You all know how much I Love to try out new skincare, but after years of doing so, my Skin was left confused, spotty and just plain irritated. 2017 was the year of pairing down my routine and sticking to products that worked for me, and this year I'm doing more of the same, only with one brand in particular (but more on that later). As fun as it is to try new things and really exercise that old VIB card of yours, the biggest skincare lesson I learned last year was that consistency is key— when your skin knows what to expect, it has less reason to revolt in various unsightly ways. I also learned the importance of switching up products from one season to the next, as our skin has different concerns in the summer as it does during the winter. So without further ado, here's what worked well for my combination skin, and what I turned to more times than not throughout 2017.

One of the biggest realizations of last year is that my skin seems to prefer French brands— think Caudalie, Darphin, Clarins— with Caudalie leading the charge as my go-to. My first ever 'On Brand' was dedicated to them, and my love for the brand has not waned; if anything, I love them even more now. From the Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream that I raved about here, to the various serums, masks and cleansers that have passed through my hands, it's all been a pleasure to use. But the best of the bunch include:

The reason I love this one is because it tackles dryness while firming and juicing up my skin's elasticity, and all while I sleep. The next morning my skin always looks firm and dewy with this one, and when coupled with the aforementioned Lifting Soft Cream, good-skin days were plentiful throughout the year. If anti-aging is a concern for you, definitely give this one a go (it jives well with all skin types).

Glow-enhancing, anti-aging, anti-pollution— this bad boy's got it all. I love it because it's completely non-sticky and sinks into the skin quickly, while its 'Anti Cell Burn-Out Complex' (say that five times fast) tackles any damage caused by pollutants and other environmental stressors. Good stuff.

I've been obsessed with eye cream since the tender age of 18, and this is a great one for anyone who is similarly afflicted. It's nice and lightweight, making it perfect for daytime use, plus it hydrates, plumps and firms the delicate under eye area without interfering with your makeup.

Origins is another brand that I always come back to, especially throughout 2017— their products always feel so gentle and nourishing on my skin, especially during those harsh winter months when windburn and hypothermia abound. My go-tos throughout the year from this range were:

Picking up on a theme here? I love lifting products. It's never too soon to fight the effects of aging (if that's something that concerns you, as it does me), and this is a powerful product for tackling the loss of firmness and elasticity. I especially love slathering this one on during the winter because it sits nicely under my super-heavy moisturizers, and it gives skin a smooth finish and healthy glow.

I've spoken about this one before in my 3 Steps for Dealing with Hormonal Acne post, but it bares repeating— if you're prone to spotting, this product is a godsend. It clears pores, removes excess oil and helps improve the look and texture of the skin, and can be used either as a daily cleanser or left on the skin as a mask treatment... I'm hooked.

I know, I know— another serum. But I firmly believe that serums are the building blocks of good skin, and switching them up seasonally is a great way to give your skin what it needs most throughout the year. This one is another winter favourite of mine, as it deeply nourishes and reduces redness, while working at a deeper level to fortify the skin against irritants and making it more resilient to the effects of aging. And as with all the Origins products mentioned, it's sulfate, paraben and phthalate-free.