the necessities

This is the cleansing oil that won my bracket series- it's so insanely cheap (like $6!!) and outperformed several higher end cleansing oils. It gets EVERYTHING off. I just find the oil can be a bit messy compared to makeup rewined, but it's so affordable. Also sometimes I shave my legs w this and leave the shower soooo smooth.

This is my favorite cleanser since I have dry skin- it doesn't foam up and leaves skin feeling so nourished. It's like a creamy luxurious cleanser. I don't find that it fully gets makeup off like the Inkey List one, but it's more nourishing to skin. I use this after a cleansing oil.

This is a good vitamin C for those who *do not* have sensitive skin. It's similar to CE Ferulic but $160 cheaper, but the pH is lower so it could lead to irritation and tingling. If you're good with that, it's a great option. I'd use in the morning after toners/essences and before moisturizer.

Another good vit c option for those who do not have sensitive skin (it can be a bit spicy) this compared to timeless will be more stable (no water to degrade the vitamin c) but it has a silicone primer-ish gel texture. It'll feel really smooth/blurring when you apply, some people like it, some do not. I love it. Just heads up. It'll feel kinda like the smashbox primers if you've ever used those. I'd use right before moisturizers.

A good cheap option for vitamin C for those with sensitive skin- it's a fully oil-based product though so if you don't like applying oils, you might not like it. It's using a stabilized derivative of Vitamin C that is gentler for sensitive skin and highly effective for brightening benefits.

Another great sensitive skin option for vitamin C- using the same vitamin c derivative in the ordinary 20% tetraisopaamitate product- but this one has 15% and has more of a creamy lotion texture. It also has turmeric and chebula for additional brightening benefits. Love it.

the literal holy grail product that EVERYONE needs- with 30% glycerin for intense water-based hydration and barrier repair properties, it also has soothing ingredients and antioxidants. Even those with oily skin can benefit from this without worrying about it clogging pores or anything. I use this as my last serum before moisturizers. It's a little sticky but you won't regret it. It soaks in within like 30 mins.

This is a great liquid exfoliant to help address texture, hyperpigmentation, fine lines/wrinkles, etc. I use in the mornings after toners/essences and before other serums- use 3-4x a week to ensure skin can tolerate it, but you can theoretically use this every day if it's not causing irritation. Use SPF diligently tho bc AHAs increase sensitivity to sun.

10% glycolic and lactic acid to promote exfoliation and help w fine lines/wrinkles, radiance, texture.. also has a mushroom ingredient to reduce appearance of pores- thin creamy lotion texture. Would use after other serums before moisturizers and maybe start with 3-4x a week until you know if your skin can tolerate it. I tend to use AHAs in the morning, you could do either morning or night. Be diligent with sunscreen as AHAs can increase sensitivity to the sun.

5% lactic acid for exfoliation, hydration, helps with fine lines/wrinkles/texture/hyperpigmentation. Gentler than other exfoliants in this shelf as it's 5%. I'd use after serums and before moisturizer. Can be used morning or evening, I tend to use AHAs in the morning. Be diligent with sunscreen as AHAs increase sensitivity to sun.

Same encapsulated copper peptides in this one that are in Stratia interface, but this one also incorporates several other firming peptides. I tend to ignore most of the other peptides though since they struggle to get across skin's barrier. the encapsulated copper peptides are phenomenal though. I like this product, I'd prob go w Stratia though unless you prefer the watery serum texture of this one (which some do and that's fine!) Use after cleansing before moisturizers.

peptides can be tricky to get across skin's barrier but I love the encapsulated delivery system of copper peptides in this one. It's a nice light moisturizer texture and I use it after serums. Same copper peptides in Medik8 but less expensive (but medik8 is a watery serum texture if you prefer that)

Love this retinal serum, it's what I've been using lately, I have sensitive skin and haven't found that it's irritating. If new to retinal, try their a game 5 which has 0.05% retinal. Great for fine lines/wrinkles, firming benefits, and texture. Use at night after other serums and before moisturizers.

Another great option for 0.1% retinal- similar to the one from G&G, richer texture, doesn't cause irritation for me- has additional actives for energetic reboot in aging skin. Use at night after serums/before moisturizers. If new to retinal, they also have a 0.05%

LOVE this retinal for sensitive skin- I can't use G&G or Naturium around my eyes, but this one doesn't cause any irritation. Definitely worth the extra $ if you're someone with super sensitive skin. Use at night before moisturizers and after serums.

Stronger than the other retinals on this shelf with 0.15% encapsulated retinal- I don't find this to be irritating because of the ceramides and soothing complexes, but maybe start with one of the 0.1% (or 0.05%) retinal products on this shelf if you're new to retinal. use at night after serums and before moisturizers.

Skin changes a lot with menopause and this contains phytoestrogens specifically to help recovers some of the firmness and hydration in aging skin- Can help with soothing properties as well, since skin may become more sensitive during menopause. Use in the mornings with other serums/before moisturizer. Could also use at night.

It's expensive but it has so many great active complexes for dryness and redness, which tend to become more prevalent with menopause. It also has some firming complexes specifically tested on women going through menopause. Love it, use morning & night after serums & treatments.

OBSESSED w this toner mist, has soothing microbiome- rebalancing mushroom extracts and a peptide complex that can help calm skin's response to aggressors. Sensitive skin becomes less sensitive and the peptide can help with discomfort/redness/stinging/etc. I use this right after cleansing or as the first step in my morning routine.

This one is slightly thicker/more creamy than the Cocokind serum, but it's another lightweight product that can be great for dry/flaky skin as it can help restore skin's lipid barrier. Super nourishing. Use after water-based serums and before moisturizer, can be used twice a day

This is sooo good to add over moisturizer at night as the last step in your routine- has some great occlusive ingredients and barrier-restoring soothing compounds for those w dry sensitive skin, but it's light enough to not feel like a heavy mask on skin. So good.

This is a great balm to use at night as the last step in your routine to seal in moisture and help repair barrier. it's thicker and more "vaseline-y" in texture than buffer jelly, I don't recommend for those w oily skin, but I find that it helps more with dry, flaky patches than buffer jelly does. So good.