Hi again!
Unfortunately, all is not well with me at the moment. I'm currently healing from my wisdom tooth surgery, laying in bed and looking more swollen than usual. The good news is the swelling should go down in time for my birthday on Wednesday (shameless self promo) !! It's the big 2-4 for me.
Anyway, back to skincare. More than 130 people read my blog last week! I'm very thankful for each and every one of you — even the ones I forced to click the link. Thank you again.
Who knew some of my hot takes would stir such a controversy? Especially the Paula's Choice one— I'm not surprised that so many people are fans of that chemical exfoliant.
So if these best-sellers don't work for me, what does? Today, I've compiled most of my holy grails— they're great for sensitive skin, relatively inexpensive and accessible. You can probably find these hidden gems at your local Sephora, Ulta, Target, or if you're up for it, Amazon.
Without further ado, here are my personal recommendations of must-haves. Again, these are just what work for MY skin and are MY opinions. But I've talked highly about these to my friends and family members, so I figured it's time to share them with you all.
For makeup removal
Skincare junkies, you already know the golden rule: Double cleanse! It's tempting to wind down at the end of the day with a makeup wipe, but STOP! It really is worth it to take those extra ~5 minutes to double cleanse all that makeup, sunscreen and debris off your face. Your skin will thank you in the morning. Trust me!
For a first cleanse, I'm looking for something basic to just remove everything that's been sitting on my skin all day. In comes Sidmool KAKADU Amino Cleanser ($26): This one is harder to find, because it's a South Korean brand, but it truly is such a staple, lightweight cleanser. No weird scents. No slimy or heavy texture. It's so reliable that I literally have not used any other makeup remover since starting a serious skincare regime (AKA... since high school). As you can see, the bottle is HUGE. It lasts me over a year, and I use it nearly every day!
As my second cleanse, I'm in need of hydration. Something to nourish my skin. So I use Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée 3% ($18). I found this brand, because it's created by one of my favorite beauty YouTubers, Susan Yara, and I decided to give it a shot. I am NOT someone who buys products just because of the face attached to it (cough, Rhode and KylieSkin), but I really do think Naturium is slept on! You can buy it at Target, and most of its products are under $25. This cleanser in particular is everything I'm looking for: hydrating, cooling, brightening without stripping the moisture from my eczema-prone skin. If I'm not wearing makeup all day, I just skip the Sidmool cleanser and wash with Naturium.
For achieving smooth, even skin texture
I only started exfoliating recently, less than 6 months ago, because I was scared. I've seen the horror stories of people destroying their skin barriers by over-exfoliating or using an exfoliant that is too strong. As you all know, my skin is sensitive, so I always err on the side of caution.
But one issue I've always struggled with is the way makeup sits on my face. Even when I had no pimples, and even when I used primer, my foundation and concealer appeared flaky, nearly pilling off.
Alas, the TikTok algorithm fed me videos of girls with glassy, glowing skin. And the secret? Exfoliating! The goal of a chemical exfoliant (which is recommended over physical scrubs) is to gently shed off the dead layers of your skin to reveal a clean, smoother base– both for makeup and skincare. As I said before, the Paula's Choice one broke me out, so I found another alternative: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid ($22).
I am in LOVE with this product. If you are try one thing out from this blog, it's THIS. The COSRX exfoliant is better suited for normal to dry skin types, since it's made of AHAs (not BHAs- these are for oily, more acne-prone skin types). This holy grail doesn't irritate my skin and really changed the game when it comes to makeup. I've also noticed a reduction in breakouts, especially on my forehead, when I use it consistently.
OK, I know I said affordable options, but if you want another great exfoliator, try CLEARSTEM PREGAME Face Mask ($56). Disclaimer that this was sent to me months ago (thank you, Sadie!) as a gift, and it's gorgeous. It's kind of a gelatinous, ocean blue mask with a fun, glittery appearance. I was mostly intrigued by how pretty the product is, but I'm even more impressed by how well it works— so much so that I re-purchased it with my own money after I ran out.
I'm not a big splurger when it comes to skincare. I feel like no product should be more than $40— unless it's literally Botox in a bottle. But this is worth the splurge. A little goes a long way, and I typically only use this for weekends or special nights out when I'm getting dolled up for a nice dinner or party. I apply the mask on for 2 minutes, then once I wash it off, it provides the smoothest, cleanest canvas for my makeup.
When it comes to exfoliants... DON'T OVERDO IT!! Once, twice a week at most, is enough. Otherwise, you'll damage your skin barrier, which may leave it drier, flakier, bumpier and more sensitive.
For treating pesky pimples, whiteheads
I used to be a big pimple popper. Honestly I still am, but I'm getting better about it! (I used to poke my pimples with a needle and try to push out the gunk forcibly— that's how bad I used to be).
To be honest, I really haven't found any product to get rid of a zit overnight. Benzoyl peroxide helps, but it isn't a holy grail for me. So in the meantime, I've been using hydrocolloid bandages to "spot treat" any blind pimples or whiteheads.
The Band-Aid Brand Hydro Seal Waterproof All Purpose Adhesive Bandages ($6-9) are some of the cheapest ones I've found and enjoyed. Cut a tiny piece and put it on cleansed, dry skin, and your blind pimple will eventually come to a head.
My personal favorite, albeit more expensive but still affordable, is Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch The Original ($13). Unlike the Band-Aid brand, these are clear, so you can see all the gunk being sucked out of your pimple. Satisfying. Of course, it's not exactly the cheapest pimple sticker out there, so I've saved some money by cutting the stickers in half, rather than using a whole patch.
For treating dry, chapped lips
To be honest, I don't trust that many chapsticks or lip balms. I feel like it's a gimmick to dry my lips out to trap me into buying more (and it works!)
So, I just stick to my handy dandy Aquaphor, particularly the small, travel-sized version to carry around in my purse. But if you're looking for something else, my second favorite go-to is Kiehl's LIP BALM #1 ($10). I prefer the oily feeling over the more occlusive, balmy texture of Laneige, so try giving this one a shot!
For fading pimple scars, dark spots
After I pop a zit, I panic, left with the aftermath of an ugly, darkened scar. Unfortunately, I haven't found anything to get rid of the hyperpigmentation overnight— which may very well be impossible.
The truth is, fading scars and dark spots is a painfully slow process. So my dermatologist's main suggestion is to focus on preventing it from getting darker... with SPF!
The EltaMD sunscreen is all the hype on TikTok, thanks to celebrities like Hailey Bieber. I have this one and like it, but I think a better, more underrated alternative is Shiseido Clear Stick SPF 50+ Sunscreen ($29). Not only does it have a higher SPF, but it also doubles as a great primer for makeup. It may seem unsanitary to keep re-using a stick on your bare face, so make sure to wipe off the top with a tissue or napkin.
For restoring a damaged skin barrier
I used to think 10-step skincare routines were the key for healthy skin. But after years of learning a little too late, it actually resulted in a damaged skin barrier: what happens when you overuse strong, active ingredients.
It takes a few months to repair, but moisturizing is key in letting your skin breathe and thrive. Less is truly more, I learned!
For those with sensitive skin, hyaluronic acid is a great option. Personally, I use Naturium Hyaluronic Acid Essence 2% ($16), because it's more lightweight than other thick, gooey serums. To top it off, I pack the moisture in with a thick, creamy lotion. The innisfree Orchid Youth-Enriched Gel Cream ($29) has been working well for me. It's a Korean brand, which I'm always a proponent of, and leaves my face feeling plump and hydrated — without being sticky or comedogenic. My only complaint is that it comes in such a small container, and I have to buy a new one almost every month!
Once again, thanks for making it this down far, and I'd love to know if you end up trying any of these products. Which ones are you curious to learn more about? Which ones have you already tried?
Next week, I'll be exploring cortisone injections, which TikTok users swear will make any zit go away overnight before a big event. I've tried it numerous times at my local dermatologist's office — and I have mixed feelings.
See you Monday!
Jenna
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