My Top Skincare Products of 2018

Skincare featured high on my list of priorities in 2018. It’s the year I spent more money and time on my skin and skincare products. The year I started spending money on peels. The year I welcomed any and every skincare product drop, hoping to discover THE magic product to transform my skin. Unfortunately good skin is not a quick journey…in fact, it takes loads of patience and time. LOADS. I think I’m getting there, but there’s a lot to correct and heal and treat…..but I’ll get there. Today I want to share with you, my top skincare products of 2018. The ones I feel changed my skin game…and products I see myself repurchasing time and time again.

Cleansers

Vichy Normaderm Gel and Foaming Cleaners

The Vichy Normaderm range has been a staple in my routine for years now. I love that it’s non-drying and is especially for skin prone to blemishes and breakouts. Using cleansers and products to treat pimples can really dry the skin out, and this doesn’t do that. I like the foaming cleanser when I’m in a rush and the gel cleanser I use with my Clarisonic. 

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

I probably don’t really need to talk about this one, because I’ve spoken about it so many times before. This product is well-loved by myself…AND my husband…we honestly adore the Daily Microfoliant. If I had to recommend just one Dermalogica product to try, this would be it.

Toner

Thayers Rose Petal Toner

I was never a staunch toner user… When I remembered I would use it, and also, I assumed one toner was the same as the next. Then I started using the Thayers Rose Petal Toner…. *insert dreamy eyes*. I’m not sure what’s so different about this, but I just love this toner. From the scent, to the way it soothes my skin and makes my skin feel….I just love it. Witch Hazel helps with my fight against breakouts and the Aloe Vera is soothing to the skin. The Rosewater is also packed with Vitamin C and works with the Witch Hazel to tighten pores, control oil and lock in moisture. My skin never feels tight or dry after using this. 

Moisturisers

Day – Elizabeth Arden Skin illuminating Brightening Hydragel Cream

I like my moisturiser to be lightweight, but also functional. This hydragel cream to me is both and why I love it just a smidgen more than the other Hydragel offering from Elizabeth Arden…and I mean I LOVE that one a lot! It’s got a lovely gel-cream consistency, not too wet though and sinks into the skin effortlessly. This contains all sorts of amazing ingredients to brighten and plump the skin….like mini-hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C derivatives and all sorts of impressive sounding ingredients.

Night – Exuviance Evening Restorative Complex

Again, I like a lightweight moisturiser that is functional…that standard is the same. I’ve been using the Evening Restorative Complex on and off for a few months now and when I start using it again, I wonder why I ever stopped. This contains Mild Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) and Vitamins C and E, to deliver full strength anti-ageing benefits without drying or irritation. The cream feels so nice on my skin, sinks in quickly and I just love all the ingredients that are doing the work for me, while I sleep. Also, it has a great pump on it and a lovely super light, fresh scent.

Serum

Clarins Double Serum

I have oohed and aahed about the Double Serum since I discovered it just over a year ago…you know that! I stopped using it for a while and then started randomly one day and I just saw results in my skin within a week or 2. The texture of my skin seemed better, I just love how lightweight this is, but it still packs a punch. This serum is headed with me into 2019!

Dermalogica Biolumin-c Serum

In 2018 I discovered that Vitamin C is a must in my skincare routine and I just loved the consistency and scent of this serum. It’s also such a lightweight serum. I almost forgot about this Serum, because I just recently finished my last bottle.

SPF

Heliocare Advanced Gel SPF 50

In 2018 I got serious about using SPF on my face every single day. The Heliocare Advanced Gel SPF 50 has fast become my favourite product. I know….you guessed it…it’s so LIGHTWEIGHT and non-greasy. This doesn’t clog my pores or break me out and also leaves no white cast on my face. It’s also well priced I think, and this one I will repurchase over and over.

Facial Mist

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Miracle Hydrating Mist

Thank you, Next? We really don’t have to go into this right? You know it, I know it…Elizabeth Arden knows it….this is my favourite facial mist. I love how lightly the mist falls on my face. This is just a great cocktail of goodness for my skin. I’ve always got a bottle in my handbag and a bottle in my vanity. This is great to refresh my makeup or to ‘fix’ any powder situation I want to improve on my face. I also use it after cleansing at night…and if I’m lazy to do a night-time routine, I just drench my face in this…with no guilt!

Bodycream

Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baum

I started using a body cream later in 2018…before that I was very negligent with putting lotion on my body. So bad I know! This cream from Bioderma is great, in that it’s perfect for dry, sensitive and irritated skin. That describes me to a T! I get a rash from being in the sun too long or I just itch for absolutely no reason….this cream is perfect for me. I also use this on my face as a barrier cream when peels dry out my skin and leave it flaking and yucky. This helps with that so fast! Dual-purpose product….yes please! My skin is too oily to justify buying an expensive barrier cream to use maybe once a month, so this product solves that for me and saves me some cash.

Tool

Clarisonic Mia

The Clarisonic Mia is definitely NOT a must have…let me state that, but it’s a tool I absolutely enjoy having in my routine. My skin feels cleaner, clearer and I feel this assists in keeping my pores clean and unclogged. Unfortunately the Clarisonic is NOT available in South Africa anymore, so I need to try to get additional brush heads from overseas in the future.

That’s a wrap for my ‘Top Skincare products of 2018‘….I know it’s a bit late in the game, but as I always say: Better late than never! Let me know which skincare products from 2018 you loved and now have a place in 2019 alongside you! Also, if you missed my ‘Top Makeup products of 2018‘, be sure to check that post out HERE.