Happy New Year!

The holidays are the best time to reflect on your year. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I personally had a hectic, stressful year. Regardless, it’s been a year of growth and change, and I always find that humbling.

I have especially gone through some changes with my skin! That stress I mentioned? Absolutely contributed to some unnecessary breakouts. I moved into a new house with hard tap water, and only made the realization recently that it’s contributing to a string of breakouts as well. I also introduced a retinoid into my rotation of actives, which includes AHAs, BHAs, and vitamin C. I believe this has added to the stress on my skin too, so I’m learning how to properly cocktail theses actives and simplify my routine when needed.

This year I also learned how beneficial 100% pure essential oils can be for your skin. Focusing on my diet and exercise has been just as important for me too. Though my skin has had it’s ups and downs this year, I tried several products and I think it’s time to share my favorites!

Some amazing products came out this year, and some old classics held their spot in my rotation. It was tough to choose, but I present to you my 18 favorite products of 2018. These products are effective and have truly made a difference in my skin:

1. Klairs, Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

Photo: sokoglam.com

$23

KEY INGREDIENTS: Jojoba seed oil, black bean oil, and black current seed oil

TARGET: Blackheads and cleansing

RESULTS: Soft, clear skin

2. Then I Met You, The Cleansing Duo

Photo: thenimetyou.com

$68 (Living Cleansing Balm, $38 – Soothing Tea Cleansing Gel, $36)

KEY INGREDIENTS: LCB – Seaberry/sea buckthorn oil, persimmon extract, vitamin E, olive oil, and grape seed oil

STCG – Licorice root, rice ferment filtrate, centella asiatica, green tea, tea tree leaf, and PHA

TARGET: Cleansing and purifying with a therapeutic experience

RESULTS: Clean, soft, and moisturized skin

*This is a recent product for me, so look out for a full review in the future!

3. The Ordinary, AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Photo: theordinary.com

$7.20

KEY INGREDIENTS: Glycolic acid, aloe water, salicylic acid, and tasmannia lanceolata fruit extract.

TARGET: Exfoliate on a surface level and clear congested pores

RESULTS: Bright, soft skin with reduced pores, blemishes, and dark spots the next day

4. Dr. Oracle, A-Thera Tea Tree Peeling Sticks

Photo: sokoglam.com

$24

KEY INGREDIENTS: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, tea tree extract, and wintergreen leaf extract

TARGET: Effectively clear pores and black heads

RESULTS: Dramatically reduced blemishes and pores

5. Neogen, Real Cica Pad

Photo: sokoglam.com

$20

KEY INGREDIENTS: Centella asiatica, asiaticoside, madecassoside, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides

TARGET: Gentle, daily physical and chemical exfoliation

RESULTS: Calmed, soft skin

6. Neogen, Canadian Clay Pore Cleanser

Photo: sokoglam.com

$27

KEY INGREDIENTS: Canadian colloidal clay, kaolin clay, and centella asiatica extract

TARGET: Draw out impurities like excess sebum, black heads, clogged pores, and dead skin cells

RESULTS: Clear, soft skin with reduced flakes, breakouts, and pores

7. Benton, Tea Tree Cleansing Water

Photo: sokoglam.com

$17

KEY INGREDIENT: Tea tree leaf water/oil

TARGET: Gently remove left over impurities and balance the skin’s pH

RESULTS: Cleansed, calmed, and moisturized skin

8. Neogen, Real Ferment Micro Essence

Photo: sokoglam.com

$38

KEY INGREDIENTS: Bifida ferment lysate, saccharomyces ferment filtrate, and rice ferment filtrae

TARGET: Layerable hydration and brightening

RESULTS: Ultra soft, bright, and plump honey skin

9. Skinfood, Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence

Photo: sokoglam.com

$39

KEY INGREDIENTS: Propolis extract, honey extract, royal jelly extract, lactobacillus ferment, and saccharomyces ferment

TARGET: Strengthen, soften, and hydrate the skin with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits

RESULTS: Intensely hydrated and calmed skin

10. Acwell x Soko Glam, Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist

$24

KEY INGREDIENTS: Licorice root extract, bamboo water, algae extract, royal jelly extract, and centella asiatica leaf water

TARGET: Hydrate and balance the skin, and set makeup

RESULTS: Calmed, hydrated, and dewy skin

11. Farmacy, Skin Dew Hydrating Essence & Setting Spray

Photo: farmacybeauty.com

$44

KEY INGREDIENTS: Echinacea GreenEnvy™, horsetail juice, kiwi fruit extract, and glycerin

TARGET: Hydrate and balance the skin, and set makeup

RESULTS: Calmed, hydrated, and balanced skin with reduced blemishes

12. COSRX, BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Photo: theskincareedit.com

$22

KEY INGREDIENT: Willow bark water

TARGET: Hydrate the skin while removing blackheads

RESULTS: Moisturized, bright skin with no blackheads

13. COSRX x Charlotte Cho, Triple C Lightning Liquid

Photo: allure.com

$27

KEY INGREDIENTS: Vitamin C, black chokeberry, and licorice root extract

TARGET: Lighten brown spots and acne scars

RESULTS: Faded hyperpigmentation at a faster rate

14. The Plant Base, Quesera Ceramide

Photo: cocomo.sg

$25

KEY INGREDIENTS: Rice seed water, niacinamide, panthenol, adenosine, rice bran oil, licorice root extract, hydrolized rice protein, and ceramides

TARGET: Strengthen and brighten the skin barrier

RESULTS: Hydrated, firm, and plump skin that is is brightened and healed

15. Benton, Fermentation Eye Cream

Photo: mishibox.com

$27

KEY INGREDIENTS: Galactomyces ferment filtrate, bifida ferment lysate, ceramides, aloe leaf extract, and adenosine

TARGET: Anti-age and hydrate while repairing damage and dark circles

RESULTS: Ultra hydrated, soft, and dewy skin with brightening

16. Klairs, Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask

Photo: sokoglam

$27

KEY INGREDIENTS: Tocopheryl acetate, niacinamide, and adenosine

TARGET: Moisturize, brighten, and anti-age

RESULTS: Smooth, moisturized honey skin

17. SKINRX LAB, MadeCera Cream

Photo: anthropologie.com

$36

KEY INGREDIENTS: Niacinamide, ceramides, asiaticoside, madecassic acid, asiatic acid, adenosine, and madecassoside

TARGET: Strengthen, moisturize, and brighten skin while anti-aging

RESULTS: Calmed, ultra moisturized skin with healing

18. The Ordinary, 100% Plant Derived Squalane

Photo: theordinary.com

$7.90

KEY INGREDIENTS: Squalane (duh)

TARGET: Prolonged hydration

RESULTS: Glowing, light weight hydration that lasts

BONUS: Neogen x Joan Kim, Vito Duo Cream (Joan Day and Joan Night)

Photo: amazon.com

$32

KEY INGREDIENTS: JD – Green tea and vitamin C

JN – Lavender oil and vitamin E

TARGET: Moisturize skin while brightening and healing the skin

RESULTS: Dewy, moisturized, and calmed skin with decreased blemishes

*This is a recent product for me, so look out for a full review in the future!

BONUS: Missha, Mild Essence Sun Milk SPF 50/PA+++

Photo: roseforlove.com

$18 – $22

KEY INGREDIENTS: Rose bud extract, aloe leaf extract, portulaca oleracea extract, and green tea leaf extract

TARGET: UVA/UVB protection while nourishing the skin

RESULTS: Lightweight, moisturized, and protected dewy skin

What are your favorite products from 2018? Leave me a comment to let me know.

Cheers to healthy, honey skin in 2019. Drink up!

-Ashley