Why are you still searching for the best skincare products?

Gentle skincare products are the best, but do what's best for you!

Another day, another impossible choice to make. If you are hungry for Thai food and drop by that restaurant everyone has been Yelping about, you might have to pore over dozens of menu options before placing your order. Even then, you may still not be 1000% sold on what you ordered. A Netflix and Chill night-in becomes a chore as you browse hundreds, maybe thousands of options before you switch over to Hulu to see if they have something better. If that isn’t daunting enough, a quick run to Sephora or Ulta becomes an Indiana Jones-esque escapade that costs $500 before taxes. Yet, you will still leave either store without getting what you needed. These scenarios all give first-world problems, yes, but that doesn’t make them any less overwhelming!

Finding skincare products that work for your skin presents another set of challenges. Every brand says that their products are best for your skin, completely ignoring the fact that everyone’s skin is different. There is a vast spectrum of skin tones, and there are at least five skin types that transcend ethnicity. That is why skincare is a process, and the onus of finding which skincare products are the best will always be on you.

Yes, we love our skincare products. And yes, they work for all skin types.

Here at Masktini, we pride ourselves on curating naturally-derived skincare products that are gentle on everybody’s skin. Whether you have normal, combination, dry, oily, or sensitive skin, you can rest assured that your skin will be safe. After all, isn’t safety what everyone wants in this life? You want skin that is safe from free radicals - those pesky outliers that destroy your skin cells and create severe skin issues over time. Our products are rich in antioxidants and other skincare ingredients that defend your skin against free radicals. While results vary, you can look forward to:

  • A brighter, more even skin tone after first-time use of Metal Head, our 24K gold skin brightening face mask. This daily-use product contains vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps to improve the signs of visible aging by boosting collagen production. 
  • Hydrated and clean skin because of Twilight Zone, our Tahitian detox face mask. Unlike your ordinary clay mask, this face mask warms up and burrows deep into your skin to extract impurities. It contains activated bamboo charcoal and Tahitian black pearl that work together to resurface and hydrate your skin.
  • Improved skin texture with Night Ranger, our overnight renewal face mask. It contains vitamin A or retinol, a proven skincare ingredient that speeds up your skin cell turnover rate.
  • Plumper skin with frequent use of Woke Bae, a moisturizing face spritz that might be the best part of your summer skincare routine. This spritz contains hyaluronic acid, a hydrating acid that pairs well with alpha-hydroxy-acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy-acids (BHAs). 

Although we believe that our gentle skincare products work best for any skin type, we love trying out other products too. That is why we decided to put together a minimal list of skincare products that we love and encourage you to use them during this new and improved hot girl summer!

1. Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Brightening Exfoliating Daily Cleanser

buy kiehl's clearly corrective skin brightening and exfoliating gel cleanser

The older you get, the more you probably realize that all you want is skin that is bright, clear, and even. You may have learned that exfoliation promotes those qualities, but there is a caveat. The caveat is that over-exfoliation leads to: 

  • Dry skin
  • An overproduction of oil to compensate for the dryness
  • Then boom - acne

Adult acne is terrifying because it often has no end in sight. Enter this skin brightening and exfoliating cleanser from Kiehl’s! What makes this gel cleanser so delightful is that it is gentle. Whereas you can feel your skin tearing with each swipe of *insert St. Ives face scrub* over your skin, this micro-bead cleanser is nothing like that. It foams as much as a foaming cleanser despite being a gel, goes on smoothly, and leaves your skin feeling refreshed. 10/10.

2. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

buy the ordinary's glycolic acid 7% toning solution

If you are true about this skincare life, then you already know that Deciem’s affordable skincare brand is all the rage right now. Deciem’s unique selling proposition is offering skincare products that contain the same active ingredients as their pricier counterparts, yet at fractions of the costs. It’s incredible. There are mixed reviews about who should tone their skin after cleansing and how often one should do this with good reason! Some skin toners may strip your skin of its natural oils. That triggers your sebaceous (oil) glands to overproduce oil. This overproduction of oil often results in acne.

That is why this glycolic acid toner by The Ordinary is so critical! Glycolic acid is one of the most common AHAs used in skincare products. It is a natural skin exfoliant that resurfaces the skin and treats acne. With excessive use or at least with a product that contains a higher concentration of glycolic acid, your skin may start to peel. If you have rough skin, this can be a good thing, as new skin reveals itself once the peeling completes. The Ordinary’s glycolic acid toning solution is one of few skin toners on the market that manage to leave your skin feeling hydrated and smooth after one use. Because it contains acid, it will increase photosensitivity. Either add it to your nighttime skincare routine or ensure that you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more every time you use it.

3. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

buy the ordinary's natural moisturizing factors + ha

At this point, you are probably wondering if this is a sponsored blog post. It’s not! This year, we committed ourselves to skinimalism, one of the hottest beauty trends that first emerged in 2020. That means when it comes to our skincare routines, less is more! With that said, the final step in your skinimalist skincare routine should be a face moisturizer. This one from The Ordinary is *chef’s kiss*. Like our Woke Bae Whenever Moisture Spritz, it contains hyaluronic acid and aloe vera, two key skincare ingredients for hydrating and soothing your skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy, so you can use it if you have oily or acne-prone skin. 

So there you have it - three of our favorite skincare products for a minimalist summer skincare routine. There is no perfect skincare product and you should switch out your products at least every 3-4 months. Remember that skincare is a process, and it’s more about progression than perfection! The skin is the most powerful organ of the body. If it can protect your internal organs, it can overcome any superficial skin issues. Be patient, try new things with moderation, and do what works best for your skin. In the meantime, leave a comment below to let us know what your top three skincare products are right now. We’d love to hear from you!