Ranking My Top Beauty Finds 2021

2021 was a tough year for my skin! In the first trimester of my pregnancy I experienced really severe hormonal acne, which thankfully has since cleared up. “Desperate” is the best word to describe my situation. Unable to take medication, I had to rely solely on topicals as my skin care regimen. Now that I am past the worst, I have rounded up 8 of my favorite skincare discoveries that aided me in 2021, or they’re simply a new favorite.

Here they are, ranked!

No. 8: Billie Wonder Wipes

Billie is one of the only subscriptions I indulge in. They make amazing skincare products that smell great, feel great, and no pink tax! These are a recent splurge that I bought for the use in my hospital bag. They remove gunk and makeup, plus each wipe is infused with Vitamin C for brightness and hyaluronic acid for increased moisture. They are PERFECT for travel, and for lazy days! Added bonus: S loves how they smell.

No 7: Vaseline Lip Jelly

I literally use this every day, multiple times a day! I love the cocoa butter scent and how this formula is less slick than normal Vaseline. It is perfect for chapped lips (or if you’re like me, 24/7 wear!

No. 6: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer

This moisturizer is a great every-day go to; it is gentle yet feels like heavy-duty moisture for the face. I use on the entire face and neck with other serums and boosters. I was recommended this by a dermatologist and I find myself reaching for this again and again.

No. 5: L’Oréal Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water

This product is a miracle in a bottle! While it doesn’t necessarily count as skincare, I wanted to throw this in the ranking because it has made that much of a difference in my hair routine. We don’t have a water softener (which I hate — S is very much aware of this because I remind him of this often with my complaints!). So, my hair suffers because there is clearly residue and a mineral-y feeling that I get when I shampoo/condition my hair. Not having a water softener makes my hair feel weighed down and gunk-y. This stuff is seriously like a water softener in a bottle. It detangles my hair, adds softness and shine, but preserves the bounciness and air-light feeling of a fresh haircut and blowout. Moremo is a Korean brand that makes a similar product, and I find that Loreal’s is very similar at a much better price point.

No. 4: Alba Botanica Acne Spot Dots

For years I swore by a different brand of acne spot dots…until I found these! I randomly decided to try them, without hearing of them before. I actually found them at a grocery store! Turns out that they were a lifesaver during my first trimester when my acne was at its worst. These dots somehow magically adhere, and camouflage any pimple. I found that they really were not “obvious” when I wore them. They also absorb oil and speed up the healing process so well. I think that the amount in the package is generous, at 30 qty. per box. Trust me on this one!

No. 3: IT Cosmetics Concealer

I really stopped wearing makeup to work because I am constantly wearing a mask - why bother? The masking actually was a blessing for me, because it covered up the worst of my acne. I am telling you — it was BAD in those first few months! It left me with nasty, red inflamed blemishes that were not only large, but bumpy and cist-like. When I had to wear makeup, for occasions like weddings or even Zoom calls, I would panic about not wearing a mask due to the horrible breakouts on my face. This is where IT Cosmetics changed everything! While it didn’t cure all, it certainly covered up the redness and made me feel more confident. It totally evens out my skin tone. This stuff was a life changing product! I still use it to conceal some of the scars that my acne has left me with.

No. 2: Sunday Riley good genes

Lactic Acid was one of the few acne-fighting products that I could use during my pregnancy safely. Sadly, I had to say goodbye to retinol :( but after talking with a dermatologist, I came up with a game plan to manage my changing skin. Lactic acid, glycolic acid, and azaleic acid were the trio I depended on. Good Genes is a product by Sunday Riley that is a lactic-acid based exfoliator. I absolutely loooove the tingly, exfoliating power of this stuff! It is gentle yet effective. I use it on my cheeks and scarred areas, hoping that over time it helps to clarify/even out my skin on those problem areas. The only downside is the cost - this product is expensive so I have to use it very sparingly.

no. 1: foreo Espada

Here we go: #1 pick! I am a huge fan of the Swedish brand Foreo. My mom gifted me a Foreo Luna device for Christmas last year and it is the most perfect way to cleanse the skin. It’s great for home or travel. That being said, during the worst bouts of my acne their new Espada light therapy tool was a game-changer. I took a risk on the Espada, because I was skeptical of how effective it would be. Luckily I scored it on sale during the summer. Fast forward through the first trimester, and this thing made a noticeable difference in zapping the potency out of large, oily breakouts. Seriously! In 30-second bursts, the Espada device uses blue light and vibrations to kill the bacteria that acne thrives in. It isn’t a magic eraser, but it absolutely DOES shrink and shorten the life of blemishes. I think if I had this product earlier it would have made a difference in the amount of acne scars I have. Next on my wishlist: anything with Microcurrent!

Moving Forward

These 8 products totally got me through the past year! I am so glad that I found them, and I can personally attest to their high quality. I wish I got paid to promote them! Ha! I keep reaching for/restocking these 8 items and if you experience any hormonal acne, hopefully some of my findings can help you, too.