I’m a Beauty Editor, so Finishing Skincare Products Is My Highest Form of Praise—11 Running on Empty
As someone whose job it is to test, research, and recommend beauty products, my personal routine is ever-changing. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that I don't have a steady regimen at all; every time someone asks me, “What's your daily skincare routine?” I totally freeze, mentally sifting through my current roster of samples for an awkward minute or two before I respond. Yes, I realize this is probably the biggest champagne problem on the face of the planet, but I bring it up because I've actually had quite a few empties as of late. Major!
See, I simply don't have room in my routine (or on my crowded bathroom counter, for that matter) to fully finish a skincare product before hustling to the next, soon-to-be-launched formula. So when I do, it's a sign the product was so unbelievably good that I refused to swap it until I had my fill. Usually, there's one or two stalwarts that fit the bill every so often. But right now? I have eleven. Find them below, and you should know that I'm restocking as we speak.
iS Clinical
Cleansing Complex
I swear, this is the product that has kept my skin clear all summer. (Well, there's another exfoliating serum I have to credit, but more on that in a moment.) The gel formula contains white willow bark extract—a natural alternative to salicylic acid—which is A+ for preventing the congestion I typically struggle with during sweatier months. I've been using it every single night after dissolving makeup and sunscreen with an oil cleanser, and as you can see from the video, below I'm due for a resupply soon.
SOFIE PAVITT FACE
Mandelic Clearing Serum
Here it is—the exfoliating serum I will slather on until the end of time. Mandelic acid is the perfect AHA for my skin type, as it gently sloughs dead skin cells and prevents breakouts without leaving me flaky and irritated. (If you have textbook combination skin like me, give it a try and thank me later.) I've gone through three bottles already this year and honestly can't imagine my routine without the brightening, clearing formula. When I pause my product testing to prepare for my fall wedding, this is the only serum I'll use—period. I'm forever indebted to Sofie Pavitt for creating such a hero!
Nécessaire
Olibanum Deodorant
Never have I ever finished a deodorant so quickly. I generally stick to aluminum-free formulas, and only a handful have really impressed me over the years I made the switch to natural deo. Mandelic acid is clearly my skincare soul mate (if that's a thing) because it's one of the main ingredients here to neutralize odor-causing bacteria. It also smooths bumps and fades discoloration thanks to its exfoliating and brightening properties, so you really get a deodorant and underarm treatment in one. (Just be careful using it right after shaving. It can sting!)
I also can't forget about the scent, which could honestly double as perfume. Trust me, it is so good. I have Nécessaire's Olibanum body wash and lotion, if that tells you anything about how obsessed I am with the warm, spicy fragrance.
HPPY Skin
Plump + Renew Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Yes, $94 for a hyaluronic acid serum is nothing to scoff at, but this isn't just any HA formula. It's supercharged with berry-derived nutrients (hence the natural berry hue) that simultaneously brighten and protect skin from free radical damage. I'm someone who can't tolerate vitamin C, so I'm always on the hunt for antioxidant serums that carry similar benefits without leaving me inflamed, and this one 100% ticks that box. It's essentially a plumping hyaluronic acid serum and brightening, vitamin-rich serum wrapped up into one, non-sticky formula. I was genuinely bummed when I ran out!
HPPY Skin
Prep + Illuminate Gel Moisturizer
Take those same berry-derived nutrients from the HA hero above and infuse them into the bounciest, most lightweight gel moisturizer you can imagine. I've been using this every single morning (well, until I recently ran out) since it wears incredibly well under makeup—almost like a skin-plumping primer. Combined with the HPPY hyaluronic acid serum, it's magic. My skin has never looked smoother, calmer, or more radiant.
Irene Forte Skincare
Triple Level Hyaluronic Serum
Once I ran dry of the HPPY serum above, I shifted my attention to this intensely hydrating number from Italian beauty brand Irene Forte. Again, it'll cost you a good chunk of change, but its skin-quenching effects are priceless, IMO. It's borderline impossible to find a highly-concentrated HA serum that doesn't feel too tacky, but this one somehow has the smoothest application without skimping on humectants. My skin quite literally drank it up.
Irene Forte Skincare
Hibiscus Night Cream
Can you tell I'm a brand loyalist when it comes to hydrating serums and moisturizers? This was actually the first product I used—and fell head over heels for—from Irene Forte, and it immediately became my number one nighttime staple. It's brimming with skin-smoothing actives, the most impressive being Myoxinol, a natural peptide extracted from hibiscus seeds that was found to act similarly to injectables in reducing deep forehead lines. (Yes, really, the brand conducted clinical trials to back up this claim.) High-performing formula aside, it also leaves behind the dewiest glow; if you prefer to go to bed looking like a glazed donut, trust me, this is the night cream for you. It even provides enough slip to use with my Lyma Laser, so I give it bonus points for streamlining my bedtime routine.
iNNBEAUTY PROJECT
Extreme Cream Eye Firming & Contouring Eye Cream
If you're familiar with the WWW Beauty team's all-star favorites, then you likely already have seen (or even own) this smoothing eye cream. It won a coveted spot in our Beauty Awards this year thanks to its ability to plump, lift, and hydrate the delicate under-eyes while leaving behind the prettiest, glass-like finish that lays perfectly under makeup. I absolutely flew through the bottle and immediately told my fellow editors how sad I was to finish it. Take it from us, this is a zero-regrets buy.
Medik8
Crystal Retinal Serum
Whether you're new to retinol or a seasoned pro, I can't recommend MediK8's serum enough. It comes in six different levels (1, 3, 6, 10, 20, and 24) with varying concentrations to meet your unique skincare goals. Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, recommended I start with 3 to keep things as gentle as possible (I'm no retinol novice, but my skin does run sensitive), but I feel comfortable graduating to 6 since finishing my tube. It's the same formula save for the strength of the retinaldehyde, so there's no guess-and-test involved as you advance through the portfolio.
EIGHTH DAY
Regenerative Serum
On the nights I don't use retinol, I practically douse myself in this potent skin-smoothing serum. The formula is brimming with beloved, clinically-backed actives like peptides, amino acids, growth factors, niacinamide, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, antioxidant-rich botanicals like ginger root and Manuka honey… I could go on. I tell everyone I know that it's the closest it comes to liquid gold, so you better believe I treasure each drop.
Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty
Tri-Liptide Peptide Lip Enhancing Treatment
Last but not least, we have a derm-formulated lip balm. This launch from Whitney Bowe, MD, FAAD, garnered a 2000-person waiting list ahead of its debut, then proceeded to immediately sell out—and I'm here to tell you that it's well worth the hype. Inspired by in-office injections, it really does make my lips look noticeably fuller and smoother, especially when I apply it multiple times per day. In fact, it's one of the only non-stinging plumpers that makes a real difference. Add a glossy, non-sticky finish to its list of perks, and you can see why I've filed it under “products to restock ASAP.”
