With the new year coming really, really close, it seems like it’s time for me to finish up my list of top skincare products for the year too! Skincare is an absolutely essential part of a beauty regime and it took spending quite a while in Korea for me to really jump on board of this. Let’s get real here: make up gives you instant results. With the right skills, you can completely transform your look, hide your flaws, in a matter of minutes. There is a reason I tend to review make up more than skincare – it’s faster and I’m impatient.
However, it is important to keep in mind that skincare is not an overnight thing. It is a dedicated regime that improves and protects your complexion continuously. After all, good skin doesn’t wipe off with a baby wipe.
Keeping that in mind, you can actually argue that skincare is more important that make up – and most people believe that. I’m not here to debate though and, instead, I’m going to be showing you the products I’ve used with dedication through this year. These are all things that I love, will be taking with me to 2017 and hope will help you too when you go to check them out. Read on!
NATURE REPUBLIC – 92% Aloe Vera Soothing Gel
This is a product that was introduced to me by a friend while I was staying in Korea and I instantly loved it. In fact, I brought back quite a few tubs of this multi-purpose product. For some people, this Aloe Vera gel has helped with soothing acne, hydrating skin, relieving sun burns… though I can’t hold the promise that it will help everything but I do find it really great for sunburns and as a make up base.
The gel has a light cooling effect and hydrates the skin. It dries quickly and, when it does, forms a sort of layer over your face which is great for applying base make up over. There is no grease so it doesn’t cause the foundation to break up and cake, though it can flake a little if you rub your face too much. Overall, this is a really affordable and useful staple to have on hand.
ETUDE HOUSE – One Shot Sherbet Cleanser*
This is the first oil based cleanser that I’d used and the first time that I tried to work in a two-stop cleansing routine – and I have totally fallen for it. This product smells amazingly citrusy and cleans your skin really well; bb cream, mascara, eyeliner. I use a lot of waterproof make up because of my hayfever allergies so it’s often pretty difficult for me to get my skin really make up free.
Out of the pictured collection, I had only used the cleanser but I’m going to look into trying the other two as well. I’m not sure why more people aren’t using this product but I’m assuming that it’s been a bit overshadowed by Banila Co’s Clean it Zero (which I will test and use next year). Either way, I really loved this product and find myself using it most days. Super highly recommend.
PETITFEE – D-Off Phyto Foam Cleanser**
This was such a strange product to me that I considered for a long time whether or not to include it on the list. However, considering that it’s changed my standards for water based cleansers and how I am still using it, I think it’s pretty safe to say that it product deserves its place here.
I still find the grass-like smell strange and a little off putting, but I’m slowly getting used to it. The product doesn’t foam up as much as I expect it to but it cleans the skin really well and leaves you with softer (and even hydrated) skin. It doesn’t strip natural oils and won’t cause your skin to drag. Basically, it was just really suitable for my skintype.
SKIN EDITOR – Full original collection***
I know that I’m sort of cheating by including an entire collection of skincare but, considering that I had introduced Skin Editor as a whole earlier in the year, I figured that I kind of have an excuse to do this. The brand is a cosmeceutical brand that aims to bring dermatologist quality skincare to home care.
There’s a lot more information about their products in the full review and their website but, overall, I saw really great improvement with my skin while I was using their products. They really do have a full range – from essences to sunscreen but, in their original collection, was missing a few things like a toner and mist. However, they have expanded their product line since too! Their website is in Korean so its a bit harder to get a hold of but, if you can, they are definitely worth it.
SU:M37 – Miracle Rose Cleansing Stick****
And here’s for something that I actually tried a little more recently but really enjoyed. This product is much raved over so I had really wanted to find out what the kerfuffle was. As soon as I hoped it though, I had a feeling I knew why – this cleanser smells so beautiful and luxurious. The packaging as a very classy feel to it and, even though it’s a bit expensive, this seems to be a product that many of us are turning back to.
My favourite thing about this product is its formula – the stick form is really easy to carry around for travel and, though it doesn’t foam up as much as I want it to, it’s really useful to keep on hand. I’ll be keeping this cleansing stick to use on the go or during my travels, and I recommend that anyone with a good case of wanderlust do so as well.
Airport restrictions are a bit annoying but really important, so I hope that everyone follows them to the T! Don’t bring big bottles of liquids. Bring this instead 😀
INNISFREE – Wine Jelly Sleeping Pack
I am addicted to the smell of this. Honestly, it’s become a favourite on the list by scent alone. When I went into the store, I actually had no intention of buying another sleeping pack but found myself returning to smell it around fifteen times so I figured it was only fair for me to bring it home.
This product has a really interesting memory jelly sort of texture, which is how to shapes and forms a light film over your skin while you sleep. It’s super hydrating, which is great for people with dry skin like myself, and the scent is pleasant enough to lull me to sleep. The price point is really great too so, for people who like wine or grapes, this is where to go.
IT’S SKIN – Power 10 Effectors
You know, I didn’t find out until recently that these effectors have rather mixed reviews online. However, considering that I’ve now been using them for nearly two years, they totally have my stamp of approval. These effectors are using along with your usual skin care to boost certain attributes of your products. This ranges from anti-aging, whitening to hydration.
I use quite a range of these to target problem areas and seasonal issues, and there are many people I know who have used these and seen visible results. Personally, I’m a fan of almost every one that I’ve picked up (aside from the PO) and use them pretty much every night so I highly recommend these to everyone!
LANEIGE – Water Sleeping Mask
This one is about to become another ’empties’ because even with my mini collection of sleeping packs and masks, I keep going back to the Laneige one when ever I really want reassurance that my skin will be great the next day. The Water Sleeping Mask is probably more suitable for summer weather and combination to oily skin (rather than dry) as it is a light gel formula. The scent is really calming and gentle, which is suitable for most people, and the effects are great.
Compared to many other products from Laneige, this product is actually pretty affordable. It’s a bit of a cult favourite and I know that a lot of people – like me – repurchase and use this over and over.
ETUDE HOUSE – Wonder Pore Balancing Cream*
And finally, but definitely not the least important, is the Wonder Pore Balancing Cream! I had heard some mixed reviews about this product but, from my personal experience, thought it was great. It smells a little bit strange but the scent fades quickly – which is good. The cream has a gel consistency and is really good for balancing excess sebum and oil in your skin. By balancing out this, it will also improve the appearance of pores and dramatically reduce black heads. This isn’t permanent, of course, and upon stopping use, your skin just returns to his usual state.
This cream is best used after clearing your pores (as, if they are still clogged up, they won’t shrink… you just won’t get more black and white heads). It helps to maintain that just cleansed, clean as anything feel.
And that’s my top 10 skincare of 2016, guys! It’s been a tiring day so I won’t talk much but I hope that this was helpful for everyone. Definitely go and check out these products because I highly recommend them and I’ll be taking them through to my skincare routine for the coming year.
* Sponsored by BeautynetKorea ** Sponsored by RoseRoseShop *** Sponsored by Skin Editor **** Sponsored by StyleKorean
