I Just Really Like It: Volume 7

Skincare, skincare, and more skincare.

This week’s newsletter is dedicated to products in my daily skincare routine. It’s highly requested by no one except, maybe, my mom! I like to keep things fairly simple and have dry skin, as well as eczema, so my picks are tailored around that. It’s also worth noting what’s not included below in my prescription tretinoin, which I’ve been on since 2015—far before I knew what a retinoid was. (I have milia, which are like tiny white bumps on the surface of the skin that tretinoin helps to treat and prevent!) Anyways, onto it.

Serums

I don’t wash my face in the morning (see: dry skin), so a good vitamin c serum is the first step. Maelove The Glow Maker is my go-to. Seriously, I think I’ve gone through 6 bottles of it at this point. And I felt vindicated after seeing this TikTok. The video breaks down the active ingredients and percentages in Glow Maker versus the SkinCeuticals vitamin c serum, which is more than 5 times the price. 

After experiencing some odd hormonal cystic acne, I had some dark spots that wouldn’t go away. I did start to incorporate this Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Serum into my routine, too, and the spots have started to fade dramatically after about a month.

Moisturizer

The CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is the only one I use morning and night. It’s simple, gentle, effective, and inexpensive. 

Eye Cream

I don’t often use eye cream, but I did buy this caffeine eye cream from The Inkey List recently. I’ve maybe noticed a subtle difference (less puffy), but I’m still happy with it, as it’s non-irritating and inexpensive. If my under eyes are feeling particularly dry (or I have an eczema flare-up near my eyes), I use a little of this healing ointment from CeraVe. It’s actually one of my favorite products for treating super-dry anything: under the nose, hands, etc.

Sunscreen

My morning skincare is always capped off by sunscreen. The EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen I featured in my last newsletter has been my go-to lately, especially on light makeup days. I recently bought this innisfree sunscreen and while I don’t have a formal opinion yet, I’m so far not mad about its price or performance. 

Cleansers

I used to double cleanse with a balm or oil, followed by a cream-to-foam cleanser. But, I noticed some irritation and my dermatologist suggested dropping the double cleanse because of my skin type and sensitivity. Now, I use micellar water to remove any eye makeup and this cleanser that I’ve found effectively removes makeup but is still gentle.

Extras

On nights I’m not using tretinoin, I use this vitamin C mask from Youth To The People. (I’ve mentioned it in a previous newsletter!) While I can’t tolerate much skincare with fragrance, this mask seems to work for me. I also can’t recommend this eyebrow conditioner enough if you’re looking to get fuller, thicker eyebrows. It works incredibly well and you only have to use it once a day.