Before I even begin, I want to give you a little background. Until I was 17, I had absolutely no interest in skin care or beauty products. I had no idea how a face scrub or even an everyday moisturizer are essentials to you skin care routine and what a difference it makes to your skin health. My mum insisted on me applying the Lacto Calamine lotion before heading out of the house and from then to today it has been a crazy journey trying to understand my skin type, testing what suits my face and how to keep my skin in good healthy condition!
Honestly I like to experiment and check on how certain products react on my skin, I don’t blindly go by what’s trending on social media. I try and get samples or travel size products to know how they work on my skin. It is important to understand what works for a lot of them out there might not work for you. I have a normal to dry skin type and the below listed products have worked really well for me and I have been using them for a while now. Here’s a list of top absolute favorites!
1.) Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Creamy Facial Cleanser
I have finally found a perfect cleanser! I was using the Pond’s White Beauty Spot Less Face Wash for a real longtime but had trouble finding it here in the US and I have finally made the switch. This one from Neutrogena is a calming cleanser. it’s super gentle on the skin and yet effective enough to wick away sweat and dirt after a workout, but won’t leave your skin feeling dry and tight. I use it in the morning and post my run/workout. The key is always wash your face with cold water. I have a normal to dry skin type and it works great for me.
2.) Dabur Gulabari Premium Rose Water
This one has been in my skin care routine since forever! I had always heard people say that toner is an essential step post cleansing and instead of switching to any other toner, I continue using this rose water from Dabur and it has served me well all these years. It smells amazing and refreshes the skin in an instant. I store mine in the refrigerator (I love it cold on my skin) and dab it on my face using a cotton pad just after cleansing.
3.) Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer
I love this moisturizer and it works really well on my skin the summer months. This is a refreshing moisturizer and on the plus side, it works well under makeup as a primer since it’s quick absorbing and does not leave a greasy look on the skin. If you have an oily skin and don’t like moisturizers that make your skin even more oily, you can give this one a try.
4.) Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturizing Skin Therapy Oil
Ever since I was introduced to their shea cocoa butter lotion by my sister, i have been a fan of this brand. I tumbled upon this specific face oil and have been loving it ever since. It is made with cocoa butter to moisturize, retinol and vitamin C to brighten the skin & lighten dark spots. It is mildly scented. If you tend to have oily skin and are prone to a breakouts this might not be the one for you. For me personally, my skin tends to be dry at night so I use a few drop of this oil before bedtime on alternate nights on top of my moisturizer and massage it well into my skin. I wake up with soft smooth skin. This oil will last for ages since you just have to apply little very few drops. It’s definitely a good value for your money
5.) La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Make it a rule, don’t head out without a sunscreen, ever. This tinted sunscreen gives your skin a beautiful healthy glow and blends in very nicely. At first, it applies as oily but it dries down to a silky finish within minutes. I use my moisturizer and then this product. It is light weight and matte on reapplication. The texture is great and you really don’t need a foundation on a busy regular days with this product. I get a lot of compliments on my skin when I use this sunscreen! Overall, I recommend this sunscreen hands down and investing in a good sun protection for your skin is a must. It’ll pay off years down the road!
6.) La Roche Posay Lipikar Balm
From the same brand LRP, this one is a moisturizer that has worked so well for me this past winter. It is both fragrance-free and paraben-free. My skin gets really dry in winter (a problem I did not have back in India) and this product has been a great addition to my skin care routine. I generally can’t stand the feeling of heavy products on my skin so I am so impressed with how hydrating this is while absorbing perfectly and quickly. My skin instantly feels smoother and fresh.
7.) Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
I have heard nothing but great things about this mask for months before I bought it for myself. This product is recommended to be used with apple cider vinegar however I started off using it with my rose water and it worked great! You get an instant glow post washing off your mask. I switched to mixing it with apple cider vinegar and it works well for me with no breakouts or irritation (Make sure you pick the organic option) I use the Bragg organic apple cider vinegar. It makes the clay mix denser and easier to apply. The clay will cause a tingly sensation and a tightening feel once it dries off. It can be drying once you wash it off so make sure you use a good moisturizer afterwards to replenish your skin’s hydration. Remember that a little goes a long way with this clay. one and a half spoon each of the powder and the vinegar should do the deed.
Sincerely Sonali 