* Best skincare finds of the month alert! *
Rarely do I finish five staples in the same week—but my December empties deserve a standing ovation. These products are so good that I’ve already replenished four of the five (and I’m not usually one to hoard backups). Even better? They happen to make a dreamy PM routine. If you’re into gentle yet effective formulas that work hard behind the scenes, I couldn’t recommend these more. Let’s chat:
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex
This cleanser has been my ride-or-die for years, and for good reason. Its slippery gel texture lathers perfectly, sweeps away dirt and sunscreen with ease, and leaves my skin feeling clean but never tight. Pro tip: this isn’t your go-to for heavy makeup removal, but for tinted sunscreen and the grime of the day? One step, done.
What I love most is how versatile it is—it’s gentle enough for year-round use and lasts forever. The travel mini is always in my bag because it’s both low-maintenance and high-performance.
INCI Highlights: Willow Bark, Sugarcane, Green Tea, Chamomile Extracts.
Retrouvé Conditioning Tonic with Chamomile
If I could only use one toner forever, this might be it. This no-fuss, post-cleanse step does everything: it hydrates, calms, brightens, and balances my skin without a single tingle or slightest sign of irritation. It’s perfection.
Most days, I press it into my skin with my palms, but if I’m in the mood for a full-on ritual, I’ll swipe it on with a cotton pad. Either way, my skin always feels refreshed and ready for what’s next.
INCI Highlights: Chamomile Extract, Sodium Lactate, Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Vitamin B5.
$65 (200ml) at retrouve.com or bluemercury.com
Environ Serience Night Serum
I owe my obsession with this Environ serum to Raquel Medina–Cleghorn, who told me about it during a facial (because obviously, I trust the pros). This is bottle number two for me this year, which says a lot. The lightweight gel formula is designed to tackle expression lines and environmental stress overnight. Is it magic in a bottle? Not quite—but my skin does look smoother and way less tired in the morning.
INCI Highlights: N-Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Acetate, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Wild Indigo Seed, Malachite Extract (hence the chic blue color).
Medik8 Liquid Peptides
This serum is the overachiever of peptide formulas. It’s lightweight but slightly viscous (a borderline liquigel) and layers seamlessly with whatever else you’re using. Day or night, it fits in perfectly. Pro tip I picked up from Joanna Czech: peptides work best first-to-skin after cleansing, so don’t let them play second fiddle to other products. Layer this serum first and stick with it for a few weeks–you’ll see a noticeable difference. Trust me, I lost count of how many bottles I’ve used by now.
INCI Highlights: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Microalgae Extract.
$64 (30ml) at medik8.com or dermstore.com
Royal Fern Phytoactive Hydra-Firm Intense Mask
This mask is luxury in a jar. If you love rich, creamy masks that double as a night cream, prepare to swoon. Packed with Chlorophyll, Acerola Fruit, and the brand’s signature anti-inflammatory Royal Fern Extract, it’s perfect for soothing skin that’s been through it.
Most of the time, I slather it on for 20 minutes before wiping off the excess (ideal pre-event prep). On lazy nights, I skip the rinsing and let it work its magic as an overnight treatment. Either way, my skin loves it.
INCI Highlights: Chlorophyll, Acerola Fruit, Royal Fern Extract.
