fave products // babor cleansing hy-öl & phyto-active sensitive

Come wintertime, I like to take my skincare to the next level with a super gentle and hydrating oil cleanser. You may have heard about the popular “double cleansing” method by now. It originated in Korea, and typically involves an oil cleanser to help remove makeup, sunscreen, city pollution, and anything else your skin may have accumulated throughout the day. At first I was a bit hesitant to try it out- it seemed like it could dry out my skin and strip it of the good oils it needs! However, I needn’t have worried. Once I started researching, I came across Babor Cleansing Hy-Öl and Phyto-Active Sensitive Cleansers, which looked like the perfect mix of water, plant-based oils, and essential vitamins to nourish the skin rather than deplete it. You start with a few pumps of the Hy-Öl and massage it into dry skin. Then add a pump or two of the Phyto-Active, spreading it evenly across your face. Next wet your fingers a bit, and create a smooth lather of the two on your skin. Rinse and pat dry! I’ve been loving how my skin feels after using this cleansing system, super soft and refreshed. Babor even makes a few different Phyto-Active Cleansers, so you can choose the best fit for your skin type, whether that’s sensitive, dry, dull, or combination. If you’re looking to switch up your cleanser this winter, I definitely recommend checking out Babor products for calm and youthful, glowing skin!

* 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 // true botanicals hydrating cleanser

I've been a True Botanicals fan for a while now- from the renewal serum & vitamin C booster to the polishing grains, these products truly work. And with ingredients that are both potent yet gentle, you can actually feel good about what you're putting on your skin. The hydrating cleanser is a jack of all trades that removes makeup and dead skin cells, unclogs pores, hydrates, heals scarring, and stimulates cell turnover. The cleanser from the clear collection also helps to fight infection, by destroying acne-inducing bacteria and balancing your skin (all the while being careful not to damage it). I love that it leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed, rather than dry and tight, like so many harsh cleansers seem to do. Every so often I'll add a shake of the polishing grains to the mix to get that extra bit of exfoliation!

True Botanicals uses green and white teas (as opposed to just water) for the base of this cleanser, which allows you to reap the antioxidant and polyphenol benefits of these impressive ingredients. Think toning, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, just to name a few! Black willow bark extract joins the party as a non-irritating, but highly effective, version of the traditional salicylic acid you're used to, and helichrysum is a total anti-powerhouse (anti-bacterial, fungal & inflammatory). Talk about an added bonus! 

fave products // sunday riley blue moon cleansing balm

 

I'm all about a multipurpose product. A gentle yet effective cleansing balm that doubles as a mask? Sign me up! The Blue Moon Tranquility Cleansing Balm from Sunday Riley is a balm-to-milk cleanser with highly moisturizing ingredients like cocoa butter and mimosa flower wax. Its sugar-based cleansers work to remove makeup and other impurities, while soothing essential oils like blue tansy and German chamomile calm irritation. This product comes in extra handy during the fall and winter, when my skin feels extra dry and can really benefit from a heavier cleansing balm. Alternatively, I've found Blue Moon functions just as well as a calming and moisturizing face mask! I apply a thin layer of balm over clean skin, and allow it to set for about 20 minutes. The vanilla and sweet orange essential oils help to create a zen spa-like experience as an added bonus while you wait. After rinsing with a warm washcloth, my skin literally feels soft as a baby's bottom and oh, so hydrated! As with all of Sunday Riley's products, this balm is free of parabens and sulfates, is fragrance-free, and would make a great addition to your daily or weekly skincare regimen.

 

top shelf // a la ITG

 

If you're a follower of Into the Gloss like I am, then you've seen The Top Shelf posts that are featured on both their site and Instagram feeds. #ITGtopshelfie has become super popular, so I wanted to partake in the fun! Here is a peek at my medicine cabinet, featuring tons of my favorite products. You can read more details about each item on my morning routine, bedtime routine, and gettin' glam posts! I will also continue to post new finds, must-have products, and amazing brands that I use & love, so be sure to check back!

 

britt's picks // aesthetician

I started going to Hillery Sklar for facials a few years ago, and quickly become a devoted customer, as have many others. From cleansing to steam to extractions to mask to the final massage, it's a good 'ol classic facial from start to finish. But one that continues to leave my skin glowing time after time. I make sure to schedule my next appointment as soon as we finish my current treatment, as Hillery books up way in advance. She also uses highly effective products I love, from Mario Badescu and OSea, and treats both men & women! I especially love the high-frequency machine, which can improve the skin's complexion, reduce fine lines & wrinkles, and help to treat & prevent acne. My skin never fails to look (and feel!) fresh & rejuvenated after a facial treatment with Hillery. It's always a relaxing & enjoyable experience, and I'm glad to call her a friend.

 * 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!