Self-care can get a bad rap sometimes. And sure, some people abuse the notion. But, there is something about being kind to myself and taking 5 minutes to slow down my pace that really helps me feel calm and less bonkers.

I wanted to just fill you in on what I love and why. I am endlessly inspired by “favorite things” spreads in old-school print magazines. Did you know that most of the lifestyle bloggers of the mid-aughts were formerly magazine editors and staffers who had been laid off, victims of the Great Recession? That’s why those blogs had a more editorial feel and actually borrowed some of their great rotating features from magazine land.

So, I’m here to continue on in the great “favorite things” tradition. A little show and tell. <3

I’ll go deeper on each of these products starting with the product in the top right, going clockwise, and ending in the middle. These are not in the order of use. :)

Acure Vitamin C and Ferulic Acid serum - This serum is a lifesaver. I am starting to get some discoloration from the sun, and this combo of vitamin C and ferulic acid helps brighten up the tone of your skin and help those brown spots fade. I wash my face, put this serum on, and then put my moisturizer on over this product. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t pill or get weird under my moisturizer.

Flamingo Body Lotion - Ok! I go through lots of body lotion, but I like it to be THICK and creamy. I actually like it to be more like a cream than a runny lotion. This body lotion also has a gentle exfoliant so it softens while it moisturizes. The scent is stronger than I’d expect, but it’s a good smell and I’m not sad about it. An honorable mention goes to Glossier’s Body Hero. I LOVE that product, but the Flamingo is half the price and I can grab it while I’m at Target.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen - I wish we didn’t need to wear SPF, but alas we should. This sunscreen makes wearing sunscreen less awful. It goes on super easily, doesn’t drag, and is invisible. Best option, even if it is a bit pricey.

De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment - In adulthood, as my hormones go a little nuts, my skin breaks out from time to time. This is my spot treatment of choice. It brings down the inflammation, zaps the spot, while still moisturizing the skin around the blemish. It’s a miracle. It smells a little like a lit match, but it’s a small price to pay. I just dab it on spots with a q-tip.

The Ordinary 30% AHA + 2% BHA - I have a calendar event set for every two weeks to use this strong chemical exfoliant. It sloughs off dead skin, unblocks pores, and makes my skin as soft as a baby’s bum. It’s inexpensive and WORTH IT. Do not use it too often as it is pretty strong. :)

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Hydrating Cleanser - Since my skin can get dry, I don’t like to use a foaming cleanser. The foaming agent is drying and irritating, so I try to skip it if possible. This inexpensive cleanser makes it possible! It’s simple, easy, and cheap. I can grab it at Target, which makes it an obvious choice. I found this cleanser to be a nice dupe for Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser. I think Glossier’s smells better, but I’ve settle on the Neutrogena unless I need to meet Glossier’s free shipping minimum. ;)

Kosas LipFuel in Baseline - I picked up this exorbitantly expensive lip-balm at a store that doesn’t post prices. No wonder it ended up being ONE BILLION DOLLARS. But, unfortunately for my purse, this is the best lipbalm I’ve ever used. It glides on, isn’t sticky at all, and has hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into your lips. Did you know that your lips cannot moisturize themselves like the rest of your skin? It’s true! I’ll buy this again when I run out…even if I shed a tiny tear for having to skip out on buying a book or something.

Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich - This is a holy grail sort of moisturizer for me. I’ve tried others, but I love the texture, I love the smell, it doesn’t irritate my skin. All wins here. I’ve gone through 3 re-buys and I’ll continue to buy it because when you find something that works and you love, it’s nice to just stick to what you know.

I’m so curious to know the things YOU love and what has ended up on your “buy again and again” list!

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. The companies might provide me a small commission at no cost to you. This small commission has no impact on the products I mention. I just really love them and love you!