At the moment I’m writing this, there are nearly 20,000 members in the private “Beauty Questions Answered by Mixed Makeup” Facebook group, and it’s growing by hundreds every single day. And while we chat about every imaginable beauty topic — seriously, someone had to talk me out of getting Steven Tyler’s highlights the other day — it seems there’s an especially prominent motivating factor that brings people to this incredible community: skincare product recommendations.
Countless first posts from new members take the form of requests for guidance on purchasing certain types of products, whether that’s a cleanser for sensitive skin, a retinol formula without an intense adjustment period, or a sunscreen that fits even the pickiest standards. And without fail, fellow members are more than happy to chime in with their favorites.
Needless to say, with tens of thousands of members come just as many opinions. But some products just keep popping up in the comments — a testament to how much of a difference they make in skincare lovers’ lives. Below are those very products — the ones that get recommended most (and most enthusiastically) by our Facebook community.
Group members love this Clinique classic as the first step in a double cleanse. The fragrance-free formula transforms stubborn makeup into an easily removed, melty goo thanks to a combination of non-drying, vegan ingredients.
Step two in that double cleanse, for a lot of group members, comes care of YTTP. Basically a green juice for your face, the Superfood Cleanser is gentle on skin, yet full of powerful antioxidants to boost its defenses. It gives your skin a good cleanse without unwanted “icky” ingredients.
The “96” in this hugely popular essence’s name stands for the concentration of snail mucin in it — a whopping 96 percent. Fans swear by its ability to brighten and hydrate skin post-cleanse.
Beta-hydroxy acid, known as salicylic acid, is the gold-standard exfoliant for congested pores — but this isn’t just any salicylic acid product. It’s the best-selling product in the entire Paula’s Choice catalog, clearly thanks in part to our Facebook group members’ undying love for it.
The group seems to love a percentage in a product name, and this Sunday Riley serum is a strong example. Vitamin C is an undisputed skin-brightener — it’s in there as the especially stable form known as tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate — and it gets extra skin-perfecting support from ingredients like glycolic acid.
Our Facebook group is pretty much obsessed with retinol, so the frequent mention of this particular retexturizing cream is the highest of honors. Then again, the group is pretty much obsessed with all things Drunk Elephant, too, so it’s really no surprise that so many members can’t get enough of their one-percent retinol formula.
It’s not just the single-digit price tag that group members love so much about this serum. For those who want a head start on hydrating before applying moisturizer, the cross-linked form of hyaluronic acid in this formula seriously delivers. And it sure doesn’t hurt that it gets some additional hydration support from vitamin B5 and glycerin.
One of the main reasons this cream has such a strong fanbase is because it’s one of those rare moisturizers that safely relieves dry skin on both the body and face. Got a little left over on your hands after slathering it on your legs? Share it with your cheeks. They’ll thank you when the formula’s ceramides help fortify your skin’s barrier.
Another must-have for both face and body, this balm isn’t necessarily a daily-use product. Instead, its panthenol, shea butter, and glycerin formula are ideal for those skin “emergencies” like when you need to spot-treat excessive dryness, soothe a scrape, or smooth chapped lips.
If you tell our group members that you don’t use sunscreen, they will hunt you down and apply it for you. But you may be surprised to learn that their favorite isn’t technically considered a sunscreen in the US because it doesn’t contain the traditional filters recognized by the FDA. However, this K-beauty fluid is identical to the brand’s Beet The Sun SPF 50+ PA++++ formula sold in Korea.
Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream ($20)
Unlike so many night creams, Acure’s vegan formula is delightfully light — but it’s not light on hardworking ingredients. The moisturizing mixture hugs skin with the protective and rejuvenating benefits of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and a long list of plant-derived peptides.
What’s your all-time favorite skincare product? Tell us in the comments!