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Here’s a list of product recommendations based on the science I’ve described in The Lab Muffin Guide to Basic Skincare.

Remember: your skin is individual so you may respond to these products differently, so make sure you keep your skin type and conditions in mind (refer to the specific considerations for each product type), and introduce products slowly and keep track of how your skin is doing (as detailed in Chapter 2).

Cleansers

Foaming Cleansers

CERAVE | Foaming Facial Cleanser: Hydrating gel cleanser that contains ceramides. It’s better suited to normal and oily skin as it can be too stripping for some.
ROUND LAB | 1025 Dokdo Cleanser: Gentle cleanser that leaves skin hydrated. Fragrance-free.
HEIMISH | All Clean Green Foam: Gentle slightly acidic foaming cleanser.

Cream Cleansers

AVÈNE | Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanse: Gentle cream cleanser that is suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Can be used as a no-rinse cleanser as well.
LA ROCHE-POSAY | Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser: Gentle hydrating cream cleanser that’s suitable for dry, sensitive skin. Fragrance-free.
CERAVE | Hydrating Facial Cleanser: Gentle non-foaming fragrance-free cleanser that works well for dry skin.
QV Face | Gentle Cleanser: Oil-rich, fragrance-free cleanser that keeps skin moisturised during washing. It’s particularly good for dry and dehydrated skin. The QV line also has gentle fragrance-free body cleansers in huge pump bottles.

Self-Foaming Cleansers

ETUDE HOUSE | Soonjung pH 6.5 Whip Cleanser: Gentle but effective fragrance-free cleanser with soothing ingredients.
IUNIK | Centella Bubble Cleansing Foam: Another gentle but effective cleanser.
Nivea Cleansing Mousse/Foam: Glycerin-rich self-foaming cleanser that’s fantastic for keeping skin hydrated. Lightly scented.

Micellar Waters

BIODERMA | Sensibio H2O Micellar Water: The most famous micellar water. Good for removing make-up. Many people like using this for removing eye make-up but I personally haven’t had much luck with it.
GARNIER | SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water & Makeup Remover: Inexpensive micellar water.

Cleansing Oils

SKIN1004 | Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil: Lightweight cleansing oil that can be used for removing eye makeup as well, has an essential oil fragrance.
KOSE | Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil: Slightly heavier fragrance-free cleansing oil.
SHU UEMURA | Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil: Lightly scented line of cleansing oils based on mineral and corn oils that come in handy pump bottles. Suitable for removing eye make-up.

Cleansing Balms

BANILA CO | Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm – Original: Gentle cleansing balm based on mineral oil with a light scent.
CLINIQUE | Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm:Based on ethylhexyl palmitate and safflower seed oil, fragrance-free.
FARMACY | Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm: Gentle cleansing balm based on cetyl ethylhexanoate and caprylic/capric triglyceride, with small amounts of botanicals.

Make-up Removers

Missha The Style | Green Tea Lip & Eye Makeup Remover: Two-phase make-up remover that’s fantastic for quickly removing eye make-up without leaving an oily film. Lightly scented.
ILLIYOON | Fresh Moisture Lip & Eye Remover: Effective two-phase makeup remover.
BIODERMA | Sensibio H2o Eye Bi-Phase Makeup Remover: Two-phase makeup remover with patented technology to keep the phases mixed for longer.
THE FACE SHOP | Rice Water Bright Lip & Eye Makeup Remover : Low-priced two-phase make-up remover with light scent, leaves minimal residue.
SHOP BEAUTY | Garnier Skin Naturals 2-In-1 Eye Make-Up Remover: An inexpensive two-phase make-up remover. Fragrance-free.

Wipes

NEUTROGENA | Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes: Budget-friendly cleansing wipes that remove make-up without too much effort and leave your skin feeling reasonably hydrated.
BURT’S BEES | – Facial Cleansing Towelettes : Lightly scented wipes made of biodegradable cotton.

Sunscreens

Moisturisers

THE ORDINARY | Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA : Heavier moisturiser that works great for dry skin or harsh weather. Fragrance-free.
CERAVE | Skin Renewing Night Cream : Fragrance-free heavy moisturiser that is excellent at smoothing and softening dry skin. Includes ceramides and niacinamide.
KIEHL’S | Ultra Facial Cream : Jar-packaged cream with both humectants and oils for treating dry and dehydrated skin.
FIRST AID BEAUTY | Ultra Repair Firming Collagen Cream : A moisturiser that absorbs quickly and is fantastic for dry skin. Contains ceramides and oatmeal.
Cold-Pressed or CO2 Extracted Rosehip Oil: This was the first ever plant oil I tried. It has small amounts of vitamin A in it and is linoleic acid-rich, so it’s very good for oily, acne-prone skin.
Squalane: Squalane is the oxidation-proof version of squalene. It’s a light-textured oil that sinks into skin easily and is suitable for sensitive skin.
NEUTROGENA | Hydro Boost Water Gel : Very hydrating, silicone-based moisturiser that comes in jar packaging. Moderate scent.
LA ROCHE-POSAY | Toleriane Dermallegro Ultra Soothing Repair Face Moisturizer: Fragrance-free moisturisers that are very suitable for sensitive skin. Very humectant-rich.
VASELINE | Original Pure Petroleum Jelly : Pure petrolatum jelly. Works great as a night-time moisturiser for dehydrated or dry skin, or as an overnight mask on top of other products. Very safe for sensitive skin.
AQUAPHOR | Touch-Free Healing Ointment : Petroleum jelly, diluted with some other ingredients that make it spread better. Includes lanolin, which makes it less safe for sensitive skin than Vaseline.
KLAIRS | Supple Preparation Toner – Unscented : Humectant-rich toner, great for layering if you have dehydrated skin.

Get more information on The Lab Muffin Guide to Basic Skincare here.

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