Every Product on my shelf right now
From holy grail skincare faves to the new things I’m trying, here’s what’s in my medicine cabinet:
It’s no secret that I’m product-obsessed. My lineup of skin care is held in check only by the force of my relentless hatred for clutter and wasted
Last year, as part of my never-ending quest to simplify (and reduce my own waste), I nixed the subscription beauty boxes and reevaluated my skincare routine. I generally limit myself to what will fit in this medicine cabinet.
It’s a pretty great lineup with some real star players, so I thought I’d share.
Quick note on skin type: mine is combination and acne prone, so I aim for products that deeply moisturize but won’t break me out. My hair care routine is simple, because I’m lazy; I just keep my fine hair tamed and the dry shampoo within easy reach.
Okay, this is going to be long, so let’s get started!
Bottom Shelf (my most-used products):
Colgate | Optic White Toothpaste: this doesn’t matter! But I did say everything, so here we are. I like this, but I don’t feel loyalty to things like toothpaste.
Papa Recipe | Bombee Moist Sun Essence: Daily sunscreen is important! This one is thin and goes on like a light moisturizer. It absorbs very quickly and doesn’t leave a white cast. Just give it a minute and apply makeup right over. It does smell like sunscreen, but the scent is gone by the time I finish my very quick morning routine.
Paula’s Choice | 2% BHA: If you are currently a cleanse + moisturize only person and looking to add a step, this is what I’d recommend. Whether your skin struggle is acne, dullness, fine lines, or pigmentation, this exfoliant is The One. Apply every other evening after cleansing and before moisturizing. It’s currently taking a back seat in my lineup as I sample other exfoliants (and try to keep my skin barrier intact), but I miss it! It’s a Holy Grail product and absolutely deserves its cult following.
Acwell | Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner: If you’re looking to add just one product into your routine, I probably wouldn’t recommend a toner. But if you’re looking for a toner, this is a good one. It’s gentle and good for getting any missed makeup off, and I think it’s a great hydrating step. I won’t repurchase, but I will definitely finish the bottle!
The Ordinary | Hyaluronic Acid 2%: I was recommended this serum when my skin started to turn from oily to combination, and I really like it. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent choice for those of us with acne-prone dry skin. I add a drop of this serum to my anti-acne serum (up next) every night to give a little moisture boost. I’ve had good results over the last few months and am interested to see if it’s helpful through winter. Like other products from The Ordinary, the price point is so good ($7).
Versed | Just Breathe Clarifying Serum: I’m hunting for a substitute for my beloved but expensive Evologie Blemish Serum, just in case something better exists out there. This one is half the price per oz. but just isn’t quite as good. I use 3 drops of this + 1 drop hyaluronic acid has been my nightly serum for a few months now, and I like it! It may not be Holy Grail good, but I still think it’s a great value and probably the closest I’ve come to matching the Evologie product. I haven’t noticed any dryness or flaking.
Burt’s Bees | Detoxifying Clay Mask: If you’ve tried one decent clay mask, you’ve pretty much tried them all. They’re reliably great for acne-prone and dull skin, and this one is no exception. The clay is silky, so it doesn’t flake off as it dries. This mask also smells very nice. So if you’re looking for a little bit of inexpensive self-care, yes, I recommend this one, but I also recommend this one from Versed.
Laneige | Water Sleeping Mask: This was part of the Sephora birthday gift this year, and it’s a great moisture boost. After confirming that I really like it, I’m hoarding the rest of the tiny sample for the winter months when my skin is in full revolt. If you’re acne-prone, use a cleanser the morning after; it’s rich.
Laneige | Water Bank Moisture Cream: Also part of the birthday set, and I like this one as well. It’s a more intense moisturizer and perfect for nights. I especially like to use it on nights when I exfoliate to get maximum benefits.
CosRx | Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream: CosRx is a Korean brand that I believe is extremely underrated in the US. Their products are crazy effective and wonderfully priced. This is no exception. It’s my go-to winter nighttime moisturizer, but I also use it any time I get a sunburn or my skin is feeling stressed. It’s thick, non-scented, and a huge jar for $18.
Dr. Jart | BB Cream: I could write songs about this BB cream. After 7 years of use, I declare it a Holy Grail product. It goes on looking gray but adjusts quickly to light skin tones and has a dewy finish. It’s medium coverage, but my freckles and moles peek through (which I like). It’s heavier than a lot of BB creams, but never looks caked on. But I think my favorite thing is how it wears - I’ve worn this as my foundation on summertime trips in Italy, The Bahamas, Mexico, and St. Martin. My face will sweat all day, but at the end I’ll still look even-toned; no obvious spots where the makeup was wiped away. All of that without a primer! I get a lot of compliments on my skin, but half the time I think it’s because of this BB cream.
GlamGlow | Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer: I think I’m on the record somewhere online saying that GlamGlow products are overrated and overpriced. I still think that’s true, but I had a few samples of this moisturizer floating around, and I starting cutting my Dr. Jart BB cream with a drop or two before applying, and wow, I like it a lot. It’s a very natural, glowing effect. Not enough to get me to cough up $50 for it, but enough to make me consider it.
Covergirl | truBLEND Liquid Foundation: The quality difference between an $8 foundation and a $40 foundation will always be noticeable, but this $8 foundation really holds its own. If you can find a good color match, I don’t think it can be beat in the drugstore foundation category. Decent coverage, feels light. I’d definitely recommend a primer as a first step, though; it doesn’t have the best all-day wear.
Middle Shelf:
Old Spice | Deodorant: I guess this is where I confess that my husband and I share deodorant? I’ve been working on building a mostly unisex routine to keep things simple, and we both love Old Spice deodorant, which has great scents that are genuinely unisex! And now I’ll pivot and wonder out loud why everyone is paying $12 for aluminum-free deodorant when, if that is a thing that’s important to you, you could just be buying Old Spice for $5? They even have a lavender option, which is a touch more feminine if that’s your preference!
Osis+ | Thrill Fibergum: A rare Joey product. He’s been using this stuff for years. He’s got super-straight hair that likes to stick straight up, and this is his go-to for taming and shaping.
CosRx | Oil-Free Birchsap Moisturizer: We just started what I believe is our 6th bottle of this moisturizer, another entry in the unisex routine. I need more moisture than this at night, but it’s my go-to daytime moisturizer and works great under makeup. It’s all Joey uses (two pumps, directly onto the face). Another Holy Grail product, especially for combination/acne-prone skin.
Living Proof | Dry Volume Blast: My go-to to give freshly washed hair some volume. When dry, it has a texture similar to a medium hold hairspray, but it’s not really sticky. It definitely gives my fine hair some volume at the crown and roots. It’s also got some (slight) oil-absorbing properties. It won’t keep you going for days, but if you wash your hair daily, it will probably do the trick for you.
Kristen Ess | Weightless Shine Leave-In Conditioner: My fine hair is prone to frizz and flyaways, and I like that this helps keep things calm. It’s truly weightless when applied to wet hair. This rather large $10 bottle has lasted me over a year. I don’t think I’ll repurchase, but that’s just because I’m itching to try a new product.
Oribe | Featherbalm Weightless Styler: If I was very wealthy, I think I’d swap fully to Oribe and never look back. I found this sample hiding at the bottom of a travel bag, and I remembered all over again how excited I was whenever I got Oribe in my Birchboxes. This product is great for those who would like a little bit of styling hold but hate the feel of product. I usually use it on dry ends to tame frizz. But I must say, I still love the Supershine Moisturizing Creme the best.
Kristen Ess | Reviving Brunette Dry Shampoo: I consider myself to be a dry shampoo connoisseur, and I think this one punches well above its price point. While I don’t love it as much as the Living Proof dry shampoo (which I consider the gold standard, even though it’s too expensive to be my go-to), it’s excellent for those who just need a little help extending a blowout. I have fine, oily hair, and I use this when I want some volume and oil absorption on freshly washed hair but don’t want to risk the white cast of fresh Aveda (see below). It never shows at all, and the dye also doesn’t transfer to my (white!) pillowcase. If you have lighter hair, it’s available without the dye as well.
Aveda | Shampure Dry Shampoo: This is the only product that can get me to 4 days between shampoos, and I’ve been singing its praises for many years now. The powder formula is trickier to apply but makes this an extremely cost-effective option in the long run. I recommend applying at night - some tossing and turning is helpful with this dry shampoo! One bottle lasts me about 6 months. (Note: Aveda has just rebranded this product as Shampowder, so it has a different package than what you see on my shelf. Some reviewers are dubious that it’s the same formula. When I test it out, I’ll update here. If it’s the same, it’s A Holy Grail product for me.)
Neogen | Bio-Peel Wine: I finally tried this cult-favorite chemical exfoliant, and I will never ever go back to life without it. I’ve been loyal to the Paula’s Choice BHA for years now (and I’ve converted many friends), but the Neogen peel has earned a forever spot on my shelf. It ends breakouts even as they’re beginning and is incredibly gentle. I’ve used a lot of products, but never one quite like this. Pro-tip: cut the pads in half; it’s less fun to apply but you’ll have plenty of product. I use twice a week, let it dry on my face for a few minutes, and rinse. If your skin isn’t sensitive, I think you could leave it on over night; I have a few times. (Holy Grail! Holy Grail!)
(In the blue tin) CosRx | Acne Pimple Patch: These are more than targeted acne treatment; they’re hydrocolloid patches that pull the ick out of your pimples, and they are miraculous (and kind of disgusting). I’ve tried many brands of pimple patches, and I think these are the best. They’re inexpensive enough that you never feel bad slapping one on, they stay put all night, and they work. Buy in bulk. You won’t regret it.
Top Shelf:
Tweezerman | Slant Tweezers: They’re the gold standard for a reason. There’s not much to say about tweezers, but I do love these.
Chloé | Nomade perfume: I sampled this perfume in a Birchbox way back in 2018, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it but also couldn’t convince myself to splurge on it. I’d wander into Sephora and sniff it every few months and think “yes, I love this.” Early this year I finally went for it, and I’m so glad I did. It’s described as a “warm floral,” which feels appropriate for my entire persona. I think it’s the Oakmoss that is so perfect for me. It’s feminine and mature without being either overly sweet or musty.
Coach | Poppy perfume: Joey got this for me one Christmas when we were in high school. I pulled it out recently and find it very nostalgic. It’s sweeter that my preferences these days, but I loved it as a teenager. It’s been discontinued, but I read that the Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb has a very similar citrusy floral scent.
Klorane | Eye Makeup Remover with Cornflower: Klorane is a very well-known French brand known for its botanical formulas. This makeup remover is so gentle on the eyes. Pro-tip: it’s also excellent for getting off lip stains.
Dr. Jart | Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment: This product is color correction + SPF protection. Some people wear this as their only skin product, but I use it as a sort of primer in the areas of my face that experience redness. Redness is a minor concern for me, so I probably won’t purchase the full size, but it’s got a great texture and a nice botanical scent. I’ve heard it’s amazing for those with rosacea.
Urban Decay | All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray: Urban Decay started out making club makeup, so their setting products have always been my favorites (I’ve also been using their eyeshadow primer since high school). Mattifying sprays usually leave my skin feeling parched, and setting sprays for dry skin tend to make me feel oily. This one does neither. Holy Grail status acheived.
The Ordinary | AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution: After hearing the buzz about The Ordinary for awhile, I grabbed a few products to try. This one is… intense. A little bit goes a long way, and I’m definitely concerned that a whole host of people are over-exfoliating now. I use it once every other week with gentler exfoliation between. Regardless, the combination of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid is perfect for acne-prone people. The price point ($7) is unbeatable, so it’ll likely be a permanent fixture on my shelf.
Evologie | Intensive Blemish Serum: I’ve tried in vain to find a better blemish serum, because this one is expensive. But I can’t! I’ve gone through many bottles over the year, and any blemish serum I try to replace it with just doesn’t quite match up. It’s extremely potent but incredibly gentle, and it helps fade both blemishes and scarring. Another Holy Grail product for me.
Goodal | Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum: This serum uses vitamin C derivatives instead of pure vitamin C to make it suitable for sensitive skin and help users avoid photosensitivity. It’s a gel formula and pretty close to scent-free, should that be a concern for you. It’s supposedly great for scars + dullness, but since I’ve got those covered with other products, I probably won’t get the full size of this.
Makeup Eraser | This little cloth is incredible. I won’t wax poetic, but I’m not sure why anyone is using makeup wipes when we could just have a few of these on hand. Great for days when I’ve worn a full face of makeup. I use this to get most of it off and then follow it up with normal cleansing. No raccoon eyes, and it comes through the wash really well. I guess now that I’ve been using this sample-size scrap for several years I should go for the full size.
We did it! Every product. Let me know in the comments if you have specific questions about any of these products! I’d be happy to answer them if I can. Happy shopping!
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