THE ORIGINAL MASTER LIST: skincare potions & lotions

In print for the first-time ever, my personal shopping list for the BEST skincare products on the market. I am calling this list “The Original” because as new products cross my desk and drawers, I will surely have new favorites. It’s gonna get competitive, ladies!!

Here goes…

FACE/Cleanser: Origins Checks & Balances. Skin feels great. Clean but not dry and, on the other end of the spectrum, not oily or greasy either. It’s the perfect balance.

FACE/Exfoliator: TIE! Origins Never a Dull Moment Skin Brightening Face Polisher and Chanel Extra Radiance Exfoliating Gel are both deeee-lish. Energizing and yummy.

FACE/Softener: Shiseido Hydro-Nourishing Softener and/or Shiseido Eudermine - the anti-astringents. I cannot stand anything that tightens or dries out the skin – hence, the anti-astringent classification. In winter, there is nothing that compares to Eudermine in combating dry skin. In summer, switch to the Softener.

FACE/Serum: Patricia Wexler Skin Regenerating Serum. Leaves skin with a youthful, glowing appearance while working to reverse visible signs of aging. No matter your lifestage or anti-aging concerns, this serum needs to be part of your daily regimen.

FACE/AM-wear Moisturizer: Shiseido Day Moisture Protection SPF 15. The sunscreen doesn’t compromise the aesthetics of this light daily moisturizer.

FACE/PM-wear Moisturizer: Patricia Wexler Universal Anti-Aging Moisturizer PM. A delicious drink for the skin before retiring for the evening. I sometimes wake up wishing it were nighttime just so I could apply it again. Seriously.

FACE/Eye Cream: Elizabeth Arden Pause & Effect Intervene Eye. Gentle and effective in combating puffy eyes and fine lines/crows feet. While others work as well in terms of benefits, none feel this good. It honestly never stings, no matter how close to the eye you get, disproving the mantra “no pain, no gain,” which should never apply to your beauty routine.

FACE/Eye-Makeup Remover: Bliss Lid & Lash Wash. A gentle gel that never irritates… because makeup remover is not worth crying over. Dissolves without any unnecessary rubbing.

FACE/Primer: Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and MAC Matte. Both are amazing to prep skin for cosmetics. Alternate between the two depending on climate. If it’s hot or humid or you find yourself stranded on a tropical island, go with the MAC mattifier that fights shine. If it’s dry or crisp or 10 below, go with the Clarins primer, which is also a brightener.

FACE/Mask: Origins Drink Up 10 Minute Mask. Ideal for the morning after a memorable (or regrettable) night out, when hydration is essential.

BODY/Exfoliator: I was once madly in love with Victoria’s Secret Spa Intensive Body Scrub… and then it left me… vanished. Although my heart will never love the same, a solid runner-up is the Clarins Toning Body Polisher, comprised of both salt and sugar and 100% natural essential oils.

BODY/Moisturizer: Ahava Mineral Body Lotion. Glides on beautifully and hydrates all day without leaving a scent that may compete with or sabotage your fragrance. Because scented body lotions are so early 90s….

FEET/Lotion: Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Foot Creme. There exists no better foot creme, period. Nothing prestige, nothing mass, nothing masstige. This is it. It’s is ultra-healing yet not greasy or heavy. As I’ve written before, I have a hard time stopping at the ankle despite its anatomically-specific name. I find myself inching up to the knee with a liberal coating on most days.

BODY/Wash: Aveda Caribbean Therapy Body Cleanser. It cleans… it moisturizes… and more, if you’re not a morning person like me, it awakens your senses with an invigorating aroma. You may not even need your AM coffee after.

FACE & BODY/Self-Tanner: Shiseido Brilliant Bronze. Three words: Does. Not. Smell. Three more: Gives. Gorgeous. Glow.