Harley Quinn once described "normal" as nothing but a setting on your hair dryer, and, for all intents and purposes, she's not wrong. Yet, right now — in a time of so much fear and uncertainty spread across the globe — the desire to find some sense of normalcy while self-isolating [1] is a feeling we all can appreciate. In some cases, and for many people, that can be as simple as doing your regular skin-care routine [2] every day.
It can also mean looking to your stash of skin-care products [3] that spark joy [4] or, if nothing else, serve as an act of escapism from the relentless news cycle. Whether that's with a soothing face wash that smells like lavender to lull you to sleep or a ridiculously bright sheet mask that scares everyone in your apartment [5], know this: now is the time to celebrate the treatments that make you feel more like . . . well, you.
Ahead, we've asked POPSUGAR editors to share the face masks [6], serums, cleansers [7], and other essential skin-care products [8] that have helped us feel as "normal" as we can these last few weeks — fictional comic-book character be damned.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm
"When I say the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm [9] ($22) smells like a vanilla sugar cookie, what I mean is I think about eating one every time I unscrew the cap. The silky formula can be used as both a balm and a mask, depending on how much you apply, but the tiniest bit goes a long way in coating your lips in hydration. The shiny finish resembles that of a gloss but isn't the least bit tacky. I've been keeping it right next to my laptop while I work (along with the other essentials: phone, a glass of lemon water) to reapply throughout the day." — Jessica Harrington, associate beauty editor
Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion
"Creamy, hydrating, gentle-as-can-be — Drunk Elephant's first foray into the body-care category is exactly as you'd expect. My personal favourite, because my skin during self-isolation has decided to revert back to its mid-December state (read: she dry as hell), has been the Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion [10] ($20). It glides on with a rare lightweight consistency that still packs a moisturising punch but without that sticky, tacky feel. The smell does remind me of another brand's famous cherry almond scent, but it's much slighter so shouldn't bother even the most fragrance-averse." — Kelsey Castañon, senior beauty editor
Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream
"If there's been any time I've needed a calming moisturiser to not only soothe my stress pimples [11] but to give me a relaxing ASMR-like application as a distraction — it's now. And, the Then I Met You Calming Tide Gel Cream [12] ($42) seriously could not have had better timing. My favourite part about this moisturiser definitely has to be its gel texture — it's super cooling, lightweight, and transforms into cloud-like water as it absorbs into the skin. It also contains everything my (and your!) stressed-out skin needs: niacinamide to help even out skin tone, ceramides to help keep your skin hydrated and supple, and a try-tide complex to help support collagen production. This product has allowed both me and my skin to take a much-needed deep breath during this unparalleled time." — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, associate beauty editor, Makeup.com
Bath & Body Works Lavender Vanilla Body Wash & Foam Bath
"I have a bunch of bath bombs at the ready for moments when I feel like I need to decompress and ease my nerves a bit, but when you live in a small apartment with a bathroom that you have to share with another person, baths aren't always such a peaceful experience. As an alternative, I usually turn to a few aromatherapy body washes that I got as a gift a few months ago. I like to use the Bath & Body Works Lavender Vanilla Body Wash & Foam Bath [13] ($14) since it's a really soft fragrance that usually calms me down and helps me sleep a little better at night." — Danielle Jackson, assistant beauty editor
Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum
"I was lucky enough to get this Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum [14] ($210) from the beauty team and I could not feel more spoiled. I love Victoria Beckham [15] and already an avid user of Augustus Bader's Rich Cream so these two coming together up to make my skin look its best is just what I needed this month. I put it on first and the serum soaks into my skin leaving it feeling calm, hydrated and ready to glow. I then put my usual daily moisturiser over it and feel as thought this helps it soak into my skin even more. It's only been a couple weeks but I have been getting compliments over my many video meetings." — Lisa Sugar, editor-in-chief
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum
"My sleep schedule is a mess right now; I've been staying up far too late watching TV (Tiger King [16], anyone?) The Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Dark Circle Reducing Vitamin C Eye Serum [17] ($50) is the only thing keeping my bright-eyed for my morning wake-up call. The formula has a creamy, hydrating texture that smooths out my under-eye area and makes for a great base for my sunscreen." — JH
Eighteen B Defend + Nourish Eye Cream
"While many people are experiencing stress breakouts right, my anxiety has been manifesting in a bizarre case of dermatitis: the outer corners of my eyes are red and scaly. I tried everything from Vaseline to hydrocortisone, and nothing was helping. Then, I found this pretty little jar of Eighteen B Defend + Nourish Eye Cream [18] ($85) in my beauty stash and started applying night and day (like all day, since I'm working from home so why not?). In less than 48 hours, the redness was gone and my skin looked hydrated and smooth. It contains a special silk protein that improves the skin's barrier, and clearly it works even under the most stressful conditions." — Dawn Davis, senior editorial director, Group Nine Media
M-61 Hydraboost Jelly Cleanse
"My quarantine has started to feel like one big, long, never-ending day with no breaks. Sleep, eat, work, eat, repeat. Ya feel me? To help give myself some sense of normalcy and my skin a dose of TLC, I kicked my skin-care routine into overdrive and broke out all the products I've been meaning to try. One of my current obsessions? The M-61 Hydraboost Jelly Cleanse [19] ($28). It's packed with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin B5 and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, soft and, most importantly, fresh, and reset. I love that it's super gentle on my sensitive skin gives me a plumped and healthy complexion. So while I may not have worn makeup in 21 days (shh, don't tell anyone), I've found that starting my skin-care routine off with a feel-good cleanser has been my key to staying sane. Trust me, your skin will thank you — give this cleanser a go." — Samantha Holender, assistant beauty editor, Makeup.com
CeraVe Eye Repair Cream
"I have been keeping things simple and easy around my eyes these days so I am using extraCeraVe Eye Repair Cream [20] ($15). I love the way I pat it under my eyes and it feels like they are instantly awake and I look less tired. I also love generously applying this on before bedtime so I can recharge in hopes that I look like I got that full eight hours of sleep." — LS
Wander Beauty Mist Connection Essence and Toner
"With the weather acting so crazy during these self-isolation times, my face feels drier than ever. I've been misting like a maniac to try to combat the dry air in my apartment. The Wander Beauty Mist Connection Essence and Toner [21] ($40) has been my saviour these past few weeks. The nozzle dispenses a superfine spray that refreshes and hydrates my skin without leaving it soaking wet, and the lavender fragrance is just the soothing scent I need right now." — Lindsey Unterberger, content director, Makeup.com
Beauty Pie Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser
"Like a lot of people, I see skin care as an integral part of my everyday routine, so it's something I'm continuing to do during this work-from-home period. I cannot get enough of the Beauty Pie Japanfusion range, especially the Japanfusion Pure Transforming Cleanser [22] ($35). It has a jelly-like texture that, when washed off, transforms into a milky soap, which easily washes away grime without stripping the skin or making it feel tight and uncomfortable." — Tori Crowther, associate editor, UK
Glossier Futuredew Oil-Serum Hybrid
"I love wearing and applying makeup, but I'm taking this time in self-isolation to give my skin a break from it all. Since it launched, I've been interested in trying the Glossier Futuredew Oil-Serum Hybrid [23] ($24) but never got around to it because I was worried it wouldn't sit well underneath concealer and blush. Since spending 99 percent of my time indoors, my skin has become really dull and dry, so I decided to break out Futuredew and give it a go. Now, I think I slather it on two or three times a day. Not only does it hydrate my parched skin, but because it has the faintest pink tint, it also counteracts any sallowness. It's like the skin-care equivalent of making my bed every morning or still hopping in the shower before work — it makes me feel put together and helps me stay positive." — Sophia Panych, content director, UK
Graydon Skincare Aloe Milk Cleanser
"TBH, I was first drawn to this brand because it shares its name, Graydon, with my son. Aside from that, though, this Graydon Skincare Aloe Milk Cleanser [24] ($33) is a-mazing. It's made for sensitive skin (hi, me!) and removes makeup, dirt, and oil without stripping my (also very dry) skin of the moisture it needs. As someone with mild rosacea, I also like that it's infused with niacinamide and aloe to help calm redness. But my favourite part is that it comes in a pump instead of a tube, which means less mess and no struggling to unscrew a top with wet hands." — LU
Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum
"I'm not entirely sure what happened to my skin as of late, but if I had to guess it's a mix of this lifestyle change, constantly pumping the dry heater in our house, and just general waves of anxiety and stress. Nonetheless, my cheeks have been getting beyond red. Not painful or anything, just rosacea-y red. I'd bought Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Overnight Serum [25] ($88) prior to Shelter in Place and thought this was the perfect time to try it out. I was admittedly new to retinol so I tested a small amount during the daytime first just to see how my skin would react. Once I gave myself the go-ahead, I started using the serum at night after I cleaned my face. The result? When I wake up in the morning my skin is even-toned again. It's still a little dry, but the redness dissipates. It's such a nice treat to wake up, look at myself in the mirror, and see evidence that something is working." — Rebecca Brown, senior family editor
Rodan + Fields Recharge Detox Mask
"Now that I'm at home I have been finding strange comfort in putting on a mask every few days. I've never been a huge mask person because I personally have never been able to see their benefits, but in a weird way, they do make me feel a little more refreshed after using. A few weeks ago, I decided to revisit the Rodan + Fields Recharge Detox Mask [26] ($60) that launched back in January, and I've been trying to apply it at least once a week since it has detoxing benefits, which my skin could definitely use right about now as a person who was used to wearing makeup almost every day before the quarantine." — DJ
Snow Fox Skin Care Sleepy Neptune Bath Bomb
"I've been having the worst time getting to sleep lately, so I'm trying all of the things to help me unwind — and that includes rediscovering my love for baths. No bath is complete without at least one luxurious product to make it feel more spa-like. Enter: Snow Fox Skin Care Sleepy Neptune Bath Bomb [27] ($12). The lavender and Epsom salt bath ball helps me relax and prepare to go to sleep while also filling my tub with a dreamy blue hue." — JH
Saint Jane The C Drops
"The fact that the most I've seen of the sun in the last three weeks is through my tiny, 28 x 44" kitchen window has left my skin damn-near translucent, so the need to introduce a little extra vitamin C into my skin-care routine has been a matter of life or zombie. My latest tube of Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 30% [28] ($122) recently bit the dust, so I've been trying my hand at the brand-new Saint Jane The C Drops [29] ($90). It's only been a few days, so I can't say definitively that I've noticed major results, but the luxurious oil feels like a straight-up spa treatment any time I slather it on — and that alone makes it worth using." — KC
Kocostar Foot Therapy
"I figured I won't be getting a pedicure any time soon and always look for the right time to do baby feet so this was perfect for me this month. We put this Kocostar Foot Therapy [30] ($10) in the POPSUGAR Must Have Box and I have used it many times. For those who don't know — it's a weird, beautiful experience to have your feet shed like a snake to rediscover skin that feels as soft as a baby's butt . . . I mean feet." — LS
Wonder Wipes
"Since I've scaled back to a more minimal makeup routine during these work from home days (think: liner, mascara and a little blush), I've also wanted to keep my makeup removal process minimal and quick. The Billie Wonder Wipes [31] ($9) have become my go-to for this: they're everything you want in a makeup remover in a skin-loving biodegradable format. These wipes not only remove makeup, but are also are soaked in a hyaluronic acid, vitamin c and cleanser serum that helps you keep up with your skin-care routine as well. They've made my nightly skin-care routine that much easier, and I love that they're friendly for humans and the earth, too." — AMK
Sarah Chapman Skinesis 3D Moisture Infusion Mask
"This Sarah Chapman Skinesis 3D Moisture Infusion Mask [32] ($60) smells so dreamy I can pretend I am at the spa. It has a soft rose scent that instantly relaxes me but its the hyaluronic acid mixed with rose water and ingredients like zinc, copper, and magnesium that leave my skin feeling super plumped, brightened, and moisturised after 15 minutes. The mask even has eye covers unlike most sheets, so you really get to lie down, relax, and enjoy this self-care time out for yourself." — LS
Kiwi Botanicals Soothing Body Conditioner
"I'm an avid postshower body-lotion person, which is an annoying quality when you're already 10 minutes late for work and rushing out the door. But now that I've got absolutely nowhere to be these days, I really take my time applying the Kiwi Botanicals In-Shower Soothing Body Conditioner [33] ($8). It's got a true balm-like texture that requires a little extra muscle to work in, but the slip of the water against your skin helps it glide — and the sweet honey and soft floral scent almost makes you forget how long you've been in there." — KC
Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Sheet Mask
"For some reason, using sheet masks and slathering my face in oil feels like the ultimate self-care practice for me, so I'm doubling down on both while in lockdown. The Dr.Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Sheet Mask [34] (%6) has been a go-to of mine for years, when my skin is dry and congested, which is exactly how my face feels right now." — Angela Law, assistant editor, UK
CoTz Sport SPF 45
"Long family walks are keeping me sane right now, but all that outside time means I'm thinking about sunscreen even more than usual. And CoTz Sport SPF 45 [35] ($27) is the one I keep reaching for. It blends in easily, has a high SPF and is mineral based, which means I can safely dab some on my seven-month old. And because it's unscented and doesn't have a tint, even my sunscreen-averse husband will use it. This time next week, I'll probably be slathering it on my dog, too." — DD
DHC Olive Virgin Oil Crystal Skin Essence
"I was really surprised that being confined to my room is drying out my skin — it's usually the opposite once Spring begins. After cleansing in the morning, I now layer the gentle DHC Olive Virgin Oil Crystal Skin Essence [36] ($36) — that I brought home on our last day in the office — over my Summer Fridays CC Serum, and before my DHC Olive Oil Essential Cream, and it gives my complexion an extra boost of hydration. It's been a real skin saver since being in self isolation." — Kara Kia, editorial assistant, UK
B Skin Guru Le Masque
"With more time than ever on my hands to mask, I've been taking full advantage of it. The JB Skin Guru Le Masque [37] ($75) is currently one of my favourites and is as close to a spa treatment as I can get right now. It's a face-hugging, cellulose sheet mask — that's also biodegradable — and infused with a milky serum that hydrates, restores, and soothes your complexion. After I did an at-home intensive peel and my skin was angry, this mask was the first thing I reached for." — JH
EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46
"Despite staying indoors most of the day, I've been continuing to apply sunscreen every morning. ICYMI, you can still get sun damage through your windows! I love this EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 46 [38] ($35) because it feels way more like a luxurious moisturiser than a sunscreen. It leaves absolutely zero white cast, despite its 9% zinc oxide (it also has 7 percent octinoxate) and never pills." - LU