Part 3! Let’s talk skincare. I have to admit, when I was rounding up my favourite skincare products of 2024, I was surprised to see how many winners I had. Skincare is one of those things I don’t change up as much as I used to. And I am guilty of sticking to my favourites more often than not. But I did make a few discoveries that have since become staples. Many of which I have repurchased throughout the year. Let’s get to the winners!
We’ll kick this off with cleansers. I tried a few oil/balm cleansers throughout 2024. But none stood out more than the TBH SKINCARE NO SCRUBS HYDRATING MAKEUP REMOVING JELLY. This truly has one of the most unique textures I’ve ever used for a first cleanse. It applies like a jelly, but once emulsified with water, turns into a thin, milky consistency. And it breaks down everything!
Staying with TBH Skincare (of which you’ll be seeing a lot in this favourites), the TBH SKINCARE ACNE HACK ANTIBACTERIAL CLEANSER is probably my favourite skincare discovery of the year, period. While, for the most part, my skin was well behaved. I would have periods where I was breaking out way more than normal. This is the cleanser I credit for getting my skin back under control. It’s super gentle, but it leaves my skin feeling so refreshed and cleansed.
Another cleanser I really liked, especially in the morning, was the TOWER 28 SOS GEL CLEANSER. Is this the most extraordinary cleanser on the market? Probably not. But it’s a great option for those who prefer a more gentle cleanse first thing in the morning after the gym. It’s also a great pick for those with sensitive skin.
2024 will go down as the year of the Milky Toner. Every couple of months, I would see a new one hit the market. And out of the ones that I’ve tried, these three are the stand outs. Firstly, the RHODE SKIN GLAZING MILK was my skin saviour during winter. It’s one of the thickest toners I’ve ever used and my skin drank it up!
For my Aussie girls who don’t want to go through the pain of ordering Rhode, the TBH SKINCARE SKIN MILK ACTIVATED CICA TONER is easily the next best thing. The fact that I just got it and it’s already a Best Of should tell you everything. It has so many fantastic soothing ingredients that help my occasionally angry skin.
Finally, the THE ORDINARY SACCHAROMYCES FERMENT 30% MILKY TONER (sent in PR) was definitely the most unique formulation I tried this year. Not only does it have all of the nourishing benefits of a milky toner, it also has a very gentle exfoliation element that smooths the skin over time.
Staying with my more exfoliating toners, I had two that I really loved in 2024. The new and improved version of the ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD (sent in PR) was a huge stand out. I have really noticed an improvement of my skin texture over the months I was using this. I also really loved the FRANK BODY RESURFACING AHA TONER basically for the same reason. I was using the Frank predominately during the first half of the year. And the Alpha-H during the second half. Which is why I wanted to shout both out.
Getting into serums. And like I said at the start, I did stick mostly to serums that I’ve used before. But these three quickly became favourites. The FRESH TEA ELIXIR SKIN RESILIENCE ACTIVATING SERUM (sent in PR) was my all in one serum. I’m still not 100% sure what it does. All I know is that my skin loved it and it paired well with my other serums.
My other major discovery was the CAULDALIE VINOPERFECT. This is one of those serums that I always wanted to try. And I’m so glad I did. My acne scarring and hyperpigmentation is something I’ve always been self conscious of. And the difference in my skin’s appearance was palpable while I was using this. A game changer.
Another late entry to the faves list is the BORING WITHOUT YOU MAKE ME WET MILK SERUM. With all this milk in my year end favourites, you’d hardly know I was lactose intolerant. But in all seriousness, this stuff is amazing. So deeply nourishing. And it leaves my skin so bouncy and juicy.
I only have two masks in my favourites this year. And only one of them was a clay based mask. But what a mask! The MURAD RAPID RELIEF SULFUR MASK quickly became one of my absolute favourites this year. Not only does it effectively draw out the gunk in my face, but it soothes the redness too. I also adored the TBH SKINCARE REBOUND ONE NIGHT STAND SOOTHING GEL FACIAL MASK as a deeply intense sleeping mask. I would use this in the evening when my skin was cranky. Next morning, my skin was revived and happy.
Fresh continued to be a favourite in 2024. The FRESH BLACK TEA ADVANCED AGE RENEWAL EYE CREAM (sent in PR) and the FRESH BLACK TEA ADVANCED AGE RENEWAL CREAM (sent in PR) were my favourite eye cream and night cream respectively. The texture of the eye cream is so luscious, but not at all heavy. And it’s one of the few eye creams that I could use under concealer that doesn’t pill. The Age Renewal Cream was just fabulous. Soaks right into the skin without looking streaky and gives a lovely bounce.
Now, you will notice an absence of day creams. And that’s because more often than not, my sunscreen was my day cream. Now, most of the sunscreens I tried I can’t go into (TGA regulations). But these two I’m ok to talk about. The ANUA HEARTLEAF SILKY MOISTURE SUN CREAM (sent in PR *TGA not applicable*) is one of the few Korean sunscreens that I’ve really liked. The consistency is lovely and hydrating. And it doesn’t sting my eyes. Which is an issue I’ve had in the past.
For under makeup, however, the TBH SKINCARE SKIN SHADY SPF 50+ FACE MOISTURISER (TGA Declaration: purchased myself) is one of the best I’ve come across. It has a lightweight, matte feel on the skin. And it doesn’t pill under makeup. Which makes it a pretty ideal primer as well as a moisturiser.
Finally, we have my lip balm picks for 2024. And neither of these are surprises. The RHODE LIP PEPTIDE TREATMENT might be my favourite lip balm ever. It’s so nourishing and makes my lips look so plump and smooth. I also really loved the TOWER 28 LIP SOFTIE LIP TREATMENT for when I wanted a little tint to my balm. The shade Dulce De Leche was my go to.
And those are my skincare award winners. Wow, this post ended up being longer than I expected. But these are the best of the best in my eyes. I expect that you’ll see them in future skincare routines. Let me know your skincare must haves in the comments. And I’ll see you on Friday for the Best In Beauty Finale!
Cheers and love
Emily xo