I’ve had a few people asking me for skincare recommendations, so I thought I would share my 5 favourite skincare products! I know that everyone has (a) different type(s) of skin. However, I tend to go for general use products rather than super speciality, so I do think these would work for most people. I also use these products throughout the year for the most part, so they aren’t limited to summer use. So, without further adieu, these are my top 5 favourite skincare products!
I have to admit, I am a big Clinique fan, and you will see that in this post. It’s a bit above a drugstore brand, but also isn’t a luxury house. I find if you capitalise on the “Gift with Purchase” promotions, you can get a lot of bonus products and save yourself money in the long run. I do have to admit, I do sometimes end up buying new products as a result of those little gift bags. They work for me, though, so I think it is a good thing for me. I should note that I do have sensitive skin, but not bizarrely so. It runs a touch dry, but overall, I turn to general sensitive skin items. Now, onto to what you came here for, the recommendations!
Pep-Start Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50, Clinique
This is without a doubt, my favourite facial sunscreen of all time, and I’ve tried many. Yes, in a pinch, I can use regular sunscreen on my face but I tend to break out quite badly when I do. The Clinique City Block sunscreen is also good, but I find it a tad heavier. With the Pep-Start I get a lighter sunscreen AND SPF 50, instead of 25 or 35. (If you want heavier coverage or to use it more as foundation, I would recommend the City Block!) It is a smaller bottle, and it is convenient to carry in your purse even if you are rocking a smaller purse. I use it daily, and it typically lasts me 4-5 months. The only downfall is that you have to buy it at Sephora, at least in North America. However, I totally make the exception for this Pep-Start sunscreen, as it truly is 5/5 stars!
Note: You should always wear sunscreen, even if you don’t think you will be going outside or it doesn’t look like it is sunny. UV rays still come through clouds, and you never know when you will get caught outside for a while. Take care of your skin!
Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser, Clinique
This cleanser was in my last two “gift with purchase” bags, and I am a convert! This is a very gentle cleanser, which is important for sensitive skin. I know that you are supposed to use a toner and a cleanser and a precious stone and a wish from a calf born under a half-moon to clean your face. However, I’m a simple and to-the-point person with my skin care routine, and I admit that. This cleanser can take off all of my make-up and sunscreen no problem, and you don’t need more than a nickel-sized drop to do that. I have to say, this is probably the best product I’ve discovered by doing the “gift with purchase” set up. (And I do both the fall and spring bags- totally worth it!) At only $30 CAD for 150ml, this is definitely the best bargain.
Facial Makeup Remover Cleanser Wipes, ELF
I am doing my best to not use single-use cosmetic items. However, I go to the gym on my lunch break and I need something to take my make up off before I start working out. (Don’t work out with make up on!) I don’t have a locker at the gym, because I can keep it under my desk at work. Henceforth, I needed make up wipes. As I mentioned above, I do have sensitive skin. For some reason, although things are marketed as “sensitive skin”, they still leave my face stinging and red when all I wanted to do was remove my make up. I have tried probably 10 different make up wipes, and these are the best. At only $4 CAD for 20, they are affordable, and they leave my face clean and soft. They are also wonderful for travel! So, while I wouldn’t recommend using these all the time, for limited situations, they are wonderful.
Moisture-Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator, Clinique
I have now been using this moisturiser for 6 years, and I still swear by it. The Moisture-Surge lines are all gel moisturisers, which works best for me- it is much lighter! It has never made me break out, but is still incredibly moisturising. It is $48 CAD for 50ml, but with incredibly generous application, it typically lasts my 6+ months. If you are like me and live somewhere dry, this will be a miracle product for you- it literally erases dry and cracked lines on my face. (The middle of Canada is an exceptionally dry place…) It has outperformed all other moisturisers I’ve tried, and keeps pulling its weight. Unless something ridiculous happens to the product or my skin, I will be using this for eternity.
Note: I’m currently trying the “cult favourite” Drunk Elephant Polypeptide cream, as it was in the Sephora birthday set. It is okay, but it is a cream rather than a gel- it feels heavy. It hasn’t caused me to break out but I don’t think it has done anything spectacular for me. At $84 CAD for the full size, I’m glad to stick with Clinique!
All About Eyes, Clinique
I told you there would be a lot of Clinique… This was included in my “gift with purchase” in April of this year, and I am loving it. Now that I am 30, I’m trying to focus on long-term care of my skin. I carry a lot of stress in my face, and you will often see me with a furrowed brow. Well, those furrowed brows leave me with tiny lines. And All About Eyes is the eraser for those lines. This is closer to a cream than a gel, but for the immediate area around my eyes, it is perfect. You don’t need a ton of product, and it works quite well. When I do purchase it after this sample runs out, it is $41 CAD for 15ml. This is on the pricier side, but seems on pair with a lot of the other eye creams I have sampled. When you find a cosmetic company that works for you, stick with it!
What are your top 5 favourite skincare products?
Cheers,
The Historian
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I really like Clinique products I’ve only ever had the small versions which come as a gift when I buy my husband his skincare stuff. It’s really lovely especially the moisture surge.