fave products // the ordinary niacinamide serum & azelaic acid cream

Skincare comes in many price ranges, and just because something is on the cheaper side, does NOT mean that it isn’t just as effective as some of the higher end products out there. Enter The Ordinary. Perhaps you’ve heard of this budget-friendly brand with a serious cult following by now. For whatever reason, I was late to the game in trying them out, but I’m so happy I finally did! I started with two products I’d heard rave reviews about: the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum and the Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream.

First up, the Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Oil Control Serum is the perfect serum to reach for if you suffer from acne or blemishes. This high-strength vitamin-and-mineral blemish formula with 10 percent pure niacinamide and one percent zinc PCA is great for targeting pores and oiliness, and really helps keep breakouts at bay. Niacinamide (aka aka vitamin B3) works to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and signs of congestion, while also visibly brightening skin tone, and zinc PCA: Visibly helps regulate excess sebum activity. For only $6.50 per one fluid ounce bottle, it’s truly worth a try for those with problem skin!

The Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream is a multifunctional cream that targets numerous skincare concerns, from dullness to texture to acne. Azelaic acid works to brighten the skin tone, improve the evenness of skin texture, reduce the look of blemishes, and even offers impressive antioxidant support. If you suffer from any sort of hyperpigmentation or melasma, I definitely recommend adding this $10 product to your skincare routine! The Ordinary products are free of parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, oxybenzone, coal tar, and sulfates SLS & SLES. Plus, they’re also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free! I’d say all that plus their appealing price point makes them practically a must-try!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // jan marini skincare bioclear & luminate face lotions

For whatever reason, anti-aging serums and facial oils seem to be abundant in my beauty cabinet, but lately I realized that I’d been lacking in the simple, but effective moisturizer category. As the weather starts to warm up, I began the hunt for some new facial moisturizers, and I’m happy to report that I’ve found a couple real winners by Jan Marini Skincare. If clear, radiant skin is your goal, I definitely recommend checking out the Jan Marini Bioclear Face Lotion. This moisturizer combines glycolic, salicylic and azelaic acid to provide countless benefits for dramatically smoother, clearer, more luminous looking skin. The multifunctional resurfacing lotion works to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, redness, acne scarring, large pores and uneven texture. Yes please! I’ve found the combo of cleansing with the Jan Marini Bioglycolic Cleanser, followed by a generous layer of the Bioclear Face Lotion has really kept my skin glowing on another level.

If brighter skin is what you’re after, please do yourself a favor and try the Jan Marini Luminate Face Lotion. The highly concentrated solution uses turmeric, peptides, licorice, arbuten, retinol and more, all of which work their magic to reduce the appearance of discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, there’s no hydroquinone (an effective but irritating ingredient) in the formula, so it’s great even for those with more sensitive skin. If you suffer from melasma, post-blemish hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, you’re definitely going to want to incorporate the Luminate Face Lotion into your routine. For those who might be on the market for a whole skincare routine revamp, the Jan Marini Skincare Management System offers everything you need in one package- from cleanser to serum to moisturizer & face cream to SPF, it’s got you covered from all angles. It’s definitely an investment, but with the high quality level I’ve come to find with all Jan Marini products, I truly think you’ll be happy with your new routine!

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support! 

fave products // paula's choice skincare boosters

 
 

Allow me to let you in on a recent skincare trend I’ve been loving. Skincare boosters! Boosters have been gaining popularity lately, and for good reason. Simply put, they’re high-powered formulas of concentrated ingredients that amplify improvements in your skin, so you get the results you want, only quicker! Paula’s Choice has created eight powerhouse boosters, each targeting a specific skincare concern, that can be used alone or combined with your favorite serum or moisturizer to give it that extra potency. I like that Paula’s Choice chooses to use only ingredients backed by research for the exact concerns each booster is designed to address. That way you know you’re getting a truly effective product! I’ve been trying out a few of the boosters recently, and can honestly say I’m impressed. Their lightweight textures make them ideal to layer with my other products, and be on my way!

Starting with a tried and true favorite, the Hyaluronic Acid Booster targets parched skin, fine lines, and lack of suppleness with ease, leaving you with soft, plump skin. If you struggle with red or brown marks, dull skin, or fine lines, the C15 Super Booster could be for you! The 15% ascorbic acid is combined with vitamin E & ferulic acid (like cult-fave SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic) to give you an all-over translucent glow. Vitamin B3 is having a bit of a moment lately, thanks to its ability to help visibly reduce the appearance of large pores and uneven skin tone. The 10% Niacinamide Booster is combined with additional antioxidants to deliver key anti-aging benefits. Winning! For those with blemish-prone skin, the 10% Azelaic Acid Booster is where it’s at. It’s been such a great alternative to the typical salicylic acid products- I really notice a difference! I’m also looking forward to trying out the 1% Retinol Booster post-pregnancy, as this multi-tasker fights advanced signs of aging as well as pesky blemishes! Next on my list is the C25 Super Booster (great for spot treating stubborn discoloration) and the Peptide Booster (with a hydrating amino acid complex). Which are you most curious to try?

 * This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, it won’t cost you a penny more, but I’ll earn a small commission. This allows me to continue to generate content for you, and helps keep the site up and running. Thanks for your support!