Favorite Skincare Products of 2018

I take my skin care very seriously because I like having nice, soft skin and I don’t wear makeup very often. Below Is a collective image of every product I used in 2018. I have dry skin, and I found all of these products to be very nice.

Going in order of when I use the products in my routine, I’ll give my review and whether or not I want to use it after I finish it.

First is the Stem Cellular Cleansing Oil by Juice Beauty. I use this to take off my makeup and it really cuts through the product and melts the makeup away, even on my full glam nights with intense contour and glitter. It retails for $34 at Ulta. I have found that the Pacifica Coconut Cleansing Oil is a good dupe for this, retailing at $15.

Here are the ingredients: Juice Beauty Proprietary Blend Of Fruit Stem Cells: Apple Buds, Grape Buds & Lemon Leaf.
Helianthus Annuus (Organic Sunflower Seed Oil/Huile De Graines De Tournesol Bio)*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride+ , Polysorbate 80, Vitis Vinifera (Organic Grape Seed Oil/Huile De Pépins De Raisin Bio)*, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C/Vitamine C), Tocopherol (Vitamin E/Vitamine E), Pyrus Malus (Organic Apple Juice/Jus De Pomme Bio)*, Citrus Medica Limonum (Organic Lemon Juice/Jus De Citron Bio)*, Malus Domestica (Apple Fruit Cell Culture Extract/Extrait De Culture Cellulaire De Pomme), Vitis Vinifera (Grape Fruit Cell Extract/Extrait De Cellule De Raisin), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Leaf Cell Extract/Extrait De Cellule Des Feuilles De Citron), Litsea Cubeba (May Chang Oil/Huile De Chang Mai), Cinnamomum Camphora (Ho Wood Oil/Huile De Camphre).

*Certified Organic Ingredient / Ingrediént Certifié Bio
+ Plant Derived / Origine Végétale

Next is the Neutrogena Hydroboost Cleansing Gel. This has been a nice cleanser. It’s very light and makes my skin feel very clean. It retails for $8.99. I prefer the Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser because it feels more gentle on my skin when I rub it in. This product retails for $7.99.

Here are the ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Linoleamidopropyl Pg-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Next is the Neutrogena Hydroboost Exfoliating Facial Cleanser. I like this product because it’s very gentle on my skin and I never feel irritated after. I used to use an exfoliant by Aveeno and it was just too harsh for my skin. My skin isn’t sensitive but it’s nice to have something gentle. So far, this is the best exfoliant I have tried to date. It retails for $7.99.

Here are the ingredients: Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glycerin, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Acrylates Crosspolymer-4, Cellulose, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Glycolic Acid, Fragrance, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid.

For toner, I have been LOVING the Pixi Rose Tonic. I love this toner so much because it’s super hydrating and my skin feels so rejuvenated once I’ve used it. The 3.4 fl oz bottle retails for $15.

Here are the ingredients: Water, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Pca, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Triethyl Citrate, Rose Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Rosa Canina Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Sambucus Nigra Flower (Elder Flower) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Sodium Citrate, Montmorillonite, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate.

Another toner I’ve been using is the Ofra Cosmetics Energizing Elixir. This is a nice toner that leaves my face feeling very refreshed. I must say I prefer the Pixi toner to this one. The Ofra toner retails for $14.

Here are the ingredients: DEIONIZED WATER, ALOE VERA EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, MAGNESIUM ASPARTATE (AND) ZINC GLUCONATE (AND) COPPER GLUCONATE, ALLANTOIN, METHYLIAZOLINONE.

I noticed that I’ve had pretty large pores lately, so to help combat this, I’ve begun using The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion. The Ordinary is a very affordable brand with really cool products. I highly recommend looking into this brand for products that you don’t normally find in the store. This retails for about $10 depending on where you purchase it.

Here are the ingredients: Squalane, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Bisabolol, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil.

I follow up this product with another from The Ordinary. After the retinol serum, I use the Hylauronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum. This has such a rich consistency and my feels feels so rich and my skin looks amazing after I use this product. I will absolutely purchase it again once I’m out. This product retails for about $7.

Here are the ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Hyaluronate, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Panthenol, Ahnfeltia Concinna Extract, Glycerin, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Citric Acid, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

After this, I have been using the L’Oreal Age Perfect Eye Renewal. This is an okay product. It feels nice on the skin but it didn’t last long. I have very dry skin under my eyes and the smooth sensation didn’t last long after application. This retails for $12. I will be looking into a new product when this runs out.

Here are the ingredients: 782048/10: Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Paraffinum Liquidum/Mineral Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter, Dimethicone, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Peg-100 Stearate, Cera Alba/Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Silica, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Tin Oxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Peg-20 Stearate, Triethanolamine, Dimethiconol, Caffeine, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Vigna Aconitifolia/Vigna Aconitifolia Seed Extract, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide/Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium Edta, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Cicer Seed Extract, Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Laureth-7, Lauroyl Lysine, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Oxothiazolidinecarboxylic Acid, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Polyacrylamide, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Polyurethane-2, Octyldodecanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Ci 16035/Red 40, Ci 19140/Yellow 5, Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide, Sodium Dehydroacetate, F.i.l. #B164684/1

For moisturizer, I’ve been using a few. The first is the Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Misturizer. This is a great cream that absorbs quickly and leaves my face feeling nice and soft. I love putting this on after a shower because it feels like I have put all the moisture back into my skin. This product retails for $16.

Here are the ingredients: Water (Purified Water), Dicaprylyl Carbonate (Coconut/Palm Kernel Derived), Glycerin (Vegetable), Glyceryl Stearate (Coconut/Palm Kernel), Cetearyl Alcohol (Vegetable), Heptyl Undecylenate (Caster Oil), Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil (Inca Inchi Oil), Cetearyl Olivate (Olive Oil), Sorbitan Olivate (Olive Oil), Stearic Acid (Palm Oil), Gluconolactone (Corn), Benzyl Alcohol (The Remaining Ingredients Are Essential to Blend the Product Together and Maintain Effectiveness.), Ethylhexylglycerin (The Remaining Ingredients Are Essential to Blend the Product Together and Maintain Effectiveness.), Sclerotium Gum (Fermented Plant Matter), Tocopherol (Vegetable), Sodium Benzoate (The Remaining Ingredients Are Essential to Blend the Product Together and Maintain Effectiveness.), Fragrance (The Remaining Ingredients Are Essential to Blend the Product Together and Maintain Effectiveness.), Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract (Yerba Mate Tea), Maltodextrin (Cassava), Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum (Peruvian Tara Seed), Hydrolyzed Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum (Peruvian Tara Seed).

Another great moisturizer is the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. This product is very light weight and my skin easily drinks it up. It’s nice because it doesn’t have a super creamy texture but it still gets the job done. this product retails for $20.

Here are the ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Dimethiconol, C13_14 Isoparaf_n, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Laureth_7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, C12_14 Pareth_12, Sodium Hydroxide, Blue 1.

For night cream, I have been using the Botanics Hydrating Night Cream. When I put this on at night, I wake up and my skin feels so smooth and silky. It has a wonderful floral scent which I don’t mind. I know some people are wary about scented skincare products. This is a really nice natural brand. This product retails for $14.

Here are the ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Sweet almond) oil, Dimethicone, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sorbitan olivate, Sodium polyacrylate, Hibiscus sabdariffa flower extract, Butyrospermum parkii (Shea) butter, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone crosspolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium benzoate, Citric acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipropylene glycol, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl acetate, Benzoic acid, Dehydroacetic acid.

For an acne spot treatment, I have been using the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. This product is a bit potent but it does a great job helping me get rid of my pimples. I just dip a q-tip into the lotion, dab it on any problem spot, and let it sit all night and when I wash it off the next morning, my pimples have clearly calmed down. The product is a bit potent when you first open the bottle, but the smell isn’t an issue when it’s on my face. This product retails for $17.

Here are the ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol, Aqua (Water, Eau), Calamine, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Sulfur, Camphor, Talc, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid.

For a fresh spritz, I have been using the Mario Badescu Rose Water Facial Spray. I love this product because it cools me down on a hot day and is a nice way to add some hydrating freshness to your skin. It can also work as a setting spray if need be. I like to use this if I get too overheated while applying my makeup to freshen up and give myself a chance to set my makeup before I sweat it off. I am absolutely buying this again. This product retails for $7.

Here are the ingredients: Aqua (Water, Eau), Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Rosa Canina Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Parfum (Fragrance), Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Chloride, Citronellol, Geraniol, CI 17200 (Red 33), CI 42090 (Blue 1).

Last but not least, I have been using the Garnier Micellar Water, but usually not to remove a full face of makeup. This product has been so handy to fix small mistakes while I do my makeup and it is a fantastic product to use when cleaning your brushes. I don’t often use it to remove my face makeup because I don’t like using wipes unless I have nothing else. I prefer to remove my makeup with a cleanser. This is a great product that retails for $9.

Here are the ingredients: Aqua/Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isohexadecane, Potassium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Hexylene Glycol, Dipotassium Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Decyl Glucoside, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

I hope this has been eye-opening for anyone reading this. These are all of the products I tried in 2018 and my opinions on them. If you have any great products to recommend, I’d love to hear about them!