Taking care of my skin and embracing natural beauty are two things I’ve been committed to since forever. Growing up with a Mom who used La Prairie and La Mer among other luxury brands, I was influenced from a young age to invest in high-end beauty products rather than follow trends. I’ve watched my Mom age gracefully and beautifully over the last two decades, so I feel blessed to follow her in her footsteps. This blog post is dedicated to her.
Growing up in a world where there are SO many products to choose from, my go-to products in this post come from years of research and application, combining not only my Mom’s favorites which have become my personal favorites too, but giving you my evaluation on the trendier brands offered in the market. When it comes to skincare, I don’t put a price tag to it. What you wear makes a statement about who you are, and skincare and beauty, in my opinion, should be treated with the same philosophy. Overall, I believe there is nothing better than having clear, fresh skin that gives you a healthy glow. You deserve the best products to nourish your skin and feel confidently beautiful!
The three factors I use to evaluate in my go-to favorites include: quality, consistency, and effectiveness.
My go-to makeup removing cleansers:
La Mer The Cleansing Oil
Pros: I only use this cleanser at the end of the day. I will use about 1-2 pumps (depending on how much makeup is on my face) and massage all over my face, eye area, and neck for two minutes then slowly add water to get the makeup off my face. Then, I continue to massage for about a minute then rinse with lukewarm water. My face feels naturally refreshed and smooth after using this product to remove my makeup. Not to mention, the the makeup removing cleanser looks like mermaid oil. La Mer packaging is always beautiful!
Cons: Unfortunately, this is one of those products I can’t bring with me when I travel. La Mer needs to consider making a half-sized bottle with a cap to secure the bottle dispenser for travel. Once you start using the product, there is a pump which cannot be retracted.
Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy
Pros: A dry cleansing balm that comes with a little plastic spatula so you don’t have to dig your hands into the container. The smell is very subtle and it dissolves with warm water. For the price point, this product is worth every cent. As an added plus, it is free of toxic chemicals.
Cons: Depending on your skin sensitivities, some do not like the ingredient Polyethylene in their skin products. This cleansing balm has it, so if your skin is super sensitive, this product might not be for you.
La Mer The Cleansing Micellar Water
Pros: Great product if you prefer to use a cotton pad to clean off your makeup. Quality is top notch and super hydrating, so I definitely recommend the La Mer cleansing micellar water.
Cons: Recommended for those who wear light to medium makeup. I will not use this for heavy makeup days, and will turn to a balm or cleansing oil instead.
Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Pros: This cleansing balm melts into your skin to dissolve, then washes away, film free. Love how Clinique makes a smaller version for travel. It’s effective and non-irritating.
Cons: I love it for travel, but it’s not my everyday makeup cleanser.
My go-to face cleansers:
La Mer The Cleansing Lotion
Pros: I love this gentle cleanser in the AM, which leaves my skin very soft and velvety. Very light and thorough with a milky texture that is both soothing and hydrating. I use the La Mer cleansing lotion for any season, and it’s definitely one of my skincare staples.
Cons: I rarely use this for night time as I wear makeup during the day.
Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser
Pros: My skin feels nourished and refreshed after using this gel cleanser from Caudalie. A great alternative if the La Mer Cleansing Gel is too pricey for you.
Cons: Personally, I don’t like the packaging on this product. Be extra careful squeezing out product from the tube, because I always feel like I use more than I need.
La Mer The Cleansing Foam
Pros: Even though the price tag on this product is quite high, a little goes a long way, so it ends up being worth it since the large tube can last me almost an entire year. My skin feels moisturized and cleansed after using it. I’m already on my third tube of La Mer’s cleaning foam, so obviously it’s one of my favorites!
Cons: I really don’t have any complaints about this product. It’s effective, it’s nourishing, and my skin feels very balanced after using it. Only thing I would say is that it is not very travel friendly unless you get the smaller tube, but that one is almost too small for a longer trip.
La Mer The Cleansing Gel
Pros: I have been using this as my daily cleanser for years now, a little goes a long way! I only use 1 pump of it and it is enough for me as I can work it more to get the foam out. The scent is fresh and I have repurchased too many times to count. Use this product with a facial brush for better results!! I like to use La Mer’s cleansing gel while alternating between the La Mer foaming cleanser for best results to remove all unwanted oils on the skin, leaving your skin soft, clean, and balanced!
Cons: Definitely a pricier product, but I justify the price based on the fact that I can’t live without it! Anyways, one bottle can usually last me at least three-quarters of the year.
Now that you’ve read about my favorite skincare products for combination / dry skin when it comes to CLEANSING the skin, I encourage you to try the ones that make sense for you. If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a message. Otherwise, leave me a comment for any feedback or suggestions for potential blog posts.
And if none of the above resonated with you, here are a few other CLEANSING products I totally recommend!
Thanks for reading beautiful people! You are one step away from achieving beautiful skin that glows from the inside out.
Stay tuned for a continuation blog on My Favorite Toning & Moisturizing Skincare Products!
![Holistic lifestyle, quality, and natural beauty are three things that come to my mind when I think of Tammy Fender pure, natural, and organic skincare collection. For over two decades, Tammy has been making her own custom-blended formulas in her kitchen, using only the most potent and pure botanical ingredients.
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Up on the blog [link in bio], you’ll find my @kalonqueens interview feature with Tammy herself, who has been dubbed THE holistic skin guru among beauty editors and celebrities - from @gwynethpaltrow to @juliannemoore // This is her advice to women who want to become entrepreneurs or run their own businesses: “There’s no rush to the end. You’re living your passion, and going slowly is for the good of everyone involved. When you are living your dream, you can enjoy the process. Go slowly.”
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Someday, I hope to make my way to Tammy’s West Palm Beach spa to experience some soulful care. Like Tammy, I believe it is SO important to stay true to our roots and values.](https://katiemelanielam.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
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