How are you all doing this week? I actually worked from home the previous week which was weird because as a nurse that like never happens, at least in the jobs I've chosen. So because I didn't go out at all besides the grocery store all I did was skincare pretty much. I found myself reaching for my Su-man Purifying Cleansing Gel-Oil a lot this week. This was the oil based cleanser that actually got me into oils. It's got a dreamy thick gel base. I love a gel-oil balm as a morning cleanser. They clean without drying or striping the skin plus emulsify and rinse clean. This one has wintergreen, rosehip oil and Dragon's Blood. Su-man's combos are always unique. This one has a really low fragrance. It really just smells like the ingredients. The texture is totally divine because it's so smooth. I have probably gone through about 4-5 tubes over the years so I've repurchased a lot. Sadly it looks like it's been taken off the few websites I used to buy this from like Cultbeauty & Selfridges so this is probably my last tube. Review HERE and HERE.
I'm actually almost finished with my Dr Sturm Balancing Toner. I'm not a huge non-acid toner fan but there have been a few I really liked. I never expected to like this one but it's a nice light, hydrating gentle toner. It's got beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid combined with a really light hydrating texture. It's not heavy or too slippery like an essence so it really is more like a toner. It's truly just a gentle light hydrating toner. Is it necessary? No but if you like toners that aren't acid base it's actually nice. I've been using it at night. It has a plastic pump style container. It's expensive for what it is so I probably wouldn't repurchase, but I actually loved it and it's one of my favorite items Dr Sturm makes in her line. For an acid toner I've been loving The Inkey List PHA Toner which is a super affordable gentle acid toner. It combines PHAs (gentle AHAs or alpha hydroxy acids) with niacinamide and aloe. This is really gentle and I've been able to use it twice daily no issue. If you like strong acid toners this probably isn't for you, this is more of a gentle acid toner, great for daily use and sensitive skin. It's also great acid for beginners.
African Botanics Infusion will always be one of my all time favorite essences and African Botanics products. I'm an essence junkie as you know. This one just kicks butt at everything, it's such a great product. It's got a light hydrating texture with powerful ingredients like micro-algae, seaweed, marine botanicals, adaptogenic African plants, vitamin C, willow, bark & lactic acid. It's great for clarity plus improving tone and texture. Review HERE. I've been using Allies of Skin Triple Hyaluronic Antioxidant Hydration Serum a lot lately. I love the antioxidant combo of resveratrol, astaxanthin & superoxide dismutase combined with three forms of hyaluronic acid, strawberry extract, honey and peptides. It's a great addition for days onto a vitamin C serum. It was recently reformulated to have less pilling issues. I didn't have too many issues with pilling myself unless I used too much on the neck. I love the brand and product overall. Review HERE.
I've been using The Inkey List Retinol for two weeks and I forgot how much I love that one. Super affordable and well done with 1% slow release retinol & 0.5% granactive retinoid. It's actually one of my favorite products they make because of the affordable price, lightweight texture and overall effectiveness. Review HERE. I've been pretty much using the SkinBetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment a lot lately. It's a fragrance free, lightweight, creamy lotion with ceramides, cholesterol and other barrier loving hydrators. Think lightweight cream or heavy lotion. I liked the airless pump and it's a great day product for me. It's not enough for me as an overnight cream though. I'm getting close to putting it away for summer but I'll be happy to pull it out again in the fall. It's pretty pricey for what it is but it's nice. If it's in your budget and you want a more lightweight fragrance free lotion I'd look at this one. It's heavier than their InterFuse. Review HERE.
I actually just finished up my Priori TETRA fx250 Mineral Sunscreen and I'm so sad. This has one of the best mineral textures. I feel like it's not on at all when I wear it. They have a tinted and untinted version. The tinted part really subs for foundation on days off. This has SPF 50, is never drying nor greasy on the skin, has no white cast plus it's alcohol and fragrance free. It's also got antioxidants, helps with blue light protection and fights free radical damage. I really really loved it. And I'm sad it's empty. It's a little pricey but it lasts quite a long time actually. I forgot to put it in the swatches below sorry but I have a post HERE about it. Saie Beauty Glowy Super Gel is a multi-purpose shimmering champagne fluid luminizer. Use it as an all over makeup primer, mix it in foundation, wear alone for a glow or use only on spots to highlight in a low key manor. It's a clean brand and I love the airless pump. It's got one of those bags that keeps the fluid airtight in the bottle. This has a light radiance to it, it's not a super shimmery or glittery fluid which I love. Plus it's alcohol and fragrance free. It's not too dewy but it's got a nice glowy feel on the skin. It gives a nice radiance. As I was in a bad mood the last few weeks (like everyone I'm sure) I reached for my La Bella Figura Botanical Mood Booster a lot. This one primarily smells like blue tansy and blood orange. God I love it. I love those two scents though. This one gives me a little uplift in my mood.
Top to Bottom-Saie, Su-man, Skinbetter Science, The Inkey List Retinol, Allies of Skin:
*Allies of Skin and The Inkey List was gifted. All thoughts are my own.
