Product Recommendations: Top Skincare Picks
Finding the right skincare products can be challenging, especially when you're addressing specific skin concerns.
My goal is to provide you with well-researched, practical recommendations to help you navigate the vast array of products available and choose those best suited to your individual needs.
I invite you to explore the articles listed below to find the best skincare products tailored to your specific needs.
My aim is to empower you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices for your skin’s health and beauty.
If you have any questions or need further information, be sure to check out my Acne Solution course or the Ingredients Handbook for Acne-Prone Skin.
Retinol, a potent vitamin A derivative, is widely recognized as an essential component in every anti-aging skincare routine. Revered for its potential
Choosing the right foundation for acne-prone skin can feel daunting, particularly when you consider that foundations are the main cause of acne
Dry skin is a common ailment that affects millions worldwide, leading to discomfort and a quest for effective remedies. Amidst a plethora
While cleansing oils and balms effectively remove makeup and impurities without stripping the skin, they may not be suitable for acne due
Accutane is a powerful ally in the fight against acne; however, this medication often brings with it a set of challenges, particularly
Despite their similar-sounding names and related chemical structures, squalane and squalene have distinct characteristics, making one more favorable than the other in
While acne seems to be a skin concern primarily affecting teenagers and young adults, it’s a common misconception that it completely disappears
Scalp acne can be caused by multiple factors, including the buildup of oil, sweat, hair products, and bacterial overgrowth. This condition can
Ferulic acid is a potent antioxidant that can improve many skin concerns, including hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, rough, bumpy texture, and even
Vivant Skin Care is a professional skincare line formulated by Dr. James Fulton, a dermatologist and medical researcher who co-founded Retin-A, the
Accutane is a powerful medication used to treat severe acne. However, it comes with a common side effect almost 100% of users
Adapalene and niacinamide can be a great skincare combination that can help target multiple skin concerns, including acne, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone,
Niacinamide is one of the most popular ingredients found in almost every skincare product due to its ability to target multiple skin
Besides its popularity as an acne treatment, adapalene has been increasingly studied for its potential anti-aging effect. And while the research is
From excessive dryness, flakiness, peeling, sunburns, and even nosebleeds due to its ability to make the skin crack from being so dry
Using vitamin C after microneedling is somewhat of a controversial practice that has many professionals divided on its safety. Some believe that
Retinol is an active component in over-the-counter skincare products that offers many benefits for the skin. From minimizing wrinkles to refining skin
Exfoliating acids can be a great addition to the skincare routine of anyone dealing with inflammatory conditions like acne. However, with so
With LED devices being all the rage in the past couple of years, red light therapy has gained more attention due to
Acne might be stubborn and long-lasting, but our problems don’t end when the condition decides to go away eventually. Often we are
Retinol is a form of vitamin A which has been used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne, uneven skin
Textured skin is a common issue that can be caused or exacerbated by various factors. This is why knowing the cause and
Adapalene gel is a topical medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as retinoids. It is used to treat acne
Closed comedones are small, flesh-colored bumps that pop up on the skin’s surface when a plug of skin cells and oil become
Hormonal acne can be a real bummer. Often appearing as deep, cystic, and painful nodules along the jawline, temples, chin, or neck
Niacinamide is a component that has many benefits for the skin. One of these includes speeding up the healing process due to
Salicylic acid is an ingredient we turn to when dealing with acne, dandruff, texture, and other skin concerns. Found in many topical
Azelaic acid is an ingredient that can help refine skin texture, soothe redness, reduce acne, and fade hyperpigmentation. Microneedling, on the other
Azelaic acid and niacinamide are two excellent ingredients that can be mixed to address various skin concerns and improve the skin’s health
Retinol is one of the most popular ingredients in skincare products, praised for its ability to reduce wrinkles, boost cellular turnover, get
Exfoliation is a great way to improve cellular turnover and reveal clear, radiant, and glowing skin. This step is especially important for
When it comes to achieving a youthful glow and tackling pretty much any skin concern, including texture, uneven skin tone, and acne, retinol
Moisturizers are constantly being promoted as non-comedogenic, non-pore-clogging, lightweight and airy, and all that for you to end up breaking out from
Hyaluronic acid might sound like a good option to protect the skin from the drying effect of benzoyl peroxide, but the truth
• Glycerin is a natural component derived from vegetable oils or animal fat that is often used in cosmetics due to its
Hyaluronic acid can be a great addition to your skincare routine, especially if you want to add a little extra hydration. However,
Although an excellent treatment for acne, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and uneven texture, Differin (adapalene) can cause intense dryness and irritation. These occurrences are
So, you’ve started using Differin, and suddenly, your skin is changing, and it can no longer tolerate your old trusty cleanser. Be
If you’ve been reading my blog or following me on Twitter for a little while, you’ve definitely seen me rave about the
Glycolic and salicylic acid are two of the most popular active ingredients in skincare products. Both acids are known for their ability
Closed comedones are non-inflammatory acne lesions that commonly occur in areas like the forehead, cheeks, and chin. These small, round bumps are
Differin and niacinamide can be an excellent combination for your skincare routine! Both products have unique benefits that complement each other and
While Differin shouldn’t be used with salicylic acid at the same time, you can use them in separate routines to address inflammatory
Ceramides and peptides are two skincare ingredients that offer a variety of benefits for the skin. Ceramides help maintain the skin’s barrier
If you’re currently on Accutane, chances are your scalp is feeling pretty dry and flakey. And while there’s no shortage of dandruff
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin C can be a great combo to help you achieve hydrated, glowy, healthy skin and a more even
CeraVe’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion and La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast Baume B5 are moisturizers that blew up on platforms such as TikTok due
Closed comedones, also known as whiteheads, are non-inflammatory acne lesions that occur when a pore becomes clogged. This happens when sebum and
Paula’s Choice is a brand I trust and love, so even before trying something out, I already know that it’s going to
Both Paula’s Choice and CeraVe are brands that have strong track records in terms of helping people clear their skin from acne,
Tretinoin is one of the most intense topical products prescribed to treat acne, improve signs of aging, fade hyperpigmentation, and reverse sun
Accutane is the most intense acne treatment, and although effective, this medication is known to cause intense side effects. Some of these
Meet multi-acid peels, a boosted version of exfoliating products that contain a combination of several acids and are designed to target more
Dermstore is an online skincare and beauty store founded by a dermatologist back in the late 90s. Today, the store offers a
When used together, glycolic acid and lactic acid can help improve skin tone and texture and reduce the appearance of pigmentary irregularities
With over 1200 retail stores across all fifty states, Ulta Beauty is one of the biggest beauty names in the US. The
CeraVe is an affordable, drugstore brand that has products for every skin type and skin concern, including a good range of products
SkinCeuticals is a high-end skincare brand sold through dermatologists, estheticians, and other high-end skincare stores. It’s also a brand I like a
With over 2,600 stores in 34 countries worldwide, Sephora is the biggest beauty name in the world. They also carry over 250
Even though you can find decent skincare products on a budget, we all love a little treat for the senses every now
Even though there are many great acne products on a budget, we all love a little treat every now and again. As
While you can totally find many decent budget-friendly products to target various skin concerns, there is one category where splurging is justified:
Despite being spoiled for choice when it comes to budget-friendly options to address our skin concerns, sometimes we just like to splurge
Post-inflammatory redness or erythema are reddish/pink blemishes that appear when the tiny blood vessels under the surface of our skin are damaged
Excessively oily skin results from overactive sebaceous glands, which can happen due to a couple of different reasons. The first reason is
Keratosis pilaris is a skin condition often called “chicken skin” due to its unique appearance that manifests as many small rough bumps,
Dry and flaky skin could be the result of more than one factor, including changes in temperature, hot water, harsh and drying
Skin texture is a term used to describe skin that looks rough, bumpy, dry, and uneven. Skin texture can occur due to
When writing my last article on the best products for acne-prone skin by La Roche Posay, I decided to leave out the
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with La Roche Posay. It was never my favorite brand, but I always knew their products
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps bind water to the skin. It can help improve many skin concerns, including dryness and
The Inkey List is an affordable skincare brand making a name for itself due to their high-quality products, excellent formulations, and ridiculously
Need help choosing a niacinamide serum? I don’t keep it a secret that niacinamide is my second favorite ingredient (right after salicylic
Yes, you can mix niacinamide with retinol, and in fact, doing so will put your skin on the fast track for impressive
Acne is a stubborn skin condition that can stick around for a long time if not treated. But unfortunately, acne medications and
This article is a continuation of my newest series, where I give product recommendations for different skin concerns from one famous brand.
I’m not really sure who came up with the idea that you can’t use niacinamide and vitamin C together, but this is
I was a committed lover of The Ordinary, and most of their products used to be my holy grails up until about
A damaged skin barrier is a result of excessive cleansing with harsh cleansers or soaps, over-exfoliation, not enough moisturizing, and not protecting
Accutane has a high success rate in treating acne; however, the medication is known to cause side effects, such as dryness, redness,
If you are a K-beauty fan and are using at least one social media platform, I’m going to assume that you’ve at
Paula’s Choice was launched back in 1995 as one of the first online beauty brands, and they have been coming out with
Whether it’s a reaction from a certain product, long-term damage, or an intense procedure – your skin can easily become irritated and
As if sunscreen isn’t already annoying enough to wear, the approaching hot summer months aren’t making things any easier. Sunscreens usually have
Antioxidants represent an entire crew of molecules that effectively deactivate free radicals and prevent them from damaging the DNA of the cells
Hyperpigmentation is a type of discoloration that happens due to high melanin production and uneven distribution through the epidermal layers. Melanin gives
In my previous article, I listed nine best skincare tools and devices that I’ve tried, use, and love. However, while there are
When it comes to taking care of our skin, we all want the best results possible. Fortunately, many skincare tools are available
Finding a moisturizer for acne-prone skin can be incredibly challenging, even when it seems like a new skincare brand pops up every
There was a time when I was a hardcore mask lover, but that changed a few years ago when I turned my
Only a tiny percentage of people are born with sensitive skin, and they often experience irritations even while doing ordinary things like
Sensitive skin is a rare skin type, but it is a frequent skin condition. Only a small percentage of people are born
Cleansers are a vital part of any skincare routine, and it’s also the product people tend to use wrong most often. Cleansers
I always like to say that less is more in skincare, especially when dealing with acne. Trust me; you don’t need a
Uneven skin tone is one of the most common skin problems that can be eliminated by using the right topical products and
Anti-acne face washes or cleansers can be tricky because they often contain active ingredients intended to fight the acne-causing bacteria; however, these
Oily and acne-prone skin can be a challenge, however, I’ve found simplicity to be the answer to this skin type and skin
Acne Rosacea is a long-term skin condition associated with facial redness and flushing. It often appears in your 30s and is more
If you want to scare someone, remind them of aging. Aging is something we are all aware of but choose to ignore
Cystic acne is an inflammatory skin condition that appears as deep red, purplish, or brown spots that are often hard and painful
Exfoliating is one of the most important steps in a good skincare routine. It’s the process of removing the built-up layers of
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition usually most common with teenagers and young adults; however, this doesn’t exclude it from randomly popping
The last thing you want to see when you look into the mirror are enlarged pores staring back at you. Enlarged pores
Cleansing your skin is the first and most important step in your routine. This helps you remove bacteria, pollution, dust, makeup, and
As someone with excessively oily, acne-prone skin, I practically grew up thinking, “what do I need a moisturizer for?”. This thinking continued
In the quest for sun safety, it’s important to choose products that not only protect your skin and health but are also
Closed comedones are small, flesh-colored bumps that don’t have a collection of pus on top, and they are seemingly headless and can’t
There once was a time when toners were considered a necessity in a skincare routine. If you have oily and acne-prone skin,
Achieving a healthy and glowing complexion doesn’t have to be daunting, even if clogged pores are a common problem experienced by millions
Having a good cleanser is essential even when it comes to having the most skincare routine. However, with so many options on
If you are someone with oily, acne-prone skin, chances are you might be a little concerned with applying your sunscreen, simply because
Mini versions of our favorite skincare products help us maintain a solid skincare regimen while being away from home. These are super
Skincare products with expensive price tags typically come equipped with a nice and Instagrammy package, have a pleasant smell, rich texture, and