Skincare — artistrybyt

UPDATED DEC 2023

The tried and true list

Hello friends! As a long-time skincare enthusiast and freelance makeup artist, I thought I’d finally make an all-time favorites list.

Two lists now actually, be sure to check out the makeup favourites too!

And then a disclaimer first before we get into the fun stuff: I am not a dermatologist! Everyone’s skin is unique, what works for one person may not work for another. Please always do your own research, read the ingredients list and patch test just in case you have any particular sensitivities or allergies! Don’t skip out on your homework!

This list will be updated over time, but if you don’t see a particular category, that means I don’t have a product that I highly recommend yet! (If you have a favorite that I haven’t mentioned please leave a comment :)) I’m not sure how this all mostly ended up being kbeauty products but it wasn’t on purpose!

I purchase most asian beauty products online from StyleVana because they usually have the best prices. But I also wrote a blog post on where you can find some of the asian beauty brands in Vancouver.

OK. Now for the fun stuff! (P.S. I saved the best for last)

First, the Heimish All Clean Balm

This category is really personal preference, but I find cleansing balms and cleansing oils to be much more gentle on the skin compared to micellar waters, makeup removers or makeup-removing wipes. Instead of wiping and tugging on the skin, cleansing balms gently melt away makeup as you massage it into your face and then emulsify them. *Look into the double cleansing method or read the full review on this cleansing balm here.

I’ve tried the Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil but it’s overpriced, the DHC is too thick, the Kose Softymo is a little too thin and smells like chemicals, the SKIN1004 has a wonky dispenser and contains pore clogging ingredients and the iUNIK calendula doesn’t remove all makeup. So this is the best for me!

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca or StyleVana

Two different cleansers

For sensitive or dry-combo skin: SKIN1004 Centella Foam

I love this one, it has a simple ingredients list with centella to help to calm skin. It’s very gentle and very foamy and does a great job of cleansing the skin without feeling stripped of moisture! Here is the full review if you’d like to read more.

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca or StyleVana

For combo-oily-acne prone skin: COSRX Low pH Cleanser

The cap gets messy but it’s a good affordable gentle cleanser, low pH, it contains tea tree leaf oil and Betaine Salicylate to help fight acne. I used to have a bunch of bumps on my forehead and used to use this all the time. It didn’t irritate my skin at all and I felt like it aided in my acne-fighting efforts. Just note that it is not supposed to be foamy. I’ve bought at least 3 of these in the past and still love it for summertime, see full review here.

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca (they only sell two packs on Amazon) or StyleVana, or select Hmarts and T&Ts

Sorry - another two serums, I can’t choose!

For sensitive or dry-combo skin: SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule

I promise this list isn’t sponsored by them but it SHOULD be!! Full review here.

This is the best ampoule (kind of like a thin serum) for sensitive skin. Made of 100% Centella Asiatica extract, this really helps to soothe irritated or dry skin. It’ll take a little bit to see results but wow, I pat in many layers of this at night and it always leave my skin glowwwing and feeling so nourished! If you already have great skin though this will not do much for you as it’s more of a soothing product.

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca or StyleVana

For combo-oily-acne prone skin: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

I wish COSRX would sponsor me too because I’ve bought at least 5 of these already. This works soo well for clogged pores or blackheads (this is a very gentle chemical exfoliant but if you’re trying acids for the first time you should only use this once a week or less to start). If you have sensitive skin definitely patch test this first. Full review here. Do not get the AHA and BHA mix if you are new to chemical exfoliants (I usually am not a fan of these exfoliant mixes because they can really cause sensitivities).

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca or StyleVana, or select Hmarts and T&Ts

A very gentle but intense moisturizer

Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream is really great for normal to dry skin types. DO NOT get this if you have oily or acne prone skin. It’s very basic, no frills, very emollient and gentle! No fragrance and no mineral oil either. This is the best basic moisturizer that pairs well with many different actives, serums or acid treatments if you’re layering those on before a moisturizer and it won’t interfere. This is great for our Canadian winters, and you can use it as a night cream (or day cream too but you have to wait for it to sink in before applying makeup). The texture is surprisingly very nice and not too thick for something that’s supposed to be ‘intense’ and marketed for dry skin!

I’ve tried The Ordinary NMF and hated the texture, Tatcha The Dewy Cream is super luxe and beautiful but has fragrance and will pill under makeup.

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca or StyleVana

Another gentle but light moisturizer

If you have sensitive, combo to oily skin, you might really like this one. It is very gentle, has no scent, and has a really nice gel-lotion-y texture that spreads on the skin really well. For the summer especially, I’m always looking for something moisturizing enough but still isn’t too much for my oily T zone area. This is literally the perfect moisturizer for almost all seasons except winter for me.

Specifically, the fluide formulation is the best (in my opinion). Because in the RICHE version there is Shea Butter which could be pore clogging, and I think in the regular cream version I read on the box at the store that there was dimethicone in that one which could also be a pore clogger (varying opinions about this online).

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca or I purchased mine from a local Shoppers Drug Mart

Last but not least, sunscreen!

SKIN1004 Centella Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50 (full review here)

If I could write songs, I would probably write one about my dog and then this sunscreen.

It’s normally very hard for me to find a good sunscreen but this is HG status. If they ever discontinued this I would actually cry because this is the best I’ve ever had =’). You haaave to try this if you have normal to dry skin.

This is so creamy, light, sinks in well, great under makeup, leaves the skin dewy but not sticky - literally looks like glass skin. I’ve had someone come up to me one day (when I had no makeup on too!) to tell me my skin looked amazing =’).

What else, oh it has no scent, and is reef safe if you use it during your travels. I’ve tried SO. MANY. drugstore ones from CeraVe, Aveeno, etc and also even the Biore and Canmake ones but this trumps them ALL by miles and miles.

Where to purchase: I couldn’t find this on Amazon, so here is the StyleVana link