The Essential List 01: My Daily Skincare Products
The ones I always come back to.
Welcome to the first edition of the Essential List!
For the inaugural post I thought I would kick off this ✨journey✨ of discovery by sharing one of my own essential lists: my daily skincare products.
👋🏻 I’m Laura, the Editor of this newsletter. I am also the founder of osmanthōs, a freelance designer, and mother of two. I spend way too much time researching and shopping for products and love to speak to other people who do the same to learn about their favorite finds. I currently live in Seattle and while I’m always planning my next move to somewhere with more sunlight, I suppose living here under the gray cover is at least good for my skin.
My relationship with skincare products has evolved a lot over the years. I have a master’s degree in fragrance and cosmetics so I’ve always been interested in the beauty industry and I understand how products are formulated. I used to love trying new products, researching the effects of different active ingredients, and combing reddit threads for cult products and the best dupes. I’ve subscribed to sampling programs (R.I.P. Birchbox), had my sheet mask phase, dabbled with Korean products (though never the full 10-steps) and purchased a micro-current device.
But in recent years, I’ve cut way back on skincare products. At some point, I got tired of feeling like I was always chasing something new and being sold to all of the time. Plus, between two pregnancies, lack of time, and working from home, I’ve just kind of— stopped caring as much. (Not to mention the costs, which add up quickly.)
The skincare industry spends a lot of money to make you feel like you need to constantly try the newest products and breakthrough active ingredients. It’s hard to ignore the noise and decide to just be okay with the routine you have in place. That’s what I’ve been trying to do: choose the products that work for me, stick to them and, as a result, get back some time, brain space and money (feels like a win).
Jessica Defino’s thought-provoking newsletter, which exposes myths sold to us by the beauty industry, has also inspired me to reexamine my relationship with skincare products. I found her post about Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream particularly intriguing:
Often, skincare routines are overcrowded with products and ingredients that irritate the skin, which then causes you to pile on more products and ingredients to fix said irritation. (For example, surfactant cleansers strip the skin’s natural oils, leading you to layer on thick serums and moisturizers to compensate, triggering clogged pores and acne, precipitating the need for benzoyl peroxide spot treatments that further strip the skin, and so on.) Simplifying your routine to a single product — whether The Rich Cream or something else — would likely result in clearer, calmer skin over time.
With that in mind, here are my essential, everyday skincare products. These are the products I have used for years now and always came back to after brief flings with the hottest new thing. For context, I am a 37 year old, white female with fair skin and no major skin issues. No botox or cosmetic procedures, but I’m certainly tempted.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 I have fair skin, freckles, and spent more time than I’d like to admit suntanning as a teenager and college student. These days I’m very conscious of sun exposure and this is my go-to, everyday sunscreen I rely on everyday. Recommended by a dermatologist years ago, it’s light, clear and excellent under makeup. For full sun days, like at the beach, I prefer the tinted, UV Physical version.
Isle of Palm Medium Self-Tanning Face Drops This self-tanner is a miracle worker: 1) it means I don’t ever actually (intentionally) tan my face, which is great for protecting my skin, 2) it evens out my skin tone, masks redness, and gives me a subtle tan/glow, 3) it’s easy to apply— you simply add drops to your moisturizer every morning (I do two everyday for subtle color, but add as much or as little as you like). It has a subtle scent that some people don’t like, but it doesn’t bother me at all.
Embryolisse Lait Crème Concentré Speaking of moisturizer…I lived in Paris for a year for graduate school and— like everyone else —I loved exploring products in the famed French pharmacies. I started using Embryolisse and have never looked back. There have been times when I’ve run out and had to fill a gap with something else, but I always go back to this. It’s moisturizing enough in the winter, light enough for summer and also a great primer under makeup.
LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask There’s nothing worse than chapped lips. My two biggest methods to prevent them are drinking a lot of water (chapped lips are dry lips, so stay hydrated) and using this lip mask (I like the berry version) every night before bed. It’s the very last step in my nightly routine, after I brush my teeth and before I head to bed.
Tretinoin One “active” product that I have continued to use over the years (except while pregnant), is tretinoin aka retinoic acid, a prescription retinoid that reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. With insurance it costs me a whopping $6/tube. Another product I often use is Vitamin C (in the morning), but I’m not loyal to one particular product so I’m leaving it out.
GrandeLASH MD Lash Enhancing Serum My eyelashes are very short, so I’ve used a lash growth serum for years. It helps make them visible without mascara and with mascara my lashes can actually look almost long. This serum is easy to apply each night and has never caused any issues or irritation.
What are your Daily Skincare essentials? Share in a comment below or hit reply to send me a note. And if you know someone who might be interested The Essential List, please spread the word:
Power Repair by Sister Creations. Totally obscure, completely amazing. Thank me later.
Oooh I’m intrigued! Winter cream or year round?