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Over the past few years, I’ve curated an extensive and effective hair and skin routine for my day-to-day. Through this process, I’ve found some all-time staples in my collection that absolutely should be a part of your routine as well. These are my top 10 products to leave your hair and skin glowing and healthy! For reference, I am a 19-year-old female with straight, oily-type hair and dry skin with minimal acne.
No. 1: Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
Starting off my list with a rather basic, yet special product to me which is the infamous Glow Recipe watermelon toner. This toner contains PHAs and BHAs, giving you a gentle exfoliation and a moisture boost to the skin. It also claims to shrink pores and I can attest to that. Since adding this to my routine in April 2023, I have noticed a significant difference in my skin. The persistent blackheads around my nose have shrunk down to be indistinguishable from the rest of my skin. Coming from a gal with both large pores and dry skin, this toner was a perfect addition to my daily routine and I’m on my second bottle!
Warning: This product has a strong fragrance. Personally, this has never caused me issues but those with more sensitive skin may be prone to breakouts due to that. But on the flip side, it smells very nice!
Price: $35.00/5.07 ounces
No. 2: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
This is the ultimate all-body toner. The Ordinary glycolic acid toner is a multi-purpose skincare tool. This can be applied to the face to minimize breakouts and smooth out the skin. It can also be applied under the armpits to alleviate odor, on legs to reduce ingrown hair and razor bumps and even to a woman’s intimate areas to further alleviate ingrown hairs and discomfort. I’ve used this toner for all of the above and I can attest to its fantastic results. I tend to use it more for the all-over body experience, and I’ve noticed so much less discomfort from shaving and little to no body odor since adding this to my routine. To use this, I place it on either a cotton ball or round, and rub it onto these areas after a shower. Be careful when applying directly after shaving, as it may cause a slight burn, but is entirely worth it for the amazing results. Overall I’d highly recommend everyone try it as it’s inexpensive and extremely effective.
Price: $13.00/240 ml
No. 3: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Everyone says it, and I’m here to agree, that this product is the secret to glass skin. As Korean skincare is on the rise, this product has stood out to me the most and lives up to the hype. I apply this product after my toner, a necessary first step as this product works best on damp skin. I allow it to seep in before continuing with my skincare routine and this has had amazing results. My skin has been so hydrated and glowy since incorporating this into my routine, and I can see a difference when I don’t use it. This is a fantastic product that deserves all the recognition it’s gotten.
Price: $17-25/3.38 ounces
No. 4: The Ordinary Lash and Brow Serum
This product, out of all the ones on my list, is probably the most crucial. I’ve always been on the search for an effective brow serum, as a ginger with little to no eyebrow growth. And let me tell you, this product is the one to beat. I’ve noticed such a difference in my eyebrows since using this product, and more importantly, I’ve been told by my peers that there is a big difference. Everyone around me jokes that they can “finally see my eyebrows” and although we joke, this is the truth! No longer do my brows disappear in photos and they still hold nice shape with the growth I’ve experienced. Overall I’d recommend this to anyone looking to grow fuller-looking brows, and if that doesn’t sell you, I’m already on my third tube.
Price: $14.90/0.16 ounces
No. 5: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid/Marine Hyaluronic Serum
These serums are an ultimate staple in any dry skin gals routine, and I can happily say I can attest to that! These serums perform relatively the same, adding hydration to the skin. I’ve clumped them together because I’d say to buy one or the other, but whichever you choose, you won’t regret it. The Marine Hyaluronic serum is thinner and almost like placing water on your face, while the hyaluronic acid is thicker. They both add moisture to the skin, especially when coupled with a moisture-boosting moisturizer. If you’ve got dry skin, or even just want an extra hydration boost, these are the products to go with!
Prices: $9.20-$9.90 depending on which you purchase
No. 6: Good Molecules Daily Brightening Serum
Good Molecules is a staple line for my whole family, and they’ve saved both my mom’s and my skin over the years. My mom was diagnosed a few years back with a fragrance allergy and since then, we’ve been on the hunt to find her good products that are fragrance-free, and discovering Good Molecules saved the day. Their products are fragrance-free, inexpensive and extremely effective. This product specifically has given both our skin such a glow and adds necessary vitamins to the skin that leave you looking plump and glowy. This would also be a great product for anyone with sensitive skin due to its simple ingredients and fragrance-free solution.
Price: $8/1 ounces
No. 7: Mario Badescu Mint Lip Balm
This product is perhaps the single most underrated product on my list, and it’s an all-time favorite of mine. I’ve gone through over four tubes and continue to buy them every time I run out. This lip balm is minty fresh and extremely hydrating. The packaging is sleek and perfect for a clean girly and the price point makes it all the more appealing. Save your money on expensive balms and try out this one next! You can also find these at TJMaxx sometimes at a further discounted price.
Price: $8/0.35 ounces
No. 8: The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Serum
This serum is my ride or die pre-wash hair serum. As a naturally oily scalped gal, I’ve been searching for the perfect hair products to clear my scalp since middle school. And about a year ago I found my solution, the Inkey List hair serum. This product comes in a squeeze bottle that you shake and apply to the scalp about 10 minutes before your shower. The salicylic acid in the treatment pulls the gunk off your hair and clarifies your scalp without burning or hurting you. It is very easy to use and rinses out easily with shampoo. It’s designed for oily scalps, so if that doesn’t apply to you I wouldn’t recommend it, but for any oily haired girls, this will be your new best friend. I am on my fourth bottle now and I don’t think I’ll ever stop using this miracle product.
Price: $16.00/150 ml
No. 9: The Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Split End Mender
The Eva NYC therapy hair line is one of the most effective and inexpensive hair care lines I’ve found throughout my hair care journey. Specifically my most recent favorite has been the split end mender. Throughout the past year, I have been on a hair growth and hair care kick, and have thus been searching for products that aid this process. As my hair grew longer, I noticed more and more split ends, however, I have a fear of hairdressers cutting off too much hair. This led me to search for anything to help my split ends without having to make a big chop. And I found it in this product. I apply this on hair wash days before my hair dries, along with my leave-in conditioner, and it works wonders. This product has repaired many split ends of mine over the past month and I plan on continuing my use of it as I grow my hair longer.
Price: $16.00/4 ounces
No. 10: SunBum 3-in-1 Leave in Conditioner
This is the coconut heaven of leave-in-conditioners. The scent is to die for, the hydration is unmatched and the price point is fantastic. I received this product through Her Campus and can honestly say that when I run out, I’ll be sprinting for a restock. This smells so heavenly and gives off such a tropical feel that leaves me longing for summer all year long. You won’t regret trying!
Price: $16.99/4 ounces