Quick Summary: When the change of season hits hard, the last thing you want is a complicated routine. These are the best beauty products for sick days – the eye cream, SPF, brow pencil, powder, bronzer, moisturiser, and lip balm that delivered when I needed them most.
These are the best beauty products for sick days – the skincare and makeup that actually pulled me through a rough change of season and made sallow-skin days feel a little more manageable.
The change of season hit me like a ton of bricks. I definitely don’t think it helped that I get sick at the drop of a hat. But there are some products that have been amazing SOS picks and have brought some joy to some very sallow-looking days. Here’s what I’ve been reaching for.
AHC Pro Shot Hyaluro-Deep Eye Cream For Face, $39.99
I’ve used the AHC Pro Shot Hyaluro-Deep Eye Cream for Face for a while. It’s also the one I gift often to people when they’re new to eye creams, or when I want to give guys a good place to start.
I’m not worried about it breaking me out if I get it outside the eye area, because it’s designed for the full face too. It has a nice cooling tip and it’s not a heavy texture.
More recently I’ve been trialling their brightening version – and there’s an even richer one that’s probably a step too far for me personally, but I like the range a lot. This one has definitely been on repeat. I’m waking up looking puffy and immediately giving my eyes some extra life.
Eye cream can feel like an extra step that’s hard to justify. But I think this AHC range really hits that sweet spot of it’s extra, but it’s definitely worth it. I’m doing a full rundown of the range on my grid – keep an eye out for that.
Quick points:
- Cooling applicator tip that helps with morning puffiness
- Lightweight enough to wear over the full face
- A good entry point for eye cream beginners
- Comes in multiple formulas for different skin needs
Naked Sundays CabanaClear™ Water Gel Serum SPF50 in Illuminating, $49.95
When I used this, people thought it was a glowy serum or an under-makeup base. Which I guess, technically, it is.
Due to TGA regulations, I can’t give you my personal review of it, but I can tell you it has centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid, no white cast, no greasiness, no pilling, and it’s acne-prone skin friendly.
It’s designed to give a fresh glow when you’re not wearing makeup, and it works as an illuminated base when you are.
I’ve been through a number of bottles of the original CabanaClear, and over a million bottles have been sold worldwide. I’ll leave the photos to speak for themselves.
Quick points:
- No white cast, no pilling, no greasiness
- Centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid
- Doubles as a glowy primer under makeup
- Acne-prone skin friendly
MECCA MAX Brow Guru Cutting Edge Pencil in “Dark”, $24.00
New to me from MECCA MAX is their brow pencil range. I also tried their micro brow pencil. If you tested either of these a while back and weren’t impressed, I want you to know they have updated the formula – so the texture issue that used to be a problem is no longer.
Between the two, I’m reaching for the Brow Guru Cutting Edge more because of how it lays down on the brow and the fluffier look it gives me. I can still get a sharp edge with it, but it’s a touch less pigmented.
If you have larger brows and you love a fluffy, powdery finish, this one’s for you. The micro pencil is the pick if you prefer defined hair strokes.
For $24, it’s a steal – and it feels genuinely luxe. On concealer-only days, it’s doing a lot to give my face some structure.
Quick points:
- Updated formula – no longer too creamy
- Fluffy, powdery finish that still allows a sharp edge
- Gives structure to minimal makeup days
- $24 and it looks and feels high-end
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder, $70.00
Loose setting powders usually feel like a full-glam-day thing. But I’ve been reaching for the Cherry Blossom shade most days instead of my usual pressed powder, because of the extra brightness it gives me – and I really feel like I need it right now.
That extra pink brightens in a way that yellow just doesn’t on my skin, even though I’d consider myself more of an olive undertone.
It also blends really nicely into whatever blush I’m wearing, so I’ve been enjoying it on both full glam days when I want to bake and cake it on, and on the really natural days when I just need a light set under the eye to prevent creasing. It blurs the skin in a way other powders can’t.
Huda has something extremely special here – if you can try it on the back of your hand in store, you’ll see immediately exactly what I’m talking about.
Quick points:
- Cherry Blossom shade adds brightness even on olive undertones
- Works beautifully with blush for a seamless finish
- Blurs the skin in a way pressed powders often can’t
- Versatile enough for both baking and light everyday setting
Makeup By Mario Softsculpt® Transforming Skin Enhancer in “Light Medium”, $69.00
This is one of those products I was a bit confused by when I first started using it, and now genuinely can’t imagine my routine without it. Don’t be fooled by the name – you can use this however you want. I tend to use it as a face warmer when my skin is on good behaviour, but more often than not, I’m using it as a bronzer.
And I’m telling you: it is impossible to mess up. It’s almost a gel formula. It glides over the skin – never clings, never goes patchy.
I’m convinced you could put this on the scaliest, most stressed, dry skin and be completely fine. When I’ve had active acne on my cheeks, it’s glided over even the driest, most inflamed spots effortlessly.
The gouge in my pan is from powder brushes getting into it – so keep your pan clean if you can. But if you want less in your kit with higher impact, this product is for you.
Quick points:
- Near gel formula that never clings or patches
- Works over dry, acne-prone, or inflamed skin
- Can be used as a bronzer, face warmer, or skin tint
- Genuinely foolproof – hard to over-apply
Renovatio APSKIN Ultra Antioxidant Face Cream, $37.39
Very underrated range. I’ve talked about APSKIN many, many times, but the new packaging and updated formula is just dreamy. They’ve increased the level of antioxidants and specifically use apple-based phenolics – and yes, it does smell like apples. The scent is gorgeous.
This is a big bottle with a pump, which I love – easy to use, no faff. It functions as a serum and moisturiser in one, so it cuts down on steps. I notice results when I use it.
If you want to explore more of the range, their hydrating serum is also gorgeous and very juicy. I’m usually shy with hydrating serums because they can feel like they’re not doing much – but this one does what it says and is antioxidant-infused while still being appropriate for sensitive skin.
Quick points:
- Apple-based phenolic antioxidants in an updated formula
- Functions as both a serum and moisturiser
- Pump bottle – large and easy to use
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Daily Skincare Micro-Collagen Repair Lip Balm, $17.99
I’m still tiptoeing into this range, but Daily Skincare is a New Zealand-based brand and I started here with the lip balm because that’s absolutely my territory. It smells fantastic and is so ultra-rich. If you loved Carmex but found that it dried your lips out over time, this one is absolutely for you.
It’s under $20, a little goes a long way, and it has that beautiful menthol-y vanilla scent – almost nostalgic, like Carmex, but the more mature adult version you always wished it was.
Plus, it actually does everything it says it does. I reach for it during the day and at night.
I’m keen to try more of their range – if you’ve tried anything and think it should be a must, let me know.
Quick points:
- Ultra-rich formula without the drying effect that Carmex can cause over time
- Menthol-vanilla scent that feels nostalgic but more elevated
- Under $20 and very long-lasting
- Works for both day and night use
Leave a Reply