How My Skincare Routine Saved My Mental Health in 2020

It’s no secret that Covid-19 has completely changed the landscape of the beauty industry. Pre-pandemic, most consumers — yes even zoomers — preferred to shop for beauty items in store. Not only did lockdown make this impossible, after a year of crises including a massive recession, US political instability, and pandemic numbers that were not going down, the beauty industry was in trouble. Yet despite this, growth and innovation in the skincare industry skyrocketed in 2020 and is unlikely to slow down in 2021. Experts have guessed that being at home has decreased the demand for makeup, causing the increase of skincare as an alternative. While this may be true, I believe a lot of these explanations miss the comfort that routines bring into our lives; and how skincare helps provide just that.  

Life has changed significantly for us all. Namely, Zoom has become a large part of our daily existence. The normal routines that used to provide structure to our lives, a morning walk to the gym or afternoon classes, are almost nonexistent. Going to class or work in PJs and sweats has become the new normal. Don’t get me wrong, I love my fuzzy PJs, but that routine structure that I sustained myself on disappeared when I began to roll out of bed to be in class in a manner of minutes. Skincare and beauty more broadly gave a sense of normalcy to my life while the world had been upended and was, and still is, in chaos. 

Every night and every morning my skincare routine, something I never followed as religiously until 2020, provides a welcome constant. Of course, skincare is a great form of self-care. But it’s not just skincare itself. It’s the normalcy the routine brings into my life that brings me the most joy. Those first ten minutes of my morning where I wake-up and those final ten minutes of my night where I unwind while listening to music or a podcast are some of the most important moments of my day.

There is a multitude of psychologically backed reasons that routines help us cope in the time of social distancing. Managing healthy daily routines is really important for our mental health especially during the Covid-19 pandemic where our world came to a halting stop. Almost everyone lost their daily routine and was forced to form new ones in these uncharted times we live in. Quarantine routines ground us, provide structure, and predictability when it feels like the world is at its most unpredictable.

I’ll leave you with a video of AOC’s campaign volunteers trying her skincare routine:

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The One Skincare Brand That Saved My Skin

When I first arrived in Chicago Iast year, I was highly unprepared for the weather. Before I left, everyone would always give me that cliché “better pack a coat!” which gets old really fast, but being from New York, I didn’t actually think there would be a huge difference in climate. Besides that first early October snowfall, the real shock was the effect the weather had on my skin. 

I started experiencing dry, flaky skin with redness and breakouts like never before. The products I was using were the same products I had been using for a year or two with no issues, but all of the sudden when I washed my face or put on my moisturizer, my skin was burning and irritated. The combination of wind burn and stress was not doing good things for my complexion, but being the positive thinker that I am, I looked at the situation as the perfect opportunity to devote an unreasonable amount of time to browsing the Sephora website. 

After hours of reading product reviews (which I happen to find therapeutic), I came across one moisturizer that seemed to have worked incredibly well for people: the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream. I had always heard good things about the brand but I wasn’t really in the market for their type of products before: I had previously been searching for solutions to breakouts and redness with active–and for lack of a better word–harsh ingredients. I thought the solution was to kill bacteria on my skin or chemically exfoliate the “bad stuff” away. I had somehow gotten the idea that Tatcha was for more mature skin types–for older, drier skin with different concerns than I had.  But given my changing skin, I decided to give the brand a try. 

Along with the Dewy Skin Cream, I ended up buying the Camellia Oil Cleanser and the Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder. The products are pricey and you definitely get the sense from the packaging that they’re luxury items, but I was desperate and Sephora has a really good return policy, so what’s the harm? It turns out that for once in my life I had actually made a great decision. From the minute I started applying the oil cleanser on my dry skin (as the instructions suggest) I knew something was going right. Before even noticing the effects on my skin, the act of applying it felt so nice. Without exaggeration, it’s one of the top 10 sensations I can think of. I came to look forward to it every night. It removes ALL of your makeup and whatever else is on your skin. You can actually feel it picking up the little particles and melting them off of your skin. There is no oily residue or tight, dry feeling after rinsing; my skin just feels like it’s perfectly balanced. 

After cleansing, I tried out the Dewy Skin Cream. It comes with a little spoon so you don’t have to unhygienically stick your hands in the jar, but to be honest, after about a month the spoon got annoying so I stopped using it. But this stuff changed my skin. It’s a thick cream and I would recommend it for drier skin, but I have oily areas too and it has never broken me out. When I woke up the next morning after I used the cleanser and the moisturizer, the flaky patches on my face had disappeared. The breakouts I had were not gone, but they were significantly calmed down and less red. And my skin didn’t burn anymore. I felt like instead of assaulting my skin with different acids and trying to kill things on it, I was healing it. 

The Rice Polish is also a very unique and effective product that I use once a week to exfoliate my face. You pour a small amount of the dry powder into wet hands, and as you start applying it, it transforms into a foamy consistency. Because the particles are so fine, it’s extremely gentle on the skin and won’t cause micro-tears. After rinsing it off, my skin feels unbelievably soft and even after almost a year of using it, this still surprises me every single time. I’ve even used it on my arms to get rid of little bumps that wouldn’t go away for months despite trying everything I could think of. Then I tried this, and it smoothed out my arms in one night. 

These three products got me through the Chicago winter and thoroughly healed my skin. Using them became my favorite part of the day. Of course, I wanted to try more of the brand that had helped my skin so much, so I tested out a few more of their products. I love the Serum Stick for hydrating my under eyes and I often use it as a natural highlight on my eyelids or cheekbones. I got a sample size of the Violet-C Radiance Mask which isn’t something that I would consider essential to my routine, but when I do use it I notice my skin looks fresher and is less likely to act up in the following days. I also tried their Water Cream, and while it wasn’t hydrating enough for me, it seems to work well for people with more oily skin.

One product that disappointed me was the Essence Plumping Skin Softener: the reviews were split between people saying it was a holy grail product and those who said it was just fancy water for your face. I unfortunately fell into the latter camp, and while I didn’t experience any negative side effects from the product, it didn’t seem to do anything good for me either. I ended up returning it because it was really expensive.

All in all, I am extremely thankful to have found this brand which has helped my skin more than anything else I’ve tried. For anyone struggling with irritated skin, I highly recommend trying out their products.

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The Most Enticing Deals At Sephora This Holiday Season

It’s that time of the year again… 

Edit: I wrote this article before the Holiday Savers Event Sale began. The sale is now over, but these products are still available, and they’re almost all holiday money-saving sets. Ie. they were already at discounted prices in the first place! I still think that these products are worth it - especially the limited-edition sets.

Sephora’s annual Holiday Savings Event is beginning (or has already begun!) for Insiders, VIBs and Rouge members: if you don’t already know what it is, you can save 10%, 15%, or 20% on every item, depending on the membership you have.

I took a look at everything, especially limited-edition sets for the holidays, and compiled what I find the most enticing, and also the best deals. Bear in mind, Sephora is pricey, and I want to stress that these products are not necessarily cheap now, but some of these deals are just simply unmatched in the rest of the year… so if you’re gonna give one of these products a go in your lifetime, now is your moment.

Hair

Save money on these cult-classics:

Olaplex Holiday Hair Fix Kit (Limited Edition)

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You’re sure to have heard of Olaplex before in the hair salon, from a friend, or online. This kit contains Olaplex No. 3, 4, 5, and 6 — the hair mask, the shampoo and conditioner, and the leave-in hair cream. The products are valued at $84 altogether, but this kit costs $60. Each of these four products is worth $28, so you are essentially getting one for free.

If you’ve been wanting to try the line, then this kit is for you. I especially recommend No. 3 and No. 6, since both have genuinely been life-changing for my curly, very-bleached hair. The shampoo and conditioner are excellent, albeit less worth it than the mask and cream, especially if your hair is straight. I would recommend the shampoo and conditioner to people with very parched hair, or for people combatting frizz on curls, because the texture of both is very thick. 

Give in to the hype:

Gisou Honey Infused Hair Care Set (Limited Edition)

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Gisou by Negin Mirsalehi carries “honey & propolis infused haircare from the Mirsalehi Bee Garden”, to quote from their Instagram bio, which is the platform on which the brand shot to fame: every influencer has the Honey Infused Hair Oil, if not also the mask. Plus, their components are gorgeous, minimalistic and #PFG. Sephora began carrying Gisou in August, and this set gives you the opportunity to live out your influencer dreams for less. The set, with $79 value, is $55: not cheap… but that’s the price you apparently have to pay for having hair like Negin’s. The products are made for every hair type, and help primarily with moisture and shine.

Makeup

It’s been reduced to almost a quarter of the price now...

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Palette

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While these are marketed as highlighters, they’d be stunning as eyeshadows: Rihanna actually uses them for her eyes as well as her face in her demo video for the palette on Sephora’s website. This palette was in last year’s Fenty Beauty holiday collection for $54… now, it’s $15 (and, at this price, it’s limited edition). That’s just over $2 per shade, and the pans are big. Plus, it’s going to be less than $15 when the Savings Event discount is applied. If you like gorgeous shimmers as a wash of colour on your lid (very Euphoria) or as a topper for other shadows, I’d consider this palette, no matter what skin tone you have; the colours are very versatile and would look great on any complexion. 

Give in to the hype:

Charlotte Tilbury Mini Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo (Limited Edition)

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This duo is… so good. As is typical with Charlotte Tilbury complexion products, both the bronzer and highlighter are so flattering and give that natural-but-super-enhanced look. The bronzer especially is so unique due to its gorgeous cool tone: if you don’t like orange or warm bronzers, consider this product. Also, the SIZE! You can take it out with you (not that that’s happening just yet). Frustratingly, this bronzer shade would only work for light to medium skin tones: the full-sized duo in CT’s permanent collection does come in another slightly darker shade (called “medium-to-dark”), and hopefully they’ll also be offering that one as a mini too. The duo is $29, and don’t forget that you’re also paying for the gorgeous component!

Skincare

Save money on this cult-classic:

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40

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I’ve heard so, so many stellar reviews of this SPF. I bought it once, and really enjoyed using it until it was empty. It is colourless (great for any skin tone) and non-greasy, with no sunscreen smell. It feels a lot like a silicone-style primer, and leaves you looking quite poreless and matte, but still with a glow from within. I personally experienced some pilling when using it, so you do need to be careful with the products you layer under and over it. SPF 40 is a good choice for adequate sun protection; just make sure you use enough of it! 

Give in to the hype:

ILIA Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 Foundation

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It’s marketed as “foundation”, but with its formula containing squalane, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide at what the Sephora description calls “active levels of (these) ingredients”, the purpose of the product seems to be to help your skin, instead of covering it up and making it worse. (It’s worth noting, though, that The Ordinary’s niacinamide and The Inkey List’s niacinamide serum both have 10% niacinamide, whereas this serum has 2%). What attracts me to this product right off the bat is that, since wearing masks a lot stresses out the skin, makeup-skincare hybrids are more worth it than ever. The product is marketed for all skin types, including oily, but I would take a good look at the reviews and consider if it might be too dewy for you if you have combo or oily skin. I’d love to just effortlessly put this on before a Zoom: serve that I’m-not-trying-at-all-but-I-look-really-good look. The price is $46, which is not cheap by any means, but everyone seems to love ILIA now, and you might want to give it a go.

Final thoughts about the Holiday Savers Event: just be mindful of what you really want and maybe don’t buy what you just kind of want, be very picky, and do your research. This year is tough; when you can, treat yourself!

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Skincare ABCs

Like all of you, I have found myself with an almost overwhelming amount of free time this year. Also, like many of you, I have been trying to fill that void with passion projects and getting trapped in research rabbit-holes. Over the past several years I have been sitting on a wealth of knowledge about skincare. Through years of trial and error, extensive sampling of cult favorite classics from all corners of the world, at-home DIY alternatives, the expertise of dermatologists, and, finally, hours of research, I have decided to share the precious information I’ve been hoarding.

TL;DR: I did the legwork for you and made an alphabetized list of ingredients commonly found in skincare products so you can make better and more informed choices when it comes to your skin! 

Below you will find a guide to everything from salicylic acid to snail mucus, backed up research from people who actually know what they’re doing. I’ve sorted this into three categories: the stuff you want to use on your face, the stuff you want to avoid at all costs, and the stuff that doesn't do anything at all. Enjoy.

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The Good Stuff:

AHAs and BHAs: AHAs and BHAs are Alpha hydroxy acids and Beta hydroxy acids, respectively. AHAs are acids such as lactic or glycolic (mentioned below) while BHAs are stronger acids such as salicylic. The main differences between the two types of acids is that AHAs are water soluble, while BHAs are oil soluble. This essentially means that BHAs can penetrate deeper into the skin and dissolve the oil and sebum produced by your skin. However, this also means that BHAs are far harsher on the skin and should probably be avoided by those who have sensitive skin or are prone to redness. ** AHAs and BHAs should never be mixed or used with Vitamin C or Retinol!

Ceramides: Ceramides are lipids (fats) that are also naturally occurring on the surface of our skin. They form a protective layer over the top of our skin and are over 50% of its chemical composition. Ceramide creams are best for dry or combination skin or as a winter moisturizer as they are stronger and oftentimes cream-based. 

Cica: Cica is the shortened name for Centella Asiatica. A leafy plant that is also sometimes called Tiger Grass, it is known as the plant that tigers will actually rub on wounds to help them heal faster. Cica is full of antioxidants, amino acids, beta-carotene, and fatty acids which all stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen. It’s perfect for acne-prone and sensitive skin and can reduce redness.

Collagen: Speaking of collagen, it is the main protein structure in our skin. About a third of the body’s proteins are collagen. It is responsible for the elasticity of our skin and promotes the health of joints and muscles. Collagen can help repair sun damage, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and restore elasticity. If you’re getting excited, unfortunately, collagen is too large of a molecule to pass through the dermis (the top layer of the skin), so it is mostly useless for topical application. Some rare exceptions are marine micro collagen derivatives, but those are rather hard to find and are often expensive. Collagen is also rather difficult for the body to absorb if you ingest it. Though collagen supplements have become popular over the years, there is no consensus within the scientific community as to whether or not they actually do anything. Some dieticians have also expressed safety concerns about the origins of the collagen sold by some of the most popular brands, specifically as it pertains to the content of trace metals. The bottom line is that if you’re interested in taking collagen as a supplement, do your research carefully and decide for yourself. 

Glycolic Acid: A chemical exfoliator, glycolic acid belongs in the AHA family and is a derivative of sugar cane. It’s one of the most commonly used exfoliation ingredients by dermatologists. It has also been shown to be beneficial for acne prone skin since it dislodges dead skin cells and reduces the chances of clogged pores. It’s also a small enough molecule that it can actually extract oils from the skin and hair follicles. More importantly, it exfoliates evenly, meaning that it functions as a re-texturizer. In other words, it makes your skin smoother by removing uneven layers of dead skin cells, discoloration or pigment buildup, and helps your skin look more luminous. Because of this, it also helps your other skincare products absorb better into your skin and makes for a great priming step before the rest of your skincare regimen. In general, glycolic acid can be found in many concentrations and is safe to use at home, but milder concentrations are gentler on the skin. In any case, glycolic acid should not be used too often because it temporarily increases your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight, which could cause sunburns more easily than normal. Although you should already always be using sunscreen, definitely make sure to protect your face after a chemical peel. **Do not use in combination with salicylic acid.

Hyaluronic Acid: Everyone and their mother should have a little thing of this miracle solution. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring compound that holds up to a thousand times its weight in water. Our bodies naturally produce this to keep our skin hydrated, but the amount produced decreases with age. You’ll find HA in a lot of products marked “anti-aging” but in reality it’s a super lightweight watery formula that can be paired with just about any other form of acid, peel, moisturizer, and serum. Hyaluronic acid is great for all skin types because it will not leave a residue or make your skin oily and is great to use as a nourishing serum. You can find it either in its isolated form or as an ingredient in many moisturizers and facial creams.

Lactic Acid: Lactic acid is also known as a form of chemical peel. Lactic acid is a gentler version of similar exfoliators such as glycolic acid. This is because it is a larger molecule, therefore it does most of its work on the surface of the skin rather than within it. This is great news for everyone that has sensitive skin or is conscious about the pH levels of their skin. Some of its beneficial properties is that it kills acne-causing bacteria and increases cell-turnover rate. In addition, it provides many of the same resurfacing benefits that its stronger counterparts do. 

Niacinamide: Niacinamide is basically vitamin B3, an essential vitamin that is a true miracle-worker for the skin. Niacinamide protects the skin against environmental stressors as well as minimizes pores and improves the surface of your skin. Niacinamide works by providing skin cells with the necessary chemical building blocks to produce the stuff that actually fixes your skin. It helps create a stronger surface for your skin and has been shown to help with rosacea and irritation, prevent damage that could lead to cancer, and fix uneven pigmentation. Another useful thing about niacinamide is that it is entirely compatible with nearly any other skin treatment, including AHAs, BHAs, Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic acid. 

Retinol/Retinoids: Retinol is a compound that boosts the skin’s collagen production. Retinol is the active ingredient used in many wrinkle-reducing and anti-aging products. Retinoids are the prescription version of retinol. While retinol is used in many skincare products, retinoids are much stronger and can therefore only be prescribed. Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A and acts by affecting gene expression, smoothing out the skin, and boosting collagen production. It has become the gold standard in the skincare industry. Before you immediately go to purchase a retinol cream though, you should know that it can cause redness and irritation, especially on sensitive skin. Retinol works by introducing Vitamin A to your skin, which initially cases dry skin and irritation. However, after a while the skin becomes accustomed to the ingredient and it starts working its magic. It’s best applied to completely dry skin because its usage on damp skin can increase the potential of irritation. One thing is for sure, if you are interested in using retinol products, you should carefully research which products would work best for you and not be discouraged by what appears to be an initial setback.

Salicylic Acid: This ingredient is often key in products especially formulated for acne-prone skin. It’s oil-dissolving properties are great for treating breakouts and exfoliating the skin, which reduces the chances of acne re-forming. However, it should be noted that this ingredient can often be overused, leading to excessive dryness and irritation. You should always follow up a salicylic acid treatment with a hydrating and soothing treatment to ensure that your skin is properly moisturized. If possible, it's better to use salicylic acid as a spot treatment rather than a full-face treatment because it can irritate the skin around your mouth and eyes. **Do not use in combination with glycolic acid.

Squalane: Squalane is a hydrogenated oil that helps moisturize the skin. It is similar to the sebum that our skin naturally produces and is therefore best suited for those with dry skin, as it can be overwhelming for other skin types. It used to be derived from shark liver, but now is more commonly derived from olive oil. Although it is more commonly popping up as an ingredient in many skincare products, the research is still inconclusive as to whether or not it actually helps. While it certainly won’t harm you, there haven’t been any studies that can conclusively claim that squalane is uniquely good for your skin. 

The Bad Stuff: 

Alcohols: Or stripping agents of any kind. Alcohols have a lower boiling point than water, meaning that they evaporate faster. When alcohols evaporate, they strip your skin of moisture, which can cause irritation, dryness, and redness. Alcohols in skincare products demonstrate a carelessness in the development of the product and can often indicate that the company has cut corners in other ways as well. Thus, they are often found in lower quality skincare products. Read ingredients labels carefully. 

Aluminum: Some of you may already have heard the spiel about aluminum in deodorants, but you should also be extremely weary about it popping up in your skincare as well. Aluminum is a toxic metal that can disrupt the functioning of our endocrine system. While some companies maintain that aluminum compounds are safe to use and are not linked to health issues, there has been a large amount of studies pointing to confusing or inconclusive results. While aluminum compounds may be safe to use in some minimal percentages, the science still isn’t quite clear on it and I would just try to steer clear of this kind of an unknown. Plus, putting industrial metals on your skin really just doesn’t sound appealing or good for you. 

Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers: The name itself should be enough to deter anyone looking at the label of a skincare product (8th grade dissection lab, anyone?) but in case it is not immediately clear why these are a hazard, they have been linked to a series of health issues. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers are known carcinogens and can cause allergies, headaches, and loss of sleep. While the ingredient itself has been, for the most part, excluded from skincare, it can still be found in eyelash glue, nail polish, and hair straightening products. Formaldehyde releasers are ingredients that form formaldehyde over the course of their shelf-life, still a grim prospect. These are often listed as DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, bronopol, or quaternium-15. 

Mineral Oils: Although this ingredient also has a variety of people on both sides of the aisle, it doesn’t seem especially promising that the World Health Organization has listed this as a category 3 carcinogen (not enough evidence to consider it safe or unsafe). Unrefined versions of this product are properly considered a carcinogen by the WHO. The mineral oils in your skincare products are cosmetic grade, but still can have a variety of other unwanted effects. Other than the fact that mineral oils are a derivative of petroleum (ick!) they can also be somewhat pore-clogging. While mineral oils themselves have been proven to not be especially comedogenic (fancy term for pore-clogging), they have been found to potentially make other products that they are used with comedogenic. Mineral oils work by creating a plastic-like coating on the surface of your skin, this can smooth the way your skin looks, but it also traps any ingredients used with the mineral oil underneath it, potentially leading them to clog pores and cause outbreaks. 

Parabens: Sometimes listed as either methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl. They have been traced back to causing disruptions or hormone imbalance. These are preservatives that help extend the shelf-life of many products. While we’re on the topic of shelf-life, a quick refresher on how long you should keep your products; the container should be labeled with a small image of a jar with a number drawn inside of it; this number indicates the total number of months that you can store and use your product for. If there is no such label on your product, most skincare products can be kept for an average of 2 years. However, if you notice that your product has separated or the texture or color has changed, throw it out immediately. 

Polyethylene Glycol (PEGs): PEGs are often used as a chemical thickener in creams and cream-based products. They are often listed as “propylene glycol” or “butylene glycol” and are derivatives of petroleum. They work by altering the melting point of the product and can be irritating on the skin. Additionally, they can lower your skin’s natural moisture levels. These can often be found in cleansers.

The Okay-ish and/or Useless Stuff: 

Fermented Ingredients: This is a trend that originated in South Korea and now fermented ingredients can be found in many skincare products around the world. The science behind fermented ingredients points to the fact that they hold a significantly higher amount of antioxidants than other ingredients (think grape juice vs wine). However, research about the benefits is inconclusive. While it doesn’t seem to be harmful, the jury is still out as to whether or not these ingredients are actually helpful or do anything for your skin. 

Fragrance: Fragrances can sometimes be irritants for those with sensitive skin. If the brand is certified natural or organic or whatever FDA-approved blanket term is currently in vogue, you’re probably fine. However, if it is not, you should be cautious because companies may often use the term “fragrance” to hide a bunch of other ingredients. When companies list fragrance as an ingredient they do not need to disclose what went into the fragrance. Specifically, this could be a cover up for phthalates, which is an ingredient commonly left out of ingredient labels on fragrance oils. You should also note that while this is a chemical banned from skincare products in the EU, it is still prevalent in many US products. Some companies that have announced they will no longer use phthalates are L’Oreal, Revlon, Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, and Proctor & Gamble. 

Vitamin C: While many skincare companies are turning to Vitamin C as a trending brightening ingredient in serums, Vitamin C poses its own unique benefits and drawbacks. The benefits are that it prevents oxidation. In other words, it protects the surface of our skin from pollution, environmental stressors, and other free-radicals like smoke and smog. However, Vitamin C is really tricky because it cannot be used in combination with other acids (AHAs or BHAs) and cannot be used with retinol. In serum form, Vitamin C is an acid that can be irritating, especially when used with other skincare products. On top of that, Vitamin C is also incredibly unstable. The formula itself is susceptible to rapid deterioration and spoilage when it comes in contact with sunlight and oxygen, leading many brands to include a ton of additional stabilizers into their formulation. Ultimately, while Vitamin C has been shown to increase the skin’s radiance, it seems to be far more difficult to use than it is worth, especially considering the list of other skincare ingredients that you would need to avoid in order to use it. 

Precious/unusual/novelty ingredients: Anything containing pearl dust, 24k gold, CBD oil, snail mucin, bee venom, charcoal (yes, I know the cleansers are popular), fish enzymes, or any similarly strange sounding ingredient is, I’m sorry to break it to you, largely useless. Most often, these ingredients are formed of far too large molecules that cannot effectively pass through the dermis, let alone the lipid layer. Consumers are simply charged a premium on having unusual ingredients in their facial creams and toners with no results. You should stop spending your money on these because they are not only ineffective, but could also be reducing the effectiveness of other products you use by blocking your pores with inactive ingredients. Also while we’re on this topic, spending more on skincare does not necessitate that it will be better or more effective than drugstore or lower-price alternatives. The popularity of a trending product is oftentimes a result of a successful marketing team and colorful packaging. It doesn’t matter how many times a product pops up on your Instagram feed if it doesn’t have the active and nourishing ingredients that our skin actually needs (I’m looking at you Glossier). While higher priced skincare products can sometimes more readily guarantee that their ingredients are natural and are ethically sourced, you should not be paying a premium for jars or bottles of water mixed with perfume, thickening chemicals, and meaningless ingredients. 

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Eminence Organics: The Skincare Brand You're Missing Out On

I remember walking into my mom’s favorite facial spa, worried about what they would do to my skin. As a young teenager, my skincare routine consisted of washing my face with a grapefruit-scented Neutrogena face wash and calling it a day. Turns out, that wasn’t really cutting it. My facialist introduced me to Eminence Organics, a brand focused on creating all-natural products that pack a real punch. I was a loyal Eminence user for years, until I fell into trendier brands like Glossier and Drunk Elephant—that is, until two weeks ago. At the end of my facial at Heyday, my facialist pointed me to—you guessed it—Eminence Organics. And that was when I realized I’d strayed too far from my skincare roots. So now I’m here to convince you, too, that Eminence is great and that you’re missing out.

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Eminence Organics uses hand-picked, fresh ingredients mixed with thermal water from hot springs to create products that are truly powerful. They are carefully handmade without any intense heating processes to retain the potency of their natural ingredients, such as vitamins from the fresh bases, pulps, and peels. Eminence is also certified by B Lab® to meet high social and environmental standards, making them a brand you can feel good about giving your money to.

They offer products for all types of skin concerns, from young, acne-prone skin to older skin with concerns about wrinkles and fine lines, and everything in between. Their Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer is a holy grail for people of all ages, and the Acne Advanced Clarifying Mask is one of the most incredible clay masks I’ve ever used. Everything is super impressive, especially considering the brands resistance to using trendy packaging and advertising tactics. The products absolutely speak for themselves.

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Curious to find the right Eminence Organics skin care routine for you? Read here for their extensively detailed steps to making sure you’re giving your skin the care it needs.

An Ode to Retinol

Skin care is one of mans greatest inventions. Trying out new products, no matter how crazy they sound, sparks a joy in me like no other. And while many truly have no functional purpose and are a huge waste of money, I have remained hopeful and dedicated to my craft, and journey on to find the greatest skin care products available. Before I literally write a love letter to retinol creams, here is the background of how we met. Prior to starting college, I had never so much as broken out; my skin was pure and still youthful. However, since starting school here my skin has been on the sharp decline towards rapid premature aging. Blame it on the year long horrible weather here, the constant state of crippling stress, or the dangerous lack of sleep, but regardless my skin has been temperamental for the past couple of years. This was initially concerning, but did give me an actual excuse to try out any skin care product I wanted, and trust me, I did. Name any product, and I’ve tried it: face masks, eye masks, creams, serums, toners, moisturizers, even micro-needling and those jade rollers (truly the most useless product on this earth). A few worked, most did nothing, and a handful actually worsened my skin. One thing remained constant: nothing helped make the bottomless pits of darkness under my eyes go away. Finally I had enough and after meeting with an actual professional I was recommended a retinol eye cream, and let’s just say it ~changed me~. 

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I could go into the science of how retinol creams work but at the end of the day none of us care, we just want to know about results. For the first couple of weeks that you start using a retinol cream, your skin will appear to get worse—“the retinol uglies.” This is indicative of the cream working, as retinol can be so fast acting that it immediately begins to increase cell turnover. You may experience a lot of dryness and even some breakouts, but I promise it’s worth it. However, I’m not going to lie, this was a rough period of my life. My undereyes became extremely sensitive and would sometimes burn, but once you get past that stage, you will start to see big changes. My skin felt a lot softer, tighter, and the darkness has started to go away.

The point here is that anyone who has skin should immediately go and buy some kind of retinol product, because if you don’t you are truly doing yourself a huge disservice and cheating yourself out of flawless skin.

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Back to School Skincare

Welcome back to the school year - while coming back to the “excitement” of reg dates and boring lectures, there is something to look forward to - a new school year with a new skincare approach!
Here are some amazing products that can get us a little more eager to get out of bed in the morning:

Revision Skincare Hydrating Serum

Use this before your makeup and your skin will thank you - especially during our wonderful Chicago winter months

Supergoop! SPF 50 Defense Refresh Setting Mist Sunscreen

This mist has SPF 50 and you can use it as a setting spray. over your makeup — AMAZING

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

Hands down the best moisturizer I have used - not too watery or creamy and does the job

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask

I swear this mask is what will keep my skin clear if I use it at least once a week

Korean Sheet Masks

Korean sheet masks are always fun and effective ! You can find one to try out here

Virgin Coconut Oil

SOOO good for removing makeup — especially mascara. Coconut oil is an obvious at this point but the hype is valid

Even if you just incorporate one of these products into your routine, your skin will appreciate you.

Happy New School Year!

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3 Skincare Innovations Coming our Way

It’s getting more and more difficult to find skincare products that work perfectly for you. Despite checking hundreds of reviews on a cleanser to make sure your skin won’t get irritated, it still seems impossible to find a solution for your own personal skincare issues. Thankfully, advances in skincare technology are putting an end to those awful guessing games and are providing you with personalized beauty products made especially for your skin.

The past few decades have witnessed a major showcase for innovative beauty products. Beauty companies, old and new, have stepped up their game to meet different unique skin needs in this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES). While all these products are still in their testing stages, it’s only a matter of time before these high-tech solutions are our’s. Here are some skin-tech innovations coming your way:

Olay’s Future You Simulation

This program uses AI to predict what your skin will look like in the future and gives you a snapshot of your future face to help make recommendations on your personal skincare needs. The prediction is based on different choices you select, such as whether or not you use sunscreen regularly. This future-predicting program will definitely remind you to take care of your skin.

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Neutrogena MaskiD

This is not your average makeup remover. Neutrogena is now designing the first customized 3-D printed face mask that combines skin-care science with evolving technology. It assesses your skin data through a selfie and designs personalized face masks with powerful ingredients to perfect your skin.

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Samsung S-Skin

Your cell phone company is stepping into the beauty industry with its new product S-Skin. It analyzes your skin by measuring hydration, redness, and melanin through photo sensors and cameras. It then provides personalized recommendations based on the result. With the microneedle patches S-Skin provides, you can fix your own skin and track the changes!

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Beauty Brand Review: AmorePacific's Treatment Enzyme Peel

Powder cleansers were super popular for a hot second last year, and still are trending pretty consistently, especially in East Asia. I resisted this trend for the good part of the last year until I was convinced to try the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel from my friend in Hong Kong.

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I was having a really bad summer for my skin and my face needed some major exfoliation, so I finally relented and tried it out. The whole process of needing to pour out some powder, mix water, and foam it up seemed like such a hassle at first. But the bottle was $60 and I had lost the receipt, so I had to stick with it.

The cleanser uses a papaya-based enzyme called papain to gently clean the skin. The product itself is a white powder that smells vaguely sweet but pleasant.

The first time I used it I definitely messed up— I had used too much water and the powder barely foamed up. After a few times, however, I figured out the ratio and it got much easier.

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Now, I’m not a big fan of physical exfoliants (think St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub), since I think they’re too harsh for my face. I usually use chemical exfoliants like The Ordinary’s AHA/BHA Peeling Mask, but I also wanted to get a mild exfoliant for daily usage. This enzyme peel fits the bill, and has been really gentle on my skin.

The morning after the first night I used it, I already noticed that my skin looked softer and brighter. My skin is usually pretty dehydrated, and I thought it did a good job in making it feel more moisturized. Over the next few months, I noticed my dark spots from my acne break-out fading pretty quickly, as well as my face texture smoothing out. There’s definitely a difference between nights where I use this cleanser and nights that I don’t!

Overall, it’s understandable why this product is so popular. The results are apparent almost immediately and continue to get better with time. This is suitable for all skin types, and works well with any textural or pigmentation problems. Although the price is high, I’d recommend it to anybody who feels the need to splurge a little, and is concerned about having skin sensitivities to anything.

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Secrets to Almost Perfect Skin

My not-so-subtle transition to Glossier over glam products throughout the summer has brought me into the new world of skincare. This has definitely led me to staying in the safe, non-bustling backend of Sephora in my most recent visits, discovering some of the best brands I wished I only knew sooner. Naturally with skincare comes with the holy grail of clear skin. Some swear by a rigorous nighttime routine while others opt for a simple face wash.

I’ve spent months at this point attempting to perfect my own skin. Not that I’ve had that rough of a time, but acne scars and dry spots have always been enough of a problem for me to want to fix. While everyone has a different skin type, I’ve accumulated a bit of knowledge over time. Here are some of my tips for specific skin issues:

Chapped Lips

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Yes! This counts as a skin issue, duh. The Chicago fall and winter, a combination of unnecessarily dry and extremely cold, do crazy things to my lips. They crack, chap, and sadly peel under the unpleasant conditions, and every year, I’ve tried to find the best solution. For me, the worst thing to use is Chapstick or eos; both dry out my lips so much, acting only as a 5 minute solution. A helpful tip is knowing whether you need hydration or moisturization. Hydration is how much water is in your skin and moisturization is how much lipid content can form a protective barrier for your skin.

I prefer something more moisturizing for my skin, so I put on Boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer on my lips during the day. At night, I stick with Glossier’s Balm Dot Com. I put on a thick layer before bed and wake up with smooth moisturized lips!

Redness and Acne Spots

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My skin has never bothered me too much with acne besides the regular PMS pimples or stress breakouts. But to keep my skin clean and less red, I’ve turned to softer cleansers both in the morning and night as well as water temperature I use to wash.

I use Philosophy’s Purity cleanser as well the Pore Extractor face scrub to keep my face clean. Lukewarm water is best with this duo, not causing too intense of an exfoliating effect for the mask and also cleaning off makeup in the most efficient manner.

I know many people swear by Glossier’s solution, but it hasn’t done much for me with its “chemical exfoliant” besides break me out more… so beware.

Puffiness

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Maybe I’m paranoid about the puffiness of my face based on how much salt I’ve had that day or if I’ve drank enough water, but this is something constantly on my mind. I think someone’s alertness and presentation is heavily dependent on whether they look like they’ve eaten ramen before bed the night before or if their face indicates they’ve cried all night. Basically in short, puffiness matters. I didn’t really think there was a solution to this (besides drinking excessive amounts of water) but I recently discovered Herbivore’s Jade Face Roller.

This supposedly actives the lymphatic system to detoxify your body from.. toxins? It feels like a mini foam roller on your face and is supposed to relax and de-stress you. I was doubtful at first, but I’ve now ditched my contour for this, so I’d say it works.

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We're Partnering with Kiehls and Hintd to Bring You the Best in Spring Skincare!

We're excited to announce that MODA is partnering with Hintd and Kiehl's this Spring to provide UChicago students with an exclusive friends and family discount! Valid in Kiehl's stores and online starting May 17th through May 21st, use code FRIENDS for 20% off your next purchase!

In the mean time, read up on our exclusive interview with Hintd and download the app or create an account online for other promotions, the best in online shopping, design inspiration, and more! If you post a photo of your latest Kiehl's haul, don't forget to tag @modachicago, @hintd and @kiehls!

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Taking Glow to the Next Level

The rise of blinding highlight in glam looks has been something I've taken a while to approve of. I know some people absolutely nail the look, while I sort of brush on product half-heartedly, wondering why my cheekbones will never radiate toward the heavens.

Regardless of my lack of chemistry with highlighter, I am always willing to try something new. So when I encountered PopLuxe's Night Life highlighter, I was a little more than intrigued. A bit more research led me to MannyMUA's review, to which the below results had be impulse-buying harder than me when I see Sephora's Weekly Wow.

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The unapologetically green color is definitely not something I would incorporate in a daily look, but just looking at the product... I can't stop fawning about how pretty it is. Maybe it's the science behind the glowy product, but it had me at first sight.

Which is why I bought it.

Retailing for $23, this product holds about 8 grams of product with a creamy texture. Think everything that is great about Champagne Pop but green. 

This highlight would not only be a perfect accent for a space or alien themed makeup look, but might be the next hot-topic item next Halloween season. Not sure, but you heard it here first.

Buy it here

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Treat Your Skin with These Incredible, Affordable Products

When your life is falling apart and stress-filled, turn to skincare.

The aftereffects of the recent weather, unending midterms and impending finals have left my skin in shambles. So naturally, I turned to a journey of repairing what was most important to me: my skin. Here are a few products that offered me solace in times of greatest need.

PHILOSOPHY Purity Made Simple Pore Extractor Mask

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I’m not sure why I was so late to the Philosophy bandwagon, but now that I’ve tried it out, I definitely understand the hype. This mask is one of the best exfoliating masks I’ve ever used. The texture of the mask is really rough, but it gets the job done. After one use, my skin felt softer and looked cleaner. Also, any mask that works great on sensitive skin is one that I approve of. This retails for $23, so it’s about your upper-mid tier product in pricing. Paired with the Purity cleanser, this is going to do wonders for your skins. Buy it here

 

 

 

 

Luminizing Pink Charcoal Mask

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Boscia’s luminizing black mask is every Instagram-clickbait worthy pore extractor product’s real life parallel. I remember the first time I used this product, sitting in my room, wondering if I would be able to endure the pain of what felt like ripping my entire face off. Turns out, it’s really not that bad. So when I found out Boscia released a pink version of this mask, I actually flipped out. Take anything I like and turn it pink and you can have my money. Naturally, I gifted this to myself and spoiler alert… it’s the same as the original, but just redder. Since I like the original product so much, I have nothing more to say besides the entertaining factor of it being in colorful packaging. Both retail for $34, so pick your poison. Buy it here

Sheet masks from Sephora

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For $6 per mask, Sephora has a variety of sheet masks that target different skin issues. Different scents and extracts of items such as Algae, Pearl, Orchid, Avocado, Pomegranate, and Lotus offer revitalizing benefits for your war-torn skin. Pop one of these on and you’ll be able to binge-watch the rest of all the good shows that are leaving Netflix while also toning, moisturizing, and healing your skin. My personal favorite is algae, since it really leaves my skin looking fresher and brighter. Buy it here

 

Missha – Creamy Chocolate Latte Cleansing Foam

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When I first used this product, I was a little shook by the scent. Missha is not kidding when they say this product is a chocolate latte cleansing foam. It actually smells like chocolate, which is honestly a little weird to put over your face. It works really well though. The consistency of the cleanser is a bit soapy but foams and washes off easily. I use it in the morning as soon as I get up in the morning. It wakes you up a little and gets rid of the oiliness that might’ve accumulated overnight. This cleanser retails for $5! That's right, $5! Given that it’s available in other scents such as green tea and strawberry, those might be a better bet scent-wise. Buy it here

BB cleaner – SPARKLING BB CLEANSING FOAM

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Throughout the winter, I’ve been using this cleanser with my nighttime ritual. It smells really fresh, which is really nice but the fragrance in it doesn’t overwhelm or dry out your skin. I get oily skin throughout the day and I usually wear a little bit of makeup, so this is the perfect cleanser. It foams moderately and leaves no greasy residue afterward. The one thing about this product that I really like is that it encapsulates the cleanliness of K-Beauty but also reminds me of what Glossier’s Milk Jelly Cleanser should have been. Overall, I’m really happy with this product. Because it’s priced at $6.50, this is a very accessible product. Buy it here.

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How to Solve All Your Skincare Woes

Candice Swanepoel's Biotherm campaign might just be the ultimate skincare dream come to life. All opinions listed below are based on my personal experience with skincare, years of online research, experimentation, minor selective perception and regularly seeing a dermatologist. Having to work with very sensitive, acne-prone and combination skin, I've somehow always managed to clear up my skin after a couple months work. I find that the following four simple points would apply to every skin type.

Keep your routine simple. Despite the number of exceedingly insistent advertising campaigns, you really don't need to buy that five product skincare pack from Clinique. Ultimately, all anyone needs is a cleanser and a moisturizer. An exception might be a third heavy-duty drying product for partial applications solely targeting acne-prone areas. The goal before going to bed is to make sure that your face is well moisturized, and clean of all the dirt and oil accumulated during the day. It's also important to be flexible. During winter, you'll have to reach for your moisturizer more often, and some mornings you might need to skip cleanser to avoid exhausting your skin. It's best to avoid the mainstream and over-commercialized products as much as possible (i.e. the Neutrogenas, Garniers and L'Oreals of the world), and splurge a little on brands that are approved by medical professionals. When you're merely looking to build a routine and are not working with a medical doctor, instead of paying for a professional opinion, spend some time researching online.

Be gentle with your skin. When washing your face or applying a certain product, be careful not to rub too hard, especially if you have very sensitive skin. You'll easily notice that the product won't lose its effect if you apply it more gently anyways, and you won't have to worry about your skin looking too red in the morning, hence successfully avoiding applying a lot of unnecessary makeup to cover the redness. Similarly, make sure your products are fragrance-free, light and not too thick, as some of the thicker products mostly clog pores and cause unwanted skin damage. Paying close attention to the chemicals included in such products can be extremely helpful in this case. My go-to online resource is /r/skincareaddiction. In addition to many weekly testimony threads, the FAQ listed on this subreddit provides great information about a number of common chemicals.

Know when you need medical assistance. Sometimes piling up a plethora of products or listening to your friends and family's self-assured advice will simply not be enough for your skin to start clearing up. If your skincare efforts have proven to be futile and you are left with incurable acne, overly dry or oily skin, you are in need of professional counsel and perhaps even a strong medication such as Accutane. Remember that these people did not attend med school for nothing, and pick a dermatologist preferably based on a recommendation.

Nutrition (sorry). A fact universally acknowledged, for the enhancement of any body part and basically for an overall healthier life, a balanced diet is a must. Fortunately, thanks to the aesthetic offerings of Instagram acai bowls and obsessive-compulsive fitness gurus, it's easy to love nutrition nowadays. It might take a while to adapt to a new diet that best suits the unique composition of your body, but it's definitely worth the effort once this new lifestyle becomes a habit.

Some concluding remarks. Everyone's skin type is based on their genetics. Yes, you might have had to battle acne for years, but your sister probably had to revert to Accutane, and your mom struggled a lot with it, too. Maybe your friend has never had more than one pimple in her life, but has to put up with overly dry skin. Advice is great, but regularly applying one or two quality products and observing the effects on your skin will always be the most effective. I've found that keeping things as simple as possible, and making conscious decisions will not only uplift your mood knowing that you're taking care of your body, but also remedy any skincare issues you might be having. 

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Brands to Know: Pacifica

As a makeup lover and a broke college student, I’m always on the lookout for inexpensive, high-quality makeup, skincare, and perfume. Pacifica provides all three, as well as candles, deodorants, and hair products. In beautiful, brightly colored packaging, this brand truly has everything a makeup lover could want for under twenty five dollars.

Available at ULTA and select grocery and drug stores, Pacifica carries a wide variety of vegan, cruelty-free products for relatively low prices. My personal favorite is their solid perfume line. This perfume comes in the form of a wax, with a chapstick-like consistency, and it’s long lasting while being subtler than spray-on perfume.

See below for some of our favorite products of the moment and check out Pacifica's site for more amazing products! 

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Oars + Alps: Skincare Worthy of Hercules

I recently had the pleasure of trying out Oars + Alps' Full Kit, which consists of three products: their Natural Deodorant, their Face and Eye Cream, and their Solid Face Wash. Yeah, you read that right - Solid Face Wash. But before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's start by answering the most basic question - what is Oars + Alps?

Started by co-founders Mia and Laura, Oars + Alps is a men's skincare company that was created as a solution to the skincare problems faced by Mia and Laura's husbands. The name itself, Oars + Alps, was inspired by their husbands' favorite activities - competitive rowing, skateboarding, and skiing. 

Oars + Alps prides itself on products that don't include toxic, chemical ingredients, and instead utilize natural ingredients for the healthiest results. One such ingredient is Alpine Caribou Moss, which is sourced from the Arctic Circle. This lichen acts as an antioxidant, fighting off UV radiation and improving your skin's elasticity. And that's just one example of the carefully-selected ingredients that go into their products. Speaking of which, let's take a look at each of their individual offerings!

.:Natural Deodorant:.

This one's pretty basic - everyone uses deodorant (or at least, I hope everyone uses deodorant). The difference here is that unlike most commercial deodorants, Oars + Alps' version doesn't contain alcohol, aluminum, and other such chemical ingredients. Instead of blocking sweat from escaping your body, like other deodorants do, this one just absorbs it, while the botanical ingredients mask your natural body odor. Seems like a simple enough solution, doesn't it? 

This has become my daily driver in terms of deodorants, and the scent is simultaneously subtle and refreshing. I even brought it along in my dopp kit when I modeled for the MODA Winter Fashion Show, since I knew I was going to be spending at least six hours backstage. At the end of show, I went to one of the bathrooms, re-applied the deodorant, and I was good to hit up the after-party at The Underground. That counts as a win in my book!

.:Face and Eye Cream:.

Next up, we've got the dual-purpose face moisturizer and eye cream. With beneficial ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe leaf, this stuff keeps your skin feeling hydrated, without being overly greasy or thick on your face. 

It applies smoothly, and absorbs quickly into the skin, and its scent is muted enough so as not to be overbearing. One nice thing about the moisturizer is that it can be applied after shaving as well, so on days when I shaved, this simply replaced my aftershave lotion, which saved me from having to apply twice the product!

.:Solid Face Wash:.

Last but not least, what's probably the most unique product in the line-up: Oars + Alps' Solid Face Wash, or as it says on the product itself, the "Power Cleansing Face Stick." Formulated with activated charcoal, this stuff is basically a face wash in a solid form, which definitely comes in handy for the active traveler - no more worrying about leakages! It works by first rubbing the stick all over your face, then applying thin layers of water to activate the charcoal. Once activated, you'll feel the grittiness of the charcoal on your face. Rub your skin, allowing the product to exfoliate it, then rinse everything off and pat dry. This leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed, and ready for an application of Oars + Alps' face moisturizer. 

.:Final Verdict:.

Oars + Alps' products are definitely geared toward the active man, but that doesn't mean the rest of us can't take advantage of their natural formulations. I'm no Hercules, but this stuff has definitely come in handy for me. I've already lost counts of the mornings where I've woken up a mere a half hour before work, and don't even have time for a quick shower. On days like that, it's a simple 1-2-3 process: face stick, then face moisturizer, and finally deodorant, and just like that, I'm ready for the day ahead. 

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Featured image by Jonathan Lim. All other images courtesy of Oars + Alps.

MODA Blog's Skincare Holy Grails: Juliet

Another winter quarter has begun-the start of cold winds, freezing temperatures, and constant snow and rain. If we're completely honest, most of us can agree that this weather sucks. It's dreary and sad, but what most people forget is the effect the weather has on your skin! Your skin can get dry and flaky, and the sudden change in temperature can disrupt your hormones causing breakouts. Luckily, MODA Blog is here to share with you all our skincare holy grail products to keep your skin healthy during these cold months, so keep a look out for future posts!

I'll be starting off the series with my personal holy grails, ranging from cleansers to masks.

1. Neutrogena Makeup Removing Towelettes- I cannot stress how important it is to remove your makeup before you go to bed. If there is one thing in your night routine you choose to do before crawling into the comfort of your bed, this would be it. Before I wash my face with cleanser, I use these makeup wipes to get the nitty gritty left on my face. Because it's a towelette, it's super easy  to just use and throw it away. The product doesn't leave any grease or oil on your face and does a pretty good job at removing makeup. I personally like using two in order to really do a deep cleanse. One of the downsides though is that it's not great at removing mascara so I would definitely recommend a specific eye remover for that.

Buy here

2. Naive Peach Cleansing Foam: My mom randomly gave me this cleansing foam to try out. I had never heard of Naive, a Japanese brand, but decided to give it a try. Usually, because my skin is really sensitive, changing cleansers can easily break out my skin, but this didn't! Even though the product is advertised as foam, don't think of it as something bubbly. Imagine foam more solidified. I personally find this better for application because a small amount of product can go a long way. Also, you can more easily spread it around your face. The peach scent is very faint and the product washes away pretty easily! It also does an excellent job of removing any excess makeup left on your face. If you're looking to try something new, I would definitely give this product a try.

Buy here

3. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo- During high school, my skin was a complete mess due to stress and hormones. I tried a variety of different acne treatments, and La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo became my holy grail as my face cleared up after a few days. I apply it after I do all my cleansing and apply moisturizer. All you need to is squeeze a pea-sized amount and spread it gently over your face. What I love about this product is that you can actually see the effects after a few days. The product is light and doesn't clog your pores. It also provides an added layer of moisture to your skin. I have a combination face (oily inside but dry outside), so if you have a similar skin-type, definitely check this product out!

Buy here

4. Clinique Charcoal Mask- I was recently recommended this product and it's now one of my weekly skincare products! Charcoal helps reduce pore size and helps take care of oily skin. This mask is really cool because it's wet on application and slowly dries up. I use this 2-3 times a week and definitely see a change in my skin. It has become more smooth and clear. It can be a bit uncomfortable when it dries because your face becomes immobile. However, you can just easily wash it off with water, leaving your skin feel fresh and new!

Buy here

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