fave products // goop beauty goopglow dark spot exfoliating sleep milk & microderm instant glow exfoliator

I’m somewhat new to Goop Beauty, but I always love products that brighten the skin and help with hyperpigmentation. Especially post-pregnancy, when I’m a bit prone to melasma, anything that helps combat dark spots is a game-changer. Enter GoopGlow Dark Spot Exfoliating Sleep Milk and Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator! These products are powerhouses when it comes to glowing skin. They work their exfoliating magic to fight dullness, uneven texture, dark spots, and clogged pores, leaving you with a radiant complexion. Plus both the serum and mask are cruelty free and totally clean, so you won’t find any nasty ingredients here!

The Dark Spot Exfoliating Sleep Milk is a smooth and creamy serum containing 10% exfoliating acids (glycolic & lactic) that help resurface the skin overnight while you sleep. I love how it feels on my skin- not drying, but rather super luxe and hydrating thanks to “desert milk”, beta glucan, and hyaluronic acid. Piperonyl glucose helps calm the skin, discouraging the appearance of any new spots or pigmentation as well. After using this, I wake up with dewy, baby-soft skin that is practically poreless skin- yes please! An important thing to remember: because of the high percentage of acids, always remember to use SPF in the mornings post-moisturizer.

The Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator has somewhat of a cult following, and after using it, I totally get the hype. It's inspired by professional microdermabrasion and has been clinically tested to ensure impressive results in the comfort of your own home. Plus its whipped, marshmallow-like texture is just to die for! Two types of exfoliation are happening simultaneously here: physical, by way of micro-minerals like quartz, garnet, alumina & silica, and chemical, thanks to glycolic acid. This popular AHA helps remove dead skin and promote cellular turnover, while vitamin C powerhouse Australian kakadu plum gives you an overall luminous glow. My skin feels super smooth and polished after using it- my only suggestion is to start slow, as it can cause redness for those with sensitive skin. A little goes a long way here, so don’t overdo it. What are you waiting for- go get that glowy skin you crave with Goop Beauty!

 * 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 // milk + honey exfoliating cleanser & toner

There’s something about finding the perfect balance between products that are gentle yet still exfoliate and thoroughly cleanse the skin. Ya know what I mean? I’ve been a fan of milk + honey products for a while now- I love that their formulas are totally clean without any harsh or irritating ingredients, but are also super effective. I’ve been incorporating their Exfoliating Cleanser & Exfoliating Toner into my routine lately, and I love how quickly I’m noticing a difference in my skin. The cleanser works to revitalize dull & tired skin, and improve the appearance of pores, leaving you with soft, glowing, healthier-looking skin, while the toner uses a blend of powerful clarifying ingredients to gently resurface the skin. Mandelic acid, a gentle type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) made from bitter almonds, helps with hyperpigmentation and signs of aging, while black willow bark extract, which contains a natural form of salicylic acid (BHA), helps to promote cellular turnover. Plus, tea tree essential oil helps to reduce inflammation to support clearer, smoother skin. While you may worry that all these clarifying ingredients can cause dryness- fear not. Aloe vera juice and hyaluronic acid help to nourish and hydrate the skin, making this duo quite the one-two punch! If you’re looking to switch up your cleanser and toner, I definitely suggest checking out milk + honey products.

 * 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 // alpha H-liquid gold glycolic acid exfoliant & serum

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the benefits of exfoliating. Whether physical (with a scrub) or chemical (with acids), gentle exfoliating is a wonderful way to keep your skin fresh and healthy. Back in the day a certain apricot-scented physical exfoliant was super popular, but it’s become apparent that maybe that wasn’t the most safe, gentle, or effective approach we should be taking. I tend to stick to mostly chemical exfoliants these days, and I’m happy to report that Alpha-H Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid truly delivers results. Liquid Gold combines 5% Glycolic Acid with a unique low-pH delivery system to stimulate action at a deeper layer of the skin. Basically, this lower pH (2.8 - 3.0) temporarily compromises the skin barrier, which then enables deeper penetration of active ingredients. Sounds scary, but it’s a good thing- I promise!

Glycolic acid is a super popular exfoliant for good reason- it works to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, promote cellular turnover, diminish the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, and even help reduce hyperpigmentation! Talk about a powerhouse ingredient. Acids can be a bit irritating at first for newbies, so I recommend applying once every few days at first, and then working your way up to daily use. I’ve also been trying out the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum at night, and let’s just say I think you should stock up on both of these products ASAP. This serum combines two of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients in the game- glycolic acid and granactive retinoid- which work to resurface and renew prematurely aging skin. Throw in tripeptide-5 which promotes collagen production, and ferulic acid to fight free radical damage, and you’ve got yourself a real winner. I’ve definitely noticed a more vibrant, youthful glow to my skin lately, and it’s all thanks to Alpha-H Liquid Gold. As a little added bonus, Alpha-H products are cruelty-free, made with a clean formula, and are made with locally sourced botanicals in Australia. Trust me, this is a line you’ll be happy you added to your 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! 

britt’s picks // dermstore anniversary sale

Dermstore is one of my fave one-stop shops for all things skincare and beauty. They’re currently having an epic Anniversary Sale, and I wanted to share some of my top picks with you guys. Shop now until August 17th to get up to 25% off (use code CELEBRATE) participating brands, and members even get 3x loyalty points on others! From an effective at-home LED therapy mask to a makeup artist fave cleansing water to one of my holy grail anti-aging and anti-acne products, you're sure to find some great deals. Get to shopping- and saving- on serums, cleansers, toners, sunscreen, exfoliants & more! And please be sure to share any great finds of yours as well :)

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

This serum is always a staple in my routine. A lactic acid exfoliating treatment that smoothes the skin, and leaves it bright and gloomy? Yes please.

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator

This is a super hydrating, fragrance-free serum that replenishes your skin’s hyaluronic acid, and guarantees eight hours of continuous moisture.

iS Clinical Active Serum

This is one of my holy grail products with amazing anti-aging and anti-acne benefits. Say goodbye to dull complexions and hello to radiant skin.

EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46

This sunscreen is made with zinc oxide and niacinamide, making it great for those with sensitive skin! It also won’t break you out, which sunscreens are known to do.

Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

This at-home LED mask with red and blue lights helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne. It’s a splurge, but worth it when you compare to the cost of multiple laser treatments and facials.

Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner

This nourishing, alcohol-free toner refreshes and rejuvenates the skin thanks to chamomile & cucumber extracts, hyaluronic acid and coenzyme Q10.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

This makeup artist fave cleansing water and makeup remover does the job with ease, and doesn’t irritate your skin in the least.

ILIA Fullest Volumizing Mascara

This mascara really delivers plump, full, and non-clumpy lashes. Bonus points for a totally clean formula with no nasty ingredients.

HUM Nutrition Skin Heroes Pre + Probiotic

This combo of pre & probiotics works its magic to promote both gut and skin health on a cellular level.

GoldfadenMD Pure Start Detoxifying Facial Cleanser

This gentle cleanser purifies the skin by getting rid of makeup, impurities, and dead skin cells, and leaves you with fresh, hydrated skin.

Slip Silk Sleep Mask

This eye mask is gentle on delicate facial skin, comes in tons of colors, and is so soft and comfy to sleep in!

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This classic product has a cult following for a reason. The original BHA toner works to unclog pores and even skin tone without being too harsh.

 

 * 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 calm exfoliant, serum & moisturizer

If anyone out there has skin that is sensitive to certain ingredients, chemicals, or fragrances like I do, calming skincare products are of the utmost importance. I’ve been a Paula’s Choice fan for a while now- their affordable, yet effective products are hard to beat- so I was excited to try some goodies from their Calm line. After using a gentle cleanser (you could use their Calm Nourishing Cleanser) to wash my face, I apply the Calm 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant to dry skin with my fingertips. It’s a slightly milder version of their cult fave Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid you may have heard about, but still seems to work its magic thanks to potent exfoliator salicylic acid. It feels smooth going on, and gently exfoliates to minimize pore size and smooth the skin. Next up, I followed with the Calm Repairing Serum, which is the perfect overall pick-me-up for sensitive skin. It’s lightweight, yet super hydrating, and is packed with antioxidants that help calm redness and fight signs of aging. I like to use it both morning and night, before applying moisturizer. In the mornings, I follow with the Calm Mineral Moisturizer with SPF 30 to keep my skin protected from UVA & UVB rays from the sun. I always prefer to use sunscreens that are mineral-based (zinc oxide & titanium dioxide) as they don’t irritate my skin like the others. Hyaluronic acid and apricot oil add a wonderful hydrating effect, and help protect the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. Plus, this one doesn’t leave that annoying white film on your skin, and goes on perfectly under makeup! I just discovered there’s a Calm Restoring Moisturizer with hydrating squalane and jojoba oil I think I’ll try next as an evening moisturizer too. Sign me up! I highly recommend checking out Paula’s Choice if you haven’t already!

 * 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 // tata harper body scrub & balm

I'm back with more Tata Harper goodies, and his time, it's all about the body! With all the attention given to the skin on your face these days, it's easy to forget about pampering your body. Regular exfoliation and hydration are key, so you can keep those limbs baby soft! I like to keep my Tata Harper Smoothing Body Scrub in the shower for a totally spa-like exfoliation treatment while I cleanse. It's strong but gentle, and helps to fight dull, uneven, and rough skin using Tata's special biodegradable multi-particle polishing complex. It's sure to leave your skin super smooth and glowing! PS- try it out before shaving to help open up the root and soften your hair too! 

Following a scrub, I love to lather up with a thick, hydrating cream. Tata Harper's Redefining Body Balm is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, leaving your skin feeling totally nourished and protected, but not greasy in the least. Anyone with stretch marks or scarring can greatly benefit this firming balm as well, since it's got a proprietary blend of six natural butters working their magic to help make these less noticeable! As with all Tata's products, every ingredient is 100% natural and non-toxic, making these equally great for those with sensitive skin like me :)

* 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!