4 Picks for Your Skincare Drawer

DHC Cleansing Oil | pixi Skin Treats Glow Tonic | Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum | Shiseido Oil Free UV Protector

I remember trying all sorts of skin care products when I was younger. Clinique, Aveda, Murad, Proactiv, Neutrogena.You name it, we did it.

A lot of it had to do with the fact that I had horrible, HORRIBLE acne that started in middle school, and I don’t think that it let up until I was about 23 or 24.

It was such a trying time for me. I was always really stressed out because nothing really worked. I think I stopped caring when I got to college, and my skin miraculously started to clear up on its own.

I never really got into a skincare regimen after that. I definitely loved playing with makeup and cared a crap ton about how I looked, but I never thought about my skin health because at 25, I knew it all and never thought it would start aging.

Now I’m 30, and I feel like my skin does not have the same resilience or shine as it did 10 years ago. It tugs tight, it gets dry and irritated very easily, and I wish I had started to prevent aging and fine lines sooner than now.

With that being said, I went to Target and Sephora to grab some things for the sensitive skin, and here are some easy skincare products for you:

Cleansing oil

Why it’s great:
Cleansing oils are great for all skin types. Don’t let the word oil in the product deter you from trying this just because you have oily skin. Cleansing oils are water soluble oils that break up your makeup and skincare products from the day and wash away with water.

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil:
I always have a hard time finding a cleanser that doesn’t make my skin feel patchy, dry, and tight; however, this cleanser is the first cleanser in years that doesn’t give me this issue. It’s great for sensitive and dry skin types like mine. When I rinse it off, my skin feels moist. I use this for both morning and night. I put about 5 drops onto the palms of my hands, rub, and massage into my face for 2-3 minutes (like brushing your teeth). Then I rinse off with lukewarm water. This is the only cleanser I have been using for the last two weeks, and I have seen my skin start calm and stay calm throughout the day.

I have only had this product for a two or three weeks and have barely put a dent in it, so I know this will last me a while [and it’s travel size]. I’m getting great stretch out of my dollar, and I will be investing in the full-size product because I already feel a difference in my skin.

Glycolic Acid

Why it’s great:
Glycolic acid for your skin is beneficial because it can exfoliate as well as reduce fine lines and wrinkles from your skin. It softens up the gunk [i.e. dead skin cells] that have been hanging out on your face and takes them away. That allows the top layer of your skin to shine and repair itself more efficiently. A lot of women use this to reduce the signs and look of aging [yep, that’s me!]

pixi Skin Treats Glow Serum:
This one’s another Target hit with it being under $10 and travel-size, and I also want to mention that it is cruelty free for those of you who are conscious of your product testing.  Quite honestly, it does not work for my skin because it makes my skin itch and break out in certain areas. It does, however, work on my T-Zone which I apply this product to that area every day. If you have sensitive skin like me, I suggest using this every other day as it can irritate parts of your skin like it did mine. The other option is to find a product that has a smaller percentage of glycolic acid [I think this product is 5% glycolic acid].

Vitamin C Serum

Why it’s great:
Vitamin C is wonderful all around because it is an antioxidant, which means it binds to free radicals [the stuff that has been linked to causing cancer]. With the weather getting nicer and everyone trying to get outside as best as they can while social distancing, this is a great preventative step to protect from potential damage from carcinogens such as UV rays. What’s great about Vitamin C is that it also helps replenish skin cells keeping your skin looking fresh. 

Drunk Elephant C Firma Day Serum:
This is my first Drunk Elephant product, and I have to say that it is easily one of my top 5 choices for skincare. And it’s cruelty free and clean, which is another plus!  I’ve only been using this for a couple of weeks, and I can already feel and see a difference in my skin. It feels light, soft, and fresh. One thing I was not ready for, though, was that it feels a little sticky after you apply it. If you wait a couple of minutes to allow this to absorb into your skin, that all goes away. I will be purchasing this product again.

SPF Moisturizer

Why it’s great:
Why wear sunscreen when you’re at the lake or the pool? To prevent sun damage and cancer. It goes without saying that this is equally important for your face, neck, and chest. No one wants to look like a leather bag [and, most importantly, get skin cancer].

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-fre UV Protector:
I have heard a lot of raving reviews about Shiseido being a top brand for skincare, and thanks to Sephora’s Spring Sale, I was able to snag this one with a discount. I do have to say that it is a great product. A couple of drops gave me a lot of coverage, so a little bit of product goes a long way.

I was a little disappointed, however, because I paid around $30 to open my mail only to find a bottle that is smaller than the palm of my hand. It also leaves a noticeable white sheen across my face, and my face looks lighter. I can see a difference in my skin tone compared to the rest of my body. The only time I think I’ll use this specific product is when I’m outsite on the lake and don’t need to wear makeup. Shiseido also makes a UV protectant SPF 45 that does not have a white mask to it, but it is $10 more.

Let me know what you’re wearing for your skincare in the comments below!