fave products // dermalogica smart response serum

If I had to choose one type of skincare product to take with me on a desert island, it would probably be serum. Ok, fine, sunscreen would probably be more important- but you get the idea. Serums are a super effective way to deliver a high concentration of potent product onto the skin, and they can be targeted for all sorts of varying skin concerns- from acne to wrinkles to dullness & more! The new Smart Response Serum from Dermalogica is a next-gen smart serum that protects skin by using four actives that hydrate, brighten, soothe, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It essentially delivers what your skin needs, when it needs it by reading the skin's micro signals and responding proactively. Sounds confusing, but just know that it works in real time to stop skin damage before it's even visible. You’re basically getting a personalized response with every use, which in turn gives you healthier, glowing skin.

I’ve been incorporating the Smart Response Serum into my routine lately (after cleansing and toning), and I’ve really been loving it so far. Its thin, creamy texture melts into my skin effortlessly, and a pump or two is all you need to see results. A few key ingredients are hard at work here: first off, plant-based M6P glycan visibly increases firmness. Then, whenever my skin seems dehydrated, hydrolyzed beta-glucan promotes hyaluronic acid production to give things a necessary moisture boost. Plus arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (sounds freakier than it is) works to even out skin tone and helps slow melanin production.

I also love that this serum is cruelty-free, comes in recyclable packaging, and is free of nasty ingredients (think parabens, sulfates, phthalates & mineral oil). Woot woot! PS- if you’re looking to add another Dermalogica power player to your routine along with the Smart Response Serum, I highly suggest the PowerBright Dark Spot Serum! It’s great for uneven skin tone & texture, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and aging skin. These two really pack a one-two punch!

 * 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 // dermalogica overnight retinol repair

Retinol, a highly effective form of vitamin A, may just be the most popular anti-aging product on the market today. It pops up in everything from oils to serums to targeted prescription treatments, and I can attest that it can definitely work some magic. However, it can be irritating for those with sensitive skin, and not everyone’s skin can tolerate it, so it’s important to start with a low dose and work your way up. The Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair is a concentrated, yet customizable retinol treatment that comes with a buffer cream so you can dilute it as much or as little as needed. It uses .5% microencapsulated pure retinol, which I’ve found to be effective at both promoting skin renewal and reducing signs of aging. To be frank, retinol is basically the anti-aging master- it works to fight discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone, among other things. It’s one of those products I think everyone should incorporate into their skincare routine for all its impressive benefits!

 * 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 // dermalogica biolumin-c eye serum

I love me some Dermalogica. It’s one of those brands I keep coming back to for their potent, gentle, yet effective products. I fell in love with their Biolumin-C Serum a while ago, so I was super excited when I learned they were coming out with a Biolumin-C Vitamin C Eye Serum. Yes please! This lightweight serum is packed with antioxidants that work to brighten, hydrate, and firm the area around your eyes. I’m sure you’ve noticed how delicate the under-eye skin is, and it’s also one of the first places to show signs of aging. That combo calls for perfectly balanced serum that will work to fight free radicals and environmental pollutants, but one that will also hydrate the skin and keep it supple. Biolumin-C Eye Serum uses Vitamin C Complex, a stable form of vitamin C that boasts both brightening and anti-wrinkle benefits, while ingredients like chia seed oil and tremella mushroom extract help to depuff and firm the skin. I love that the serum is free of sulfates, phthalates, and parabens (among other nasty ingredients), and is also vegan, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. Any move that helps the environment is a huge plus in my book. Be sure to grab one for yourself, stat!

 * 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 // dermalogica powerbright trx pure night cream & pure bright serum

Brighter, more glowing skin always sounds pretty appealing, am I right? Uneven skin tone can be frustrating, and although I try to be diligent in my use of sunscreen and other anti-aging products, sometimes the spots and discoloration still peep through. Thankfully, Dermalogica’s PowerBright TRx line of products is here to help us combat the dullness! I’ve been using the PowerBright TRx C-12 Pure Bright Serum and the PowerBright TRx Pure Night Face Moisturizer, and I can already tell a difference. I love how lightweight and quickly absorbed the serum is- it’s super potent, but still gentle enough that I can use it both day and night! This baby works to fight all sorts of hyperpigmentation, including brown spots, discoloration, and uneven skin tone thanks to ingredients like oligopeptides, phytic acid, and red & brown algae. Say hello to increased luminosity! Pure Night, with its rich and creamy texture, just adds to the impressive glow-factor you’ll be gaining. Its active blend of brightening agents (think vitamin C, niacinamide, pumpkin enzyme & white bird of paradise seed extract!) work their magic while you sleep, so that you wake up to more luminous skin. Um, yes please! If you’re seeking brighter, more even-toned skin, I highly suggest adding these products to your routine, stat. While you’re at it, check out some of my other favorite Dermalogica products as well!

 * 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 // dermalogica ultracalming serum concentrate & calm water gel

If you have sensitive skin and have trouble finding products that actually work, but also don’t irritate your skin, I have just the stuff for you! Dermalogica makes some killer products- I’ve been a fan of their vitamin C serum for a while now- but they also make a line of UltraCalming products that is specifically catered to those with sensitive skin like mine! Using their exclusive UltraCalming complex, which contains soothing ingredients like oat, botanicals, peptides, evening primrose oil, as well as sunflower seed & avocado extracts, these products aid in easing sensitization and defending against future problems. The UltraCalming Serum Concentrate has been a true god-send. This powerhouse serum works to calm and soothe sensitive skin (especially after any non-invasive facial treatments), and helps interrupt the inflammatory triggers that cause flare-ups to begin with. I like applying a thin layer over my entire face post-cleansing, then following with the UltraCalming Calm Water Gel. This water-gel moisturizer feels practically weightless, yet still adequately hydrates and moisturizes my skin. Thanks to apple fruit extract, cactus pear extract, and glycerin, this skin-quenching fluid is able to support a healthy moisture balance while defending against dryness. And dual hyaluronic acid technology works to increase and lock in moisture throughout multiple layers of the skin’s surface! Yes please! I was also more recently introduced to their newest addition, the UltraCalming Redness Relief Essence, which is the perfect combo of toner and serum. It’s lightweight enough to feel super refreshing, yet concentrated enough to visibly reduce redness and sensitivity. Apply it post-cleanser, right before your UltraCalming Serum Concentrate. I’m curious if you’ve tried out any other products from the line? I’m debating which one to try next! Maybe the cleanser? Let me know!

 * 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 // dermalogica biolumin-c serum

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the benefits of vitamin C. This potent antioxidant works wonders for your skin, boasting some seriously impressive anti-aging qualities. The truth is that various natural and environmental triggers are working against your skin every single day, causing hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity. That’s where Dermalogica’s BioLumin-C Serum comes in. Using advanced biotechnology, it delivers the maximum amount of vitamin C specifically where your skin needs it the most, essentially enhancing the skin’s natural defense system and giving you brighter skin from within. Their version is also ultra-stable, so it actually delivers three times more vitamin C serum into your skin than other similar products!

I’ve been using the serum for a while now, and have been seriously impressed with the results. Lately I’ve been dealing with slight hyperpigmentation in certain spots, and I’ve definitely noticed my skin has become brighter and more balanced since using BioLumin-C. Not to mention if feels more firm. It’s clear that vitamin C is a true skincare powerhouse, but Dermalogica takes their product a step further. Besides neutralizing free radicals and helping defend against oxidative stress, this supercharged serum goes beyond the surface to actually help stop damage before it even starts. And of course, it gets major bonus points in my book for being cruelty-free, paraben free, and formulated without artificial fragrances or colors. If you haven’t incorporated vitamin C into your skincare routine yet, I highly suggest you do so, and this product is a great place to start!

* 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!