Dr. Aleksandra Brown reviews moisturizers, cleansers, retinoids, serums, masks, and body products through the lens of a working dermatologist, mixing honest product takes with glimpses into her clinical practice and life as a mom and entrepreneur. That combination of professional context and personal candor is what makes her channel worth following.
Why Is She A Guru?
She is a practicing board-certified dermatologist whose clinical expertise directly informs her product and treatment reviews.
303Products
283 yay97% approval rate
9 nayDoesn't pull punches
5 hot takesWhere she breaks from the pack
Dr. Aleksandra Brown's top picks.
The products Dr. Aleksandra Brown has crowned best in their category, and brings up again and again.
Plain CeraVe, Cetaphil moisturizer are so easy buying 10 things or having a moisturizer for face and then for your body it's kind of waste of your time and money at this point.
My favorite here is the Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask. It doesn't smell as bad as some of the other sulfur products that I've used. It helps absorb excess oil from the skin and can prevent clogged pores and reduce some of the shine. Sulfur also has that antibacterial action, so it will cut down on the amount of bacteria you have. I love it for acne, perioral dermatitis, or really just to keep pores clean, especially on the nose and the forehead areas. It's really ideal for that acne-prone, oily skin. If you're somebody with really dry, sensitive skin, it may not be your girl. I use it about once a week, and I use it pretty much to minimize the appearance of my sebaceous filaments. It's like that final final touch that my skin needs with the retinoid and salicylic acid. The key ingredient in this one is sulfur 10%. It does have some kaolin and bentonite clays and aloe vera. It doesn't smell amazing, no sulfur does, but I leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then hop in the shower and rinse it off in the shower and it doesn't smell like anything when I get out of the shower.
I love the Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water. It is super gentle. It removes that makeup, sunscreen impurities without leaving greasy residue. Great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, as it requires no rinsing or scrubbing whatsoever. I love it for first cleanse, preparing the skin for that deeper second cleanse. I've gone through bottles and bottles of this. I love the one with the pink cap because it's really good for even the most sensitive skin. Also, it does not irritate my eyes at all. The key ingredients are micelles, which pick up that dirt and oil from your skin and the glycerin.
I love it. It's a really rich occlusive repair cream to help soothe irritation, reduce redness, and support skin recovery. It was originally formulated as like a post-procedure care. So it's perfect when your skin barrier really needs to be reset. If you've done microneedling or something like that or you've irritated the hell out of your skin and the area around your nose is so irritated, it will fix it. So it's perfect for that really overexfoliated post-procedure irritated flaking skin or during winter or if your heat is just running in the house and you've got dry cracked corners around your mouth, around your nose, it will fix that. I love using this at night on top of the moisturizer. By itself it's okay, but I prefer moisturizer underneath and then this on top. It repairs the barrier but also is a little bit thick so it helps seal in that moisturizer that you applied underneath. The key ingredients in this one are the copper zinc sulfate complex and the Avène thermal spring water.
This is very, very hydrating, does not have any scent to it. It's very similar to Versed, maybe a little more, like a little softer, a little bit more hydrating. I have used it at night time as part of my retinol sandwich method, but it's appropriate for twice daily use. SkinFix also has the gel version of this which I love for the summer months or if you're more on the oily side, but I like the brand overall very, very much. Their cleansers and moisturizers are amazing.
The active ingredient here is salicylic acid, which is a great ingredient for acne, so that part is totally fine. My problem is the grapefruit. That bright fruity scent means added fragrance, and fragrance is one of the most common causes of irritation, especially on acne prone skin that's already inflamed or already using retinoids. I see this far too often in clinic, someone washing their face twice a day with a strong fragranced acne wash and then their skin gets red and more irritated, not any more clear. If you want the salicylic acid benefit, just choose a fragrance free salicylic acid cleanser instead. Same active, none of the unnecessary irritation.
I know she's expensive, I get it, but when I tell you she is a luxury, you're going to feel like a million bucks. It is a really rich formula, it nourishes like nothing else. It is perfect for that really dry, fragile skin that loses moisture retention as we age. It will strengthen the skin barrier, helping prevent fine lines from deepening. It leaves skin visibly plumper, smoother, firmer after continued use. The cream lasts 24 months past the opening date, so it's going to last you a very long time. You need so little of it when you purchase this, it will last you a full 2 years when you open it. The key ingredients here are the Miracle Broth, which is a proprietary blend of sea kelp, minerals, and biofermented ingredients that will soothe, hydrate, and support the skin barrier. It also contains multi-size moisture spheres and Lime Tea concentrate, which is another proprietary antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals to protect the skin. La Mer just smells so amazing to me.
The most popular leave-in oil that I used to use is Moroccanoil Treatment and it is so much more expensive. I hate it for me because I will do one drop and no matter how much I spread it, that one drop just weighs my hair down because my hair is so, so fine.
While effective, these serums have several risks and it is really for every individual to decide if these are the risks that they're willing to take or not. One of the really common side effects are things like irritation and redness. About 4% of users experience redness or itching around the lash line. While this number seems really low, I'm a perfect example of that. I have used the prescription and developed significant itching, redness of the eyelid, and redness of the white part of my eye. I just really could not tolerate it. Another side effect is hyperpigmentation, which is where the skin around the lash line gets darker, though this usually resolves after you stop the serum. Another more serious side effect is things like periorbital fat loss, which is around your eyes. This is very rare but it can be concerning, where fat around the eyes diminishes and can create more of a hollowed appearance, almost makes you look like you're older than your actual age. Another side effect, also really rare but not amazing, is changing the eye color. This is more common in patients with lighter eyes and there's a risk of permanent darkening of the iris.
Every review.
All 303 products Dr. Aleksandra Brown has reviewed, grouped by product type. Click a product to see the full guru consensus.
"The Ordinary Multi-Peptide plus Copper Peptides 1% is about 32 bucks, but for the price it's a powerhouse. It pairs a true copper peptide with a whole team of supporting peptides, so you get collagen support and repair all in one bottle. You'll notice a pretty blue tint, that's the copper itself, and it's completely normal. The key ingredients are copper tripeptide one, or GHK-Cu, Matrixyl 3000, and hyaluronic acid."
"If you wanted to completely splurge and step it all the way up, the NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum is the cult favorite in this category. It retails for $93 for a 1 oz bottle, they do have a 15 ml one, but proportionally to the volume you get it's significantly more expensive. It delivers a really high concentration of copper peptides for people who want to lean in all the way."
"The Remedy Copper Peptide Complex Advanced Firming Serum is about $33. It's a really lovely mid-range option from Dr. Mona Shah. It pairs that 1% copper peptide GHK-Cu with firming peptides and hyaluronic acid."
"This is the one that genuinely earns its hype. It's a lightweight gel textured moisturizer built around hyaluronic acid, which pulls water into the skin to hydrate and plump without any heaviness or grease. For the price, this is a genuinely really good option for normal, combination, or even oily skin that wants that hydration without feeling like it's wearing a layer of cream. It also sits beautifully under your sunscreen and makeup, which makes it super easy to reach for every single day. If you want a simple drugstore daily moisturizer and you don't want to overthink it, this is an easy A for me."
"I use some of these, like red light therapy and microcurrent tools. I have the Medicube Boost Pro and I like them, but I think they're good if you add them into a skincare routine that's already evidence based and that you're consistent with. If you're just starting out and that first 300 bucks is all you have, I wouldn't spend it on that."
"If you're a super advanced salicylic acid user, I would recommend [...] this. It's the most advanced option in this lineup, and I'd save it for skin that's already tolerated a basic salicylic acid product with no issues whatsoever. It has one and a half percent salicylic acid with glycolic acid, their proprietary lipohydroxy acid, and niacinamide. That combination does more than prevent clogs, it helps increase cell turnover and the niacinamide addresses post-acne marks and dark spots that can linger after a pimple heals. If you're dealing with both active breakouts and hyperpigmentation, I would definitely reach for this product."
"But if you really want to splurge and you want the gold standard, the most studied vitamin C, you look for Skinceuticals C E Ferulic though that does come with a price."
"Sunday Riley B3 Nice 10% Niacinamide Serum is really nice. I finished the whole bottle myself, though it can be spicy if you have really sensitive skin. I couldn't tolerate it more than like three nights a week."
"I talk about this retinol stick constantly, and there's a good reason for that. The stick format is what makes this special. It lets you apply retinol exactly where you need it, whether it's your smile lines, crow's feet, around the mouth, the neck, the chest, backs of your hands with real precision and zero mess. Most retinol formulas are designed for broad application, and that's fine, but sometimes you want to target that specific area without really slathering the product everywhere. It pairs retinol with vitamin C, vitamin E, and cranberry extract for antioxidant protection, plus a firming complex that supports elasticity. So it's doing more than just retinol work. And because it's solid, it travels incredibly well. It fits in any bag, doesn't require any special handling. So for anyone who wants one retinol they can do targeted spot treatment, full face coverage, and neck and chest maintenance all in one, this one is really hard to beat."
"It punches well above its price point. For context, this is often compared to Skinceuticals C.E. Ferulic, which retails for around $180. The Prequel Lucent-C offers very similar core antioxidant benefits for around $23. That's a really big difference. And in my experience, it layers beautifully into your daily routine without feeling heavy or sticky. It doesn't cause irritation for most people. For mature skin dealing with sun damage, dark spots, loss of radiance, this is one of those best affordable options out there. Personally, I also love that it comes in a pump. And it doesn't smell like hot dog water like the expensive version of it. The key ingredient here is the 15% ascorbic acid, ferulic acid, and niacinamide."
"The Olay Super Serum is like this 5-in-one formula that targets several concerns, which is going to be your uneven texture, your dullness, your loss of firmness, those fine lines, dehydration, like all of it in this one step. What makes it work is the combination of ingredients. So you have things like niacinamide for barrier support and a little bit of brightening. Vitamin C for brightening, that antioxidant protection and tone correction. Then you also have some collagen peptides for firmness. Vitamin E for that additional antioxidant coverage. And then some lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid to help gently encourage the cell turnover. That lactic acid component is worth highlighting specifically for that mature skin. It's one of the mildest AHAs, but it does real work in improving texture and radiance without the irritation you would get from stronger exfoliants. This is a really smart, well-formulated serum that layers really easy under moisturizer and sunscreen for anyone who wants noticeable improvement without managing a full multi-step routine. This is a genuinely practical option for everyday."
"Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster helps reduce redness and inflammation while also helping brighten the skin. It's a super lightweight gel texture that layers well with other products. It does contain a little bit of salicylic acid for that mild exfoliation to help unclog pores. The key ingredients here are the azelaic acid 10% and salicylic acid 0.5% as well as licorice root extract."
"My next step after this is always always always vitamin C serum. I've gone through several, you guys have seen me use Biossance, you've seen me use SkinCeuticals, I just recently finished a bottle of that, and I've seen me use the iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Pro-C serum, and that's the one I'm using right now. It's one of the newer launches that I tried, and my skin really likes it. I've probably used it maybe for about 2-3 weeks now. What I like about it is that it goes beyond just brightening, it also helps target uneven tone and discoloration. It has really nice texture, it layers really easy under your sunscreen, and it's easy to consistently use it in the morning. Plus, they did some really impressive clinical studies, spending over $100,000 in clinical testing to prove that the Pro-C outperforms the leading professional and medical-grade vitamin C. The key ingredients are 15% Multi-Vector Vitamin C Complex, which is a proprietary blend of three hyper-stable vitamin C forms, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, alpha arbutin, advanced antioxidant cocktail, and also contains the patented peptides plus FGF2 growth factor, as well as advanced liposomal vitamin C delivery system, which is like your potent vitamin C encapsulated inside liposomes."
"Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum delivers that brightening antioxidant protection with a blend of multiple stabilized vitamin C derivatives, making it a little bit gentler than [...] pure L-ascorbic acid. But this one's still effective. It's going to help even out dull, uneven skin tone, support that collagen production, which is going to be ideal for that 40s and going into menopause skin that has lost some of its glow. I think it's perfect for your everyday vitamin C, especially if you have sensitive or redness-prone skin that can't tolerate the OG L-ascorbic acid serums. The key ingredient is a stable L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, as well as glycerin."
"For the hair oil, I do like the OGX Damage Remedy Plus Coconut Miracle Oil Penetrating Oil. This is a pretty lightweight finishing oil for dry, frizzy ends. It helps improve shine and reduces frizz. You really want to use a super duper small amount or else your hair will feel really heavy, especially if you're somebody who has fine hair like me. It is not intended to go on your scalp, just mid-length to the ends. The key ingredients here are coconut oil and fatty conditioning agents."
"For best hydrating serum I would recommend the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5 hyaluronic acid serum. This serum combines hyaluronic acid with vitamin B5 which is a soothing ingredient that helps repair the skin barrier. It's particularly effective for sensitive skin as it's hydrating without any irritation. The key ingredients here are the hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5, and niacinamide. Hyaluronic acid has nothing to do with actual acids. It's a misnomer in my opinion because a lot of people think it's going to be irritating because it has the word acid. It's really a completely hydrating serum. The best time to apply this is on damp skin and you can still apply moisturizer on top. Though a lot of moisturizers nowadays have hyaluronic acid in them. If your skin is really dry, mature and you want extra hydration, applying hyaluronic acid serum on damp skin followed by a regular AM moisturizer is going to really help lock that moisture in and plump your skin."
"Allies of Skin Multipeptides & Growth Factor Advanced Lifting Serum [...] helps improve skin firmness and elasticity in as little as 4 weeks. It repairs environmental and sun damage. It helps strengthen your skin barrier and boosts hydration. The key ingredients are the growth factor complex, the peptide complex, and the antioxidants."
"The Skin Medica TNS Advanced Plus Serum is one of the human derived ones and [...] it's clinically proven to reduce deep wrinkles and improve skin texture in 12 weeks. It has a dual growth factor system which can stimulate collagen and elastin production. It's super lightweight, fast absorbing formula designed for really that mature aging skin. The key ingredients here are the TNSMR which is the blend of growth factors and peptides, and Renaissance complex which contains the botanicals and marine extracts."
"This one is a bio-engineered, [...] vegan, biotech powered growth factor serum that's designed to support firmness, texture, and overall skin quality without using any human derived growth factors. It's also clinically proven to outperform the leading human growth factor serum that retails for $295. By far, this is the cheapest option on the list. The key ingredients here are the five times biogrowth factor complex, this versa chirata extract and the palmatyl trapeptide. I am currently using this one and I like it a lot."
"This is also human-derived growth factor. It retails for about $290. The key benefits here are that it smooths the skin in as little as 7 days, that's pretty fast. It can target sagging skin, loss of volume, dullness. It's really lightweight yet deeply hydrating at the same time. The key ingredients are a proprietary peptide blend, growth factors, and hyaluronic acid."
"The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a very budget friendly alternative that will help reduce that redness and even skin tone. It helps target rosacea bumps while also keeping the skin smooth. The key ingredients are azelaic acid and dimethicone."
"Timeless vitamin C is going to be my next one when it comes in different percentages. This happens to be 20% if you have sensitive skin. Start with a lower maybe 10 or 15%. But this is very budget friendly option. Also has [L-ascorbic] acid which is really only good for like not super sensitive skin."
"I absolutely love this. This is similar to the PTOX. It has a little bit of aduline in it. So, it will help prolong your Botox effects and help with some of the movement lines. I love it. Love it. Love it in the morning. This is the infusion cream. I do have their serum, too. I tend to prefer the cream. It just feels heavenly."
"My splurge recommendation here is the SkinBetter Science Alto Advanced Defense and Repair Serum. We actually carry this one in my clinic. I treat a lot of rosacea patients with pulse dye laser and rosacea patients tend to have very sensitive skin so they can't use a lot of vitamin C serums because they can be a little bit harsh, especially L-ascorbic acid, but this SkinBetter Alto Advanced is very gentle. This advanced serum offers that comprehensive antioxidant protection by defending the skin from both external environmental stressors but also the internal oxidative damage. And unlike traditional vitamin C serums, this formula contains 19 powerful antioxidants including vitamin C and E, but also has a proprietary botanical blend to help brighten the skin, reduce some of the redness, and improve overall skin texture. The key ingredients are the LLPQ, the vitamin C, and specifically this one has the THD, or tetrahexyldecanate type of vitamin C, which is best for sensitive skin. There's also vitamin E, plankton extract, and microcosate, niacinamide, and licorice extract."
"The Ntorium Vitamin C Complex Serum delivers pretty good brightening antioxidant protection with a blend of multiple stabilized vitamin C derivatives. This makes it gentler than pure L-ascorbic acid, but still effective. It can help even out some of the dullness, uneven skin tone, and support collagen production. It's ideal for menopausal skin that lost some of its glow. It's really good as an everyday antioxidant option for sensitive or redness-prone skin that can't tolerate high vitamin C or specifically cannot tolerate the L-ascorbic acid type of serum. The key ingredients are the stable L-ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate, which is the best one for the most sensitive skin. It also contains a glycerin bioactive fruit complex derived from mango, papaya, and pineapple."
"This is Finacea gel. The active ingredient is 15% azelaic acid. This is in the United States at least only available by prescription. Also comes as a foam. Foam tends to be a little bit less irritating and better for more sensitive skin. That being said, it is brand name sometimes a little bit harder to cover. The gel we can get in the generic form now, so it's easier to get covered by insurance. This percentage of azelaic acid is backed by multiple randomized control trials for rosacea. In these randomized control trials, which are like the big studies, it demonstrated significant improvement in things like redness and inflammatory lesions within 12 weeks. Now, make a note 12 weeks is not very fast, so works pretty slow, but it works well. The key ingredients in both the gel and the foam are azelaic acid 15% which is the clinically proven anti-inflammatory and pigment reducing compound."
"The Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion 10% is more of an emulsion than a serum. So it's going to feel a little bit more like a moisturizer. It still targets the redness, the breakouts, the pigment. It supports the barrier health. It's gentle enough for daily use even on the most sensitive and redness prone skin. It's therefore one of the best entry points for those new to azelaic acid. It contains azelaic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E."
"This is like if you're going to get into this salmon sperm and PDRN and this is the one I would go for because it has highest content of actual active ingredient. It has 10,000 parts per million or 1% salmon PDRN and that's the highest concentration you can get over the counter. It's super lightweight hydrating serum. Helps improve even tone and boost elasticity for like that firmer, more radiant complexion. It absorbs pretty fast. I like to use it on top of my toner. It leaves you feeling really hydrated, plump. I do like moisturizer on top of it because I feel like it might be a little sticky otherwise, but I find a lot of serums sticky. This one's great if you have dry skin, want hydration. You could use it twice a day or if you're somebody like me who uses actives, it goes really good underneath your retinol or your tretinoin. The key ingredients here are the 10,000 parts per million of the salmon PDRN, the five peptide complex, and the holy basil leaf extract."
"My other recommendation in this category is the Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skin Injection Moisture Infusion Cream. You guys have seen me use this over and over again. I use this actually in the evening. Often I'll use it in the morning as well. It's one of my favorite moisturizers for mature skin. It's formulated with multiple neuropeptides. They're going to help target your wrinkles and enhance elasticity. It's designed to complement really your in-office treatments like Botox for longer lasting results. But if you're somebody who's not getting Botox and you want Botox-like effect, this would be a great moisturizer to accomplish something like that. It helps hydrate but also reinforce the skin's natural structure. This formula includes a blend of 21 peptides and neuropeptides that help smooth the appearance of expression lines and restore that youthful balance to the skin. It also combines both signaling peptides and neuropeptides, two different types of peptides to help slow down some of the wrinkles formed by the movement. The key ingredients are 20 peptides and neuropeptides, the 2% hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid, and prolamine."
"This one's really lightweight. It's almost like this honeylike serum designed to soothe irritation while adding nice glow. It's very beneficial for sensitive or reactant skin thanks to its calming and barrier supporting formula. It has this high concentration up to 60% of propolis extract which is a resin-like material made by bees with really strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. So, it's going to help with like redness, breakouts, dullness, but it's also going to gently even out the skin tone. The key ingredients are propolis extract at 60%, niacinamide at only 2% so good for sensitive skin, hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help support and nourish the skin while niacinamide does its job."
"This is probably by far my favorite one in the category. [...] I've used this since they switched in and added the melisil and I've really liked it. It really [...] targets the dark spots, the melasma, the post acne marks, but it was still gentle enough for my rosacea skin. The niacinamide in here is going to help strengthen the barrier and calm the irritation which is going to make it suitable for daily use even for somebody with rosacea like me. What's really cool about it is that it has this patented melisil technology that's going to help prevent new pigment from forming. So you're combining the melisil with the niacinamide. It's really like a perfect match made in heaven. If you suffer from sensitive, acne prone, and pigment skin, this one's really a good one to try. It's suitable for daily use even on sensitive skin, and it's going to go really well underneath the sunscreen. The serums are a little bit thicker, but they layer really nicely even underneath the lightest sunscreen. [...] The key ingredients here are niacinamide 10%, the melonic acid, and of course the La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water."
"The key ingredients are PDRN or the salmon DNA with 100 ppms or parts per million of the actual PDRN itself. It also contains 3% hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen. I've tried this myself. I do like it a lot. I do think it hydrates. I do need to apply a moisturizer on top of it because I find it just a little bit sticky, but this could be just me. I think it's very gentle for even the most sensitive skin. It works really good in the morning or in the evening."
"This is a very affordable, effective choice to reduce your dark spots with hydration from hyaluronic acid at the same time. It will help fade dark spots and acne marks, and as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma, or any sunspots that you may have. It evens out skin tone by reducing patchiness or dullness. It's safe for daily use. It's gentler than some of the other options. It's definitely gentler than a prescription hydroquinone. So this one's also suitable for sensitive or darker skin tones. It's also very compatible with other brightening actives like niacinamide, vitamin C, or azelaic acid if you were to layer them together."
"The Vichy Lift Active Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector is a more affordable option that still offers potent brightening and anti-aging benefits. It helps to even out and illuminate the complexion. It shields skin from those environmental stressors like oxidative damage, UV light. The key ingredient is the aloscorbic pure vitamin C at 16% and carnosine which is known for its anti-glycation properties which means it helps protect skin proteins from further damage from sun exposure."
"Rather than relying on a singular brightening ingredient, this sensitive skin-friendly serum takes a multi-brightener strategy. It combines tranexamic acid, arbutin, niacinamide, and antioxidants all in this one perfectly thoughtfully layered, effective yet gentle bottle. It's ideal for someone seeking a daily brightening product that's going to be elegant, cosmetically really appealing, and sensitive skin friendly. The key ingredients here are the niacinamide, the reishi mushroom, and tranexamic acid. So if you're somebody with sensitive skin, you may want to start with this one."
"The splurge option here is the Alastin Restorative Eye Treatment. It is $118 for 14.8 mls, which is about $7.60 per ml. It is the award-winning anti-aging eye cream that's designed to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. It also helps with the appearance of those annoying fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It has this trihex technology to support the production of new healthy elastin and collagen making this under eye cream really unique. The key ingredients are trihex technology, the tetropeptide 30, niacinamide and green tea extract. Why should you splurge? Maybe because this peptide blend in this eye cream specifically targets that fragile under eye skin with proven results. If you're somebody who I would like to call myself low-key addicted to eye cream, I would definitely splurge on an eye cream."
"My recommendation for really sensitive skin is the Vanicream Vitamin C Serum. This is drugstore, affordable, typically used in the morning. You want to apply this on clean skin with sunscreen on top. Vitamin C serums are designed to gently brighten the skin, stimulate collagen production, help your sunscreen work better, help that appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This particular one is formulated with THD ascorbate, which is really stable form of vitamin C. It's really good for that really sensitive, irritation prone skin. It will help enhance the skin barrier strength with ceramides while also offering that antioxidant protection against all the daily environmental UV factors that you encounter. The key ingredient is not your typical [L-ascorbic] acid. It's tetrahexyl desolorbate or THD at 5%. It also contains ceramide and glycerin."
"My next serum recommendation for dry sensitive skin is the Cetaphil Restoring Ceramide Face Serum that can be used AM or PM. This is a new serum from Cetaphil. It's designed for those with really sensitive and dry skin. It's a multi-active solution designed to support skin barrier while repairing and soothing that discomfort and reducing any redness and inflammation. It's clinically proven to significantly repair your skin moisture barrier in one week. It's super lightweight, non-irritating, specifically designed to defend against the five signs of skin sensitivity, which is your dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness, and weakened skin barrier. It's also clinically tested on sensitive skin. The key ingredients here are the ceramide and pikamperamide and allantoine."
"The first one is the L'Oreal Revitalift 1.5% pure hyaluronic acid serum. This can be used morning or evening. It's super lightweight, deeply hydrating serum. It really helps plump the skin, smooth the fine lines caused by dehydration. It immediately delivers this intense moisture that can leave your skin really hydrated, dewy, glowy finish. It really goes well under the makeup or layered in a nighttime routine. I really like to apply moisturizer on top of this. It could be just me, but I find that a lot of hyaluronic acid serums when I apply them to just damp skin and let it dry, I feel sticky afterwards. Again, it could be just me, but I find all HA serums to be a little bit sticky, so moisturizer on top is a must for me personally. The key ingredients in this serum are going to be your hyaluronic acid. It has both high and low molecular weight, so it's going to do a little bit of deeper and surface hydration. It also has glycerin."
"My first recommendation in this category is going to be the Vichy Mineral 89 hyaluronic acid serum. It's going to help plump the skin back, bounce it back. It will strengthen the skin barrier. Now, always apply this to damp skin because hyaluronic acid is like a sponge. It will pull water up. So pat your skin a little bit of water and then put your hyaluronic acid on top followed by vitamin C or moisturizer. The hyaluronic acid, especially when applied to damp skin, is going to give you that nice dewy appearance. And if you're dry, it's really going to help plump those tiny little lines up and make the wrinkles less pronounced."
"The most popular leave-in oil that I used to use is Moroccanoil Treatment and it is so much more expensive. I hate it for me because I will do one drop and no matter how much I spread it, that one drop just weighs my hair down because my hair is so, so fine."
"My step two after vitamin C is SkinCeuticals P-TIOX. This is a cutting edge peptide based serum designed to target expression lines like your crow's feet, maybe some movement forehead wrinkles. It almost has like a Botox-like effect. It also helps improve skin texture and radiance while strengthening the skin barrier. It can be used alone or to enhance the effects of neurotoxin treatments. The key ingredients here are advanced peptide complex, the 2% hexapeptide and 2% dipeptide, which helps smooth out the expression lines. This also contains 5% niacinamide which will strengthen the skin and even out skin tone, and then 5% polyhydroxy acid or PHA which will gently exfoliate, and 1% lemon arbutin extract which will help hydrate and soothe the skin."
"Mandelic acid might be your girl. It's a gel and because the molecule is larger, it's less likely to penetrate deeper into the skin and cause irritation. Mandelic acid is slow penetrating and gentle without causing irritation. It will fade the look of dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by blemishes and photoaging. It also will help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles if you pair it with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. This product calms redness and hydrates while gently resurfacing the skin. The key ingredients here are mandelic acid 12%, it's a gentle AHA for exfoliation to improve fine lines, wrinkles and texture of the skin. It also contains niacinamide which will calm down the redness, strengthen the skin barrier and even up the skin tone, and hyaluronic acid of course to deeply hydrate and counteract some of the dryness you might experience while using it."
"This is a La Roche-Posay Pure 10% Niacinamide Serum. This anti-aging niacinamide serum clarifies skin tone, visibly reduces discoloration, post-acne marks also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and post-inflammatory erythema, and even stubborn dark spots to reveal a brighter, more even complexion. The key ingredients here are 10% niacinamide which helps brighten skin tone, reduce the appearance of discoloration, and strengthen the skin's barrier. Another ingredient here is hyaluronic acid, it provides moisture and hydration ensuring the skin looks supple and smooth. And of course the famous La Roche-Posay thermal spring water which will soothe and calm the skin, helping to minimize sensitivity and irritation."
"Vitamin C I can't explain but I don't want to live without. I love a good vitamin C serum and I just kind of put some on my fingertips and pat it into the skin."
"This is the hyaluronic serum which prepares the skin for all of the other fabulous goodies and you just need a little, a little goes a long way. You really want to bring your skincare all the way down your neck. Apply it to damp skin, apply to neck, take it down typically to this area because I think it's really important especially as you get older. Let it bake for a second, give it a minute or two."
"I'm currently using the Anua azelaic acid 10%. It's one of the most elegant formulations for that super sensitive redness prone skin. It targets acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and overall skin tone while also being really well tolerated. It's a super lightweight serum, less silicone heavy-ish than The Ordinary serum. [...] It layers easily under other skin care. The key ingredient is the 10% azelaic acid."
"This is a serum that has peptides in it. It's going to help further hydrate the skin and it will help target some of the fine lines and wrinkles. [...] I'm liking the product so far."
"This is a lightweight lotion. It doesn't feel like sunscreen. It doesn't look white. It sits comfortably under the eye area without feeling heavy or occlusive. Pigmentation is going to take a long time and consistency. You're not going to see results in a week. You're going to need months of daily consistent use. But if brown pigmentation around the eyes is your primary concern, this is the most strategic combination of ingredients I've seen in a drugstore product for it. The key ingredients here are Niacinamide 5%, SPF 30, and glycerin."
"If you want to use chemical sunscreen but you want to completely avoid oxybenzone, I hands down love love love La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 60. It has no oxybenzone, it has no octinoxate. It uses avobenzone, homosalate is at 10%. It also has octisalate and octocrylene. It's one of the best performing body sunscreens in consumer report testing. It has elegant texture and it's widely available. This is one of my personal and family's go-to sunscreens."
"Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 has no oxybenzone or octinoxate, actually the first traditional sunscreen formulated without oxybenzone. The current formula does use avobenzone and homosalate at 10%, octisalate, and octocrylene. It has really nice texture and it's water resistant. The homosalate [...] is at 10%, which is above the EU guideline of 7.34%, but it's still a solid option if oxybenzone is your primary concern."
"Another recommendation is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 70. It has no oxybenzone. It's lightweight, inexpensive, easy to find at any drugstore. I believe this one also comes in SPF 55. Formulations vary across the line, so make sure you check the specific bottle as far as the homosalate content before you buy it."
"If you're looking for a spray, the EltaMD UV AOX Elements is mineral sunscreen only. It's a little bit pricier option, but it's pretty good formulated, worth knowing about if you want mineral body sunscreen with a little bit more elegant finish."
"Another recommendation, especially for darker skin tones, is Black Girl Sunscreen Make It Matte SPF 45. They also have the kids SPF 50. It has no oxybenzone. Generally, it avoids a lot of the other filters that are older and have raised some questions. You do want to check homosalate on this because the kids one has like 15% homosalate, so if that's an ingredient you want to avoid, that one's going to be kind of tough."
"If you want to be 100% chemical sunscreen free, some of my favorite body sunscreens are things like Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50. This is zinc oxide based. There's no oxybenzone, no homosalate. It's formulated for sensitive skin. It's water resistant. It's one of the more accessible mineral body options."
"There's the CeraVe hydrating mineral sunscreen for the body SPF 50. It's only mineral, fragrance-free, no oxybenzone, no homosalate. The ceramide and hyaluronic acid base makes it a little bit more comfortable to wear over a large surface area. It does have the white cast, especially on deeper skin tones, so that's the trade-off with just about any zinc and titanium dioxide formula."
"Another recommendation here is ThinkSport SPF 50. It is zinc oxide only. Also, no oxybenzone or homosalate. It's a really clean, straightforward mineral formula. It's been around for years and performs really well for outdoor activity."
"CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 [...] is also lightweight for mineral formula, but the feel in the skin is very different. Where Cetaphil sunscreen disappears into the skin, this one leaves that soft, dewy finish that feels really moisturizing. The ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid are doing real work here. It wears more like a moisturizer with SPF built in than your traditional sunscreen. For dry skin, that's a real advantage. It simplifies the morning routine because it adds hydration at the same time as your SPF. For oily or acne-prone skin, it could feel a little heavy, especially in humid weather. SPF 30 [...] blocks about 97% of UVB rays. If you're indoors mostly, really 97% SPF 30 doesn't make a big difference. If you're managing active sun damage, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or you spend a lot of times outside, go for SPF 50 Cetaphil. [...] The key ingredients are the zinc oxide and titanium oxide, as well as ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid."
"If I have to land on just one specific one, this is going to be the one. I love it because it's really light. It uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for that broadspectrum UV protection. And I love that it's tinted because it has iron oxides which matter specifically for mature skin dealing with melasma hyperpigmentation like me. Iron oxides in this tinted sunscreen help protect against visible light, includes blue light such as from your tablets and lights in the house and computers. If you suffer with pigmentation like I do, tinted sunscreen becomes like a staple in your skincare routine. And the texture is where this one really earns its place. It's genuinely elegant, lightweight, which makes consistent daily wear actually realistic because the best sunscreen is always the one that you're actually going to put on."
"I will grab whichever sunscreen I feel like that day. Right now, I have few that I'm kind of gravitating towards. So, one is the Trader Joe's Daily Sunscreen, another one is Round Lab Birch Juice, and then also the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh. This is the one with the light blue in the end, that's the original one. So, I'll pick my SPF based on how I feel that day, what I did last night, do I think my skin needs a little extra hydration."
"The key ingredients here are the Betula platyphylla japonica, which is birch juice, which is rich in minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that help hydrate, soothe, and reduce inflammation. It also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. The Round Lab Birch Juice is just chef's kiss if your skin is dry and irritated."
"Trader Joe's sunscreen has a translucent, silicone-like texture. I really like it. It absorbs really quick, leaves a really soft, matte finish. It works really well under makeup, almost like a primer. I feel like I can apply it to my ears, neck, close to the hairline without making my hair greasy, which is the key if you're trying to prevent skin cancer in those areas. It is completely oil-free, it's fragrance-free, doesn't leave any white cast, which makes it a really easy everyday option. The key ingredients are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene."
"This one targets early collagen decline to help maintain the firmness and elasticity. It can help strengthen existing collagen and support new collagen production with clinically proven ingredients. It's super lightweight, not greasy formula. It's good for really any skin type, including the sensitive and acne-prone skin. It can be used daily as a facial moisturizer or your neck firming cream to help reduce those fine lines and improve skin texture. The key ingredients are peptide and micropeptide technology, bakuchiol, and hyaluronic acid."
"One of the sunscreens that you guys wanted me to review probably 2 3 years ago that we've ended up making it a staple in our house is the Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion. I find this one to be perfect for this category. It's really easy to spread. It has that very nice lotiony texture. It's not greasy. It's very comfortable to wear all day. It is also water resistant, which is going to make it really good option for outdoor days or if you're going to be really active. The key ingredient is the avobenzone, the homosalate, and octisalate and vitamin E."
"CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 is your best two-in-one moisturizer with SPF. [...] Sun protection is the most important anti-aging step because UV exposure is one of the biggest drivers of collagen breakdown. This moisturizer is going to give you both hydration and broad-spectrum sun protection in one single step. It has a really lightweight texture, making it really easy to wear daily under your makeup or under other skin care products. It also helps support the skin barrier while also protecting against sun damage. The key ingredients are zinc oxide, ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid."
"My first recommendation for sunscreen is going to be the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer SPF 30. This is your daily moisturizer sunscreen all-in-one designed to hydrate, support that skin barrier and provide broad-spectrum sun protection. I recommend this for mature skin that wants that simplified morning routine without sacrificing hydration or the SPF. The texture is really lightweight, but it's nourishing, absorbs easy, and layers really well under makeup without any peeling. It's also completely fragrance-free, well tolerated by even the most sensitive skin or reactive skin, making it really reliable everyday option for mature skin that needs both barrier support and sun protection."
"The Cetaphil Healthy Renew Day Cream SPF 30 is a little bit richer but still fast absorbing moisturizer with SPF 30. It works really well for dry mature skin. [...] It hydrates deeply while helping soften the look of fine lines and improve texture over time. It gives you that hydration for up to 48 hours and smooths the appearance of fine lines. It's designed for that daily use with added SPF 30 to protect from UV damage. I find it to be best for that dry, dull, or sensitive skin, especially if you're noticing early signs of aging and you want hydration with brightening and firming support as well. The key ingredients here are the purified peptides, vitamin B3 and vitamin B5."
"This is the ISDIN Eryfotona Ageless Mineral Broadspectrum Tinted Face Sunscreen. This is SPF 50. I love this. [...] I feel like I can get two to three good finger lengths of this sunscreen on my face and it provides good coverage and it provides just enough of a tint look and reflects the light just right. I just love the way it feels and goes on. If you're somebody with lighter skin tone and this is too dark on you, the brand makes a plain white one. [...] It is a two-in-one SPF that defends against UV damage while also helping repair with zinc oxide, peptides, antioxidants. It also contains DNA repair enzymes to visibly combat the signs of photoaging. The tinted version is great for those who are prone to melasma, hyperpigmentation. [...] The key ingredients here are the zinc oxide, the DNA repair enzymes, the peptide Q10, and vitamin E."
"The Eucerin Sensitive Tinted Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 35 is 100% mineral broadspectrum SPF 35 with a really light tint. It helps even your skin tone, provides that natural looking coverage. It's a really blendable tint. [...] It's formulated for sensitive skin with soothing antioxidants, completely fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic. The key ingredients are the zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and vitamin E."
"This is SPF 43. I have this in the fair medium, but I also have it in the medium. The fair medium tends to blend in a little bit better on my skin. And look how beautifully that blends in. So, this is pure mineral sunscreen. It is going to hydrate. Um, being that it's pure mineral, everyone worries about the white cast. You're going to get zero of that. It does leave you with a nice glow. So, if you don't like the glow, she's really not your girl. Um, but it's really like perfect for everyday for like no makeup makeup look. It doesn't really provide any coverage. In my experience, the has a little bit more coverage. If you want, there's some antioxidants in the sunscreen as well."
"My first recommendation here is Bliss Blockstar Daily Mineral SPF 30. This is tinted 100% mineral daily sunscreen. Features this vanishing tint. Blends into skin perfectly. I love it. It doesn't feel greasy at all. Feels very smooth, almost like a mousse. I love that it's tinted, and I love that it's 100% mineral. It protects against UV damage while helping to block even that visible light that contributes to melasma and hyperpigmentation. I find that it blends really easily and provides really natural looking tone on my skin, and I'm like a skin type three, very olivey. The key ingredients are your mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Also has iron oxides for the tint as well as antioxidant blend."
"If you're on a budget and you just want a sunscreen that's going to be getting the job done, one that's very similar to this one is the e.l.f. Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30. This one's only $15 for 50 mls, which is about 30 cents per ml. That's a fraction of the cost. It's still broadspectrum. It's SPF 30. And remember, if your sunscreen's SPF 30, it's enough. You're still going to get that luminous finish. It's still that affordable formula that's going to double as sunscreen and a hydrating primer. It's enriched with aloe and squalane for all day comfort and it's slightly more dewy. So, if you're somebody who has more mature skin like me or you've got some wrinkles you need to plump or you have normal to dry skin, this one might actually be better for you. The only downside is that only has three shades. So, if you can't find the right shade in this one, that might be a little bit of a struggle. But, if you're using as a makeup primer, it shouldn't be an issue at all. It still has your same chemical SPF filters and niacinamide. It gives you very similar luminous effect for a fraction of the price. It's slightly more dewy and it has just a little bit less shade flexibility. But if those are not your concerns or if you're looking for more dewy look, that's definitely your preferred option."
"My other recommendation for sunscreen is the Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This sunscreen is a mineral and really daily facial moisturizer all in one. It's still lightweight. It's non-comedogenic. It protects that sensitive skin without causing any stinging or breakouts. It is best for extremely sensitive allergy-prone skin that reacts to your typical chemical SPFs. The key ingredients are zinc oxide 19.2%, glycerin, and squalane."
"This one provides really lightweight hydration, but also has that broad spectrum UVA UVB protection. It helps control shine, and it will absorb some of that surface oil throughout the day. It's clinically tested for use on sensitive and acne prone skin. It's totally fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, non-irritating. The key ingredients are the oolosome technology, which provides this effective sun protection with less irritation. Also has zinc gluconate and panthenol."
"The Super Goop Glow Screen is the SPF 40, retails for about $38 for 1.7 oz. This is glowy. It is more glowy than the iNNBEAUTY PROJECT. Significantly more glowy, but it keeps your skin really hydrated and almost acts as a primer for makeup. It gives you like this radiant finish. It's broadspectrum SPF protection. It's perfect for those dewy skin days. Works beautifully under makeup or if you want it by itself in place of makeup. Comes in four different shades. The key ingredients are hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5. It does have sea lavender and cocoa peptides in it. If you're somebody who's more on the dry side, you might like the glow screen a little bit better. But it is chemical, not mineral. It did not irritate my skin though at all, even though I have rosacea."
"This one retails for about 19 bucks for 1.08 ounces. This is tinted broadspectrum SPF 30. It compliments your skin tone. It's 100% mineral sunscreen. It does have vitamin E in it, so it's naturally hydrating. I don't know that you have to have a moisturizer under it. It prevents that sun induced wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines, discoloration. It's super lightweight, so it's going to layer really nice under makeup. It's almost sheer, really lightweight feeling. It comes in four different shades. The key ingredients here, pure mineral again, are the titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and vitamin E."
"This one is really lightweight. It's a chemical sunscreen just like the other ones. Provides really strong broadspectrum protection of SPF 50 PA4 pluses. There is zero white cast with it. It is a little bit more hydrating than the other two. It absorbs really quick though. It's not greasy at all. It is infused with black rice extract and oil for antioxidant and moisturizing benefits. Don't confuse the oil with the fact that you're going to be oily. You're not going to be. It absorbs really nice. It is also enriched with skin soothing and barrier supportive ingredients like camide and heart leaf. It leaves skin feeling really calm plump and nourished. It leaves with almost like the soft satin finish. There's no white cast whatsoever. The key ingredients are the black rice extract, the camides, the nyinomide and glycerin."
"I tend to be oily in the summer, so this matte sunstick was really nice. It would be like two birds with one stone for me: mattifying and SPF protection. This is the SPF 50 plus PA++++. It is a super smooth glide sunstick. It controls that shine without feeling waxy or heavy and my face wasn't sticky. Like my hair didn't stick to my face afterwards like some of the US sunscreens do to me. It does apply really evenly with the matte finish. And it's perfect over makeup. You can wear it on bare skin too, but I really did wear it over top of makeup because I would often go to work and then after work we would have like a quick golf meet. So I did have some blush on and I found that this SPF stick applied pretty easy on top of the makeup and makeup still look decent. This stick will also help absorb some of that excess oil throughout the day while providing the broadspectrum protection. So it's perfect for that oily combination or even acne prone skin. The key ingredients are the mugwort extract, chameleia japonica seed oil, silica, vitamin E, and centella asiatica extract."
"This is one of the most iconic Japanese SPFs out there. It's really ultra light gel cream. It feels like skincare. It does not feel like SPF. It has really high SPF, really good protection with these advanced Japanese UV filters. Feels very hydrating and cooling like instant cooling application. Also wears really well under makeup. I would say it's great for oily and combination skin. It is alcohol based, so if you're somebody who has really sensitive skin or you're sensitive to alcohol, maybe she's not the one for you. The key ingredients here are hyaluronic acid, Royal Jelly Extract, and it has both of the chemical UV filters."
"This is mineral relief daily sunscreen SPF 50 plus PA++++, a little bit different. Unlike the chemical, this is 100% mineral or physical sunscreen. Offers broadspectrum protection without any chemical filters. It's still really lightweight, a little bit more creamy, blends pretty easy with minimal almost no white cast. It's definitely ideal for really sensitive, reactive, or even post-procedure skin. It's infused with the same antioxidant rich black rice extract to nourish and protect the skin barrier. The ingredients here are zinc oxide, black rice extract, adenosine, and niacinamide."
"This is the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Stick SPF 50+ PA++++. This leaves you with a velvet matte finish, really silky finish. It applies so easy. It controls the shine and helps almost like blur pores a little bit without clogging them. It's super lightweight. It applies over top of makeup really easy. The blush is still visible if you apply it on top of the makeup. It is infused with Centella and hyaluronic acid to hydrate while also calming any irritation you may have going on. It's totally fragrance-free. It's really gentle, suitable for sensitive even acne-prone skin. The key ingredients are Centella extract, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, turmeric root extract, and mugwort extract."
"It can be used on face and the body, and I've used it on both. It comes in a really nice convenient pump that I've actually traveled with because it has a pump cover so it doesn't leak when you're traveling. The only thing with this one is it's really not waterproof, which I don't think is a big deal at all. It's really good for your everyday face, neck, chest, non-sweaty wear, really anything under makeup. I love this. It applies so nice. The key ingredients are hyaluronic acid, cahadia bark extract, and tocopherol acetate. I think this is best for those who want the no-sunscreen sunscreen feel. If you want to wear SPF and you want it to feel like nothing on your face or if you have combination and oily skin, she's your girl. It's going to feel like you're wearing nothing at all. It has no scent. I did apply it to my eyelids and it did not bother my eyelids at all."
"My next recommendation here is the Colorescience Unforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50. This one's really cool because it has iron oxides, which will help block visible light, which is essential for preventing melasma and hyperpigmentation. It is also water resistant, so it's good for long-wearing, making it great for daily and outdoor use. It comes in multiple tints so you can skip foundation while getting full sun protection. The key ingredients in this one are zinc oxide 12%, titanium dioxide 4%, these are both physical filters they're going to provide broad-spectrum UV protection. It is tinted, so it also contains iron oxides and it has a little bit of niacinamide. If you're somebody who has dry, mature skin and you're looking for more hydration, Colorescience is your girl."
"My go-to foundation is the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+. And just because it has SPF 50+ doesn't mean you can't wear without SPF underneath. You need to apply SPF under your makeup. This is a full coverage CC cream with the SPF in it. Acts as skin care and makeup in one. It's really hydrating, anti-aging formula that smooths fine lines and evens out the skin tone. It works really well for all skin types. Offers that natural radiant finish. The key ingredients are the collagen, the hyaluronic acid, and peptides."
"Wearing a broadspectrum SPF of at least 30 is non-negotiable when treating your scars. Some examples here are things like La Roche-Posay UV Clear, really good for acne prone skin, so great for face."
"Color Science makes a really good one, it's called Color Science Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal Therapy. It's SPF 35. It immediately brightens the eye area because it has a little bit of a tint added to it and it corrects those imperfections to reduce dark circles and puffiness for a really refreshed and resting appearance. It's 100% mineral SPF. It helps restore skin health with hydration that provides support for sagging skin to enhance the upper and lower eyelid area. This SPF will improve the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. The key ingredient here is the zinc oxide, which is the mineral-based sunscreen."
"Dr. Jart+ Cicapair sensitive skin moisturizer for redness is infused with centella asiatica to calm redness and irritation. It hydrates and strengthens the skin barrier while providing that super lightweight coverage. It also has color correcting properties which will help neutralize some of the redness for a more even complexion. The key ingredient here is the centella asiatica or the cica complex, it's a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that promotes healing. It also contains niacinamide which will help reduce the redness and improve overall skin texture, and there's some tiger grass extract that will strengthen the skin barrier and calm irritation."
"My second choice for sunscreen is the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. I love this one because it's more mattifying. It hydrates my skin but it acts like a really nice primer, especially to fill in those little fine lines around the eyes or in my smile lines. It offers broad spectrum SPF protection, it is SPF 40 PA+++. [...] If it's summertime and my skin is really oily, I am probably going to use the Unseen Sunscreen on days that I'm expecting to wear my makeup for long periods of time, or if I'm going to be sitting filming YouTube or something like that."
"La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Light Mineral Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 is really high SPF with a matte finish so if you're more oily or even if you're sensitive this is a really good sunscreen for you. It also protects against both UVA and UVB rays and environmental stressors. It is super lightweight texture, absorbs quickly, therefore it is perfect for layering under makeup. It contains titanium dioxide which is a physical barrier that prevents harmful UV rays from reaching your skin. It also contains the Cellox Shield Technology which combines antioxidant with some protection to defend against environmental damage and of course the La Roche-Posay thermal spring water which is rich in antioxidants to soothe and protect the skin barrier."
"This does happen to be water resistant up to 80 minutes and appears to be like a blurring primer. It does in fact act like a blurring primer and it was perfect underneath the makeup. It contains the metal foam seed oil and aloe which will hydrate and soothe your skin. It is like this gel formula it has no white cast whatsoever and it does not have a super greasy feel either. It is pure chemical or inorganic sunscreen. There's no smell whatsoever. It has this velvety smooth texture. I do think it's great for all skin types including dry normal combination however if you're on the more oily side you may not love the feel 100% because it does feel a little bit thick. It is also kind of hard to apply the proper amount in my opinion because you have to apply the two finger lengths for it to cover your entire face and neck and that just seems to be too much. So with sunscreen such as this one I would recommend applying maybe half of the recommended amount letting that soak in and then going with the second layer. Since this is a chemical sunscreen if you're very sensitive to sunscreens you may want to consider doing a patch test first. The elf sunscreen comes in 1.7 oz bottle cost is $14 bringing the price to $8.24 cents per ounce so pretty affordable."
"I personally have preferred Unseen Sunscreen by far because it was really easy to apply makeup on top versus when I used e.l. I felt like makeup sometimes rolled off. I also found that Unseen was quite a bit lighter on my combination to oily skin whereas e.l. appeared a little too heavy for me. The only other notable difference between the two is that Unseen is SPF 40 unlike the other one which is SPF 35, and it is also water resistant to 80 minutes whereas the other is only resistant to 40 minutes. For me this one's the winner between the two."
"I really, really like this one. This is one of my favorite budget picks for very sensitive skin. It's a lightweight gel built with prebiotic oat and feverfew, a calming botanical in the chamomile family. It sinks in fast, plays nicely under sunscreen and makeup, and it's about as unlikely to break you out or stain as a moisturizer can be. If your face tends to be sensitive, redness prone, reactive, or you've just overdone it with actives and you need something your skin is not going to argue with, this is an easy win for me."
"It is one of the most recommended over-the-counter eczema products in the country, and it truly earned its spot. You get 1% colloidal oatmeal for the itch, and it's backed by ceramides to help rebuild the barrier, in a completely steroid-free cream that's gentle enough for daily, long-term use. It also carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Used consistently, it keeps the skin calm, so you flare less often. I personally lean towards Aveeno in this category just a little bit, primarily because of the texture, the way it feels."
"This lotion uses 10% urea plus gentle exfoliating acids to dissolve the dead skin cells that are causing rough skin while moisturizing at the same time, so there's no gritty scrubs and you're not going to irritate your barrier. If you have keratosis pilaris or you have rough patches on your elbows or knees or even heels, this is the product that I would reach for. It's going to change the texture rather than just sit on top of your skin."
"It's built around coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant your skin makes naturally but we tend to lose it with age, and it comes in a rich, fragrance-free cream designed for mature skin. It's really gentle, a wallet-friendly entry point into anti-aging for skin that finds retinoids too irritating. But no over-the-counter cream, this one included, is going to outperform a retinoid for wrinkles. It's a great hydrator, but it's not going to build collagen and fix the wrinkles the way a retinoid will. The CoQ10 moisturizer here is more of a supportive care, a nice antioxidant bonus, it's not a miracle, and it definitely doesn't take the place of your retinoid."
"It's built with a triple oat complex plus shea butter, and its mission is to rescue intensely dry, itchy, irritated skin and make it feel human again. It's really lovely for that tight, itchy, uncomfortable dryness, especially in the winter. What it won't do is dissolve any of the keratin plugs that cause actual bumps or rough skin, because that's simply not what it's built for. If your skin is just kind of dry and itchy without any bumps, this will feel like a warm, perfect blanket."
"La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a little bit lighter, a way more versatile multitasker, and honestly it's the one I tell people to just keep on hand for everything. It's built around panthenol and madecassoside to help soothe and support repair, and it absorbs a little easier than you'd think for something this nourishing. People can use it anywhere, for dry patches, lips, hands, an irritated nose during a cold, or even on kids. If you want one soothing balm that's [...] your daily go-to for dry spot duty for the whole family, this is the one I would probably pick. It's a little more flexible and a little better value pack. The key ingredients are panthenol, madecassoside, La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, and dimethicone. [...] My son absolutely loves it for in-between sunscreen application or the night before we're about to go to the pool, because it completely soothes his skin when it's irritated from sunscreen and sun eczema."
"La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer is one I recommend very frequently in my clinic because it does so much more for the price. It feels really light, it's genuinely repairing, built to restore your barrier while also giving you all-day hydration. The ceramides and niacinamide are what make it more than a basic moisturizer, so you're replenishing what a healthy barrier needs while strengthening the skin over time. I like to reach for this when someone's barrier feels compromised from retinoids or acne treatments, or when they just want one reliable daily moisturizer that quietly does everything. The key ingredients are ceramide 3, niacinamide, glycerin, and La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water."
"Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is the more occlusive, wound care style cream of the two. It's built around zinc and copper to support healing and it lays down a protective layer, so it feels richer and more cushioning than your average face cream. This is what I reach for when the skin is genuinely compromised, raw, chapped, cracked, post-procedure, basically anytime the barrier is actually broken down and needs real recovery. Think targeted repair treatment, not your everyday moisturizer. I love it for perioral fissures. If you're using or you've overused your tretinoin, just putting a little bit in the corners where your tretinoin starts irritating you before your perioral derm breaks out is pure chef's kiss. The key ingredients are the copper zinc sulfate complex and thermal spring water. It's [...] my personal go-to, and for my daughter, because we get perioral derm pretty frequently."
"The Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream is a beautifully minimalist moisturizer in sterile, preservative-free packaging, designed for the most reactive, intolerant skin there is. The formula is intentionally short so there's very little in there that could possibly set your skin off. [...] It's a calm-everything-down moisturizer, not a treatment cream. Its job is to give furious, flaring skin something it can absolutely tolerate, and it does that beautifully. I think about it when skin is stinging or mid-flare and the smartest move is to strip the routine all the way back to the basics. The key ingredients are Avène Thermal Spring Water, squalane, and postbiotic soothing complex."
"The hyaluronic acid in it will draw the water to the skin. It also has niacinamide to help calm down the redness and support barrier function as well, and then the marine and botanical complex add a little bit of extra soothing and hydrating support on top of all that. The texture is really creamy, nourishing without being greasy, which means it's going to sit nicely under concealer without really peeling up, which is a complaint I hear a lot about eye creams. If dryness and barrier disruption around the eye is your issue, this is a really solid, straightforward pick. The key ingredients here are the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and the marine botanical complex."
"CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is [...] noticeably thicker, denser. When you scoop it out of the tub, it holds shape much better. On the skin, it takes a little bit longer for it to absorb. It leaves more of like a present, cushioned feeling rather than that melting away really quickly. Some people love that richness. People with oily or combination skin sometimes find it too heavy. But that weight is doing something. The three ceramides, the NP, the AP, and the EOP are the actual lipids found in the healthy skin barrier. So you're literally replenishing the building blocks of what makes skin resilient. The MVE delivery technology releases moisture gradually over time, which is why people who use this consistently often report that their skin holds hydration better over weeks, not just hours. And petrolatum and dimethicone on top of all that create a protective seal that slows water loss throughout the day. This is the recommendation for like very dry skin, eczema-prone skin, or any skin that's been through prolonged stress of actives, weather, or over-exfoliation. It's not just moisturizing, it's actually repairing. The key ingredients here are your ceramides NP, AP, and EOP, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and petrolatum."
"Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream is really soft, creamy, lighter than you would expect from a cream formula. When you apply it, it melts onto skin pretty quickly. It doesn't sit on top or feel like a layer you're wearing. The finish is very comfortable, natural, not shiny or heavy, which makes it a really good option for daytime use or for people who hate that I have a moisturizer on feeling. The formula's built around glycerin, panthenol, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E. They're all really effective humectants and emollients, but nothing that's really doing active barrier repair. It's hydration and comfort, not reconstruction. You want to think of it as a maintenance rather than a treatment. I think of this for that sensitive, reactive skin that wants reliable, uncomplicated hydration, the skin that isn't severely dry or super damaged, but really needs something that will genuinely tolerate every single day without any issue. The key ingredients here are your glycerin, panthenol, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E."
"For drier skin types, this is going to be my top pick because it gives you retinoid benefits inside a moisturizer base that's actually nourishing and not stripping. It uses this pro-retinol, which is a gentler, stabilized form of vitamin A. It's not the most potent retinoid on the list, but for that really dry, sensitive skin that has struggled with traditional retinols in the past, that gentleness is the whole point. You're still going to get that real vitamin A benefits, [...] but just with a much lower chance of irritation. On top of that pro-retinol, you're getting hyaluronic acid for hydration, a little bit of vitamin C for brightening, and niacinamide for barrier support. So this is doing a lot of work in that one step. The texture is pretty rich, cushiony, not greasy. It makes it a really nice formula for mature, dehydrated, sensitive skin. It also comes in a fragrance-free version, which I always recommend, especially if your skin is very sensitive or reactive."
"This hands down has to go to Cetaphil Skin Activator hydrating and firming cream. The body is one of the most overlooked parts of mature skin routine. Neck, chest, arms, hands show signs of aging just like your face does. And most people are applying nothing targeted to those areas. Cetaphil Skin Activator stands out from body moisturizers because it goes beyond hydration and it helps specifically support skin's renewal and firmness. Its skin activator technology is designed to encourage healthier cell turnover in those surface skin cells. And it's also formulated with mandelic acid, which is a type of alpha hydroxy acid that's much gentler than glycolic, but it's still effective for improving texture and also has encapsulated centella asiatica, which is going to help support your skin barrier. Clinically, this is shown to visibly smooth texture in as little as one week and improve firmness within 4 weeks. For mature skin that's dealing with crepey texture, dryness, loss of elasticity on the neck, chest, body, this is excellent and genuinely effective option at a drugstore price point."
"My over-the-counter retinol that I tend to gravitate towards and I'm using a lot lately is SkinBetter Science AlphaRet. I'll use this on the nights where my skin is not quite ready for tretinoin and I want a little exfoliation and I still want the benefits of a retinoid, but I want something that's a little bit better tolerated. This is a combination product that pairs a retinoid with an exfoliating acid, so you're going to get both cell turnover and gentle exfoliation in one step. I find it to be a really nice option when I want results but I don't want to push my skin any more, and especially if I don't want that peeling, dryness, and irritation I sometimes get from tretinoin. The key ingredient is the AlphaRet, which is a unique combination of a retinoid and an AHA, particularly lactic acid. There's also a little bit of glycolic acid for that optimal exfoliation in addition to the retinoid."
"AmLactin Daily Lotion has been my go-to here lately. I use it when I want to improve skin texture. It helps smooth rough areas, especially in the arms and legs and over time it makes the skin look and feel softer and more even. I don't think I use it every single day, but I do use it most days. I find the AmLactin to be a really good option if you're dealing with rougher bumpy skin and you want something that works really gradually. The key ingredient here is the lactic acid and also has humectants in it."
"One of those classic drugstore moisturizers that continues to hold up, especially in your 30s and 40s when you're starting to focus more on firmness and early signs of aging. It's a little bit richer cream, so I like this more for normal to dry skin. What makes this one really stand out is that it's now formulated with a triple collagen peptide complex, which is going to help support your skin structure and improve the look of firmness and smoothness over time. I think this is a great option if your skin is starting to feel a little less firm or if you're noticing more visible lines. The key ingredients here are triple collagen peptides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid."
"For your best hydrating moisturizer for dry skin, I love the RoC Multi Correxion Hydration Plus Moisturizer. This is a deeply hydrating daily moisturizer that targets dryness and loss of firmness. It targets fine lines and dullness with a nourishing long-lasting moisture barrier. It's really lightweight, yet deeply hydrating, making it really suitable for daily use. The key ingredients are seven forms of hyaluronic acid, 10 lipids, and pro-collagen amino acids."
"This is on the stronger side, so it breaks down the keratin buildup while deeply moisturizing. It can help soothe irritation, reduce rough texture. It works really, really well for severe keratosis pilaris or dry skin or eczema prone skin. So, if your earlier tip of glycolic acid on your keratosis pilaris didn't work alone, do the glycolic acid and apply urea on top of that and you've got a combination to eliminate your keratosis pilaris bumps. The key ingredient in this product is urea 10% and also contains some ceramides and natural moisturizing factors."
"I love Cetaphil Healthy Renew Purified Peptides Night Cream. This is a super nourishing night cream designed specifically for mature skin to support firmness, hydration, barrier repair while you sleep. I love this for skin that feels dry, tight, or less resilient overnight. Especially if you're using retinoids and need extra support. The texture is pretty rich but not heavy. It absorbs really well. Helps skin feel more comfortable and hydrated by the morning. I love it as the final step in an evening routine. It can be used face, neck, and chest. You can apply your other serums or even actives and then leave this last because it's pretty rich. The key ingredients are purified peptides, niacinamide, and panthenol."
"Vanicream Moisturizing Cream is really one of my top recommendations for super sensitive skin because it does the best job at avoiding the most common irritants and allergens. It's completely fragrance free, dye free, paraben free, lanoline free, which makes it ideal for patients who react to some of the other moisturizers. The texture is rich but not greasy and it moisturizes without stinging that inflamed or cracked skin. It's really safe for all ages, works really well for both daily maintenance, but also during your eczema flares. It's proven to hydrate for up to 48 hours and fully restores skin moisture barrier, and it's specifically formulated with a dermatologist backed blend of niacinamide or vitamin B3, panthenol which is your vitamin B5, and then hydrating glycerin to improve the resilience of sensitive skin."
"My favorite one here and the one that we've used for gosh over a decade now is the CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Cream. Not the lotion, but the cream. [...] For my eczema-prone family members, the cream in the tub does a much better job. It does provide really fast relief. [...] It really took about a minute or two for it to really soothe the itch and it just worked really well. It helped him sleep, which really is when his barrier is repairing. [...] The CeraVe Relief is a clinically tested formula that provides relief within 2 minutes and it can last up to 8 hours. [...] The formula is completely steroid-free, which makes it a really good option in between your flares or even on the areas where you don't want to use steroids long term. It still has the ceramides that's going to help restore your skin's natural barrier, keeping that moisture in and harmful elements out. But it also has the pramoxine hydrochloride which provides temporary relief from itching."
"I have to mention the Tatcha Water Cream because I'm borderline obsessed with this. I do find that it's ideal for the warmer months thanks to its really lightweight oil-free formula or if you're somebody who has like combination oily skin. This Tatcha Water Cream is just pure perfection. It delivers that boost of hydration without clogging pores. It's really good for oily, combination, even acne prone skin. It helps balance the skin and helps control excess oil, but also hydrates at the same time. You don't end up with like that tight, flaky skin. It absorbs super quick, leaves your skin fresh, dewy, not greasy. I put it on top of my vitamin C, let it dry, and then SPF goes on top. So, if you find that maybe you're using SPF on top of moisturizer, your SPF's rolling off, maybe you don't have the right moisturizer, this one's like perfect underneath your SPF or makeup spring, summer, or even like all year if you have oily skin. The key ingredients here are the Japanese wild rice and Hideaci 3."
"But if you have really sensitive skin and you want to start a retinol, retinols have a little bit faster onset without too much irritation, and Avène would be my go-to brand. Their Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Cream is clinically shown to reduce fine lines, improve texture, and enhance radiance in as little as 4 weeks. If it's Black Friday and you pick it up just now, you're going to have that glowing skin by Christmas. The retinol is also encapsulated, so you get that gradual release to minimize irritation. It's really ideal for anyone who has mature or menopausal skin and really is looking for some reversal of aging signs. It comes in multiple strengths, so you can get the lower one to build your tolerance up before you get the stronger one. The key ingredients here are retinaldehyde, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E."
"For my moisturizer right now, I'm using the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. I have this I really like to color code them in my brain. I like the purple one right now. The tealight one is really more like a gel cream. The navy one's supposed to be really great overnight repair, but this is by far my favorite of them all. Um, it feels heavenly. It has that galacttoyces ferment filtrate for the base. It's really good anti-inflammatory. It feels super amazing."
"The triple lipid peptide cream is better for dry skin that needs hydration or like fall and winter months. I have finished both of these and loved them."
"I am currently using the extreme cream um from In Beauty Project. Again, this one's a little bit thicker, a little bit more hydrating. Um and it has peptides and amino acids. It's going to help brighten and tighten a little bit."
"Estriol cream is typically compounded whether by a local pharmacy or by an online pharmacy like Alloy and it comes in 3%. This is considered a weaker, more selective form of estrogen because estriol primarily binds to the beta receptors. So if we find something that binds to just the beta receptors, we might have hit the jackpot. Estriol is the estrogen type of topical cream that more selectively binds to the beta receptors compared to the alpha. It's shown in several studies that estriol has shown minimal to no systemic absorption, making it a much safer option for topical facial use even for patients with history of cancers. Even though it's weaker, estriol is still going to promote collagen production and hydration in a little bit slower way."
"The Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream combines multiple signal peptides with moisturizing amino acids and growth factors for improved texture, tone, and firmness. It's really lightweight, more like a gel cream texture that absorbs really quick. It's suitable for most skin types. It offers that immediate hydration and that bouncy feel which improves firmness over time. The key ingredients are the signal peptide complex which has nine signal peptides for collagen support, pygmy water lily stem cell extract, and soybean folic acid ferment."
"My number one recommendation by far here is the Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer. It is the simplest, most barrier friendly moisturizer you're going to find out there. It is fragrance-free, lightweight, non-comedogenic. It's ideal if your skin feels dry, tight, or irritated from any sort of other treatments or actives you're doing. The key ingredients are the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane."
"I know she's expensive, I get it, but when I tell you she is a luxury, you're going to feel like a million bucks. It is a really rich formula, it nourishes like nothing else. It is perfect for that really dry, fragile skin that loses moisture retention as we age. It will strengthen the skin barrier, helping prevent fine lines from deepening. It leaves skin visibly plumper, smoother, firmer after continued use. The cream lasts 24 months past the opening date, so it's going to last you a very long time. You need so little of it when you purchase this, it will last you a full 2 years when you open it. The key ingredients here are the Miracle Broth, which is a proprietary blend of sea kelp, minerals, and biofermented ingredients that will soothe, hydrate, and support the skin barrier. It also contains multi-size moisture spheres and Lime Tea concentrate, which is another proprietary antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals to protect the skin. La Mer just smells so amazing to me."
"I love love love the CeraVe SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy Skin. I do particularly like the cream over the lotion. It does a really good job at exfoliating and hydrating at the same time without irritating the sensitive KP skin. Salicylic acid helps unclog follicles, reducing bumpy texture. This cream is completely fragrance-free and non-irritating, which makes it really good for sensitive skin. The key ingredient is the salicylic acid, but it also contains a little bit of lactic acid and of course the ceramides. If you don't like the consistency, the thickness, or the jar of the SA cream, it also comes in the SA lotion, which is a more lightweight alternative compared to the SA cream and a little bit easier to spread, especially if you're going to use it on large body surface areas like your whole arms and legs."
"One of the newer moisturizers in this category and the one I've been using quite a bit this year is the La Roche-Posay Lipikar lotion with the urea. It really works well in locking in hydration to prevent dry flaky skin. It will strengthen the skin barrier making it more resistant to irritation. It has a lower percentage of urea compared to the other two products listed above so it's better for really everyday use and it moisturizes really nice, goes on super buttery soft. It contains urea, shea butter, glycerin, and niacinamide as well as the La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water."
"The Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream is really rich. It's really good for deep hydration and is ideal for really dry, sensitive, or even compromised skin. It helps repair and protect against moisture loss. The key ingredients are ceramides, plant oils, and fatty acids. You could even use this on top of your regular moisturizer almost like a barrier if you needed to."
"This is the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion for dry to normal sensitive skin. You want to apply this immediately after the shower, so I'll pat dry on damp skin and apply immediately. I like the lotion for face and body. My kids use this a lot because it's good head to toe. If your skin is more on the dry side or in the winter months, cream is a little bit better option, it is a little bit thicker, but the Cetaphil Lotion applies really nice. It does not have any smell to it. It spreads super easy and you can put your clothes on pretty quick. It's not sticky at all."
"This is the Versed Skin Soak Rich Moisture Cream. This stuff has squalane and red algae extract, it is amazing, it is super soft. It does not have much smell to it, it is very rich, hydrating, super moisturizing, goes well under makeup. I have most of the time used it at night underneath or on top of my tretinoin, and this has been part of my retinol sandwich method for the winter months. I would definitely repurchase this again."
"The Prequel Advanced Relief Moisturizing Milk is ideal for face and body. It will help soften and smooth and moisturize, improves dry rough flaky skin and uneven texture. It's really lightweight, absorbs really fast, almost like a silky texture. It contains Urea 10% which will help hydrate and soothe the skin and protect the skin barrier, acts as a humectant and an exfoliant. It's effective in treating dry rough and scaly skin conditions. It also contains shea butter which is a tree nut derived emollient that moisturizes and visibly improves dry compromised skin, and niacinamide or vitamin B3 which will strengthen the skin barrier and soothe the irritation."
"Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion contains a unique three-dimensional form formula that's enriched with alpha hydroxy and natural moisturizing factors and moisturizes, exfoliates, and conditions really dry, flaky skin. The key ingredient here is urea, 10% again, which will exfoliate and hydrate all at the same time. It also has ceramides which will strengthen the skin barrier."
"Neutrogena Hydro Boost, I prefer the water cream versus the gel version for this. I find the water cream to be appropriate for all skin types, whether you're dry, combination, or oily. It's so thin it really allows me to layer sunscreen on top without anything rolling off or peeling."
"This is the face cream and I just do a little dab. This stuff goes a long way. Put this all over your skin and then any excess I always use it on my hand. Love it."
"Plain CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion will get the job done. What you're trying to do is just create that barrier between the tretinoin and fresh washed skin so it creates less irritation. You're really not diluting your tretinoin here, okay, it's still going to work."
"Rhode Barrier Restore Cream is going to protect her barrier in case she has any dry patches or anything like that and seal all that in just for that perfect makeup application. [...] I always like to do a more rich cream when I'm going to get my makeup done. [...] You really only need a tiny bit in the areas where you feel like you get a little bit more dry under your makeup, and for me that's around the nose and under the eyes. My eyes are really sensitive, especially when I sleep they tear up and they get irritated, so I feel like this actually really helps me a lot. I like this."
"The active ingredient here is salicylic acid, which is a great ingredient for acne, so that part is totally fine. My problem is the grapefruit. That bright fruity scent means added fragrance, and fragrance is one of the most common causes of irritation, especially on acne prone skin that's already inflamed or already using retinoids. I see this far too often in clinic, someone washing their face twice a day with a strong fragranced acne wash and then their skin gets red and more irritated, not any more clear. If you want the salicylic acid benefit, just choose a fragrance free salicylic acid cleanser instead. Same active, none of the unnecessary irritation."
"My issue with face wipes in general is that you're basically dragging and tugging at the delicate skin around the eyes, and instead of actually washing anything away you're just smearing dissolved makeup all over your face along with the wipe's own cleansing agents, leaving a lot of residue behind. They also tend to be loaded with preservatives and fragrance to stay shelf stable, which is the last thing you want sitting on your skin all night. Are they better than nothing in a pinch on a night you're completely exhausted? Sure, as an emergency backup go for it. But as your everyday cleanse, I would skip them and use an actual cleanser or balm or oil followed by a regular water based cleanser, because your skin will thank you if you actually clean it and rinse everything off."
"La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser is one of the most recommended cleansers online, and honestly for good reason. It's really gentle and non-stripping like the Avène, but it's a true rinse-off cleanser with that soft, creamy feel that leaves skin really comfortable instead of tight. What sets it apart is that it actually supports your barrier while it cleanses, with ceramides built in. I lean towards this one for almost anyone who wants a simple, affordable, barrier-friendly daily cleanser, especially if your skin feels tight after washing, and at this price it's an incredible value for something you can use twice a day. The key ingredients are ceramides, [...] niacinamide, glycerin, and La Roche-Posay prebiotic thermal water."
"This is my first recommendation, and hands down something I'm recommending in clinic every single day: the CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide. They also have a 10% benzoyl peroxide version which I like better for body acne, but for the face, 4% wins hands down, it's all you need and there's minimal irritation. What I like about this one over your average benzoyl peroxide is that it's built around the active: it includes hyaluronic acid to retain moisture, niacinamide to calm the skin, and three essential ceramides to support the barrier, so you're not just fighting bacteria, you're actively protecting your skin while you do it. That combination makes it significantly more tolerable for people who find benzoyl peroxide washes drying. [...] Leave it on for about 30 to 60 seconds before rinsing, [...] that contact time is what separates a wash that goes down the drain from one that actually works."
"CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is really gentle and non-stripping, but the texture on the skin feels pretty different from Cetaphil. It's slightly richer, a little more cushiony, leaves like this faint hydrated feeling after rinsing that Cetaphil doesn't quite replicate. It lathers maybe a little bit, but more than Cetaphil, which some people find more satisfying when it comes to like a cleansing experience. CeraVe's cleansers are formulated around that barrier support first, which means ceramides, hyaluronic acid are in the mix even at the cleansing step. And that's what sets this apart from most drugstore options. You're reinforcing the barrier while cleansing at the same time, not just trying to avoid damaging it. I tend to lean towards this one when someone's skin feels tight after washing or is it dry year-round or maybe it's already compromised from retinoid or acne treatments. The added hydration ingredients mean that there's a noticeable softness on the skin after rinsing that makes the whole cleansing step feel more nourishing. The key ingredients here are the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin."
"The Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is [...] non-foaming, almost lotion-like, and doesn't give you that squeaky clean feeling that a lot of cleansers go for. [...] On the skin, it feels very soft, almost imperceptible. [...] Some people love it, some find that it takes a little bit getting used to because it doesn't really foam up, and it doesn't feel like it's doing much like the typical cleansers that you're used to, but it's doing it very gently. I reach for this recommendation when someone's skin reacts to everything. If your skin burns easy, gets red quickly, flares from fragrances, this is the one you reach for. It's also really good for skin that's been over exfoliated or irritated from actives, and just needs a reset period. The key ingredients here are glycerin, niacinamide, and panthenol."
"One of my favorite cleansers for mature skin is the Prequel cleanser. It's built with 50% glycerin, which is one of the most effective humectants in skincare, meaning it's going to draw water into the skin and keep it there. It also contains inulin, which is a prebiotic that helps support a healthy skin microbiome, and arginine, which is an amino acid that helps protect and repair the skin barrier while also cleansing. The result is a formula that removes makeup, excess oil, and impurities while also leaving your skin actively soft, comfortable, and balanced. Never tight, not stripped, not dry. For mature, dry or sensitive skin, that distinction matters more than most people realize."
"This is a gel-based cleanser formulated with 2% salicylic acid to help exfoliate inside the pore and reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores. It lathers well, rinses clean, helps reduce excess oil without over-drying. It's a really good pick for morning or evening use in acne routine, but I really would reserve these for oily skin. It's best for that comedonal acne, meaning you have the blackheads, whiteheads, bumpy skin texture. Ideal for that oily skin that needs pore clearing without irritation. The key ingredient is salicylic acid, glycerin, and lipohydroxy acid, also known as LHA, which is a derivative of salicylic acid and has exfoliating and skin renewing properties."
"This is definitely one of my go-to cleansers if you want something that's going to do a good job at taking off your sunscreen and your makeup, but it's also going to protect your skin barrier. In your 30s and 40s, over-cleansing is one of the fastest ways to increase your dryness, irritation, and break down your skin barrier, especially if you're using retinoids. So, this cleanser is going to give you that clean feeling without the squeaky-clean stripping feeling. [...] It's going to cleanse without stripping your skin's moisture, which is going to be essential for maintaining the healthy barrier. I think it works really well for all skin types, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin, and it's really gentle and really effective. The key ingredients here are ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids."
"The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel is probably one of those if you want more of a gel texture or if you have more combination skin, I think it's a good option or even if you're oily. It feels really lightweight, but it's still going to hydrate, which is going to make it really nice if you're oily or combination but still dealing with dehydration. It's really easy to apply. It's really lightweight cleansing gel, foams really nice, easy to spread. It does a good job at removing your makeup and your sunscreen, also hydrating at the same time. The key ingredient here is the hyaluronic acid for that lightweight hydration."
"I love the Garnier Skin Active Micellar Water. It is super gentle. It removes that makeup, sunscreen impurities without leaving greasy residue. Great for all skin types, especially sensitive skin, as it requires no rinsing or scrubbing whatsoever. I love it for first cleanse, preparing the skin for that deeper second cleanse. I've gone through bottles and bottles of this. I love the one with the pink cap because it's really good for even the most sensitive skin. Also, it does not irritate my eyes at all. The key ingredients are micelles, which pick up that dirt and oil from your skin and the glycerin."
"My first recommendation for a double cleanse is the Versed Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm, it's absolutely perfect. It's an affordable balm that transforms into this silky creamy texture. It removes your makeup and SPF, rinses completely clean without leaving any residue. The nourishing oils help keep your skin balanced and comfortable. It does have a little bit of a scent, it has eucalyptus and clove leaf oils that provide that refreshing spa-like scent. The key ingredients in the original formula are the eucalyptus oil, the clove leaf oil, and the vitamin E."
"The Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Gentle PHA Exfoliating Cleanser is a gentle exfoliating cleanser designed to brighten dull skin while remaining suitable for daily use. It uses PHAs, or polyhydroxy acids, which exfoliate even slower than traditional exfoliating acids, making it appropriate for even mature, sensitive, dry skin that wants mild resurfacing without irritation. The key ingredients are PHA, or the polyhydroxy acids, niacinamide, and glycerin."
"If you're somebody with oily skin and you want to use a beta hydroxy acid, I would recommend the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser. This provides really gentle exfoliation without any harsh micro beads, no physical scrubbing whatsoever. It combines that salicylic acid with ceramides to maintain the skin's protective barrier while softening and smoothing the skin. It also includes hydrating and calming ingredients to prevent over-drying or irritation even with regular use. The key ingredients here are the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and salicylic acid."
"Eleus Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm, the OG, the yellow one. This is my favorite way to start winding down for the night. It literally melts off my SPF, any mascara, eyeshadow, anything like that. It removes it all. You apply your cleansing balm on dry skin. [...] As soon as I hop in the shower, I'll apply some to my dry face and really massage it in really good. Then you add a little bit of water, it turns into this really luxurious, milky texture, and then rinses off beautifully. [...] For the first cleanser to really get into the pores and really melt everything off, it's just absolutely something completely different. It really melts all my dirt, makeup, excess oil, anything. Leaves my skin feeling super hydrated and soft and refreshed. I find this cleansing balm to be suitable for any skin type, especially if you're dry, mature. I'm in my mid-40s, so over 40, the skin is very sensitive and a little bit more on the compromised barrier side."
"I love double cleansing and I am particularly lowkey addicted to Elmus cleansing balm. I have the original. I finished the black cherry. I love them both."
"My first recommendation is the Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser. You can use this morning or evening. This is Derm's favorite brand for sensitive skin, hands down. It's one of the most stripped back formulas on the market. It's a gel cleanser that foams lightly, but it's free from anything that can trigger irritation. There's no dyes, fragrances, parabens, sulfates, or formaldehyde releasers. It's really good for that sensitive skin, allergy prone or reactive skin. It is an excellent choice for those with sensitivities or undergoing any sort of topical treatments. If you're undergoing acne treatment and your actives are irritating you, you want to pick a gentle cleanser. This is a really good one. It also has seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association. So it's really good for the most sensitive eczema skin. The key ingredients are cocamidopropyl betaine, a mild surfactant that gently cleanses without irritation. It also contains glycerin and purified water."
"My next cleanser recommendation is the Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser. Also can be used morning or evening. It's a silky creamy cleanser formulated with oat extract and feverfew to soothe and hydrate while gently removing impurities. It's not foaming and is designed to reduce visible redness with continued use. It's really best for that red, blotchy, irritated, sensitive skin. It's also very helpful for post-procedure care or barrier repair routines for any type of sensitive compromised skin. The key ingredients here are colloidal oatmeal, feverfew extract, and glycerin."
"My next recommendation here is the Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash. This one's really deep cleansing foaming formula. Effectively removes any excess oil impurities. It's pretty good at taking makeup off, too. It's clinically proven to remove up to 99% of excess oil without overdrying. It helps reduce shine while soothing and calming the irritated skin. It's also pH balanced to support healthy looking skin barrier. The key ingredients are glycerin and zinc gluconate."
"CeraVe acne foaming wash comes in 4% and 10%. If you're somebody with sensitive skin, consider starting with 4%, but for like back acne or maybe the buttock areas, the 10% might work better."
"This one's really cool. It thoroughly cleanses while protecting the skin barrier. It's lightweight gel texture removes dirt and oil without any irritation. It's perfect for sensitive skin, good for acne prone skin also post-retinol recovery. The key ingredients here are ceramides, the patented BL3 complex, ectoine, chamomile and moisturizers. This one goes on really good after your cleansing balm. So you can pair those two perfectly together."
"I tend to use my micellar water and Bioderma has been my go-to lately. I [...] love this, it's almost out. I put this on a cotton round and kind of wipe my face, especially around the eyes to make sure I remove all that nighttime skincare routine. I always make sure I go down my neck and chest."
"This cleansing balm is my favorite way to start winding down for the night. It melts on my skin, removes all traces of makeup, SPF, impurities from the day without stripping any of my skin's moisture. This luxurious texture turns my evening cleanse into a self-care ritual. Some of the key ingredients here are things like English Rose oil extract, Elderberry oil, Padina pavonica, these all help give it that nice buttery soft moisturizing texture that does an amazing job of taking makeup off. You're supposed to apply it with clean hands, dry hands to dry face. You take this balm, rub it on your entire face. I love it for the eye makeup. You put it on completely dry skin, rub it in, feel it melt, then add a little bit of water to help it kind of lather."
"My second cleanser at the moment is the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser. This has no actives in it but it does such a good job at removing all makeup, especially any leftover mascara. It removes all the oil from my T-zone but does not leave me dry. It is ideal for normal to oily skin types, it helps maintain skin barrier, and it removes all the makeup and oil and grease from my skin without stripping any of the natural oils. Some of the key ingredients in it are things like ceramides which will help hydrate, niacinamide to help soothe the skin, glycerin, glycerin is so good at hydrating, it's a natural humectant, it just keeps the moisture in your skin, and of course the La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Spring Water, this is the soothing water that is sourced from a town called Laroche B in France and it's in all of La Roche-Posay's products. It's rich in minerals, trace elements, and selenium which is a natural antioxidant."
"If you suffer from inflammatory acne so you have those red bumps your best second cleanser is going to be something with benzoyl peroxide in it the most popular brand here is PanOxyl it comes in 5 and 10%"
"The first thing I do is this cleanser. What I love about this is it's really light but it just takes off all of the makeup. It's really gentle. It feels clean but gentle."
"The Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum is very similar in idea to the Génifique ferment and hyaluronic acid serum that hydrates, smooths, and gives you that plumped, well-rested look. It's also a little bit cheaper than the Lancôme, which is worth noting, but not really by much. You're still spending quite a bit, and it's still considered a luxury product. The formula also folds in peptides to reverse some of the signs of aging. If you like that ritual of a beautiful feel of the nighttime serum, this one is going to deliver."
"The Lancôme Advanced Génifique serum is a genuinely lovely serum. It's lightweight, sinks in beautifully, leaves your skin feeling really hydrated, bouncy, and a little more radiant. That cosmetic elegance is a big part of what you're paying for, and Lancôme does it really well. It's hydrating and supporting your barrier with a ferment, hyaluronic acid, and a vitamin C derivative. It's a really nice, gentle everyday step. Just don't expect any sort of resurfacing or dramatically firm skin the way a true active like a retinoid or exfoliating acid would give you."
"The Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharge Complex is hydrating, it's a smoothing eye cream with that slightly cooling gel cream feel that a lot of people find refreshing in the morning. It layers really well under concealer. It can help depuff the look of the area temporarily. It's priced right in line with Lancôme. Go with Estée Lauder if your priority is overnight repair and hydration and you love that cooling gel cream texture."
"The Estée Lauder Revitalizing Supreme Plus Youth Power Cream is a bit lighter and more universally wearable with that soft whipped texture that works for even normal to combination skin. It hydrates really well, gives a nice radiant finish, and layers really nice under makeup. This is better for that everyday lighter hydration that's slightly on the friendlier price side."
"The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% plus HA is affordable, it's only about 11 bucks, and it's a really lightweight water-based serum that layers easily under your moisturizer or even under your retinoid. It packs in two different forms of Matrixyl, which is why it punches well above its price, and it's about as low-drama and beginner-friendly as collagen peptide gets. It promotes firmer, more plumper-looking skin, with Matrixyl 3000, Matrixyl Synthe'6, and hyaluronic acid to help plump."
"Hibiclens, or chlorhexidine wash, is one of the most frequently used products in clinical dermatology, we use it in clinic as a pre-surgical scrub to clean skin before skin cancer surgeries. The active ingredient is chlorhexidine gluconate, a powerful antiseptic that kills a broad range of bacteria on contact, which is why hospitals and surgeons use it before procedures. Dermatologists reach for it consistently for patients dealing with recurrent skin infections. I use it for body acne and folliculitis on the back, chest, and shoulders, never on the face since it can be toxic to the eyes or ears. It's part of the treatment protocol for patients who get recurrent boils or staph infections, and it's great for stinky armpits. I dilute it one part Hibiclens to one part water because it can be very drying, and I put it in an old foam dispenser since I like the foaming action, though that's a personal preference, not a fact. I don't use it under my arms every night, maybe a couple times a week, and I never apply it to mucosal areas, only the outside skin. Besides dilution, I use it two to three times a week, definitely after workouts, leaving it on for a minute or two before rinsing."
"I've used Tatcha for probably a couple years now and they make some of my favorite hydrating essentials. I like their essence. It's really lightweight, absorbs really quickly. It preps my skin for the serums and treatments that follow. It kind of helps boost your skincare treatment with its 100% hadasei, it's like a trio of fermented Japanese superfoods. They're going to help hydrate, resurface, soften, and plump your skin. It definitely helps me hydrate and plump the skin. I apply my vitamin C on top of it. It really helps prep the skin for my next step. It helps improve some of the absorption of the other products in your routine as well. So if you're somebody who is perimenopausal or postmenopausal, this might be a good one to introduce. The key ingredients here are the Akita rice, the Okinawa algae, and the Uji green tea."
"They have lactic acid. So I love exfoliation for the 40s, but if you have sensitive skin, lactic acid is going to be your jam. It is a relatively big molecule, so it's not going to penetrate and irritate your skin. It's going to be really gentle, suitable for really daily exfoliation. It comes in these really easy to use pads you can just kind of wipe off and throw away. They're not harsh. They're not scrubbing anything off. The lactic acid here helps refine the pores, brighten uneven tone, and soften those really fine lines without any harshness to the skin. It's ideal for those who want consistent exfoliation, but are really sensitive to a lot of the exfoliating acids, especially like glycolic and salicylic acid. The key ingredients here are the patented tri-enzyme technology, the lactic acid, and the probiotic ferment complex."
"My other recommendation for brand in the adapalene 0.1% category is definitely the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo. This is similar formula to adapalene from different gel but it's a little bit gentler base with that soothing thermal water from La Roche-Posay."
"This is the SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2. This one replenishes essential skin lipids like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids in the exact proportions that are in your skin. It has that optimal ratio to restore the healthy barrier. It leaves your skin really nice and plump and smooth and nourished. It just feels heavenly on your skin. The key ingredients are 2% ceramides, 4% cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids."
"My recommendation for neck peptide is the Alastin Restorative Neck Complex with Triex technology. This one helps stimulate collagen and elastin production and can possibly visibly tighten sagging skin if used consistently. It can help brighten skin tone and reduce crepiness with antioxidants. It helps hydrate really nicely with no greasiness and no sticky feeling. It's really ideal for daily use. The key ingredients here are the Triex technology which is a proprietary blend of peptides and active ingredients. It has phytoine and phytoluine and flax seed extract."
"This is a vitamin C serum. If you are somebody with acne prone skin and you want to use vitamin C serum, this is a great one because it has those anti-aging benefits of vitamin C and antioxidants, which increase potency of your sunscreen, but also helps with post acne marks and active breakouts. It's a super lightweight, fast absorbing serum with 10% pure vitamin C. It gently refines skin texture and brightens without being greasy. It also contains a little bit of salicylic acid for that mild exfoliation. And it does smell really nice. The key ingredients here are 12% ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, and niacinamide."
"I find it really nice as a primer if you're going to wear under makeup or really I have worn it just by itself. Now by itself right now in the summer it makes me a little bit lighter than I'd like to be, so you're going to have to add a bronzer or something to it because it's tinted sunscreen. It has the iron oxide, so it's going to do a really good job protecting from that visible light and blue light. It is non-comedogenic. What I like about it is that it's pure mineral sunscreen. For those with rosacea, it will be a little bit easier on that super sensitive skin. This one's going to be very mattifying, a little bit more blurring, better for a little bit lighter skin types or those who are really oily and want something that is more mattifying or as a makeup primer."
"The results are fantastic. Most of my patients do really really well with just two treatments spaced one month apart, sometimes I'll do a third treatment and then everyone does maintenance. The maintenance for the lasers is once a year, but the maintenance at home is your vitamin C or antioxidant serum every morning and sunscreen every single morning. [...] This is my favorite laser by far. It's one of the ones we've had in a practice for seven or eight years now. It helps with redness, it helps with rosacea, and it is incredibly effective, way way way more effective than IPL or BBL for redness. I've seen it make a huge difference in any patient with a vascular concern. You can also treat those little cherry angiomas, the little red moles that you get on your body, and that's typically just one treatment."
"SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF is specifically designed for oily acne prone skin. It has vitamin C with silymarin, which is the milk thistle extract to reduce the oiliness and prevent oxidation of the sebum, which is a key factor in breakouts. It also has a little bit of salicylic acid to help exfoliate and keep pores clean. The key ingredients are 15% [L-ascorbic] acid, the silymarin, and the salicylic acid. It's a little bit on the pricey side, but SkinCeuticals does their studies, so totally worth the splurge."
"I personally have the ZIIP Halo 2.0. It delivers nano and microcurrent technology to help lift and firm the skin. It's clinically tested to improve the facial contour and muscle tone within four weeks. It will help increase the ATP, which is your cellular energy, by up to 500%, which will further help support collagen synthesis. It also will enhance some lymphatic drainage, reducing puffiness and promoting that sculpted look. You can use it anywhere from four to twelve minutes per day depending on which type of treatment you pick. It comes with an app that you can put on your phone and it really teaches you how to do it, it's pretty easy. I've done several treatments and I really like them all. It works best when used consistently, and by consistently I mean three to five times per week, in addition to your skincare, not on its own. So if you're somebody who already has all the skincare and you're looking for something to add, this might be a good one. But if you're somebody who struggles at finding time to do all these things, starting the at home devices may not be right for you."
"You never want to apply silicone to like an open wound but they have to be pretty fresh scars so you would want to start silicone as soon as your sutures are removed if this is a surgical scar or as soon as your skin has healed over if it's from a scrape or a burn and heal over meaning there's no opening on there whatsoever. Silicone helps flatten soften and fade scars by improving the hydration and helping regulate the collagen production. An example of this is the Scar Away sheets. These can be found in your local drugstores."
"The SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF is 100% my jam. It is a potent antioxidant serum designed to protect against free radicals and environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays. It will help even out skin tone, reduce discoloration, and enhance skin radiance. It's specifically formulated for more of an oily to combination skin, making it a great alternative to what I consider stinky C Ferulic, but if you have really dry skin, C Ferulic might be better for you. [...] The key ingredients in this one are 2% Phloretin, which is derived from apples and the bark of fruit trees like pear and grapefruit. The Phloretin helps neutralize damaging free radicals, aids cell turnover, and improves the appearance of discoloration. This also has 10% pure vitamin C, which is L-ascorbic acid. This is a very potent antioxidant. It protects against oxidative stress, brightens the skin, provides visible anti-aging benefits. And it has 0.5% ferulic acid, which is a plant-based antioxidant that enhances the stability and efficacy of vitamin C and E while neutralizing free radicals."
"SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense combines the tranexamic acid, niacinamide, and all those together will give you a perfect concoction for brightening and clarity."
"Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD contains a prostaglandin analog. These compounds can be found in some of the popular brands like Grande Cosmetics GrandeLASH-MD, Babe Lash, and Revia Lash. If those are the risks that you are aware of and you want to avoid them, maybe get that lash serum out and check it against the list to make sure it doesn't contain a prostaglandin analog."
"While effective, these serums have several risks and it is really for every individual to decide if these are the risks that they're willing to take or not. One of the really common side effects are things like irritation and redness. About 4% of users experience redness or itching around the lash line. While this number seems really low, I'm a perfect example of that. I have used the prescription and developed significant itching, redness of the eyelid, and redness of the white part of my eye. I just really could not tolerate it. Another side effect is hyperpigmentation, which is where the skin around the lash line gets darker, though this usually resolves after you stop the serum. Another more serious side effect is things like periorbital fat loss, which is around your eyes. This is very rare but it can be concerning, where fat around the eyes diminishes and can create more of a hollowed appearance, almost makes you look like you're older than your actual age. Another side effect, also really rare but not amazing, is changing the eye color. This is more common in patients with lighter eyes and there's a risk of permanent darkening of the iris."
"I love the Weleda Skin Food and it's so creamy and rich so you really only need a tiny bit in the areas where I feel like I get a little bit more dry under my makeup and for me that's around the nose that's under the eyes my eyes are really sensitive especially when I sleep they tear up and they get irritated so I feel like this actually really helps me a lot I like this."
"Botox, Dysport, Daxxify, Xeomin, Juveau, those are called neuromodulators. They paralyze the muscle and yes you have less movement, but it can be done very naturally so the lines don't get deeper."
"Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo sits in my shower permanently. Most people buy it for dandruff and slowly realize it's quietly treating three other things at the same time. The active ingredient is ketoconazole 1%, an antifungal that targets yeast overgrowth on the scalp and skin, which can trigger dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, tinea versicolor, and even fungal acne along the hairline that doesn't respond to regular acne treatment. A lot of people have chronic forehead, hairline, chest, or back breakouts they've been treating as regular acne for years when it's actually yeast driven, so if your acne isn't responding to acne treatments, you have to try it. Besides the scalp, I'd use it as short contact therapy on the chest and back, applying it to a rash, letting it sit a few minutes, then washing it off, for fungal acne or tinea versicolor. Around the hairline, eyebrows, sides of the nose, or beard area it's perfect for seborrheic dermatitis, and there's emerging evidence it can support a healthier scalp environment that indirectly supports hair growth alongside topical minoxidil. One caveat: it's not a daily shampoo, it can be too drying if overused. I personally use it maybe twice a week, or a couple times a week if I have chest or back acne, but using it every single day can dry out your hair and skin."
"The first recommendation is of course the Head & Shoulders Classic Clean or really any flavor you want. It controls mild dandruff, balances oil production without stripping the hair. It's best for your everyday flake prevention and general scalp maintenance. It does help reduce scalp itchiness and irritation. The key ingredient is pyrithium zinc. It's going to minimize the inflammation and the yeast."
"The CeraVe hydrating anti-dandruff shampoo treats dandruff while restoring moisture and supporting the scalp barrier. It's really best for dry, flaky scalp that needs extra hydration. I have oily scalp and kind of fine hair, and I absolutely love this one. It's also friendly to colored hair and it's good for teens and it has zero fragrance whatsoever. The key ingredients here are zinc pyrithione, ceramides, and niacinamide."
"The Vanicream Free and Clear Hair Shampoo is an extremely gentle shampoo formulated for the most sensitive scalp. It is completely fragrance free, dye free, formaldehyde releasers free, and it doesn't really have any common irritants. So I find it ideal for patients with eczema, contact dermatitis, or super reactive scalp. It can be used daily without disrupting the scalp barrier. The key ingredients are really mild surfactants and glycerin."
"The L'Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo is completely sulfate-free formula for those who that's important to. It removes all the buildup while remaining really gentler than some of your traditional clarifying shampoos. It's also suitable for color-treated hair. It removes product buildup and hard water exposure to restore strands. It's formulated with antioxidants, vitamin C, and glycine."
"The Dove 10-in-1 Bond Strength Serum Mask is a really intensive repair mask designed to strengthen, protect hair bonds from damage. It provides 10 benefits including deep hydration, frizz control, improved hair resilience. It helps reduce breakage and split ends while also enhancing smoothness and shine. It's really ideal for damaged, overprocessed, or even color treated hair. Leaves your hair really, really soft and healthy looking. The key ingredients are bioprotein care infused with peptides, glycerin and silk."
"My first recommendation here, and the one that I have in my hair right now, is the OGX Bond Protein Repair Heat Protectant. I've talked about this one many times. You guys know about it. I love the price. I love how it goes on. After you spray your hair, make sure you let it sit just a little bit cuz you want that to completely dry. It does such a good job at shielding your hair from heat damage. It helps maintain that smoothness during styling. Also helps support bond strength while protecting the cuticle. The key ingredients here are those bond building proteins."
"My favorite Dry Shampoo is so cheap. It's the Batiste. And I like the one with a little bit of color. I think mine says brunette. If I get the dark brown, it's just way too dark. I'm very particular on the scent of it, if you will. I like the tinted one because unlike those traditional ones that can sometimes leave white residue, this one's pretty tinted. It's perfect. The tint helps the product blend more seamlessly into the scalp, especially if you have darker hair where white residues can be more noticeable. I have spent twenty, thirty dollars on a bottle of Dry Shampoo and I keep going back to my Batiste. The key ingredient in this Dry Shampoo is the rice starch."
"For bond repair, I love the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. This is not your typical deep conditioner. It's a biomimetic hair treatment that repairs broken hair chains at a molecular level and restores the strength and elasticity. It works in just 4 minutes to help reverse the damage from bleaching, coloring, heat, or any chemical treatments. Unlike traditional bonding treatments, K18 permanently reconnects keratin chains for lasting damage repair. The key ingredient is the K18 peptide, which is a patented peptide that mimics natural hair structure to rebuild keratin proteins."
"The Vegamour GRO+ Advanced Hair Serum is designed to help support the scalp and improve the appearance of hair density. It helps hair look fuller and healthier over time with consistent use. No, it does not grow new hair, but it can help support hair follicle function. It's best used as part of a long-term routine. The key ingredients here are the phytoactives, which are plant-derived ingredients aimed at supporting scalp health. It has some peptides which help support the hair follicle environment and also antioxidants which will help protect the scalp from oxidative stress."
"My next favorite ingredient to look for is selenium sulfide. This one can be stinky sometimes, but I absolutely love the efficacy of it. It works by slowing down the yeast overgrowth and reducing inflammation within the hair follicle. This can be especially helpful for people whose fungal acne flares when there is sweating and humidity. A common brand I love for here is Selsun Blue. You can also get the Niserol shampoo in the navy blue bottle. And just like shampoo, this can be used as a short contact wash rather than a leave-on product. Apply it, let it sit 3 to 5 minutes, then hop in the shower and rinse it off."
"Head & Shoulders offers that zinc based anti-dandruff shampoo that can be used very similarly to the other two with the short contact therapy leaving it on and then rinsing off in the shower. This is one of those really good ones where it's not going to have any funky smell and you have so many different options as to which flavor of it you want if you will. They all smell a little bit differently. They all work just a little bit differently, but the active ingredient is exactly the same."
"My favorite hair dryer is the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer. I know it can be pricey and honestly I do have the Dyson Air Wrap 2 but I prefer the hair dryer and hair dryer is cheaper than the Air Wrap. The hair dries really fast while minimizing the hair damage with the Dyson hair dryer. It helps reduce the frizz. It protects against overheating. It's great for any hair type especially those who are prone to frizz."
"I love this hair towel. It's really soft, gentle on hair to prevent any breakage. It helps reduce frizz and absorb excess water really quickly. It's really good for any hair type but especially if your hair is curly or damaged."
"I'll also love their Leave-in Conditioner. It is super lightweight formula. So if you're somebody who has fine hair like me and you don't want to weigh down this one's perfect. It hydrates and smooths hair without weighing it down. It protects the hair from environmental damage as well as heat styling. It's really good for any type but especially if your hair is dry or frizzy. The key ingredients in this one are Sububaki seed oil and [panthenol]."
"What I love about it the most is the fact that I don't have to spray it so I don't feel like I'm inhaling any of it. It's really lightweight. It's a non-aerosol Dry Shampoo that refreshes your hair without any buildup. There's also no white cast despite me having brown hair. This goes on just fine in the morning if you need to apply it, or the way your Dry Shampoo should go in at night time. But if you don't remember to apply it at night, this one will not leave you any white powdery cast. You apply it just where you need it. It absorbs the oil, adds volume and texture for that freshly styled look. It comes in this refillable container making it more sustainable than traditional dry shampoos. I love it for travel. I love it for everyday. It's great for any type, but especially if you're like me, you have that really fine oily hair that needs to be refreshed in between washes. The key ingredients are tapioca starch, kaolin clay, and tsubaki seed oil."
"If you don't have a lot of inflammation and you just have flakes in your scalp and you have very oily scalp, adding in an antifungal with salicylic acid is so so important. Salicylic acid is an active ingredient that helps exfoliate the top layer of the scalp so it will eliminate any flakes and dead skin cells that you have. Neutrogena salicylic acid shampoo with 3% salicylic acid is a perfect example. I always recommend using medicated shampoo at least 2 to 3 times per week. It's important to leave it on your scalp for about 3 to 5 minutes before you rinse it off."
"I have personally used the Rogaine brand and I have applied the foam at bedtime and not had a problem with greasy hair the next morning at all. I have really fine hair that gets greasy really easy and I have not found this to be a problem at all. [...] I do recommend 5% for women as well. I think 5% is much superior to the 2%. The minoxidil will work really well on androgenetic alopecia. It will also help with telogen effluvium if you're somebody whose hair is falling out from stress and you just can't wait for it to stop falling out and new hair to grow, this will help. Also if you have alopecia areata or there's little circular patches of hair loss from stress, it will help all three of those types. With every treatment for hair loss you need to be patient. It can take four to six months to start seeing significant improvement in hair growth. Yes, if you do stop using minoxidil, the hair that grew because of minoxidil will probably go back to what it was before. This is the case for androgenetic alopecia, but if you are using it for telogen effluvium or if you're using it for alopecia areata where the underlying cause of hair loss is not an ongoing process rather it's an acute process, then you will not need to use Rogaine forever."
"Others to consider are Head and Shoulders, Selsun Blue, and Nizoral Anti-dandruff Shampoo. The active ingredients to look for are pyrithione zinc, selenium sulfide, or ketoconazole. Dandruff shampoos are important to control scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff, to reduce inflammation which can harm hair follicles, and that will help clear all the buildup that may be blocking the hair growth."
"RevitaLash is one of the popular brands where these compounds, prostaglandin analogs, can be found. It's not to say that they're bad, but if those are risks you're aware of and want to avoid, get that lash serum out and check it against the list to make sure it doesn't contain a prostaglandin analog."
"This is an accessible beginner friendly way to start a retinoid, which is the gold standard ingredient for smoothing texture and softening lines over time. It works by speeding up cell turnover and signaling your skin to produce more collagen. Over the counter retinol is going to be gentler and slower than a prescription retinoid, so I don't want you expecting overnight miracles, but as an affordable entry point it's a really good and reasonable place to begin. If you're new to it, start slow, maybe a couple nights a week, give your skin time to adjust, and always pair it with sunscreen in the morning."
"This is the best one for acne. This is Differin, or really any brand of adapalene gel 0.1%. It's one you've been waiting for, and it generally might be one of the best dollar for dollar buys in all of skin care. Adapalene used to require prescription. Back in my training, I was finishing residency, and this was still prescription, and now it's over the counter. Adapalene is a true retinoid, not a retinol derivative. It's an actual retinoid, and it was prescription for a long time, but now you can get over the counter for like 20 bucks. That's a really big deal. It works by targeting clogged pores, calming inflammation, preventing new breakouts at the source, while also helping smooth your texture, fade those post-acne marks over time. It's more stable and often less irritating than prescription tretinoin, which makes it a strong, long-term option for active acne. So, if acne's your primary concern, this one beats every other retinol on this list. It's not even a close call."
"This is what I call a smart getaway retinol, and I mean that as a genuine compliment. The strongest retinol in the world isn't going to help you if you quit after a week because of redness and peeling. Tolerability and consistency will always beat potency if you can't stick with it, and this formula is built exactly for that. It uses a dual retinoid system. It has retinol plus retinyl propionate paired with peptides and a solid amount of niacinamide that buffers irritation without blunting the results. So you get real anti-aging benefits without feeling like your skin has been through something. The texture is really hydrating. The product is completely fragrance-free, absorbs easy, which makes it the kind of a thing you actually look forward to using at night instead of dreading it. For anyone who's been intimidated by stronger retinols, or if you've tried retinol once and had a bad experience and you're ready to give it another shot, this is the way back in."
"My next recommendation is the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. It's formulated with pure retinol. It works overnight to help reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles. It's not greasy. It's very hydrating. Makes it a really good starter retinol for mature skin. It's clinically proven to show visible improvement in 12 weeks when used consistently. The key ingredients in this one are the RoC Retinol and Squalane."
"The Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Hour Night Moisturizer [...] is a light cream that hydrates skin without feeling too thick, without leaving any greasy residue. It combines that hydration with a gentle retinoid blend to help improve fine lines, texture, and dullness overnight. There's no irritation with it because it's very gently formulated. It hydrates deeply while also promoting that smoother, brighter skin over time. It's best for dry, dull, mature skin types who are looking for a beginner-friendly retinol moisturizer, so something that's going to nourish, strengthen skin barrier, and also support collagen production. The key ingredients are the retinoid complex containing retinol and retinyl propionate, niacinamide, and amino peptide."
"The Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is a stabilized retinol formula available in progressive strengths, allowing you to ladder it up yourself as your skin builds tolerance. It's known for its elegant hydrating texture, fast results without excessive irritation. It's often described as that sweet spot between retinol and retinoid. The key ingredient is the encapsulated retinaldehyde, which is one conversion step away from retinoic acid. It also contains hyaluronic acid to help hydration and plumping, vitamin E, glycerin, and shea butter to help maintain hydration with the retinol."
"Altreno lotion, this is the 0.05%. It's a little bit newer hydrating formula. Really well tolerated. I do have this prescription. I like it. It spreads really nice."
"This is going to be best for really sensitive skin or anyone just beginning with vitamin A and wanting a really gentle introduction. A great example of a product in this category is A313. This is a pommade. It's a classic French pharmacy product that contains retinyl esters only, no pure retinol. It's now available at Ulta, whereas it used to only be available overseas. It's a really gentle, beginner-friendly retinoid. It uses vitamin A ester, which is used instead of pure retinol. It still gives you a smooth texture and it still enhances radiance, and it will help support gradual skin renewal. It's a thicker emollient ointment base, so it's going to help with some of the irritation or dryness if you're somebody who's really sensitive to retinols. The key ingredients are retinol palmitate and tocopherol, or vitamin E."
"My two favorites are going to be RoC Retinol and the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum. They're both going to be very affordable, very gentle, accessible. You can find them at your local Target or Walmart. Retinoids work by improving the uneven tone and texture from sun exposure. They're going to help reduce the look of post-inflammatory marks and hyperpigmentation. And they're both gentle enough for beginners."
"The Murad Retinol Resculpt Eye Treatment is a pretty powerful eye cream with encapsulated Retinol for lifting, firming, and tightening the eye area. It reduces lines and wrinkles in as little as one week, boosts elasticity, and improves sagging for a more youthful look. It's designed for minimal irritation with a targeted delivery system. The key ingredients here are encapsulated retinol and ginseng root extract."
"My product recommendation here could be Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream Serum. This comes in two different strengths, the 0.5% and the 0.1%. Both formulations are designed to combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The retinaldehyde is a little bit gentler form of vitamin A that's ideal for beginners. It's effective in addressing fine lines and wrinkles without the irritation often associated with the stronger retinoids, making it great for sensitive skin. Plus, because it's just one step away from active retinoic acid, it delivers results quickly while helping prevent early signs of aging, keeping skin smoother and firmer over time. The key ingredient here is retinaldehyde, a potent next-generation retinoid that directly converts to retinoic acid, effectively addressing signs of aging and improving skin texture. It also contains fermented oligopeptides which help surface to smooth skin texture and brighten the skin. These help to fade the appearance of dark spots, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and overall give smoother appearance. It also contains paradot mineral extract which is rich in magnesium and helps reenergize fatigued and stressed skin. The active niosome complex fights oxidative stress and increases skin hydration, helps smooth skin texture and increases radiance."
"The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane uses a moderate concentration of retinol to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and boost collagen production. The addition of squalane will help hydrate and soothe, reducing the potential for irritation. The key ingredient is of course retinol 0.5%, which helps accelerate skin cell turnover, enhancing skin texture and reducing signs of aging. Squalane is a non-greasy oil that will hydrate the skin, improving its resilience while minimizing irritation often associated with retinol use."
"A good place to start with retinol is L'Oreal Revitalift 0.3% Pure Retinol Night Serum. I love that it has percentage in there, which not a lot of retinols do. Over the counter, it's in a $35 range, so not too expensive. It works by smoothing fine lines and wrinkles by exfoliating the top layer of the skin, increasing cell turnover rate, and stimulating collagen production. It doesn't work fast, you really need to use it for minimum three to four weeks, ideally eight weeks, to start seeing improvement in your fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to improving fine lines and wrinkles, retinols when exfoliating the top layer of the skin will help improve texture and hyperpigmentation. I think this particular retinol is appropriate for all skin types, even the most sensitive. Besides retinol, the L'Oreal night serum also contains things like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which will help draw moisture and plump the skin and minimize some of the irritation that you may experience with a retinol."
"There's a variety of retinols. If you start over the counter, there's La Roche-Posay, they have really good retinols. They're going to be the mildest category [...] retinol. Really the brand on the front doesn't matter as much as the active ingredient."
"It has the same 1% colloidal oatmeal for the active and also has the ceramides for support, but the real difference maker here is licochalcone A, a licorice root extract that helps calm redness and irritation. The texture is a touch richer than the Aveeno, and it's also very well tolerated for daily use, including on kids. For patients whose eczema shows up more angry and red, that licorice root addition can help calm down some of that inflammation, and the price per ounce tends to run a little friendlier too. I like Eucerin for redness because you're going to really soothe the inflammation down with the licorice root."
"This is your classic, there's a reason for it. It's been on shelves for decades. It's a super lightweight, non-greasy lotion built around prebiotic colloidal oat and rich in emollients. It absorbs really quickly and leaves skin feeling soft instead of coated. It's completely fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and about as easy to use head to toe as a lotion gets. This is probably my safe answer for almost everyone, normal to dry skin, itchy winter skin, kids, the patient who tells me they hate the feeling of lotion. If your skin is basically fine and you just need consistent daily moisture, then this one does the job beautifully. The honest caveat is that if your skin is severely dry, cracked, or flaky, this one may not be enough on its own."
"It combines ceramides, urea, and some other natural moisturizing factors, so it's not just laying moisture on top of your skin, it's actually replenishing the things a dry compromised barrier is usually missing. For how rich it is, it absorbs pretty fast. It's completely unscented, so I tend to reach for this one when someone shows me legitimately dry skin, flaky, rough texture, that ashy look, and tightness after the shower. This is the lotion that treats it rather than covering it up. One small heads-up, if you apply anything with urea in it onto cracked or broken skin, it can sting a little bit, so make sure you heal any raw skin first before using urea-containing lotions."
"I'm going to pick Gold Bond Age Renew Retinol Overnight Body Lotion. We really tend to forget about our body, neck, chest, arms, legs area and this is definitely my top pick for this. The neck, chest, arms and hands show signs of aging just as much as the face and most people apply nothing to those areas. This is one of my favorite affordable body retinoids because it combines retinol with deep hydration in a formula that's genuinely pleasant to use nightly. It's especially helpful for that crepey texture, dullness and loss of firmness in areas where skin renewal tends to slow down first. The formula is gentle enough to apply over large surface areas without causing irritation, which can actually be a real problem with body retinoids if the formula isn't designed for it. The key ingredients here are the stabilized retinol, peptide complex, niacinamide and shea butter."
"I'm using the Aveeno Skin Relief Oat Body Wash with coconut scent. I do like a little bit of scent in my body wash and I've been using this [...] because the smell is just beautiful and it's still good for sensitive skin. It's not going to irritate you, it's not like you smell like coconut the rest of the night. It just gives me that luxurious experience. I think this cleanser is a great everyday option, especially if your skin leans dry or sensitive. It does have that colloidal oatmeal, so it's going to help soothe the skin and support the barrier, which is really important in maintaining hydration."
"It effectively cleanses the body, and it's also a really good option for washing hands, providing hydration and care while cleaning at the same time. I absolutely love body washes that can double as a face wash or a hand wash. The versatility of these is so easy because you can just keep one in the shower, keep it on your sink, it will get the job done. It's a must-have product in our household, particularly during those harsh winter months when skin is really prone to dryness and irritation. The key ingredient here is going to be the glycerin, keeping your skin nice and hydrated."
"This combines both chemical and physical exfoliation for a gentle but effective formula. If you're looking for a formula that's going to chemically dissolve keratin but also gently buff out that top of the skin, this is a good one to try. It combines physical and chemical exfoliation to smooth that rough bumpy skin. It uses glycolic and lactic acid at a combined level of 10% AHA to dissolve the keratin plug while those fine pumice beads provide gentle physical exfoliation."
"Paula's Choice Retinol Skin Smoothing Body Treatment encourages faster skin renewal, improving rough texture. It will target those stubborn KP areas while also hydrating the skin a little bit and contains retinol, shea butter, and evening primrose oil. In my experience in clinic, there has really been nothing to add topically besides maybe topical tretinoin when treating the bumps of KP."
"It does a really good job at exfoliating and hydrating at the same time without irritating the sensitive KP skin. Salicylic acid also helps unclog follicles reducing bumpy texture. This lotion is completely fragrance-free and non-irritating, which makes it really good for sensitive skin. The key ingredient is the salicylic acid but it also contains a little bit of lactic acid and of course the ceramides. It's a more lightweight alternative compared to the cream, and it's a little bit easier to spread especially if you're going to use it on large body surface areas like your whole arms and legs."
"This is unlike any other body wash I've used. I love this smell, this is 100% repurchased. This is the Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Wash, it's an oil to gel formula that intensely nourishes, it smells amazing. The moisturizer that couples with the wash is the Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body Butter, a Naturium oil infused formula that deeply conditions and hydrates. It contains botanical oils, shea butter, glycerin and squalane, those were deeply hydrating. The scent in this is just amazing. You want to apply your moisturizer immediately after the shower, and you want to apply something thick if you have very dry skin."
"My number one recommendation here is the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. It provides long lasting hydration with a concentrated non-greasy formula. It will soothe and repair dry, cracked hands instantly, even with just a small amount of product. It spreads really nice. It's clinically proven to improve the look and feel of dry hands after just one application. Some of the key ingredients here are things like glycerin, which acts as a humectant, so it will draw the moisture into the skin and lock it in, leaving the hands feeling soft and smooth. It also contains vitamin B5, which will help soothe irritation and support the skin barrier for long lasting protection."
"The CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream is non-greasy, super fast absorbing formula that provides long-lasting hydration and relief for hands that are frequently exposed to wash and cold weather and environmental irritants. It is completely fragrance-free, ideal for sensitive skin. I like using CeraVe hand cream throughout the day in between hand washes. The ceramides in the CeraVe hand cream help restore the skin's natural barrier, helping to keep the moisture in and the harmful elements out. It also has dione, which is a really important ingredient that you'll find in hand creams, it helps condition the skin, which will improve its softness and flexibility. Also contains hyaluronic acid, which is essential for maintaining skin's moisture balance and helps give skin a smooth, plump texture. This does have a little bit of niacinamide, which will help calm the skin and reduce transepidermal water loss and increase moisture in the skin's uppermost layer."
"The Lancôme Advanced Génifique Eye Cream is a super lightweight smoothing eye cream that hydrates under eye and helps makeup sit a little bit nicer. It feels really nice, it's gentle, it brightens the look of the area in that really soft cosmetic type of way. This one is more targeted than you would expect. It does have caffeine which will help vasoconstrict and help with some of the puffiness and dark circles, and it also has beta glucan to help visibly address skin damage and enoxalone, which is a really nice soothing ingredient. But look at that price per ounce because this is where prestige eye cream starts to lose me just a little bit. You're paying a lot of money for that tiny little jar. While it's perfectly nice, an eye cream is really not going to erase your dark circles or true structural puffiness. If you have true puffy under eyes, that's probably a surgical job. The eye cream may help a little bit. So is it worth a pretty penny? I'm not convinced."
"The INKEY List makes one of the best value versions of this at the drugstore. This formula also includes a peptide matrix, which can provide some of the longer term collagen supporting benefits on top of that caffeine. The glycerin in here keeps the area hydrated. It's super lightweight and [...] it layers really comfortably under your makeup without peeling or interfering with it. My tip is to keep this in the fridge because the cold temperature on its own will help reduce puffiness. The vasoconstriction from the temperature combined with caffeine is going to give you noticeably better results than using it at room temperature alone. So if you wake up puffy in the morning, this is going to be your go-to. The key ingredients here are the caffeine, peptide matrix, and glycerin."
"What I love about the RoC Retinol Correxion Line Smoothing Eye Cream is that the formula is specifically formulated with a retinol concentration that's appropriate for the eye area. So it's not so aggressive that it's going to cause problems, but it's effective enough to make a real difference over time. It's really lightweight, fast absorbing, which matters around the eyes because heavier formulas tend to just migrate into the eyes and cause irritation. Glycerin and panthenol help keep the barrier supported throughout, so if you're somebody with even rosacea or dry eyes like me, this eye cream is still appropriate around your eyes. [...] If your fine lines and crow's feet are your concern, I would start right here. The key ingredients in this eye cream are retinol, glycerin, and panthenol."
"It has ceramides to support the skin barrier and then caffeine for some mild depuffing on top of that vitamin C. So that combination right there is actually pretty thoughtful, especially for people whose dullness is partially coming from dehydration, which is extremely common in the under eye area. The texture here is really lightweight, creamy, layers beautifully under your sunscreen, under your concealer, doesn't have the instability issues you sometimes get with vitamin C in thinner formulas. So if your under eyes look tired and flat, and hydration isn't fixing it, then this is where I would go. The key ingredients are 5% vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and caffeine."
"For anyone whose eyes sting, water, burn, or react to almost every product they try, this one's for you. The toler eye cream uses deliberately minimal ingredient list. It has neurosens which is a peptide that helps desensitize reactive skin. It actually addresses the oversensitivity rather than just masking it. There's also a little bit of niacinamide to calm redness and support barrier recovery. And of course, there's thermal spring water from La Roche-Posay that has documented soothing properties and squalane that provides gentle lipid-based hydration without occlusion or greasiness. There's no fragrance. There's no unnecessary preservatives and activives packed in."
"It targets the enzyme that's responsible for excess melanin production, so it directly addresses pigmentation at the source. It's paired with hyaluronic acid for hydration and plumping which helps soften the look of fine lines over time. So for mature skin dealing with both pigmentation and texture under eye, this is one of the most comprehensive affordable options I found at the drugstore. I do love this eye cream."
"The Shark Cryoglow has a little bit more space between my skin and the light bulbs. So I still feel like it's as effective, but I love that it doesn't push on my nose. This one uses 160 tri-wick LEDs, which essentially means LED that has three light points, which would total then to 480 light sources, if you will. I think it creates really even coverage without any bright hot spots or gaps you sometimes get in some of the older designs. The even distribution does make the experience a little bit more comfortable, especially around the eyes. I find this one to be really good on my eyes. The device runs at 7.2 volts with a peak wattage at 35 watts and about 5.8 amps. In practical terms, this just means the mask has enough power to deliver effective LED output while also staying cool and comfortable on the skin. The Shark is kind of cool also because it has multiple modes. The red and the infrared mode is for aging support. It's the one I use the most, but it also has the blue LED mode, which is more for acne and redness."
"My first recommendation is the DRMTLGY Brightening Eye Masks. These help really debuff and hydrate those tired under eyes. This is my go-to for travel or if I have an event. It's like instant, within 15 minutes your eyes look better. It helps target dark circles with brightening ingredients and also helps smooth some of the fine lines and firm the delicate under eye skin. It's this really cool hydrogel formula that delivers a refreshing cooling effect. And for extra effects, you put this in the fridge, you're going to get extra vasoconstriction, which is going to help with some of the dark circles under your eyes. The key ingredients here are niacinamide, caffeine, licorice, and it does have hyaluronic acid and peptides to help hydrate and plump that skin."
"I have used the in beauty project bright and tide. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. Finished it. Um it has trymic acid, vitamin C, caffeine, so it'll help with the dark circles."
"Neocutis Lumiere Firm Illuminating and Tightening Eye Cream is one of my personal favorite eye creams. This one visibly firms and smooths the under eye area, it reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, it helps hydrate and nourish that really delicate thin skin, and it will help improve skin elasticity for that lifted look. The key ingredients are peptides and growth factors, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine."
"My last step is the eye cream which just all you need is that little at the edges and it really does feel so velvety and smooth and like something's already happened. It feels good that's important. Eye cream's not a must I use one I probably use more than one I do use eye cream twice today but you don't have to have it in your skincare routine."
"This is probably the most iconic leave-on salicylic acid product out there, and honestly the reputation is earned. I reach for this most often for stubborn blackheads, congestion, oily to combination skin types. I would not really use this on [...] really dry skin. The 2% salicylic acid here is the maximum concentration allowed for over-the-counter use, and the leave-on format means it has time to penetrate the pore and do its job, unlike a cleanser you're rinsing off after 30 seconds. It also contains green tea extract for antioxidant support and methyl propanediol as a penetration enhancer to help the salicylic acid absorb more effectively. If you've been struggling with persistent texture and blackheads that aren't budging, I would start with this product."
"Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid. This one's much gentler, really nice, layers really good with your skincare, especially if you have sensitive skin."
"The one that I use is the Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Mask. It does so well at absorbing excess oil and reducing inflammation. You can use it as a full face mask or just put it on like oily T-zone or just spot treat. I like to apply, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then hop in the shower and rinse it off while I'm showering. The key ingredient here is the 10% sulfur, kaolin and bentonite clays and aloe vera. And while all sulfur is pretty stinky, I find this one to have no smell whatsoever after it's rinsed off and I do my skincare routine. I usually do it at night and when I go to bed, I smell nothing."
"The Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Peel Pads are so easy to use. It's a glycolic acid in a peel pad. They're a little spicy, so if you have super sensitive skin, maybe don't start here. But I would start exfoliating one night a week. So if you've washed your face, let it dry completely. Don't do this on damp skin. Take a pad, wipe your face, moisturize on top, and go to bed. The exfoliating acids will help reduce the appearance of fine lines. They'll help with hyperpigmentation and dullness. And this blend of glycolic and retinol in this pad is perfect because it has two ingredients in one."
"This new one from Prequel has been really cool. This is the multi-acid milk peel. It's an AHA exfoliating solution. It has a blend. It helps improve skin texture, clarity, radiance without irritation. Comes in a giant bottle. It's really nice. You can use it on your face, neck, chest, really entire body if you wanted to. It has a really nice blend of glycolic, phytic, malic, mandelic, lactic. The glycolic in here is 15% compared to the ordinary, which is only seven. So glycolic is a smaller molecule. It's going to penetrate deeper. So this is going to be significantly a little bit spicier, like more potent than the ordinary. If you're new to exfoliating acids, I would not start here, but follow the directions on here. It's very milky. Like the description really fits the product. I do still think that this is good for sensitive or even dry skin types. But if you are in that category, make sure you test spot first. The way I use this exfoliating acid is apply it on a cotton round, apply it to my face, neck, chest, any other areas you want to, and then apply my moisturizer [...] and I sleep like that. Wake up in the morning and the skin is hydrated, smooth, just perfect."
"The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads are like a two-step peel that exfoliates, brightens, and smooths the skin. It helps reduce fine lines, enlarged pores, and any uneven texture you may have. The key ingredients are a perfect blend of your AHAs, it has glycolic and lactic, and then your BHA, which is your salicylic acid."
"We have the SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads from SkinBetter Science, these are really nice on the go. This could be like a once a week, no more than three times a week exfoliation. You can use it just for anti-aging, but if you have acne and you're trying to combine your retinol with exfoliating acid, it's a good place to start. They are kind of spicy, so if your skin is sensitive, be aware."
"It's a mechanical exfoliant not a chemical, and I'm not a big fan, especially after just hot water. I just don't in general enjoy scrubbing my face. I don't think it's healthy for your skin barrier, and if your skin barrier is compromised then your skincare is just not going to work as well."
"The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a lightweight serum that exfoliates inside the pores to keep them clear. It helps reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and oily shine. Because it doesn't increase sun sensitivity as much as retinoids, it can be used morning and night. It is best for clogged pores, blackheads, or textured skin. The key ingredient is the 2% salicylic acid which clears pores, helps prevent breakouts, and minimizes oil. When you're minimizing oil you can cause dryness, so I wouldn't start doing this morning and evening right off the bat. The serum also contains niacinamide which will help reduce some of the inflammation and support the skin barrier, as well as panthenol and sodium PCA which hydrate and calm the skin. The Ordinary can be found in most drugstores and is very, very affordable."
"My next recommendation is the Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer. This is a super lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, especially if you're oily. It helps control oil and shine while providing hydration and barrier support. It's completely fragrance-free and has this matte finish, making it really good for daytime use under makeup or under sunscreen. It's best for oily, acne-prone skin looking for shine control and hydration at the same time. But it's really also good for anyone using active treatments like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide who needs lightweight barrier support. The key ingredients are salicylic acid 0.5%, prebiotic aloe, panthenol or vitamin B5, and niacinamide."
"Next treatment recommendation is sulfur-based treatments. As you guys know, I love sulfur. I use it for my blackheads, for my pores, for oil control, for acne, for fungal acne, for perioral dermatitis. Sulfur-based treatments tend to calm down inflammation. They are also a little bit better than acid in my opinion at fighting some of the bacteria and fungi that we grow on our skin. The De La Cruz sulfur ointment is one product recommendation."
"The In Beauty Project Acne Serum [...] clears acne and blackheads fast while also nourishing the skin's barrier. It's an FDA-approved non-drying blemish treatment that clears the appearance of acne fast while nourishing the skin barrier, leaving your complexion healthier and happier. [...] Key ingredients include 1.5% salicylic acid, FDA-approved for the treatment of blemishes; zinc PCA, which controls oil production and has anti-inflammatory effects; 6% skin barrier complex, which includes ceramides, lactobacillus ferment, and botanical extracts to support skin's barrier and balance oil production; as well as 4% tranexamic acid and niacinamide, which visibly improve hyperpigmentation."
"I like the Neutrogena ones, they're just hydrocolloid, they don't have any active ingredients. Put a pimple patch on clean skin and then do your adapalene gel on your entire face. The pimple patch will help draw the inflammation so when you wake up in the morning the pimple will not be nearly as red and the swelling should go down."
"Vaseline is my go-to and it sits on my counter, I love this giant jar, it has so many uses and it's going to last forever. It's purified petrolatum, not toxic, nothing bad about it, 100% safe all the way down to babies, with no actives, no fancy peptides, no retinol, just a simple occlusive that sits on the surface of the skin and creates a seal that prevents [...] transepidermal water loss. [...] For protecting and repairing a damaged skin barrier, petrolatum is one of the gold standard ingredients in dermatology, it's not fancy and won't go viral in a glass dropper bottle, but it works extremely well. It's one of the safest ingredients we have, and it costs less than a latte. My favorite use [...] is slugging, a thin layer over your nighttime routine [...] as the final step to lock in hydration and support the barrier, especially useful with retinoids or exfoliants that leave skin feeling tight or irritated, used on your bare night, not on top of actives. I love it for dry lips, cracked heels, dry cuticles, and around the eyes [...] to protect against irritation from [...] retinol or tretinoin applied nearby. For minor cuts and scrapes, keeping the wound moist with petrolatum supports better healing than letting it dry out. [...] It also helps eczema patches, friction, chafing, and a raw nose from blowing it during a cold. It's lasted for decades because it does what it claims, it's safe for almost anyone, and it's one of the best dollar-for-dollar buys in all of skincare."
"Please don't buy Neosporin, you do not need that. [...] Neosporin has neomycin, and the risk of allergic contact dermatitis has been on the rise, probably because we're overusing it, and studies show you don't need an antibiotic for minor cuts."
"I'm CeraVe Healing Ointment all the way. This is a petrolatum based ointment that provides that intense hydration. It doesn't clog your pores. It's formulated with ceramides to repair and strengthen the skin barrier. I think it's great for eczema prone skin, cracked lips, cracked heels, really cuticles, anything cracked. It's not going to burn your skin. It is lanoline free and fragrance free, making it a really safe choice for even the most sensitive skin. The key ingredients are petrolatum to help seal in moisture and protect the skin barrier, ceramides which help restore the skin barrier and prevent moisture loss, as well as hyaluronic acid that will hydrate and improve skin texture."
"This is also petroleum based ointment with some added humectants for hydration and barrier repair. It's really lightweight texture that absorbs pretty easy without any sticky feeling. Of note, the lanoline here is could be the culprit. Aquaphor does contain lanoline alcohol which is a derivative of lanoline. While most of the population is going to be just fine, if you're somebody who's been using Aquaphor and you're like I am still sensitive, I'm allergic to something, maybe switch to Vaseline that doesn't contain the lanoline and that might be your at home patch test if you will. The key ingredients in the Aquaphor are that petrolatum with panthenol or vitamin B5 and it also has glycerin to help soothe and protect."
"Triple Paste diaper rash cream is more of a thicker zinc based cream that acts as a protective barrier to prevent moisture irritation while promoting healing. It's soothing because of the nonnano zinc oxide which calms inflammation and oat extract which helps reduce redness and sensitivity. The glycerin and beeswax in here also add a little nourishing effect while keeping the formula rather breathable."
"Dela Cruz 10% Sulfur Ointment is more of a budget friendly sulfur treatment option for the pustular rization, the bumps that we get. It's super fast drying, effective for reducing breakouts. The key ingredient here is the sulfur 10% which targets the inflammation as well as the excess oil."
"I love the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara. This is their tubing mascara. I have been using mascara for gosh, over 10 years, and I love it because it doesn't smudge, it doesn't wipe off on my upper lid because I have hooded lids, and it's important that it not wipe off on the top part of my lid. It does not irritate my eyes, it doesn't crumble or go into my eyes throughout the day, and it washes off with just water, so easy. If you've not used a tubing mascara, I challenge you to try one, this one's a good place to start. This one gives me good volume and good length, it's the perfect volume, length, smudge proof, no crumbs whatsoever type of tubing mascara for me. It also contains some nourishing ingredients to promote lash health over time, it has some castor oil in it, some shea butter, so it helps hydrate those lashes and keep them healthy."
"This is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I have tried the original, which is what this is, as well as the tinted one. This is hands down amazing. The tinted one was better when I was younger, however on my mature eyelids it tends to be kind of almost like mattifying and drying, and this one however is amazing. It doesn't have any color after you apply it, so whatever shadow you're applying on top of is going to look perfect. This primer keeps your eye shadow vibrant, crease free, and locked in place for up to 24 hours supposedly. [...] Your eye shadow will not crease. It would also help my eyeliner, mascara, and everything else stay in place. Because if you're like me, hooded and you have greasy eyelids, you know that when you put that eyeliner on you blink a few times or you wipe it a little bit it might come off. This keeps every eyeliner in place even in the most humid or oily conditions."
"I love the Tarte In Bloom shadow palette. It's a super versatile 12 shade eyeshadow palette with a mix of matte and shimmer finishes. It has a lot of warm neutrals and rich rosy tones, perfect for creating that natural daytime look or if you're going for a dramatic evening glam, it's got it all in there. It's pretty long wear, has really vibrant colors, and it blends in really nice. It gives you really smooth, crease-free application, especially combined with the Urban Decay primer."
"The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum is a prostaglandin-free lash serum option. If you're looking for a gentler, safer option, go for a prostaglandin-free serum like this one, or try natural remedies like castor oil."
"Babe Lash is one of the popular brands that contains a prostaglandin analog. It's not to say that they're bad, but if those are the risks that you are aware of and you want to avoid them, maybe get that lash serum out, check it against that list, and make sure it doesn't contain a prostaglandin analog."
"One SPF lip balm that I really, really like is the EltaMD UV Lip Balm Broad-Spectrum SPF 36. It's one of those really nice, gentle, basic daily sun protection for that delicate skin. It's nothing fancy. Doesn't have any smell. It doesn't have any color, and it's pure mineral, so it's going to be tolerated by most skin types. It helps prevent UV damage and precancerous changes. It's a super hydrating formula. Also helps prevent some of the dryness and cracking. The key ingredients are zinc oxide and hydrating emollients."
"I really like the original one a lot. It's really hydrating. It's soft. It really repairs lips overnight. It's not sticky. It feels really rich and buttery. It works really good as an overnight treatment or even like a daytime lip balm. The key ingredients here are the shea butter, the pomegranate steriles, and the cocoa peptides. The Tatcha Kissu lip mask plumps and softens lips while reducing fine lines and dryness. It helps lock in long-lasting hydration overnight, and it makes your lipstick and tinted balms apply more smoothly. The key ingredients in this one are the Japanese peach extract to repair and smooth. It has the squalines for nourishment and chameleia oil for that lasting moisture."
"The Dr. Idriss Barrier-Based Lip Peel is a dermatologist-developed chemical and enzymatic lip peel that smooths, softens, and resurfaces dry, flaky lips. It's formulated to gently remove dead skin cells without damaging your delicate lip barrier. It will help prep the lips for a balm, for treatment, or lipstick by improving texture and absorption. It's designed to be used once or twice a week, and then immediately you want to follow it with a nourishing lip mask or balm. It's totally fragrance-free and clinically tested for sensitive skin. The ingredients are lactic acid, papaya and pomegranate enzymes, hoba esters, and squalane."
"I use the Remedy Dry Lips from Remedy Skin. This product is a targeted treatment for repairing and hydrating dry lips. Its ultra nourishing formula is infused with skin restored ingredients that help heal and protect the delicate lip area while locking in the moisture for lasting comfort. It contains things like HA acid which will deeply hydrate and plump lips by retaining the moisture, has some shea butter which will soothe and soften the lips with its rich emollient properties, beeswax that will create a protective barrier and seal that hydration, and then vitamin E which is an antioxidant to help repair damage and provide additional nourishment. I find that this instantly relieves dryness and discomfort, soothes and softens the lip surface, it helps restore natural moisture barrier for long-lasting hydration and it also protects against environmental aggressors like cold weather, wind and things like that. It is also suitable for AM and PM. It is dermatologist tested, free from parabens and artificial fragrances. You can use it by itself or maybe if you're going out and you just want a hydrating base underneath your lipstick, it's perfect for both."
"The reason I picked this one, this was my first introduction to LED light therapy. It's my first and I still love it. It's clinically proven to improve the elasticity by 30% in 12 weeks. I find that pretty impressive for something that you can just do at home. It's also FDA cleared for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. Notice I said fine lines. If you have deep lines that are specifically by movement, created by movement or made worse by movement, these masks are just not going to do that. The Omnilux works by increasing circulation, promoting faster skin healing, and enhanced glow. Studies show that red light therapy helps reduce inflammation, making it especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin and rosacea. The 633 nm red light penetrates the skin to help stimulate fibroblast activity. So, it's going to stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture and radiance. It also has the 830 nanometer near infrared light. This one reduces inflammation, promotes healing, and enhances skin recovery at a deeper level because it does penetrate just a little bit deeper."
"I love how this one goes on, this is the Fenty Beauty Amber Suede Bronzer Contour Stick. [...] When I do use it, I don't use very much. It really just goes along the jawline and I'll just blend it in with a thicker brush."
"I love the Dibs brush that came with it. The brush has a shorter side that's a little bit firmer and it's meant to be used with the creamy blush. The other side is very fluffy, longer, lighter weight, and it's meant to be used with powder blush or you can use it to blend. I absolutely love these, they're super lightweight, they're very buildable, they blend into just about any skin type, they're really ideal on the go for touchups. I love the dual-ended design, perfect for travel, two in one. These contain oil to help hydrate, seed butters to help moisturize and soften the skin. There's even a little bit of an antioxidant blend to help fight free radical damage and promote healthy skin and radiant finish. There's also hyaluronic acid in this."
"The first recommendation is a hypochlorous acid spray, and the one I like a lot is the Prequel Universal Skin Solution. It comes in a 4 oz bottle for around 17 bucks, which is a reasonable price for how long it lasts. It's formulated with a stabilized hypochlorous acid plus electrolyzed water and mineral concentrate, so it's doing a little more than just pure hypochlorous acid. It's also fragrance free and alcohol free, which matters if your skin is already reactive. The texture is basically like water and feels like nothing on the skin, making it accessible even for people with reactive skin or skin types that can't handle most active ingredients. I'd use it post-workout as a quick spray before you can get to the shower, especially if you're prone to body acne, folliculitis, or breakouts on the back, jawline, chest, or shoulders, or a few spritzes in summer when skin is hot and sweaty and inflamed. [...] It's also useful for breakouts along the hairline from hats, helmets, or headbands, [...] irritation around piercings, [...] eczema-prone patches, and razor burn or ingrown hairs after shaving. I don't think it cures acne and it won't replace your actual acne treatment, but as a supportive daily-use product to calm surface irritation and reduce bacteria, I think it's important to keep on your shelf."
"I love this so much that this year for all my besties I purchased them all my faves for their birthdays and this was one of the things that was in all my faves category. I love this snail mucin. I know it sounds gross and I am personally disgusted by snails for some reason but then again I have no trouble putting this on my face. It comes out really slimy, it does not smell like anything, it dries really quick and it does so well hydrating my skin. So if I have ever throughout the year overdone it on a products, maybe went a little too hard with my tret, developed periocular dermatitis or any sort of irritation on the skin, I just go back to my trusted snail mucin. I use it twice a day and my skin calms out immediately. If you're super dry, I don't think this alone does amazing at hydrating. I'll go through a couple moisturizers that I love using on top of this in the winter months, but it is so soothing, it calms down my acne, helps with irritation and helps heal my barrier."
"I love to apply the toner tatcha Essence is great for my skin on days that I feel like I'm more oily and I don't want a ton of hydration but I do want something almost like a to prime the skin to absorb the subsequent steps a little bit better it's super lightweight it absorbs really really fast and it really preps my skin for next step. Now this tatcha Essence contains and I'm going to butcher this probably 100% hadashi 3 this is a trie of fermented Japanese superfoods that help hydrate resurface soften and plump the skin I find it pretty hydrating it does plump just a little bit I love to apply really close to my eyes it absorbs really quick allowing the next product that going pretty fast some of the key ingredients are things like aita rice which serves as a base of this ferment ainaa algae I might have mispronounced that but this replenishes the skin Berry and retains the moisture and a green tea which is really rich in antioxidants."
"I always go in with Rhode Glazing Milk Ceramide Facial Essence. I like to do a pretty generous amount of this because it just soaks right into the skin and gets the skin really dewy and hydrated and glazed. I love the first step. A lot of times when you apply makeup after a while it starts creasing, mostly because skin is really dehydrated, so applying this hydrating essence before applying makeup is really really nice, and essences are even lighter than serums."
"The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a finely milled setting powder that sets makeup while brightening the complexion. You need very little of it. Its super lightweight, silky texture smooths, blurs those imperfections and helps makeup last longer without any cakey or heavy look or feel. The key ingredients are the vitamin C and light reflecting pigments."
"The Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is a cult favorite known for its long-lasting, high-performance formula. It gives you up to 16-hour wear and keeps your makeup locked in place for up to 16 hours without smudging, fading, or settling into fine lines. [...] If you are applying makeup and you want it to last all night, this is your product because those little creases will not be filled with makeup. It will stay on even in the most humid weather, even if you're sweating or if it's raining. Yet it doesn't feel heavy, it's really lightweight and very breathable. I think it's suitable for all skin types; it'll work well on oily, combination, dry, and sensitive skin. It's also transfer-resistant, so if you're going to hug somebody and you're worried about your makeup getting on their clothing, this will help with that."
"The Tula blurring and moisturizing primer is sheerly tinted, a multitasking primer that hydrates, blurs imperfections, and evens skin tone with a sheer tint. It preps the skin for makeup while leaving it smooth and glowing. It's infused with probiotics and superfoods to enhance skin health and radiance over time. It's super lightweight, non-comedogenic formula suitable for all skin types. It contains the S6 Pro complex, which is a proprietary Super Six blend of prebiotic and probiotic extracts to help improve skin smoothness and maintain skin balance. It also has some licorice root extract which will help brighten the skin."
"The Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Ultra Blur is really lightweight and very breathable. I think it's suitable for all skin types, it'll work well in oily, combination, dry, and sensitive skin. It's also transfer resistant, so if you are going to hug somebody and you're worried about your makeup getting on their clothing, this will help with that. [...] I like it, I don't love it. [...] If I do use it, I will not apply it to my entire face, it really just goes into the oily T-zone, because if I apply it too close to my eyes, it tends to make my eyes look almost more aging. I'm just not loving the dry look; I tend to like the more glowy look. [...] This is going to last you a long time and it's going to make your makeup look amazing and be transfer free."
"The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution retails for about $13 for 8 ounces, a pretty big bottle that lasts a long time. I [...] really think there's no other $13 product that does this many things for this many people. It's an alpha hydroxy acid that loosens the bonds between dead skin cells and the surface so they shed more efficiently, and with consistent use it smooths rough texture, brightens dull skin, improves skin tone, and can help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The formula is watery and lightweight and stronger than it looks, people underestimate it because it doesn't foam up or tingle dramatically, but it's doing real work. I'd use it on the face one to two nights a week in place of retinol, and neck down [...] it's one of the best exfoliants out there [...] for keratosis pilaris, rough elbows, knees, heels, [...] ingrown hairs after waxing or shaving, [...] body acne and post-acne marks on the chest and back, and [...] scalp buildup and [...] flakiness. [...] That said, more is not better. Overexfoliating is a common problem that can damage your skin barrier, I wouldn't use it on freshly shaved skin, I wouldn't apply it to large areas of the body every day, especially alongside retinoids or other actives, and sun sensitivity is real, so you need to [...] wear SPF on any area [...] you use it on."
"This is a super gentle hydrating toner that soothes and calms the skin while also prepping it for the rest of your skin care routine. [...] I find that this particular hydrating toner preps my skin for the rest of my routine. It gives me an extra opportunity to hydrate. It helps reinforce that moisture barrier and calm the post-cleanse tightness, if you have any. It layers really nice under all the serums and creams, and improves makeup laydown. I think it's perfect for that dry, sensitive, irritated skin, especially in the colder winter months. It's super lightweight, non-sticky finish, suitable for daily use. The key ingredients here are the milk protein extract and panthenol, Centella asiatica extract, and ceramides. I don't use a cotton round with this, I just splash some into my palm and apply it to my face, and then I wait for it to completely dry."
"My recommendation in this category is Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner. This toner is formulated with high concentration of heartleaf extract and is designed to calm that visible redness rather than exfoliate the skin. It has a really lightweight, watery texture that absorbs really quickly and layers easily without feeling heavy. It's suitable for sensitive, acne prone, reactive skin and can be used daily even alongside retinoids. The key ingredients are heartleaf and hyaluronic acid."
"The CeraVe Hydrating Toner is designed to hydrate and support the skin barrier rather than strip the skin. It's really lightweight, water-based texture. [...] It layers really easy under the serum and moisturizers, calms, soothes the skin, especially when using retinoids or acne treatments. It really also helps prep the skin for better absorption for your subsequent skincare steps. The key ingredients are the ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide."
"If you're just looking for one product [...] that's going to really focus on your nails and really help them repair, that's probably going to be your Kerasal Multi-Purpose Nail Repair. This is your drugstore multitask that improves the appearance of those dry, brittle, rough, damaged nails. It helps soften the thickened or peeling nail texture and helps nails look smoother over time. It supports healthier looking nail growth by improving hydration and flexibility. You want to use this consistently while the damaged nail is growing out. The key ingredients are urea, which is your keratolytic, and keratin. So it's going to soften and loosen the damaged keratin while hydrating at the same time. It also contains salicylic acid, which is keratolytic, so it's going to help exfoliate and get rid of those dead skin cells to leave you with a smooth nail. And it has petrolatum, which is your occlusive that's going to seal in the moisture. So it really has all three of those steps [...] in that one amazing product."
"I've been working with them because I have used several red light devices over the years and I'm absolutely obsessed with their iRestore Elite red light helmet. I probably noticed my hair thinning about 41, so 2 to 3 years ago. I've tried several topicals, also supplements, and they helped. I'm not going to say they didn't, but I really also wanted to add something that was non-invasive that I can do at home and that's going to help support my hair follicles and health in a different way. I've tested a few devices over the last couple years and the iRestore Elite is the one I stayed consistent with because it was more powerful, easy to use, and had solid clinical evidence behind it. It has 500 total diodes. 300 of the lasers and 200 of the LEDs. So you're combining your lasers and the LEDs."
✓Yay
85%Guru Score
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