1 April 2022
***This is just for fun; I do not make any commissions off posts like these***
Moving into spring typically means the culmination of a few things: allergies, the weather being all over the place, a strange back and forth between dry and oily skin, and of course, Sephora’s sale for Beauty Insiders, VIB, and Rouge members. So you might as well take advantage and snag that Laneige lip mask you have had in your cart for two months (treat yourself; you deserve it). These are the items I have been using successfully for the past few months to combat dryness and oiliness alike and are the same that I will likely re-stock up on during the sale.
I desperately needed a new cleanser for my combination skin with flakes brought on by an extreme whirlwind in weather as of late. After seeing Youth to the People (or YTP) all over TikTok and Instagram Reels and the rave reviews about this product, I decided to go for it. Although this product is a little pricier for a cleanser, you only need a pea-sized amount, and it lasts forever. It lathers up nicely and cleanses the skin of dirt and makeup without stripping it, leaving no tight feeling after patting it dry. Some folks complained about the scent, which is earthy or grassy, but I honestly do not find it bothersome. This cleanser really makes washing my face a joy.
2. Youth to the People Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream $58, or try the mini size for $18.
YTP makes this moisturizer for us combo-dry-skinned folks and a lighter gel-like textured one for those on the combo-oiler side of the scale. I have combination-dry/dehydrated skin prone to redness and acne, and honestly, this moisturizer saved my moisture barrier after being over-zealous with retinol. It contains reishi and ashwagandha, which work to immediately calm the skin, and plant-derived squalene, which mimics the skin’s natural oils. For a cream on the heavier side, it feels so lovely on the skin and absorbs nicely, calming redness down almost immediately.
3. Youth to the People Mandelic Acid + Superfood Unity Exfoliant $38
I swear this is the last YTP item on this list, but I absolutely love their products, and this exfoliator has transformed my skin. I was dealing with a nasty breakout courtesy of another famous brands’ watermelon dewdrops (most likely from the fragrance) and decided to rotate this with my ride-or-die Paula’s Choice BHA Toner. Containing mandelic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA), and Gluconolactone (PHA), it’s a fantastic combination for texture, discoloration, pores, and other acne-related issues. During the first four weeks of using this, I was tempted to throw it out because my skin only worsened. Nonetheless, it was simply a purging period from adding a new acid, and my skin has evened out significantly. It feels a little sticky when it goes on, but it dissipates right away, and it is gentle enough to use every night with no burning or redness.
4. Herbivore: Nova Vitamin C 15% + Tumeric Brightening Serum $64
This product. Oh my gosh, this product I live for it. People in the reviews complained that it smells strongly like Tumeric and if that scent does bother you, then, by all means, stay away. Honestly, I find the smell so soothing and herbal. Before taking a chance on this product, I used SkinCeuticals, which dried my skin out to the point where it looked dull and lackluster. It goes on like a lotion which I really like because it primes the skin for makeup and absorbs nicely, and I have dehydrated skin. This product brought the glow back into my face. I have had people asking what I did to my skin which nobody ever has done before. Herbivore Nova, I have searched my whole life for you; please never leave.
5. fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Oil $53
Since middle school, I have been using this oil, and it has yet to fail. Through countless drying acne treatments, I always return to this to remove the flakes. If my skin needs some TLC, this is what I reach for. The blend of oils plus vitamin E leaves it so plump and glowy. It smells absolutely divine and does not irritate my skin or make me break out.
6. Versed Just Breathe Clarifying Serum $19.99
Amid the breakout mentioned above, I remembered when I went through a similar issue back in March of last year, I picked up this serum from Versed at Target, so I went back and bought it this week. It’s super affordable, and the packaging is made of recyclable material. It is clean, vegan, sulfate-free, paraben-free, fragrance, and cruelty-free, so there are no icky ingredients. My dry skin isn’t sensitive to the amount of niacinamide, so if you find yourself in a weird limbo with niacinamide products, this might be worth trying. It’s super gentle and calms down my redness and bumps pretty quickly.
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