Relationships and skincare have a lot in common. For better or for worse, we have some of each we keep going back to time and time again, am I right? But unlike that boy who’s just not that into you (sorry, rewatched SATC last week), once you find the right products for your skin, it’s actually worth it to keep going back.
As you can tell, I like to switch up my skincare routine and if you’re reading this, you probably do, too. While I switch brands, I don’t really change the types of products or ingredients I use all that often. I know what my skin responds to, good, bad or holy shit otherwise. But shopping around can have some obvious drawbacks. You can irritate your skin, first and foremost, disrupting any progress previously made and you may end up wasting a lot of money.
When you find products that work for you, consistency is key to get the results you want. Moving on is tempting and fun, but unless you really know what your skin likes, it pays to stick with your routine. In summary, whenever I’ve had wondering eyes (and a wondering wallet), I’ve ended up with cystic acne and scars that will take another six months or so (minimum) to get rid of (sort of).
These are five skincare products I have repurchased and will keep repurchasing because they just plain work for my skin:
Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant — The mask to end all masks. With acids, clay, vinegar and yeast in the mix, this mask really does it all. And since it’s not cheap, if you only use one mask in your routine, let it be this one. She may not be pretty, but you get all of the exfoliation and pore-clearing effects in one package. I use it at least two times a week to keep my skin clear and make sure to never leave it at home when I travel.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970 — I’ve been using P50 for almost four years now and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I just figured out the best way for me to use it. Far more than a toner, P50 1970 is a serious exfoliator, hydrator and glow creator, if your skin can handle it. The best way for me to get the most out of it is to apply it Monday through Friday in the morning BEFORE a face mask. I take my time to really press it into my skin and then rinse it off along with my mask of choice about 30 minutes later. It intensifies the benefits of whichever mask I choose without overexfoliating. My skin has been just as glowy and less oily ever since I switched it up. See the rest of BR favorites here.
Shani Darden Retinol Reform — When you find your perfect retinol, it’s true skincare bliss. And this is my anti-aging, anti-blemish bliss. Thanks to 2.2% encapsulated retinol, I experienced zero irritation adjusting to this serum. No dryness, redness or peeling of any kind. The addition of 2% lactic acid for additional brightening makes it my ideal formula. My skin is smoother, softer and clearer every morning after I use it with zero irritation, even if I use a toner beforehand. I apply this at bedtime five nights a week, giving my skin a break on Sundays and Wednesdays.
Hexomedine — The best spot treatment, hands down. I dedicated an entire post to this French pharmacy staple because it’s that good. I like that I can dab it onto a pimple on top of my other products and it dries without flaking off so I can put sunscreen on top. Beneath the surface, it’s taking that zit to task to help flatten it more quickly. If I have a blemish, I’ll dab it on three times a day to get rid of it.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – Tinted — I have finally found my go-to sunscreen with this formula, designed for acne-prone skin. After reading about it on seemingly every derm’s list of preferred skincare products, I finally picked up a bottle and it’s a game changer. With a light, almost whipped texture, it absorbs beautifully and isn’t too heavy on top of a moisturizer. The omission of oil and the addition of ingredients like zinc, lactic acid and niacinamide make it the perfect formula for us blemish prone folks. It also keeps me from being super shiny by midday and has been the only “color” I’ve added to my skin for months.
What are you go-to skincare products you keep buying over and over?
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