The year will be over soon so Berryduchess.com will be releasing its 2016 favourites and let me start with my picks for skin care products.

Mario Badescu (MB) is a household name for me and including it on my list is not even a surprise since I’ve been raving about their products on my posts.  But luckily, I also found & tried items from other brands and they made my skin clearer.

(click the image to read my recent post)

Facial Wash / Cleansers

1. MARIO BADESCU ACNE FACIAL CLEANSER 

• I use this for my daily (morning) facial wash while

2. MARIO BADESCU GLYCOLIC FOAMING CLEANSER

• for my evening facial wash.

Budget Babe Alert!

Image courtesy of simple.co.uk

If you are on a budget and got sensitive skin, try SIMPLE’s Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel. It’s scent-free, foamy and a little goes a long way!

Facial Toners

1. SIMPLE SKIN MARIO BADESCU ACNE FACIAL CLEANSER (morning/daily toner)

Image courtesy of simple.co.uk

2. ALPHA-H LIQUID GOLD WITH GLYCOLIC ACID

Now this one, I tried it out of curiosity as I was also looking for something that is permanently available. I love the MB Glycolic Acid Toner but most of the time, it’s out of stock.

Then came Alpha-H. This is a skin care must-have!

Described as the best-selling “cult” skin resurfacing treatment, this product helps in getting rid of wrinkles, pigmentation and sun damage. It’s like having an “overnight facial” as it brightens and revitalises tired, ageing skin, and radically improve the appearance of the complexion.  And it really does!

This is a little strong so it is advised to use it every other evening. You’ll feel that it can sting a bit, but that will be gone after a few seconds.  You can leave it as is (for intensive treatment) or apply your moisturiser later. This will give you immediate results and I can see that my dark spots are almost gone.

3. MARIO BADESCU GLYCOLIC FOAMING CLEANSER

Facial Scrubs

1. MARIO BADESCU BOTANICAL EXFOLIATING SCRUB

I use this at twice a week or 3 times whenever I remember! It’s gentle and I love the smell. the 100 ml tube lasted me for more than half a year so despite the price (45 SGD) it’s  worth it.

Budget Babe Alert!

Image courtesy of simple.co.uk

After I finished my MB Exfoliating Scrub, I tried this and so far, it’s great! Again, it’s only half the price (of MB) but the result is good. The only thing that I don’t like with this is the smell that I don’t know how to describe.

Acne Treatment

The crown will still be with Mario Badescu! I can’t leave/travel without this set because just in case of breakouts, I have my 911 team for skin with me.

BUFFERING LOTION

This helps “normalise skin and help reduce the size of the blemishes.”  I apply this whenever I have pimples that are about to come out. It works well when used with the Drying Cream.

***shake the bottle before using and you will only use it every other night.

Buffering Lotion + Drying Cream + Buffering Lotion

DRYING LOTION

A clear solution and at the bottom of the bottle is a pink sediment. Avoid shaking the bottle because the solution and the pink sediment SHOULD NOT MIX.

To use this, dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment then apply it to the surface blemishes then let it dry overnight.

DRYING CREAM

This cream dries the pimple but it doesn’t leave a dark mark on your skin.

Moisturisers

FINALLY! My search is over! I found 2 moisturisers that work well on my combination skin!

1. CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURIZING GEL

Tried this on the first half of the year and I’m happy with it. I consumed 2 mini tubes within 6 months.

photo courtesy of google

2. SIMPLE KIND TO SKIN HYDRATING LIGHT MOISTURISER

After finishing my second tube of Clinique’s DDGL, I gave this a shot and I’m so satisfied that I will buy again. Though this is supposed to be a day moisturiser, I’m also using it at night. It’s light, scent-free and non-greasy so it’s okay to use it under your makeup.

Image courtesy of simple.co.uk

Masks

1. DR. JART+ CLEARING SOLUTION ULTRA-FINE MICROFIBER SHEET MASK 

This is a must-have in you emergency beauty kit. A bit pricey but definitely worth every penny! This will help calm your irritated skin and if you have an event to attend to, just use this and you’ll have a better skin in no time.

2. SEPHORA EYE & LIP MASKS 

You’ve seen this in my tutorial videos and yes, it’s part of my beauty/makeup ritual because there are days when I need to hide my eye bags. My favourites are Pearl & Pomegranate. For the lip mask, I prefer the Shea over Rose.

Facial Wipes

It will be another Simple Skin Care product and in my opinion, this is better than The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Wipes.

Facial Mists

The AVÈNE THERMAL SPRING WATER MIST gives a fresh feeling on the face while the MB ROSEWATER FACIAL SPRAY is for added moisture. I normally use it before applying makeup and primer.

Both can be used after using toner during the day if I am not wearing makeup.

My 2016 skin care lineup was dominated by Mario Badescu and SIMPLE Skin Care products which make it a good balance when it comes to price. I want to try new brands but I’m taking my time to switch because I’m too afraid to experience a bad breakout like before (see photo below). Despite good product reviews, there’s always that possibility that your skin might react to the ingredients, so there’s no absolute guarantee. But of course, if I find something new and works, then I will definitely recommend and blog about it!

So what are your favourite skin care products for 2016? Share them in the comments section and I can’t wait to read them!