Skincare Products I Love
The OMFG products that my skin 'Thanked' me for
Skincare: My Favorite Obsession
Welcome to my absolute favorite topic—skincare. Why? Because there’s so much out there to try! This page is where I’m sharing the hits—the products I’ve loved, hoarded, and reordered so many times they’ve basically become roommates in my spare room (aka my product room).
Here’s the deal: As I get older, skincare has become non-negotiable. I only wish I’d started sooner (seriously, past me—what were you thinking?). But better late than never, right? Now I’m diving in headfirst, trying everything I can get my hands on, and I’m not stopping anytime soon.
A lot of my holy grails have come from beauty box subscriptions. When I find something amazing, I don’t just reorder—I stockpile. If you see duplicates or more, trust me, it’s not an accident. It’s that good.
Now, before we dive into the fun stuff, let’s be real: what works for me might not work for you. Skincare is like dating—sometimes it’s love at first swipe, and sometimes it’s a total flop. Trial and error is the name of the game. The best part? When you find that product you keep reaching for, it’s like finding the one.
So let’s get into it! I’m kicking things off with my favorites, and maybe down the road, I’ll add reviews of the not-so-great ones. But for now, we’re keeping it optimistic and celebrating the skincare that actually delivers.
Cleansing Balms: Where Have You Been All My Life?
Why the hell did it take me this long to discover cleansing balms? Seriously, all my life, I’ve been scrubbing my face raw with soaps, makeup removers, and cleansers that either burn my eyes or leave gritty crap behind to irritate my skin. Removing waterproof mascara and eyeliner? Total nightmare. (And yes, I’m still rocking the black eyeliner and mascara—slowly transitioning to brown for “mature women,” but let me live.)
Then one magical day, a beauty box blessed me with a cleansing balm, and everything changed. Now, cleansing balms are a must-have. Here’s my breakdown of the ones I’ve tried so far.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
This was my first love in the cleansing balm world, and OMG—it’s magic. Smooth, silky, and it literally melts makeup off your face. Waterproof mascara? Gone. Eyeliner? Bye-bye. I did have to rub my lashes a little extra, but the sludge pile of gray goop on my fingers was weirdly satisfying.
The Best Part: No burning, no grit, no irritation. Just soft, happy skin.
The Downside: The price. When I saw how much this stuff costs, I almost cried. But honestly, if I had unlimited funds, I’d buy it in bulk.
Sheglam Nourishing Neroli Face Cleansing Balm
This budget-friendly gem is from Shein, and it’s surprisingly impressive. The texture is smooth and silky, just like Elemis, and it takes off makeup beautifully. It’s not exactly as good, but it’s pretty damn close.
The Best Part: Affordable, effective, and doesn’t burn your eyes.
The Downside: Not much, honestly. For the price, it’s a solid pick.
Avocado-Based Mystery Balm
Shein strikes again with this random avocado cleansing balm. The packaging is vague, and it’s giving off major Crisco vibes—but it’s not terrible.
The Best Part: It smells better than Crisco and works okay on light makeup days.
The Downside: You need way more product and a lot more rubbing to get waterproof makeup off. It’s not a great choice for heavy-duty cleansing.
The Verdict
Cleansing balms have officially changed my skincare game. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is my top pick—it’s luxury in a jar. But for everyday use, Sheglam Nourishing Neroli holds its own without breaking the bank. As for the avocado balm? It’s a “meh” backup for minimal makeup days.
Stay tuned—this obsession is far from over, and I can’t wait to try even more cleansing balms in the future.
Cleansing Balms
Toners: The OG Step 2
Toners have been around forever, and for a long time, they were a must-have. The idea? Swipe them on to balance your skin and clear away any lingering dirt your cleanser didn’t catch. But let’s be real—some of those old-school toners were just glorified liquid sandpaper. The alcohol content alone could strip your face so dry it felt like the desert.
The good news? Modern toners are a whole different story. Now, they’re all about soothing, hydrating, and prepping your skin for the good stuff that comes next. Think of them as a gentle nudge for your skin to get its act together.
Pro Tip: Always check the label. Look for hydrating ingredients (hello, hyaluronic acid) and skip the ones that scream “80-proof vodka.”
Mists: The Pocket Therapist for Your Face
Mists are like the cool, carefree friend who always has your back. Feeling dry? Mist. Need a refresh? Mist. Trying to make your makeup look less cakey? Mist! These little sprays are a lighter way to keep your skin hydrated and plump throughout the day. Plus, they’re portable. Toss one in your bag and spritz yourself back to life whenever you need a pick-me-up.
Bonus Points: You can even spray them over makeup without turning into a streaky mess. Magic in a bottle, I tell ya.
Essences: The Big Sister of Hydration
Now, let’s talk about essences—the nurturing, overachieving big sister of this trio. Essences don’t mess around. They’re lightweight but packed with hydration, anti-aging goodness, and ingredients that actually do things. Think plumping, soothing, and prepping your skin to soak up the rest of your routine like a thirsty sponge.
The best part? They’re gentle as hell. If toners sometimes feel too harsh or mists don’t seem like enough, essences are your sweet spot. Just pat one on after cleansing, layer up the love, and watch your skin thank you.
Toners set the stage, mists keep things fresh, and essences bring the hydration and nutrients your skin’s been begging for. Use one, use all three—there’s no wrong way to roll as long as your skin’s happy. Now, excuse me while I spritz myself into hydration heaven and layer on some essence like my life depends on it.
Toners, Mists, Essences
My Favorites, Ranked
These are my go-to sprays and mists that I slap on after a shower or before bed. Picking a single favorite? Impossible. They all bring something special to the table. But since I know we love a ranking, here’s my lineup—from least to most loved (though they’re all winners in their own way).
5. THE VEGAN
The Vibe: Cool, calming, and non-harsh.
Why It’s Ranked Here: If I had to pick a least favorite, this would be it—but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It gets the job done and feels refreshing, but it doesn’t have that wow factor the others do.
4. Pyunkang Yul
The Vibe: A non-smelly, cool, gel-like essence that leaves your skin feeling soft AF.
What I Love: Super calming and hydrating.
The Downside: It takes a minute to soak in. I’m probably using too much, but hey, I’m an overachiever.
3. PIXI
The Vibe: Slight tingle, slight scent, major love.
What I Love: That tingle (thanks, retinol) and a clean, aesthetic smell.
Pro Tip: I pour this into a spray bottle to save product and make application easier. Bonus—small spray bottles are perfect for travel, and larger ones mean fewer refills.
2. Numbuzin #3
The Vibe: Silky, fresh, and a smell I can’t describe but love.
What I Love: Everything! It’s hydrating, refreshing, and leaves my skin feeling like a dream.
Fun Fact: I use this all the way down to my chest because why should my face have all the fun? 👍👍
1. Mario Badescu
The Vibe: The ultimate multitasker and my personal “Awesome Award” winner.
Why It’s the Best: Smells amazing, leaves my skin hydrated, and doubles as a primer and setting spray. This bad boy kept my makeup looking fresh after 37 hours (yes, you read that right).
Pro Tips for Mario:
Toss a mini spray bottle in your work bag for midday touch-ups.
DIY alert: Mix it with a bit of glycerin for a budget-friendly setting spray. Just watch the glycerin ratio—too much, and you’ll get sticky vibes.
The Verdict:
Every product here has earned a permanent spot in my skincare routine, but Mario Badescu reigns supreme. So much so that I’ve bought every variety they make (my bank account weeps, but my skin sings). If you’re new to mists, start there—you’re bound to find one that suits your fancy.
What’s your go-to spray? Let me know—I’m always down to try something new (like I need more reasons to turn my product room into a skincare warehouse).
