One of my latest skincare loves is the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum, available at Walmart. Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin E and hyaluronic acid it works to help renew the skin’s surface for smoother and more radiant skin.
The L’Oreal Midnight Serum comes in a 1 fl oz dropper bottle and one pump is enough to cover my entire face. I love that it has smooth lightweight feel that absorbs easily into the skin. It has a nicely hydrating feel and I love that it’s not sticky and non-greasy. The serum helps lock in moisture during the night and skin and after consistent use for several weeks, my skin is noticeably smoother, fine lines are starting to soften, skin is refreshed in the morning.
I prefer a lightweight texture in my night time skincare so just the serum alone is perfect for night. It also works well layered under moisturizer if you need extra hydration. They recommend applying the Midnight Serum nightly on clean skin and then pairing it with their Cell Renewal Night Moisturizer which I just started using and love. I also started incorporating the Age Perfect Cell Renewal Eye Cream to help with anti-aging and fine lines. It has a nice creamy texture with good hydration, smooth texture, good dry down (works well under makeup too!).
If you’re looking for a good moisturizing serum for your night time routine, you can check out the L’Oreal Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum available at Walmart. Other skincare items in their Age Perfect lineup also available here. I’m a huge fan of L’Oreal Makeup but am relatively new to their skincare line. If you’ve tried any other skincare from L’Oreal let me know your favorites!
I’m excited to share an updated sunscreen roundup of formulas I am loving and using right now! I’ve split my list into four categories: Body, Face (clear), Face (tinted) and Andrew’s Favorites.
Shiseido x Tory Burch
Two I’ve been loving are from Shiseido x Tory Burch. They partnered to launch two sunscreens in this beautiful limited-edition packaging. Both formulas are also available in the regular permanent lineup as well (packaged in the bright blue bottles).
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50+ Sunscreen is a lightweight silky formula you can use on both the face and body. I prefer this on the body and it has a slight pink tint to it but has a transparent finish without any residue. It has a pleasant citrus scent. I love this one because it has Shiseido’s WetForce and HeatForce technology. It holds up pretty well with sweat, but you still need to reapply.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.3%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 10.0%
Other Notes: Water Resistant 80 Minutes
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ is a great clear sunscreen stick. I apply this on bare skin. It has an emollient texture when you apply but turns into a semi-velvety drydown. You can apply this under makeup too. It does have fragrance but I found it did not irritate my skin.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 10.0%
Other Notes: Water Resistant
Favorite Body Sunscreens
These days I rely mostly on Supergoop! and Sol de Janeiro for body sunscreens. I also really like Sun Bum too.
Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 has been a go-to for years! I loved the original formula and find the new one good too. You can use this on both the face and body, but for me it’s best on the body. Texture is a bit too thick for my face (I prefer the Unseen or City Serum for the face instead). This one helps protect the skin from sun and heat exposure and I really like that it helps moisturize the skin.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 7.5%
Other Notes: Also available in a lot of sets!
Supergoop! Glowscreen Body is one of the newer launches from Supergoop! and I absolutely love it. It’s a shimmery body lotion with SPF 40 but the glow is subtle with tiny micro sparkles. I think it’s really fun for summer!
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 7%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 10%
Sun Bum Sunscreen Sprays are great spray sunscreens. We love picking these up at our local grocery store or Target. The original formula comes in SPF 30, 50 and 70. Love that they adhere to the skin really well once they dry. You do need to be super diligent and thorough to wash it off though.
Active Ingredients: For SPF 30, Avobenzone 3.00%, Homosalate 10.00%, Octisalate 5.00%, Octocrylene 3.75%
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Sol Oil Sunscreen with SPF 30 is one of my favorite most-used sunscreens. I love the oil formula and it’s scented with their classic Cheirosa ’62 scent. It has glitter and shimmer in it but I really love it.
Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10%, Octocrylene 10%, Octisalate 5%, Avobenzone 3%
Face Sunscreens – Clear
When it comes to face sunscreens, I’ve used and loved a number of formulas over the years. I still really love the ones from Supergoop! like their Unseen and City Serum but right now are rotating through a few other formulas.
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
(details above at the top of the blog post)
Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40+ is one of the few mineral sunscreens I like. It has a white tint but has a minimal cast once blended into the skin for my medium/tan skin. I wouldn’t call it weightless but I also don’t find it super heavy. Leaves the skin feeling smooth with a soft dry down. I do wish they made a clear version but I like that this protects my face and is nice on no-makeup makeup days when I just need sun protection at the beach.
Supergoop! CC Screen 100% Mineral CC Cream SPF 50 is one of my favorite CC Creams, it looks great on the skin once blended it, offers medium coverage and has good sun protection. Makes the skin look super smooth and flawless! I wear the shade 326W. I recommend applying this with a sponge to blend in. Texture is semi-thick like most CC creams so blending is key. If you apply with fingers like regular clear sunscreen it will be too thick on the skin.
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 4%, Zinc Oxide 20%
Chanel CC Cream Super Active Complete Correction Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is my other favorite CC Cream. This is one I probably wear the most for foundation and sunscreen (I wear 40 Beige). It’s a tinted moisturizer that has perfect medium to full coverage. I also recommend applying with a sponge to blend in. It has really good lasting power and gives the skin a smooth glowing look.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%, Titanium dioxide 4%, Zinc oxide 15.2%
Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 36 is another great tinted sunscreen. This is an all-mineral product with a soft beige tint to it. I reviewed this one earlier in the spring and am still really impressed! I find it still works on me when I have a tan, but since it is tinted it may not blend into a transparent finish if you have fair or deep skin. I am really hoping they consider making more shades because this is a really phenomenal sunscreen!
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 8.9%, Zinc Oxide 3.4%
Andrew’s Favorites
When it comes to sunscreen for Andrew there are few that will hold up in Florida heat and humidity. The best one he’s tried and his absolute favorite is the Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard with SPF 45 ($21, at Nordstrom and Jack Black). It’s the most durable that stays put even with heat, sweat, water etc. He is pretty diligent about re-applying every couple of hours too. It’s one of the few bottles he repurchases. Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 8%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 3%. He also likes the Sun Bum spray to reapply or layer and for the face he also likes the Shiseido sunscreen stick. We are still on the hunt for a good face sunscreen stick he 100% loves though.
That wraps up my current sunscreen favorites! I do rotate body sunscreens more frequently than I do for the face because my skin isn’t as sensitive on my arms/legs. I’ve found a few Neutrogena options that are ok but it’s harder to find Oxybenzone free formulas from the line.
Shop the Post:
Would love to hear about what your current favorites are! Let me know in the comments.
Happy Friday! I have a last-minute Father’s Day Gift guide in case you’re looking for ideas to gift this year. I have a roundup of some new things from Chanel that I’m completely obsessed with and I’ve also included a lot of Andrew’s favorite things.
Chanel has some classic timeless gift ideas for Father’s Day. They recently launched the Bleu de Chanel Shaving Kit ($350) and I am so impressed. The shaving brush (made of synthetic fibers) has a hefty magnetic stand that is so well made. It comes with a soft zip pouch and Bleu de Chanel Shaving Cream. Quite a splurge but this is such a beautiful gift idea. The Bleu de Chanel was one of Andrew’s favorites many years ago. He still wears the Eau de Parfum ($98 – $165). Also now available in a new All-Over Spray ($80), Twist and Spray Set ($130) and other product variations here.
The latest Les Eaux de Chanel is Paris-Edimbourg ($80 – $130) and they kindly sent a bottle for review. I’ve been a huge fan of the Les Eaux de Chanel line and this new one is unisex but pulls more masculine. A few readers raved about this as a lovely masculine scent that can still be worn by women. I know fragrance is so personal, but I feel this almost ties with Creed Aventus in a universally pleasing scent for men. It’s clean, smoky, warm with bergamot, cypress and juniper.
For Chanel skincare, I really love the new Hydra Beauty Micro Eye Gel ($68) for a refreshing smoothing eye product. I might end up keeping this for myself or order another one. Hand cream is an overlooked product for men and I think the La Creme Main ($50) has a really interesting unique packaging fun to catch any eye regardless of gender.
If you’re looking for good skincare sets I highly recommend Jack Black and Kiehl’s. Both lines have skincare that actually works. I find myself using a lot of his products as well. The top must-haves from Jack Black for Andrew:
Turbo Wash Energizing Cleanser for Hair and Body – one of the few shower products that works for hair and body and the only thing he’s tried that truly gets the skin clean (from sunscreen, sweat, etc.)
Supreme Cream Triple Cushion Shave Lather – Andrew says that most men don’t know what a good shaving cream is until they use one, this is one of the few that really helps him get a close shave with a good lather
Sun Guard Water Resistant Sunscreen with SPF 45 – the best body sunscreen he’s tried because it’s the longest lasting and most effective, he still reapplies frequently, but most others slide off in the water or with sweat
The best of the best in fragrance is from Creed. The colognes are quite the splurge and much to my wallet’s disappointment, my husband mainly want to wear or try Creed when it comes to cologne, but I do think they are so unique and high in quality it makes them worth the splurge if in your budget.
Aventus is a universal classic I think every guy should try. I know it sounds odd to think there is such a thing as a universally appealing fragrance, but I think this it! I cannot count how many times people have stopped him to ask what he is wearing when he wears this one (both men and women). The latest addition to the Creed lineup is the Viking Cologne. It pulls more masculine but still fresh with bergamot, pink pepper, patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver to name a few of the notes. He also really loves Silver Mountain Water for a more clean fresh scent.
Whether you’re shopping for someone else or yourself if you haven’t tried the line before or can’t get near a counter I highly recommend checking out their Sampler Sets. They sell quickly but often get restocked. They usually come with a voucher you can use towards the purchase of a full size bottle too.
I’ve been testing out a new skincare line called Alastin Skincare for the past few months and have been really impressed with their products! Alastin is a physician-dispensed skincare line with products designed to restore and renew skin and keep it healthy looking. A number of their products have what they call TriHex Technology formulated to support pre and post procedure recovery. Their medical grade skincare contains ingredients to help speed up the renewal and skin rejuvenation process.
I’ve found the line to be great for anti-aging and helping improve elasticity. This is the last year I’ll be in my 30’s and I’ve found my skin no longer has the same bounce it did when I was younger. It’s definitely needed some extra help to improve elasticity and deal with fine lines that have started to creep in. I’ve really liked everything I tried from Alastin Skincare and am thrilled to partner with them to share a closer look at what I’ve tested!
Their Daily Product lineup is straight forward and easy to incorporate into your existing routine. I love that everything absorbs nicely into the skin without feeling heavy or thick. All of their products have a really nice calming component and no added fragrance.
Step 1: Cleanse
Gentle Cleanser is gentle and calming cleanser – one I will definitely repurchase! It has ingredients to soften and calm the skin including Oat Beta Glucan and Oat Kernel Extract. One pump is enough to cleanse the face and it’s gentle enough to use day and night. It has a nice self-foaming action and it’s especially great for days I have skin flare ups and sensitive skin.
Step 2: Renew and Restore
To renew and restore the skin Alastin has three products they recommend for daily use. The Restorative Skin Complex is a serum concentrate designed to support the product of new elastin and collagen. With regular use I noticed fine lines start to soften around the 2 month mark. It’s lightweight and my skin texture has improved with this!
The Restorative Eye Treatment is an excellent lightweight eye cream with a gel texture. It noticeably brightens and smooths the eye area and helps me with puffiness. For my skin type and needs it has the perfect texture that absorbs into the skin well. It’s great for me since I live in humid climate and it’s not too heavy or emollient.
As I age, I’ve started to notice certain areas need more love and care. I’ve tried a number of neck creams but typically find them on the heavy side and rarely stick to using them consistently. The Restorative Neck Complex is lightweight lotion that was formulated to help with tightening, firming and combat skin and age discoloration on the neck. I love the packaging and truly appreciate the lightweight texture. My neck is one area I’ve neglected and I am thrilled to have found a product I actually love.
Step 3: Moisturize
The next step is to moisturize with their Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer which is a nice calming oil-free fragrance-free formula. As with all the products I tried I love that they have a soothing component and there is no added fragrance. This one is a great smoothing moisturizer for everyday and works with my foundations.
Step 4: Protect
The HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF36 is probably my favorite item that I tried from the line! So many of you have asked for a good mineral sunscreen recommendation and this is the first one I feel like I truly love. There’s no white cast, it blends easily, isn’t too thick (although it is creamy) and does not pill on my face. I have extremely sensitive skin that reacts to a number of sunscreen formulas (both physical and chemical) and I was thrilled to find this one works for me!
It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, reef-friendly and water resistant. The product has a sheer tint to it with a beige undertone. It blends into my skin perfectly and for me it will work even once I get my summer tan although I do hope they expand this into a few other shade options. This formula is really great.
Step 5: Transform
The last product I tried is the TransFORM Body Treatment which is a lightweight body smoother. It’s a nice non-fragranced body lotion which I can apply in the morning or night. I am super picky with lotions I wear to sleep and this one is gentle and lightweight enough that it absorbs into the skin nicely without making me sticky. It helps improve texture and smooths the skin.
Overall I’ve been pleasantly surprised by everything I’ve tried in the Alastin Skincare range. I love their streamlined packaging and the fact that everything has a sanitary pump applicator to keep things fresh and clean. You can find their products on their website. More information about their TriHex Technology here and if you’re one who has any work done I recommend checking out their Procedure Enhancement lineup too.
Shop the Post:
Many thanks to Alastin Skincare for partnering to sponsor this post. As always all opinions are my own.
One of my go-to brands in skincare is having a Friends and Family sale and I’m excited to share an early access code for you a few days early! Kiehl’s is offering 25% off sitewide this week through 3/24 with code EARLY25 (public sale starts 3/25). I’ve partnered with them to share a closer look at a couple of skincare staples I’ve added to my routine.
Ultra Facial Cream
The Ultra Facial Cream is one of their classic skincare staples. It’s a lightweight cream suitable for all skin types (even my sensitive skin). It absorbs well and never feels heavy. It contains Glacial Glycoprotein to add hydration and prevent water loss from the skin and Squalane to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. The formula layers well with their serums and sunscreens too. I especially love that there is no fragrance or scent to it. (Full ingredient list on their product page.)
Ultra Facial Cleanser
A new discovery for me is the Ultra Facial Cleanser. Out of all the skincare products out there, I love testing cleansers! This is a really nice foaming cleanser that is gentle, effective but won’t strip the skin. It has Squalane, Apricot Kernels and Avocado Oil. I really like this one because it cleanses the skin well without leaving it super tight. Available in two sizes including a 2.5 oz ($12) and 5.0 oz ($22).
One of the most frequently asked skincare questions I get is how to treat dark spots and post-acne scars. Living in Florida I’m exposed to a lot of sunshine and I’ve experienced hyperpigmentation in patches around my cheeks from the sun. My skin is usually pretty good in terms of having minimal acne and break outs, but some are unavoidable. Even if I’m careful to not pick my face, my skin is often left with post-acne scars and dark marks. The good news is that these spots can indeed be treated! I’m excited to share a look at one of my favorite dark spot correctors from Kiehl’s today. The Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution is a great serum to help brighten the skin and treat hyperpigmentation.
According to their trials, after 1 bottle:
97% of women saw significant reduction in hyperpigmentation
97% of women saw significant reduction in dark spots
87% saw reduction in post acne scars
The Kiehl’s Dark Spot Solution formula has Activated C (stabilized form of Vitamin C) to help with dullness and uneven skin tone. It also contains Buffered Salicylic Acid to break up discoloration.
You can use this serum a number of ways, either as a spot treatment or as an all over face serum morning and night. Kiehl’s recommends using the serum to treat discoloration on hands, neck or chest which I am going to try soon!
My favorite way to use this is as a spot treatment on areas that I have noticeable darker patches or sun spots. For acne scars and discoloration I feel it’s important to treat those as soon as possible to prevent longer-term scarring.
Seeing results will take time and consistent use. Time to see results will depend on the level of hyperpigmentation or discoloration you have. For my cheek bone sun spots I saw a noticeable difference within a couple of weeks. For my acne scars, I usually see dark spots form immediately after the acne has healed. The dark spots stay around for weeks and don’t fade until the skin has fully regenerated and everything has resurfaced. I applied the Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution as a spot treatment on my chin area where I had break outs and the scars started to fade immediately. It significantly sped up the healing process for my post-acne scars. I can’t emphasize how important it is to treat acne scars as soon as you can to prevent discoloration from developing and settling in. It’s also important to combine brightening treatments with SPF and moisturizer to protect and nourish the skin.
Bottom line is I think it’s definitely worth checking out. My husband Andrew also struggles with hyperpigmentation on his cheekbones and is super diligent about wearing sunscreen and trying dark spot treatments. He’s started to use this and I’m excited to see what he thinks!
You can find the Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution available at Kiehl’s. Use the code CLEARLY15 for 15% off any purchase (this excludes sets and cannot be combined with other promos). Do you have any favorites from their line?
Christmas is quickly approaching and if you’re looking for some last-minute gift ideas I have some cute ones to share from The Body Shop! They have tons of great gift sets and bundles at multiple price points. There is something for everyone whether you’re shopping for a loved one, friend or looking for something to treat yourself.
The Body Shop Holiday Gift Guide: Little Gift Box
One of my favorite sets is the Warm Vanilla Little Gift Box ($25). They’ve packaged up some great body products in a Shower Gel, Body Yogurt, Hand Cream and mini Body Scrub. The shower gel is really amazing, and I love that this vanilla is warm and well-balanced. The Body Yogurt is a lightweight moisturizer and absorbs beautifully into the skin. They carry this set in a other scents too like the Nourishing Shea, Soothing Almond Milk & Honey, Hand-Cracked Coconut and a few others too.
Mask Duo
For the skincare lover the Day and Night Mask Duo ($45) has a Nicaraguan Coffee Intense Awakening Face Mask for day and the Hemp Overnight Nourishing Rescue Mask. The coffee mask is a gentle warming exfoliating mask you leave on for 5-10 minutes. It has sesame seed oil, cocoa and shea butter to soften the skin – I was so impressed with this one! It’s gentle on the exfoliating properties and after rinsing off my skin felt so incredibly smooth, soft and refreshed. The overnight mask is made with Hemp Seed oil and aloe vera to help soothe dry skin. It has a soothing earthy scent to it and very hydrating.
Hair Care Set
For the hair care lover they have some cute hair sets! I tried the Puree Bliss Banana Hair Care Duo ($20) which comes with the Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner along with a fun banana print hair wrap. Both have a fresh fruity banana scent that lathers up nicely in the shower or bath. They rinse out to leave a subtle scent so it’s not too fruity. My hair really likes both for a good clean feel.
Sharable Hand Cream Set
The cutest gift set is the Squeeze and Share Hand Cream Cracker Set ($28). It comes with six individually boxed hand creams. They’re perfect to split up for stocking stuffers or to give as gifts to coworkers! The Almond Milk and Honey is my favorite – it has a really nice scent with a light almost gel-like texture. It absorbs into the hands well leaving them soft, hydrated and not sticky.
I hope you enjoyed this holiday roundup! If you’re doing last minute shopping I suggest you order soon! Also don’t forget to check out their Special Offers/Sale Page to see what GWPs and sales they have going on!
Shop the Post:
Many thanks to The Body Shop for partnering to sponsor this post.
