I’ve always been obsessed with skincare since my early 20s; but now, there’s a whole new obsession with it; call it age, maybe?? IDK but there was a time when I would use the same products over and over again. I mean, if it’s not broken, why fix it right? However, since I started blogging, I have gotten the opportunity to try many different brands. I do have slightly sensitive skin so I am careful what I use but I also don’t shy away anymore from testing new skincare. I can usually tell what will work for my skin based on the ingredients and I know my skin very well.
Skincare is something that can be quite challenging to write about as I am frequently testing new things and I like to switch things up on a regular basis. Plus, it’s important to keep in mind that we all have different skin types so something that may work very well for me despite us having the same skin type may not necessarily work for you. That being said, I wanted to do a roundup of some of the skincare I’ve been testing and share my thoughts on them.
Tatcha The Deep Cleanse: This is a daily gel cleanser with natural fruit exfoliant that thoroughly but gently lifts impurities and unclogs pores while leaving skin soft and hydrated. The formula harnesses the power of the Japanese luffa fruit. I picked this up only recently during the VIB sale but I have been enjoying it very much. I have dry skin and although this is recommended for normal to oily skin this cleanser does not strip my skin. It leaves the skin soft and cleansed without any tight feel.
Tatcha Water Cream: This is an oil-free, anti-aging water cream that releases a burst of skin-improving Japanese nutrients, powerful botanicals, and optimal hydration for poreless-looking skin. It is lightweight and doesn’t have any sticky residue and I love that despite being so light provides enough hydration for me. I’m considering purchasing the full size; that’s how much I love it!
Biossance 100% Squalane Oil: A weightless multipurpose oil that can be used from head to toe to hydrate and lock in essential moisture. Squalane is a mega-moisturizing molecule that instantly hydrates while locking in essential moisture. Your body produces its own version, but the amount decreases over time. This is a lightweight oil that is not overly greasy. It nourished and hydrates my skin. It’s great for locking in moisture so it’s perfect as the last step in your regimen to keep your skin moisturized.
Avène Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum*: The intensely soothing formulation is enriched with the unique patented active, Cohederm, a proven hydrator that forms water reservation in dehydrated skin, for pro-longed moisture and comfort. Avène Thermal Spring Water instantly soothes and adds radiance to skin, creating a healthy glow that lasts. This is a fresh, light serum with an easily absorbed, melting texture to help replenish the skin with water making it feel soft.
It intensely rehydrates and provides long-lasting soothing relief and comfort by restoring the skin’s water reservoirs that concentrate the anti-irritating Avène Thermal Spring Water. It’s hydrating and soothing; not sticky or tacky at all.
belif Creamy Cleansing Foam Moist*: A vitamin-C packed creamy foam cleanser with natural herbs that gently yet effectively remove makeup and impurities while hydrating the skin. This cleanser is a unique blend of time-tested apothecary herbs that are rich in vitamin C: wormwood to prevent breakouts, soapberry to detoxify, and sweet flag to cleanse and soften. I have been loving this cleanser so much. This cleanser is creamy and turns into a lather. It doesn’t dry out my skin and leaves the skin feeling smooth.
Vichy Mineral 89*: With only 11 ingredients, this works as a daily booster for skin that lacks moisture. This has a lightweight gel-like texture that absorbed quickly and left my skin feeing fresh and not sticky or greasy-looking. I noticed my skin felt more hydrated and appeared plumped and toned. I use a patting motion to apply, before massaging the product into my skin.
Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector*: This is a skin corrector with 15% pure Vitamin C giving you brighter skin in 10 days. Vitamin C is considered a great all-rounder, it’s the potent antioxidant that’s anti-inflammatory and effective at improving uneven skin tone too. This serum sinks into skin quickly, with zero sticky residue left behind. Also containing soothing maritime pine extract, glycerin, fragmented hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and the brand’s signature strengthening Mineralizing Thermal Water, it has helped to even out my skin tone, brightens, refines and hydrates my skin. I can’t speak to the anti-wrinkle properties but I love this in my skincare routine.
Saturday Skin Freeze Frame Beauty Essence: A concentrated essence with a lightweight texture that boosts hydration. This patented concentration of the CHA 7 es Complex is made up of nutrient fruit extracts that target seven signs of early aging while improving skin’s moisture level, texture, and tone. Pomegranate extract infuses skin with rich moisture, boosting elasticity and firmness; while Avocado protein extracts help support the natural skin barrier, while antioxidants like peach extract increase suppleness and skin vitality.
This essence is a lightweight lotion compared to the typical water texture of most essence. It feels silky, light and fresh. Except for hydration, I don’t see a whole lot of other benefits with this but I like it for the simple fact that it does leave the skin feeling silky smooth and yes, leaves my skin feeling hydrated. I’m not sure yet if I would repurchased this one.
Roger & Gallet Aura Mirabilis Beauty Vinegar: I had never heard of this brand until I heard Shireen (say Hi here) raving about this beauty vinegar on her blog and if she says it’s good, then I want it!! This is another thing I purchased during the VIB Sale. This is a priming, exfoliating primer to help smooth, refine skin’s texture, and clarify the complexion.
Don’t let the word vinegar scare you as this bi-phase solution acts as more of a toner or essence. Ideal for prepping the skin, this formula should be used as a toner, just after cleansing. It helps to gently eliminate dead cells, while preparing the skin for the products that follow. It leaves skin feeling smooth/soft, refines skin’s texture, and helps to tighten pores and clarify the complexion. Like Shireen, I use this as an essence so I pat it into the skin but sometimes as a toner as well and I finds it also helps to remove makeup residue and eliminate dead cells. This is very cooling and completely refreshing, and it doesn’t tingle or irritate your skin.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner*: An alcohol-free cleansing toner infused with real rose petals to remove residual impurities, refine the appearance of pores, and soften skin for a healthy-looking complexion. This toner not only cleanses my face but leaves it hydrated. I love how refreshing it is and it makes your skin feels silky and soft. It absorbs very well and does not leave a residue or tackiness on the skin. I only wish it wasn’t so darn expensive.
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream*: A lightweight gel-cream infused with soothing rosewater and nourishing rose flower oil that delivers intense 24-hour moisture* for petal-soft skin. An advanced combination of hyaluronic acids helps to increase moisture for deep hydration to support healthy skin elasticity. Rosewater soothes while rose flower oil nourishes. Enriched with antioxidant vitamin E, this soothing face cream provides non-stop daily hydration for petal soft skin.
This is an excellent moisturizer that is on the thicker side but not too heavy for my dry/combo skin. The texture is a gel-cream and feels really silky and absorbs very nicely into my skin. My skin feel super smooth but also extremely hydrated. I like using this in conjunction with the Deep Hydration Toner.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser Limited Edition*: A long-time favorite of mine, this limited-edition look and jumbo size cleanser is great for all skin types. It has a gentle gel like texture that cleanses the skin without stripping it of essential moisture. I love how it soothes and softens the skin. For this gorgeous limited edition packaging, Fresh partnered with NYC-based fashion illustrator Blair Breitenstein to create a one-of-a-kind design to adorn the new Limited-Edition Soy Face Cleanser. Inspired by the “Soy Girl” that graced the original tube and celebrated all women around the world with her understated glamour, Blair created her own “Soy Girls” using watercolor and markers.
Juice Beauty STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Solutions (Serum, Moisturizer and Peel)*: containing a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells and vitamin C infused into an organic, resveratrol-rich grape seed base for powerful results. This kit contains a complete treatment regimen.
–The Booster Serum is an ultra-light gel serum power packed with a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells infused into a vitamin C, resveratrol-rich grapeseed formula that is said to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. I personally do not like gel type serums, just not a fan of the texture and while this one is okay, it isn’t my favorite serum. It goes on smooth, without being sticky and it also absorbs fairly well into the skin. Given the fact that it’s a gel, I also didn’t fine it to be very hydrating for my dry/combo skin. Whenever I used this serum, I always mixed it with a facial oil so my face is hydrated.
-This is an Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer with a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells and vitamin C infused into a resveratrol-rich grape formula. Just like the serum, I didn’t find this to be very hydrating either for my skin but I prefer this to the serum. Because it is not moisturizing enough for me, I also mix it with a facial oil which is fantastic. It has a nice citrusy scent.
-Now my favorite of the three STEM CELLULAR collection is this Exfoliating Peel Spray. It’s a soothing spray formulated with a unique, gentle, plant-derived exfoliant that resurfaces skin for a younger, healthier look. A proprietary blend of fruit stem cells infused into an organic resveratrol-rich grapeseed base replenishes, restores, and renews for skin that appears smoother, softer, and rejuvenated. Cucumber extract and organic aloe soothes, ascorbic acid and licorice root extract brightens, and vitamin C improves luminosity. This is a very gentle peel that gets the dead skin off and leaves your skin feeling smooth and looking bright.
I hope you enjoyed this round-up and do let me know if you’ve tried any of these.
Ann-Marie x
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