5 Expert-Backed Skincare Products I Actually Use (and Reuse) for Low-Maintenance Beauty
Photo by Kelly Dawson
For the last few years, ever since it was possible to privately send Instagram messages to whoever you pleased, I’ve received questions that fall into one of three categories: freelancing, disability, and skincare. The first two are much more complicated than the last, and if I’m being honest, my usually clear skin can be attributed to genetics. “Do you see that? That can’t be a pimple, can it?” my dad asked me not too long ago, to give you an idea of the complexion pedestal we’re lucky to stand on.
And yet, around the same time I started to receive these skincare DMs, I began writing stories on beauty. This was funny to me, since before that I never paid much attention to my skin or makeup. I spent most of my twenties content with a drugstore cleanser and a bit of concealer, and was overwhelmed at the prospect of wandering through Sephora alone.
But the opportunity to write and edit stories on properly caring for skin presented itself, and I wanted to learn. So with each interview I did with beauty experts, dermatologists, influencers, and the like, I started to get more comfortable developing my own morning and night beauty rituals.
Now that I have my own stock of must-haves, these are the five skincare products I recommend for a low-maintenance, high-impact routine. When you use these picks, you won’t need much from the beauty department.
The Low-Maintenance Skin Cheat Sheet
| Product | Main Benefit | How Often I Use It | Why I Love It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biossance Squalane + Oil | Brighter, tighter complexion | Daily | One bottle lasts five months |
| Dieux Eye Serum | Smooths and depuffs | Morning and night | Safe for skin sensitivities |
| Kiehl’s Clay Mask | Clears impurities | Twice a week | 10 minutes is all you need |
| Trader Joe’s Retinol | Exfoliates and brightens | Nightly (with morning SPF) | A facialist-approved dupe for just $10 |
| Dr. Dennis Gross Steamer | At-home luxury facial hydration | Weekly | Splurgy, but saves on facials |
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
I see a visible difference when I use this squalane and vitamin C oil from Biossance versus when I don’t. My skin looks brighter, clearer, and even tighter when I let this melt into my skin post-toner, but that’s not even the best part. This bottle lasts five months — I kept track — so you can factor that into asking yourself whether it’s worth the splurge. (It is!) One small note I also want to share: Don’t ignore your lips during application and you’ll see an improvement there, too.
Dieux Smooth + Depuff Eye Serum
Finding an eye serum that lives up to its hype is tough, particularly if you have skin sensitivities like me. Dieux’s eye serum delivers, and I use this serum morning and night for a smooth and even texture. I also recommend getting the reusable eye patches to go with it, since it’ll bolster the effects sustainably.
Kiehl’s Rare Earth Clay Mask
Full disclosure: I often put this Kiehl’s rare earth face mask on before answering emails twice a week. I keep it there for 10 minutes, do as much as I can to empty out my correspondence, and then wash impurities away. Don’t you love double-tasking when it’s this easy?
Trader Joe’s Retinol Night Serum
Retinol is a word you’re bound to hear when the subject of skincare comes up, and there’s usually one detail attached to them: They’re almost always a splurge. But just because a skincare item is pricey doesn’t mean it’s necessarily worth the money, so about a year ago, I asked a facialist for his budget-friendly retinol recommendation. His pick of Trader Joe’s retinol night serum packs much of the same punch as more expensive alternatives for a brighter and smoother profile — but does so for $10. Just remember to wear sunscreen in the morning!
Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer
OK, hear me out. Before you say, “Kelly, you’ve gone and lost your mind if you think I’m spending that much money on one thing,” just know that this was in my cart for months before I finally went through with it. And in that time, I spent more on facials than if I had just stayed home and did them myself using this Dr. Dennis Gross facial steamer. It makes a random Tuesday night feel luxurious, and when you’re steaming while listening to music or a podcast in the comfort of your own home, you might just thank me. Hopefully. Probably.
Round Out Your Beauty Routine
To bring that "low-maintenance, high-impact" beauty philosophy full circle, a simple routine pairs perfectly with these everyday beauty essentials:
My Go-To Concealer: When you have great skin, you don’t need to wear much makeup. If I want to look more pulled together but all I have planned is a grocery run, then a swipe of Tower 28 concealer under my eyes is usually all I need for the day.
My Morning-and-Night Ritual: I usually do a few minutes of gua sha on my face after my morning and night skincare routines, which is my small-yet-mighty defense against gravity I accomplish from my couch. In the mornings, I’ll gua sha after a cup of coffee. And at night, it’s what I’m up to as my tea cools.
My Usual Perfume: I like to keep things simple when it comes to my perfume, and I think it’s much more fun to have a signature scent than a collection. Diptyque Do Son is the scent I’ve loved for years.
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