When it comes to my beauty routine, I’m very low-maintenance. I don’t use a ton of skincare or makeup products, mostly because I don’t want overcomplicated routines I need to remember, spend time doing, or spend extra money on when it’s not really needed. I prefer beauty routines that are simple, affordable, and easy to keep up with, especially on busy days.
That said, there are a few beauty products I genuinely can’t live without. Even on days when I’m not doing a full skincare routine or wearing a full face of makeup, these are the products I always use. They’re my everyday beauty essentials and the first things I pack when I’m traveling.
Related read: 10 Awesome Makeup Products Under $10
1. Face wash or cleanser
I am big about washing my face, morning and night. When I wear makeup, I double cleanse to make sure all of the makeup is removed from my face and pores. As a result, I use facial cleansers that are overall gentle and don't strip my skin of moisture.
I use the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser as my go-to face wash. I will use it in the morning and at night. I share why I like this cleanser in my review, Best Drugstore Face Wash for Oily Skin: Cetaphil Daily Cleanser.
In the wintertime, I may switch out the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser in the morning and for nights when I don't need to remove any makeup. It's even gentler and more hydrating than the Daily Facial Cleanser, making it perfect for winter when the weather is drier.
2. Face moisturizer
I have oily skin most of the year and combination skin in the winter. So in the wintertime, parts of my face can feel really dry. This can result in my skin peeling and looking really ashy. If I didn’t have my face moisturizer, I don’t know what I would do...never mind, I do. I’d stay home and never go out.For years, I used the Ambi Skin Care Even & Clear Moisturizer w/SPF 30 as my daytime moisturizer. I had to stop when it disappeared from store shelves. The two daytime moisturizers I use now are the Neutrogena HydroBoost w/Hyaluronic Acid and SPF 50 and the CeraVe AM SPF 50 Facial Lotion.
I use a different moisturizer at night because I want something even more hydrating and don't need to wear SPF since I'm staying in the house. The two moisturizers I've been bouncing between are from Walmart's in-house brand, Equate. They are the Equate Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer and Equate Hydration Gel with Hyaluronic Acid.
3. Body lotion
Just like my face, my skin can start to feel really dry. Especially in the winter. And my hands tend to be the biggest culprit, probably because they get washed so often. This probably explains why I have so many little bottles of lotion lying around. I have two in my desk at work, two in my car, one in my purse, and lotion on my bathroom counter, just to name a few places.The lotions that I tend to use are store-brand lotions. I prefer the ones that say they have intense moisture, are for dry skin, or have cocoa butter. I've used Cetaphil and store brands from Walmart and Target.
4. Mascara
I typically don’t leave the house without makeup, but on the weekend,s I don’t always wear a full face and will just play up my eyes. I kept going back and forth between eyeliner and mascara as my favorite eye makeup, but mascara won out in the end. I love the way it enhances my lashes, which in turn enhances my eyes. My favorite mascara at the moment is the Essence Lash Princess mascara.
Related read: The Skincare Routine I Use For My Oily Skin
5. Chapstick or Petroleum Jelly
Another place that tends to feel dry sometimes during the day is my lips. I think this is probably because most days I don’t drink enough water. Using Chapstick or Petroleum Jelly helps my lips not chap and flake, which is something that happens more often when the seasons change.For either one, I don't have a favorite brand that I use. When it comes to Chapstick, I typically just use whatever free Chapstick I get at an event or as a gift. The Petroleum Jelly I use is usually the store brand since it's a bit cheaper than the Vaseline brand.
What are your must-have beauty products?
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