Best Of: Skincare and Body Products I Really Enjoyed in 2015

Disclaimer:  I purchased these or won a few in giveaways (noted in descriptions).

Here are the skin and body care products that I really enjoyed in 2015.  One item was featured in my "best of" for 2014, but since I'm focusing on the products I found myself both enjoying and reaching for on a regular basis, it bears a repeat in my mind.  Links are to the full reviews.

Clarin's Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster ($30) has stood the test of time for me and I'm about to finish with my second bottle, with a third waiting in the wings. It gives me just enough color without looking obvious and I love that I can easily mix a few drops with whatever skincare item I'm using.  I even use this in what passes for winter here in Mobile when I reach that "pasty" phase that leaves me looking washed out.  Love.

Acure Organics Day Cream ($18):  I've enjoyed the two Acure Organics products I've tried thus far and this affordable moisturizer which features Gotu Kola Stem Cells and 1% Chlorella Growth Factor worked really well with my oily skin. I also love that you can find this natural/organic/fair trade brand at Target. I'm just about to finish up an Acure cleanser that is low pH and will have a review up on it soon - good stuff.

TriDerma Pore Reducing Anti-Age Serum ($25):  I'm not sure this brand would have made it onto my radar if I hadn't won a few of the products in a giveaway, but I'm glad it did! This serum did a nice job of providing my skin with a smoother appearance without the heavy silicone feel I dislike. Featuring organic aloe vera as it's 1st ingredient, it also played well with a variety of foundations, so I would classify it as a serum/primer. Multi-tasker!

Zum Bar Goat's Milk Soap ($5.85):  I love using bar soap on my body in the shower, even preferring them over shower gels.  Zum just came on my radar this year and I find the selection and quality of the bar soaps to be top notch.  I also love their laundry detergent!

Savannah Bee Royal Body Butters ($12.90 for mini jars): Here's another brand I doubt I would have discovered if it wasn't for winning them in a giveaway, and I'm really enjoying them as my night time hand cream. Anything bee related in skincare usually works well for me, and these richly formulated and nicely scented body butters are no exception. I'd also like to purchase some of Savannah Bee's honeys, as this is not just a skin care company and they make their own honey :-)

Juara Candlenut Body Creme ($35) and Invigorating Coffee Scrub ($37):  I got these are as set from Birchbox for $49, which is the way to go if you want both. And both are great, making for a truly luxurious experience that leaves your skin soft, soft, soft. I just received another Candlenut Creme in my winter FabFitFun box (review here), which thrills me.

Renewing AHA Cream by DHC ($42.50):  This is my go to AHA product and I've been using it for years now, although I just got around to reviewing it in 2015.  It has a 10% lactic acid concentration and indeed makes my skin tingle immediately after application (but not uncomfortably so).  A bottle will last me close to 2 years, which makes the price a bit more palatable.

Orange & Vanilla Boddy Butter ($16.95)and Pit Putty Cream ($10.85) by Bubble & Bee:  I just repurchased both of these, and even got the larger body butter this time ($24.95), so you know I like 'em.  The scent works for me year round, and while not overpowering, it has some staying power.  The Pit Putty Cream works well for me as a deodorant and I like this natural/organic formula the best of any of I've tried.  Bubble & Bee now has periodic sales, so I'd sign up for their emails if you want to check out any of their products.

CosRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner ($13): I've started dabbling with a few Korean skincare products (to mostly good effect), and the AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is my favorite find to date. It's gentle but effective and I like that it comes in a spray bottle, as I enjoyed spraying it on my face during the summer. I've already bought another one, which is a sure sign I like something considering the product overflow I've got going on.

Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel ($8):  If you want a good but inexpensive witch hazel based skin toner, I say go for Thayers. They have a variety of formulas and I find myself reaching for my Rose Petal Witch Hazel almost every morning. It's tied with the CosRX AHA/BHA Treatment Toner in my affection.

Rethink Your Shower Hydrating Body Cleansing Oil ($38):  I reach for this body cleansing oil in the shower a good 4 times a week and find it does a great job of cleansing without stripping my skin.  The sudsing action is on the low side but using a net poof amplifies bubbles, so that's the way I go.  I like the light citrus scent and will repurchase when I run out, which should be in a few months. About 2 pumps is good for my whole body, so it's lasting longer than I expected!