My Best of Facial Skincare for 2018

As a beauty blogger of a certain age, I get sent mostly facial skincare products. I guess makeup manufacturers think that older women don’t wear makeup which is crazy. I’m glad that skincare manufacturers realize that using skincare products is a lifelong thing, and that our skincare needs change over time.

Press Sample - Affiliate Links I Bought This - Affiliate links

2018 was another great year in terms of the skincare products that I tried. Frankly, I am really impressed with the vast majority of skincare products that come my way. Almost all of them are made with care, quality ingredients, and many make a difference. Happily, I am seeing more and more cruelty-free and gluten-free skincare. More vegan skincare too, though my skin is a fan of honey and lanolin.

I believe that it is very possible to buy fabulous, effective skincare products without going into debt. Indie brands and drugstore brands offer such a wonderful array of affordable skincare products. There’s no excuse not to use skincare products since a good sunscreen, a good moisturizer and a bottle of retinol are really what can hold off the signs of aging.

I got to try a lot of great skincare products in 2018, and I’m sure I’ll forget a few, but here are the ones that really stood out in my mind.

Cleanser

This year, I found three facial cleansers – all from countries outside the U.S. somewhat surprisingly – that I love. Because I love them all, I have found specific uses for each of them.

• Roberts Acqua Alle Rose Gel Detergente: I bought this Italian lightly rose scented gel facial cleanser at a very cool boutique in Savannah in August. The cleanser doesn’t suds up, but I am OK with that. It is very gentle, and it can be used on eyes. Although it is positioned as a makeup remover too, I remove my makeup first with micellar water and then follow up with this wonderful gel cleanser. It doesn’t strip my skin at all. I use this cleanser primarily in warmer weather (not sure why) and when I want to make sure I’ve removed all of my eye makeup. I am almost finished with this bottle, and I discovered it on sale for 50% off or $8 for 200 ml, now at an online retailer, so I nabbed it. If you like a light rose scent, you’ll love this gentle cleanser.

• SebaMed Liquid Facial Cleanser and Body Wash for Sensitive Skin: Months ago, I received several products from SebaMed, a no nonsense German (I think) skincare brand that was created for sensitive skin and other skincare issues. All of its products are pH balanced and soap-free as well as cruelty-free. The Liquid Facial Cleanser and Body Wash in a big pump bottle is a handy cleanser. I keep it in my shower, and I use it primarily as a facial cleanser in the shower and sometimes as a gentle body wash. It has a watery consistency, a very light fresh scent, and it is as gentle as can be. Very cost effective at $14.99 for 16 fl. oz./400 ml as well as face friendly. It also comes in a fragrance-free version called Gentle Hydrating Cleanser. SebaMed is sold in the U.S. at RiteAid stores.

• Zenmed Gentle Cleansing Cream: Zenmed Skincare from Canada is known as a skincare brand to help rosacea and other skin issues. The Gentle Cleansing Cream was created for sensitive skin and skin with rosacea. It has a pH of 6 which is just slightly more alkaline than the pH of normal skin, but it does not disturb the skin’s acid mantle. Instead it soothes sensitive skin and helps minimize and calm redness. I used to have rosacea as a child, but it has mostly gone away though I still have pinkish cheeks. I have found that Zenmed Gentle Cleansing Cream is perfect and oh-so hydrating for my dry but normal skin. The rich white cream is perfect for winter when my skin tends to be drier than usual or if I have gotten too much sun in the summer. $22 for 6 fl. oz.

Serum

I must have tried a million serums of all stripes this year, and I loved most of them. BTW, vitamins seemed to be having a moment in 2018, though I always thought that those of us who were using skincare with antioxidants were using vitamins. Am I wrong about that?

Because I found so many serums I love this past year, I am pretty much doing the Korean 10 step layering skincare regimen, applying them on top of one another starting with the lightest weight and going up from there. Here are just a few of the standouts.

• Farmhouse Fresh Chocolate Fig Vitamin Recovery Serum: Even if it didn’t do anything, I would still love this delectably scented facial serum from my favorite natural brand, Farmhouse Fresh. I would describe the scent as chocolate raspberry, and it is good enough to eat. In my review a few months ago, I said it smelled just like Captain Dusty’s homemade chocolate raspberry ice cream. Delicious. The serum comes in a jar and is applied with the scoop provided. It is a thick, somewhat goopy serum that feels especially wonderful at night, as it feels protective and like it is sealing in moisture. FHF Chocolate Fig Vitamin Recovery Serum is chock full of vitamins to add radiance to winter dull skin plus aloe vera and honey to hydrate parched skin. Made with natural and organic ingredients, gluten-free, vegetarian, and cruelty-free. So wonderful! $28 for 2 fl. oz., and a little goes a long way.

• Paula’s Choice Peptide Booster: In addition to vitamins being popular, peptides had a definite moment in 2018. Paula’s Choice added peptides to their newly repackaged booster lineup in 2018. What I love about the PC Boosters is that I can either add a couple of drops to my moisturizer or press in a few drops directly to my skin. What I love about the Peptide Booster (full review here) is that it’s a multipurpose serum addressing a constellation of skincare issues: dullness, discoloration, wrinkles, loss of firmness. If I only have time for one serum, this is my go-to! $52 for 20 ml, but it is very long-lasting. One dropper’s worth covers my entire face and neck.

• Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA: I’m working my way through my second bottle of Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA (full review here). This exfoliator is great for lightening sun damage, removing dead skin cells and softening wrinkles. It’s very lightweight and a little goes a long way. I started out last year with the 5%, but I quickly found that 10% AHA really suits my skin. I prefer this more water-like serum to the 5% AHA that’s a gel because the 10% serum quickly sinks into my skin. I use it twice a day for maximum effect. $37 for 1 oz.

• StriVectin Anti-Wrinkle Wrinkle Recode Line Transformation Melting Serum: StriVectin Wrinkle Recode is celebrating its one year anniversary, I noticed online today. Yay! In fact, if you spend $100 on StriVectin.com, you get a full size Wrinkle Recode for free. It’s a great deal, if you are a StriVectin fan. Wrinkle Recode Serum (full review here) is a clear viscous liquid that I use primarily at night as a spot treatment for my deepest lines and occasionally all over my face. It’s very similar to a treatment product I bought from Exuviance, but I discovered that I prefer StriVectin Wrinkle Recode because the smooth liquigel consistency works better on my skin. $89 for 1 oz.

• Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads: I just used up my last Nip+Fab Gentle Glycolic Pad, and I am very sad. In 2018, I tried both the regular (2.8% GA) Glycolic Fix Daily Cleansing Pads (review here) and the Gentle Glycolic Pads with a lower percentage of GA, and I loved them both. Honestly, I am really piling on the glycolic acid/AHAs, but I find my skin can take it with no problem, so why not. I love the fact that these are thin, presoaked pads that are so easy to use after my cleanser. I use them as a toner/treatment, and they also remove any last bits of foundation that my double-cleanse cleansing process doesn’t get. Nip+Fab also has a stronger 5% GA version – Glycolic Fix Night Pads Extreme, and that’s the one I will try next. In the meantime, I am going to make myself use the very nice Derma E Radiance Toner with Glycolic and Rooibos (reviewed here) that I received in early December. My only problem is I’ve gotten so lazy: I miss the pre-soaked pad, lol. Prices vary widely on these 4 oz. jars depending on where you buy them. MSRP $12.95-14.95 though they are less at different retailers

Oil

• Derma E Rejuvenating Sage & Lavender Face Oil: I think oils are fabulous, but some are more fabulous than others IMHO. At the end of 2018, a wonderful face oil came my way from Derma E (review here). I love love love the sage and lavender herbaceous scent of this medium-weight super hydrating oil. It is so darn relaxing to smell the fragrance as I apply a few drops to my face. The scent doesn’t linger, but it’s so pleasant during application. The oil is very hydrating and makes my skin feel like velvet. $16.50 for 1 oz./30 ml.

Anti-aging Cream/Moisturizer

• Cremeplexion Facial Moisturizer from Humboldt Soap Company: I’ve been singing the praises of the skincare from natural and organic Humboldt Soap Company because I am over the moon in love with the fluffy, lightweight, whipped mousse but intensely hydrating Cremeplexion Facial Moisturizer (full review here). In addition to being a fabulous moisturizer, it is affordable. $20 for 2.5 oz. Plus it’s fragrance-free, important to me in a facial moisturizer. My year was made when HSC launched Body Mousse in 5 truly delicious and natural scents with the same consistency as Cremeplexion. This is a brand you need to try!

Eye Cream

• Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb: Although I am still confused about whether Belif is Scottish or Korean or inspired by both, I think it’s a terrific herbal-based skincare brand. I’m sorry I have been writing non-stop about Belif Moisturizing Eye Bomb (review here), but I think it’s a fantastic eye gel-cream. I have very dry sensitive eyes, and the hours and hours of hydration I get from gentle Belif is amazing. Plus I use it to firm the skin above my crease. This stuff is just about perfect for me. $48 for 25 ml.

• RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream: For bang for your buck as well as efficacy, try lightweight RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream (full review here). I use it to soften my crow’s feet and to get rid of fine lines under my eye sockets. It also deputes and reduces dark circles. Dermatologists recommend retinol for skincare, and RoC was the company that pioneered retinol. The price varies for 0.5 oz./15 ml according to where you buy it from $15-$25, hmmmm.

Mist

• Georgette Klinger Coconut Facial Mist: I was so happy that my favorite skincare brand when I was young – Georgette Klinger – came back in 2017 after years of dormancy and litigation. After trying the lovely Lavender Facial Mist in 2017, last year I bought the Coconut Facial Mist and I love it even more. The natural coconut scent is divine. I look for opportunities to spray my face! Refreshing, relaxing and hydrating. With antioxidants, it’s also rejuvenating and protective. The fine spray is perfect to refresh makeup. $9 for 4.2 fl. oz. A natural, cruelty-free brand.

Mask

• Beauty Kitchen Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Mask: This mask may not be for everyone because it has a noticeable natural pumpkin scent because it is made from real pumpkin. It smells like a vegetable rather than a pumpkin spice latte. I don’t mind the scent at all. Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Mask (review here) is a 5 minute mask, and I have never tried a mask that does such an effective job at exfoliating and tightening. My skin feels noticeably brighter, smoother and clean as a whistle but not stripped. Just amazing. It’s recommended for all skin types as well as mature skin and skin with acne. $22.50 for 2.8 oz.

Missed Beauty Accessories

In my prior post a couple of weeks ago on My Best of Makeup and Makeup Accessories, I forgot a couple of items that I really love. So I thought I’d take a minute in this last “best of 2018” post to mention them.

• Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads: For years I have been using Swisspers, the super affordable cotton rounds that I buy in bulk from Costco.  But when I had a chance to try Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads (review here) in 2018, I became a convert. The KGD Pure Cotton Pads are a superior product. The pads are larger, softer, more absorbent, and easier to use to remove makeup. Though they are more expensive by far than Swisspers, I have bitten the bullet and bought the Koh Gen Do Pure Cotton Pads instead. I’m on mu third box. A 60 count box is $15.

• Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo: I received Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo in last year’s Beautylish Lucky Box. When I saw it, it was fine but I wasn’t overly excited about it compared to the other items in my box. When I finished up my Beautyblender Blender Cleanser, I started using Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo (full review here), and now I prefer it to Blender Cleanser. Clean Apothecary is longer lasting, comes in a larger tub, lathers very nicely, and cleans my brushes and sponges very well. I’ve been using Clean Apothecary for at least 7 months, and I am about halfway through the tub (and I use it several times a week). Clean Apothecary (a woman-owned business based in Michigan) sells Brush Shampoo in 5 scents (grapefruit, rose, lavender, lemon, and spearmint) for $10 for the soap alone. Beautylish sells Clean Apothecary Brush Shampoo in a plastic tub for $15. IMO both are a good value.

These are my favorite skincare products from 2018. Which ones that you have tried during the past year impressed you most?

Today's Author

Allison Cohen

Website | + posts

• Real Life in the Makeup Aisle
• Appearex: Biotin 2.5mg Supplement -- Nail Care
• Salma Hayek Nuance Renewed Radiance SPF 30 Moisturizing Day Cream
• Cleo Shower Cream Review