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! 

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 // omorovicza skin savior mask & midnight renewal serum

I’ve been an Omorovicza fan for a while now, so I was pumped to try some new (to me) products from their line up recently. If your skin has been acting up, whether that’s in the form of blemishes, clogged pores, or just overall dullness, I highly recommend checking out the Skin Savior Mask. This baby is the perfect targeted treatment for blemish-prone skin thanks to powerhouse ingredients like colloidal silver and niacinamide. Colloidal silver has long been associated with skin health and is known for its antibacterial and healing properties. Combined with niacinamide, it provides a potent blend that combats blemishes and breakouts. Salicylic and glycolic acids are at play here as well, working to unclog pores to reveal clearer, smoother, healthier skin. Yes please! I like using this mask once a week or so to help keep blemishes at bay, or whenever I feel a pesky breakout coming along!

The Midnight Renewal Serum is a nighttime serum designed to help stimulate skin's optimal repair while you sleep, renewing skin's youthful vitality. While some forms of retinol can be irritating for those with sensitive skin, this product is formulated with retinal, an innovative, non-irritating form of vitamin A that helps to smooth your complexion while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and preventing premature aging. It also utilizes bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, which smoothes and resurfaces skin, so you still get the best benefits of retinol without the irritation! Plus, the skin's self-renewal process is stimulated, which enhances cell DNA repair and counteracts the effects of UV-induced aging.

Omorovicza products harness Hungary's healing waters using a patented process called Hydro Mineral Transference™, which makes for super nourishing products that help leave skin firmer, suppler and more youthful. Plus, they are all cruelty-free as well, so you can feel good about using them on your skin. Some other Omorovicza faves of mine are their cult fave Acid Fix, along with the Balancing Moisturizer, which I highly recommend checking out 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 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 // nuori infinity bio-target super boost serum

Nuori is a new (to me) beauty brand that was very appealing for multiple reasons. This clean, non-toxic skincare is blended together in super small batches in Denmark. They use premium protective packaging and even mark each product with batch number and expiration date to guarantee maximum freshness and potency. Not to mention, I’d heard Nuori products were highly effective. Checking practically all the boxes- yes please!

The Infinity Bio-Target Super Boost Serum targets your specific skin concerns by allowing you to choose concentrated boosters that you add to the serum to make it a totally personalized solution. Boosters are focused on varying skin concerns, like Dullness, Impurities, Loss of Firmness, Uneven Skin Tone, and Wrinkles, so you can totally personalize this serum just for your specific needs! It was hard to narrow it down, but I ended up selecting Impurities, for its clarifying and pore-minimizing benefits, and Uneven Skin Tone, which helps with depigmenting and brightening. Heads up, this serum is not cheap, but a little goes a long way, and the potency of the product really ensures you get your money’s worth.

I’ve been using the serum for a while now, and can really notice a difference in the overall quality of my skin. Whenever I feel a blemish coming on, or even if one is already there, the serum works its magic quickly and efficiently thanks to niacinamide and witch hazel in the Impurities booster. I’ve also dealt with a bit of hyperpigmentation (melasma, sun spots, acne scars etc.) over the years, and have found azeloglicina and hops extract in the Uneven Skin Tone booster have really made them less noticeable after consistent use. Anti-inflammatory, reduced redness and irritation, less visible dark spots, and a brighter complexion sound like the makings of my ideal serum. If they’re all this good, maybe I need another serum with two more boosters in my life!? Not to mention, I’ve heard great things about the Nuori Infinity Bio-Renewal Night Cream 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 // iS clinical youth serum

I may sound like a broken record at this point, but iS Clinical is legit and I love them. Too much? I’ve raved about their serums, moisturizers & cleansers, but this Youth Serum deserves a post unto itself. It’s that good. The whole youth line is pretty epic to be honest, but the Youth Serum is the cream of the crop, in my opinion. This baby is both acne and wrinkle reducing, has no harsh fragrance, and feels weightless on the skin. The oil-based serum is packed with antioxidants like vitamin A, C & E, making it key for promoting cellular turnover. It not only helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles that you may already have, but also fights off free radicals that may cause signs of premature aging as well. Yes please! My skin feels tighter after applying the serum, yet somehow also rehydrated and nourished. Let’s just say your smooth, glowing complexion will thank you for treating it so 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!