marissa belle ｡･:*˚:✧｡࿐

As much as I’ve loved makeup in the last year, I’ve also discovered a lot of new skincare.

It was definitely the year that Korean skincare made its way into my routine and I’m glad it has because I’ve found so many amazing new favourites that are going to be favourites for a long time!

2020 was the year I went from having my worst skin to my best skin because of a massive breakout during lockdown and then going on Accutane which was a life saver. The products I’m going to talk about are both before and after Accutane. 

If you’re more into beauty-related talk, check out my Top Makeup Picks post! 

Cleanser Category Winner – Dear Klairs Gentle Black Deep Cleansing Oil

The funny thing about me falling in love with this cleansing oil is that I was never recommended it, I just sort of wanted to try it myself because I loved the look of the packaging. I was also doing the switch from a balm cleanser to an oil cleanser.

Dear Klairs ended up being one of the best Korean skincare brands in my opinion. They’re affordable, well packaged and the products work well. I even tried this cleansing oil on an extremely dirty foundation brush and it cleaned it right up!

It also feels moisturising but not sticky. Takes my waterproof mascara right off as well!

Face Wash Category Winner – Purito Snail All In One BB Cleanser

Purito is another brand I hadn’t heard of until this year. Their BB cleanser is awesome! I love it, and I was mostly attracted to it because of the word ‘snail’.

Snail products had been working really well for me and I was glad to find a cleanser that had snail mucin in it.

Purito’s packaging is also very nice. Minimal but also aesthetically pleasing! The bottle is big and I feel like I’ve used it for ages but it hasn’t backed down.

Scrub Category Winner – Dear Klairs Gentle Black Sugar Scrub Face Polish

I’ve repurchased this tub of scrub, I think, 4 times now. I absolutely love it! I never realised how nice sugar scrubs were.

The only problem I have with this product is how small it is. If only they sold it in bigger tubs! The sugar bits are really nice and small, not too abrasive either. Smells amazing and also makes me feel very clean. I use this about 2 to 3 times a week and I know that scrubs aren’t supposed to be an everyday thing.

Toner Category Winner – Dear Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

I have tried soooo many toners this year. I went from brand to brand trying to find one that I love. Since being on accutane, my skin could take more moisturising products and I am very happy about that.

The Supple Preparation Facial Toner was something I kept seeing in skincare videos on YouTube. They have a fragranced and non fragrance option. Since my skin doesn’t react to fragrance, I decided to buy the one that smells good.

It really smells like a high-end spa-like product and I’m obsessed. I would highly recommend this to anyone! I pat it straight on my skin and it works well.

Repairing Serum Category Winner – Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Serum

Like I mentioned above, snail products really intrigued me this year and it started with this cute little red bottle from Some By Mi.

The first night I tried it and the morning after, I freaked out as it made my skin look better overnight and I was sure that wasn’t possible. Snail mucin has repairing properties so it is good for people who have damaged skin, or scarring. Which I do!

I repurchased this twice already and I’m sure I will keep doing so unless I find something else better to replace it. But for the price point, I can’t complain! I love it for what it is.

Skin-Clearing Serum Category Winner – Sephora Collection Salicylic Acid Clarifying Serum

I wanted to try the Sephora Collection because of all the things it promised. Clean, natural ingredients with a price point that didn’t break the bank. This is my first product I’ve tried from the line.

I use this serum in the morning before my moisturiser and makeup. Salicylic acid is a great ingredient for acne prone skin which is what I have. It is so silky and nice, and most importantly doesn’t leave my skin feeling sticky. I hate serums that feel super tacky, especially in the morning.

Highly recommend!

Cream Category Winner – Purito Deep Sea Water Cream

Water Creams became very popular on asian YouTube skincare videos. They are known to be moisturising but not sticky or heavy which is what I like! Also, with a name like that, I was reeled in.

I love this water cream so much for the day time, it doesn’t leave me sticky, shiny or feeling heavy. I sometimes even use it at night if I’ve used a ton of serums that evening.

It doesn’t smell of anything which is good for people who don’t like fragrances. The tube is also very cute and matte which is unique for a moisturiser packaging!

Moisturiser Category Winner – Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel

I had used the Hydroboost Water Cream about a year ago and didn’t like it as much as the Water Gel, even though the cream surprisingly had better reviews! I guess it goes to show that everyone is really different with that they like.

The Hydroboost Water Gel smells amazing, and I love the blue, clear packaging. It is non greasy and honestly feels like it has lasted forever. My tub looks like I’ve hardly dipped into it which is crazy as I use it almost every other night!

I love chatting all things skincare and I’d love to know what you enjoyed over the last year or even something new you discovered as 2021 began! 

Let me know in the comments below!