Each morning and evening after cleansing, my skincare routine follows a three-step process: eye cream, serum and moisturizer. During the day I top it off with sunscreen, but more on that in a future post. Summer is a great time to change up your products and experiment with lighter ingredients. I’ve recently finished my latest choices and wanted to share reviews of which products I’ll be re-buying!
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream
I originally purchased this moisturizer last fall after some old makeup from a Halloween costume left me with an allergic reaction the next day.
Pros: Upon first use, I immediately loved this product. Soothing and hydrating, the itchy red bumps on my face were completely gone within 48 hours. Formulated without parabens, harsh chemicals or fragrance, its main ingredient is oatmeal. You can technically use it all over your body for things like eczema, rashes and even poison ivy! The lightweight whipped consistency absorbs quickly to soothe distressed skin.
No Cons: This is definitely a product I recommend keeping on hand year round – in dry winter months, and for summer when you need to hit the reset button on your skincare routine. The best part is its only $12.
Re-purchase? Yes!
Kerstin Florian Brightening Facial Treatment
I received this product in a designer gift bag and was very eager to use it. I have hyperpigmentation spots on my face that have been stubborn to treat so any new product that touts brightening properties has me intrigued.
Pros: Brightening serums tend to be harsh but this one is gentle and did not make my skin freak out. I definitely noticed a difference in overall tone. I tend to be sallow, but this gave me a radiant glow and really smoothed the texture of my skin. The effect was like a mini facial in a bottle.
Cons: While I did achieve overall brightness, this did not help reduce the appearance of my existing hyperpigmentation. I was hoping for some lightening of my spots, but unfortunately this didn’t do the trick.
Re-purchase? No
Revision Skin Care D.E.J. Skin Cream
Another product from the designer gift bag, Revision D.E.J. skin cream has a proprietary blend of ceramide, herbal extracts and peptides to target fine lines and wrinkles.
Pros: With a faint scent of green apple, I truly enjoyed applying this product day and night. It left my skin feeling cool and energized. While I am blessed to not have many wrinkles, the fine lines around my mouth definitely became less visible. Most products that target aging can make your skin feel tight, but this gave my face a “squishy” feeling – supple, hydrated and glowing.
Cons: The only con of this product is the fact that you can’t easily purchase it. It’s only available online, at day spas or the dermatologist. For $67 it falls in the mid-range price point, and it’s worth it.
Re-purchase? Yes
Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm
Eye creams are so tough. I’ve been through dozens of them and have yet to find one that I can immediately feel and tell a difference from. Algenist is a company out of San Francisco that creates some truly amazing products, so I had high hopes for their eye cream.
Pros: With active ingredients like vitamin C, caffeine and alguronic acid, it has the goods to brighten and reduce the appearance of fine lines. After six weeks of use, I did notice a slight difference in the delicate skin around my eyes. Its balmy consistency feels luxurious and hydrating.
Cons: It took a while for the product to absorb, which slowed me down in the morning. I also wasn’t a fan of the way it smelled – too medicinal – and didn’t notice a big enough difference to justify spending $65 for another jar.
Re-purchase? No
What skincare products have you tried lately?