Hi everyone,
I recently moved from dry, cold Canada into balmy California and I'm finding my usual skincare routine wasn't working for me. My combination skin is leaning towards the oilier side nowadays and I feel constantly shiny. I've spent the past two months trying hundred of Sephora samples and trial sizes but have yet to find a proper line of products that 1. All have clean ingredients 2. Don't make my too shiny/oily and break out and 3. Have at least a variety of prices! I can't afford to get the $60+ version of every item, but I am willing to splurge on a few key, skin-sinking in products. If you're anything like me and have some favorites from the categories where I'm currently missing, I'd love to hear your opinions. Thanks! Below is my crazy long list of what I've tried, loved and hated so far.
CLEANSERS (I usually have 4 types on hand):
- FOUND Quick/Travel/Waterproof Makeup remover: LOVE Garnier Micellar water (use with cotton pad. Simple & cheap)
- FOUND Makeup removing cleanser (oil or balm): LOVE Farmacy Green Clean Balm
- STILL LOOKING Regular, daily wash. Cleans well for combo skin, leaves no residue. Brightening properties ideal.
- TRIED Tarte “Rainforest Of the Sea”. Good, but no brightening properties. Not drying, but slightly oily residue
- TRYING Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
- TRYING Ole Henriksen the clean truth
- STILL LOOKING Acne prone days wash/exfoliate
- TRIED Tarte “Frixxx” Stick. Loved it, but left residue and not much in package. Finished too fast. Residue not great for acne, just exfoliation
- TRYING Neutrogena Grapefruit Oil Free Acne Wash
TONER
Regular, daily. Cleansing, Moisturizing and pore minimizing
- TRIED “Fresh” Rose Deep Hydration - good, but too watery. Don’t like dispenser, which pours too fast when squeezed
- TRYING Indie Lee C0Q-10 Toner
- TRYING Claudalie Beauty Elixir
- Apparently more of a “setting spray” than toner. Has alcohol 😞
EXTRA
DAY SERUM:
Target Brightening, uneven texture, pores (Necessary at 32?)
- TRIED Ole Henrikson “Truth”. Liked it. Lightweight, but not much result.
- TRIED Drunk Elephant “Vitamin C Day Serum”. Very sticky & stupid expensive! Makes me too shiny
- Honestly, not sure if a serum is necessary for my problems. Always seems like an annoying, extra step in the morning. Perhaps will use retinol when wrinkles start to become a problem. Will probably skip in the future, once products run out. Thoughts?
EYE CREAM:
Target problems: dark circles!
- TRIED Algenist “Complete Eye Renewal Balm”
- Received for free. After months of use, definite slight improvement. I feel it is more for wrinkles, which is not yet a problem for me.
- WANT TO TRY: Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Cream
MOISTURIZER:
Concerns: shininess + pores
- TRIED Drunk Elephant “Polypeptide” - found to be greasy and too expensive
- TRIED Tarte, “Water Cream” - LOVE IT, but too darn expensive 😞
- TRIED Murad, SPF - Loved it but moved away from moisturizers containing SPF. I now believe they need to be separate.
- TRIED Origins “Ginzing” - Loved it, but didn’t have the pores reduction effect. May try again later.
- TRYING: Belif “Aqua Bomb” - liking it, almost like the Tarte Water Cream BUT it doesn’t absorb as well. Still searching...HAS ALCOHOL! NOO! MUST RETURN!
PRIMER/SUNSCREEN:
- TRIED Tarte Silken Pore Perfecting - love it, but too expensive 😞
- TRIED: Drunk Elephant Umbra - leaves white cast, super thick
- TRIED Algenist Ultra Lightweight UV Defense - liked it, very lightweight. Perhaps will go back...Would have to get primer separately, not that big a deal.
- TRYING: Supergood Unseen - liking it so far, but worried it is clogging pores. Had some breakouts after…
NIGHT:
Toner + ...
Chemical Exfoliating
- TRIED Origins “Night-a-Mins” - was sold to because it was a moisturizing cream + AHA peel. Never again gonna try combo products. Too heavy for me. Need to use it all up and dreading it :(. Will use only on dry days.
- WANT TO TRY: Farmacy “Honeymoon Glow”
Acne-prone days, for overall avoidance
- LOVE Peace-Out Acne spots: LOVE for Concentrating on a single, bad zit. Gone in 6 hours. Will use forever!
- TRYING Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel: Like it, but expensive.
- WANT TO TRY The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% solution: Basic, but apparently works and CHEAP!
ISSUE OF THE DAY/SPECIALTY MASKS:
To be used when have the time, depending on issue. Have a fancy + cheap alternative and swap between to save $$
Acne/Detox - use pore sucking up clay!
- CHEAPER TRYING Loreal Pure Clay Charcoal: not bad, not great. Sucks skin dry at least. And not expensive.
- TRYING Herbivore Blue Tansy: Will note effects after few days. Do not mix with “honeymoon glow” as could cause over exfoliation.
- CHEAPER WANT TO TRY: Origins “Clear Improvement"
- FANCY LOVE Dr. Jart + Pore Minimalist Black Charcoal Sheet Mask, but expensive
Moisturize - when feeling dry
- FANCY LOVE Dr. Jart Hydration Love Rubber Mask - awesome but expensive! Use sparingly. Go back and forth with cheaper alternative
- FANCY WANT TO TRY: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask
Brightening - when feeling dull, especially if I stop using vitamin c serum
- FANCY WANT TO TRY: Dr Jart+ Bright Lover Rubber Mask