fave products // cosmedix simply brilliant & bakuchiol complete serums

I love a powerhouse serum. One that boasts many anti-aging benefits and works its magic all the while nourishing your skin at the same time is a big winner for me. A couple that have been at the top of my list lately are the Cosmedix Simply Brilliant and Bakuchiol Complete Serums. On their own, and used back to back, they’ve been showing me some impressive results, so I wanted to share them with you!

Simply Brilliant is a 24/7 brightening serum that works to restore radiance to dull, discolored skin. A key factor at play here are the antioxidants, which help protect your skin from environmental stressors like free radicals (a major cause of hyperpigmentation and discoloration!). Plus, lactic acid gently exfoliates the skin to help promote a more even skin tone. I’ve noticed the my skin gets its nice, dewy glow back when I add Simply Brilliant to my routine consistently- a much healthier-looking complexion overall. Use it post cleansing and toning, and then follow it up with Bakuchiol Complete or your fave moisturizer (& SPF for daytime)!

Bakuchiol Complete is an uber hydrating serum that utilizes the plant-based alternative to retinol called (you guessed it) bakuchiol. This ingredient has become popular in the last few years as a more gentle alternative to retinol, and one that is safe for those with sensitive skin, or who may be pregnant or nursing. It’s known for its ability to reduce the apperance of fine lines & wrinkles, as well as promote an overall brighter, more even complexion. Yes please! Because of its oilier consistency (thanks to squalane, jojoba seed & moringa seed oils), I’ve actually been using Bakuchiol Complete as more of a moisturizer, applying it after another serum like Simply Brilliant to really lock in moisture. It goes on super smooth, and leaves my skin feeling oh so hydrated and supple. I’ve definitely noticed an overall more radiant complexion with continued use of both these products. More Cosmedix winners (like the Elite line I’ve also been loving) now added into my regular skincare rotation!

 * 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 // tata harper clarifying cleanser & moisturizer

I love me some Tata Harper. The brand is known for its use of potent, highly effective ingredients, while also remaining completely free of toxins. The perfect combination in my opinion! Their clarifying line of products in particular is great for those with blemish-prone skin, and I find myself reaching for these whenever my skin gets a bit irritated or hormonal. The Clarifying Cleanser and Clarifying Moisturizer provide a powerful one-two punch that target blemish-causing impurities while providing key hydration and moisture for your skin. As with all Tata's cleansers, you're instructed to apply a few pumps to dry skin, massaging it into a lather, then rinse with warm water. I love the cooling effect it has from mint extract, and sometimes will even leave it on for a few minutes as a flash cooling mask! Active ingredients like prickly pear flower enzymes create an exfoliating effect to help clear buildup and also promote cell renewal. Wild-crafted juniper fruit helps balance oil and sebum, while chlorella soothes redness and calms irritation. 

Once cleansed, I like to apply a few spritzes of Tata Harper's Hydrating Floral Essence before moving onto a serum and moisturizer. The Clarifying Moisturizer makes my skin feel nicely balanced and hydrated, without being too greasy, thanks to plumping hyaluronic acid as well as a clarifying mineral blend of copper, magnesium, and zinc. These natural astringents help remove buildup from the surface of your skin and aide in soothing. A super fruit healing blend including elderberry, sandalwood seed, sea buckthorn, tazman pepper, and palmetto berry works to minimize the effects of free radicals, while also calming redness and promoting healthy, radiant skin. Equally as important, sea fern helps reduce the appearance of any skin discoloration you may have leftover post-blemish, as well. I'll be honest, these products aren't cheap. But what I can tell you is they are made from the highest quality ingredients with absolutely none of the harsh or irritating chemicals. I'm willing to pay more for something that I know works and makes my skin look and feel its best- so if you're considering trying out Tata Harper, I highly suggest you do!

* 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 // sunday riley good genes lactic acid treatment

My love for Sunday Riley products is nothing new at this point. I've been continuously impressed by the high level of effectiveness of their oils, toners, and cleansers over the past year. One of their most popular products that I had yet to try, however, was their Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. This stuff has a cult following, so I figured it was time I give it a try to see what all the hype is about! The serum, which is packed with high-potency purified grade lactic acid, works to exfoliate dead skin cells, leaving you with fresh and bright skin. It's great to combat dullness and uneven texture, and helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Even better, fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed and look visually plumped with consistent usage!

So far I'm really enjoying Good Genes. My skin appears younger and more radiant, and I feel that my complexion is overall more healthy and clarified. It's not something I use every day, as the lactic acid can be a bit intense for my sensitive skin. Every other day or every few days seems to work perfectly for me, and it's super important to remember to use SPF with any AHA product to prevent sun sensitivity. If you're looking for a great Sunday Riley starter kit, my top two favorite products are sold together in this Power Couple kit, which is the ideal transformative duo in my opinion.