Whether it is via my Instagram DMs, over a virtual skincare consultation, or mid-facial, as an esthetician (and beauty editor) I’m regularly asked for my top beauty product recommendations. “Are microcurrent devices worth it?”, “can you recommend an affordable vitamin C?”, and “what’s the best product for dark circles?” are up there as the most frequently asked requests I get, but I regularly recommend products for all manner of skin types and concerns, from dry and dehydrated through to oily and acne-prone.
Now as a beauty editor, I’ve tested an unprecedented amount of products, which makes things a lot easier when it comes to making recommendations to my clients as an esthetician. I have my personal favorites—the failsafe spot treatment I always have a backup of and the soothing face mist I buy in bulk to name a few—but for me, the sign of a good product is when it gets great feedback from those I recommend it to.
There are so many things to take into account when I recommend a product to a client, or a friend. Not only do I consider whether it’s right for their skin type and if it addresses their skin concerns, but I also consider the individual ingredients within it, the texture of the formula, and how it will feel and last on their skin.
In addition I always like to be conscious of budget when making product recommendations to clients. However, if I truly believe that a product is worth the price—and there’s no cheaper alternative—I’ll always recommend it, no matter what. So when someone writes back with good feedback or tells me they’ve repurchased a product, I know it’s worth keeping in mind for a future recommendation.
Over the years, I’ve been able to draw up my ultimate list of the product recommendations that always impress. So without further ado, scroll down to discover my most-recommended skincare products.
When I trained as an esthetician, this was the cleanser we used in beauty school. I fell in love with its ability to totally melt away makeup, and the fact that it’s suitable for all (yes, even oily) skin types.
When clients ask me for an affordable cleanser recommendation, this is always my go-to. Since the formula is basic and gentle, it’s also great for those who have over-irritated their skin with too much exfoliation or by layering too many active ingredients.
A lot of people who have oily or breakout-prone skin make the mistake of reaching for cleansers that are too harsh and stripping—which actually irritate breakouts and can trigger more oil production. Instead, it pays to use something gentle and kind to the skin. While this formula contains clay and charcoal (which help to absorb excess oil and clear congested pores) it also has probiotics and aloe to calm and balance skin.
Some face mists are no more than fancy scented waters, but this is basically a hydrating serum in spray-on form. If you have dry skin or find your skin can feel tight and sensitive after cleansing or when the weather is cold, this will be a great addition to your routine.
Zinc is amazing for healing skin and soothing inflammation, so if you have any kind of inflammatory skin concerns (such as acne, rosacea, or eczema), it’s a key ingredient to look out for. This cooling mist is packed with zinc and also feels super soothing.
This is one of those rare and wonderful products that has benefits for every skin type and concern. It contains hypochlorous acid, which is naturally produced by our white blood cells to defend against infection and bacteria. Spraying this on basically disinfects your face, but without drying skin out—it’s great for treating breakouts and dryness without irritating sensitivity.
Every bit as powerful as a moisturizer but with the light gel texture of a serum, this product never fails to get great feedback from those with dry skin. Even hard-to-please clients who have extreme dryness and chapped skin love it.
An essence typically has a texture that falls somewhere between that of a serum and a toner. Essentially though, you’d use it in place of a serum—after cleansing or toning and before moisturizer. My clients with dehydrated skin love this one because it makes such an immediate difference.
I work with a lot of clients who have breakout-prone skin, so once their skin is clearer and less congested, they want to focus on treating scarring and pigmentation. I love to recommend this NIOD serum—it features a copper peptide complex with amazing wound healing and skin remodeling properties.
Those with acne-prone skin are often nervous when it comes to applying moisturizer, but I always assure clients not to worry—not all moisturizers will clog pores and irritate the skin. This oil-free and water-based formula provides intensive hydration (which is much needed to help clear breakouts and support the skin barrier) but feels totally weightless.
This rich cream is great for dry skin types or those who experience an annual flare-up of ‘winter skin’—increased redness and sensitivity. It contains ceramides, which are essential to supporting the skin barrier, preventing moisture from escaping, and keeping bacteria out. This works great as a day cream if you have dry skin, or as a night cream for other skin types.
Sensitive skin can be hard to tackle since it requires stripping things back to a bare minimum, but still needs the basics (cleansing and hydrating) in order to heal and repair. As it’s fragrance-free and water-based, this moisturizer won’t irritate. What’s more, it contains squalane to strengthen the skin barrier, niacinamide to soothe, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
Dark circles are another common concern amongst my clients, but I always like to manage expectations—they’re largely genetic, so it can be hard to treat them topically. I always recommend this eye cream, since it contains light-reflecting yellow pigments which brighten and color correct, while vitamin C works to brighten in the long term.
If your main eye-related concern is fine lines or wrinkles, check out this underrated eye serum. It contains multiple collagen-stimulating peptides, argireline (known as ‘Botox in a jar’), and other hardworking active ingredients including vitamin C, lactic acid, and cica. The first person I ever recommended it to was my mum, and she couldn’t believe the difference it made.
Lots of people experience dryness near their eyes—the skin here is very thin and delicate so it’s often the first place to show signs of dryness and irritation, as well as signs of aging. La Roche-Posay is one of my go-to brands for sensitive skin skincare, and this eye cream never fails to help soothe and moisturize.
There are hundreds of spot patches and breakout stickers out there, but Zitsticka’s Killa Kit really is the best of the best. Each patch contains tiny microdarts which dissolve ingredients like salicylic acid and niacinamide into the pore. They’re effective against even the most stubborn and deep-rooted under-the-skin breakouts.
Dry, dull, and lackluster skin doesn’t stand a chance against this brightening moisture mask. I refer to it as my ‘hangover mask’ since it always helps to make depleted skin look and feel like a healthier, happier version of itself.
This is another product I like to recommend to those who have previously taken a too-aggressive approach to targeting acne. Using antibacterial manuka honey, it reduces breakouts by soothing and calming instead of stripping and drying out the skin.
Now I know $61 sounds like a lot for a face mask, but I’ve never found anything quite like this, or even as effective. It contains ingredients like kaolin clay, honey, and camphor—perfect for treating congestion and inflammation. When I myself had severe cystic acne, this was the only product that helped to relieve a bad flare-up.
If you’re after a lightweight SPF that sits well under makeup and gives skin a dewy glow, look no further. Because it’s a serum, this one feels totally weightless as well.
A lot of my clients have never worn daily SPF and still associate it with the thick, chalky sunscreens they wore as children. Once I’ve explained the importance of using SPF to protect skin and prevent signs of aging, they’re much more on board—and even more so once they’ve tried this formula. It’s lightweight, quick to absorb, and only $11!
Good skincare practice is all about taking a holistic approach, and while I’m by no means a nutrition expert, I’ve seen first-hand just how much of a difference supplements can make to skin. This nutrient blend is a favorite amongst my acne-prone clients—each ingredient is chosen for its ability to help clear skin from within.
