The Skincare Products I’d Buy With My Own Money

Working as a beauty editor and writer for the last six and a half years, I’ve tried close to a gazillion beauty products in an effort to kill my acne, hydrate my dry skin, banish eczema around my face, and make my melasma disappear during the different seasons. 

Who knows how many chemicals have made contact with my face over the years, but if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the below four products work and continue to outshine the others on my vanity shelf. Despite all the brilliant newness that gets sent to my mailbox daily, these picks below are worship-worthy products that I would spend my own, hard-earned freelance funds on if I were to no longer get products sent to me for free to test out and write about. 

It’s hard to find products that work and can be used to maintain a hydrated and healthy complexion. I’ve had to give myself grace as I explore other products, but it is a matter of fact, that these are four that I continue to turn to.

Skincare Products I’d Buy With My Own Money

Avène Skin Recovery Cream ($35)

This cream came to me when I needed it most—it was senior year of college, I was just coming off from heavy antibiotics for my acne, and I believe the strong medication made me breakout very heavily with eczema all over my face. Not only was I incredibly hungover on my graduation day, but my skin was absolutely caked in makeup trying to cover up the redness and itchiness that my eczema left behind. 

This was all pre-beauty editor days, when I spent hours watching Youtube makeup tutorial videos and sifting through Reddit for advice. Many Reddit users suggested trying this cream to calm inflammation due to eczema, and they were right—it was my saving grace.

As much as I love being in the beauty space today, wow, there was something special about watching long form videos. Do you remember the days where it felt like we were actually sitting at the vanity of Juicystar07? It’s fun to think about how the majority of the products we were using back then likely were only harming our skin. Being in this space for some time now, it’s been really unique to see how products have evolved. 

I know I am reaching for some very drastically different types of products then I used to. Infact, it’s likely I didn’t even have a grasp on what my skin type was back then and I’d only use the products that were on trend or had cute branding. Oh, to be getting ready for a middle school dance again with my Bath and Body works glitter roll ons!

 Since these times, I’ve been recommending everyone this cream if you have super sensitive skin (or a similar skin type) like myself. It’s super thick and moisturizing, so if you prefer a lighter consistency, I don’t recommend it (but doesn’t feel as heavy as a facial oil). Ideal for cold winter months, this life-saver has been a godsend for my younger brother as well, who also suffers from eczema. 

This product is also pretty significant because it uses minimal ingredients but is highly effective. I’ve put this product onto other female friends in my life that started to experience hormonal adult acne after they hit 30 years old. There were multiple people who had never struggled with acne before but all of a sudden it was beginning to pop up. I knew this product worked for me when I was struggling with the same. And today, they swear by this product. Sometimes you might be urged to try all the treatments and tricks in the book. But what it comes down to is staying hydrated and not  underestimating the power of a good moisturizer.

Other Avène products I can’t live without: 

• Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil ($32)
• Avène Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Milk Moisturizing No-Rinse Cleansing Lotion for Sensitive Skin ($20)
• Avène Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream (For Body) ($33)

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant ($30)

I’ve personally met Paula Begoun a few times, and let me tell you, this lady knows her shit. She’s authored 18 books about the beauty industry, founded Beautypedia.com, and lets everyone know how much she hates sheet masks (I actually do, too)! Paula is the real deal.  She’s a no-nonsense kinda gal, and her anti-aging skincare products fall under the same philosophy, too. Though Paula Begoun is now a staple in the beauty industry, she started out as a makeup artist and esthetician. While it’s grown to be a powerhouse, Paula’s Choice started off with the feel of a small business. There is no BS in her products and all ingredients are scientifically backed. It’s not uncommon for a business to be sold to a larger organization and for the products to slip. But, for Paula’s Choice, all of her products remain high quality. 

Her Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid has a huge, huge cult-following, and once you try it for yourself, I think you’ll understand why. It exfoliates dead skin cells while clearing pores for a more even tone, plus it visibly reduces fine lines & wrinkles.The active ingredient in this pick is 2% salicylic acid. I’ve gone through a couple of bottles of this liquid gold, and maybe I’m going crazy and just seeing things, but every time I run out or I stop using it, my skin completely freaks out and starts to break out again. 

With an exfoliant like this it’s a product you only need to use 3-4 times a week. It’s recommended to start slow and apply every other day.  This exfoliant will also help to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, which is always a win for my aging skin (I started using an eye cream at 30!). One of my favorite ingredients in this product is the integration of green tea leaf extract. Green tea really helps calm redness and soothes sensitivity.

This exfoliant is not a fash wash, which is great especially as many of us have skin that can be sensitive. It’s recommended that you gently apply over face and neck after cleansing. To apply you are to use your hands and or a cotton pad. And the key part here is to NOT rinse.

I usually apply it to a cotton pad and use it about once a day on clean skin, let it dry, then apply her Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturizer ($29) on top. I’ve gone through multiple tubes of this moisturizer and it is another Paula’s Choice product I fully stand behind (note: it’s not ideal if you have oily skin). I’ll also add that all of Paula’s products are 100% fragrance-free, which is incredibly important if you have super sensitive skin. When you use this moisturizer, your skin feels safe and calm. It’s not an overwhelming product and it’s really great for those that are prone to rosacea and eczema. This is also a really great product for those with acne prone skin. 

Other Paula’s Choice products I can’t live without:

• Paula’s Choice Boost Hyaluronic Acid Booster with Ceramides ($36)
• Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant with Glycolic Acid ($30)
• Paula’s Choice Lip & Body Emollient Treatment Balm ($15)
  

PCA Skin Hydrating Serum ($80)

There are so many PCA products I adore, but this serum is a staple in my skincare routine. It feels beautiful, soaks in seamlessly, and hydrates the hell out of my dry dermis. I like to apply this one in the morning and at night if my skin is extra dry, just after cleansing and toning. It is a product that feels like a treat and is luxurious to put on. The brand also has another popular serum, called the Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, but I find that one to be a bit too slimy for my liking—the Hydrating Serum is a perfect consistency and never fails me! Yes, texture matters. And yes, I know the price point on this one is high, but I think it’s worth it. When using this product, I can assure you that your face feels soft, plump and hydrated. 

One of the benefits of using this serum is that I notice a huge difference in how my foundation looks every time I apply this. It allows for makeup application to feel seamless.  It always manages to make my loose mineral foundation look a bit more glowy, which I love. The serum is a good base for putting on other products without losing touch of the dewy look I’m often seeking. There is no question that with time this product will have your skin tone at the next level. 

Not only is this product really helpful for hydration, it is also a really instrumental product for inflammation. It is generally very gentle yet effective. No greasiness or icky perfume scents either, so it’s a win-win!

Other PCA Skin products I can’t live without:

• PCA Skin Purifying Mask ($60)
• PCA Skin Revitalizing Mask ($50)
• PCA Skin Hydrating Mask ($60)
• PCA Skin Protecting Hydrator Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($36)

Trilogy Very Gentle Cleansing Cream ($39)

I am so over that dry, itchy feeling after washing your face with a harsh cleanser, aren’t you? If that was a yes, then you’re gonna want to consider trying this baby. It features rosehip oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil. I’ve found that the more I try to strip my skin of moisture, the more acne I get. By washing my face with a hydrating formula, I help my skin maintain its natural oils while also cleaning it simultaneously, and I don’t feel the need to slather on a moisturizer immediately after. I love using this in the morning when I wake up—I just massage it into my skin, run a clean washcloth under hot water, and wipe off the cleanser using the washcloth. The natural ingredients in this product is not just a kiss to my skin but allows me to feel like I’m at a spa in my very own bathroom! 

While you can use this cleanser to wash off makeup at night, I probably wouldn’t recommend it. This is not a replacement for a makeup remover. I like to double-cleanse using the Avène Cleansing Oil (listed above) to wash off my makeup, and then follow that with the Trilogy Cleansing Cream and a hot washcloth. Also, if you’re into facial oils, this brand has a lovely one. Facial oil is a touch that wraps up the routine after cleanser very nicely.  This cleanser is complimented well with face masks once you’ve done all of your skin care steps! 

In general, Trilogy has other products that compliment this cleansing cream really well.  When I am using this cream, I like to treat myself with a leave-on or overnight mask. Trilogy has a leave-on mask that will leave you nourished and hydrated. The mask combines a powerful blend of botanical extracts and vitamins. 

Often, it’s rather fun to try new products, and be able to explore new brands but when it comes to my skin, I’m at a place now where I know what I like and am aware of what I should avoid. That said, it’s taken a lot of trial and error to find the right combos. It changes and evolves often – especially, as seasons change, but this list are truly some go to’s that I always want to ensure I have an inventory of and love to implement.