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A Facial Peel That Works Magic
A facial peel is an essential part of my skin care routine (I use one at least once a week to keep my skin smooth and radiant), so I was determined to find one for the purposes of this experiment. And, yes, I get that this is a tad more expensive than typical drugstore products, but you can buy it at CVS, so it counts.
This tube is packed -- and I mean packed -- with amazing ingredients, like Kaolin clay, papaya leaf, hyaluronic acid, manuka honey and, of course, the brand's shining star: purified bee venom. It tingles as it goes on, and dries in about 15 minutes. It left my skin slightly pink and glowy, but it didn't feel tight or irritated. It's helping clear the congestion on my nose and chin -- something I've been trying to do for years.
But maybe the best part: You get to peel it off your face at the end, which is oddly satisfying, if a tad "American Psycho."
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A Moisturizer That Leaves Me Dewy
I'm skeptical of most moisturizers, drugstore or not, because I am paranoid about breakouts. So for me, the perfect moisturizer should be insanely hydrating, absorb quickly without feeling greasy, leave my skin feeling soft and looking dewy without giving me pimples. That doesn't seem like too much to ask for, yet I've been spurned by many a moisturizer.
I was surprised to find that this one checks all my boxes. The creamy gel formula is cooling upon application, which is especially refreshing during the spring and summer, and it makes my skin feel healthy. It's jam-packed with hyaluronic acid, which is basically code for supermoisturizing. It's hydrating enough to use at night, but feels light enough to apply in the morning.
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A Hydrating Mask That's My DIY Spa Staple
Remember the Sonia Kashuk mask from earlier? This is the perfect complement to it. I always balance out a purifying mask with one that's hydrating, but my usual spa day treat runs over $100 a jar. Enter: This impressive, non-drying (literally, it doesn't dry on your face) mask. It's meant to be slathered on in a thick layer, and you let the formula -- which contains safflower oil and the brand's signature thermal spring water -- absorb into your skin. 15 minutes later, you wipe it off. I'll admit part of the appeal is not having to get up during a Netflix binge to rinse off my face. But the results -- namely supersoft, hydrated, calm skin -- speak for themselves.
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A Lip Oil That Doesn't Cost a Fortune
I have very, very dry lips, and the only thing that keeps them from being in a constant state of flakiness is applying a lip oil at night. So, naturally, I was worried about finding a bargain lip oil that would keep my lips from chapping and peeling.
Before starting this experiment, my lip oil of choice cost more than I care to disclose. I won't say I'm completely giving it up after trying this under-$5 tube, but it's nice to know I have options. It smells amazing, thanks to the organic coconut oil base, and leaves my lips soft, hydrated and, most importantly, ready for lipstick.
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A Drugstore Essence That Blew My Mind
I have a bit of an essence obsession. Essences have a high concentration of active ingredients, and are applied after (double) cleansing and before serum. And I'll admit, I was a little skeptical that a drugstore essence could deliver the same results as the expensive ones I was used to using. But this essence proved me wrong. The bottle is sturdy and pretty, and seems designed to keep light out (thus maintaining the benefits of the ingredients).
The water-light formula glides onto skin and is quickly absorbed. I'm a sucker for anything brightening, so I appreciate that this essence contains vitamin C. In fact, I liked this so much that I used it every night.
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