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Skincare Recommendations
43
items I basically have a PhD in skincare shopping (not official… but my Sephora and Target receipts would say otherwise 😉). My actual job is to research, market, and obsess over skincare products, so trust me when I say I know my way around both luxury se...
Sections
12
Cleansers
Vitamin C
Retinol
Moisturizers
SPF
Exfoliators
Cleansers
Step one, morning and night: cleanse. You can be a low-maintenance queen here and just grab one gentle cleanser that works for both (but yes, you still need to double cleanse with it at night unless you want your pillow looking like a makeup crime sc...
Meet my forever favorite: Vanicream Gentle Cleanser. If you ever DM me asking “what cleanser should I start with?” This is the one I send back every time. It’s affordable, insanely gentle, and plays nice with all skin types (even the sensitive skin g...
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser Pump 8oz
This cleanser is new to my lineup, but I already know it’s going to have a cult following. Why? It’s made with 50% glycerin (yes, you read that right, LITERALLY half the bottle!). Glycerin is a humectant, which basically means it pulls in hydration a...
Prequel Skin Gleanser Moisturizing Face Wash
Ever since this launched, I honestly haven’t touched another cleansing oil. It’s that good. No funky smell (thank goodness, because most cleansing oils smell like rancid olive oil…hard pass). This one is fragrance-free, melts makeup like a dream, and...
Prequel Skin Pre-Gleanse Oil Cleanser
Who Needs a Glycolic Acid Cleanser? Any boujee queen who wants her skin to glow! Glycolic acid is an AHA (alpha-hydroxy-acid, for my non-ingredient nerds 😜) and it’s a powerhouse at gently dissolving dead skin cells so your fresh, radiant skin can s...
Glycerin & Glycolic Acid Cleanser - Gleanser + GA
Breakouts crashing your party? Meet your new ride-or-die. This cleanser comes with salicylic acid—a BHA (aka beta-hydroxy-acid for my fellow science girlies 🧪). Since BHAs are oil-soluble, they’re basically little superheroes at unclogging pores, br...
Renewing SA (Salicylic Acid) Cleanser | Face Wash
Vitamin C
Step two in your morning routine: Vitamin C. Think of it as your daily skin insurance policy. This powerhouse antioxidant protects your skin from free radicals (aka environmental nasties like pollution and UV rays), helps fade dark spots, and deliver...
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum is the best gold-stabilized Vitamin C I’ve found for this price point. And BONUS: It doesn't smell like hot dog water like most vitamin c serums. It uses a gold-encapsulated ascorbic acid complex plus sodium ascorbyl ...
Naturium Vitamin C Complex Anti-Aging Serum
This one packs a serious punch. Prequel’s Lucent-C Serum is a no-nonsense formula with 15% pure L-ascorbic acid plus ferulic acid—a combo that’s been studied and proven to brighten, firm, and protect like nobody’s business. Translation: fast, visible...
Skin Lucent-C Vitamin C Serum for Face
Retinol
Now let’s talk about the big one: retinol. If Vitamin C is your daily bodyguard, retinol is your long-game coach. It’s one of the most researched, proven ingredients in skincare for anti-aging. Retinol helps speed up cell turnover, smooth fine lines ...
If you’ve been nervous to dip your toe into retinol, Cocokind’s Beginner Retinol Gel is such a good place to start. It uses a mix of three retinoids that release gradually, so you still get the smoothing and glow-boosting benefits without your skin t...
Retinol for Sensitive Skin | Beginner Retinol Gel 0.1%
This is the product I am currently using and it is wonderful! Naturium’s 0.1% Retinaldehyde Cream Serum is stronger than your standard retinol, but not as intense as prescription tret — basically the sweet spot for when you’re ready to level up. What...
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum 0.10%
If you want the benefits of retinol but with a little extra backup, Paula’s Choice Retinol + Bakuchiol is such a smart choice. It pairs 0.3% retinol with 2% bakuchiol which is a plant-derived ingredient that’s been shown in studies to deliver similar...
CLINICAL 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment | Face Serum
Moisturizers
Now we are going to tackle the step that locks it all in. Think of it as the cozy blanket for your skincare routine. A good moisturizer keeps hydration where it belongs (in your skin), supports your barrier, and makes sure all the actives you just us...
If you have sensitive or dry skin and you’ve been on the hunt for a moisturizer that doesn’t betray you, this is it. It gives me that all-day, comforting hydration without any sting, tightness, or fuss. There are very few formulas I trust to soothe i...
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Ultra Soothing Repair
If you have a more normal skin type and you’re looking for a no-fuss, get-it-done moisturizer that keeps things light and effective, Vanicream’s Daily Facial Moisturizer is your girl. It’s powered by hyaluronic acid + 5 key ceramides, which help draw...
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer w/ Ceramides
If you’ve got combo or oily skin (or you just hate that heavy, greasy moisturizer feeling), you’re going to love this one. Cocokind’s Electrolyte Water Cream is super lightweight but still gives just the right amount of hydration so your skin feels f...
Cocokind Electrolyte Water Cream Gel
If “treat yourself” was a moisturizer, it would be Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. This stuff feels like silk on your skin. Legit spa-day-in-a-jar energy. It’s got squalane to keep your barrier happy, glycerin to pull in hydration, and Kiehl’s famous gla...
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream with 4.5% Squalane
When your skin feels angry, tight, or like you pushed exfoliation a little too far, First Aid Beauty’s Barrier Balm is basically a hug in a tube. It works like an emergency blanket for your face. It's rich enough to lock everything in, but still brea...
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Rescue Balm
SPF
And now for the non-negotiable: SPF. If retinol is your coach and Vitamin C is your bodyguard, SPF is the bouncer at the door protecting your skin from UV rays that cause premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and (most importantly) skin cancer. No matt...
If you want sun protection that doubles as makeup, Colorescience Flex SPF is that girl. It’s a 100% mineral sunscreen, which means it’s extra gentle and perfect for sensitive skin but what makes it special is the tint. This isn’t your average “barely...
Colorescience Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50
If sunscreen usually feels heavy or annoying, this one will change your mind. SKIN1004’s Water-Fit Sun Serum is a Korean SPF that feels more like skincare. It is hydrating, soothing, and completely weightless. It’s SPF 50+ / PA++++, with a Hyalu-Cica...
SKIN 1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
Round Lab’s Birch Juice Sun Cream is another Korean SPF slam dunk. Compared to the SKIN1004 Water-Fit Sun Serum, this one leans a little more hydrating. Think dewy and cushiony — while SKIN1004 feels lighter and more weightless on the skin. That’s wh...
Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+ Broad Spectrum
This product is my current new OBSESSION. If you want dewy, glazed-donut looking skin but with GREAT coverage, this is your girl. It feels extremely lightweight to the skin. I truly don't feel like I am wearing anything after it sets. I have set so m...
MISSHA M Perfect Cover BB Cream No.23
Exfoliators
If your skincare routine feels a little “meh,” exfoliation is the spark it’s missing. Think of it as your skin’s reset button. It clears away dullness, texture, and dead skin cells so everything else (your serums, moisturizers, and glow) works better...
If your skin ever looks a little dull or feels textured, these are your secret weapon. First Aid Beauty’s Facial Radiance Pads are pre-soaked exfoliating pads that use lactic acid and glycolic acid (two gentle AHAs) to smooth, brighten, and even your...
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner Pads (PHA) are the exfoliating pads for my sensitive-skin girlies or anyone just starting out. They use PHA, a super gentle exfoliating acid that smooths and hydrates without the sting. The heartleaf extract keeps skin calm a...
ANUA Heartleaf 77 Toner Pad 70 Sheets PHA
Hydrators/Extra Hydration
If your skin ever feels tight, dull, or just blah…it’s probably thirsty. Hydration is what keeps your skin plump, glowy, and bouncy (aka the “I drink a gallon of water a day” look… even if you don’t). Hydrating products like toners, milky toners, and...
If your skin could drink water, this would be it. 💦 HaruHaru’s Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner is one of those products that just feels like skincare done right. It is SUPER lightweight, soothing, and instantly hydrating. It’s packed with fermented blac...
haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner 5.1oz
If you love the OG HaruHaru toner but want something a little richer, meet her creamier sister. HaruHaru’s Black Rice Hyaluronic Cream (Milky) Toner is like a tall glass of oat milk for your skin — comforting, creamy, and so hydrating without feeling...
haruharu wonder Black Rice Probiotics Essence 4.05oz
Okay, dry-skin girlies…this one’s a game changer. Super Saturated from Experiment is one of the most unique hydration formulas I’ve ever tried. Created by actual chemists (aka skincare nerds who built this line out of pure obsession), it’s designed t...
Experiment Super Saturated Ultra Hydrating Serum
If glass skin had a blueprint, Naturium’s Barrier Bounce Serum would be it. This stuff is the gold standard for that dewy, light-reflecting glow everyone’s chasing. It's the kind that makes your skin look hydrated from the inside out. But here’s the ...
Naturium Barrier Bounce - 1.7 fl oz
Facial Sprays
Facial sprays might look like a little “extra” step, but hear me out. While they're not NECESSARY, they’re one of the most versatile products in skincare. Whether you want to refresh your makeup, add an instant hit of hydration, hydrate between skinc...
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when I’ve gone through six bottles of something, you know it’s good. Curel’s Deep Moisture Spray is one of my ride-or-die hydration staples. It’s lightweight, ultra-soothing, and somehow manages to feel both...
Curel Japanese Skin Care Deep Moisture Spray ...
If Curel’s Deep Moisture Spray is like a refreshing drink of water, COSRX’s Ceramide Skin Barrier Moisturizing Mist is like a silky moisturizer you can spray. It’s a milky, ceramide-rich formula that wraps your skin in hydration and barrier support —...
COSRX Barrier Cream Face Mist with Ceramide
For my acne-prone girlies, gym regulars, or anyone whose skin likes to freak out for no reason — Prequel’s Hypochlorous Acid Spray is your new best friend. This dermatologist-developed mist uses hypochlorous acid, a compound your body naturally produ...
Prequel Skin Universal Hypochlorous Acid Spray
Eye Creams
The skin around your eyes deserves more than just basic hydration. It’s thinner, more delicate, and usually the first place to show fine lines, puffiness, or dark circles. So if your eye cream doesn’t have actives in it, you’re basically just using a...
If your under-eyes feel tired, puffy, or just in need of a little wake-up call, this is your go-to. Versed Weekend Glow Brightening Eye Gel is that lightweight, energizing eye gel that wants to brighten, de-puff, and refresh. It uses caffeine to stim...
Versed Vacation Eyes Brightening Eye Gel
L’Oréal Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Eye Serum blends 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid (hello, deep hydration) with 1% caffeine (bye excess puffiness) so your eyes look refreshed, plumped, and less tired. It comes in a triple-roller applicator that...
L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine
If you’re ready to tackle fine lines and dark circles head-on, RoC’s Retinol Correxion Eye Cream is that tried-and-true classic for a reason. It uses pure retinol and a mineral complex to smooth, brighten, and depuff without the harshness that some r...
RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream
Skincare Tools
Alright, tools time. If you think skincare is just about serums and creams, you’re missing out on the fun—and the bonuses. Tools like LED masks, rollers, and microcurrent wands don’t replace your core routine—but when used smartly, they amplify it. T...
If I could only keep one skincare tool forever, it would be the Omnilux Contour LED Mask — no hesitation. This thing is magic in mask form. It uses medical-grade red and near-infrared light to boost collagen, calm inflammation, and speed up healing. ...
Omnilux Contour Face
Okay, let’s talk about my ride-or-die skincare gadget: the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro. And YES, she now comes in PINK. Like, the cutest, bougiest shade. I wish I got mine when it was pink lol. Back to the device now though. Somehow this makes my skincare routine feel even more extra (in the best way). This little tool is a total game changer. It uses gentle electrical pulses and vibration to boost product absorption (up to 562% more effect...
medicube Age-R Booster Pro 6-in-1 Massager
Let’s hear it for one of the most underrated skincare tools ever.... ICE GLOBES! These little cool orbs of joy are my go-to when my face needs a wake-up call (or when I want to feel like I have my life together before 9 a.m. 😂). They’re amazing for ...
Eli with Love Ice Globes for Facials - 360 Rotating
If the ice globes are the fancy spa version, the ice roller is the cool-girl, practical bestie that’s always there when you need her. She lives in her cute little case in my freezer, ready to roll (literally) the second my face feels puffy, tired, or...
Eli with Love Premium Facial Ice Roller
Specialty Serums
Once you’ve nailed the basics — cleanser, vitamin C, moisturizer, SPF, and retinol — then it’s time to play in the serum sandbox. Specialty serums are your “let’s get specific” products. They're the ones that target the little things your core routin...
FOR MY GIRLS THAT STRUGGLE WITH REDNESS: If your skin’s been feeling irritated, congested, or just moody (honestly, same), Peach Slices’ Azelaic Acid Serum might just be your skin’s new therapist. Azelaic acid is one of those powerhouse ingredients t...
Peach Slices - Redness Relief Azelaic Acid Serum
If you’re ready to give your skin that firm, healthy, “did-she-get-a-facial?” kind of glow, COSRX’s The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum delivers. Peptides are the little building blocks of collagen and elastin — basically, they tell your skin, “Hey, let...
COSRX 6X Peptide Collagen Booster Toner
Let’s be real… breakouts unfortunately happen. But when they do, The Mighty Patch from Hero Cosmetics is my absolute go-to for damage control. These little hydrocolloid stickers are like tiny first responders for your face: they suck out gunk, flatte...
Mighty Patch: Beauty & Personal Care
Face Masks
Ahh, face masks — the ultimate “treat yourself” moment in skincare. They’re not just for self-care Sundays (though, yes, they pair beautifully with a messy bun and Netflix). Masks can actually make a big difference when you use the right ones for you...
If your skin ever feels dull, dehydrated, or just tired of your nonsense, this is the sheet mask you reach for. Dr. Jart+’s Vital Hydra Solution Glow Mask is a total hydration bomb. It is packed with hyaluronic acid, aquaxyl, and seaweed extract to f...
Dr.Jart+ Dermask Vital Hydra Glow Mask
If I could only pick one face mask to keep forever, it would be Dr. Jart+’s Cryo Rubber Cooling Mask. Hands down. (The Blue and Pink ones are my personal favorites). These masks are the definition of a luxurious treat. They're part skincare, part sel...
Dr.Jart+ Cryo Rubber Cooling Face Mask
The Biodance Bio-Collagen Deep Hydrating Overnight Mask is one of those rare products that actually delivers the “I woke up like this” kind of glow. It’s loaded with bio-collagen, hyaluronic acid, and fermented ingredients that work overnight to plum...
BIODANCE Bio-Collagen Deep Hydrating Mask
If your skin’s been throwing a tantrum and is red, irritated, or just over it, the Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask is pure peace in sheet form. It’s drenched in soothing ingredients like centella asiatica (aka cica), green tea extract...
Beauty of Joseon Centella Asiatica Calming Mask
The Pyunkang Yul Highly Moisturizing Mask. It’s like wrapping your face in a cozy blanket of hydration. There's no fragrance, no fuss, just pure, nourishing moisture. Packed with panax ginseng root extract, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, this mask f...
Pyunkang Yul Moisturizing Essence Mask 25ml