I talk about fashion, food and travel on MSL quite a bit but I sometimes neglect to blog about make up and skin care. I happen to also also be an avid make up and skincare user and it is an important part of my daily routine.

Over the years, I have tried many products but in the last 5 years, I narrowed down my 5 favorite skincare products.

These are the skincare items that really work for keeping my skin glowing, soft, acne free (relatively) and protected from the sun. These products are skincare products by legitimate skincare brands (not just beauty brands) which also makes them even more verifiable.

So here are 5 of favorite skincare products.

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense

This is a tinted sunblock and it is, without a doubt, one of favorite and most used skincare products. I love that it doesn’t have the smell of sunblock (which isn’t a bad smell but the idea of smelling like sunblock when you aren’t at the beach or a pool is strange to me).

You probably already know how important it is to wear sunblock on a daily basis: it’s quite literally the number one way to protect your skin and keep it from aging.

So this is a great product to wear everyday and since it’s tinted you don’t have to wear make up as it will provide some color to your face.

Hydra Boost Face Cream by Blue Mercury

Blue Mercury is a skincare and beauty store that carries higher end products. It has its own collection of products called “m-61” and the products are top of the line. I use this as my daily moisturizer: the moisturizer’s smooth lightweight feel makes it a great base for make up.

Retinol

Retinol is a very strong product that is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines, spots, wrinkles and more.

I use it once a week on my forehead (where lines can form, you know, if you ever express any emotion!). It is extremely effective and concentrated, so you shouldn’t use it often. Also, you must use sunscreen after using this product — it makes the skin much more susceptible to burning.

Jet Glow Serum

I started using this serum a few years ago and it’s really great for reducing fine lines. You can use it everyday, before you moisturize and it helps to promote healthy skin.

PowerGlow Peel

Good god, if you have one off pimples that pop up — this is by far the best spot treatment out there! They come in individual towelettes (you can use them more than once but you have to put them in a plastic bag so they stay wet).

If you notice a pimple starting to form on your face (ugh the worst), the PowerGlow Peel towelettes will literally prevent the pimple from getting big and sometimes, will make them go away entirely by the next morning.

Since I started to use these over a year ago, I hardly deal with the lifespan of a pimple anymore: which as you know can last a week or more at times! If you have to get one item: get this!

Shop my 5 Favorite Skincare Products (and more):