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What are your must-have high-end skincare products?
Biologique Recherche PIG400, Shiseido Instant Eye &
Lip Makeup Remover, Clarins Lip Balm, Tatcha Indigo Cream, Kiehl’s Creme de Corps.
— Christine
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Drunk Elephant TLC Glycolic serum is fantastic, but so pricey…I’m testing out alternatives. Still, I’ve used 4-5 bottles of it, and adore it.
Also, Bite Agave Lip Mask. I use it daily. Well worth the price.
These aren’t too expensive, but Hylamide SubQ Anti-Age fave and eye serums are a bit on the pricier side for the small amount. These are staple items in my skincare.
Zelens vit D drops, vit A drops, and PHA pads
May Lindstrom The Youth Dew, Honey Mud, and Jasmine Garden spray
LaMer eye cream with the massage dohickey
Clarins Super Restorative eye cream, Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate, Vasanti Age is Just a Number elixir, Shiseido Ibuki Sleeping Mask – these are the ones that come to mind off the top of my face 🙂
By Terry rose baume (on my 3rd jar plus three tubes) BB extra eye cream (3rd jar), EL night repair and Idealist, Lancôme bifacil
Clinique Take the Day Off, and Paula’s Choice vitamin serum and BHA toner. Everything else in my routine is from the drugstore!
Oh, and the Shiseido cotton pads… those are so expensive for what they are, but I’m 100% on the bandwagon!
Dr. Brandt Age Defying microdermabrasion scrub, Lancome Genefique serum, Lancome Renergie Lift Multi-Action moisturizer.
Basically none. BPC (before Paula’s Choice), used only HE with inadequate results. Now, do excessive research for least expensive, but effective. Use some Paula, and think that is ‘mid-end,’ not high. The BR has always appealed, though. Some writers contend that newer formulas are not as effective, and that they have to make different formulas for US, due to cosmetics restrictions. Idk if any of that is true. Plus, w/skincare, everything is YMMV. If any product is truly HG, it is well worth it.
After watching Stephanie Nicole’s YouTube videos on skincare, and my own research, I bought the Lotion P50 from Rescue Spa. It’s a chemical exfoliator/toner/PH balancer all in one, and it’s fabulous. It took about 2-3 weeks for me to see a difference, but it is actually amazing. I’m 43 with dry skin, and I have seen an improvement in my skin’s luminosity and texture. I will never go without this again. I use it every other day in the morning after a gentle cleanse.
Next on my list, trying the Sunday Riley oils. As I age I am realizing how neglectful I’ve been in terms of my skincare, so I’m sure these will become a staple. I already ordered Luna and am going to purchase Juno next month. Wish me luck!
Skin oil. I have so many brands. I stay away from dept store brands except Sisley eye cream. My favorite is RMS oil, because it was my first and cheapest of all I own. African Botanics. Mahalo products, not oil but still good. Two brands I am trying is from Boxwalla. Clarins oils is good, but dept store. The list goes on.
I don’t know if it’s considered “High End”, or if it’s really even a “must have” (I like it a lot, but I don’t find myself rushing out to replace it each time I run out), but the most expensive product in my stash is the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47. The same goes for Josie Maran Argan Oil, but unless I find these in a “value set”, there are other products I like as much, for far less money. Also, as much as I love Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover, I’ve never actually had to buy it in its own, and there are several alternatives available these days that make it not as much of a priority, the way it was 10 years ago.
I gave up HE skincare 6+ years ago, in favor of more “natural” products, and haven’t had any regrets. Admittedly, I seem to have won the “genetic lottery” in terms of aging well (along with limited sun exposure/regular use of sunscreen from an early age), so I’ve never found serums or essences, or any extraneous products to be necessary. In fact, my skin has actually improved since scaling back my routine(s). I may regret it later, but being nearly 45 and still mistaken for under 30, I have no plans to change what I’m doing.
I’ve switched over to almost exclusively Tatcha because of severe hypersensitivity. I can mix in some Neogen and Acwell products daily now, especially with some of their light yet ultra hydrating toners and essences for my winter skin, but nothing else quite has had the soothing effect of the indigo collection, or even the deep cleanse. It’s expensive, but I’ve learned a little really goes a long way.
Skinceuticals CE Ferulic
Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil
Clinique Moisture Surge Intense (can often be found at Costco for 30-40% below retail – I’ve seen a few Tatcha products there recently as well!)
Retin-A.
Farmacy honey potion mask and honey drop moisturizer.
Also in the summer Milk Makeup cooling water.
I’m loving the Farmacy line too. I adore the cleaning balm!
SK-II Cellumination Mask In Lotion
Biologique Recherché PIGM 400
Trentinoin Retin A (prescription; sometimes insurance covers, sometimes not; if not, then the cost puts it in “high end” for me)
Technically haircare but I consider them all under the same selfcare umbrella, Redken Cerafill Defy Thickening Shampoo.
It’s expensive but I’m willing to try anything to reverse the damage caused by a lifelong disease.
Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream
Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid & Retinol Eye Serum (Big thanks to Wendy!), Ole Henrikson Truth Serum, Sunday Riley UFO, FAB Pure Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 40 and Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream (Thanks to Christine! This stuff depuffs miraculously!), Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel.
And, to add to yesterday’s DS/LE “must-haves”: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream. Per Christine listing this as one of her “must-haves”, I bought it last night at Walmart out of utter desperation, because the eczema on my hands and face have reached the level where even prescription meds aren’t covering it. This cream WORKS. Only 1 night, so far, but my hands look and feel way better today!
My must-have high-end skincare products are:
– Bobbi Brown Extra Soothing Balm (my HG for cracked/dry skin)
– Clarins Extra-Firming Eye Lift Perfecting Serum
– Lancome Visionnaire serum
– NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate
Currently trying Hylamide SubQ Anti-Aging Serum.
Mahalo “The Bean” , “The Petal” and “Rare Indigo”.
Clarins Super Restorative Eye cream and also the Neck Cream, Filorga Time Filler for Eyes, Lise Watier Sublimessence and Sublimessence Eye Serum. All HG and repeated purchases. The rest of my skin care routine is a mixture of high end, mid range and DS products that switches up.
I don’t have many HE skincare products, but I have tried a few:
Dr Lewinn’s Serum and Moisturiser
Estelle and Thrid – which I am currently using at the moment is pretty good
My 2018 goal is to spend less on color cosmetics & instead step up my skin care regime.
I love the whole Farmacy line, Caudalie Preimier Cru face oil, and the Bite agave lip mask. Can’t wait to try some of the great suggestions here!
I love reading what everyone else uses. It gives me ideas for my next researches. i find the use of my products keeps my skin looking younger, if I don’t keep up I can see the effects almost immediately so I don’t dare miss a beat. Skin Ceuticals Simply Clean, Philosophy Ultimate Miracle Worker, Scinic Super Aqua EX, Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster, Ren Dry Oil, Son and Park Beauty Water and I have a few moisturizers in rotation right now.
Tatcha deep cleanse and Tatcha water cream. Caudalie resveratrol lift eye lifting balm and KORRES wild rose vitamine c brightening oil and Laneige lip sleeping mask
Tatcha Camelia Cleansing Oil and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream. I really love the Magic Night Cream, as well, but I’ve only tried a sample (that lasted a whole week!). I think I’m going to have to shell out for it soon as my skin looked amazing in the morning.
Oh, and Elizabeth Arden Ceramide capsules…the eye treatment ones are very effective.
REN Wake Wonderful Night Time Facial and Glyco Lactic Renewal Mask; prescription Retin A, Clarins lip balm, Missha Time Revolution. Murad Eye Lift firming treatment. I was using SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic but am about to switch to the Timeless version.
Caudalie Premier Cru Elixer. I have dry but sensitive skin, can’t use retinol, even the gentle stuff. This works very well.
Beauty Bioscience skincare 45 the reversal 3 phase skin treatment. Their eye lift and skin cocktail and serum. Josie Moran argan oil. Face creme and body creme. Lancome Genifique serum and eye makeup remover. Bite agave lip mask.Living proof hair products. I know not to expect a miracle from these products, but they do help to keep the skin looking good and giving it a nice glow. The wrinkles are coming, but for now I’m not doing anything drastic about them.
I’m trying to get away from HE for a while because my income took a massive (and I mean MASSIVE) hit, but I’m sure I’ll always be using Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Peeling Gel as it’s the only exfoliant I can use without setting off my rosacea. Ulta had the FirmX Peeling Gel on sale for half price for one day earlier this month, so now I’m living on coffee and ramen for a couple of weeks because I could not pass up the chance to grab a couple back-ups, just in case things get worse. Giving up food for a skin care product is the very definition of ‘must have’, isn’t it? Yes. Yes it is. NO REGRETS. Let’s not make temporary poverty any uglier than it needs to be, shall we? ;-p
Two Holy Grail cleansers: Eve Lom Cleanser and IS Clinical Cleansing Complex. Use one in am, another in pm. My skin is 62 and dry.
The Eve Lom is the original cleansing balm. Best ever invented. Buy from Amazon in larger sz. and lasts 6 months. (Farmacy version far inferior and about same price given size of jars.) I greatly simplify the instructions and just use a wrung-out Japanese washcloth twice.
The IS is equally amazing. Thoroughly cleanses with no taughtness ever. Cult following for all skin types.
I use vitamin C pads from my dermatologist’s office as my morning toner, followed by a mix of Drunk Elephant’s C- Firma and B-Hydra. I used to use Skinceuticals CE Ferulic and would love to continue, but it’s just so expensive. I follow with Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream and if I want an oil, I add a few drops of Fresh Seaberry oil or Noni Glow Face Oil. In the evening I tone with glycolic acid pads from my dermatologist’s
office, followed by prescription Retin A (0.05% most nights, and 0.1% a couple times a week), followed by Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules. I always keep a bottle of Advanced Night Repair on hand for skin recovery days, and I am still working through my final bottles of Prevage serum and nighttime face cream.
My skincare routine is in flux. I started with the Drunk Elephant line in the fall and have been adding new products. I will probably finish the Estée Lauder ampoules by spring, then switch to using
DE’s Protini over Retin A for summer, when an oil won’t be necessary. Next winter when I need an oil again it will probably be Sunday Riley’s Juno or Vintner’s Daughter.
right now im using PTR Firm X serum , Lancers eye creme , and my favorite hydrating discovery one pump of Vicheys Mineral 89 with 2 drops of Pure Cacau oil, the best hydrater I’ve ever used.
EYES : NIOD Fractioned Eye Contour Concentrate, Hylamide SubQ Eyes and Biossance Squalane Peptide Eye Gel.
FACE: Drunk Elephant: C-Firma, Marula Oil, TLC Glycolic Serum and a huge shout out to the combo Lala Retro Whipped Cream + B-Hydra that saved my dry skin, w/ rosacea in remission, under the constant harsh temperatures we’ve been having since December (talking here about temperatures ranging from -42C to -20C). I’ve been using this combo in the morning, under my makeup, and it has been a real lifesaver for me.
Sunday Riley Good Genes (used every other night); PAI Skincare Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil; Herbivore Blue Tansy Resurfacing Mask.
Umm, here MAC costs as much as high end products with a good sale discount (and they are quite frequent) and there is never 40% store wide discount on MAC, sooo. Can I list some MAC products?
1. MAC mineralize foundation loose
2. NARS tinted noisturizer
3. UD eyeshadows
4. MAC PREP + PRIME 24-HOUR EXTEND EYE BASE
Skin Medica Retinol 1.0, Skin Medica Lytera 2.0 and Skin Medica HA5. I will say I am trying out The Ordinary in order to cut down on the expenditure. The retinol product lasts forever because it’s so strong on my skin that I can’t use it as often as is recommended. My aesthetician told me to try mixing it with my moisturizer which does seem to be helping. I’m a little leery of trying retinoid products from the Sephora type stores/sites because Skin Medica and Obagi are medical grade. I like the Obagi line too. Their packaging is a little more friendly to get the last drop of product out. Now I may have give The Ordinary’s retinol product out just on the price point! I generally mix in my Sephora lower high end products to round out my routine. My skin is too sensitive to use medical grade every day. I have tons of samples of moisturizers, etc., some of which I like quite well. Origins has some great products for winter dry, sensitive skin.
All my skincare is high end and I’ve mostly found my HG products:-
Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, Murad Clarifying Toner, Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Emma OroCollagen Marine Cream (morning routine). L’Occitane oil makeup remover, Boots No 7 wipes (granted, these are drugstore but pricey for wipes)’ , Liz Earle Cleanser and Polish, Liz Earle Skin Repair (PM routine).
I have noticed a lot of lines appear around my eyes and am looking to invest in a good eye cream. Can’t be too rich as I get milia if it is. Any recommendations?
I don’t have any expensive skin products! Unfortunately, I am incredibly lazy/inconsistent with anything and everything self-care, so it wouldn’t be worth the investment. Hopefully someday I’ll have the motivation and willpower to take better care of myself.
For cleansing, foundation, (which I rarely wear and don’t need), skin care, and sun protection, I rely entirely on organic and natural products, as well as products without alcohol. I read all ingredients lists because the regulation in this area is not good and any one can make the claim their product is natural. I like the Vapour serums, an EU brand called Phyt’s, the UK brand called Neal’s Yard, Illike and Eminence Organic. There are also smaller artisanal producers who make great products but you have to go off the beaten track from mainstream brands and find suppliers like Dermstore that offer them. I also get straight hyularonic acid from my doctor. I’m older and my skin looks great. I’ve followed this path since my 20’s. The one mainstream product I keep on hand is the Tatcha Indigo Cream for barrier rebuilding. I know that it’s not the question, but I often wonder whether the daily use of a lot of the chemical ingredients in mainstream products like foundations, skin care, and sun protection contributes to skin reactivity, sensitivities and the like, so that the cover up creates a vicious cycle of symptoms that then must be covered up. Among people I know I’ve also seen that cleaning up and omitting known sensitizers in one’s diet can help, though for the more extreme cases, treating allergies via something like immunotherapy may also be needed.
Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser, Kate Somerville EradiKate mask, Beauty Counter Purifying Charcoal mask, and Origins Drink Up Intensive mask (I use it as a moisturizer when I’m super dry). I also really liked Kate Somerville ExfoliKate, but have stopped using it since starting Retin A (I got so many of those 100 perk samples at Sephora when they had them, lol!).
Kiehl’s Creamy Under Eye Treatment With Avocado, I love it!
I just recently switched over to using the Kate Somerville Anti Bac Clearing Lotion and I love it! It’s my favorite acne product!