I’m Beauty-Obsessed, and These Are the Tried-and-True Products I’m Restocking on Cyber Monday

Euna Park

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From gentle cleansers to zero-cast sunscreen, I’ve tested them all.

<p>Real Simple / Jaclyn Mastropasqua</p>

Real Simple / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

As much as I’m invested in the latest launches in trending beauty and skincare, testing new products can also be tiring, especially for your skin. And sometimes, I’ll get a little overzealous when it comes to trying out new things. When I feel like I’ve done a little too much to my skin and need something reliable to fall back on, I have an arsenal of tried-and-true skincare and beauty products that help me heal my skin barrier and simplify my makeup routine again.

From gentle cleansers that don’t strip your skin’s moisture to fool-proof blushes that are small enough to carry in your daily makeup pouch, see what products are this shopping editor’s favorites. Shop my favorites from Avene, La Roche Posay, Saie, Roundlab and more while they’re all on sale for Cyber Monday, with deals starting at $13.

Cyber Monday Editor Picks for Skincare and Beauty

Avene Thermal Spring Water

<p>Avene</p>

Avene

Whether it’s in the heat of summer or the dryness of winter, my skin always needs hydration one way or the other. I use the Avene Thermal Spring Water throughout the day. It’s light, has zero fragrance, and the spray itself feels like a soft mist. The formulation is made for sensitive skin, so I use it generously on days I feel like my skin is a little irritated. The mist comes in various sizes; I carry the minis for when I travel and in my daily bag and keep the larger sizes stocked in my bathroom and work-from-home desk setup. If you plan on traveling, I’d recommend using this on the plane too. It’s perfect for hydrating your skin without having to touch your face.

Avene Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream

<p>Avene</p>

Avene

A few years ago, my skin was ravaged after misusing a vitamin C serum—turns out I’m allergic to a derivative to ascorbic acid. My skin pretty much flipped out; it felt extremely tight, dry, was flaky, painful to touch, and there were whiteheads all over my face. I was prescribed cream by urgent care, which made my skin feel more sensitive and dry, too. After desperate research, I found the Avene Skin Recovery Cream, and it was the only product that calmed and kept my skin hydrated. The redness and swelling went down, my skin felt properly moisturized (without having to reapply every other hour), and I could smile without my skin feeling tight. I had two more skin fiascos from different vitamin C products, and, again, I relied on the Avene cream to help repair my skin. I will never not have it—just in case.

Merit Flush Balm

<p>Merit Beauty </p>

Merit Beauty

I’m at a point where I just want to go for quick-and-easy makeup that doesn’t require too many brushes and palettes. The Merit Flush Balm is just that. I just swipe it on, tap it into my skin, and voilà, cheeks that look like they’re naturally flushed. The pigment is just enough that I can put it on without worrying about it being too opaque—the perfect no-makeup makeup look—and the formula is very easy to blend. The blush itself is also small enough that you can toss it in your bag without it taking up any space, and the twist-off cap ensures the cream will stay intact. I have it in Cheeky, a cool pink shade, but it also comes in eight other shades ranging from a baby pink to a soft burgundy.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash

<p>La Roche Posay</p>

La Roche Posay

Where I had relatively clear skin all my life, I struggled with adult acne in my late 20s. The struggle was real in trying to figure out what was going on and how to target the pimples and occasional cystic acne that kept popping up all over my cheeks and chin. I knew that salicylic acid was an ingredient that would help, so found this online one day. And after just a few uses, the inflamed pimples calmed down and with consistent use, my skin was clearing up. I started using it every day morning and night, but once my acne felt a bit more under control, I switched to using it just in the evenings every other day. Skincare tip: Foam up the cleanser in your hands and then gently rub it onto your face, and then leave it on for 30 seconds to a minute for the salicylic acid to take better effect onto your skin.

Saie Airset Radiant Loose Setting Powder

<p>Saie</p>

Saie

Combination skin means I will always have a bit more shine than I’d like, and this Saie powder is always part of my small makeup kit. I’m on my third translucent shade, which works well for my light-medium skin tone. While I do want to target shine, I don’t want to be fully matte—I like having just enough glow to look like it’s my natural skin. The Saie powder isn’t cakey and sets my concealer well, but I use it more on my T-zone and around my nose to take down unwanted levels of shine.

Mediheal Tea Tree Care Solution Essential Mask

<p>Style Vana</p>

Style Vana

Tea Tree oil is a great ingredient in calming your skin, especially for those who have more sensitive skin and/or deal with acne. I use the Mediheal Tea Tree mask probably once or twice a week—more frequently in the height of summer and dead of winter—as both a preventative and repairing measure for potential and existing acne. On days I actually put on a full face of makeup, I also use a mask after my skincare and before I start my makeup. This helps your skincare absorb better into your skin and also cools down your skin’s temperature for better makeup application. Skincare tip: Don’t keep sheet masks on until the sheet itself becomes dry, as it can actually end up drying out your skin that way. Only keep it on for 10 to 20 minutes.

Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar

<p>Stylvana</p>

Stylvana

Applying sunscreen only once a day is not enough. You should always be reapplying! But how does one reapply without disturbing existing makeup? And what if your hands aren’t clean enough to reapply? In comes the Abib Quick Sunstick. After discovering this pre-covid, I have not been without it. If it ever goes on sale, I’ll stock up and use them as gifts to friends and family, too. The wide curved structure of the bar hugs the shape of my face for better, full application—and protection. And the formula isn’t sticky, doesn’t leave a heavy residue, and it doesn’t budge my makeup. (Note: I wear concealer most days and at most use a light-to-medium coverage foundation.) I’ll always have one in my bag in the summer when I know I’ll be sweating and my SPF will be melting off my face.

Skinfood Carrot Carotene Calming Water Pad

<p>Stylvana</p>

Stylvana

These could potentially be the softest cotton pads you put on your face—really. I have gone through probably three tubs of these and have gifted more to friends who are looking for a light but hydrating moisture. I use it after I wash myself, either by swiping it around my skin for a really light and gentle exfoliation and to get rid of any remaining makeup. Or, I’ll keep a pad on each cheek and one on my forehead like a pseudo sheet mask to bump up the hydration. While I’m a little more cautious with over-using toner pads, since you don’t want to over-exfoliate your face, these are so soft, I don’t worry when I use them frequently.

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sun Cream

<p>Stylvana</p>

Stylvana

The holy grail of holy grail sunscreens in my kit. I have probably gone through at least eight bottles of this sunscreen and have at least four backups in my bathroom. This chemical sunscreen has absolutely zero white cast, low viscosity that quickly absorbs into my skin, and moisturizes to keep my skin soft and hydrated. And it’s SPF 50, which is a great level of protection for your skin against UV rays. You can also reapply throughout the day and won’t feel greasy—no pilling too. This is the product I recommend the most to friends, family, coworkers and anyone who asks for skincare recommendations.

Rovectin Aqua Cleansing Gel (Conditioning Cleanser)

<p>Rovectin</p>

Rovectin

While technically I have yet repurchased this, it is already on my to-buy list to have as a backup. Rovectin as a brand was founded on the principle of restoring extremely dry and damaged skin for cancer patients going through chemotherapy. And with time, it has produced a line of products suitable for all skin types, from dry and sensitive to oily combination. This cleanser is my go-to for the morning, as it keeps my skin hydrated and doesn’t strip away moisture. On days I wear more makeup, this has also worked wonderfully as a first cleanse to remove all the dirt and grime from the day. I find that it’s really effective and gentle, two factors I always consider when wanting to keep my skin barrier nice and healthy.

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