fave products // goop beauty goopglow vita-c brightening eye cream

I feel like I’m getting to that age where an eye cream is definitely a good idea. Mid 30s, two kids… you know what I mean. The skin under your eyes is super delicate, and is also quick to show signs of aging (or lack of sleep!), so adding a nourishing eye cream to your skincare routine can be highly beneficial. The Goop Beauty GOOPGLOW Vita-C Brightening Eye Cream does just that and more, thanks to an epic anti-aging combo of vitamin C and niacinamide. The gel-cream goes on smooth and silky, working its magic to depuff, color correct, and brighten right away, while also giving you firming, smoothing, and lifting benefits with continued use. If this sounds like it’s checking all the boxes, then we are on the same page! There’s even a plant-based retinoid alternative at play that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I’ve found that the light, hydrating texture absorbs into the skin easily, and is not irritating in the least. Plus it plays well with others- aka goes on nicely under makeup with no pilling! Here’s your sign to add GOOPGLOW Vita-C Brightening Eye Cream to your top shelf stat. I mean, hey, if it’s good enough for Gwyneth, am I right?!

 * 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 // comfort zone sublime skin intensive serum

As someone who has yet to try any treatment beyond topical products and lasers for skincare improvements, anything that claims to have “natural filler effects” is intriguing. Comfort Zone Sublime Skin Intensive Serum combines the best of science and sustainability to create a facial serum that boasts some seriously impressive anti-aging benefits, if I do say so myself. The serum contains bio-actives such as hexapeptide (which has been known to give a botox-like effect), macro hyaluronic acid, and even achillea botanical extract (anti-aging powerhouse!) from regenerative agriculture.

After incorporating the Intensive Serum into my routine for a while, both morning and evening, I can truly say that my skin feels firmer, tighter, and smoother overall. I like that the formula is lightweight and easily absorbed, and layers nicely under my other products. It definitely leaves you with that coveted youthful glow we all strive for as we start to get older. As an added bonus, Comfort Zone’s innovative reusable, refillable packaging allows it to generate less impact on the environment as well! For an epic one-two punch, I highly suggest following up the serum with the Comfort Zone Sublime Skin Cream.

 * 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 // obagi elastiderm facial serum

Obagi newbie here. This brand is new to me, but one that has piqued my interest for a while now. A little background: Obagi dedicated to utilizing formulations backed by skin care science and innovation. They offer powerful formulas that not only focus on restoring the skin, but promoting overall skin health each and every day. They can help out with a variety of concerns including acne, discoloration, dry and aging skin. I love a highly effective serum, and as I near my mid-thirties, anti-aging products that work their magic are super appealing to me ;)

Enter Obagi Medical ELASTIderm Facial Serum. The main goal of this serum is to support skin elasticity and improve signs of skin bounce back. It’s formulated with patented Bi-Mineral Contour Complex™, a super scientific-sounding ingredient that harnesses two minerals, zinc and copper, with malonate for firmer-looking, more resilient skin. Ingredients are suspended with FlexFluid™ technology, creating a soft, elegant and lightweight product experience that increases signs of skin elasticity in just 24 hours. If you’ve been experiencing that “crepey” looking skin, or struggle with any other issues related to aging skin, I definitely recommend adding the Obagi ELASTIderm Facial Serum to your routine. I’ve been using it morning and night, on a clean, toned face and neck, and it absorbs quite nicely and makes for a nice base for your next step of moisturizer or face oil. I’ve definitely noticed a positive change after just a few weeks of using it, so I think it’s safe to say it’s earned its place on my top shelf! Plus, this pairs lovely with the Obagi ELASTiderm Eye Serum as well, so check it out!

 * 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 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 // ilia beauty true skin radiant priming serum & serum foundation

ILIA Beauty is one of the original clean beauty brands, and one I’d been interesting in trying for some time now. I love their motto, skincare-powered makeup, because I truly believe the two should go hand-in-hand in everyone’s routine. Finding the right balance between product safety and product performance can be tricky, but ILIA has really nailed it down. By using clean, effective ingredients and focusing on organic bases, vivid color, and active botanicals, they’re able to make mindful decisions about products that truly make your skin glow.

ILIA Beauty True Skin Radiant Priming Serum is the perfect product to help you transition from your skincare to makeup routines. Hibiscus extract, aloe, and beta-glucan create a super smooth base for makeup application thanks to their firming, moisturizing, and soothing properties. Plus, they help protect the skin from free radicals and harsh environmental factors that cause signs of aging. Pores and fine lines appear smaller, improving the texture of your skin and leaving you with a radiant glow! I especially love that it’s silicone-free, and leaves my skin baby soft to the touch.

The ILIA Beauty True Skin Serum Foundation is a killer two-in-one product. All the skincare benefits of a serum, plus the light but buildable coverage of a foundation. I love how weightless it feels on my skin, and- big bonus- it never gets cakey or flakey, but rather helps blur imperfections, leaving you with a velvety soft finish. Botanical actives like aloe leaf, rosehip, jojoba, and marula oils help sooth irritation and calm redness, and also boast some anti-aging properties thanks to their aid in plumping fine lines! Luminous skin is what you’re left with, and most importantly, your skin looks like skin! If clean beauty is important to you, and I hope it is, I highly recommend checking out ILIA Beauty soon!

 * 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!