May Skincare Favorites | 2020
- karmaliraia
- Jun 2, 2020
- 4 min read
I love a good skincare routine. At a young age, my Mum engrained the three critical steps to a skincare routine into my little brain: cleanse, tone, and moisturize.
With quarantine and recent changes in medications, I have noticed some major differences in my skin texture. Some days my skin feels clenched tight, yearning for some moisture. Other days I find myself producing enough oil to fund America's debt.
The following four products have been saviors this past month.
#1 Frothy Face Wash by Origins, $24 ($4.8/fl. oz)
This classic cleanser used to be a staple in my middle school days. Over time it left my bathroom counter. I missed her, and am so happy she’s back.
Although pricier than the average drugstore face wash*, I really find myself getting a good cleanse out of this product. It removes the day's oils from my face without excessively removing moisture from around my cheek area, where I tend to be the most dry.
A little goes a LONG way with this product. I use a pea-sized amount and spend at least 30 seconds making small circles around my face to experience the full “frothiness.”
My favorite ingredients:
Lavender Flower Water - Lavender actually has antibacterial elements! It also keeps your skin hydrated and improves texture over time. Lavender is however a known allergen for some. If you have super sensitive skin, this product may not be safe for your skin.
Tourmaline - This Sri Lanka speciality is actually an energizing, magnet stone known for its healing properties due to the stone’s makeup of iron and magnesium.
Glycerin - Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts water from the inner layers of your skin. This means it will trap in moisture and ensure hydration.
Behenic Acid - Behenic Acid carries soothing properties to boost hydration and restore your skin’s natural oils. Since it’s a fatty acid, it acts as a water repellent. I can also be found in macadamia nuts!
If I’m feeling extra spicy, I’ll even pair this product with my favorite face wash tool, Mia by Clarisonic.
*This size of the Origins product sits at a pricier $4.8/fl. Oz in comparison to CeraVe’s Foaming Facial Cleaner from Target at $0.92./fl oz.
#2 Clear Complexion Sheer Daily Moisturizer by Aveeno, $13.99 ($5.60/fl. oz)
I was searching for a lightweight formula with a high SPF to serve as my staple daily moisturizer. I picked up this affordable product from Target and it does just the job.
Even though we don’t tend to get much “sun” in Seattle, protecting your face with SPF will minimize skin sensitivity and any visible discoloration, spots, blotchiness, and wrinkles in the long run. I’m not good at making myself take the extra step of applying sunscreen, so using a moisturizer in the morning with SPF in its formula makes it easy.
My favorite ingredient:
Soybean Seed Extract - Proteins carried in this ingredient carry skin softening, smoothing, and anti-pigmentation benefits. It brightens skin using Vitamin E and stimulates collagen production, meaning increased elasticity and strength in your skin.
#3 Vital Vita 12 Moisture Ampoule by TONYMOLY, $20 ($20/fl. oz)
This product was my first purchase from the Korean brand TONYMOLY at Ulta. In the morning, I’ll use a couple drops in the palm of my hand and gently press it into my skin before applying moisturizer. At night, I like to mix in a couple drops with my moisturizer.
An ampoule is literally a chemical substance or sample in a glass vial. In the world of skincare, they’re essential serums that tend to have extra vitamins for a super-charge effect (like a juice cleanse for your skin!)
This product comes in a line with five other sisters. Each of this six formulas specialize in various skin needs, such as pore control or wrinkle care. This one in particular focuses on hydration, something I felt as my skin clenched in quarantine. Also, that blue color is natural. Yay!
My favorite ingredients:
Biotin - This ingredient helps produce new cells to ensure your skin is constantly staying at its best.
Eucalyptus oil - Helps carry the hydration of this product and locks in moisture.
#4 Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask by GLOW RECIPE, $22 ($22/fl. oz)*
This product has taken the world by storm. As one of the first mainstream Korean-owned skincare brands to hit the market, I loved the representation. I loved hearing the story of founders Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, from Shark Tank to reaching over $30 million in sales with the help of Sephora. Still, the product felt overhyped.
I decided to give it a go when my good friend Imaan raved about how this product changed her skin. In case you can’t tell in the photo, my jar is empty.
Layering on this product before bed feels like an investment. It has become one of my favorite forms of self-care. I wake up with plump, hydrated skin. I also often wake up with some dried bits of the mask in my hair, but this is not a huge problem for me, as it is easy to remove and most of the product soaks into my skin well.
My favorite ingredients:
Peony root - Natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to keep the skin clear. Also acts to brighten skin.
Seaweed extract - Yum. This will help hold in moisture, plump, and protect.
Watermelon, pumpkin, banana, cabbage, sweet potato, and pomegranate extract - Talk about a salad for your face! Each of these extracts carries an abundance of vitamins to keep your skin glowy and healthy.
Hyaluronic acid - Like glycerin, it serves as a humectant. Will keep the skin dewy through drawing in moisture.
GLOW RECIPE is just starting up their partner with Terracycle. For now, I recycled my jar and unfortunately had to dispose of my lid in the trash. In the future, I’ll be able to send it off to be reused!
I can’t wait to try more of GLOW RECIPE's products, as well as lines from their sister company, Sweet Chef. Worth the hype.
*This product comes in two sizes. The 1 oz “Mini Size” is featured here, at $22/fl. oz for 1 ounce. The Standard Size is $45, at $16.66/fl. Oz for 2.7 ounces .
That’s it for May. Will keep you updated on my skin journey! I have some exciting new products to review next month.
Thanks for reading <3
xo,
Raia
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