better than what we had. So how do we know when it is time for an update, and how do we find what we love quicker?
Everyone has their own checklist, but below are the fundamentals I keep to when deciding if a new product is worth adding to the bathroom vanity:
Question to self #1: Do I have all of my basics covered?
Regardless of brand or formulation, at the minimum, you need a cleanser and a leave-on hydrator. Beyond this, there are toners, scrubs, oils, and masks, but those are built around the two bases (and, in my opinion, in that order). Your cleanser and core hydrator depend on your skin type: dry, combination, and oily, and should be solution-oriented and may be different from the body to face.
Below I have listed some of the 2022 end-of-year favorites. If you are missing a step, or have a vacancy, these may be helpful.
CLEANSERS:
MOISTURIZERS:
TONERS & SERUMS:
Question to self #2: Do I know what to avoid and what to look for?
More specifically, do I know what ingredients to look for, and what ingredients to avoid? As previously mentioned, our skin is so particular, so when it comes to buying skincare, truly no product fits all. However, there are ingredients that are good to avoid across the board. After all, toxic is toxic. Sustainable Jungle has a great list and explanation of common skincare ingredients to distance yourself from that can be found here.
Question to self #3: Do I know who to trust for reviews?
You can be sure that if there is a product on the market, there are at least a handful of influencers ready to swear by it. My advice is simple: find people who have already added it to their day-to-day routines. Vlogs are great for this (if a get-ready-with-me stars the same product repeatedly, odds are the vlogger actually likes it), as are personalized beauty blogs of aestheticians, and recommendations of licensed professionals. From Bethenny Frankel and Emily Jean, to The Budget Dermatologist and Candis Mckay, there is a voice for every question, or concern you need answers to. When scoping out informal routes of skincare direction, be sure to find people with your skin type to minimize the risk. Fads and trends are fads and trends, so do not count out the brands that have not made it to the front page quite yet.
FEATURED
PCA SKIN
Facial WashA gentle cleanser that removes makeup, oil, dirt, and environmental impurities.
INDIE LEE
Retinol Alternative Cream RefillThis high-performance cream is formulated with Natural Retinol Alternative Rambutan for improved appearance of elasticity, firmness, fine lines and wrinkles.
YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE
KOMBUCHA + 10% AHA POWER EXFOLIANTThe Power Peel That Fades Dark Spots + Smooths Texture.
BEAUTY PIE
WONDERSCRUB BIO-DERMABRASION FACE POLISHWith a perfect ratio of super gentle Volcanic Scrub Spheres, hydrating liquid Shea Butter and super-fruit nutrient Pineapple Enzymes, a pea-sized dose will clear, brighten, purify, smooth and re-energize your skin.
THE ORDINARY
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%A universal serum for blemish-prone skin that smooths, brightens, and supports.
SUMMER FRIDAYS
Jet Lag MaskAn enhanced, fragrance-free formula that nourishes, hydrates, and calms your skin with niacinamide, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.
CERAVE
Renewing SA CleanserA gentle salicylic acid cleanser can help exfoliate and smooth your skin while also effectively removing oil and dirt, sweeping away dead cells, and softening rough skin—without leaving skin feeling dry. Cleansing with CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser, a salicylic acid cleanser enhanced with barrier-restoring ingredients like ceramides, can help keep moisture in while keeping irritants out.
REVIVE
CREAM CLEANSER- Luxe Skin SoftenerJojoba Seed Oil creates as rich emollient cream cleanser that purifies skin while maintaining skin’s delicate moisture balance. Soothing ingredients calm vulnerable skin while reducing redness and irritation. Melts away environmental impurities and makeup leaving skin looking radiant with a renewed softness and glow.
OSEA
Ocean Cleansing MilkMeet our most nourishing cleanser. This gentle formula melts away everything from dirt and debris to makeup. Leaves skin feeling soothed, hydrated and healthy.
Neutrogena®
Hydro Boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid for Dry SkinInstantly quench dry skin for a healthy-looking glow day after day. This award-winning formula with Hyaluronic Acid absorbs quickly like a gel but has the lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream.
Caudalie
Vinosource-Hydra SOS Intense Hydration MoisturizerA silky rich moisturizing cream with antioxidant grapes & nourishing borage oil to deeply hydrate dry skin, even the most sensitive.
LANCOME
HYDRA ZEN OIL-FREE GEL MOISTURIZER WITH SALICYLIC ACIDHydra Zen Gel Cream is an oil-free moisturizer with a bouncy, gel-like texture that provides up to 24-hour hydration and soothes distressed skin for a visible glow.
BEA
Brightening Serum – 30mlA highly concentrated mix of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) work in combination to remedy stubborn areas of skin discolouration, particularly UV damaged areas.
SKII
Facial Treatment Essence Our bestselling treatment essence that softens texture, evens skin’s tone, enhances radiance and reduces the appearance of dark spots & fine lines - for your best skin ever
PAULA’S CHOICE
Pore-Reducing TonerA daily facial toner that balances oily skin, minimizes enlarged pores and provides light hydration.
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