My day-to-day skincare routine isn’t excessive, but I’ve definitely collected a crazy number of products over the years. Some were random finds while wandering through a store, others were recommended by professionals, had amazing online reviews, or kept popping up on my Instagram and Facebook feeds until I finally gave in and tried them.
There are a handful of products I’ll probably repurchase forever, while others are fun to switch out just to see if I discover something even better. One thing I still haven’t found is an eye cream I absolutely love, so I’m skipping that category for now. Thankfully, all of my skincare purchases have come with plenty of samples, which has been a great way to test new products without committing to a full-size bottle.
The Cleansers I Keep Coming Back To
There are two cleansers that I rotate between, and they’ve both earned a permanent spot in my routine. Since my skin is dry and sensitive, I prefer products that cleanse without leaving my face feeling tight or stripped.
In the morning, I usually reach for the Aestura Atobarrier 365 Gentle Foaming Cleanser. It’s lightweight, gentle, and perfect for starting the day when I don’t have makeup or sunscreen to remove. It leaves my skin feeling clean without that squeaky, over-cleansed feeling.
At night, I switch to the Tower 28 Daily Balancing Gel Cleanser. It’s still gentle enough for my sensitive skin, but it does a great job removing the day’s makeup, sunscreen, and anything else that has built up throughout the day. It gives me a deeper cleanse while still leaving my skin feeling comfortable and hydrated.
| # | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Gentle pH-Balanced Foaming Cleanser with Ceramides | Check Price |
| 2 | Tower 28 SOS Gel Facial Cleanser – Hydrating Face Wash | Check Price |
| 3 | Tower 28 SOS Recovery Hydrating Face Cream for Sensitive Skin (1.86 oz) | Check Price |
A Little Extra Hydration
Well, I don’t even know if they technically qualify as toners—maybe they’re more like mists—but I rotate between these few instead, and my face is loving it.
I’ve talked about the Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray before, and it does just that. I keep it in my purse for after taking an exercise class, use it when I get anxiety rashes, and really just for anything that makes me react. It’s one of those products I like having nearby because I never quite know when I’m going to want it.
The Thayers Hydrating Milky Mist is great for extra moisture, and my skin soaks it up. I use it all over my body, and it’s so mild and hydrating. It’s also one of those products that I don’t really think about until my skin needs a little extra something, and then I’m very happy to have it.
I’ve used the Avène mist since I was a teenager, and that alone probably says something about how much I like it. I like to spray it on after cleansing to make sure my face is clear of all traces of makeup, or use it as a refresher throughout the day. It’s one of those products that has just quietly stayed in my routine for years.
Another Thayers facial mist that travels with me is the Witch Hazel Mist. It’s light and refreshing, lightly moisturizing for me, and a great base for a smooth makeup application.
Where I Like to Experiment
This category is where I am more adventurous and try out new ones more frequently. The Aestura Atobarrier and The Ordinary are my standards for adding more moisture…yes, I cannot get enough.
My newer obsession is the Medicube TXA Niacinamide 15 Serum, and I’ve been wanting to try it for a while after seeing it everywhere. Eventually, I decided I was seeing it often enough that I might as well find out what all the fuss was about.
I like layering it with one of my facial mists while my skin is still slightly damp. I’ve been using it for about two weeks, and my skin feels radiant. It’s still early, so I’m not ready to declare it a lifelong favorite, but so far, I’m impressed. I will definitely continue using it while keeping my eye out for additions.
A girl can never have too much skincare.
The One I Always Come Back To
If I had to choose one product I couldn’t live without, it would be my Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream. It’s honestly nothing fancy, and you might be wondering why I’m recommending such a simple moisturizer instead of something more luxurious. But as someone with dry, sensitive skin, calm and comfortable skin is worth so much more than an expensive label.
The Atobarrier 365 Cream is designed to strengthen the skin barrier while providing long-lasting hydration, and it’s recommended for dry and sensitive skin. For me, it does exactly what I need it to do. I use it morning and night, every season of the year, and it layers beautifully under makeup without feeling heavy or greasy.
I also haven’t tried anything from Aestura that I didn’t enjoy. Their products are gentle, effective, and never seem to irritate my skin, which is something I really appreciate. I’ve tried plenty of products over the years, but this is one of the ones I keep coming back to without even having to think about it.
If you also struggle with dryness or sensitivity, this is the first product I’d recommend trying.
Don’t Forget the Lips
Lip care is often overlooked, but I think it makes a bigger difference than most people realize. I always seem to misplace lip balm, so I’ve ended up keeping a few Lanolips Lanosticks scattered throughout the house, in my purse, and in the car. That way, there’s always one within reach when I need it.
The Lanolips Lanostick is made with lanolin, castor oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter, and it’s become my go-to for keeping my lips soft and moisturized. It feels nourishing without being overly thick or sticky, and it actually lasts for a while after applying it. It comes in several different scents, but my favorite is still the unscented version.
Another product I use regularly is The Ordinary PHA 5% Exfoliating Lip Serum. I like using it once or twice a week to help prevent dry, cracked lips and create a smooth base before applying lip balm or lipstick. The directions recommend using it on alternate days and following with SPF during the day, but I personally prefer using it less often. My lips seem to respond really well to that schedule, and I’ve never experienced any irritation.
The One Step I Never Skip
I’ve been using EltaMD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 for a long time. I cannot leave the house without SPF, and this one is my holy grail. I’ve tried so many, and most of them don’t layer well or feel tacky. This one is so light and goes with all my skincare and makeup.
One factor that drew me to it was the green tint to counteract redness, but I have to admit that it hasn’t made a noticeable difference for me. I cannot recommend this enough to everyone. If you get a chance, just feel the texture—it just amazes me.
SPF is probably the one part of my routine that I don’t like to experiment with quite as much. Once I find something that works and doesn’t interfere with everything I put on top of it, I’m sticking with it.
My Slightly Ridiculous Luxury
This is one of my luxuries that I have an active subscription to. The Careboree Extra Thick Facial Cotton Tissue is a disposable towel for your face (or for anything, really).
Sure, I could use a towel, but am I really washing that every day? I just love that this splurge is clean and simple, and I don’t have to worry about what my skin touches.
I probably have a six-pack at home at all times—for my skincare and makeup routine, dirty dog faces, removing nail polish…really, I’ve found plenty of uses for them.
Is it necessary? Probably not. Do I love having them? Absolutely.
The Newest Additions to My Shelf
Lastly, I also wanted to mention my latest additions. After seeing these two products repeatedly on pretty much any platform I used, I decided to give in and just buy them.
I got the highly rated Dr. Brandt Needles No More Dermal Micro Points, which is described as an intensive skin-lifting gel to boost collagen, even skin texture, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines, as well as the Oxygen Facial Glow Revitalizing Mask.
Both items are highly praised, and after doing some research, I just had to try them for myself. I have only used both items a few times, so I can’t speak for their efficacy yet, although I can say that I did not have any side effects. Both products give you an immediate feeling that something is working; the Dermal Micro Points give a light tingle, and the Revitalizing Mask feels like tiny little bubbles on your face.
I will keep you updated on these products to see how they work long term.
If you do find yourself looking into these last two products, do have a look into the life and legacy of Dr. Brandt and the Dr. Brandt Foundation, which aims to destigmatize conversations around mental health, which I’m sure many, including me, can sympathize with.
After years of experimenting and probably using way too many harsh or expensive products along the way, I’ve finally found a few that are total keepers. Some are simple, some are a little indulgent, and some are products I never expected to love as much as I do. I still enjoy trying something new, but there’s something nice about knowing which products have earned a permanent spot in my routine.
