What three skincare products are you thankful for this year?

Sara Happ Lip Slip (that should count!), Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Gel Cream (super hydrating), and Kiehl’s Creme der Corps (saves my swatching arm). All staples in my routine!

— Christine

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ac Avatar

SAME, the thin liquidy greasy ones like Lancome get allllll over my eyeballs and my contacts, urgh. Most of my normal makeup comes right off with my face wash, but SensEyes is THE go-to for unbudgeable waterproof mascara!

Valerie Avatar

I wonder why you got such irritation. I’ve found that impatiently rubbing off makeup vigorously will sometimes get makeup inside my eyes or break off lashes so I gently and patiently massage it in a down vertical direction for 10-20 seconds per eye and then gently remove with a warm face towel. Everything comes off, including waterproof mascara, long-wearing eyeliner, and any eye makeup that would normally linger behind with any other cleanser (including 5 different cleansing balms).
I also use it to remove arm swatches or makeup on my hand (I use the back of my hand as a palette). Again, soap and other cleansers never seem to get the job done. But swirling in a little sens’eyes always does the trick.

Mariella Avatar

Embryolisse face cream, Youth to the People facial oil and then it’s a toss up between Lise Watier Sun Smart face sunscreen or the tinted one from Australian Gold ( less ideal with mask wearing). If I can slip in a body product, it’s my rediscovered Clarins body scrub.

Andrea Avatar

I’d heard about the Embryoliss cream before! I like that it can be used as a primer for foundation. I haven’t tried it yet but it’s on the list!

Mariella Avatar

Since finding it, I’ve rarely used any other face cream/moisturizer. I rarely wear foundation but if I want a primer, I generally use a product that is a dedicated primer so I honestly can’t say hoe effective this is as a primer or a masque, for that matter, but I love it as a simple and effective moisturizer. It’s inexpensive too.

Valerie Avatar

I used to use Embryolisse and it does double as a primer well. I switched to Bobby Brown’s vitamin-enriched cream because I used to use it at night and my (then-new) boyfriend loved the smell. So then I started AM use also and found it to be a decent primer. Eventually, I sort of forgot about Embryolisse. I think it’s probably a better primer than the BB, but would have to try it out for a bit to compare.

Andrea Avatar

I use the BB cream too but the one for the eyes! It’s a brilliant primer indeed. I’m a bit dry under the eyes and this makes everything nice and smooth! I can’t get away with only concealer and corrector anymore. It’s a great cream!

Lauren Avatar

I have finally found a routine that works for my skin. For my face I am thankful for Origins Plantscription Multi-Powered Youth Serum and Cetaphil Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Lotion. Since using these my dehydrated forehead has become very soft and moisturized, I’m not getting random breakouts, my skin feels plump, and my face doesn’t feel red and sensitive. I’ve been using the combo for 6 months now and I don’t think I ever want to change up this routine. It works for me and even though the lotion isn’t “fancy” or “luxurious” it makes my skin feel better than it did with the higher priced brands. I was so anti drug store skin care and this proved me wrong. My final thankful for product is one for my legs. My legs have been dry and looked like snake skin since I was a kid. I gave up on them as no lotions seemed to work. On a whim I bought Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow AHA Pink Dream Body Cream and my legs have been saved! This cream melts into the skin, leaves my legs looking soft and silky, and I can put pants on right away since it doesn’t leave any greasy film. While I’m not keen on the scent this works so well that I can forgive that (and it isn’t the worst, just very very sweet).

ac Avatar

MUAC 18% TCA peel
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% emulsion
and a tie between Thank You Farmer True Water Deep Cream (juicy bouncy plump) and Cotarde Day Dream Mousse Cream (smooth and plush, good barrier for winter, feels rich but not greasy).

Andrea Avatar

I’m going to assume Christine means “new” things, so:
1) Skinceuticals Glycolic Renewal (cleanser gel) – I’d never tried a glycolic acid cleanser before and this didn’t disappoint. My skin feels so smooth (so fast)!
2) Hydrating mist – When I haven’t got the energy for putting on a cream, enters the mist! 2 seconds for a spritz and I’m done moisturising, with the added bonus of not having to wait ages for it to absorve and it doesn’t feel sticky. I can see why mists get so much love. This one is all about the type of product, not the brand I think (I use the Avène Hydrance though).
3) Hada Labo Koi-Gokujyun SPF50+ – moisturiser, high protection sunscreen, makeup primer, doesn’t leave a white cast, doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin, absorves quickly, zero zits, eyes don’t cry a river… Skin’s happy, ditto foundation. It’s great for daily use but perfect for those days when everything feels like a chore: like a “one and done” for the face!

Andrea Avatar

Hi Nancy! I love Hada Labo, they definitely know their stuff! Plus, it’s almost impossible to get a moisturiser with SPF50, it’s usually SPF15.

Andrea Avatar

Hi Helene! Some I ordered before the pandemic from Amazon Japan. I placed a big order and added some of the bestsellers and lots of add-ons to make sure I didn’t regret ordering from so far away, also to increase the chances of finding sth super nice and to dilute the costs per product. For the ones I could see there were a lot of amazing reviews for I ordered more than one.
Others, like this SPF cream, I ordered from Amazon Germany. But it came from Japan anyway and so did the Hyal Ac. Lotion I repurchased.
There’s YesStyle too for stuff from SK and Japan. I just checked and do they have Hada Labo but if you want to order make sure you do the maths!
When I placed my first order it was actually a lot cheaper to get it straight from Japan (they have an English version too btw so don’t worry). Last time it was a small order so Amazon Germany ended up being cheaper. YesStyle looked a tad bit too expensive when I looked just now but I’m not sure if it’s just them or if prices have gone up everywhere. Tbh they really seemed a bit steep but I think you can get free shipping, so you really need to crunch the numbers!
By the way, I think now they sell Hada Labo in the US too. I’m not sure whether it’s imported or made there though. Maybe sb else here can give you (and me) a tip for a better place to get it from! 😀
If you order straight from Japan, here’s sth for you list: cleansing balms/foams/oils – I really want to try those!, Camellia oil, jelly lotions & the Kanebo brand is like a posh Shiseido- keep in mind… And Hada Labo has a lotion with retinol too, I think, I’m not sure, it’s the red bottle. The premium lotion (yellow bottle) is the posh one for hyal. acid.

Andrea Avatar

I had a LOT of fun when I opened the box the first time! You won’t be disappointed!
I wish I’d been a bit more adventurous though instead of ordering more than one for things I knew would be good and focusing only on skincare. I wish I’d ordered some makeup and even some of their quirky gadgets. So make sure you diversify! eheheh! If you go with Amazon Japan look at the add-ons too 😉

Ana Maria Avatar

I have tons of skincare products I’m always thankful for, 3 is such a short list. 😅

The only new product I’m thankful for this year is Paula’s Choice new Cleansing Balm. Just as efficient as my old beloved Clinique Take the Day Off, but in a more practical tube packaging.

As always, I am grateful for retinol (Paula’s Choice 1% Clinical) and SPF (Paula’s Choice Youth Extending Fluid SPF 50).

If people are mentioning bodycare as well, I can’t forget to be thankful for the Paula’s Choice body exfoliants (both AHA and BHA)… they have been keeping my KP under control for the last at least 8 years.

Lesley Avatar

Tretinoin

Ethique Bliss Bar: I wanted to get away from plastic packaging so I have been experimenting with bar products from this line. While I did not think my prior cleansers were irritating, I am seeing less surface redness since I started using the Bliss Bar.

Paula’s Choice Redness Relief 1% BHA Lotion: My skin can’t handle 2% salicylic acid anymore so I am grateful that there is a milder formula that clears up my maskne.

Valerie Avatar

Tretinoin was my first choice and then I thought maybe the question was asking for a commercial product. It really is the single best cream to use on the face, though you do need an Rx and instructions to start.

Andrea Avatar

Yes, in Portugal it’s prescription too! I’m actually seeing a dermatologist in a couple of weeks so we’ll see what I get!
Regarding the maskne I’ve been cheating… Haha! :S I put a bit of Mercurochrome Antisseptic Spray on a cotton and clean my chin and my pores with it. I spray it on my back too when I want to show it off and it works like a charm too.

Nancy T Avatar

1.) The Ordinary Buffet (and Virgin Marula Oil!). I’ve truly enjoyed everything I have tried from The Ordinary, though.
2.) Hada Labo Skin Plumping Gel Cream. It literally DOES seem to plump up my skin, camouflaging all my beginnings of fine lines!
3.) Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream because it not only smells divine, but delivers some serious moisturizing benefits, too!

Honorable mention: Laneige Gummi Bears Lip Mask! It seems like they added some more deeply hydrating, moisturizing ingredients into the formula from my last purchase of it? Because I can really feel the difference in the morning.

Genevieve Avatar

The three skincare products that I am thankful for this year are:
1. The Ordinary’s Moroccan Argon Oil – it really moisturises my skin and I can feel it soak in to leave a non greasy finish. Plus, it is so inexpensive.
2. A new skin product I have tried recently and is fast becoming a staple – Weeleda’s Skin Food. I use it of a night time instead of a serum and it is a winner.
3.CeraVe’s Moisturising cream – great as a face cream, but also as a hand and body cream too. The brand’s cleansers are pretty good as well.
Honourable mention goes to La Roche Posay’s Ultra Light Sunscreen 50+.

Andrea Avatar

I bought Weleda yesterday too! Haha! I bought a couple of minis to try. I already tried the one for sensitive skin and I loved it! I think the regular one (the Skin Food Light) might be a tad too much for me but I have to try it again on a clean face.

Andrea Avatar

1. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum (greatly reduced the appearance of the lines around my mouth)
2. e.l.f. Holy Hydration Face Cream (perfect for my brow bone which tends to get really dry and flakey)
3. Pond’s Rejuveness Advanced Hydrating Night Cream (leaves my skin soft and hydrated throughout the day and just as effective as more expensive night creams I’ve tried)

Tata Avatar

This is hard!
For body i would say josie maran body butter. Greasy but good in fresh shaved dru legs

Its not a product but my humidifier! My skin is sooo dry without it. Recently realized its getting time to bust it out again

Also aquafor. General purpose and good on cracked knuckles and even very very lightly dotted under eye when my undereye is a desert.

Honorable mention to face oils like sunday riley juno

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