Favorite Skincare Products of 2021 - Let's Get Lost Blog
Your skin is your canvas. Very much like a real canvas, once you make a mark - it's hard to undo. This year is definitely the year we learn to take back self-care rituals. After all, it's needed now more than ever. Before 2020-2021, I spent years using skin care products that just weren't great. I suffered from acne in high school and it turns out, I was using very harsh acne face washes and scrubs to help get rid of it. I didn't know any better back then but I was actually destroying my skin and its moisture barrier. Even now as an adult, I suffer from skin that is both dry and oily, sensitive to new routines, large pores and breakouts. I can say that my skin has improved so much since I've learned more about best skincare practices, my skin's moisture barrier and allowing myself to splurge a little more for quality ingredients.
So, what exactly is your skin's moisture barrier?
It's the outermost layer that helps protect your skin and helps to retain moisture. When your moisture barrier is healthy - it defends against irritants like bacteria and pollutants, keeping your skin looking smooth, clear, and youthful. If you have a healthy barrier, your skin is also less likely to breakout or have scarring.
What happens when your skin's moisture barrier is damaged?
You won't be able to see it visibly but your skin will be damaged on a microscopic level. If the moisture barrier is compromised, you will have a harder time keeping your skin moisturized and looking plump. You may suffer from skin that's dry, tight, easily irritable, more prone to breakouts, redness, dullness, fine lines, rashes, enlarged pores, and more.
Can you repair your skin's moisture barrier?
Yes. It can take anywhere from 2 weeks up to a month or even longer, but once your barrier is healthy again you will notice a decrease in inflammation, breakouts, dullness, fine lines, and dry skin. You can repair your skin by changing your skincare routine. Not all skincare products are created equal and there are some that are actually harmful to your barrier, while others are more beneficial. For example, switching to a moisturizer that container ceramides (lipid molecules that help form the skin's barrier and retain moisture) or a humectant (substances used to keep things moisturized) like hyaluronic acid can really help. Avoid products with high amounts of unnecessary essential oils, fragrances, alcohol-based toners, and using exfoliants, scrubs, or chemical peels too often. However, there are some oils that are good for your skin like Jojoba oil, Primrose oil, Carrot oil, and more. It's best to research ingredients in your products to really know what their purpose serves in your product.
What's the best way to layer your skincare?
There are so many resources that say different things but what makes the best sense in what I've found so far and has provided me my personal best results is this order:
- Oil based cleanser
- Water based cleanser
- Exfoliants
- Toner
- Treatment or serum (for acne, anti-aging, dullness, etc.)
- Eye Cream
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen or other protection
- Body skin care (serums, treatments, lotions)
- Make-up (optional)
MY FAVORITE SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
CLEANSERS
Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser
(water based cleanser)
Then I Met You - Living Cleansing Balm
(oil based cleanser)
Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil
(oil based cleanser)
TONERS & EXFOLIANTS
Isntree Green Tea Fresh Toner
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
TREATMENTS AND SERUMS
Great Barrier Relief by Krave Beauty
Versed Gentle Retinol Serum
Naturium Niacinamide Serum
MOISTURIZERS
Even Prime Daily Moisturizer
Oat So Simple Water Cream
- Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer
- Neutrogrena Hydro Boost Moisturizer with SPF 25
- Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30
- Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel
- Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen
- Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream
BODY CARE PRODUCTS
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel Cream
Truly Beauty
Buns of Glowry Set
Acai Your Boobies
Truly Shave Kit
While these products can be used to target specific areas, you can also use them all over your body! I've used both of the polishes and body butters on my arms and legs. Honestly, amazing stuff and so versatile.
MY CURRENT FACIAL SKINCARE ROUTINE
My current skincare utilizes a rotation of many of these products and that's honestly why they're my favorite. I have separate morning and night routines. And have even become one of those people who have separate seasonal routines. My summer moisturizer is different from my winter one because my skin is more oily in the summer and very dry and flaky in the winter. Obviously, you don't have to get all crazy with your skincare routine, especially if you're on a budget. For many people (both men and women), a simple cleanser/toner/moisturizer/protection routine is enough and there are many products that do double duty, like the Aveeno Daily Moisturizer with SPF is a moisturizer and sunscreen all in one step! I personally feel like I've got years of damage to undo so I'm really committing to the treatments to help repair my acne scars and keep my oily/dry combo skin in check. My nighttime routine is very thorough because I really want my skin to rejuvenate overnight and I like the mental health aspect of putting on these products in an official 15 minutes of self care every night. My morning routine is "shorter" so that I can get ready quickly in the mornings. It doesn't take me long at all to complete the morning routine - less than 5 minutes.
Morning Routine
1. Cleanser - Superfood Cleanser
2. Toner - Green Tea Fresh Toner
3. Treatment - Naturium Niacinamide Serum
4. Moisturizer - Simple Replenishing Rich Moisturizer (summer) OR Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel (winter)
5. Protection - Aveeno Sunscreen (reef friendly)
Night Routine
1. Cleansing Oil/Balm - Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil OR Living Cleansing Balm
2. Cleanser - Superfood Cleanser
3. Toner - Simple Micellar Water OR Paula's BHA 2% Liquid
4. Eye Cream - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel
5. Treatment - Versed Retinol Serum OR Great Barrier Relief
6. Moisturizer - Oat So Simple Water Cream (summer) OR Naturium Plant Ceramide Rich Moisture Cream (winter)
7. Body routine
MY CURRENT BODY SKINCARE ROUTINE
- Truly Beauty Blueberry Kush CBD Body Scrub or Black African Soap
- Truly Beauty Body Polish
- Truly Beauty Serums
- Truly Beauty Body Butter
- Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Reef Friendly Sunscreen (if I'm going out)
SKINCARE IS A JOURNEY
Everyone's skin care journey is different. We've all started at different levels and may even still be at different places in our journey of find what works for us and our skin. It's best to research the ingredients in your products to really know what their purpose serves in your product.
Sadly, we've learned that just because a store sells skincare products - that doesn't necessarily mean they are all good for you. Just like how a grocery store can still sell you junk food that isn't the best for your body. It's up to us to help ourselves become more informed with what we are buying and supporting.
I hope that sharing my own findings and my journey has lead you to some new products that you'd like to try! I would love to know of your favorite personal products that have worked well for your skin!
7 Comments
Thanks for sharing! I'll need to try some of these products.
ReplyDelete-Nina
http://www.stylingwithnina.com/2021/11/cozy-cardigans.html
Thank you, Nina!
DeleteWOW so many great products here!! That last brand Truly Beauty I have seen on Tik Tok a lot and it has me curious.
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
They carry Truly Beauty in the Ulta section at some Targets. It actually works so good. Using it cleared up the skin on my back and worked so many other wonders, especially now with the winters in Wisconsin!
DeleteI need to try some of these! x
ReplyDeleteZoey | www.zoeyolivia.com
Thanks, Zoey!!
DeleteThanks for sharing these! it's good you have a reliable routine that works for you! I just cleanse and use a serum and moisturise, I really should look into using a toner!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good weekend ahead of you! Going to be a busy but fun one here with a few events!
Away From The Blue
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