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 // paula's choice skin perfecting BHA liquid
Throughout my skincare foray into various brands, Paula's Choice is a name that kept popping up again and again. Admittedly, I didn't know much about them, but after hearing the word "cult following" affiliated with this product, I figured I'd better check it out. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid works kind of like a toner, but one that is also great for sensitive skin, which I love. I hate when products feel like they're burning off your skin, am I right?? Not the case here! This liquid works to give you radiant, even-toned skin by simultaneously reducing redness and building collagen, which smooths fine lines and wrinkles. The 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid) content helps to unclog and diminish any enlarged pores you may have as well, making this one seriously potent yet totally gentle exfoliant! It's even clinically proven to be non-irritating, and is fragrance free! I like to use this every other night or so (I rotate with my Cane + Austin retexture pads), and apply with a cotton round after cleansing. With this impressive list of benefits, it's easy to imagine Paula's Choice products to be crazy expensive, but the opposite is actually true! I highly recommend trying it out for yourself soon.
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fave products // cane + austin glycolic acid retexture pads
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.
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.
fave products // true botanicals polishing grains
By now we've all heard about the importance of exfoliation. Exfoliating your skin helps to remove dead skin cells, exposing the soft, smooth, and polished layer underneath. It also helps prep your skin for any other products you'll be applying, like a moisturizer or serum. Exfoliating is one of the best ways to achieve that natural glow all over your body (not just the face!), and these Polishing Grains from True Botanicals make it super easy. Add a few shakes to your usual cleanser of choice, and voilà- you have an instant secret weapon exfoliator! Made from oat flour, adzuki bean powder and rice powder, this super-fine mix of grains work as natural exfoliants that won't irritate the skin. Kaolin clay is a soothing mineral that helps remove impurities and regulate oil production, while rosehip seed powder enriches the skin with retinol and essential fatty acids! Talk about an exfoliator that does it all! Added bonus that these polishing grains are environmentally-friendly, made without plastic microbeads, as well as travel-friendly! Renewed and radiant skin is just a shake of grains away.
