As we start a new week into our continued quarantine life, anxieties and stresses may be running at an all-time high, especially with so many unanswered questions and an unclear vision of the near future. If you're anything like me, a lot of those stresses are reflected on my face in the form of breakouts and blemishes. To combat those and to focus on your self-care, dedicate a little bit of time to do an at-home facial, to help cleanse and clear your skin, your mind, your aura, your soul, and whatever else needs cleansing! Here is a roundup of some of my favorite skincare products for an at-home facial, listed by category, some with various price point options.
CLEANSERS
Whether or not you're doing an at-home facial, a great facial cleanser/face wash is essential for everybody. I've been using the same Lancer cleanser for several years, when I first visited Dr. Harold Lancer at his office in Beverly Hills, as I was suffering from cystic acne breakouts around my chin area. During my appointment, in addition to a specificities skincare regimen, he suggested I start using his face wash and exfoliant from his three-step "The Method" line. I was apprehensive at first but decided to give it a try and I was hooked; the cleanser in particular has been my go-to since that first introduction. Aside from the Lancer face wash (I use the Oily & Congested Skin version), I've lined up some of my other favorites here, as well, for different skincare needs/different texture types (if you prefer foaming cleanser, cream cleanser, gel cleanser, etc.).
Photo Credit: Lancer Dermatology via Saks Fifth Avenue
LANCER THE METHOD: CLEANSE (available in Oily-Congested Skin, Normal, Sensitive-Dehydrated Skin + more)
PRICE: $55
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Natura Bissé via Saks Fifth Avenue
NATURA BISSÉ BARCELONA FACIAL CLEANSING GEL + A.H.A.
PRICE: $54
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Dr. Barbara Sturm via Revolve
DR. BARBARA STURM CLEANSER
PRICE: $70
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
EXFOLIATORS
For a while I was using the Lancer exfoliator—also part of The Method—called The Polish, which is available for different skin types. It has a very grainy texture that really feels like you're scrubbing your skin. This can be really harsh for a lot of skin types so I don't recommend using that daily or even every other day; maybe once or twice per week, though it is really effective, if your skin can handle it. I later discovered that there are a lot more gentle exfoliators out there and that are not necessarily super harsh, and actually come in powder form, but also super effective. My favorite by far is the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder, which is activated when added to warm water. A gentle scrub on the face and there's a noticeable, immediate difference in skin—it'll look brighter, more vibrant and awake. I recently tried Dr. Barbara Sturm's Enzyme Cleanser as well (also powder form exfoliator) and I really loved that one too. For your at-home facial, if you don't plan to do one very often, feel free to try the Lancer version; but for more regular use, I'd recommend a gentler version, like one of the below two cleansing powders.
Photo Credit: AmorePacific via Bloomingdales
AMOREPACIFIC TREATMENT ENZYME PEEL CLEANSING POWDER
PRICE: $60
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Dr. Barbara Sturm via Revolve
DR. BARBARA STURM ENZYME CLEANSER
PRICE: $75
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Lancer
LANCER THE METHOD: POLISH (Normal-Combination Skin)
PRICE: $75
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
MOISTURIZERS
When it comes to moisturizers, I personally prefer to use something with a lighter texture overall and formulated with a lot of water or water-based ingredients. I really don't like to put anything too thick on my face, especially for everyday use in a warm weather climate (and where I live happens to have warm weather year round). These picks reflect that overall preference.
Photo Credit: Tatcha/Sephora
TATCHA THE WATER CREAM
PRICE: $20-68
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: AMOREPACIFIC/Bloomingdale's
AMOREPACIFIC MOISTURE BOUND REJUVENATING CREME
PRICE: $150
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Dr. Barbara Sturm/REVOLVE
DR. BARBARA STURM FACE CREAM LIGHT
PRICE: $205
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
SERUMS
I wasn't huge into serums for a long time and thought they were kind of a scam—especially since I like to keep a really simple skincare routine overall. But I will say these serums are the real deal and I saw visible differences in my skin by using them. They're really worth investing in and the smaller molecules actually get into your skin, helping to make a more noticeable difference. Plus, a little goes a long way with serum.
Photo Credit: La Mer/Saks Fifth Avenue
LA MER THE REGENERATING SERUM
PRICE: $730
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Osea Malibu
OSEA VITAMIN SEA SERUM
PRICE: $68
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: DR. Barbara Sturm/NET-A-PORTER
DR. BARBARA STURM HYALURONIC SERUM
PRICE: $300
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
MASKS
This was another one of those things where I wasn't a believer until I was...and I'll never look back. Masks are really nice because there really are so many different types of masks to address different skincare needs. These three are all so different and can be used for different reasons, but overall, skin just looks and feels so much fresher after a nice mask that's packed with powerful ingredients to help your skin thrive.
Photo Credit: Biossance/Sephora
BIOSSANCE SQUALANE + TEA TREE DETOX MASK
PRICE: $39
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: 111SKIN/REVOLVE
111SKIN ROSE GOLD BRIGHTENING FACIAL TREATMENT MASK
PRICE: $32
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
FACIAL WIPES/MAKEUP REMOVERS
For me, it's essential that I have makeup removing wipes. I don't even necessarily use them to remove makeup from my face; sometimes I like them to just give me an overall quick cleanse or to refresh my skin. But having a great go-to makeup remover is really important in the overall skincare process, as I am a firm believer that keeping makeup on the face for an extended period of time is really bad for your skin and can really clog your pores, leading to blemishes.
Photo Credit: Farmacy/Sephora
FARMACY GREEN CLEAN MAKEUP MELTAWAY CLEANSING BALM
PRICE: $22-34
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: Klorane/Revolve
KLORANE MAKE-UP REMOVER BIODEGRADABLE WIPES WITH SOOTHING CORNFLOWER
PRICE: $13
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
EYE TREATMENTS
I started to use eye cream recently for preventative reasons, to avoid any potential issues with that area, especially the under-eye area in particular. These are two very different treatment choices, depending on your needs, but I love them both equally.
Photo Credit: Dior Skin/Saks Fifth Avenue
DIOR CAPTURE YOUTH AGE-DELAY ADVANCED EYE TREATMENT
PRICE: $75
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: 111SKIN/Saks Fifth Avenue
111SKIN SUB-ZERO DE-PUFFING EYE MASK
PRICE: $105
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
LIP SCRUBS
I have really dry lips and am constantly trying to find new ways to hydrate them. I find that a great lip scrub can really help slough away all that dead skin and leave the lips soft and supple, just for overall skin health purposes. But also, these are great to use if you are putting on lipsticks, lip pencils or any sort of lip color, as even and soft lips are the best foundation for adding lip color, especially if the chosen lip product has a matte finish.
Photo Credit: By Terry/Net-A-Porter
BY TERRY BAUME DE ROSE LIP SCRUB
PRICE: $37
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: FRESH/SEPHORA
FRESH SUGAR LIP POLISH
PRICE: $24
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: BITE BEAUTY/SEPHORA
BITE BEAUTY AGAVE+ WEEKLY VEGAN LIP SCRUB
PRICE: $22
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
LIP TREATMENTS
Lip balms are essential! Just as we take such great care of our facial skin, there's no reason we shouldn't do the same for our lip skin. I use the Bite Beauty lip balm every night before I go to sleep (it's a bit thicker), while the other two are great for all-day wear. The By Terry has a lovely scent as well, and gives a tiny sheen that has a really nice natural, pretty look for the day.
Photo Credit: LANOLIPS/VIOLET GREY
LANOLIPS 101 OINTMENT MULTIPURPOSE SUPERBALM
PRICE: $17
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: BITE BEAUTY/SEPHORA
BITE BEAUTY AGAVE+ DAYTIME VEGAN LIP BALM
PRICE: $14
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
Photo Credit: BY TERRY/HARRODS
BY TERRY BAUME DE ROSE NOURISHING LIP BALM
PRICE: $42
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
TOOLS/ROLLERS
TK
