These are the products even celebrities sometimes have to go on waitlists to get
I can say from personal experience there is no self-hatred quite so poignant as what you feel after you spend money you didn’t have on a skincare product that doesn’t work. You feel like ashamed, like a chump, and more helpless than ever, leaving many women feeling like it’s all marketing nonsense and nothing works. Most of it is.
There are a few products however that actually do what they say they will do. The prices vary, though none of them are cheap (none of them are anywhere near the most expensive products in their categories either), but try one, and you’ll be willing to rob a bank to get your hands on more.
If you use these products, even just a couple of them, your skin will change dramatically for the better. I can make that promise with no hesitation. So women and men who are into skincare, these are items you won’t be sorry you purchased.
In the order in which they should be used:
1 — Biologique Recherche P50 Skin Resurfacing Toner, or P50, as it’s known to aestheticians.
If you’re curious, Biologique Recherche is the favorite brand of the wealthy European set.
What it is: a toner that resurfaces your skin like microdermabrasion every time you use it. If you’ve ever taken paint off a piece of furniture with liquid sandpaper, you get the concept
Why does it work: your skin cells are constantly being scrubbed away and replaced with shiny, clean, new ones once or twice daily, depending on how often you use it. If your skin gets irritated, decrease use to a few times a week.
Where to get it: technically it’s only supposed to be sold in salons that carry their products, but it’s available on several websites. I found it on joannaczech.com
2 — SkinCeuticals Vitamin C and E Ferulic Treatment
For the record, Jenna Bush called this the best Vitamin C treatment she ever used.
What it is: a Vitamin C and E treatment that brightens the skin. It should be used first thing in the morning.
Why does it work: Vitamin C isn’t just good for your insides. Its lightly acidic enzymes gobble up hyperpigmentation like Pacman
Where to get it: Their website and a few other beauty sites. Skinceuticals.com
3 — Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Dr. Sturm is facialist to the stars, with a devoted following in Hollywood among both men and women.
What it is: Serum containing hyaluronic acid to intensely moisturize
Why does it work: Hyaluronic acid may be the most moisturizing substance on the planet. It literally sucks water out of the atmosphere, attracting it to your skin like a magnet, which your skin absorbs instantly
Where to get it: A variety of beauty sites, but her own, drsturm.com is your best bet
4 — Dr. Augustinus Bader’s The Rich Cream
This is the product that singularly made the most difference in my skin. For me, it makes 3 months’ worth of botox last a year.
What it is: a skin cream that repairs skin as it moisturizes
Why it works: it contains something called TFC8®. I don’t what that is, but it includes ingredients that have been used on burn victims
Where to get it: various beauty sites, but you can’t beat augustinusbader.com because you get points for every purchase. Instead of silly gifts no one wants, they add up to real money off your next purchase.
5 — Erno Laszlo’s Phormula 3-D Repair Balm
In the 30’s through the 70’s, Erno Laszlo was Hollywood’s choice for skincare. This cream was specifically created for Marilyn Monroe to fade a scar on her face.
What it is: a Vaseline-consistency moisturizer for the terminally dry, distressed, irritated, and red.
Why it works: You’ll know if you need this product or not. If your skin is painful or irritated due to dehydration, you need it. Super moisturizers and rare oils feel like pure comfort to sore skin.
Where to get it: ernolaszlo.com
If you’re ready to try something new and are prepared to cut into the Starbucks budget to make it possible, try one of these highly-coveted products that deliver on their promises.
