Best skin care + hair care discoveries of 2021

Usually I love my scented bougie cleansers but there's something about the simplicity of this Inkey List one that just stands out. Maybe it's the gentle gel texture, maybe it's the short but effective ingredient list, or maybe it's just that this cleanser works as claims and is well priced. An excellent affordable cleanser that rivals Cerave!

→ $9.99 for 150ml on Sephora and Inkey List

Most cleansing balms come in jars that don't always include a spatula, so a tube packaging not only makes it easier but more hygienic to dispense. Love the soft balm texture that instantly melts into a silky oil and how gentle it feels on the skin. Rinses cleanly, doesn't leave the skin dry, and doubles as a wonderful in-shower mask thanks to all its nourishing ingredients!

→ $28 for 104ml on Sephora, Nordstrom, CultBeauty

I was blown away by how hydrating this toner (or is it an essence?) was without being sticky. There's some viscosity to the texture but no heaviness, and my skin was left plump and juicy with this in my routine!

→ $43 for 150ml on Peach & Lily, a 40ml mini is also available for $15; $36 on Jolse

I've become obsessed with milky toners since discovering the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner in 2019, and this Aromatica one is just as good, if not better. If you love pink, moisturizing but light layers, and/or rose scents, this toner is a must-try. It's also a great cruelty-free option to the Laneige one!

→ $35.70 for 200ml at StyleKorean, $41 at Yesstyle

My favorite AHA exfoliating essence to date! It uses lactic acid so it's gentler than glycolic acid, plus it features squalane and other nourishing botanical oils to minimize irritations, which means softer + smoother skin sans redness. Whenever I'm experiencing some texture around my cheeks I apply this for a few night hello baby smooth skin again!

→ $54 for 200ml on Sephora, Kiehl's

I've always been impressed by YTTP's products but they hit a home run with this gentle AHA/BHA/PHA exfoliant! This doesn't quite smooth your skin like the Kiehl's, but I love it on my t-zones to help keep my pores clear. It also feels lightweight, like water, which is an improvement from the popular Paula's Choice BHA Liquid. Overall a wonderful all-around exfoliant that's gentle for beginners!

→ $38 for 118ml on Sephora, CultBeauty

My top retinol pick for beginners! It's affordable and gentle, thanks to the retinoid used: granactive retinoid, which has the benefits of tretinoin without the irritations! Seasoned retinol users may find this too gentle, but I also find it an excellent option to alternate with your stronger products.

→ $9.99 for 30ml on Sephora, CultBeauty, FeelUnique, Inkey List Official Site

For me retinol products have always been quite utilitarian and not exactly joyful to use, until I met this Maelove serum. Not only does it have a beautiful texture, but the faint citrus scent really elevates my entire evening routine. Efficacy wise it uses retinal, which is more potent than retinol but still gentler than tretinoin.

→ $36.95 for 30ml on Maelove, non US readers can use a service like myUS

107 might be my 2021 brand of the year, and of all the products I've tried from them, their Everyday Plump Hydro Cream is hands down my favorite. It's a lush cream with a hint of gel texture that's deeply moisturizing without being heavy or oily. The results are similar to my favorite Lancome Absolue Soft Cream at a fraction of the price!

→ $48 for 50ml on 107 Beauty, Beauty Box Korea

Affordable, effective, and elegant are 3 words I'd use to describe this all-purpose moisturizer. Not only is it a lovely body lotion during the winter, but it's also great for the face year round if you're looking for barrier support. If you're not a fan of the Cerave cream texture (which is much thicker in comparison), this is an excellent alternative!

→ $14 for 200ml on StyleKorean; $24 on YesStyle

Filorga is a brand I discovered last year and boy this mask lives up to its hype. Usually I prefer sheet masks for their moisturizing + brightening properties but you can get similar results with this, or better yet, triple your results by using this together with a sheet mask! This is now my pick-me-up when my skin is feeling dull and blah.

→ $59 for 50ml on Skinstore (code JENNY for 25% off), LookFantastic

While my go-to deep cleaning mask for my t-zone will always be the Kiehl's Rare Earth Mask, this YTTP is an excellent option when I want to do a full-face deep cleanse. It's non-drying, rare for clay masks, and it features BHA for a bit of chemical exfoliation as well. Skin feels soft and refreshed after using this!

→ $36 for 60ml on Sephora, CultBeauty

The most elegant sunscreen I've tried and one that will work for all skin types and tones thanks to its invisible satin finish. It also makes a great working-from-home sunscreen with proven SPF30 and PA++++, because UVA rays can still pass through glass windows! Did I mention it's super affordable too?

→ $9 to $11 for 50ml on Stylevana, Yesstyle, Amazon, and Beauty Box Korea

The BEST sunscreen I've tried last year (and I've tried a few), and one of my top 5 sunscreens for sure. It has everything you can ask for: elegant texture, tested SPF50+ and PA++++, no white cast, and no pilling. This has a dewier finish than the Innisfree but nothing too shiny, and it's still affordable!

→ $9-$10 for 50ml on Yesstyle, Stylevana

While I did like their personalized shampoo and conditioner, the star product for me is definitely their one-size-fits-all shampoo bar! It foams nicely, offers light exfoliation, and deep cleans without stripping your strands. Plus I love the waste-free aspect! I use this weekly and there's still a lot of product left!

→ $25 for 3.8oz on Gemmist