UPDATED FEB 2025

Bridal Makeup Artist Favourite Skin Care Products

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!

Disclaimer: I am not a dermatologist, this is just what I’ve found to work well for me and my bridal clients. Please always do your own research, and patch test just in case you have any particular sensitivities or allergies.

I’ve been purchasing lots of my kbeauty products on Esmea.ca because they have pretty fast shipping and often run sales. Or just Amazon.ca for one off items. But I also wrote a blog post on where you can find some of these asian beauty brands in Vancouver.

Now, let’s dive in! Keep reading to see my top SPF recc of all time, love love love!!

Best Makeup Remover Balm: Heimish All Clean Balm

Cleansing balms and cleansing oils tend to be much more gentle on the skin compared to wiping makeup off with cotton rounds and micellar waters. Makeup-removing wipes can also feel quite harsh. Cleansing balms gently melt away makeup as you massage it into your face and then emulsifies with a tiny bit of water. *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 pretty pricey for what it is, the DHC is too thick, the Kose Softymo is a little too thin. This has been the best for me - plus it smells light and fresh!

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca

Two cleanser options!

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 Esmea.ca for the mini (which will be a great size to try)

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 3 packs there) or Esmea.ca (currently on sale)

Two serums!

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 Esmea.ca

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: Esmea.ca

Amazing winter moisturizers

The Aestura AtoBarrier 365 Cream has been amazing for my dry skin this Canadian winter - but it’s a bit pricey and very hard to find (no authorized retailer on Amazon) and I don’t see it being sold in a lot of stores locally.
I’ve been trying the Dr Althea 147 Barrier Cream lately and it’s been really nice as well - it’s a bit lighter and smoother than the Aestura one and feels super soothing on the skin. Plus the packaging is quite cute!

Haven’t had a chance to take a photo of it yet but will update later.

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.

Once you try asian sunscreens, it’s very hard to go back to the greasy thick western stuff. 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.

It’s normally very hard for me to find a good sunscreen that doesn’t clog my pores but this is HG status. 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!

Where to purchase: Amazon.ca