To say I've tried a lot of beauty products in my career is an understatement. Having written about beauty now for over six years, my skincare, makeup, and haircare usage is probably somewhere in the hundreds at this point. I know it sounds crazy to subject my highly sensitive skin to all that, but I do it for a love of the game. There's no greater joy than discovering a new life-changing beauty staple—you sometimes just have to kiss a lot of frogs to get there.
While yes, not every product has been a success, I do have a pretty solid list of ones that were and, to this day, still are. From everyday staples I've been using for over 10 years to more recent favorites, I've compiled a list of the all-time greatest beauty products I've used so far in my career. If you're a fellow sensitive skin girlie (and even if you're not!), you're going to want to keep reading. I'm sharing the best of the best below.
This classic drugstore micellar water has been my ride or die for years. I've had times where my skin was not in good shape in the slightest. This micellar water was all I could use that wouldn't irritate it further. Now, I still use it as a makeup remover and sometimes as a first step in a double cleanse. It removes makeup and impurities so well without clogging pores.
I've been so devoted to this eye makeup remover from Neutrogena for over 10 years. I've tried other formulas, but always seem to come back to this one. Although it's oil-free, it has a super silky texture that removes mascara and eye shadow with no effort at all. It also doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes—another huge plus.
My skin is prone to congestion but is also dehydrated—not the best combo. It was always difficult to find the right cleanser that wouldn't strip my skin but would also cleanse effectively enough. This gentle, hydration-infusing formula from celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden is my number one in that department. It's silky smooth, never leaves me feeling tight or dry, calms inflammation, and even gives you a radiant glow after use. I'm obsessed and have been using it since I first discovered it as a baby beauty editor. Even if you're not acne-prone, it's still an amazing staple for all skin types—including dry.
I am a long time fan of esteemed makeup artist Danessa Myricks and her namesake line. I'm pretty picky about my foundations, but this formula from the brand ticks all the boxes. I've been using it for years because it's so smooth and creamy, applies beautifully, never breaks me out, and keeps you hydrated for hours at a time. My complaint with most foundations is that they tend to leave my skin feeling dry after a while, resulting in an emphasis on texture and fine lines once it settles into creases. The serum-like texture of this one just never lets me down. It stays so smooth and beautiful. Even when I get home after wearing it for hours, it still hasn't settled into fine lines or creased—a true testament to how much thought went into this formula.
I fell in love with this blush when it first launched and I still find myself reaching for it often to this day. Absolutely no one was surprised this Patrick Ta formula was so good, and I love utilizing his "cream over powder" technique with this. It makes your blush melt so seamlessly and gives you that fresh, sun-kissed look instantly.
I don't mess around when it comes to brow pencils. Mostly because, without a good one, I find my brows even harder to do. This one is a total classic and I've never questioned why people love it. It's really easy to use for people who are like me and aren't a pro at doing their brows. It's also really forgiving so if you make a mistake, it's really easy to wipe off. It also looks natural and stays put for long hours of wear.
This Thrive Causemetics mascara is my all time favorite tubing formula. Mascara is a bit of a personal category—everyone wants different things out of their's, but I can at least tell you why I'm so obsessed with this one. It adds a lot of length and volume without clumping up or smudging after an hour or two. I've noticed that some mascaras (after they've been open for a month or so) tend to become messy upon application, but this one has a "stiffer" feel that I really love. That doesn't mean that it gets dry—far from it. It just subtly freezes your lashes in place without feeling sticky or crunchy at all.
The only con is that it isn't the easiest to remove at the end of the night, but a couple of good swipes with the Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover and you're golden.
If you have extremely sensitive skin and are prone to acne like me, you know you can't really screw around with your skincare. The only formulas my skin likes are ones that are simple, effective, noncomedogenic, and most of all, non-irritating. It sounds simple enough, but far from it. I've been an editor for years and can still only count on one hand the number of exfoliants or serums that work well for my type of skin. This IS Clinical formula is one of them. It starts working remarkably fast without irritating my ultra-sensitive skin. At the same time, it's also hydrating and provides antioxidant protection. It is pricey, but it's one luxury serum I'll consider a staple for the rest of my life.
Another highly effective exfoliating option is Dr. Dennis Gross's cult-loved alpha Beta Peel Pads. While the universal and extra strength options can be a little much for for us sensitive folks, this version is perfect. It contains a blend of lactic, mandelic, and malic acid to gently clear pores without irritation.
I've always thought clean luxury brand Cosmedix is underrated—especially the brand's Elite line. Pepoxide is the perfect serum for anyone in their 30s looking for antioxidant protection but also to slow any early signs of aging. It gives you a gorgeous glow and deeply hydrates the skin. I love using this as a protective day serum along with the brand's Harmonize Moisturizer.
Besides IS Clinical's Active Serum, this is my favorite product from the brand. This moisture is unreal. I've been a fan for years because it's oil-free and never breaks me out but provides deep hydration and helps heal damaged skin with copper peptides. Vitamin C derivatives also help fade dark spots so it's perfect for anyone who's congestion-prone. As a bonus, it's one of the best moisturizers to use under makeup. My foundation always sits beautifully whenever I use it.
This Cosmedix moisturizer is another one I always come back to. It boosts your skin's microbiome to keep it strong and healthy and it's especially great for those who are dehydrated and prone to acne. It leaves such a silky finish on the skin and keeps moisture locked in for hours.
The best thing I ever did for my sensitive skin was get a filter for my bathroom faucet. I noticed a huge improvement in breakouts and redness once I installed this on my bathroom sink. I never used to think about how many toxins were floating around in the water I washed my face with but now, I can never go back.