I'm going to do this in clumps, i.e. different face washes that I think are good, then different toners, then different moisturizers, etc. It will be a mish-mash of drugstore and high end.
#1 Face Washes: Murad Clarifying Cleanser: this stuff works really well, it gets everything off my face, leaves a tingly feeling and doesn't over dry my skin. It uses sulfur and salicylic acid (I believe) to kill surface bacteria and it is my primary face wash and definitely my first choice.
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash: this was my original holy grail face wash, I've mentioned it before when discussing the discontinuation of the product that made it the holy grail, the overnight acne treatment. However, this is still a really great face wash, I have it in my bathroom at my parents' house and I still love it. It gets my skin really clean, but it does leave it a bit more dry than the Murad.
Aveeno Foaming Cleanser Clear Complexion: I used this for a while and I didn't love the results I got, I feel like I personally need something a little stronger and, ahem, medicinal, than the Aveeno products. However, if you have sensitive skin, and are also acne prone, I would definitely recommend this to you. It's gentle, it removes makeup and is a nice face wash.
Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser: I used this in middle school and I love it. It's a little too thick and creamy for my tastes now, but the tingly feeling you get when you rinse it off is amazing! I think if you have drier skin or normal skin this would be great for you, but it is a little intense for oily skin.
Ole Henricksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser: I love this stuff! It's perfect for all skin types, gentle enough for really sensitive skin, and it leaves my skin looking radiant. Seriously, the difference between the way my skin looks when I wash with Neutrogena or Murad and this is MAJOR. It's a great morning cleanser, when you're not washing off all the dirt from the night before, but you want a clean slate before you put on any make up. I also use it during the summer when I'm in and out of the pool teaching, it helps keep my skin from drying out too much from the chemicals.
#2 Face Masks/Treatments/Scrubs: Clean and Clear Morning Burst In Shower Facial: This is great in the shower. It literally makes your skin feel so soft and so clean. It's super easy to do, you just smear a decent layer all over your face in the shower, I do it while I'm shaving my legs, and you let it sit on your skin for about a minute. Then you massage it into your skin, and it has these little exfoliating beads in it, it feels so good. It leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed.
Murad Clarifying Face Mask: This is my favorite face mask to use. I love the way you can feel it tightening your face as it dries, and the smoothness of your skin when you rinse it off and the way that it literally shrinks any blemishes by at least half by the time you rinse it off. It's a little pricey, as most of Murad's line is, but it's so worth it. This and the face wash are the only things I would absolutely recommend from the Murad line.
Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating 2-in-1 Foaming Pads: I love these things! They take off all my make up and they exfoliate all in one. They have a nubby side and a smooth side, they don't foam up too much but they lather nicely and they get the skin totally clean. (With this I recommend also buying the Blackhead Eliminating Facial Scrub and using the scrub in the shower after your regular face wash and after you have rinsed the conditioner from your hair.)
Benefit Cosmetics Honey! Snap Out of It! Scrub: Love this scrub. I've been using it for years. It's actually not my favorite from Benefit, I was obsessed with the Pineapple Facial Polish, but they discontinued that. (Boo! Hiss!) The exfoliator pieces are actually like walnut shells or something, so they're pretty intense but as a once a week or twice a week treatment, this thing is amazing.
#3 Toners: Neutrogena Clear Pore Oil-Free Astringent: I've been using this stuff off and on since I was maybe 11 and my mom brought it home for me. This came after Sea Breeze! I like it, it's good on keeping skin tight and it does help with keeping skin clear. Not sure if it's my favorite toner though. I also really like the Neutrogena Acne Stress Control toner.
Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner: I didn't particularly like this for my skin, it's pretty mild and I love (seriously, love) the stingy feeling with strong toners, I just feel like it's working! However, it is a great toner for people with sensitive skin. Kate Somerville does a wide range of products and many of them are amazing for people who have sensitive skin, so for all of you, I recommend this.
Ole Henricksen Grease Relief Tonic: Personally, I've never used this, but I've heard only great things. First, that it provides great oil control if you've got oily skin and second, that it's easy on sensitive skin. I love Ole Henricksen, seriously, the only thing I wasn't crazy about was his acne face mask and that's only because I discovered the Murad one first, and it worked so well for me, so I didn't really give the Ole Henricksen one a chance, I suppose. Anyway, his toners are lovely, and they smell nice. His whole line is pretty fantastic as far as skin care goes.
Ole Henricksen Balancing Cucumber Face Tonic: Again, this one is great for the sensitive skin crowd. This toner is refreshing and gentle and a beautiful teal color. This is best for those of you with normal to dry skin, because it replenishes the skin but doesn't control oil production or shine. Another amazing thing about Ole Henricksen's toners and face washes is that they are HUGE. You get an insane amount of product, 12 full ounces. Pretty amazing when you consider that Neutrogena gives you less than 10, I think. (8, to be exact)
#4 Acne Treatments: there needs to be a disclaimer here! I have acne prone skin and literally will try anything to keep my skin clear. I decided to make this its own little section instead of throwing these products into random categories. I won't, however, mention products here that I've already mentioned in other categories. I'm sorry that these are pretty much only higher end, but these are what I've been using because I haven't found any drug store treatments that work well. (except the Neutrogena overnight acne treatment, which they stopped making.)
Ole Henricksen Roll-On Blemish Attack: This lil' guy is pretty amazing. It comes in a roller ball type container, and it has a solution in it that contains both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You roll the ball across your finger a few times to get the product out and then apply to your face. They recommend using it only at night because benzoyl peroxide can cause increased sensitivity to sun exposure, but if you already wear sunscreen every day (and you should!) then that isn't an issue. I think it's more a matter of personal preference. I use it every night, and in the mornings when I feel like I need some extra fighting power.
Ole Henricksen Blemish Attack Daily Defense Gel: This is sort of like your typical spot treatment, except you apply it to your whole face rather than just one spot. It's formulated with salicylic acid and zinc, to minimize surface bacteria and help treat existing blemishes. I apply this in the morning after I've washed my face (and toner, if I feel like I need it, usually I only use toner at night) and before I've put on moisturizer or anything like that. I let it "dry" or sink into my skin completely before I put anything else on my face. If I'm using the Roll-On Attack, I still apply the gel first, and apply the roll-on over the top but I don't wait for the gel to dry before applying the roll-on attack.
Ole Henricksen Invigorating Night Gel: On the jar it says "oil-free gel helps vanish the appearance of fine lines, pigmentation and breakouts with AHA." I love this stuff. The alpha hydroxy acid helps resurface your skin, promoting new cells and a younger, smoother looking surface. It's surprisingly gentle, although it does take some getting used to at first, and can sting a teeny bit when used with the roll-on attack, if you use a significant amount of either. I use this every night and after the first month I saw a huge improvement in the way my skin looked and felt. Definite must-have, even if you don't have acne prone skin. (it's not necessarily an "acne treatment")
Murad Clarifying Mask (see above)
#5 Moisturizers: Ole Henricksen Vitamin Plus: This is a fantastic, lightweight moisturizer. It also helps mattify skin. I used this all summer because it was so perfect. The only downside to this product is that it doesn't have sunscreen so you have to slather on another product over it and some sunscreens react oddly with the moisturizer and cause it to sort of peel off, making it look like your skin is peeling. (Neutrogena sunscreens, I'm looking at you!) However, it's the perfect summer moisturizer for all skin types, but I find that it's best to get something a little heavier when your skin starts to get dry when it starts getting cold out.
Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizing Gel: I just started using this moisturizer and I love it. It's the moisturizer I've switched to for the winter, but it's still pretty lightweight. I have noticed some dryness on my face, still, but I'm not sure it's a great idea to look for something heavier, since I am acne prone. This makes my skin velvety soft; I use it every morning on my face, neck and chest.
Benefit Firmology: I use this moisturizer on my neck and chest at night before bed. It has firming "agents" in it that tighten your skin. I've noticed a definite improvement in my skin on my neck and my chest since I started using this. (actually, since I started using moisturizer on those areas.)
Aveeno Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer SPF 15: I used this during my Aveeno phase and it's a nice, light moisturizer. This one has salicylic acid in it, so it helps control acne while you're using it. Ultimately, I prefer something stronger for my acne treatment and since I found a whole regime from one brand that works for me, I stick to that. This is a really great moisturizer, however.
#6 Eye Creams/Serums: Garnier Fructis De-Puffing Eye Roller: I love how cooling this stuff is. It really helps with puffiness under the eyes and it dries pretty quickly. The metal roller ball is soothing and helps get circulation started throughout the area.
Clinique All About Eyes Serum: This is essentially the same as the Garnier, just Clinique, so it's more expensive. I love them both, however, and I use them both, so I decided to include them both. I don't think one is necessarily better than the other.
Khiels Abyssine Eye Cream: This is probably my favorite eye cream to date, although I'm not using it at the moment (because it's hiding at my parents' house!). It's lightweight but definitely super moisturizing. Kinda pricey but worth it.
Clinique All About Eyes Rich: I really like this eye cream, although I do think it is too heavy for day time use, and could make eyes look and feel greasy during the day. At night, however, it's like an amazing moisturizing blanket for your eyes. I think in combination with the Khiels, this would be a great day and night combo.
Okay, this post is WAY too long, so I'm going to cut myself off here, I hope you guys enjoyed it though. I'm sure there are plenty more products I could think of so maybe when it's not finals week, I'll do another. Enjoy!
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