I thought it might be nice to have one big blog post that shows all my current favorite skincare products and tools.
I’ve been making my skincare routine a bigger priority over the last 6 years or so (since I turned 30) and I think it shows!
Of course, my skin is by no means perfect and everyone’s skin is so different, so I have no idea if what works for me will work for you. But I love learning about products my friends swear by, so here are some of mine.
Related: Elsie’s Skincare Routine
My skincare (and makeup) routines are mostly natural, but I have a few products here and there that I love but are not as clean as I would prefer.
I’ll try to note those in case having all natural products is super important to you (I get it!). I am also one of those people who will try new products pretty regularly, but I also have tried and true things I buy over and over again.
Cleansers – I try to wash my makeup off every night before bed. Other than always wearing sunscreen, I feel like this is the “secret” to great skin. It’s funny how the simple things + routine are what make the biggest difference over time, right?
Anyway, I use Burt’s Bees Acne Solutions often and have bought it for years. I also like Bloomeffects Cleansing Jelly.
Toners – I use a toner every morning and evening before moisturizing. For my skin type, this has been a game changing habit over the last couple of years.
I most often use Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner (usually lavender or cucumber). Another option I like is Moon Juice Acid Potion. I only use that a couple times a week, as it’s more powerful.
Daytime moisturizers – I love LUSH Skin’s Shangri La Moisturizer. It’s not natural (I wish it didn’t have fragrance added) but I’ve bought it for years and love it.
Another daytime moisturizer I love is One Love Organics Skin Dew. It soaks into my skin rather than feeling like they sit on the surface. I can easily wear it under makeup.
Nighttime moisturizers – After cleansing and toning at night, I use a moisturizer or face oil before bed. I love, love Leahlani Bless Balm. It’s truly worth every penny and lasts a long time.
In truth, Leahlani is one of my all-time favorite natural beauty brands, they have SO many amazing products.
Face oil – If I’m wanting a facial oil, I use a number of different ones and tend to add essential oils to them. My current favorite is Shea Moisture Daily Hydration Overnight Face Oil and I’ll add a drop of Frankincense or Manuka to it.
Lip Mask – I also like to use this sleeping mask at night—I keep it on my bedside table. It’s one of my favorite nighttime rituals.
Masks – I love spending a little extra time one or two nights a week with a face mask for something a little extra added to my skincare routine.
I usually have just one or two masks at a time and I’ll buy something different once I run out. I tend to lean toward things that help to even skin tones or that, like, burn a little when you have them on. Ha.
But, I also love a moisturizing sheet mask sometimes too. Currently, I have the Bloomeffects Dutch Dirt Mask, which is a little burn-y and also exfoliating.
Other masks I love include: Erin’s Faces Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel, and Leahlani Mermaid Mask, and Acure.
Tools – There are a few tools I use often and loveI sometimes use my jade roller, especially if my under eyes are puffy.
I use a Tinkle Razor now and again for an at-home (not professional) dermabrasion, which I mostly use to remove hair (sides of my cheeks, upper lip, etc.) and I notice my makeup and other products go on smoother if I do that once in a while.
That might sound like a lot but I don’t use all these products every day. I have more or less a routine that’s really pretty simple, and I tend to rotate favorite products in and out, plus I like to try new things now and again.
I am also a big fan of DIY skincare and beauty products—I love to make my own bentonite clay mask, and I will also often make a little sugar scrub to exfoliate dry areas (like my lips) in the winter.
I also often make my own body oil, like this one, and I always have homemade dry shampoo in my bathroom cabinet as well. And here’s a link to my towel robe which comes in lots of colors.
Thanks for letting me share! I’d love to hear what your #1 favorite skincare product is—let me know in the comments. xo. Emma
Thanks for sharing! I remember you mentioned on the podcast that you have dry eyes? I have dry eyes too, so was wondering if eye creams or cleansers affect you at all? I feel worse in the morning if I try eye creams lol
So fun, I love skincare!! My favorite new find is Naturium’s SPF 50 Dew Glow Moisturizer. It is so hydrating and makes my skin so glow-y, and the sunscreen blends in to my skin! I also adore Sachi Skin products – they’re pricey but they really really work for my acne prone skin (and the Ayurvedic medicine component is so fascinating to me)!
All I use — for cleaning, moisturizing and make up removal is dr bronner’s coconut oil!
I loved reading about your skincare routine! I definitely want to try the Shea Moisture oil. You are beautiful!!
Yes, I also started using Leahlani from an earlier recommendation too! I’ve tried Honey Love, Aloha Ambrosia, Siren, and Pamplemousse have loved them all. They are a little pricier than I usually spend on facial products but I stocked up during the Christmas sale. Totally worth it!
I love these types of posts! I discovered Leahlani from an earlier ABM post and I am obsessed now. Bless is my favorite too. Also, love their Happy Hour serum. Thanks for the recommendations!
My #1 favorite skincare product currently is the Biossance mineral SPF 30 sunscreen. It has taken mineral sunscreen to a new level of performance.
Love this, thanks Emma! I love Ursa Major face wash and toner (and the 3 minute mask!) and Mad Hippie serums and moisturizer. I just got the Bite lip mask from your podcast recommendation and it’s helping me so much this winter!
I love the tinkle razor!! I think it’s a game changer for smooth makeup. I also just got a konjac sponge and it’s great, makes your face feel super clean. One of these days I definitely want to try Leahlani products. Great post!
Are all of your skincare recommendations safe for use during pregnancy?
Emma – Thank you for the razor recommendation. I have been using chemicals to remove the hairs that started to appear on my face recently. And I have lots of fine blonde hairs on my neck. (Why is that so embarrassing to even type?) Shaving just seems so scary, like such a big, irreversible step. But if you say it’s okay, that may be the push I needed. Thanks again for telling me something I stressed about is not such a big deal.
Hi! Hope you don’t mind me interjecting, but I had the same fears as you. I was worried what was once peach fuzz would become a noticeable face of hair–ya know? Like, maybe it only looked like peach fuzz because I had never tried to hack it away.
Turns out, those fears were unfounded. The hair grows back super slow! It can feel a little funny, but no one would notice.
Thanks for the tips! Can you tell us more about the Tinkle Razor? I have very fine blonde hair on my cheeks but has only recently started to bother me. When your hair grows back, do you find that it’s thicker than it was before? I’m afraid that if I try it once I’ll need to keep it up…but I’m very intrigued! Thanks, Emma.
That’s how mine is too, fine blonde or light brown hairs on the sides of my cheeks and also sides of my forehead. I also use it on my upper lip for my mustache. 😉
I haven’t noticed the hair getting thicker or darker as it grows back, but I suppose that could happen for some people. I like the feeling of smooth skin for putting on my makeup and also skincare products. And for me I only use the Tinkle Razor maybe once a month or so (but again, everyone is different).
I would put it out there though, this is just something I like. If you want to keep your peach fuzz, or armpit hair, or leg hair, do it! Do what makes you feel good.