6 Women Told Us The 3 Beauty Products They’d Repurchase Immediately If They Lost Their Makeup Bag
by The Candidly Team
Fine. The 6 women are us. Yes, there are only 6 of us behind the scenes.
We have biweekly meetings as a whole group and we discuss business things, numbers, loose ends, but often the conversation devolves into sharing whatever new/amazing/magical product we’ve discovered. And 9 times out of 10, that product is related to making our skin look not-old.
Recently, we realized one particular brand kept coming up for many of us, again and again:
Furtuna Skin.
We have gushed about their life-altering product that erased our chest wrinkles HERE, crowed about this one product that literally changed our managing editor’s entire relationship to moisturizers HERE, and when they launched a new lip balm and lip scrub, we snapped them up in what can only be described as a frenzy. After a few weeks, we were so astonished by its hydration, all 6 of us became hooked. And so we were inspired to make a list of our true desert island products—the ones we’d buy in a heartbeat if our carry-on was lost, because we can’t really go one day without them.
From ages 28 to 52, here are the must-have daily products in our lives that we can’t live without.
Audie, Editor-in-Chief
Age/Skin Type: 47 with combination skin, texture, pores, and a neck that’s “starting to go” per my mother
Goals: Pore tightening, wrinkle-banishing, smoothing, brightening
WHAT: Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil
I’ve written about this a lot, but it’s only because I physically cannot believe how much it’s reduced my vertical chest lines, which were making me very sad. I also use it in lieu of moisturizer in the summer and as a last step in my skincare in the fall and winter. If they made this in a milk gallon size, I would buy it.
And you can use the code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off!
Price: Starting at $125
WHAT: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
This is one of those products I tried a couple times and then forgot about (which I am guilty of doing with so many products) but actually at Sam’s urging (our social media manager) I stuck with them, every other night, for a full month. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a speedy change in my skin. Tighter pores, brighter overall, unbelievably soft skin in the morning. They take 2 minutes to use at night—easy peezy. I just recently realized that because I’m combination, I can’t slather a thick cream on my skin at night. Instead I need resurfacing. If you get oily around 3pm and have some texture, age spots, and dullness, try these at night. Miracle.
Price: $92
WHAT: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30
My working theory is that most of us look older when we wear foundation. It’s just too thick, and it REVEALS our wrinks and crinks instead of concealing them. This SPF goes on like literal glass - just watch your skin plump up as you apply it. A mere bonus that it’s actually SPF.
Price: $14
Danna, CEO
Age/Skin Type: 52 with dry skin
Goals: Major hydration, fine lines, and wrinkles and texture
WHAT: True Botanicals Phyto-Retinol Sleep Serum
I’ve tried other retinol serums, but this one is my definite favorite. It’s light and doesn’t
make my skin dry. I use it 5x week, and I saw results within the first week: less
pigmentation, fewer lines, and firmer texture. I’m hooked.
Pssst, you can use the code THECANDIDLY18 for 18% off.
Price: $90
WHAT: Furtuna Skin Triple Olive Lip Polish
I use this every time I shower. My lip products go on more smoothly, the little lines around my lips are softened, and my lips aren’t as dry. It’s a newish product, but I’m never without it now. I travel a lot, and it’s a must in my toiletry bag now.
Use code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off
Price: $45
WHAT: Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Eye Serum
This eye serum really hydrates and helps reduce the look of fine lines around my eyes. I actually notice a difference if I stop using it. I especially love it because it isn’t a heavy cream, so it’s easy to use both night and day, and it’s gorgeous under makeup.
Price: $71
Carolyn, Managing Editor
Age/Skin Type: 41 with combination skin, prone to pimples as well as desert levels of dryness
Goals: Improving my skin’s texture and elasticity and minimizing pores without breaking out
WHAT: Furtuna Skin Rinascita Delle Olive Replenishing Balm
There are times of the year where no moisturizer feels replenishing enough to turn my skin from dry and raddled to dewy and bright, especially since I hit 40. This product feels like it locks and seals pure hydration into my skin, and it leaves a really smooth, supple finish for applying makeup. It truly is my secret weapon discovery of the past 10 years.
Use code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off
Price: $105 - $225
WHAT: Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream
I have incredibly rough, dry hands that have looked 60 since I was 25, so putting this on every night (I actually use it on my feet, too) has made a world of difference in how they look and feel. No greasy finish and absorbs right away, but it still feels rich, like it’s doing real work. It instantly Benjamin Buttons my hands, not to mention the smell is heavenly.
Price: $28
WHAT: Furtuna Skin Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil
Oops, am I doubling up on Audie’s pick? Yeah, I don’t care - this oil is worthy of two mentions. And it goes to show how incredible it is on all skin types. The dewiness and warm, healthful glow is immediate, but it’s when the fine little lines start melting away after a few weeks that you really feel like a genie is going to pop out at any moment. Just magical all around.
Use code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: Starting at $125
Leslie, General Manager
Age/Skin Type: 47 with very dry, sensitive skin
Goals: Hydration, brightness, mitigating wrinkles and sagging skin
WHAT: Furtuna Skin Olive Oil Lip Butter Balm
When I tell you my skin is dry, somehow my lips are THE dryest. Chapped, scaly lips year-round. This lip balm changed my life. Chapstick and other balms either leave my lips gloopy or feeling totally dried out 5 minutes after the balm wears off. But this one has been a game-changer. The soft balm lays like butter on my lips and hours later, my lips are still silky smooth. I’m a convert.
Use code CANDIDLY20 to get 20% off.
Price: $45
WHAT: IS Clinical Cleansing Complex
For a deep-clean, daily cleanser that doesn't dry my skin, this is it. Even though I DO slather on moisturizer post-cleanse, I don't feel the desperate need for moisture when using this. The cleanser leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth - big bonus for keeping my hormonal acne at bay.
Use the code CANDIDLY to get 15% off at Dermstore.
Price: $48
WHAT: Cetaphil Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes For Sensitive Skin
I hardly ever wear makeup, but when I do, these wipes get off every ounce without making my dry skin even dryer. They are especially great for eye makeup. I will even use these on my 7-year-old daughter to help remove loads of face paint or Halloween makeup.
Price: $7
Sam, Social Media Manager
Age/Skin Type: 30 with very dry, VERY sensitive skin
Goals: Brightening and evening skin tone without irritating skin!
WHAT: Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion For Sensitive Skin
This cream is so, so hydrating but it doesn't make my makeup slip around.
Price: $14
WHAT: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic
Yes, expensive, ugh, but lasts forever. I use it every morning, and it gives my skin instant brightness. I won’t be without it.
Use the code CANDIDLY to get 15% off at Dermstore.
Price: $182
WHAT: Clean Skin Club Face Towels
I swear these have changed my skin; I used to roll my eyes at not using reusable towels (environment) but I think using detergent on my washcloths was irritating my skin – and now I'm hooked. I get the big size but I love the small size for travel.
Price: $35
Shae, Marketing Manager
Age/Skin Type: 28 years old with combination skin that can be acne prone
Goals: To have a bright, clear complexion and to reduce the formation of wrinkles or
other signs of aging
WHAT: Peach & Lily Peptide Pro Firming Moisturizer
One day you're young and carefree and the next day you're frantically googling "get rid of wrinkles," or at least that’s what happened with me. I have been using this as an eye and neck cream for nearly a year and love that it feels lightweight on my skin while also helping me to look refreshed. Plus, the silky smooth texture of this moisturizer feels like a little luxury each morning.
Price: $45
WHAT: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30
I made it through most of my adult life without using sunscreen daily which seems sacrilegious now. This CeraVe sunscreen was the first daily wear sunscreen I tried thanks to Audie's recommendation. Once I have it
applied, I don’t feel it on my skin because it isn't greasy or oily like other sunscreens.
Now I'm a sunscreen everyday girl and my skin is thanking me for it.
Price: $14
WHAT: Child Perfume
I am fully aware that perfume doesn't count as a "desert island" type product but when looking at my medicine cabinet I can't help but feel like this specific scent is now a fixture in my daily routine. There's something about the floral aroma that transforms me from a sleepy hobbit into a functional human each morning.
Price: $150
We only work with companies we feel passionately about, and this article contains sponsored content. Our opinions are 100% our own, and in fact we only work with brands AFTER we've discovered something of theirs we love. Supporting this content means we all get to keep doing what we're doing here at The Candidly. And keep our jobs. So thanks for that.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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