fave products // glo skin beauty bio-renew EGF drops & cream

Hi y’all! I’m back after taking most of the summer off from blogging & posting- it was a busy one over here with work stuff, baby stuff, toddler stuff… You know the drill! Fear not, however, as I’ve been testing fun new products along the way regardless ;) Glo Skin Beauty is a new-to-me brand that comes highly recommended from dermatologists, and actually got its start in the treatment room 20+ years ago. They recently launched some innovative products that caught my eye, so I jumped at the chance to try them out. Formulated in partnership with leading NYC dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelmen, these products utilize EGF, an epidermal growth factor that promotes cellular repair and also happens to be 100% vegan! The Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Drops are formulated as a serum that work to restore, strengthen and rejuvenate the skin. Cell regeneration is accelerated, leaving you with overall smoother, glowier skin. Plus, the drops contain a multi-peptide complex that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all while hyaluronic acid adds ample hydration! Sign me up! I’ve been using the product for a few weeks now, and I have to say I’m super pleased with the way my skin is reacting: my skin barrier feels (and looks!) rejuvenated and more hydrated. Feel free to start slowly incorporating this into your routine by mixing a few drops into your other moisturizers or serums for a boost of restorative benefits. Or you can choose to use it full strength as a solo reparative serum- your choice!

Following the EGF Drops, I’ve been finishing my skincare regimen with the Glo Skin Beauty Bio-Renew EGF Cream (a Dermstore exclusive!). This newly launched moisturizer is a next-generation, skin barrier repairing treatment that’s clinically proven to deliver stronger, brighter, smoother, and firmer skin in just one month (!). Along with the vegan epidermal growth factor, the cream contains a phyto-retinol complex, which is a plant-based retinol alternative that is safe for use while pregnant and breastfeeding. It has many of the same benefits of retinol, but without all those nasty side effects. During pregnancy, I’m all about a product that can work it’s retinol-magic without containing potentially harmful ingredients, so this was a big bonus for me. After a few weeks of using the EGF Cream, my skin looks more even-toned, less dull, and more glowy all around! Not to mention that smooth, baby’s bottom texture! I definitely recommend trying these out, pregnant or not! They’d make a stellar addition to any top shelf.

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fave products // furtuna skin rituale luminoso transformation set

Furtuna Skin had been on my must-try list for quite some time now. So I was super excited to get the opportunity to try out a specially curated set, known as the Rituale Luminoso Transformation Travel Set, which includes a micellar essence, a face & eye serum, and a moisturizing face oil. For those who don’t know, all of Furtuna Skin's products originate on their own organic farm in Sicily! This set includes sweet-smelling, wild foraged botanicals designed to help transform your skin.

Furtuna believes in the fundamental pillars of skincare, and that is reflected in the dual action formulas of each of these products. First up, in pillar one, you’ll prepare skin with Acqua Serena Micellar Essence, a cleanser and toner in one that removes impurities, balances pH, and soothes for a radiantly bright complexion. Pillar two involves treating the skin with Porte Per La Vitalità Face and Eye Serum, a dual-use, supercharged treatment for the face and eye area that absorbs in a flash for an instant glowing transformation. Key hydration comes into play in pillar 3 with Due Alberi Biphase Moisturizing Oil, a two-in-one bioactive blend for plumping moisture, antioxidant protection, barrier moisture repair, and Vitamin C to help support skin’s natural collagen synthesis. These three essentials create a transformative ritual (like the name of the set implies) that leave skin luminously smooth and protected, while helping to soften fine lines and restoring the skin’s overall resilience.

Thanks to natural ingredients like olive oil and anchusa azurea, both of which are packed with vitamins and fatty acids to nourish, rejuvenate and soothe your complexion, you’ll be saying hello to glowing, luminous skin in no time. Not to mention, this set is already the perfect size for on-the-go, so you can take it with you on all your travels as well. Since Furtuna is not exactly a budget-friendly brand, it’s also a great intro set to get you acquainted with the brand, in case you’ve been interested in trying it out for yourself!

 * 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!
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 * 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 // beautycounter counter+ all bright c serum

Who doesn’t want brighter, my glowy skin? Vitamin C serums are a dime a dozen these days, but not all are created equal. I personally look for a serum that is lightweight & absorbs easily, made of ultra-stable forms of vitamin C, while also lending a quick boost of radiance to my skin. I’m always impressed by vitamin C’s ability to promote an overall more even skin tone, and I’m happy to say a new find from Beautycounter really delivers.

The Counter + All Bright C Serum boasts an impressive and ultra potent 10% blend of two different forms of vitamin C. They work hand in hand to brighten skin tone and diminish the appearance of dark spots, while antioxidant super heroes turmeric and camu camu help prevent the appearance of new ones as well. I’ve been using the All Bright C Serum for several weeks now, and my skin just looks brighter, and even some of my hyperpigmentation spots are less visible! For an extra boost of radiance, I’ve been using the Beautycounter Glow First Priming Serum, which is goes on smooth and glowy, and combines the best of both skincare and makeup!

An added bonus is that Beautycounter products are vegan, cruelty-free, and EWG-verified, so you can feel good about applying them to your skin. A more youthful, glowing complexion is yours to be had- now, what are you waiting for?!

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 * 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 // alpha H-liquid gold glycolic acid exfoliant & serum

By now I’m sure you’ve heard about the benefits of exfoliating. Whether physical (with a scrub) or chemical (with acids), gentle exfoliating is a wonderful way to keep your skin fresh and healthy. Back in the day a certain apricot-scented physical exfoliant was super popular, but it’s become apparent that maybe that wasn’t the most safe, gentle, or effective approach we should be taking. I tend to stick to mostly chemical exfoliants these days, and I’m happy to report that Alpha-H Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid truly delivers results. Liquid Gold combines 5% Glycolic Acid with a unique low-pH delivery system to stimulate action at a deeper layer of the skin. Basically, this lower pH (2.8 - 3.0) temporarily compromises the skin barrier, which then enables deeper penetration of active ingredients. Sounds scary, but it’s a good thing- I promise!

Glycolic acid is a super popular exfoliant for good reason- it works to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, promote cellular turnover, diminish the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles, and even help reduce hyperpigmentation! Talk about a powerhouse ingredient. Acids can be a bit irritating at first for newbies, so I recommend applying once every few days at first, and then working your way up to daily use. I’ve also been trying out the Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum at night, and let’s just say I think you should stock up on both of these products ASAP. This serum combines two of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients in the game- glycolic acid and granactive retinoid- which work to resurface and renew prematurely aging skin. Throw in tripeptide-5 which promotes collagen production, and ferulic acid to fight free radical damage, and you’ve got yourself a real winner. I’ve definitely noticed a more vibrant, youthful glow to my skin lately, and it’s all thanks to Alpha-H Liquid Gold. As a little added bonus, Alpha-H products are cruelty-free, made with a clean formula, and are made with locally sourced botanicals in Australia. Trust me, this is a line you’ll be happy you added to your routine.

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 * 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!

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 * 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!