5 Life Changing Skincare Products You Must Try

Guest post by Livia

Finding products that really work for you can be hard. Not because there aren’t any, but because the market is full of cosmetics, that we don’t know what to choose and what works best. To make things a little easier for you, I decided to share 5 skincare products that have the potential to absolutely change your life! These are very highly rated products, the talk of the town that users swear by! Let’s take a look and see how they can work for you:

1.Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and one of the most hyped anti-aging ingredients today. Compared to its harsher but effective cousin, Retin-A, retinol is better tolerated by skin yet bringing the same benefits: it controls persistent breakouts and improves advanced aging signs.  Unlike most over-the-counter retinol products, Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment is formulated with enough strength of Retinol research has shown to be effective. However, keep in mind that not everyone can tolerate this retinol concentration on a daily basis, especially if you are just starting with retinol in your beauty routine, that’s why you’d better carefully read the usage recommendations available on Paula’s Choice website.

In addition to retinol, the product contains a blend of peptides, Vitamin C and anti-irritants and is  fragrance-free. Because it is stronger than usual OTC skincare, it should be introduced in your routine gradually and you can expect to see the first results in about 2-3 weeks of usage.

How to use: Apply a pea size of product 2 to 3 times per week, at night, for the first 3 weeks. Then gradually increase the dosage. You can use the product on its own or mix it with other serums or moisturisers.

Problems it solves: Acne breakouts, loss of firmness, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots

Price: 55$ for 1 oz.

2. Timeless 20% Vitamin C Serum + E Ferulic Acid

Vitamin C serums are a big thing in skincare, especially because of the anti-inflammatory properties of Vitamin C. Not only it helps control acne-prone skin, but also brightens red spots, sun spots or aging spots and helps even out skin tone.

According to studies, the optimum formulation for the product to produce the benefits we yearn for is a min 15% Vit C mixed with 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% Vitamin E. That’s exactly what Timeless’s product has. On top of that, it is one of the most affordable Vitamin C serums on the market and contains 20% L-Ascorbic Acid, the most researched and reliable forms of Vitamin C. This serum is a champion!

How to use: Apply it on cleansed skin and follow with a moisturizer. Use daily, morning and evening.

Problems it solves: Skin imperfections such as whiteheads and breakouts, uneven skin tone, pigmentation issues.

Price: 23$ for 1 oz

3. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel 

Enzymaytic peels are products that use fruit enzymes to gently exfoliate the build-up of dead skin cells. Because they act on the upper layers of the skin, they result in a clearer, brighter and more even skin. The most common enzymes are papain (extracted from papaya), bromelain (extracted from pineapple), and pumpkin, the latter being the base ingredient for my next hero, the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel by professional skincare brand, Peter Thomas Roth.

The peel has a smooth mask-like texture, and a simple and non-irritant formulation, at least for most skin types. Besides the pumpkin enzyme, other ingredients used are glycerin, which is a known hydrating agent and Vitamin A in the form of Retinyl Palmitate, an effective anti-oxidant and skin cell regulator.

How to use: Apply it on cleansed skin and leave it on for 2 minutes.  You may feel a little tingling sensation. Rinse it off with warm water.

Problems it solves: Clogged pores, uneven or dull skin tone, ageing signs

Price: $58 for 5 oz

4. Kiehl’s Overnight Biological Peel

Kiehl’s peel is a mild exfoliating product that you leave-on during the night and rinse off in the morning. What’s new about the Overnight Biological Peel is the exfoliation process. Unlike the vast majority of the products available based on Alpha Hydroxy Acids, this one is formulated with Urea, an ingredient that has proved exfoliating and water-binding properties when used on face. To counteract the possible irritation caused by urea, HEPES (hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid) is also added to the formulation.

This can work really well with very dry or dehydrated skin that needs to get through tough, cold environments. After using the product, skin is left supple, well hydrated, more resilient to pollutants, free-radicals and damaging environmental factors.

The peel is a good alternative for people with very sensitive skin or for those who don’t quite enjoy regular AHAs or BHA products.

How to use: Cleanse your skin and apply a small amount of the product before going to bed. Wait till it dries, rinse off in the morning.

Problems it solves: Dehydration, photo-ageing damage, lightens dark spots with continued use.

Price: 46$ for 1.7 oz

5. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil Light

Finally, an oil for oily skin! Josie Maran is a supermodel brand that promotes Argan oil in all their beauty lines. Enriched with Vitamin E and anti-oxidants, Argan oil boasts many benefits for hair, body, nails and skin, which for the most part, stand their ground. When it comes to skincare, the oil is best suitable for very dry skin types, sensitive types that suffer from rosacea and eczema, and, last but not least, combination to oily skin. This product contains 100% pure oil, nothing else added, and comes in two versions, regular and lightweight, the latter version being the hero for moisturising shiny, oily skin.

The lightweight version absorbs in a couple of minutes and makes a wonderful base for makeup. If you have difficulty with applying foundation to dry patches, this will solve it all.

How to use: Use it as a moisturizer by rubbing a drop of oil onto your palms and then apply to your problem area. If you want to enhance your current moisturizer, mix a drop with your favourite cream and apply on skin. Use in the morning and before going to bed.

Problems it solves: Dehydration, dull looking skin, difficult makeup application

Price: 16$ for 0.5 oz

Have you found a skincare product that you swear by? Share it with us, we’d really want to discover other products that made a significant change for your complexion!

Author Bio: Livia is the blogger behind Oily Skin Blog. She would love to get in touch with you and answer your questions related to skincare for oily skin, so drop her a comment on her Facebook page.