As you might have seen, I’ve done some once-off blog posts on what I believe are some of the best (if not THE best) beauty products in the world. Find them under the BEST IN BEAUTY category right here on The Global Critic.
Today, I want to share a whole list of some of the essential skin care products I’m currently using daily and can’t live without: some newly discovered life-changers have been thrown in amongst the oldies-but-goodies (those iconic cult-status products that have never been beaten and aren’t going anywhere any time soon.)
FOR MY FACE
To get that facial-at-home feeling, I love starting my face-cleansing regime with this incredibly addictive cleansing oil, applied directly onto dry skin. It might sound counter-intuitive, but this is one of the best products for oily skin (so I really love it). It gets rid of excess oil, sun lotion, foundation, the most stubborn smokey eye make-up (which I am an avid fan of;) so that – by the time you apply your cleanser – you feel like you have paved the way for it to really penetrate the skin and do its job properly. No need to double cleanse! It’s one of Dermalogica’s best-selling products and, in my opinion, it’s no wonder.
Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser
This frothy face wash leaves your skin feeling delightfully 
and throughly cleansed, but never dried out, pulled or tight. As the name suggests, it works on dry, normal or oily skin, bringing oily and/or dry patches into perfect balance.
It really is a wonder product and, since discovering it, a refill always makes its way into my shopping bag at Selfridges in London.
Image Clear Cell Acne Facial Cleanser
I have had problem skin since I can remember (read my post on how I finally solved the problem) and this cleanser has been a game-changer for me. Its main ingredient, salicylic acid, works perfectly to prevent and treat breakouts, although it can be drying. I therefore alternate between this one and the Origins cleanser (mentioned above) depending on where my skin is at.
Stockist information: if you live in Cape Town, contact facialist extraodinaire, Libi Roos (072-850-9279), to purchase this product. If you live anywhere else, just check out the Image website for a list of their stockists.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Again, this is one of Dermalogica’s most popular products. If you like that squeaky clean, smooth skin feeling (and, let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), you will fall in love with this product (no matter what your skin type). I have used it for years and a facial cleanse (without using this baby at the end) just doesn’t feel the same. There is no better feeling than applying moisturiser to my face once I’ve given it a gentle emulsifying scrub with my trusty Microfoliant. It’s gentle enough to be used every day and it leaves my skin looking and feeling brighter. (I blogged about this product a few years ago and, here it is, still in my kit, proving it’s stood the test of time).
Image Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum
I absolutely love this moisturiser. It gives my skin an inside-out glow like no other. I am careful with how often I use it, though, as I do find it can be a bit rich for my sensitive skin (sometimes causing small breakouts), but – when my skin is on a good wicket – I simply love applying this stuff. It smells amazing and gives my skin a brightness and luminosity that makes whatever makeup I put on top of it just look that much better. If I could use it every day (without worrying about breakouts), I would. It’s paraben-free, which makes me even more obsessed. This product would work beautifully on normal and dry skin types.
The Clarisonic Mia Facial Cleansing Brush
I blogged about this baby before and, again, it’s stood the test of time. Think of it like a toothbrush for your face – it really polishes the skin like no other gadget can. Love it, can’t live without it. My husband can’t either;)
FOR MY BODY
Clarins Tonic Body Treatment Oil
Firstly, let me say I have long been a huge fan of French skin care brand, Clarins. The French just do it better, especially when it comes to skin care products. This is one of their most popular and iconic products. I have been given this product twice, as a gift, by two very discerning ladies (one in her thirties and one in her sixties), who are both die-hard devotees. It just goes to show: this body oil is loved by everyone.
It’s made from 100 per cent pure plant extracts, firms and tones the body and – of course – leaves your skin feeling hydrated and nourished, never oily or greasy. My fabulously talented friend and celebrity makeup artist Renee De Wit (whom I recently interviewed) gave me a great tip last week: apply this oil to chapped or dry heels every night, to ensure permanently silky feet in between pedicures.
This is me, honestly and truly, giving away one of my best-kept beauty secrets of all time (in the name of “sharing is caring” and that’s what this blog is all about). If you, like me, wake up looking like your décolletage needs a good ironing out, this silicone pad will change your life. It helps prevent and treat chest wrinkles (or “fine lines” to put it more discreetly) caused by sun damage, ageing and sleeping on your side (how else is one supposed to sleep?). Use it for a week, be amazed and thank me later (or share my Global Critic Facebook page and pay it forward;) I discovered this product on Amazon and have never looked back. It works better than anything else I have tried for this pesky problem.
Stockist information: purchase it online at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream
Probably Clarins’ most famous product, there is – quite simply – no other hand cream in the world that compares. If you’re reading this blog, you probably already own it but – if you don’t – go out and get yourself a tube now – or three: one for at home, one for the office and one for the car. This is just one of life’s little luxuries you can’t do without.
Jo Malone Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub
This is one of the best body scrubs I have ever tried and I always keep a big tub of it right by my bath. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every cent. Its silky, Vitamin E-infused richness is super moisturising, whilst its sugar-particles are great for exfoliation. This baby leaves your skin feeling smooth, revitalised and nourished after a long, hot bath. Nothing better!
Often cited by fashion magazines and those in-the-know, as The Best Body Cream Ever, this product is truly a dream come true. Not too thick, not too greasy, but beautifully rich, in all the right ways;) This one makes for a great bridal shower gift!
This product is the bomb. There’s nothing fancy or expensive about it but it’s simply amazing. I used to shave my legs (thank heavens, I have since discovered the life-changing effects of laser hair removal) and this was the only thing that took away the annoying after-shave burn I used to experience every time after shaving.
This particular one contains 100 per cent aloe vera (no nasties, additives or fragrances) so it works perfectly for any kind of irritated, sensitive or dry skin. An after-shave must-have for all you ladies who have yet to discover laser hair removal (which I strongly recommend). Buy it at any pharmacy or ask them for a similar pure aloe vera gel.
That’s it for now, ladies. This list of mine could go on and on (I am an obsessive skin care product researcher and purchaser), but it’s 23h06 on a Wednesday evening and a Friends re-run awaits my tired self. I do believe, however, I’ve shared a good dose of skin care secrets with you this week and, while there’ll be plenty more to come, for now, I hope you’ve found something new on this list, worth trying.
Love, Clare.
