What’s Actually in My Top Shelf Right Now

If you had asked me a few years ago what was on my top shelf, it would’ve been a chaotic mix of half-used products and impulse buys that didn’t always get along. These days, it’s more like a curated group chat — everyone has a purpose, and the drama is minimal.

I wouldn’t call it a perfect routine (does that even exist?), but it’s the one I’ve built based on what my skin actually asks for. Some are longtime favorites, like the KraveBeauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser, which basically gets the MVP award every time I travel. Others are new additions still proving themselves — and a few are there simply because they make me feel good using them.

Let’s talk about what’s earned a front-row spot.

Why I’m Sharing My Current Lineup

Skincare shelves can feel like rotating doors — products come and go, and the hype never really stops. But lately, I’ve found myself sticking to a core few. The kind of products I reach for without overthinking. They may not all be perfect, but they’ve earned their keep — and that says something.

So instead of sharing a polished “shelfie,” here’s a real breakdown of what’s actually in use, what still surprises me, and what I’m quietly side-eyeing for replacement.

The Shift Toward Skin-First

This isn’t a ten-step routine. I used to chase every trend (glass skin? dewy dumpling? been there), but now I care more about consistency than clever marketing. These days, if a product doesn’t make my skin feel better within a week or two, it’s benched.

What’s changed? Honestly, less makeup. I’m more interested in how my skin feels at 7 AM than how it photographs under foundation at noon.

Products I Keep Coming Back To

You know the ones. You try something new, but you still come back to that moisturizer or that cleanser like it’s muscle memory. For me, KraveBeauty’s Matcha Hemp Cleanser is that constant — it’s gentle, non-drying, and never makes my skin freak out, even in that weird post-travel climate shock zone.

There’s something comforting about having a few pieces that don’t need convincing. Let’s get into them.

The Morning Essentials

My AM routine has one job: make me feel awake and like I have my life (somewhat) together. It’s not about glow for the ‘gram — it’s about keeping my skin calm, hydrated, and makeup-optional by 9 a.m.

These are the things I’ve been reaching for without fail. No fluff, just products that play well with my skin — and with each other.

Cleanser I Don’t Regret Using at 7 AM

I’ve already mentioned it, but KraveBeauty’s Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser really is that good. It’s soft, low-foam, and never leaves that tight, “I just used hotel soap” feeling. Bonus: it doesn’t smell like anything, which is surprisingly rare (and welcome) at that hour.

The Vitamin C That Doesn’t Pill Under SPF

Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum isn’t a traditional vitamin C, but it’s what I’ve been using for that morning brightness. It sinks in quickly, plays nice with everything on top, and gives me that “maybe I slept eight hours” kind of skin. I’ve tried fancier ones, but they either left a weird film or messed with my SPF. This one behaves.

Moisturizer That Actually Works Under Makeup

The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA is what I use when I want zero drama. It’s not the fanciest, but it gets the job done — especially under tinted sunscreen. No pilling, no grease, and it doesn’t vanish by noon. I’ve strayed, but I keep crawling back to this one because it just… works.

The Nighttime Staples

Evenings are where I do most of the repair work — or at least try to. Some nights I commit to the full routine. Other nights? Let’s just say I’m grateful for products that pull double-duty. My skin leans dry and easily annoyed, so I’ve learned to listen when it’s asking for less.

These are the things I keep in rotation once the day winds down — no 12-step rituals, just what’s actually helping me reset.

My Retinol That Doesn’t Burn

I’m not trying to peel like a snake. The Inkey List’s Retinol has been a slow-and-steady favorite. It’s gentle enough for my fussy skin but still does that magic where I wake up looking a little more even and slightly more alive. No flaking. No regret.

A Face Oil That Doesn’t Just Sit There

Face oils can be tricky — too heavy and I feel like a glazed donut, too light and what’s the point? Pai Skincare’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil hits the sweet spot. It absorbs well, adds a bit of bounce, and calms any redness I’ve collected throughout the day. I don’t use it every night, but when I do, I remember why I like it.

My Lazy Night Secret

On nights when I can’t be bothered? Summer Fridays’ Jet Lag Mask does the most with the least effort. I’ll slap on a thick layer, skip the rest, and still wake up looking like I tried. Hydrating, creamy, and doesn’t clog anything. A little luxury that doesn’t judge your energy level.

Masks, Treatments, and “I-Hope-This-Works” Moments

This is the category where I get a little more curious — and a little more cautious. These aren’t everyday products, but they’re the ones I reach for when my skin needs backup. Some are tried-and-true. Others… are still in the “maybe” pile.

Let’s talk about the extras — the ones that promise a lot and (sometimes) deliver.

My Go-To for Breakouts

Hero Cosmetics’ Rescue Balm has saved me from picking more times than I’d like to admit. It’s technically a post-blemish treatment, but I use it the second a spot starts fading. It helps calm the aftermath, especially those red patches that linger longer than the actual breakout. Bonus: it layers well under makeup if you’re impatient like me.

Hydrating Mask That Isn’t Just Fancy Lotion

Laneige’s Water Sleeping Mask has been around for ages — and I get why. It’s cooling, plumping, and feels like a glass of water for your face. I use it after flights, late nights, or anytime my skin feels tight and cranky. Not sticky, not overly scented, just reliable.

The One I’m Still Testing

I’ll be honest — I wanted to love Glow Recipe’s Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum right away. It’s cute, smells like nothing, and claims to help with sensitivity. But I’m three uses in and still waiting for a wow moment. It hasn’t irritated me, which is a win, but I’m giving it another week before I decide if it’s a repurchase or a pass.

The Little Extras That Make It Feel Like a Ritual

These aren’t your heavy-hitter serums or actives — they’re the pieces that turn skincare from something I have to do into something I actually want to do. They might not deliver visible results overnight, but they add a little joy, and that’s reason enough for me.

Sometimes, it’s not about the before-and-after. It’s about how it makes you feel while you’re standing in your bathroom with a messy bun and one sock on.

A Fancy Spritz I Didn’t Know I Needed

Caudalie’s Beauty Elixir is one of those things I used to eye suspiciously — do we really need face mists? Turns out, sometimes we do. This one feels refreshing without leaving a film, and I swear it gives me the tiniest glow when my skin’s looking flat. Do I need it? No. Do I love reaching for it mid-routine or midday? Absolutely.

Tools I Actually Use

I’ve owned jade rollers, gua sha stones, and that one sculpting bar everyone was talking about last year. But the only thing I consistently use is the ReFa Carat Ray. It’s cooling, oddly relaxing, and I like how it depuffs my face in the morning — even if it’s just temporary. Plus, it looks chic on the counter, which weirdly motivates me to actually use it.

My Most Underrated Step

Lip masks, hand creams, brow serums — these are the side characters that hold it all together. The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in vanilla lives on my nightstand and has unofficially become my nighttime non-negotiable. Also, a tiny tube of Lano Hands has been tucked into every one of my handbags this season. Dry cuticles, cracked knuckles? Not on my watch.

Would I Restock These? 

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for indulging my bathroom monologue. Skincare is personal, and what works for me might not work for everyone — but I always appreciate hearing what’s actually in use, not just what looks pretty on a shelf.

So here’s the breakdown: what’s earned its spot, what’s on its last leg (emotionally, not literally), and what I’ve learned while working through this mix.

The Ones I’d Repurchase in a Heartbeat

Let’s be real — if KraveBeauty’s Matcha Cleanser ever got discontinued, I’d probably bulk order out of mild panic. Same for The Ordinary’s moisturizer and Hero Cosmetics’ Rescue Balm. These are the things I don’t overthink. They just work, and my skin stays happier for it.

Ones I Might Swap Out Soon

Glow Recipe’s Avocado Serum is still on trial, but it’s dangerously close to being politely shelved. It’s not bad — it just hasn’t earned its keep. And while I like the Caudalie mist, I don’t know if I love it enough to replace it when it runs out. Sometimes it’s the ritual I crave more than the product.

What This Routine Is Teaching Me

Good skin days aren’t about having everything — they’re about having the right few things. I’ve learned to pay more attention to texture (on my face and in formulas), and to listen when my skin says “please not today.” Fewer steps, better products, and a little grace — that’s the top shelf energy I’m trying to keep.

Style is personal, but good taste speaks loud.