15 Products That Will Transform Your Skin

I recently took a poll on Instagram looking for inspiration for my next post. Product ingredients & education won the overwhelming majority vote, so here we are! To be honest with you, I am SO excited that you want to know more about skincare because your skin is your largest organ and it’s the only skin you get.

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All the products listed below are products that I have used or am currently using. I tried to only mention products that would work with most skin types. Please check with us, your esthetician, before changing your regimen.

The cosmetic and skincare industry is massive and quite honestly, overwhelming. If it overwhelms me as a Licensed Esthetician I know it is doing the same for you. My hope for this blog post is to help you understand a little bit about ingredients & aid in developing a plan to transform your skin.

I like to think of a skincare regimen like going into a Build – A – Bear store. Weird I know, but let me explain.

When you go into a Build – A – Bear store, all of the options to choose from are within reach & you get to create exactly what you want, how you want. There may be a few pre-made options available, but truly it’s up to you and the possibilities are endless. The items you choose determine your result.

The same goes for skincare – There are millions of options out there and depending on how you decide to build your regimen will ultimately affect the end result. No pressure…

Kidding! That’s what you have me for.

I have compiled a list of  15 products that I have personally used or am currently using that has transformed my skin. My goal for this post is for it to help you on your skincare journey.

Cleansing Device

#1 DermaBlu

#2 DermaRed

This is my FAVORITE skincare tool and I just can’t brag on it enough. I used to be a Clarisonic advocate until I started using this nifty tool. Here’s why I like it better than my Clarisonic.

  • It has a stainless steel tip – which means you don’t have to replace the brushes or worry about it collecting bacteria.
  • It isn’t as abrasive as a scrubbing brush so you don’t have to worry about stripping the barrier function of your skin.
  • It can be used for every step of your skincare process.
  • It uses Ultrasonic Technology – which increases product penetration substantially. This means a deeper clean & deeper hydration!
  • Blue Light kills Propionibacterium Bacteria, or simply put, acne-causing bacteria. That means it not only clears existing breakouts but prevents future ones as well!
  • Red Light increases the production of collagen & elastin, improving overall skin tone, texture, and complexion.

 

Cleanser:

Cleansing is a non-negotiable step…don’t skip it. It’s like expecting to lose weight at the gym without first going to the gym. That’s a terrible example but you get the point.  Being the product junkie that I am, I find it very difficult to stick to cleanser for more than a week. I narrowed it down to my top three, which you should know what probably the most challenging thing I’ve done today. The great thing about cleansers is generally the concern they address is in the name.

#3 Phyto – Nutrient Cleansing Gel –

This is the best cleanser I have used in terms of usability.  I’ve not come across a person yet who hasn’t like it. It really is just a good cleanser for most people. It isn’t my all time favorite cleanser but I would recommend it to just about anyone as a starting point if you are lost and unsure what to use. It’s the cleanser that I always go back to. It will give you the deep clean you are looking for without stripping the skin and it pairs nicely with almost any other skincare line!

 

 

#4 Drunk Elephant – Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

Drunk elephant is a popular skincare line that is sold at Sephora and a few other places, but if you know the name you probably know it from Sephora. This particular cleanser is very popular for obvious reasons. It contains clean ingredients, is fragrance-free, essential oil free (It’s lash extension safe)  and is good for just about any skin tone. It also has quite the list of awards tacked to its name!

 

#5 Lapcos – More Than Cleansing Foam

Last but certainly not least – this is the cleanser that I am currently using and loving. It is considered “K-Beauty” and it’s great. Don’t let the simple packaging fool you. It’s very concentrated so you only need a small amount and I LOVE how clean it makes my skin feel. Its price point is also unbeatable!

 

Toner

Toner is generally a looked over the piece of the puzzle. If I’m being honest it is a step I skin from time to time as well. From personal experience, I can tell you that I absolutely notice a difference in my skin when I use it versus when I don’t.

Toner is the step immediately following the cleansing. It helps to remove excess dirt and debris, traces of oil and makeup,  balance the pH of your skin, and helps control acne. This step is especially crucial if you are struggling with acne or skin texture.  Something that I find important to mention is that this step isn’t concrete. I use a different toner in the summer months than I do in the winter. Here are my favorites:

#6 PCA Nutrient Toner 

This is my FAVORITE toner because it feels medicinal on the skin and I notice an instant glow. I also love how clean it makes my skin feel! This is a client favorite as well. This is best for those of you who struggle with acne or texture issues, as well as aging concerns.

 

#7 Iso-Cell Recovery Solution

This toner is the best seller in the shop and it worth its weight in gold. This is the toner I both use and recommend to clients in the Winter months. It is a toner focused on hydration so again, it’s a great toner for just about everyone. Something I love about Le Mieux products is that they are very concentrated. They go a long way with very little product which saves your money!

 

Vitamin C Serum:

Vitamin C is kind of like the Super Hero of Skincare because it addresses concerns everyone faces. Do you know why it’s the Iron Man of the cosmetic industry though?

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that stimulates collagen production in the skin. Antioxidants are the Iron Man – Free Radicals are the Thanos. Vitamin C helps to reduce the signs of aging by repairing the damage done by free radicals & the sun. It has also proved its ability to protect against future damage, though it’s no substitute for sunscreen.

Translated: Vitamin C will give you brighter & firmers skin, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and an even skin tone!

I have used several different Vitamin C products and I just can’t narrow it down to one. Below are the ones I liked the most & where to get them! I put them in order so you know which was my absolute favorite of all of them.

#8 PCA C & E Strength Max 

This is my personal favorite because it is fairly potent & I have always noticed results quickly! It is definitely not for the faint of heart though, as it does pack a punch. I also would NOT recommend purchasing this from anywhere other than a professional. PCA is a professional line that only sells to licensed professionals certified through their company. This means that there is a gigantic chance if you are buying it elsewhere you aren’t buying the actual product. Counterfeit products are a real thing.

 

#9 Le Mieux Vita – C Serum 

This is from the line that we carry in-store & online. What I love about this one is it also has Hyaluronic Acid. This is a great option if you don’t want anything zippy or you are just implementing Vitamin C into your skincare regimen.

 

#10 Juice Beauty Antioxidant Serum

Juice Beauty is a line that I just recently started using based on recommendation and I felt I should mention it in here because it is an organic option for those of you who are looking for that. This particular serum is nice because it has aloe in it which is naturally a soothing ingredient. This means if you are someone that has been sensitive to Vitamin C in the past, this may be a good option for you. You definitely can’t go wrong with an organic skincare line. I linked their website here in case you wanted to check out what they offer.

Hyaluronic  Serum:

I’m not going to dive into the massive knowledge foundation that is Hyaluronic Acid because we are running out of time. However, we did an entire blog on it so if you are curious about it, click here.

There are 2 Hyaluronic serums that I use and SWEAR by:

#11 Le Mieux Hyaluronic Serum

This bad boy is incredible, that’s really all there is to say about it. It is hands down our most popularly sold item and there is a REASON. It is hydrating beyond belief and concentrated enough to last several months. If you don’t own this you should!

#12 ADSM Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This bad boy is 100% pure Hyaluronic and it is incredible. It’s great for all skin types & concerns. I must warn you though, make sure you read the manufacturers instructions before use because you apply this product differently than you would apply a normal serum.

 

Moisturizer:

This moisturizer is one of a kind. We recommend it to almost all of our clients because it can be used for almost all skin types. This product is also Hyaluronic based (are you noticing a trend?) so it’s very hydrating but not so think that acneic skin will suffer. It’s a true gem.

#13 Le Mieux Essence Moisturizer 

 

Sun Protection:

If you take nothing at all away from this blog post, please at least take this. No amount of skincare product, facial or food intake will be of any good if you don’t protect your skin from the sun. Sun is the NUMBER 1 cause of premature aging! So please protect that skin of yours, because as mentioned at the beginning of this blog, you only the skin you’re in one time.

#14 Beauty Counter – Countersun Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Mist (SPF 30)

I don’t know about you guys but I LOVE tinted SPF. This particular company is great because they are ORGANIC, and honestly, organic sunscreen is very hard to find!

 

#15 PCA Weightless Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45

This is my FAVORITE SPF for a couple of reasons. First off, it has the Skin Cancer Foundation’s stamp of approval on it. Secondly, it doesn’t leave a white cast when applied. You know what I’m talking about…that pretty white film you get from putting SPF on. It’s annoying, but this one doesn’t do it! You can get your hands on this in our spa.

Summary: 

I have to be honest, this was actually a very tough blog for me to write because I love SO many products! It was good for me to have narrow it down to the ones I felt would work best for the majority of people.

The skincare industry is confusing and makes it very hard to decide what you do need and what you don’t. I hope that this helped break down the regimen a little bit and maybe helped you choose some products! If you tried any of these, please let me know! I would love to hear how they worked for you.

Thanks for reading, and we will see you next time!

-Kelsie