The year is coming to a close so I love to look back and share what my favorite items were from beauty, fashion, accessories, etc. I will be sharing a few more blog posts with my more of my 2025 favorite but today’s post is focusing on the skincare items that really impressed me this year. These are the pieces I used the most and would continuously recommend over and over.
Best of Beauty 2025 Skincare
Cleansers
Experiment Plasma Wash (discount code: MAREE15)
As someone who LOVES a unique texture especially when it comes to cleansers, the Experiment Plasma Face Wash is favorite of mine. It’s technically a gel cream but has a jelly-like feel to it. It is chock full of super nourishing ingredients to really support those with mature dry skin types. This formula uses glycerin depositing compounds that delivers moisture that remains on the skin even after you rinse. It doesn’t leave a film but it makes the skin feel intensely nourished and supple much like a serum or moisturizer would do.
Then I Met You Cleansing Balm
A gorgeous creamy cleansing balm that will nourish your skin while also removing every last bit of makeup. It’s not quite as oily as the Elemis cleansing balm but still rich in essential fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants. It is oil-based so it’s best to apply on dry skin with dry hands. Massage all over the face until you’ve broken down all your makeup then add a bit of water to emulsify it. Don’t go right into removing it without letting the tiny bit of water (just damp hands is fine) continue to break down all your makeup. Once that is complete, rinse it off completely and your skin will feel hydrated, soft and supple.
Prequel Gleanser
This cleanser is formulated with 50% glycerin which is an incredible ingredient to help hydrate the skin. There is a reason it has become incredibly popular and gone viral many, many times. It helps to soften the skin, remove excess impurities and oil from the skin without ever stripping it.
Dieux Baptism Gentle Foaming Facial Gel Cleanser
This gel cleanser is an absolute moisturizing dream! One of the main ingredients is glycerin which is a powerhouse hydrator, while the gentle cleansing complex in the formula helps to remove impurities without stripping the skin.
Toners/Mists/Essences
Aestura Moisturizing Cream Mist
This Moisturizing Cream Mist is one of the creamiest mists I’ve ever tried. I have dry, mature skin so I am always looking for intensely nourishing products to add into my routine. Formulated with ceramides to support the skin barrier, this feels instantly comforting on the skin BUT it does leave a slight film. It doesn’t feel like a typical facial mist that absorbs instantly or dissipates a few seconds after spraying it. This leaves a creamy and nourishing finish that I absolutely love.
Bubble Cosmic Milky Toner
This milky toner is an amazing price point ($16 for 100ml) and feels AMAZING!!! It’s not as thick as the Rhode Glazing Milk but not as watery as the TirTir. As with most milky toners, this is full of ceramides which help to strengthen and support the skin barrier. In addition to ceramides, the Bubble Cosmic Milky Toner contains essential fatty acids to regulate the skin barrier, arnica to soothe the skin, a 4D hyaluronic acid blend to hydrate and maple sap water to protect the skin barrier.
Cocokind Calming Magnesium Facial Mist
While so many mists help with hydration only, the Calming Magnesium Facial Mist is best for calming stressed skin. The formula was designed for those with sensitive skin, reactive skin and acne-prone skin to help support the skin barrier.
Rhode Glazing Mist
My favorite milky toner made into a mist! This is one of the most versatile face mists because it works really well in a skincare routine but can also be used over makeup. It gives the slightest glow without looking too greasy. This will definitely be a repurchase.
YSE Beauty Your Favorite Ex Exfoliating Pads (discount code: MAREE15)
I love these resurfacing peel pads and use them three times a week to give me a nice chemical exfoliation. I’m pretty picky about my exfoliating pads not being too strong or too gentle and this manages to be the perfect balance. It’s formulated with glycolic acid which helps to slough off those dead skin cells but also contains gluconalacotone which has anti-inflammatory properties. Even though it resurfaces, my skin still feels nicely hydrated afterwards instead of tight or irritated. I also LOVE the shape of them because they are a dual-textured pad with a pocket that you can fit your fingers into and easily swipe across the face.
Biodance Collagen Gel Toner Pads
These toner pads are a very different texture than what I am used to but absolutely love the jelly-like feel to them. They instantly plump and hydrate my skin and you can also leave them on for a few minutes as a mini sheet mask treatment.
Eyes
YSE Beauty Overachiever Eye Masks (discount code: MAREE15)
I have tried more under eye masks that I care to count and NONE have stayed in place like these do. These do not move once you place them under the eyes! Most eye masks will slip down as I am wearing them. But these stay in place perfectly and really help to hydrate and smooth out the under-eye area. They are not wet or damp like other eye masks which helps them adhere to the under eye area perfectly. There is an instant cooling sensation when you put them on which I love. The masks are formulated with vitamin c, peptides and allantoin to help smooth fine lines and reduce puffiness. I’ve repurchased these more times than I can count and recommend them to everyone!
Educated Mess Grow a Pair Lash Serum (discount code: MAREE15)
I have not used a lash growth serum in yearssss because many of them contain prostaglandins which can cause different eye issues. One of the biggest issues is that it can slowly “eat away” (it’s the best way to describe it) at the fat around the lash line ultimately making the lashes appear longer but causing the eye area to look more hollow. Some irritated my eyes horribly too so I decided to stop using them all together. Educated Mess is one of my favorite skincare brands because their formulations are incredibly effective while also being very gentle. I’ve only been testing this lash serum for less than two weeks so I can’t speak to growth yet, but I can say I have NO irritation at all with formula. The founder of Educated Mess specifically wanted to create a lash serum without prostaglandins which is why I decided to give this a try.
Abib Collagen Eye Patches
These are under eye patches that DO NOT move. I have tried dozens of eye patches and almost all of them slip and slide around my face. These feel hydrating, soothing and stay in place until you remove them.
Serums
Educated Mess Golden Hour (discount code: MAREE15)
I personally use a vitamin c serum every morning in my skincare routine because it is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from various types of free radicals and environmental damage. The Golden Hour Vitamin C serum is especially great for those with sensitive skin or if you experience any irritation from using vitamin C serums. This serum is for those looking to brighten any discoloration on the skin and will overall give you a radiant glow.
Educated Mess Freeze Frame (discount code: MAREE15)
This peptide serum has been on my radar for the past year and was so excited to finally test it. This formula contains three advanced peptide complexes to deliver instant firming results as well as long term plumping and lifting benefits. It has a slight tingling/cooling effect when on but I love how FIRM it makes the skin. Wow! You can definitely feel the tightness a few minutes after applying it. For those who struggle with deep lines and wrinkles, this is a great option!
Experiment Beauty Super Saturated Serum (discount code: MAREE15)
If your skin is feeling dehydrated or lacking moisture, this hydrating serum will solve ALL your problems. It is a barrier support serum that helps strengthen and protect the skin barrier while also delivering intense hydration. The serum is formulated with 30% glycerin as well as a ton of other humectants. So it will also aid in helping your skin hold onto that moisture all day long.
Moisturizers
Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer
The Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer is a skin-restoring moisturizer designed to deeply nourish, provide barrier support and give an “ethereal glow” to the skin. It doesn’t focus on anti-aging concerns or other targeted treatments. It is truly the ultimate final step in taking care of your skin.
Experiment Beauty Molecular Mesh (discount code: MAREE15)
This is one of my all time favorite barrier strengthening moisturizer. I focus a lot on supporting the skin barrier because a balanced and strong skin barrier is one of the keys to healthy skin. A healthy skin barrier looks plump, balanced, fresh and always feels comfortable (not tight and irritated). If your barrier is damaged, none of your skincare products will deliver their intended results because your skin barrier isn’t functioning optimally. Using a rich or nourishing moisturizer is good. But it’s better to choose one that is designed and formulated to support the skin barrier.
Educated Mess Sake Bomb (discount code: MAREE15)
It’s not secret I love a rich, thick moisturizer for my dry skin. I find thinner creams and gels are not hydrating enough for the most part. That is not the case with the Sake Bomb moisturizer. It is like an instant drink of water for the skin while still feeling lightweight and comfortable. If you have dry skin, I think this will be a welcome change from rich heavy creams you may be used to. And if you have oily or combination skin, this is a must try! In addition to delivering intense hydration, Sake Bomb contains ingredients designed to help plump, firm and protect the skin barrier.
Sunscreens
Medik8 Advanced Day Ultimate Protect SPF 50+
The formula for this sunscreen is lightweight but intensely nourishing and leaves my skin dewy and fresh. If you have oily or combination skin, this may be a bit too emollient for you but those with dry or mature skin will LOVE it. It is also the perfect base to wear under makeup.
Versed Good Defense SPF 50
This was sent to me at the beginning of the summer but I was testing other things so I put it aside for when my current sunscreens ran out. I’m so mad that I didn’t try this immediately because it is GORGEOUS! It’s super affordable, thin yet still intensely nourishing and preps my skin beautifully for makeup.
Credo Beauty Solar Limits (discount code: 10MAREE)
I fell immediately in love with this sunscreen serum as soon as I first tried it. It’s very lightweight and absorbs instantly. It doesn’t feel greasy or oily yet still hydrates and moisturizes my skin.
Devices/Tools
Currentbody Multi-Light LED Mask (discount code: ALITTLEBITCB)
My LED mask is the main reason my skin currently looks its best at 46. I have a great skincare routine but using an LED mask daily for the past 2 years has done WONDERS for my skin. However the mask I had before only focused on anti-aging concerns but this newest mask has various light settings to target different issues. There is a setting for overall anti-aging, brightening the skin, calming the skin (reducing redness), reducing breakouts and a setting that does all of them together. I have been using this mask all month long and I LOVE that you can change up your focus based on your skin’s needs.
Skinny Confidential Mint Roller
I own manyyyy facial rollers and gua sha tools but rarely reach for them as much as I do this dual-ended roller. First off, the fact that it comes in a container to store after using is genius. It’s compact which makes it perfect for keeping on my counter without worrying it will take up too much space. Having two different types of rollers on one product is why I use it EVERY single morning. I use the smooth roller side all over the face to help soothe and depuff. Then I will use the other wavy side for sculpting the jawline and contouring my cheekbone.
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