I absolutely love skincare. I have always loved it… but when I got sick, life obviously slowed all the way down & I was able to really take the time to focus on good skincare products. I have very sensitive skin and a decent amount of products really irritate my face & turn it into a tomato. Every product I talk about has been safe for my skin, but everyone responds to things differently, so if any of these irritate your skin… I’m so sorry! You never know until you try something. I will note if a product is specifically okay for sensitive skin. Please let me know if you have questions. I hope this list is helpful and you find some of your favorite products from it, too!
MASKS/SCRUBS:
Elemis Superfood Veggie Mask-This mask is everything!!! I have gifted it to so many people! By far my favorite mask and you need one! I put it on a completely dry face (lowkey I kind of use a lot, thicker on my cheeks and chin) and then leave it on for ~10-15 minutes, rinse and complete skincare regimen. I actually will apply it right before my shower and then get in & leave it on until I am done washing my hair and body, then rinse. So, this would be the first step in my skincare routine.
Tula Exfoliating Sugar Scrub– No face scrub I have ever tried provides the amount of exfoliating that this one does. I mainly use it on the parts of my face that are the most rough and need the most exfoliating, which for me is my cheeks. It’s the last step to my shower! Sometimes I will even use a cleanser on my whole face and only use the sugar scrub on my rough spots. Apply with a circular motion 2-3x a week. Definitely a must! There’s also a pumpkin version I’m DYING to try.. so if you have, PLEASE let me know!!! This is also specifically okay for sensitive skin.
Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask– I really like all of the Farmacy products I have tried, but this one I really love & it is kind of fun in my opinion! I know that might sound silly, but the way this mask is applied and how it spreads on your face is awesome. You use a metal small spatula type looking tool to scoop out the mask and apply it to your face where it is yellow and thick, as you rub it in, it lathers & turns into a white thick layer. Leave on for 15-20 minutes then rinse. Again, I layer more on my trouble spots like my cheeks. Price point is high but it’s very much worth it! Also has lasted me forever because I only use it to mix my routine up a bit.
Best affordable mask:
St. Ives Scrubs– These have been a staple in my shower routine for years, basically the first scrubs I ever tried! They exfoliate your skin so well and smell amazing. There are a ton of different ones, too, so you can mix it up. My favorite has been the Apricot Scrub, Coconut & Coffee, and Green Tea. But, ugh, I love the Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange scrub too!!! They are honestly all amazing and I highly recommend. I know forsure Target and Rite Aid has them!
Sheet Masks:
I LOVE a good sheet mask. I just love sheet masks in general. I usually take it out of the package, unfold, place on face, and then I use my Cosmedix Roller to make it flat and all rolled out. THEN, I put this sheet mask holder over & it holds it in place so you can do things and not worry about it slipping off or out of place. Leave on for 15-20 minutes, remove, and then use excess liquid from the package to rub in the rest of it on your neck and you can even rub it onto your face with clean hands.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin- My all time favorite sheet mask. Nothing comes close to it’s level of hydration. Great for dryness, uneven and dull texture and fine lines/wrinkles. It will leave your skin hydrated for DAYS! It’s definitely pricey, but so worth it. Specifically okay for sensitive skin.
Rael Facial Masks– These are SO underrated and I don’t know why! They come in 4 different kinds- Hydration, Tea Tree, Collagen, and Vitamin C. My favorite is the Tea Tree! Each box is a pack of 5, so they are very affordable.
purlisse– My favorite are the Blue Lotus & White Tea ones. All of them come in a pack of 6 and you can usually find them on sale, which is awesome!! The Coconut & Rice Nourishing and Green Tea & Ginger Rejuvenating are also both really hydrating and have so much left in the package to spread on your neck, face, ears, etc.
SERUMS:
Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Facial Oil– I’m a sucker for rose products. Truly! Anything rose, I’m like YES please!! This oil is soothing, nourishing, and so so soft! A little bit goes a veryyy long way for this one too- so it lasts FOREVER! It is a light, fast absorbing serum that you can use day and night, everyday. It will give you a bit of a dewy look too! You will be so pleased with this serum. I apply all of my serums with a jade roller, so I put a couple small drops on each cheek, and roll it in. I avoid my T-zone as that tends to already be oily. Specifically okay for sensitive skin!
Farmacy Honeymoon Glow– A 3-in-1 resurfacing night serum with hydrating honey and gentle flower acids. This night serum will have you waking up in the morning with hydrated, dewy skin. It feels so good to put on. I do this after my toner and then will either put a night mask or moisturizer on after. Price point is high but it’s a large bottle and has lasted me over 6 months using 1-2x a week.
MICELLAR WATER:
Favorite: Perricone MD Micellar Cleansing Treatment:
Best drug store version: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water:
Micellar water is the best product added to my skincare game in 2020. I HATE washing my face in a sink with cleanser and water. I don’t like it getting all over my shirt and sink and I just don’t find it fun. But… I don’t think that makeup wipes get the job done either. So here I present to you… Micellar Water. An all in 1, no rinse, ultra- gentle liquid cleansing treatment. It is hydrating, removes oils and dirt, and keeps your skin clear. Saturate a cotton pad and swipe across your face and neck. The first micellar water I tried was by Perricone and I fell in love immediately. It’s a decent size bottle and lasts a long time because a little goes a LONG way!
Then… my best friend gave me the Garnier Micellar water and it is a very large bottle. It feels great on the skin and does a good job… but, to me… the Perricone is kind of like an experience and the Garnier just gets the job done. The only other thing I would say is that I think the Perricone is a lot more hydrating than the Garnier. But both are awesome. This is the first step of my morning and night time routine.
TONERS:
Gosh- I love toner. I have always been a rosy cheeked girl but when I got sick, I got a malar/butterfly rash. My face is always red and toner is one thing I use to calm my redness down. It’s kind of that in-between extra step before serum and moisturizer and after cleansing or using Micellar Water. What it basically does is remove the rest of oil and dirt that your cleanser didn’t get, and then opens your pores to absorb the rest of your product regimen. To apply toner, saturate a cotton pad and swipe all over your face and neck AM and PM!
Peach & Lily The Good Acids Pore Toner – This was my first “nice” toner and I think it will probably always be my favorite. It feels so good on your face! I put mine in a beauty fridge and the cold on your skin is just a lovely feeling. This bottle also lasts a really long time and a little goes a long way.
Tula Gel Toner– I’m such a Tula girl. Their products are just SO consistent. I really like this one and the bottle it comes in! Definitely a comparable product to the Peach & Lily Toner.
Best drug store version: Humphrey’s Witch Hazel Facial Toner
This is a great, affordable toner. I like the cucumber melon one.
MOISTURIZERS:
I’ll be honest, moisturizers are not my forte. At all. But I have found a couple worth sharing:
Tula 24-7 Hydrating Day & Night Cream– This is a lightweight, non-greasy cream that is super hydrating. Like most products I have mentioned, a little goes a long way. So you can even buy the travel size and it will last you a good while! If I use the Tula cleanser then I will you the Tula toner and moisturizer. Specifically okay for sensitive skin.
Bliss Moisturizers– Bliss has some awesome products. I originally found them at Target. There is a moisturizer for every skin type. I first tried the one for dewy, radiant skin, it is called Ex-glow-sion Brightening Moisturizer … side note, this is not my skin type AT ALL, but my mom got it and it smelled SO good so I decided to try it. While I loved it, it gave me a terrible allergic reaction. So then I tried the one for sensitive skin and that one works great! Highly recommend.
Sunday Riley C.E.O, Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream – I received this product in my Boxycharm and immediately fell in love with it. The smell is EVERYTHING (orange citrus) and it literally makes you glow. It is pricey but 1000x worth it! Also gives you your vit-c in case you don’t already have it in your regimen.
Night Masks:
Dr. Brandt Recovery sleep mask– I love Dr. Brandt products. They are the perfect consistency and super hydrating. I actually just put this mask on and am feeling like I just left the spa. I put a decent amount on but the bottle has lasted me awhile because I only use it maybe 1-2x a week.
Estée Lauder Nutritious Super Pomegranate Night Cream– I got this in a pack with other Estée Lauder products and this was by far my favorite one! It’s not a huge bottle but it makes your skin feel moisturized right after application and will have your face glowing in the morning! Smells just like pomegranate too- fresh!
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask– Okay this is my new favorite product forsure. I received it in my boxycharm for January and I have used it every single day. I guess Kourtney K loves it too. It is so so hydrating and there is no need to rinse it off…. your skin will just soak it all up. This is a must & is now a staple in my skincare routine. There are 2 other Summer Friday masks… If you have tried them, please let me know!! Very curious. Also this product is sold out everywhere right now but hopefully will be available again soon.
Eyes:
Dr. Brandt Needles No More Baggage– This has been around for awhile and I’ve recommended it to a couple of people who also loved it. I get really bad sunken, dark eyes with bags… especially when I’m very sick so when I’m back on the mend from a flare, I use this twice daily to help my bags and circles. It is also supposed to provide long-term results so it’s good to just throw on everyday. I would recommend getting the travel size to start with!
Elemis Pro- Collagen Eye Revive Mask- LIFE CHANGING! This is a serum-infused gel eye mask that is ultra smoothing and hydrating. It’s expensive, really expensive but it’s everything & I highly highly recommend it. I put on a layer before bed and when I wake up in the morning. A little goes a LONG way. You need barely any, so the price really is worth it!
Eye Pads– There’s so many on the market. The cheap ones don’t work very well, so don’t cut your spending in this area. Under-eye masks and patches are also used for bags, circles, wrinkles, etc. but they are also a great form of self-care and a good second option if you don’t want to use a full sheet mask.
My favorite ones are Wander Beauty Baggage Claim. There are six in the pack and it is specifically okay for sensitive skin.
Face Mists:
St Ives Ohmmm… Lavender Mist– A couple of sprays 10-12 inches away from your face will leave you feeling so refreshed. It will add an extra layer of hydration and it smells amazing. It doesn’t make your face super oily or even dewy at all. Super affordable and highly recommend. Comes in different fragrances, but the lavender is my fave!
Mario Badescu Facial Spray – This comes in 3 different fragrances- Cucumber, Lavender, and Rose. Personally the rose is my favorite but I’m a huge rose/rosewater gal. I’m 99% sure this is their most popular product. It is travel size and also comes in packs online of multiples so you can try all 3. So refreshing!
Cleanser:
Glamglow Gentlebubble Daily Conditioning Cleanser– This is a gel cleanser that helps cleanse, get rid of makeup, and condition. It is a gentle bubbling cleanser that is affordable and comes in a HUGE tube!
Dr. Brandt Clean Biotic Yogurt Cleanser- A pH balanced cleanser that removes dirt, makeup, and excess oil. It is great for redness and dryness and it is very easy on the skin. It also has Chlorophyll which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants to help detoxify, reduce irritation, and smooth the skin. This cleanser supports the growth of beneficial bacterial flora to maintain healthy pH levels and reduce irritation to smooth the skin. Great shower cleanser!
Tatcha Rice Cleanser– I was at my Grandma’s house a lot this past summer while I was being seen at Mayo Clinic in Arizona… she had this amazing cleanser and I became obsessed. 2 months later, my Grandma bought it for me, so I can happily say I own my own and use it every single time I take a bath. Pour some of the rice cleanser onto your fingers, palm up, and rub on your face. It should turn into a creamy foam when you rub it in circular motions. Rinse immediately. Love love love!
Well, that completes my favorites list! I would love to hear if you tried any of these products & what your honest thoughts are or if you already use one and agree/disagree that it’s a favorite. Can’t wait to share more about all things skincare! Thanks for reading!!
THE UNDIAGNOSED 