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 // 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! 

fave products // iS clinical reparative moisture emulsion & youth eye complex

Oh iS Clinical, I really can’t get enough of you lately! Your serums swooned me months ago, but I really have yet to be disappointed by any of the products I try. The Reparative Moisture Emulsion and Youth Eye Complex are no different- surprise, surprise- so I wanted to give y’all the scoop on these classics from Innovated Skincare ASAP! The Reparative Moisture Emulsion has kept my skin protected and feeling smooth and healthy thanks to some powerhouse pharmaceutical-grade botanicals, peptides, and antioxidants. Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor? May sound confusing, but it’s clinically proven to fight signs of premature aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Same goes for Extremozymes, which are enzymes that work to protect your skin from environmental stressors. Add in hyaluronic acid for both penetrating and surface hydration, and you’re good to go! Lots of makeup artists love this product, as it’s great for all skin types, and is a great way to prep the skin before applying makeup. Plus, paraben free is the way to be, y’all ;)

The Youth Eye Complex works similarly to the Emulsion above in many ways, but with a focus on the delicate eye area, providing you with both immediate and long-term visible improvements. You’ll find Copper Tripeptide Growth Factor and Hyaluronic here as well, but also acetyl octapeptide-3 and pseudoalteromonas ferment extract (sounds scary, but they aren’t!) which help fight pesky signs of premature aging, like wrinkles and puffiness. Yes please! Since incorporating this cream, my under-eye area has felt more firm, with increased elasticity, and not to mention looks brighter as well! As an added bonus, I also love using this product around the similarly delicate lip area. Try it out for yourself and see! Now tell me- which iS Clinical products have you tried and loved???

 * 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 // perricone md cold plasma+ face serum & eye cream

I’m all about a super-concentrated, highly potent serum or cream. You know the ones. They’re packed full of multi-tasking, powerhouse ingredients that promote youthful, radiant skin and give you that glow you crave. I’m happy to say that Perricone MD Cold Plasma+ Face Serum and Eye Cream do exactly that, plus more. They use a proprietary liquid crystal (fancy!) delivery system for faster and deeper penetration of ingredients. Practically any skin issue, like loss of radiance, uneven texture or tone, discoloration, redness, enlarged pores, fine lines, wrinkles, or loss of firmness, can be vastly improved with these babies. I love that the face serum is super smooth and creamy (feels like a finishing cream!), but the concentrated formula gets to to work quickly boasting all its anti-aging benefits. Copper tripeptides, vitamin C ester (the highly stable, easily absorbable form of antioxidant-rich vitamin C), and omegas 3, 6, and 9 come together to work their magic here, and the proof is in results. My skin has been feeling super plump and baby soft. Really so, so supple! The eye cream uses the same ingredients, but also targets the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and crow’s feet! Both Perricone MD products are fragrance free, making them perfect for those with sensitive skin like mine. A little goes a long way, so although the price is steep, each jar should last you quite a while. Let me know if you end up trying them out- you won’t be disappointed!

 * 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 // dermatologist

A good dermatologist is crucial to any person's well being and overall skin health. I truly believe this. They aren't just there to treat annoying acne, but also check for cancerous moles and treat any problematic skin issues. So many people forget to protect their skin from the sun (I was one of them for longer than I'd like to admit), and although you may not notice the damage right away, this can cause some serious issues in the long term. I've been going to Wexler Dermatology in Manhattan for the last several months, and cannot recommend this practice enough. Whatever your skin concern may be, from rosacea to wrinkles to acne to filler, they've got you covered. I began a treatment with Dr. Eugene Wexler called Aerolase, which is a neo-laser treatment that helps with many issues including hyerpigmentation, tightening & rejuvenation, acne & scarring, collagen production, and redness/rosacea! The completely non-invasive treatment involves high-powered, short-pulse lasers, which are guided over your face and neck as they work their magic. I'll typically follow the short laser treatment with a few seconds of LED light therapy, which is great for fighting signs of aging as well. Aerolase generally needs 3-4 treatments every 3-4 weeks to be effective, and now that I've completed my 4th session, I can definitely tell a difference. My aesthetician also remarked how my skin is looking much brighter and more even overall. Success!

During my first appointment, Dr. Patricia Wexler suggested I start using the three products above (SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Antioxidant Treatment, SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator & Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46) immediately, and after several months of consistent use, I'm totally sold. I'd heard about the C E Ferulic before- it has a serious cult following- and this stuff is no joke. It's a lighteight serum containing l-ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol and ferulic acid that works to prevent signs of aging. Basically, it's the vitamin C serum of your dreams that also helps fight the environmental effects of free radicals. Any signs of photodamage or hyperpigmentation been bugging you? This stuff helps lighten and brighten as well! The HA5 Hydrator contains an impressive five forms of hyaluronic acid, our body's natural hydrator that diminishes over time, and helps keep our skin super smooth and fully hydrated. It's also oil-free, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic, so you don't have to worry about it clogging your pores. Elta MD is known for being one of the best sunscreens out there and comes highly recommended by dermatologists alike. Their UV Clear SPF 46 uses zinc oxide to protect from the sun, and also calms sensitive skin types prone to breakouts, rosacea, or discoloration. High purity niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid promote overall healthy-looking skin. Speaking of, I need to stock up on another bottle of these, stat! Dr. Wexler also makes her own line of products, and I've been reaching for the overnight acne repair lotion whenever a pesky blemish arises. If you live in NYC, or even if you don't, and are looking for a reliable, intelligent, and helpful dermatologist, I highly recommend you seek out Wexler Dermatology! 

 * 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 biolumin-c serum

I’m sure by now you’ve heard about the benefits of vitamin C. This potent antioxidant works wonders for your skin, boasting some seriously impressive anti-aging qualities. The truth is that various natural and environmental triggers are working against your skin every single day, causing hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity. That’s where Dermalogica’s BioLumin-C Serum comes in. Using advanced biotechnology, it delivers the maximum amount of vitamin C specifically where your skin needs it the most, essentially enhancing the skin’s natural defense system and giving you brighter skin from within. Their version is also ultra-stable, so it actually delivers three times more vitamin C serum into your skin than other similar products!

I’ve been using the serum for a while now, and have been seriously impressed with the results. Lately I’ve been dealing with slight hyperpigmentation in certain spots, and I’ve definitely noticed my skin has become brighter and more balanced since using BioLumin-C. Not to mention if feels more firm. It’s clear that vitamin C is a true skincare powerhouse, but Dermalogica takes their product a step further. Besides neutralizing free radicals and helping defend against oxidative stress, this supercharged serum goes beyond the surface to actually help stop damage before it even starts. And of course, it gets major bonus points in my book for being cruelty-free, paraben free, and formulated without artificial fragrances or colors. If you haven’t incorporated vitamin C into your skincare routine yet, I highly suggest you do so, and this product is a great place to start!

* 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!