My Favorite Skincare Products for Dry/Combo Skin Baddies

Some of you know this already, but when I originally started my blog back in 2020/2021, I wrote about skincare as one of my interests. My post about skincare actually came up in my interview with my now mentor and absolute powerhouse, Cat Quinn, Executive Director of Global Trend for MAC Cosmetics (!!). Once I got my fellowship at Vice, I did rotations in Refinery29 and my first rotation was with the Beauty team. While on that team, I got to try so many skincare products (I literally had a box of products that I could not even start using) and it was a great experience. I got to learn from lash techs, dermatologists, and my own experience using different cleansers, exfoliants, and way too many serums.

That said, I look back at that time and realize I was definitely feeding into overconsumption of products which serves as a lesson for my future purchases. TikTok can make us think we need this new moisturizer to give us “glass skin” (a myth I think really only happens when you have acne-free skin which is very hard to achieve) even when we haven’t finished the moisturizer we already have. With my list below, don’t feel you have to run out and buy these products. If you want to try them, go to Sephora and ask for a SAMPLE. WE LOVE SAMPLES IN THIS HOUSE BECAUSE THEY’RE WHAT?? FREE, honey. So if you are tempted to try any of these, do it at no cost to yourself.

Let me know if you have any personal favorites or if you’ve tried any of these products and what your thoughts on them are :)

Topicals “Like Butter”

I had this product in my skincare container for the longest and forgot about it until this winter. I have combination skin and in the winter I tend to get small dry patches on my cheeks. I decided to fish this bad boy out and give it a try. To my surprise, it effectively took away my dry patches and left my skin feeling smooth. Even my mom noted my glow. I like that it’s not too thick but still delivers effective moisture to my skin especially in New York City winter which will most definitely dry your skin out. You can use it as a mask and wipe it off after a few minutes or use it as a daily moisturizer. I’ve used this as part of my skin care prep before my Barrister’s makeup and my skin did not feel heavy, nor did my products pill on top of it. I highly recommend trying this product if you need some lightweight moisture in your routine, plus the Topicals marketing is on another level. Check out their Instagram because I haven’t seen another brand do it like they’ve done it (and shoutout to a Black woman owned company!).

Laneige “Cream Skin”Toner

This is one thing TikTok hyped for good reason. I saw someone review this product and decided to buy it at Sephora—that influencer to credit card purchase is a little too intense sometimes. I traditionally do not like toners because of how sticky they are (I know that’s the point to help absorb your products, but still) and they usually smell a little weird, so I was wary but wanted to see if I could get my skin to glow the same way I saw people’s skin online glow. This toner is a game changer. Hands down the best toner I’ve ever used and I will not forgive Lineage for changing the formula. When I went to Sephora to purchase mine, it was the last set of the old formula and shortly after, Laneige changed it. You know the original formula is good because even Laneige customers complained on the company’s Instagram about how the new formula does not live up to the original. I’ve tried both and I do think the original delivers more moisture, but the new formula is what we’re stuck with so it’s going to have to work. I apply this toner with a cotton pad and it gently takes off any dirt or dead skin cells on my face and leaves my skin feeling like I added a thin application of moisturizer. Applying this underneath a solid moisturizer is chef’s kiss.

Kiehl’s Ultra Face Moisturizer

“Ultra Face Moisturizer” says it all. When I was little and my mom bought this for the first time, I thought it was the epitome of luxury because it was so thick in texture. I’ve bought this a few times and while I think it does the job, some of the other products I’ve listed are more effective in delivering moisture AND glow to my skin. This is a tried and true one to have in you rotation.

Aquaphor

This is a night lip treatment AND a face slugging product especially in the winter. It’s hard to slug and keep the product on my face at night because I lay on my sides, but when I wake up in the morning, my skin is not dried out, it feels smooth and soft, and has a little glow. It serves as a protective layer on top of all your other skincare products and you can use it during the day time to combat the chill on a windy day.

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment

Ms Haley did something with this one. It’s thick but not too thick that it cements your lips. I have the Salted Caramel scent and it’s actually tempting to try it (lol). It has a grainy texture sometimes which other people online have complained about, but I use this religiously to keep my lips healed. Instead of the peeling skin I experienced when I use Vaseline or Aquaphor, this Peptide Lip Treatment heals my lips seamlessly, skipping over the slough of dead skin I usually have to peel off when using thicker options. Rhode also launched a phone case that holds your lip treatments and for a person who typically loses her chapstick, I think it’s such a genius move.

Biossance Squalene + Omega Repair Deep Hydration Moisturizer

During the pandemic, I found myself in Sephora and met a really sweet sales rep who introduced me to the mini starter kit from Biossance. I tried the squalene moisturizer from it and completely finished the container. It will cover your dry skin and keep you locked in without feeling heavy or greasy.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

Another winner for my ashy queens. This cream doesn’t leave a weird tacky film on my hands or skin like Eucerin does, so I appreciate it. You can’t go wrong with most CeraVe products so if you need a little body care, this cream is for you. Plus, the price tag is A LOT better than the Kiehl’s creme below.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps

Now, she is a pricey product and I understand if y’all roll your eyes at this one, but let me just say that if you buy the big moisturizer, it will last you for months. My godmom is the queen of luxury and she sent me and my sister this creme…I guess she sensed we were just sitting in New York ashy as hell (she was not wrong). I am chronically ashy because I’m lazy, but when I do decide to lotion my skin, this Kiehl’s creme (you know it’s expensive because it’s “creme” not “cream”) is a winner. It’s unscented and I guess this is my Black confession, but it does the job better than shea butter, fight me. I’ll stay moisturized all day when I use this, so whenever someone want to drop some cash on a refill for me, I’ll be forever grateful.