Tried and True Skincare Product Favorites

I don’t share a lot of beauty posts on DoSayGive mostly because I tend to find a product I love and use it for years. My simple routine might be rather boring to some. But then again, maybe you want to know the products I’ve been loyal to for several years. So today’s post I am sharing my tried and true skincare favorites!

Daily Routine Products

My go-to nighttime cleanser/moisturizer is the Counter+ Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm from Beautycounter. It’s hydrating and feels super luxurious, almost like I’m at a spa every time I wash my face. Plus, it’s a clean product so I don’t have to worry when my teen uses it. We both use it as makeup remover but it’s also great for super dry skin. You can leave on for an extended time to help winter dryness. I love ease in any routine, and the fact that I can use this year-round and not have to change up my face wash from season to season is a big bonus.

Also part of my daily skincare routine are the Skinceuticals CE Freulic (morning) and Vintner’s Daughter (bedtime). I’ve been using the Skinceuticals for 4-5 years after my dermatologist told me I needed to us a daily Vitamin C topical. There are many more budget-friendly Vitamin C topicals out there (Kiehl’s is a good one and Sunday Riley has great reviews) but I keep coming back to this industry favorite as nothing else seems to give my skin that morning glow. If you don’t have a Vitamin C regimen I would highly recommend adding one to help with fine lines and a brighter complexion!

The Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum is probably the newest addition to my skincare regimen (I’ve been using it about 8 months). I wasn’t even sure what exactly it did when I bought it, I was just swayed by all the amazing reviews! It’s a face oil/botanical serum and really does add so much moisture without breaking me out. Both these topical products are very expensive but last a good while (6-12 months for me).

My daily regimen also includes this eye serum which I put under my favorite concealer in the morning and by itself at night. I’ve tried the brand’s other eye cream but this is much better. I know it’s insanely expensive but, again, it lasts probably a year. Tip: the concealer lasts two years but needs a layer of moisture underneath as it is drying. This Kiehl’s eye cream is a great $40 option.

And back to the sunscreen! I’ve been using this Unseen Sunscreen for quite a while. And it’s really a 2-in-1 product: a foundation primer and sunscreen. It glides on easily and absorbs quickly. Supergoop has a new mineral sunscreen that looks very similar to the Unseen so I might try that next!

Here’s a breakdown of my routines:

Morning: Wash face with gentle soap and water (not currently married to any particular cleanser), Skinceuticals CE Freulic (let it dry), Unseen Sunscreen, eye cream and then apply makeup.

Evening: BeautyCounter Cleansing Balm, Vintner’s Daughter, eye cream. I rotate in things below!

Weekly/Monthly Skincare Regimen

There are a few other products I use weekly or monthly. SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask is great for acne prone skin. To make the product last longer, just put on problem areas (chin, forehead, etc.). Weekly use also helps with blackheads. You can also use as a spot treatment for blemishes. Works for some!

Speaking of spot treatment, this Peter Roth product does not dry or flake skin. Perfect for under makeup!

The GloPRO has been on our gift guide for years. It makes such a difference in getting all my skincare products to absorb in your skin BUT the key is you have to use it consistently. I got out of the habit but I’m going to start back because I love how it makes my skin feel.

The Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial was an impulse buy but I love it. It is is one of the best exfoliators I’ve ever used and use it monthly. Warning: it feels like your face is burning when you use it! You want to avoid this if you have even the slightest skin sensitivity. I read once that a certain Goop celebrity founder happens to use this every day, but I haven’t tried that out just yet!

I also use a Retinol cream prescribed by my dermatologist once a week. Dermatologists say a retinol regiment is key in anti-aging skincare. You can buy it over the counter (I’ve also used and liked these capsules) but a prescription will give you a higher percentage. Note: Do not use retinols while pregnant.