So here’s what I’ve learned after what feels like 500 million hours of listening to- The Skinny Confidential, Vogue Beauty, all of them. I’ll try anything once, and somehow I always end up with twenty half-used jars cluttering my counter. My bathroom basically looks like a graveyard of serums that promised me glass skin and moisturizers that never lived up to the hype.
Which is why, every once in a while, I do a purge. The fluff goes. The dust collectors go. But these five? They always survive. They’re the ride-or-dies — the ones that actually work.
1. Dr. Dennis Gross Exfoliating Pads
Obsessed doesn’t even cover it. There’s something wildly satisfying about swiping one of these across your face and watching all the day’s sins (and dead skin) disappear. It’s like a magic eraser for dullness — suddenly your skin feels squeaky-clean, smooth, almost glass-like.
The best part? You can literally feel them doing the dirty work. By the time I’m done, my skin isn’t just clean, it’s gleaming. Consider it my quick fix for looking like I’ve got my life together — love, love, love.
Price scale: $$$
2. Dr. Dennis Gross Vitamin C Serum
I’ve been using this one for years, and honestly, I always end up coming back to it. It’s my go-to brightening serum. It evens out my skin tone, makes everything look a little more glowy, and has this slight bronzy-orange tint that I’m obsessed with. It leaves my skin looking bouncy and fresh in a way nothing else really does. If I skip it for a few days, I notice — which is why it’s one of the only serums I’ll keep repurchasing.
Price scale: $$$
3. The Skinny Confidential Ice Roller
This is hands down my favorite product I’ve ever bought from the internet. I swear by it. I’ve had it for years, and somehow — through moves, different houses, my ADHD brain misplacing everything — this is the one thing that’s always stuck with me.
It stays cold for what feels like hours, the grip is amazing (it’s sturdy, a little girthy, easy to hold), and it just works. I use it almost every morning — it de-puffs, wakes up my skin, and honestly just makes me feel good. It’s my go-to, my ride-or-die, the product I recommend to everyone. Obsessed doesn’t even cover it.
Price scale: $$
4. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème
This eye cream is magic. It’s hydrating, creamy, and instantly brightens my under-eyes. It blends in so smoothly and gives that dewy, awake look — kind of like concealer but without the makeup. I love how it catches the light and makes me look well-rested even when I’m not.
It’s one of those products I’ve been using for years and still get excited about. It’s reliable, it’s effective, and honestly, it just makes me feel better about myself every time I use it.
Price scale: $$
5. Hero Cosmetics - Mighty Patch
Nothing completes a bedtime routine without one of these. It’s so satisfying waking up in the morning knowing I didn’t pick, I didn’t mess with it, and all that gunk was pulled out safely while I slept. It’s like proof that I took care of my skin instead of sabotaging it.
They keep everything protected, heal spots faster, and honestly make me feel proud when I peel one off in the morning and can just move on with my day. I’ve tried a bunch of different pimple patches, but I always come back to these. They just work, they’re super affordable, and Amazon even has a subscription option so you can get them delivered every month at a discount. Love, love, love these.
Price scale: $