I feel most confident in products I’ve used over time from Aveeno, Origins, Shiseido, and Skinceuticals, but it would be hard to fill my entire routine with any one brand. If I had to, I’d go Origins as they have a good variety of products, have worked for me over many years (and different formulas), and aren’t extremely expensive (relative to where skincare can go).
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Drunk Elephant!
I don’t have one brand I’m loyal to and tbh a lot of skincare has nothing but fragrance, synthetic or natural and terrible alcohol. I’d say Cera Ve. Even though my routine is fairly simple, I still would need more than one to get all that I need though. I couldn’t be without their cleannser!
Cosrx. Esp now that they have increased offerings on the anti-aging front. Still use a smattering of other KB, and Paula, and scripts. But Cosrx is #1 for me. Odd, as it is primarily an anti-acne line, but works well for aged/oily/ dehydrated, too.
Which Cosrx products do you use? I’ve got their Snail 96 and AHA 7 and really love both.
Hi, Christy. The low ph cleanser is a must have. I wrote one of the first consumer reviews on Ulta, if you want to see what I really think. Ironically, the milky gel first cleanse (Amazon) is truly suckworthy. Remarkably inefficient and bad for m/u removal. Then the bha/aha toner, another absolute HG. No matter what you choose to follow it, if you get that stuff first down in the pores, it seems there is a barrier against other products clogging you up. In the ams, I often do a seven skin type thing with all liquids, nothing heavier than an essence. After the initial toner, then the centella toner. Then the sacharomyces toner and/or the saccharomyces essence, depending. I use the bha power essence, for any oily areas that appeared during the night. Any drier areas get the snail 96. Then spray it all up with the pha spray (Amazon.). That has the finest spray you’ll ever use, and is gentle enough for the non-acid-habituated. Unlike most Cosrx, that’s small and on the pricey side. The aha power essence is too strong for me right now (as are all DE products. My derm conditions have made me sensitive and reactive to lots of stuff I used to use.). I put the Cosrx ceramide cream (Amazon) over differin at night, and use the rice sleeping mask at least once a week, but daytime, 4-5 hours. Fairly often use the saccharomyces toner spray over m/u, if anything is looking powdery. If my skin is asking for straight up light moisture, I use the birch sap one. Oh, by ‘Amazon,’ I mean not available at Ulta! I spent my youth chasing a bunch of expletive deleted skincare promises. The science and knowledge have certainly evolved. But the idea of this regimen at 70 is pretty strange, because it virtually eliminates oil, that most people my age need, to keep their skin from blowing down the road. What I suggest you try first are the low ph cleanser and the aha/bha toner, if you want to start up more Cosrx. They are non-spectacular workhorses that are efficient, cost effective, and basically use ‘Paula principles.’
Thank you so much! This is tremendously helpful. I can’t wait to try these! I really appreciate it!
Same here! I use the rice mask, AHA/BHA toner, BHA liquid, PHA cream, hyaluronic acid intensive cream (wintertime) from them. Other then Cosrx I like serums from The Ordinary and the premium lotion from Rohto Hadalabo.
Oh man, this is tricky. I really love certain things I’ve tried from Fresh (cleansers and masks), but I’m also loyal to my advanced night repair serum from Estee Lauder and have liked things from Farmacy as well.
Honestly, maybe I’d go with drunk elephant (assuming I could try products before committing), just because I always hear people rave about them and I feel like they’re products are specifically designed to work well together. All their products are pricey, but if I’m committing to one brand, I think I’d be okay shelling out a little more money. My only hesitation is that DE doesn’t believe in skin types, and I have very oily skin, so I’d just be a little wary of not finding things that are a little too rich/moisturizing for my tastes.
I also really love some products for clinique, but more in terms of cleansers and moisturizers than actives and treatments (like retinols and serums). They’d also be a contender, but I’d want to take a closer look at their range and see what else they offer that could work for me.
Man, this is way tougher than picking one brand for makeup.
Clinique. I’ve been using it for many years and it has everything I need.
Same here!
Can’t honestly say that any is my holy grail, I’m fickle on skincare.
Paula’s Choice. But I would miss CeraVe.
I love CeraVe, too!
Paula’s Choice.
The Ordinary
Such a great selection at prices that just can’t be beat.
I would say the same! Why spend more when you don’t need to? TO’s products are effective and they don’t break the bank.
Paula’s Choice or Deciem, don’t make me choose! No animal testing, no fragrance.
I would probably go with Paula’s Choice. I’ve gotten hooked on just about every product that I’ve tried from the line. The lip balm is one of the only ones that actually seems to hydrate my lips instead of chapping them even more. The 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant has literally saved my skin, and the cleansers and moisturizers are great, too. I also recently started using the fragrance-free and dye-free shampoo/body wash and conditioner, and it’s really made a difference in the back acne I was getting. The price is reasonable, too, considering I used to rotate between several different shampoos/conditioners, trying to find something that wouldn’t make me break out.
Totally agree with you about PC! Also, the 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant did wonders for my skin as well.
I like the Resist bha, because it’s more watery than either the regular or the clear line bha. Also smaller, boo. Paula was the pivotal change for my skin, with the info on the pH necessary for skin acids to work. I may have largely defected to Korea, but still use some Paula..like the Resist moisture for a midweight, the omegas, and some others. Paula really is knowledge based, and if you’ve got as many reactions as I do, her ingredient dictionary and the now sister site Beautypedia will always be a go-to.
Paula’s Choice
I have really good luck with Peter Thomas Roth for face moisturizer/masks/exfoliators, Origins for facewash/serum, and Ole Henriksen for my eye cream. Ole changed the formula on the eye cream and I’m almost out so I’ll have to transition to the new one… scares me because my eyes are so sensitive and finding a day eye cream that doesn’t make my contacts feel like crap is a challenge. I really wouldn’t want to whittle it down to just one, but since I use more from PTR I’d probably go with them… but giving up Origins would be tough!
This is impossible, as no “natural” skincare brand makes both an effective sunscreen & cleanser/moisturizer… My HG cleanser is Everyday Coconut, but they only do SPF 15, in a moisturizer that isn’t even that great for my dry skin. I have to cross over to “mainstream” sunscreens, with L’Oreal & Coppertone topping my list, but neither does a good cleanser/ moisturizer. I guess I’d just have to try some more things, but I don’t think I’d find any one brand to suit my needs…
One brand would be hard, but I could get by on just Tatcha.
I can’t decide between Neutrogena (sunscreen and cleanser) and Paula’s Choice (skin perfecting 2% BHA liquid). Both of these address all of my needs. I attribute my relative lack of wrinkles, at age 62, in large part to the Neutrogena sunscreen.
Totally feeling First Aid Beauty right now! But if I could only pick one, Shu Uemura is one that I can commit to forever : )
I’d have to say Drunk Elephant. They are the only brand that I have used almost all of the products and been pleased with the results. I’m not loving the sunscreen, though. Everything else is pretty wonderful!
I’ve been a fan of Paula’s Choice for many years, but have had one or two serious reactions to her products. I have to pick and choose carefully.
Fragrance free skincare is a top priority for me, so my brands are limited. Cruelty free is a bonus for sure!!
I could pretty much copy paste your comment! I have used Paula’s Choice for years, and heavily depended on their Beautypedia to warn me what products will be a mistake. That being said, I have very sensitive skin and some of their products break me out. I have slowly switched over to almost exclusively Drunk Elephant, and my skin has improved so much. I spent an entire year trying to find a cheaper alternative to the TLC serum, and finally had to cave as nothing else had anywhere near the results. I wish my skin loved a more affordable brand, but honestly after 11 years of skin struggles I’m willing to pay up.
Belif. Love their products and the pricing is reasonable.
No question about it… Skinceuticals! The blemish skin care line is amazing. I don’t know what I would do without having the Blemish + Age Defense serum. It’s my holy grail for keeping my skin clear and radiant. When I run out or try another serum, my skin freaks and breaks out. Combine the serum with the nighttime moisturizer for oily skin and OMG! Perfection.
Impossible for me to answer! Basically, because some of my HG skincare is spread out over several brands. Eye cream: Origins. Vite C serum: Ole Henrikson. Moisturizers: FAB and Drunk Elephant. And so on. Have never come across a brand that covers everything I’m looking for.
Drunk Elephant. I use 6 or 7 of their products now, more than any other brand I’ve ever used.
I couldn’t do it! I can’t give up my Embryolisse but they don’t make a whole lot in the way of skin care. I guess I’d be reasonably okay-ish with either Clarins, Shiseido or Laneige but I woul NOT be a very happy camper!
Peter Thomas Roth for me. They have fabulous products in each category that I use for anti-aging: great retinoids, Vit C, E, F serum, very nice oils and HA if I need extra moisture, and of course sunscreen.
Zelens
Yikes! I use Drunk Elephant cream for night, alternate Odacite, Josie Maran and Paula’s Choice moisturizers for day, and use Vanicream for eye cream. Can’t choose!
I don’t really have one brand either – having tried lots. Some of my favourites include:
Goodness – an NZ company – their Chia Seed oil is fantastic
Dr. Lewinn’s Ultra 4
Burt’s Bees Sensitive range.
Do they have a sensitive line stateside? The fragrant oils…linalool, geraniol, limonene, etc raise havoc with whatever is wrong with my lips. Stinging and swelling. I seem to have reactions to the natural side more than the synthesized side.
Before I went CF, it would have been LaRoche Posay or Belif. Now, if I had to choose, it would be Paula’s Choice or Skinceuticals. What I actually use is a hodgepodge of different brands.
It would have to be Paula’s Choice. I feel like no other company has the range of well-rounded BHA products and while I do use other brands’ cleansers, serums and moisturizers and like to try new things, I know I could trust them with the rest of my skincare needs as well.
Olay. It’s what I started using as a teen and I’m always complimented on my skin. People guess my age 10 years younger than I am so it must be working.
I love the spa brand Eminence Organics. Especially their Stone Crop facial cleansing oil and their Strawberry/Rhubarb Dermafoilant with Lactic Acid. Their line does not add water as part of the ingredients so you have the pure product. Their Coconut moisturizing cream is wonderful as well as their Stone Crop face mask.
skinceuticals.
I would definitely go with Clinique. They are the only brand that has worked for me and my extremely sensitive skin. Their Moisture Surge line has totally saved my skin!! I went from having skin that my dad described as feeling like sandpaper, to being as soft to the touch as the skin of a baby!
The Ordinary. Great products and they aren’t super expensive. I also like how they list what the difference is between each type retinoid, vitamin C, and acid is.
I have too many that I rely on consistently, from Drunk Elephant and Sunday Riley to SKII, Fresh, Kiehl’s, and CeraVe! I also really like individual products from the Ordinary, Peter Thomas Roth, and Korean skincare such as May Coop, but I’ve only used a smattering of products from the latter brands so I don’t have as good of an understanding of the brand as a whole. Brands that have never worked for me unfortunately: Ole Henriksen, DermaDoctor, and Neutrogena.
Caudalie, I haven’t tried all of their products but the ones I have I love, you wouldn’t have to twist my arm to purchase anything in this line.
I pretty much use drunk elephant exclusively now, but pepper in some products from The Ordinary. However, DE is super expensive so I ordered some smaller kits during the Sephora VIB sale to try out. Particularly curious about Ren if anyone has tried?
Murad. You never hear much about Murad anymore but I love their Resurgence l& Age Reform lines. Wish they didn’t have fragrance though.
I’m a Paula’s Choice gal. Been using her stuff for years! Yes, I’ve added other brands here and there (Shu cleansing oil), but for the most part my whole skincare program is PC products.
I DO only use one brand of skincare – Paula’s Choice. I have used them exclusively for over 10 years. Nothing comes close – I love this brand SO
much. It is science based and so fairly priced.
I have no idea. I haven’t even decided what skin care brand I want to use presently. I’m old enough my skin is going through changes (49), so I’ve had to switch up what I’m using a few times in the last couple years.
I’m liking Paula’s Choice for now.
I’m already only using one skincare brand-Neutrogena.
Four months ago I could easily have said Drunk Elephant as I pretty much used the whole line with my beloved Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Eye Gel and a couple of Tatcha products in the mix. Before that it was Sunday Riley. For various reasons I ditched everything about two weeks ago and just started a completely new routine and only 2 products are from the same brand. All together I think there are 8 different brands so not able to narrow it down to one right now. I think I am always looking for that next great thing.
La Prairie first of all, then Shiseido and Sisley!
American girls, please don’t use retinols on your face! It’s a bad thing!
I love Dr. Hauschka products, but they don’t make a SPF, so I’d probably go with Perricone. Pricey, but it works really well for my skin.
Paula’s Choice, though I’d very much miss some of the other non-PC products I’m currently using. PC has the only sunblock that I’ll use on my face, and also just about every other type of (tested effective) ingredient one would ever need. It doesn’t suit a few of my more frou needs, but it’s good, sensible stuff.
I really love Boscia especially their face washes but sad they discontinued my fave moisturizer last year.
I really enjoy Origins and already use many of their products in my every day skin care.