Next up in my 2019 Favorites series is skincare. I tried a lot more skincare products than makeup and switched around my products a lot throughout the year, making this list a little harder to whittle down than the makeup. For most of the year I tried to stick with simple, hydrating products and didn’t mess with many actives. I think simple is best when it comes to my skin.
Bioderma Hydrabio Serum - if I had to pick one skincare favorite, it would be this. I don’t know why I didn’t try Bioderma skincare earlier, but I’m so glad I’ve finally realized how great everything by them is. The Hydrabio line is my favorite, and the serum is the standout: it’s a gel texture that sinks into the skin quickly, doesn’t pill, and instantly drenches the skin with moisture and helps to plump and soothe. I’m already on my second bottle and will definitely be ordering more backups.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid - I didn’t believe the hype until I tried it. This, patted on right after cleansing at night, has helped my skin so much. It’s smoother, brighter, and clearer, and my pores look smaller. Believe the hype!
Indie Lee Daily Vitamin Infusion - my go-to face oil for most of the year. It’s a very lightweight oil that sinks in easily, but it leaves the skin looking so “juicy” and nourished. It’s packed full of great ingredients like squalane, avocado oil, and ceramides. I’ve been mixing this into my moisturizer every morning for months!
Krave Beauty The Beet Shield - the SPF that got me into wearing SPF every day. It feels like a lightweight lotion, isn’t drying or chalky, and doesn’t leave a white cast. It wears really well over my other skincare and under makeup, so it slotted into my routine easily. I’ve noticed my acne doesn’t leave dark scars anymore, and I’m assuming it’s because my skin is protected from the sun.
Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief - I’m always looking for products that aid in barrier repair. Although I haven’t damaged my skin in a long time with overexfoliation, etc (*knocks on wood*), I still love the way they nourish my skin. Great Barrier Relief has been my go-to this year. It has a creamy texture and feels quite rich on the skin, but never heavy or greasy. It really helps to calm irritation from the cold, and I noticed with consistent use it helped a lot of my redness.
Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream - I usually go back and forth between creams, but I haven’t been able to stop using this one. It has a nice juicy texture that’s almost like a gel-cream, but it really delivers on the hydration front. I use it every morning and even some nights, too.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask - I had to include this one - not only is it my favorite sleeping mask of the year, but I went to New York with the Fresh Team to celebrate its launch! It has two sides - a jelly texture goes first to deliver intense hydration, and then a creamier mask goes on top to seal it in. It isn’t sticky and doesn’t get on the pillows as you sleep, and in the morning you get the plumpest, dewiest skin.
Caudalie Moisturizing Mask - I didn’t spend a lot of time masking this year, and I’ve been trying to pare down my mask collection lately, but this one was always a winner. It’s a thick cream that instantly feels soothing and so nourishing. I like to apply a thick layer before getting in the shower to protect my skin from the hot water, and I always end up with plump, juicy skin after I wash it off.
Glossier Bubblewrap - I did not think this would be my favorite Glossier product of the year when it first came out, but it’s really grown on me! This year I’ve really embraced more simple, basic skincare products, Bubblewrap included. It’s just a nice, hydrating eye cream. It’s not too thick and not too thin, it delivers a good amount of moisture, and it wears well under makeup.
Biossance Rose Vegan Lip Balm - I’m usually really picky about lip balms because I have reactions to a lot of them. But this Biossance one was too pretty to pass up when it launched, and it also didn’t seem to have any ingredients that normally bothered me. It has a jelly texture that kind of melts into an oil on the lips. It stays put on the lips without migrating and isn’t too slippy. It delivers moisture for hours and hours, and it even makes the lips look a little plumper and smooths out lip lines. I use this one every morning.
This post contains affiliate links, and some products mentioned were gifted.