If there is one thing I get asked over and over, it’s questions about my skin. What products do I use for it? Which are the most effective? What treatments have you had? I regularly share skincare routines and product reviews but I thought I would write a blog post dedicated to the products that are responsible for having my skin look the way it does. These are products that have been instrumental in keeping my skin looking its best.

For some background, I just turned 46 and currently have no botox or filler. I tried Dysport a few years ago for my forehead and loved it but honestly it’s not in my budget right now. I plan to try it again in the future but for now, I am happy with how my skin looks. I also will acknowledge the role that genetics plays in my skin. My mom is nearly 80 and has amazing skin. Her mom had great skin so there is a HUGE genetic factor in why my skin looks the way it does. But genetics can only take me so far and I have dedicated my time to finding products to do the rest of the work. This post may change over time as my needs change, I discover new products or things stop working for me. But for now, these are the products that make my skin looks its best.

Skincare Products That Work

Cleansers

I am sticking with tried and true products that I KNOW have made a huge difference in my skin. Double cleansing is 100% a must for me so I will always use a cleansing balm to remove my makeup and then a second cleanser to nourish my skin.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm

I’ve been using this cleansing balm for nearly 10 years. It’s one of my most repurchased skincare items that I will never be without. I will alternate between this Cleansing Balm and the Versed each night to remove my makeup. The Elemis one is really rich and nourishing and leaves my skin feeling so soft. No other cleansing balm leaves me skin AS soft as the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. I always apply my cleansing balms on a dry face with dry hands and then massage in to break down and remove all my makeup. I will then add water to emulsify the balm to a gentle milk and rinse.

OneSkin PREP Facial Cleanser (discount code: MAREE15)

While cleansers can often be seen as an afterthought in a skincare routine, I believe that using great cleansers can really help to prep the skin well for the rest of the products you will be using. From the first time I tried this cleanser, I was instantly in love with how it made my skin feel (and featured it in this blog post on best facial cleansers for mature skin) . It’s a silky gel texture that foams up slightly but not enough to dry out the skin or less your skin feeling stripped and/or tight. The PREP facial cleanser helps to balance the skin and allow for better product absorption. There is prickly pear extract for a gentle exfoliation, arnica extract to help reduce inflammation and niacinamide which helps to condition the skin.

Exfoliating Pads

I need a gentle exfoliation a few times a week to help remove dead skin cells and give my skin a glow.

YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads (discount code: MAREE15)

I love these resurfacing peel pads and use them three times a week to give me a nice chemical exfoliation. I’m pretty picky about my exfoliating pads not being too strong or too gentle and this manages to be the perfect balance. It’s formulated with glycolic acid which helps to slough off those dead skin cells but also contains gluconalacotone which has anti-inflammatory properties. Even though it resurfaces, my skin still feels nicely hydrated afterwards instead of tight or irritated. I also LOVE the shape of them because they are a dual-textured pad with a pocket that you can fit your fingers into and easily swipe across the face.

Toners/Essences

I love layering toners/essences in my skincare routine after cleansing and using a toning pad. I like a lot of different formulas but these are the ones that have made a huge difference in my skin.

Rhode Glazing Milk

The Rhode Glazing Milk is what made me fall in love with milky toners in the first place. It’s still my absolute favorite formula and one that I have repurchase time and time again. This is a creamy milky essence designed to prep the skin for product absorption, boost barrier function and provide instant hydration. It contains a mix of ceramides, a magnesium + zinc + copper blend and beta-glucan to help soften and moisturize the skin. It also helps to reduce redness over time. The Glazing Milk is the thickest out of all these toners in this post but for me is the most intensely nourishing. The name is perfect because it really does give the skin a glazy finish and really provides fantastic skin barrier support. It’s incredibly versatile and can be used in a few different ways.

The first way I use it is as an essence after I have cleansed and toned. I will pour it into my hands and pat into the skin. Recently I have been using it as a final serum in my skincare routine applied right before I put on my moisturizer. Finally, it is the PERFECT makeup prep product. If you find that your makeup doesn’t apply as nicely as you would like, pat a bit of this into your skin right before you apply your foundation.

TirTir Milk Skin Toner

TirTir is one of my favorite Korean beauty brands and this was the first skincare product from them that I tried. I fell in love with the formula and have repurchase it multiple times since. It’s a very ligthweight milky toner that has a watery consistency. Formulated with niacinamide, rice bran extract and ceramides, the TirTir Milk Skin Toner delivers intense hydration while also comforting and soothing the skin. The addition of panthenol helps make it suitable for sensitive skin and especially great for those with very dry and reactive skin. Like with all the milky toners that I have, I prefer to pour a small bit into my hands and pat it into the skin. This does leave a slightly tacky finish on the skin which I like since my skin is more dry and mature, but this is a lighter version for those who don’t prefer that feeling.

Eye Cream

I was never a loyal eye cream user. I would swap out different formulas because they all produced similar results. That was until I finally found one that I kept repurchasing because it worked so well!

OneSkin OS-01 Eye Topical Supplement (discount code: MAREE15)

I’m rarely loyal to an eye cream, but this eye topical supplement from OneSkin has become one of my most repurchased skincare items. After the first bottle I finished, I immediately repurchased a new one. In addition to helping moisturize the delicate skin under the eyes, the eye topical supplement will help firm sagging skin. It also reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Often I will get milia from other eye creams that are too rich. Then after going through a full bottle of this eye supplement, all the milia was gone! The eyes are always the first to show signs of aging so don’t skip the eye area!

Serums

This is the category that has made the biggest difference in my skin. I test out a lot of different serums but I attribute the current state of my skin to these particular formulas.

Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum (discount code: MAREESYE)

The Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum addresses many skin concerns and has quickly become one of my most repurchased skincare items. So it may be a great replacement for various products in your routine if you are looking to streamline your lineup. I added it to my evening routine nearly a year ago using it every other night. It took nearly a month for me to begin to notice any changes. So I always advise being consistent with a new product for at least 4 weeks to determine if the product is working. The key ingredient in the formula is Malassezin, which is 10x more powerful than vitamin c in helping reduce and fade dark spots.

OneSkin OS-01 Skin Supplement (discount code: MAREE15)

I LOVE the texture of the OS-01 Skin Supplement and can use it either as a lightweight moisturizer or a serum underneath a heavier/richer moisturizer. The science behind OneSkin products is truly remarkable and they are one of the first companies to focus on skin longevity rather than just targeting anti-aging concerns. The OS-o1 peptide can penetrate deeper layers of the skin while still remaining stable. It targets the root causes of aging and helps the skin look and feel healthier. This formula treats fine lines and wrinkles, while helping even out the skin tone, reduce the appearance of enlarged pores and improve skin barrier function. You are truly getting so much just in one product!

Medik8 Crystal Retinal

This was the product that was most recommended to me to try from Medik8. Their crystal retinal formula uses retinaldehyde which works faster than traditional (over the counter) retinol. There are various strengths depending on what your skin can tolerate and you can work up to the stronger levels over time or stick with what works for you. If you really want to target anti-aging concerns such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone and firmness, retinol products are a must have for your skincare routine. I started with using this once a week and worked my way up to every other night.

Educated Mess Golden Hour (discount code: MAREE30)

I personally use a vitamin c serum every morning in my skincare routine because it is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from various types of free radicals and environmental damage. The Golden Hour Vitamin C serum is especially great for those with sensitive skin or if you experience any irritation from using vitamin C serums. This serum is for those looking to brighten any discoloration on the skin and will overall give you a radiant glow.

Naturium Barrier Bounce

Holy GLOW!! It can be used a ton of different ways (as an essence, as a serum, as a lightweight moisturizer) but I prefer to use it as a serum. It instantly plumps my skin and delivers intense long lasting hydration. And the price point is under $25 which absolutely blows my mind. This is 10x better than serums double and triple the price. Highly recommend!!!

Moisturizers

This category is a bit more interchangeable than serums for me but I have a handful of moisturizers that I swear by.

Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide

This night cream is like a gorgeous fluffy pillow for your skin. LOL It is incredibly rich and nourishing so you only need a small amount but it manages to absorb nicely and leaves my skin feeling soft and satiny. It contains skin-replenishing lipids so it does an amazing job at repair and strengthening the skin barrier. It is recommended to use after retinol products because of how well it nourishes the skin and will replenish your skin barrier overnight. I have been using it any night that I am using a strong active (retinol, AHAs, etc) and love how it makes my skin feel and look. The next morning my face looks firm, supple and well balanced which always ends up giving me a natural glow.

Mother Science Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer (discount code: MAREESYE)

The newest product in the Mother Science skincare range is their Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer. A great complement to their two serums and a product that can easily be added in to any skincare routine. It harnesses the fantastic benefits of Malassezin with added ingredients such as growth factors and peptides to really strengthen and support the skin barrier. Regardless of your skin concerns, strengthening and maintaining a healthy skin barrier is one of the most important aspects on any skincare routine.

Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer

The Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer is a skin-restoring moisturizer designed to deeply nourish, provide barrier support and give an “ethereal glow” to the skin. It doesn’t focus on anti-aging concerns or other targeted treatments. It is truly the ultimate final step in taking care of your skin.

Sunscreen

I never go without sunscreen no matter how much I plan to be indoors or how cloudy it is outside. SPF is a non-negotiable for me and a KEY factor to the current state of my skin.

Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum SPF 50 (discount code: Maree)

This sunscreen has been a staple in my routine for nearly a year. For those with dry or mature skin types, this is truly one of the best sunscreen serums I have ever tried. It leaves your skin nourished, glowy, plump and supple. If you want to reapply sunscreen throughout the day (you definitely should) there is also a stick version of this which is so easy to carry with you! The Bloomeffects Tulip Dew Sunscreen Serum is a 100% mineral broad spectrum SPF 50 with a lightweight serum texture. It provides protection against UVA & UVB rays, pollution, blue light and free radicals. Their is a slight tint to it that evens out the complexion slightly and gives the skin a fresh radiant glow.

Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50+

This is a new launch from Medik8 and has quickly become a regular presence in my morning skincare routine. The formula is lightweight but intensely nourishing and leaves my skin so dewy and fresh. If you have oily or combination skin, this may be a bit too emollient for you but those with dry or mature skin will LOVE it. It is also the perfect base to wear under makeup.

Skincare Tools

I test a bunch of different skincare devices but these are the ones that are essential for me. If there was one that I would recommend buying first, it is 100% the LED mask. This has made the biggest difference in my skin over time and I will not be without it!

Currentbody Multi-Light LED Mask (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)

My LED mask is the main reason my skin currently looks its best at 46. I have a great skincare routine but using an LED mask daily for the past 2 years has done WONDERS for my skin. However the mask I had before only focused on anti-aging concerns but this newest mask has various light settings to target different issues. There is a setting for overall anti-aging, brightening the skin, calming the skin (reducing redness), reducing breakouts and a setting that does all of them together. I have been using this mask all month long and I LOVE that you can change up your focus based on your skin’s needs.

ZIIP Halo (discount code: MAREE)

I absolutely love this little thing! LOL The Ziip Halo is a microcurrent toning device designed to sculpt, lift and tone the face, smooth out fine lines and give you smoother glowing skin that lasts. The device uses both microcurrent waveforms and nanocurrent waveforms to boost skin health leading to long lasting results as well as immediate lifting after only one use.  The compact size is so great and actually easier for me to hold when using.

The Ziip Halo device uses two forms of waveforms to deliver short term and long term results. It utilizes nanocurrent to boost skin health and microcurrent to firm and tone. In addition, it also does a fantastic job at treating acne, pigmentation and sagging skin all in on go. It’s a device that helps with all your skincare concerns. There is an app you can download with tons of detailed videos on various ways to use the device.