Beauty-Editor Empties Are Rare, But Multiple Refills Are Unheard Of—9 Skincare Picks I've Finished 3+ Times
My curated cult favorites.
As someone who introduces a brand-new skincare gem to her routine every single week (oftentimes more than one, I must admit), I rarely—like, never—polish off products. My bathroom counter is stacked with enough soon-to-be-launched stalwarts to rival the aisles of Sephora, so when I do commit to a formula until I reach the final pump, you can safely assume it's good—really good. And when I restock said formula again and again, using it until the last drop every single time? It's not just good; it's pretty freaking spectacular.
That said, these A+ items are rather rare—certainly more rare than the occasional beauty-editor empty. After almost a decade in the industry, I only have nine products I consider to be immediate, non-negotiable restocks, ones I hold so dear that I'm genuinely bummed when I'm finally down to the dregs. Here, explore the current list of cult favorites I've flown through not once, not twice, but three (or more!) times.
A quick snapshot.
Shop My 9 Highly Coveted Repeat Skincare Products
Fun fact: I ran out of this ultra-hydrating face cream four days before my wedding, and I dropped everything to sprint to the Cos Bar in my neighborhood and pick up a new bottle. I never want to be without the silky, skin-soothing formula, and I certainly wasn't risking anything before such a big (and highly photographed) milestone. I use it twice a day, as it's deeply moisturizing enough to leave me dewy all night long yet has a lightweight consistency that never clogs my pores. It's arguably my favorite moisturizer ever, and I refuse to shut up about it!
Another product I panic-restocked before getting hitched, celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden's slow-release retinol is Goldilocks. It's gentle enough to prevent irritation and flaking (the "retinol uglies," as some call it) yet clinically shown to keep skin smooth and taut. I shuffle through way too many actives every week to stick to Tretinoin (the ultra-potent prescription version of retinol), but I want my OTC retinoid to actually procure results. Darden's is one of the best consumer options I've tried.
If you're newer to the retinol game, I can't recommend Mother Science's Retinol Synergist enough. (Neither can my fellow beauty editors, as it won a coveted spot in our WWW 100 Beauty Awards last year!) I absolutely flew through multiple bottles before committing to Darden's serum above, though I'm inclined to restock it once again during the dry winter season. Combined with a powerful antioxidant called malassezin, it bolsters the effects of retinol while simultaneously strengthening the skin barrier and preventing irritation—a godsend for these brutally frigid months.
I've tried more hyaluronic acid serums than I can count at this point, but I've consistently come back to this HPPY Skin formula over the past year. It's a relatively new launch compared to classic HA stalwarts, but the additional berry-derived nutrients make it such a winner in my book. You essentially get two serums in one: a skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and a brightening, antioxidant-rich confection.
It's a classic for a reason! I've tested numerous buzzy, high-end body washes over the years (some so luxuriously scented that they double as perfume), but Dove's fragrance-free, skin-coddling formula will always remain a shower staple. It's a nostalgic buy for me (it's the only body wash my mom had in the house growing up), but the hypoallergenic, creamy cleanser definitely still hits; it never fails to make me feel velvety-soft from head to toe.
If you know me, then you know how much I adore Dr. Diamond's Instafacial Plasma serum. I use it every single night without fail, and I've gone through three bottles and counting. A good friend actually just texted me asking if the skin-repairing serum is worth the $200 price tag (she was weighing her options while it was on sale during the holidays), to which I responded with an immediate "Absolutely!" I'd even go as far as to say that it's my secret weapon for glowing, glass skin.
I'm currently on my fourth bottle of celebrity aesthetician Sofie Pavitt's mandelic acid serum. I use it every single morning (retinol at night!), as the AHA sloughs dead skin and prevents clogged pores without wreaking havoc on my moisture barrier. Using gentler exfoliators at a more frequent cadence has completely changed my skin for the better, and I'll always credit Pavitt for the glow!
A daily sunscreen that also soothes redness and evens skin tone? Sign me up again and again. The brand has a range of skin-loving sunscreens with various benefits (from smoothing fine lines to fading dark spots to minimizing clogged pores), but the calming version with its luxurious texture has to be my all-time favorite—so much so that I let out an audible "No!" once I ran out of my first bottle.
Elemis might be best known for its Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm (which is also top-notch, I should add), but I firmly believe its gentle enzyme cleanser is not to be missed. Its tri-enzyme technology exfoliates dead skin from the surface, leaving behind an immediate glow, while the white truffle and babassu oil ensure the confection stays creamy and hydrating. I use it year-round, even though it's technically an exfoliating gel cleanser (which typically runs the risk of stripping your skin's precious oils in the winter). I'm on my third bottle, and my skin has never looked so smooth!
