SUNDAY RILEY
1
Sunday Riley Good Genes
This lactic acid treatment appeared in Birchboxes nationwide this year, and it’s safe to say it made an impression. If you’re looking to level up your routine beyond wash/moisturize/repeat, add this exfoliating treatment to your mix and reveal brighter skin in 2019. If you’re not sure what a lactic acid treatment is and why it’s a game-changer, read my post all about chemical and physical exfoliants here.
CERAVE
2
CeraVe Facial Cleanser
This brand appeared more than once on the list, letting me know that we’re all on board with dermatologist-developed skincare, and also science. Our skin naturally contains ceramides that we lose over time, and this brand’s whole mission is to put them right back where they belong. Cheers to a great product at a drug-store price.
DR. DENNIS GROSS
3
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Facial Peels
I’ve mentioned these single-use pads by Dr. Dennis Gross before (along with their glow pads for a hint of color) and they’re incredible. I’m thrilled to see so many products in this favorite list embracing the importance of chemical exfoliation (again, read up here if you’re new!) because it’s undoubtedly been the biggest game-changer for the health and texture of my skin in the past couple years as well.
DRUNK ELEPHANT
4
Drunk Elephant Protini
You’ll notice that Drunk Elephant is about to become a recurring theme on this list, and for good reason. The brand’s products have developed a cult following for the way they all work seamlessly together and deliver on their promises. This one is a protein moisturizer to fix that whole dull skin thing we have going on. The product also helps increases firmness.
DRUNK ELEPHANT
5
Drunk Elephant C Firma
Whether you’re using a Drunk Elephant serum for day or night, just use a Drunk Elephant serum, k? Perfect for adding to your skincare routine pre-moisturizer, they deliver rapt attention to the surface of your skin, day and night. This one packs a vitamin C punch dull skin will appreciate. You know how I feel about vitamin C.
THE ORDINARY
6
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid Serum
We can discuss a variety of qualities this Hyaluronic serum has, including the fact that it’s vegan, but let’s be quite honest about its most amazing feature: It costs less than $14 and will help retain moisture in your skin like none other. Boom.
BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE
7
Biologique Recherche P50
Smells weird, works phenomenally well, you need to look into this. I’ve raved about it many times in the past and it’s honestly something of a religion in the skincare community, due to the fact that it has skin resurfacing properties seemingly not of this earth. There are tons of amazing acid exfoliants, but this is hands-down my favorite (and clearly yours as well).
CERAVE
8
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Just like above, we as a collective skincare community were totally on board with this brand’s hyaluronic acid wonders this year. Let’s keep it up.
CETAPHIL
9
Cetaphil Face Wash
Lest we forget our sensitive skin friends, Cetaphil is the straight-to-success choice for anyone with skin that’s a little… let’s say timid. I’ve talked about this brand a million times and don’t expect that to change in 2019. Timeless and effective, I’d expect this one to top the list every year.
DRUNK ELEPHANT
10
Drunk Elephant Night Serum
Oh I’m sorry, did you think we were done with Drunk Elephant? Just as cherished at the day serum in #5, the brand’s night serum is a loyal following as well, and for good reason. And if you’re timid about the Drunk Elephant price tags, just read a few reviews and you’ll be well at ease. Plus, it’s like… your literal face on the line here, and if that’s not a sound investment I don’t know what is.
LA MER
11
La Mer Moisturizing Cream
YES, PLEASE. The price tag is scary, but there’s nothing richer or more nourishing than this magic lotion.
OLE HENRIKSEN
12
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream
Lest we forget a good eye cream, this is one I’m excited to add to my must-try list! This very highly rated cream is packed with vitamin C (always a good idea) and helps to reduce under eye circles. It’s also rumored to make your concealer application more effective, so yeah let’s all sign up.
6 thoughts on “Best Of 2018: Skincare”
Thanks for this post (and all the different price points). I will be 50 this year and so am looking at more “enhancements” for my skin. I have been reading up on the Hyaluronic acid and will give some of those products a try.
I think a drunk elephant may have edited some of this post 😂 But no judgement here…our house also got drop-kicked by the stomach bug and it is no joke. Glad you are on the mend!
Great recommendations! Do you use P50 and Good Genes together?
Hi Anna,
Not really, I don’t typically use them together. I use Good Genes on days when I want to give my skin a break from the stronger P50.
Mary
I noticed you posted several different acids/peels. Which one is your go to?
Hi Raquel,
This post is a round-up of reader favorites, so that’s why there are multiple different acid-based products. My personal favorites are the Biologique and Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta.
Mary