Three Products That Truly Changed My Skin

This winter, my skin was feeling dry and dull, and nothing I did seemed to change that. So, I made an appointment with my dermatologist, who recommended three products that completely changed my skin…

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. The dermatologist said to put a few drops on my face every morning. The bottle is a splurge, so I figured I’d try it once to see how well it worked. And after a week, I was completely sold. The vitamin C serum lightens lines, reduces discoloration and REALLY brightens your complexion. This is also one of Dermstore’s very top sellers and gets 744 five-star reviews; I can understand why.

EltaMD moisturizer SPF 30+. I figured this was regular sunscreen, but as soon as I put it on in the morning, my skin instantly looked smoother and dewier. It evens out my skin tone like magic. This has become my desert-island beauty product, and I now wear it year round. It has really, really changed my skin. (This version is for acne-prone skin.)

SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture. Lastly, my dermatologist told me to apply this moisturizer at night, after washing my face with a gentle cleanser. The formula includes vitamin E, nutrient-rich algae and a blend of botanical extracts, and reduces the appearance of enlarged pores. It makes my skin feel soft and plump — even when I wake up the next morning.

Overall, my skin has felt such an enormous difference that even Alex keeps commenting on it. I now swear by these three magic products. :)

Anyway! Today, Dermstore is giving a $500 gift certificate to one lucky reader to choose a bunch of skincare, hair and beauty products. What would you choose? For a chance to win, please leave a comment below telling us your favorite Dermstore products, and a winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. (Other bestsellers include this Japanese cleanser and Sunday Riley treatment. I use this beautyblender every day. They also have a huge natural beauty section.) Good luck! And thank you, Dermstore!

Update: A winner has been chosen and notified. Thanks for playing!

(Top photo by Nicole Franzen for Cup of Jo.)

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Kellye

October 18, 2021 1:38 pm

Elta MD moisturizer with sunscreen. I have been wanting to give it a try.

Kate

February 22, 2019 12:54 pm

Jo, would you be comfortable sharing the name of your dermatologist?? I’ve been looking for a good one in or near Brooklyn for ages without success. I don’t want plastic surgery or Botox, just help figuring out what to do about my flaky, oily, acne-prone skin. :( Sounds like yours hits the nail on the head!

Lewis Johnson

January 29, 2019 12:45 pm

I love skin Ceuticals products.

Cecilia Loughlin

August 27, 2018 12:03 pm

Elta MD UV Clear! Has changed my skin and perfect for under makeup!

Laura

August 12, 2018 9:33 pm

I’m trying to switch to cleaner beauty products so thanks for that link. I love the Juice Green Apple Peel, it works wonders!

Christine Borghei

August 1, 2018 11:20 pm

Love the Sunday Riley Rapid Flash Brogtening Serum!!!

liza

August 1, 2018 6:33 pm

drunk elephant totally healed and saved my skin. it was a disaster before! i had previously struggled with irritated, red and break outs. i use the entire line.

Lindsay

July 31, 2018 9:16 pm

Good Genes treatment by Sunday Riley

Irene Jaw

July 31, 2018 8:57 pm

I am the biggest R+Co fan! Their products are such quality and also smell so nice!

Jenny

July 31, 2018 4:07 pm

I’ve been wanting to try more products in the IS clinical line as well as the Sunday Riley good genes!

Leah Fawcett

July 31, 2018 2:48 pm

I have seen a crazy difference in my skin with use of the *mentioned above* Good Genes treatment by Sunday Riley. Wow! Minor Results were immediate and major results developed over time. I have noticed a decrease in fine lines, and have lots of hyper pigmentation from the sun that is definitely fading. It even helped with clogged pores and acne. In addition to all this, my skin is now baby smooth to the touch, a brand new experience for me from terrible texture before. I can hardly believe it! Can’t wait to try skin ceuticals C E Ferrulic as my best friend has been using and swears by it for meslasma and overall change of her skin. Thank you to these brilliant chemists and scientists who bring us such products!

Kristen

July 31, 2018 2:30 pm

I love EltaMD and always order all my Elta products from dermstore. Those reward points add up quickly! My favorite EltaMD product is the AM therapy moisturizer. The Willow Bark (like a gentler form of salicylic acid) keeps my skin smooth and blemish-free. The tinted UV Daily is the perfect SPF for summer. In the winter I opt for the UV Clear. The niacinamide does wonders for my irritated winter skin!

Hannah Lee

July 31, 2018 11:14 am

Elta UV cream! Looks amazing!!

Alison Steeves

July 31, 2018 9:38 am

Sunday Riley!

Cassidy

July 31, 2018 1:51 am

I love hearing about new products on your blog! I am definitely eager to try the sunscreen–you can never have too much spf!

Sarah

July 30, 2018 11:22 pm

I’m in the market for a Vitamin C serum! I’ve heard great things about SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.

Liz

July 30, 2018 10:04 pm

Thanks for the recommendations! I haven’t yet found a daily moisturizer with SPF that I like — always on the lookout, so would try a few of those.

Kristin

July 30, 2018 9:23 pm

I love DHC Cleanser! I’ve been using it forever. I have sensitive skin and it doesn’t cause my face to breakout like other oil cleansers can.

July 30, 2018 8:21 pm

Would buy ALL of the Ulta sunscreen and gentle moisturizer…bottles and bottles of it. and gifts for husband and friends!

Mary

July 30, 2018 6:33 pm

I’d love to try the products you recommended as well as some of their products for redness.

julia

July 30, 2018 5:17 pm

anything by skinceutical – helps restore my aging skin

Christina C

July 30, 2018 4:41 pm

Your posts about the EltaMD moisturizer made me buy some and I’m hooked. I love that stuff and love that it pulls double duty. I’m curious about the Vitamin C serum. I use Sunday Riley Good Genes at night (love that stuff). I’m wondering if you can use the vitamin c serum for day and the good genes at night or if that would be overkill. At this point, I’ll take what I can and so will my 45 year old face.

Chaz

July 30, 2018 4:38 pm

Would love to try the skinceuticals daily moisturizer! Been using a Neutrogena moisturizer forever and I’m suddenly not loving it postpartum :/

Rachel

July 30, 2018 3:39 pm

Just ordered all three (!!!) and would love to afford them again. Ha.

Erin

July 30, 2018 3:36 pm

How exciting! I would stock up on vitamin C and SPF, and maybe the Sunday Riley Luna oil. Thanks!

Karen

July 30, 2018 3:29 pm

SKINCEUTICALS! I’d buy a serum for my mom, my sister and myself and we’d all have fun looking at our beautifully happy aging faces :)

Patti

July 30, 2018 3:06 pm

giving it a shot! have used the elta sun screen and it’s great. thank you!

Heather Stebbings

July 30, 2018 3:04 pm

I’m just about 40 and finally taking my skin seriously. Obviously, I am a late bloomer in this area – ha! – but am loving the new discoveries! While I don’t yet have a favorite product from Dermstore, I’d love to give them a try!

Tessa Stromdahl

July 30, 2018 2:55 pm

my SIL introduced me to the skinceuticals line – she LOVES the serum.

Rebecca

July 30, 2018 2:51 pm

A boatload of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream for me please!

Jenny

July 30, 2018 2:48 pm

Thanks for the recommendations! I love elta md!

Laura

July 30, 2018 1:58 pm

I started using #3 (I think because of a recommendation on this blog!) about six months ago when I was in a season of trying out new beauty products before my wedding. I usually end up reverting back to my drugstore basics (I hate spending tons of money on beauty products if I can’t tell a real difference), but that one is still in rotation and will continue to be! I also have very oily and acne-prone skin, so I’m really interested in trying out the EltaMD sunscreen.

Kim R.

July 30, 2018 1:54 pm

Love the Elta cleanser and Elta sunscreen. Would love to try the Skinceuticals serum!

Anna

July 30, 2018 12:02 pm

I love love love elta md spf 40 tinted. never irritates my skin, never clogs my pores, just does the job and feels lovely.

Lauren Zaffaroni

July 30, 2018 11:21 am

I love Dermstore and I always buy Dermalogica products on their site, particularly their line for sensitive skin which helps my rosacea immensely!

Louise

July 30, 2018 11:21 am

the CE has been my go to for years…..love it!

Liz

July 30, 2018 10:59 am

This is my dream giveaway! I would love to get my hands on some Good Genes and maybe a facial massager!!

Kate

July 30, 2018 10:56 am

Ooo I LOVE SkinCeuticals and have been wanting to try the Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier and their Eye Balm. Thanks Dermstore!

Kelsey M Murphy

July 30, 2018 10:47 am

these products looks amazing- I’d LOVE to try them and potentially get hooked like you have!

Maureen Kelly

July 30, 2018 8:48 am

Great giveaway, all their products look amazing! I would love to try the serum that has worked so well for so many.

Hannah

July 30, 2018 8:46 am

Would love to try Sunday Riley! Thank you!

Paola M. Albergate

July 30, 2018 8:41 am

I would love to try both the DermStore products mentioned! I have heard great things but just haven’t been able to make the splurge lately, winning would help me out so much! Thank you:)

Kathleen

July 30, 2018 7:05 am

The serum you posted sounds like a winner!

Jennifer O'Day Duran

July 30, 2018 6:44 am

I’d love to try the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, TNS Recovery Complex, and Elta MD’s 30 Spf Skin moisturizer!! Also, Good Genes Lactic Acid treatment (just learned about the brand from comments!) Fingers crossed!!

brigida sorice

July 30, 2018 3:22 am

I’m in love with all the Lavera products!

Jennifer Williams

July 30, 2018 12:28 am

SkinCueticals

Emily Travis Daily

July 29, 2018 11:59 pm

I’ve been dying to try Sunday Riley products! I also love that Dermstore has a bunch of the French brands I started using this year (Bioderma, Bmbryolisse, Klorane, La Roche Posay…)

Loren Clarke

July 29, 2018 10:10 pm

SkinCeuticals!

Melanie

July 29, 2018 8:45 pm

I love all the skinceuticals line!

Madeleine

July 29, 2018 6:51 pm

Skinceuticals Eye Balm would be at the top of my list. I don’t currently use anything specific on my eyes and it’s time to change that.

July 29, 2018 6:28 pm

Anything and everything!

hannah

July 29, 2018 4:50 pm

I’d love to get anything by eminence organics!

Jodie Dominguez

July 29, 2018 4:03 pm

I love the broad spectrum sunscreen! Use it every day!

Chelsey Hancock

July 29, 2018 3:50 pm

Wow!! So many amazing products with Dermstore!! I’ve been wanting to try that SkinCeuticals FE serum for so long, so I’d definitely start with that! And probably grab a second for my mom who I’m trying to get into skincare :)

Kim

July 29, 2018 1:49 pm

I’d love to try the Sunday Riley Good Genes.

Megan

July 29, 2018 12:58 pm

Those are the EXACT products my own dermatologist recently recommended to me! hahaha and I love them all too.

Anna

July 29, 2018 10:41 am

I’d try SkinCeuticals – a splurge!

Liana Jacquet Morrison

July 29, 2018 9:23 am

I exclusively use The Ordinary products. High quality derm products without the crazy price tag (vitamin C serum for less than $15 and free shipping for orders over $25)

Jessica R Dudley

July 29, 2018 7:18 am

I never have, but my skin care routine needs some work, so I’m interested!

Vienna Vance

July 29, 2018 1:53 am

Good Genes has been on my wish list for years!

Jesi

July 29, 2018 1:43 am

I love your recommendation of the Elta MD sunscreen/moisturizer combo! I wear sunscreen pretty religiously, but haven’t found one that I really love. This could be the ticket!

Malky Kleinman

July 29, 2018 12:42 am

I love using Embryolisse moisturizer and am curious to try their BB cream!

Anna

July 28, 2018 11:39 pm

I love Dr. Gross Alpha Beta Hydroxy peel pads!

Katie D.

July 28, 2018 9:54 pm

Elta MD sunscreen moisturizer!

Taryn Martin

July 28, 2018 8:43 pm

Thanks for hosting such an incredible giveaway. I would be over the moon to be able to try anything from Sunday Reilly, especially Good Genes.

Christina Rauska

July 28, 2018 8:00 pm

Anything skinceuticals???

Elska

July 28, 2018 7:41 pm

Sunday Riley Good Genes!

Stephanie

July 28, 2018 7:36 pm

I LOVE Elta MD UV Clear. I also have melasma from pregnancy and would love to use Lytera 2.0, which is supposed to be safe to clear up pigmentation when breastfeeding.

Sue

July 28, 2018 6:56 pm

I’ve been really wanting to try EltaMD products! What a great giveaway!

Oodie

July 28, 2018 6:55 pm

Anything by Tarte I love that brand!!!

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