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And everything is between five and 49 dollars!
Earlier this year, I tried a skincare routine strictly from The Ordinary's line. I mentioned breaking out at the end of the 30 days, but I wasn't sure what product was the culprit. A lot of people in the comments said your skin goes through a purging period, so I continued using a few of the products — which included the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum. However, I only used it on areas of my skin that were breaking out. So while it's not in my everyday rotation, I feel like it's helped control those annoying pimples I'll get around my period. And it's only five freakin' bucks and some change!
Get it from The Ordinary for $5.90.
I've had this tiny pot of lip scrub for 12 months and STILL have a lot left. The brown sugar in the scrub gently exfoliates all the dry flakes on your lips while the shea butter and jojoba oil leaves them smooth and hydrated. I rarely need to put on chapstick after using it because it leaves a thin, waxy-ish layer on after you rinse all the brown sugar off. It's not something I use every single day, but I love that it's there when I need it!
Get it from Sephora for $24.
I'd heard a lot about pink clay masks this year and was kinda like, well WTF is it and do I need it? I feel in love with this one from Sand & Sky. First of all, it smells SO NICE. It's a pretty gentle mask, but you'll feel your skin tighten slightly once it's dry. After using it for a few months, I started to notice that my skin had an overall more even appearance. But tbh, it's a really nice quality mask to use when you just want to go home and unwind.
Get it from Sand and Sky for $49.
Earlier this year, I wrote about trying ONLY Lush skincare products for 30 days. Skin's Shangri LA was a moisturizer recommended for me because I have sensitive skin and while I loooooved how thick and soothing it was, I had to cut back and only use it at night because it was causing me to look real oily during the day. But that being said, I think this is a perfect rich moisturizer for cold winter months when your skin needs a little bit more TLC. The Lush associate also told me this product is made with Queen of Hungary water and I was like, what in the world is that??? But basically, it's a mix of water, vodka, and rosemary that helps tighten and firm fine lines. Here for it.
Get it from Lush for $49.
BuzzFeed wrote about this little product earlier this year and basically sang its goddamn praises, so I had to try it for myself. You put a cotton pad on the pump, then rub it all over your face. It's meant to help reduce acne and after reading reviews, I realized a lot of people who are acne-prone swear by it. I used it when I felt extra oily on started to feel some under-the-skin breakouts. It wasn't super drying, thankfully. I feel like it helped curb those pesky pimples!
Get it from Glossier for $24.
My sister is the one who introduced me to this mask and oh BOY is it intense! I use this when my skin is REALLY not cooperating, like when it's extra oily, red, or breaking out. You mix the powder with apple cider vinegar and leave on for 10-30 minutes, depending on how sensitive your skin is. IT TINGLES. A LOT. When you wash it off, you'll look like you were out in the sun without sunscreen on — but the initial redness only last about 30 minutes. You're left with clear, smooth, and deeply invigorated skin. Personally, I don't use this more than once a week because of how intense it is, but I love it.
Get it from Amazon for $10.95.
I love misting this all over my face about 15 minutes after I take the Indian Healing Clay mask off. Because that mask is so intense, it cools and soothes my skin. It's also great for spritzing on your face right after you shower. I interviewed a few estheticians and skin care experts this year and on top of recommending wearing sunscreen ALWAYS, they mentioned it's also important to keep your skin hydrated on a surface level. The bottle is pretty big. It's been 10 months and I still have about half left!
Get it from Lush for $10.95.
Speaking of sunscreen, this product is something I recently added to my routine. The first time I used it, I noticed that this stuff is THICK. You do not need a lot. I'm talking, like, half a pea sized. I started mixing it in with my regular face lotion in order to have a smoother application. It doesn't have that ~sun screen-y~ smell and doesn't make your face look oily. And it hasn't made me break out!
Get it from The Ordinary for $9.70.
Guys, I HATED wearing lotion on my face in high school. My skin was always oily and breaking out, and I truly disliked the feeling of layering something thick on my skin. I wish 15-year-old Farrah had this moisturizer back then. I would say it's a moisturizer for people who hate moisturizing. It's so, so, SO light and glides on your face like water. Once you rub it in, you don't even realize it's on! I love wearing it in the summer when I don't want to pile thick creams on my face.
Get it from Sephora for $49.
I tried this out for the first time when I wrote about only using Lush products for 30 days, and this little bar is definitely a keeper. Not only is it super gentle, but it's effective in cleansing your skin without leaving you feeling dry. Also, I love that it is plastic-free AND perfect for traveling. I don't have to measure face cleansing liquid into tiny bottles and hope I have enough for a long trip anymore! The entire bar lasts a long time, too — I'd estimate between two to three months.
Get it from Lush for $11.95.
I had no idea a product like this existed until I found this! Basically, you take this little guy in the shower with you and when you're ready to get out, rub this over the parts of your body you want to keep moisturized (arms, elbows, legs, ankles.) Rinse off gently, then get out of the shower. When you're dry, it will feel like you just put lotion all over your body. I loooove using it in the winter months when my skin is really dry because my skin feels hydrated all day long! Plus it smells great.
Get it from Lush for $15.95.