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 // 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! 

fave products // renée rouleau post-breakout fading gel

Everyone gets breakouts or the random blemish from time to time. One thing I've noticed as I've gotten older is that some blemishes take longer to heal than they used to. It seems like a little mark or scar lingers for a while, which is pretty freaking annoying, to be honest. Brighteners and exfoliators are pretty common these days, and for good reason. Both can be used to help reduce the appearance of any discoloration on your face, as well as quicken recovery time. Renée Rouleau Post-Breakout Fading Gel is a fast-acting acne scar treatment that helps lighten and fade any marks left from those pesky blemishes. White tea and sea whip extracts are powerful anti-inflammatory agents, with gentle soothing components as well. Lactic and glycolic acids work to exfoliate the skin, promoting a nice, even-toned complexion. Obviously, the effectiveness of the product depends on the severity of the blemish, so make sure you don't make things worse by picking! I know it can be hard to resist at times- trust me, I've been there- but I promise it's in your best interest. I've been using the gel pretty regularly for a while now, and can happily say that it's helped with any lingering dark spots and marks I have! I love when a product does what it says it'll do, so I definitely plan to keep a bottle of this in my cabinet going forward. The Texan in me got excited that Renée herself is an Austin-based skin-care expert and esthetician, and even better- her company is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny! I've also been trying out (and really enjoying!) some other Renée Rouleau products as well, so keep an eye out for more reviews soon!

fave products // cane + austin glycolic acid retexture pads

cane austin pads.jpg

I feel like we're hearing more and more about acids with regards to skincare these days, but I'll admit that they can seem a bit scary at first. An acid on my face? Seems intense. While many people shell out big bucks to get fancy peels and treatments at their dermatologist's office, Cane + Austin, a company started by Dermatologist Craig Austin, uses glycolic acid to give you those professional-grade results at home! Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from cane sugar (hence the name), is both highly transformative and super gentle on your skin at the same time, making it great for regular use.

Cane + Austin's Retexture Pads are made for both your face and body, and come in various levels of glycolic acid (as well as salicylic acid for an extra acne-fighting boost). Depending on your skin type and comfortability, or if you're new to acids, I recommend starting low and working your way up. The one-step pads really couldn't be easier to use, and I love that I can toss them in my suitcase for on-the-go travel as well! This mini facial treatment really packs a punch- it exfoliates, helps even skin tone, boosts collagen, and even helps reduce the appearance of age spots. The pads are also free of fragrances and parabens, making them equally great for sensitive skin like mine as well.