Editors Share Their Very First Skin-Care Product — And What They Use Now

April 08, 2019

Although we *cringe* at thinking of all the ways we used to practice self-care (cue plastic bead exfoliators and Lip Smacker rituals), every skin-care devotee has to start somewhere. And to celebrate skin-care rookies everywhere, we asked our editors to share the first memorable skin-care product in their collections as well as the products they use now in their place. Needless to say, we’ve come a long way.

Dawn, Senior Editorial Director

Then: Seabreeze Toner

Now: Skinceuticals Conditioning Toner

As a pre-teen, I loved the super tingly feeling of a serious toner. It left my skin squeaky clean but also a little dry and tight. Well, toners have come a long way, and one of my current faves is the conditioning toner from Skinceuticals. It’s loaded with exfoliating acids plus some hydrating ingredients. It leaves my skin feeling soft and plump — not squeaky — which is all I want these days.

Lindsey, Content Director

Then: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Now: Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing and Brightening Soft Cream

The only beauty products I vividly recall my mom using when I was growing up are Pond’s Cold Cream and Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. To this day, I don’t understand the cold cream thing. I’ll take an oil-based makeup remover any day, but I spent decades following in her yellow face lotion footsteps. As I’ve gotten older, though, my skin has becoming increasingly more dry, causing me to up my facial hydration game. Out has gone the lightweight, feels-like-air Clinique and in has come a series of richer creams. Currently, I’ve been slathering my skin in the Lancôme Absolue Revitalizing and Brightening Soft Cream. It transforms from a from a thick hydrating cream, to a thin serum-like lotion, to a thick layer plumping skin with moisture all day. Even though it’s made with rose extracts, the scent is fresh and not old-lady-ish in the least.

Alanna, Associate Editor

Then: Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker

Now: Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask

I will also never forget slathering my lips in the cherry-cola Dr. Pepper version nearly every single day of fifth grade. I’m not sure if I was addicted to this stuff because it actually made my lips feel more hydrated, or if I was sugar-high off of the smell, but either way, it was my total go-to lip balm in my elementary school years. Now, I’ve finally put that soda-scented lip-care regimen to rest and traded it in for a grown up version: the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. This hydrating mask makes you feel like your lips are bathing in moisture, and I use it constantly, even if there’s no chapped skin in sight. Even better, the berry scent is totally crave-worthy, so even though it will never fill the void in my heart for my beloved Lip Smackers Dr. Pepper, it comes pretty damn close.

Tembe, Associate Editor

Then: St. Ives Apricot Scrub

Now: Urban Skin RX Lactic Glow MicroPolish Gentle Cleansing Gel

Back in the day, anyone who cared even a *little* about skin care was using St. Ives Apricot Scrub — so obviously, that included me. I used it fervently and aggressively rubbed it into my skin throughout college. These days, I’ve shifted to chemical exfoliation, and prefer to let acids do the exfoliation work for me. My product of choice is the Urban Skin RX Lactic Glow MicroPolish Gentle Cleansing Gel which contains citric, malic and lactic acid to gently exfoliate, alongside jojoba beads to reveal glowy skin.

Jessica, Assistant Editor

Then: Neutrogena Oil-Free Sensitive-Skin Moisturizer

Now: Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer

I vividly remember taking a drive to the local CVS with my mom to pick up my go-to skin-care product in middle school: Neutrogena's Oil-Free Sensitive-Skin Moisturizer. I used the lightweight formula both morning and night and stuck with it for years because the non-comedogenic formula didn't irritate my skin (or cause breakouts, which were my main concern at the time). This was back when I thought SPF was just for the beach, by the way. Now, I never leave the house without SPF and use a separate moisturizer for morning and night (because night creams are magical). The Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer is one of my go-to products for day because the lightweight cream absorbs easily into my skin and wears well under makeup. Unlike most products containing SPF, the moisturizer isn't the least bit greasy and feels like I'm wearing nothing at all. With the added bonus of SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection in the formula, I get the best of both worlds: hydration and defense against skin-damage.

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