Asides from the odd breakout/flare up here and there, I feel like I established pretty solid and effective AM and PM skincare routines throughout 2023. I am here to tell you about the products I found myself reaching for the most!
As an online Beauty Creator I am grateful to receive and get to test out lots of the latest skincare launches. Though skincare I do find the hardest category to test for a few reasons. I am a little more apprehensive of my skin breaking out, or reacting to a product that disagrees with me. I’ve got pretty good at determining which products are best suited to my skin and I have my trusted brands I lean to, but every now and then a product will disagree with me. I generally have a pretty normal skin type that leans slightly oilier in hotter climates and drier in the winter months, like many of us. So bare this in mind for reference as you read on.
I also don’t like to waste products. I have a bunch of favourites on rotation to cater to my skins needs and so I only ever really crack open a new one as I’m nearing the end of a product in the same category, if my skin needs something specific, or it is something I am eager to try of course! When trying out a new product in your routine, I’d recommend giving it up to 6 weeks to see effective results (this will vary dependant on the product type). Unless it causes a reaction of course then discard of immediately and seek advise from a medical professional.
I’m also not a trained skincare professional so I only really share skincare recommendations from a skin prep makeup perspective, or my own experiences. So having said that, the products I talk about in this blog post have been thoroughly tried and tested by myself! Some old that I’ve been mentioning for years, or some newer discoveries that I think are worth noting. I’ve split it into categories and included my top 2-3 products in each from the year. I hope you find it helpful if you are looking to add something new to your own routines!
You may also want to check out my Top Makeup Products Of 2023 too to read about more favourites!
This post features some gifted items with no obligation to post and contains affiliate links. To learn more, click here.
CLEANSERS
ELEMIS | Cleansing Balm
My absolute favourite way to remove my makeup. I like to use this as my first cleanse as it effortlessly removes stubborn makeup whilst leaving skin feeling smooth and not stripped.
It is suitable for sensitive skin and my favourite is the naked (non-scented one) as it is even more gentle on eyes.
KATE SOMERVILLE | Goat Milk Cleanser
This has been my most reached for cleanser of 2023, I think I’m on my 3rd tube!
I love to use this as my second cleanse in my PM routine as it is soothing and hydrating, leaving skin feeling smooth and soft.
LANCOME | Bi Facil Eye Makeup Remover
I’ve been through a couple of these this year, when I’m filming and I need something to quickly and effectively remove eye makeup I find myself reaching for this. It removes even the most stubborn, waterproof eye makeup.
I wouldn’t recommend this as your only cleanse, but in a hurry or on the go it is brilliant!
EXFOLIATING
DERMALOGICA | Daily Microfoliant
This non-abrasive, mild exfoliator refines surface texture and tone with a gentle, kind-to-skin approach.
Great for shifting dead skin cells and helps with balancing uneven skin tone, whilst still soothing the skin.
ELEMIS | Pro-Collagen Glow Boost Exfoliator
If you are a fan of the Elemis cleansing balm, you will likely enjoy this gentle exfoliating balm.
Think OG cleansing balm with spherical exfoliating cellulose beads (a non-plastic alternative to microbeads) to gently buff away dead skin cells while promoting a radiant glow.
Used as second cleanse and preps skin for a smoother makeup application.
ELEMIS | Resurfacing Pads
Gentle yet powerful exfoliating facial pads that help to visibly restore radiance and a soft, smooth texture.
I like to use these 3-4 times a week at the beginning of my am/pm skincare routine. Can also be alternated with the above physical exfoliant.
ESSENCE/TONERS
RHODE | Gazing Milk
This quickly became a staple in my skincare routine this year. It is a nutrient-rich, lightweight essence that boosts barrier function and provides immediate, luminous hydration.
Applied before your other products it helps prep the skin for best absorption. I find it immediately calms my skin and helps with redness, dryness and dullness.
FRESH | Kombucha Antioxidant Essence
An essence/toner formulated to hydrate, protect and visibly enhance the skin’s radiance.
I like to use in my AM skincare routine as it sets to work to protect against pollutants and blue light with kombucha, while moisturising hyaluronic acid visibly plumps.
I apply it directly into the palm of my hands and pat into face.
EYE CREAMS
LANCOME | Advanced Génifique Eye Cream
An eye cream I find myself going back to time and time again and is always a staple in my makeup kit as it sits so beautifully under makeup.
It is an intensely hydrating eye cream that targets the appearance of dullness and fatigue whilst minimising the look of fine lines overtime.
BOBBI BROWN | Vitamin Enriched Eye Base
This has been a favourite for a long time (along with their matching face base). This hydrating, cushiony textured eye cream works also as a primer to perfectly prep under eyes for a seamless concealer application. A great addition to a Makeup Artists kit!
FACE SERUMS
LANCOME | Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum
Seven pre – and probiotic-derived extracts are combined with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C (two of my favourite ingredients), helping to visibly plump and smooth skin whilst protecting the skin’s barrier and enhancing radiance.
The multi-tasking serum targets fine lines, pores, uneven skin tone and dullness. Suitable for all skin types, this is a staple of mine all year round as well as in my pro kit. It has become a favourite among many family and friends of mine too!
ESTEE LAUDER | Advanced Night Repair Serum
A serum great for all skin types. Feels like a drink of water for skin, helping to visibly soften, smooth and plump.
A night serum formulated with hyaluronic acid for 72-hour hydration, but is also perfect for skin prep under makeup.
LANCOME | Rénergie H.C.F Triple Serum
This three in one serum streamlines your routine by combining hyaluronic acid (seeking to intensely hydrate the skin), a blend of vitamin C and niacinamide (to help illuminate the skin and minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles), and ferulic acid (which aims to protect the skin against environmental aggressors).
I love using this as it feels like I’m getting all the benefits of different products I often layer together in one easy step.
FACE CREAMS
TATCHA | Dewy Skin Cream
A bestseller for good reason, this rich, moisturising cream works to plump and hydrate the skin.
I love to wear this as a daytime moisturiser/when I plan to wear makeup, as it preps the skin beautifully for a dewy, seamless makeup application.
More suited towards normal to dry skin types, or if you’re on the more oily side but love the dewy look, this may also be for you!
KATE SOMERVILLE | Delikate Recovery Cream
This formula instantly calms the appearance of redness, irritation and inflammation while strengthening the skin’s barrier function over time.
I like to use this mostly when my skin is feeling particularly dry/sensitive/irritated.
CHARLOTTE TILBURY | Magic Water Cream
Achieve radiant, glowing, plump skin with Charlotte Tilbury’s newest cream launch. Think of it as a sister to their famous magic cream.
If you have tried the original magic cream and find it a little too heavy/rich, this one I find a lot lighter and of course is the perfect base for makeup.
It feels like a drink of water for the skin that helps sooth any redness and leaves skin looking even toned and luminous.
TREATMENTS
REN | Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
This night time barrier balm is formulated to hydrate and nourish skin while you sleep.
Whenever my skin is feeling particularly irritated, stressed or dry I reach for this as the last step in my PM skincare routine.
It sinks into the skin well without feeling greasy or oily and I wake up with smoother, softer skin.
ELIZABETH ARDEN | Eight Hour Cream
It’s no secret that I love a multi-purpose product and this is a skincare saviour of mine!
I pull it out whenever my skin is particularly irritated or dry (I’ve recently been suffering with dry, sore eyelids and it’s been helping clear them up).
The uses for this is endless. Use on eyes, chapped lips, to groom brows, for your cuticles, dry areas on body, the list goes on.
ELEMIS | Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks
I like to pop on an eye mask if I’m having a pamper day or if I’m getting ready and my eyes need a bit of TLC.
These ones from Elemis are my favourites as
I genuinely feel like I see a difference after them, my under eyes feel and look smoother.
SPF
BEAUTY PIE | Featherlight UVA/UVB SPF50
Maybe not the most exciting category but arguably the most important! I wear SPF everyday as the final step in my AM skincare routine and have tried a LOT.
It can be difficult to find one that feels lightweight, doesn’t leave a white cast, doesn’t pill when worn with makeup, doesn’t sting if your eyes happen to water and provides enough protection. This beauty pie one ticks all the boxes!
I have a whole blog post on SPF here if you wish to read.
ULTRA VIOLETTE | Supreme Screen SPF 50+
Another most reached for SPF of mine. Ultra Violette is a really great, innovative SPF brand that makes slotting SPF into your routine easy.
This one is a silky, lightweight formula and has a gorgeous pearlescent sheen to it. It looks equally beautiful alone or for hydrating and priming underneath your makeup.
LIP CARE
RHODE | Peptide Lip Treatment
These have had the internet in a frenzy ever since they launched! It is a restorative lip treatment, for use both day or night for naturally plump, soft lips. It leaves lips looking glossy without the stickiness some lip treatments can leave.
I have one in every handbag and like to wear it alone or paired with a lipliner/on top of my chosen lip shade. Salted caramel is my favourite!
LANEIGE | Lip Mask
Another lip product that smells good enough to eat! The Laneige lip sleeping mask comes in an array of scents, my favourite being gummy bear.
If you suffer with dry lips, apply before you go to bed and wake up with smoother, more supple and perfectly prepped lips for make up application, as it helps slough away dead skin cells.