moshimoshimama asked me if there are any skincare products I like. I’m really bad at remembering to do every step daily, but at the very least I wash/tone/apply sunblock. Here are my fave products:
FAB cream cleanser - a nice, basic unscented and gentle cream cleanser.
Jojoba oil- I love jojoba oil for removing makeup, spot acne treatment (esp mixed with a couple drops of tea tree oil), and overnight moisture treatment! I also put it on my scalp and use it to seal the ends of my hair.
Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner - this is really an essential product. It comes in a variety of scents. I like the rose petal scent the best. I love that it’s alcohol free, it’s a great way to refresh your skin and temper flare-ups throughout the day.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliator- A gentle, PH balanced BHA exfoliator. I like the consistency of lotion the best, but this also comes in liquid and gel formulations. I use a chemical exfoliant because my skin is too sensitive for physical exfoliants, even microbeads (which shouldn’t be in skincare products anyways. Here’s more on that.
Paula’s Choice 7% AHA Dark Spot Eraser - I have some hyperpigmentation due to carelessness and a really bad patch of cystic acne last winter, and after a few weeks of use I definitely noticed. *PC is a bit pricey, but I have a referral link for $10 off your first purchase :) *
Shiseido Urban Environment Sunscreen - When using AHA and BHA products, you MUST use sunscreen!!! They make your skin photosensitive, and if you don’t use sunscreen, you risk hyperpigmentation or existing hyperpigmentation getting worse. Also, you should wear sunscreen daily anyways. I like this one because it’s very moisturizing and non comodegenic (won’t clog pores). I use this one over the oil free version because you get almost twice as much product for the price.
Neutrogena* Ultra Sheer Sunscreen- a cheap alternative to the Shiseido sunscreen that can be found in drugstores. I prefer to use this on my body so as not to waste the Shiseido sunscreen.
Clinique* Oil Control Solutions Mask - A simple kaolin clay mask that has a little bit of a tingly feeling on application, and really helps manage excess oil. It’s truly soothing.
F21 Facial Cleansing brush - I get freaked out about applying skincare with my bare hands, so I always use a brush to cleanse and facial cotton for non-lotion products. This brush has extra soft bristles, so it helps with light exfoliation without being too harsh for daily use.
Shiseido Massage brush - I’m too cheap to hop on the clarisonic trend. This brush is too harsh for daily use (as are clarisonics), but I like to use this once a week before doing my clinique mask. I really like the way the silicone nubs feel!
Shiseido Facial Cotton - I have suuuuuuper sensitive skin, and regular cotton balls/pads are too harsh for me. It may seem pricey, but 165 pads for $9.50 ends up being ~$0.05 a piece, which is comparable to drugstore cotton balls/pads and they’re way softer. Plus, I usually end up cutting one in half, so you really get 330 pieces!
I’ve done extensive research and testing on all of these products based on specific concerns with my skin. I’m really obsessed with skincare, so check out my tag for more!
*These products are on the BDS list, which I personally try to follow.
