Best Skincare Discoveries of 2020

Let the 2021 blogging commence. And what better way than to do a recap on my skincare collection and select the best skincare of 2020.

It was quite difficult to narrow things down but I tried to keep it really short. One or two products per category.

The rules were simple, what I remember has impressed me, and would I repurchase it in 2021.

My skincare collection has expanded in 2020 and my skincare goals have also shifted mid-year. Once I got on Accutane I wanted to focus on moisturising and soothing products. But also one of the goals was to tackle hyperpigmentation, something I am continuing in 2021.

Disclaimer: recommendations are based on my own experiences and one product might work for me but not for you. Please do your own research to further decide if this is something you wish to try.

Best skincare 2020

Cleanser

I started the year with the Cerave Foaming cleanser for combo skin. It is one of my favourites and I have repurchased it already 3 times I believe. It’s very practical, minimal ingredients, safe for everyone and it’s available at the drugstore which means I can just run and grab one.

Mid-year, since I switched skin types, I received in PR the LaBrea Summit cleanser. LaBrea is a Korean brand and the cleanser is designed to clean your skin without disturbing the acid mantle aka the skin barrier. Something I never knew existed. I learnt to appreciate pH balanced products ever since and I would love to repurchase this cleanser once it’s available for international shipping.

Toner

The one and only, Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner. I have a more detailed review of it here, but this is undeniably the best toner I have tried last year and I recently emptied it. I miss it already. It has a beautiful texture and fantastic ingredients.

Essence

Oh, Hada Labo, you did it again. I purchased the 2020 formula of the Gokujyun Premium lotion, with 7 differents weight hyaluronic acids. Its is absolutely fantastic and I could not live without it. It is perfect for winter.

It leaves my skin plump and moisturised and I just want to bathe in it.

My trick is to apply two drops on my face with damp hands. This gives the moisture that the hyaluronic acid needs to hydrate the skin. As you might know, but I’ll remind you none the less, hyaluronic acid works by drawing the moisture from the environment into the skin. Applied on damp skin it immediately has what it needs to ensure best results.

Serums

Oh, this one is difficult because I’m a serum lover and it’s difficult to chose only one or two.

One that immediately comes to mind is the Discolouration Correcting serum from Good Molecules. You know by now how much I love tranexamic acid for hyperpigmentation. I prefer it over vitamin c, and can’t imagine not having it in my routine.

Another serum that I thoroughly enjoyed was the Retinol serum from The Inkey List. It has a beautiful formula and texture and is very much beginner-friendly. I am no beginner but I really loved the product. More on The Inkey List here.

Moisturisers

This one is easy. Even though I loved the Adaptogen cream from Youth To The People, in the best skincare of 2020 nothing beats the simplest and most affordable of moisturizers, the Cerave Moisturising Cream. I have to say, hyaluronic acid and ceramides have been my best friends ever since I started Accutane. And I have grown to appreciate simple formulas.

The Cerave moisturiser is thick and creamy and absorbs so easily with a soft matte finish. It has been my last step of the morning routine for the past 5 months now, and have recently finished it and miss it already. My next order will definitely include a tub of this.

My other favourite moisturizer is the Illiyoon Ceramides Ato Concentrate Cream. I mean I just said ceramides are my best friends so of course, I had to mention it. It has ceramides capsules that burst when you apply it on the skin. The thickness is similar to Cerave but slightly more occlusive. It is my evening moisturizer of choice. I recommend applying it well half an hour or an hour before bed because it can cling to your pillowcase.

Eye cream

Although I wrote a whole post on eye creams, I have not reached for the much last year. The Pixi retinol eye cream was a fail, so in the morning I prefered bringing my hyaluronic acid around my eyes.

However, I did find a great eye product: the Laneige Eye Sleeping Mask. Its a fabulous simple serum-like mask that does what I need it to do – moisturise. No more, no less. I also love the ceramic applicator with which I do a little massage to take away all the stress of the day.

Oils

Although I have not reached for oils as much in the last year, I cannot go by in this list of best skincare of 2020 without mentioning the Midnight Courage retinol oil from PSA. Every evening in the past 2 months has been highlighted by this beautiful oil which I mix in with the Illiyoon moisturizer. You can read more about my experience here.

Sleeping Masks

Definitely, two favourites here that I can immediately cite: Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate+Glow Sleeping Mask and the Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalising Mask.

Oh, I miss the Superberry one so much I really should add it to cart again. I used it when my skin was still oily and acne-prone and it worked wonders. I remember how impressed I was with how silky and glowy my skin looked the next day after my first use. It definitely was love at first application.

The Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalising Mask is definitely a little on the expensive side but it truly adds that little something that only Sulwhasoo can do. It has their signature botanical formula and also the beautiful relaxing fragrance that you can find in their first care activating serum. When I used it during my oily skin adventures it regulated my oil production and I never woke up with an oil sleek on my face.

Exfoliants

Blithe!

It comes as no surprise here. If you read my blog post of exfoliation then you know I absolutely love the Blithe Splash Mask.

The process is quite simple, you dilute one cap in 200ml of water and you splash your face with it until there’s none left. Alternatively, this can also be used in the shower. You splash one cap into your hands and “wash” your face under the shower.

You have to be very careful with it as the first ingredient is lactic acid. Without diluting it you risk irritation and most likely damaging your skin barrier.

Another mention is the Youth To The People Kombucha + 11% AHA Exfoliation Power Toner. It is truly holy grail status. My skin is very resilient so 11% AHA is something it can withstand. I have reached for this toner so much this year. It gives me a smooth and glowy skin and I couldn’t go on without it. The downside is the sticky feeling it leaves behind (like dowsing your face in sugar), but I can overlook that for the results I get.

It was difficult to choose only these products, there are so many more I would love to talk about but this will do. I am sure some of these were totally predictable and some may be where a surprise.

I would love to know your favourite products of 2020!

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