MY SUMMER EMPTIES – THE BEST ANTI-AGING MOISTURIZERS, CLEANSERS AND SERUMS FROM PAULA'S CHOICE, THE ORDINARY, BEAUTY STAT AND MORE!
The one week out of the entire year I dread is this past one — when Orpheus and I go to the vet for his annual check-up.
He hates going to the vet more than anything else in his daily life — and is literally terrified at the sight of the cat carrier. Orpheus was a stray, but originally domesticated, meaning he was put out into the streets after adjusting to being with people early in his life. How he ended up on the streets of Harlem is something I’ll never know.
But 14 years later, he’s never forgotten the numerous times he was put in a carrier and never returned home to the place he found the most security, love and affection. And so that’s what the carrier means to him. Never mind the fact that in the ten years since we came into each other’s lives, he’s always come home again.
The great news is that all of Orpheus’ blood work came back perfect. He’s 100% healthy! No indicators of disease of any kind — even his kidneys are perfectly healthy (exceptional for a 14 year old cat!). I swear that cat is gonna outlive me...
The skincare stuff starts here.
I love the whole concept of skincare empties. It wasn’t always that way. I once scoffed at the idea of talking about the products I finished up, let alone writing about them. Like who cares? But the truth is, when you finish a skincare product, it says something. Especially when you’re trying dozens of products a month. Only a select few make it into the regular rotation. They’re like the crème de la crème.
I believe this is my fourth blog article about my empties, the first of which came last spring in a piece titled, My April Empties: Serums, Moisturizers, Cleansers and More! which you can read here. Funny, I guess at the time I thought I would be doing them frequently, perhaps every couple months. I got into a seasonal rhythm though, focusing on my empties every four months. It’s a good cadence.
*WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF MY SUMMER EMPTIES ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**
This time around, I’ve got a great mix of skincare — ranging from a delightful foaming cleanser to one of the best Vitamin C serums. There’s what I consider the OG Niacinamide serum and my favorite eye treatment for puffiness. And, quite remarkably, the best face cream for dry skin that I’ve ever come across.
Let’s take a look at seven of my summer empties…
The Ordinary | Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
What I said about it: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG from Deciem the first skincare product I use every single day, the kickstart to my morning regimen. I’m up at 5:30, turn on the Keurig, feed Orpheus (who’s meowing like mad by this point!) and dab a little of this on my crazy puffy under-eyes bags.
Before I know it, they’re gone!
I read somewhere that Deciem claims they use the highest level of caffeine of any similar caffeine eye product. (Though I can’t find that now!)
Whether that’s true or even significant doesn’t matter because IT WORKS!
From Deciem:
“This light-textured formula contains an extremely high 5% concentration of caffeine, supplemented with highly-purified Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside (EGCG) from green tea leaves. Independent studies have shown that topical use of each of caffeine and EGCG can help reduce looks of puffiness and of dark circles in the eye contour.”
It’s got a thicker, silkier texture than expected and is much more than a caffeine serum for puffiness under the eyes. It’s loaded with protective antioxidants, including from the caffeine itself and from Glutathione — a potent antioxidant that’s found naturally in the body. The EGCG derived from green tea leaves is also a powerfully protective antioxidant.
And although conventional marketing wouldn’t classify the The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG as an anti-aging serum, it is certainly one of the best anti-aging serums for eyes that I’ve come across.
The best part? It’s $6.70! It’s almost always sold out on the Sephora website but if you sign up for an email alert, you can grab a bottle when it's back in stock in a week or so. You can also purchase it directly from Deciem here. A little goes a long way!
What I think now: I must be on my 80th bottle of The Ordinary’s Caffeine Solution at this point. It’s a longtime go-to and I don’t plan to stop. In fact, when I realize I’m running low, #fomo kicks in and I restock it.
Do I miss it?: I’ve never run out of it and don’t plan on it!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG for $6.70 here.
BeautyStat | Universal C Skin Refiner
What I said about it: I could literally spend the rest of my life testing, reviewing, and posting about Vitamin C products and be perfectly happy. (But you’d get bored and find a more interesting skincare blog to read — like the BeautyStat Blog!) That’s the thing though — I’m never bored with Vitamin C. It’s not sexy; and skin care isn’t supposed to be sexy. That’s the nonsense spun by big beauty brand marketers.
We’re all accustomed to expecting the next big unheard of thing that will lead us like sheep to the fountain of youth. Take snail slime, for example. Apparently, there are a lot of snails swimming in the fountain of youth!
That Vitamin C only recently came into play as a skincare essential has everything to do with the fact that it’s so difficult to formulate just right — especially at high, active levels.
A poorly formulated Vitamin C serum that oxidizes, as mine did in the Hamptons, can actually become pro-oxidant.
That means that rather than functioning as a protective anti-oxidant in the skin, the molecules will damage the skin by disrupting normal skin cell functions on par with stress, pollution and other environmental aggressors.
From an Oregon State University report, “The oxidation of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is brought about by the loss of two hydrogen atoms as the vitamin is converted to dehydroascorbic acid.”
And that doesn’t sound so good for the skin, does it?
You can tell if your Vitamin C serum has oxidized because it will shift in color from the time you opened it. So, as a first rule of thumb, make a mental note of how the product appears the first time you use it. (Try taking a picture so you know for sure!) If it oxidizes, cut your losses and toss it into the bin.
Over the last year, formula innovation has accelerated and you’re suddenly seeing Vitamin C products formulated at levels of fifteen percent, twenty percent — even twenty-five percent of the vitamin.
There are two ways to look at a Vitamin C formula — water-based and water-less.
Unlike Clinique’s Fresh Pressed Daily Booster with Pure Vitamin C 10%, the BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner is not a water-based serum; rather, it’s a richly-textured, waterless lotion — what’s called a “suspension” in formulary parlance.
Formulated with 20% L-Ascorbic Acid, the most potent form of Vitamin C, and an encapsulated delivery system, the silky formula contains an active ingredient called Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG).
What is EGCG?
I had no idea what that was either. So I googled it…
EGCG is the most important component of green tea! It happens to perfectly sync up with Vitamin C for reliable, potent antioxidant protection that prevents skin damage. With just seven ingredients, the Universal C Skin Refiner has a very tight ingredient list, accounting for the fact that the vitamin doesn’t play well with other actives. Overload it and the mixture collapses — like a soggy cake made with too many wet berries and fruits. (Yeah, I watch a lot of The Great British Baking Show!)
The first ingredient in BeautyStat’s Universal C is Cyclopentasiloxane, an innocuous, lightweight silicone that forms the formula base and protects the Vitamin C by effectively preventing oxidation. Plant-derived Squalane, a bio-available substance recognized by the skin, helps to nourish and moisturize the outer skin layers.
And, the addition of the alpha-hydroxy Tartaric Acid helps to balance skin’s pH as it enhances absorption of the other actives. Tartaric Acid is one of the six AHAs and is found in many plants, including grapes and tamarinds. It’s also one of the main component acids in wine.
The fact that Universal C is packaged in an airtight pump makes it top shelf — one of the best Vitamin C products I’ve come across. It’s heartening to know that the beauty editors at Allure, Cosmo, Glamour and Just Bobbi agree with me. In fact, Bobbi Brown and her editorial team named it one of “the 9 Best Beauty Products of 2019,” along with Then I Met You’s Living Cleansing Balm, also a personal fave.
As you can imagine, really great products are knocked off by brands all the time. Look at Missha’s dupe of Estee Lauder’s iconic Advanced Night Repair. (I reviewed the pair — and the striking similarities on my Instagram page just last week, here.)
Vitamin C products are no exception. In fact, you may have heard or read about a lawsuit filed by L’Oreal on behalf of its SkinCeuticals brand.
My former employer sued indie brand Drunk Elephant for allegedly knocking off the patented Vitamin C technology that powers the beauty beast’s SkinCeuticals icon, CE Ferulic. Of course, Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum has long been been dubbed by fans a dupe for SkinCeuticals’ $166 serum.
So, about that innovative BeautyStat delivery system? Ron and his team patented it! You won’t find it in any other Vitamin C product anywhere. There are two patents, in fact: #9,901,532 and #9,901,533.
What I think now: At $80 BeautyStat’s Universal C is one of the more expensive Vitamin C treatments on the market — but still half the price of SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, now $166 with the brand’s recent one-dollar price increase. There are multiple dupes of CE Ferulic now — and hundreds of Vitamin C serums available today that deliver the same benefits. That said, the BeautyStat Universal C is a excellent formula that’s quite pro-skin health. Not something I’d say about CE Ferulic.
Do I miss it?: Funny, I do try to savor it so that it lasts, meaning I only use it a few times a week. That’s certainly saying something. And I know I’m not alone in doing that with skincare products!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner for $80 here.
Dr. Dennis Gross | Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Skincare 101: My AM Anti-Aging Skincare Routine. You can catch the full piece here.
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What I said about it: I’m constantly testing new products — but there are OG products that I do always go back to. Like my favorite Hyualronic Acid serum from New York-based cosmeceutical brand Dr. Dennis Gross.
Simply, Dr. Gross’ Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster is one of the best Hyaluronic Acid serums I’ve ever used. And, of course, as I’ve said many times previously, I would never want to be without my favorite SPF for the eye area — the SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50.
(Psst…I reviewed both on my recent blog article about my AM regimen here.)
If you pay even the slightest bit of attention to skincare product trends, you’ve likely heard of Hyaluronic Acid and are either using a Hyaluronic Acid (HA) serum or want to be but don’t know where to begin.
Remember what I said about the skin layers. Water-based hydration resides in the deeper layers of the skin, oil-based moisture in the surface, or top layers.
Hyaluronic Acid is naturally occurring in the skin, which is always a good thing. And, it’s a humectant, meaning it binds water to itself, preventing evaporation through the skin surface. Following cleansing and toning, my skincare routine starts out with an HA serum.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
For the answer, of course, let’s go straight to the experts of the Paula’s Choice Research Team:
“Component of skin tissue. Synthetic variations are used in skincare products to function as a superior skin-replenishing ingredient. Hyaluronic acid has restorative abilities and can boost skin’s moisture content, soothe, and defend against moisture loss. It is capable of holding up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it an optimal hydrator for all skin types.
In addition to its function as a superior skin-restoring ingredient, hyaluronic acid also provides an antioxidant defense against environmental assault. Consumed orally via supplements, hyaluronic acid (both low and high molecular weights) can improve skin’s ability to stay hydrated, visibly decrease wrinkle depth and surface roughness, and help reinforce skin’s protective barrier. For more info about hyaluronic acid, please see our article, How Hyaluronic Acid Benefits Skin.”
References for this information:
Journal of Evidence-Based, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, October 2017, pages 816-823; Journal of Medicinal Food, October 2016, pages 1,172-1,179; Nutrition Journal, July 2013, ePublication; Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011, issue 9, pages 990-1000; Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, March 2009, pages 38–43
Hyaluronic Acid comes in many forms and multiple molecular sizes, which is evident in the consistency of any individual serum — some are super watery, some are thicker and more pulpy. None of that matters much. What matters is that you’re using one.
The Hyaluronic Acid serum I used this morning is one of my all-time faves — the super-watery Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster. Because it’s formulated with a low-molecular HA, it absorbs into the skin instantly and is very easily layered in the morning when time is tight.
What I think now: There are so many Hyaluronic Acid serums available today that it’s tough for me to justify spending $68 for one. Just as I find it nearly unconscionable to pay $166 for the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic. The Dr. Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster is an excellent treatment and I love the super watery texture that makes it so easy to layer. But I can say the same about The Ordinary’s $6.80 Marine Hyaluronics. Skin care is personal and emotional; but there’s something hilarious about the fact you can buy 10 of the Marine Hyaluronics for the cost of a single bottle of Dr. Gross’ Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster! #ijs
Do I miss it?: Yeah, I kinda do. I can’t front.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Dr. Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster for $68 here.
Paula’s Choice | Omega+ Complex Moisturizer
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Products I Love: Paula’s Choice Omega+ Best Facial Skincare Powered by Omega Fatty Acids. You can catch the full piece here.
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What I said about it: There’s just something so fluffy, creamy and deliciously wonderful about the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer that I can’t quite put my finger on.
But it’s the perfect selection for the starring role of clean moisturizer in my complete skincare routine with Michael, founder of the super innovative, 100% clean brands of The Clean Beauty Company. If you missed our Complete $175 Clean Skincare Routine, you can catch it here.
The PC Omega+ moisturizer for face is honestly a really well-formulated product. All good stuff, nary a bit of fluff.
To start, it’s loaded with superfood omega fatty acids, replenishing ceramides, and so many antioxidant botanical and non-fragrant plant oils that I lost count.
The formula’s plethora of skin-strengthening omega fatty acids is found in the form of Linseed (Flax) Seed Oil, Chia Seed Oil, and Passion Fruit Seed Oil — each rich in some variation of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.
What are fatty acids?
Well, they’re substances that are found in both plant and animal lipids — aka fats. They also happen to be super healthy for our skin as they’re recognized by the skin as friendly active ingredients and thus quickly and readily absorbed so they can get right to work.
There’s an excellent article on fatty acids written by the skincare experts of the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, How Omega Fatty Acids Help Skin available here.
From the article:
Omega fatty acids are valuable fats, for your diet and your skin. There are 11 omega fatty acids of which two (omega-3 and omega-6) are considered essential fatty acids because the body cannot make them on its own. Among the omegas, the most vital for skin are:
Omega-3—Found in foods such as fish oil, flax seed (linseed) oil, walnut oil, chia oil, and certain species of algae.
Omega-6—Abundant in many plant oils, linoleic acid, and passion fruit oil.
Omega-9—Plentiful in flax seed (linseed) oil and soybean, canola, peanut, and sunflower oils.
Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are not only essential to consume orally, but when applied to skin, research has shown they play a role in maintaining your skin's healthy appearance, among many other benefits.
Omega fatty acids are truly remarkable ingredients for skin. They serve as the essential building blocks of skin’s surface layers, creating a smoother, more even, younger-looking, and healthier complexion, no matter your age or skin type. And if the idea of putting fish oil on skin sounds a bit gross, don’t worry—the plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids are just as remarkable for skin!
Because Paula’s Omega+ anti-aging face moisturizer is so light, it works well for all skin types. The only skin type I would imagine it not agreeing with would be super oily, acneic skin.
What I think now: The Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer is simply one of the best moisturizers for dry skin — and, in fact, any skin condition expect perhaps very oily. It’s that pro-skin health. The question is whether it’s comfortable on the skin all year-round. I can state that I’ve now used this through all types of weather and climate — across all four seasons here in NYC. It feels perfectly comfortable on a hot, humid day as well as a cold, dry one.
Do I miss it?: I would certainly miss it, but I’ve never allowed it to run out. I regularly grab another bottle when the brand offers a discount on it.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer for $35 here.
Purito | Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA++++
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Brands I Love: Purito the Best Clean Skincare from the World of K-Beauty. You can catch the full piece here.
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What I said about it: Hands down, my favorite sunscreens come from the worlds of K-beauty and A-beauty. And, Purito didn’t let me down with their Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ PA++++! They never have.
In fact, Centella Green Level Safe Sun is one of the best clean sunscreens for face that I’ve come across. It could easily have been among my latest sunscreen picks covered in my recent article, Cool Clean Facial Sunscreens to Keep Us Safe and Smiling in the Sun — available here. But there’s a catch. It’s not a mineral sunscreen and that’s really what I was focused on at the time.
Purito’s Centella Green Level Safe Sun is an effect facial sunscreen formula which, like the Purito Centella Unscented Toner and Purito Centella Unscented Serum comes in both a scented and unscented version. But, I’m not gonna front, I love the original scented formula with its subtle, fresh green scent. Call me crazy!
Purito’s Centella Green Level Safe Sun contains one of the newest, most innovative sunscreen filters, Uvinul A Plus — popular in A-beauty formulas and not approved as a sunscreen by the US FDA.
Of course, the FDA hasn’t approved a new sunscreen filter since like 1871 — twenty years after Kiehl’s was founded in New York’s Lower East Side.
Did you know that Uvinul A Plus is the only photo-stable UVA filter? It not only effectively filters out the sun’s damaging UVA rays, but also provides advanced antioxidant protection from free radical damage.
While it’s not a mineral sunscreen, the Purito formula excludes any of the potentially harmful chemical sunscreens, including Avobenzone, Oxybenzone and Octinoxate — the FDA’s favorite chemical sunscreens.
A recent article on the use of chemical sunscreens peaked my interest. It was titled, When You Wear Sunscreen, You’re Taking Part in a Safety Study and appeared in The New York Times several months ago. The article, available here, described a study posted in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which published the results of a randomized trial conducted by the F.D.A. The purpose of the study was to determine, “whether the chemicals in four commercially available sunscreens are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.”
In fact, trace amounts of the chemicals were found in the blood of the participants. Four times a day, subjects of the study applied a chemical sunscreen formulated with one of the chemical sunscreens commonly used in US sunscreen products. Again, Purito excluded the controversial sun filters examined in the study.
Purito’s cool, clean formula is infused with Centella Asiatica Extract, along with Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E. And it’s a pleasure to use.
Centella Green Level Safe Sun has a super lightweight, creamy texture that blends right into skin and, as a chemical sunscreen, leaves no white cast.
To me, what’s most important is that you find a sunscreen you love — and that you use it consistently with pleasure. Whether it’s mineral or chemical, if you love it, you’ll use it. The only one who should be in the sun without wearing a sunscreen is Orpheus!
What I think now: I always prefer a mineral sunscreen and the Skincarma Vault is packed with them. But somehow, there’s one exception — Purito’s Centella Green Level Safe Sun. I love the texture. I love the technology. And I love that it’s the only chemical sunscreen I love!
Do I miss it?: When it’s starts to run low, I pop over to Yesstyle and stock up before I’m completely out. Purito is certainly my favorite Korean skincare brand and I’m hard pressed to think of a Purito product that I don’t love — the Centella Green Level Safe Sun included.
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, purchase the Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun SPF 50+ for $13.16 here.
Paula’s Choice | 10% Niacinamide Booster
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Three of the Best Facial Skincare Products I Want with Me in the Skinpocalypse! You can catch the full piece here.
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What I said about it: There are few skincare ingredients that I consider as indispensable as Niacinamide. While I had heard of it over the years, I had never paid much attention to the form of Vitamin B3 until Paula's Choice introduced the 10% Niacinamide Booster serum — the first serum of its kind on the market.
I bought it that very same day.
Three or so years later and a 10% concentration of Niacinamide is considered the gold standard. Paula’s Choice recently introduced a 20% concentration, the Niacinamide 20% Treatment — but I’ve held off so far. The #fomo is intensifying by the day, though, so stay tuned! (Psst…I recently reviewed the Paula’s Choice Niacinamide 20% Treatment on the blog here.)
I use a Niacinamide serum every day, twice a day — in both my AM and PM routines. And every time I talk about Niacinamide, also known as Nicotinic Acid, I feel the duty to impress upon readers its indispensable qualities and remarkable benefits for the skin.
What is Niacinamide?
From the Paula’s Choice Research Team, of course:
Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinic acid, niacinamide is a very effective skin-restoring ingredient that offers multiple benefits for aging and blemish-prone skin. Among these benefits is the ability to visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, dullness, and a weakened skin surface. Niacinamide can also mitigate and to some extent help visibly repair damage from UV light and offset other sources of environmental attack, including the negative impact of various types of airborne pollutants. Unlike many beneficial ingredients, niacinamide is stable in the presence of heat and light.
The Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide serum is one of the most well-rounded serums available.
It goes far beyond just the brightening potency and pore-flushing benefits of Vitamin B3 alone — with Ascorbyl Glucoside (a form of Vitamin C) and Sodium Hyaluronate (a form of Hyaluronic Acid) at very high levels.
Interestingly, Ascorbyl Glucoside and Niacinamide are true BFFs. Considered a stable form of Vitamin C when combined with Glucose, Ascorbyl Glucoside converts to Ascorbic Acid (the pure form of Vitamin C) when absorbed by the skin. Read more about this power duo here.
While it’s a true powerhouse for skin, the 10% Niacinamide Booster has also got a super watery texture (as light as water itself!) that makes it relatively easy to layer into any skincare routine.
And, it works perfectly in the “Skincarma ABC” step at the heart of every regimen; that is, Vitamin A (Retinol/Bakuchiol), Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) and Vitamin C. You can’t go wrong if you stick to that — and it’s easy to remember at night when the last thing you want to think about is the application order of multiple serums!
At $44, 10% Niacinamide Booster is one of the priciest options, but as you can see, it’s well worth the money. You can pick it up on the Paula’s Choice site here.
What I think now: The 10% Niacinamide Booster is the OG of Niacinamide serums — and even of serious serum treatments. It’s just that good. If you want a simple, easy to follow regimen without compromising efficacy or skin health, it’s virtually indispensable. You could very easily cleanse, tone, apply the 10% Niacinamide Booster and follow with a moisturizer and/or SPF and have a perfectly legitimate skincare routine that gives the skin all it needs to stay healthy. In fact, why didn’t I think of that sooner?
Do I miss it?: I’m never without it!
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster for $44 here.
SKINCARMA EXCLUSIVE!
For a limited time, save 20% on all natural skin care from Balm Labs. Simply enter code SKINCARMA20 at checkout.
Balm Labs | Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser:
This review was originally part of my blog article titled, Balm Labs Facial Skincare with CBD to Balance, Calm and Treat Acne and Blemish-Prone Skin. You can catch the full piece here.
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What I said about it: If you watch my IGTV videos on any #selfcaresunday, you know that I’m a huge fan of cleansers — all kinds of cleansers. To me, cleansing is a daily ritual and I sometimes perform said ritual four times a day!
In fact, I’m planning an upcoming article on a few of my fave new cleanser discoveries over the last few months. If you missed my first piece titled, Three Facial Cleansers I Love but You’ve (Probably) Never Heard of, you can still catch it here.
The most important cleanse of the day for me is the double cleanse I do in the late afternoon when I get home from work or from time out in the City. I walk in the door, feed Orpheus…and get cleansing!
Always beginning with a cleansing oil, I wipe away the day’s build-up of sunscreen, pollution, sweat, oil and grime. Then, I follow with a second cleanse in the form of a gentle cleansing foam or soothing cleansing gel.
And the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser is the perfect partner to a cleansing oil — the ideal second cleanse option. It’s gentle, soothing and, most importantly, non-stripping. Stripping the skin of vital oils — whether your skin is dry, oily, or normal like mine — is never a good thing.
In particular, if you have oily skin, or blemish-prone skin, stripping all surface oils will only exacerbate the problem by promoting the skin to produce more oils. Even the miracle that is CBD is unlikely to calm your skin down!
As Balm Labs’ hydrating serum and exfoliating Power Elixir, the non-comedogenic Gentle Foam Cleanser is infused with natural AHA’s and the brand’s signature purifying Bixa Orellana Seed Extract.
While the cleansing foam formula is the sole product of the three that contains no CBD, it does contain the same AHA complex as the Power Elixir.
It’s a super gentle, lightweight foam that actually tickles a bit when you use it. How crazy does that sound?!
Again, it’s so lightweight, it washes off nearly instantly. And, it’s non-comedogenic, too. No clogged pores allowed.
What I think now: I’m an idiot but I really do love how it tickles! Hah This is such a terrific cleanser. Not only is it ideal as a second cleanse at the end of the day, but it’s also the best natural face cleanser in the shower each morning. Psst…I use it in place of shampoo, too!
Do I miss it?: Yes, I do! I ran out a week ago and am aching for a restock!
SHOP THE BLOG: For a limited time, save 20% on all skin care from Balm Labs with code SKINCARMA20. Purchase the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser for $27.20 (reg. $34) here. Enter code SKINCARMA20 at checkout.
That’s it guys! I hope you enjoyed this look back at my latest collection of empties. Stay cool wherever you are. Unless, of course you’re in Australia where it’s probably cold AF right now. I don’t envy you…
🖤 SKINCARMA
*WATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF MY SUMMER EMPTIES ON MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE.**
The Ingredient List of The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG:
aox|perf, Maltodextrin, Glycerin 
sii|h 0 0, Propanediol solv|h, Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside aox|so, Gallyl Glucoside aox|so, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Oxidized Glutathione emo, Melanin, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract aox|sb|so|emo, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Hydroxyethylcellulose vc, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 vc, Xanthan Gum vc|emu|surf, Lactic Acid exf|h|buff, Dehydroacetic Acid pres, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Propyl Gallate aox|perf, Dimethyl Isosorbide solv|vc, Benzyl Alcohol pres|perf|solv|vc, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Phenoxyethanol pres, Caprylyl Glycol h|emoThe Ingredient List of the BeautyStat Universal C Skin Refiner:
aox|sb|buff, Isocetyl Stearate emo 0-1, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Polysilicone-11, Petrolatum emo, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract (Pure Egcg Green Tea) aox|so, Tartaric Acid buff|exfThe Ingredient List of the Dr. Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster:
sii|h 0 0, Saccharide Isomerate h, Yucca Aloifolia Leaf/Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Linoleic Acid sii|emo|surf, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h|surf, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract so|emo, Ceramide Ap sii, Ceramide Eop sii, Ceramide Np sii, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract aox, Hydrolyzed Collagen emo|h, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract aox|so, Quercetin Caprylate aox, Glycolic Acid exf|buff, Lactic Acid exf|h|buff, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract so|aox 0 0, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Extract, Retinol cci, Tocopheryl Acetate aox 0 0, Symphytum Officinale Extract so, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Juice emo|h, Tetrapeptide-21 cci, Copper Pca h, Sodium Pca sii|h 0 0, Urea sii|h, Bisabolol so, Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin emo|vc|solv, Phytosphingosine sii|cci|aacne|amic, Zinc Pca aacne|h, Laureth-7 emu|surf, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate emu, Isosteareth-200 Linoleate emo, Polysorbate 20 emu|surf 0 0, Carbomer vc 0 1, Cholesterol sii|emo 0 0, Polyacrylamide vc, Xanthan Gum vc|emu|surf, Disodium Edta chel|vc, Phenoxyethanol pres, Sodium Benzoate pres, Fragrance 
perfThe Ingredient List of the Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer:
emo|vc, Ceteareth-6 Olivate emu, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, C13-15 Alkane solv|emo, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Glyceryl Stearate emo|emu 0 1-2, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate emu, Decyl Oleate emo 0 3, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil emo|perf, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Oil aox|emo|h, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil aox|emo|perf 0 0-2, Passiflora Edulis (Passion Fruit) Seed Oil emo, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil so|emo, Hydrogenated Olive Oil vc, Psidium Guajava (Guava)Fruit Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil emo, Linoleic Acid sii|emo|surf, Linolenic Acid sii|emo|surf|perf, Oleic Acid emo|emu, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Sterols, Ceramide AP sii, Ceramide Eop sii, Ceramide NP sii, Serine sii, Alanine sii, Glycine sii, Proline sii, Lysine Hcl, Threonine sii, Arginine sii, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Cholesterol sii|emo 0 0, Phytosphingosine sii|cci|aacne|amic, Anastatica Hierochuntica Extract, Lecithin emo|emu, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Sodium Lactate buff|h, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Adenosine cci, Phytic Acid sb|chel, Glutamic Acid h, Betaine h, Pullulan, Pca sii|h, Sodium PCA sii|h 0 0, Carbomer vc 0 1, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch vc, Sclerotium Gum vc, Xanthan Gum vc|emu|surf, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate emu, Phenoxyethanol pres, Ethylhexylglycerin presThe Ingredient List of the Purito Centella Green Level Safe Sun:
sii|h 0 0, Dicaprylyl Carbonate emo, Dibutyl Adipate emo|solv, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate sunsc, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene emo|vc 2 1, 1,2-Hexanediol solv, Niacinamide cci|sb|aacne|h, Ethylhexyl Triazone sunsc, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate emu, Silica vc, Cetearyl Olivate emu, Cetearyl Alcohol emo|vc|emu|surf 1 2, Centella Asiatica Extract so|aox|h|surf, Hyaluronic Acid sii|h, Tocopherol aox 0-3 0-3, Sorbitan Olivate emu, Glyceryl Stearate SE emu 2 3, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate emo|emu, Sorbitan Stearate emu 1 0, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil amic|perf, Disodium EDTA chel|vc, Adenosine cci, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil so|perf, Caprylyl Glycol h|emo, Ethylhexylglycerin presThe Ingredient List of the Paula’s Choice 10% Niacinamide Booster:
cci|sb|aacne|h, Acetyl Glucosamine sii|sb, Ascorbyl Glucoside aox|sb, Butylene Glycol h|solv|vc 0 1, Phospholipids sii|emo, Sodium Hyaluronate sii|h 0 0, Allantoin so 0 0, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Glycerin sii|h 0 0, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate so|h, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract so|sb, Ubiquinone aox, Epigallocatechin Gallate aox|so, Beta-Glucan so|h, Panthenol so|h 0 0, Carnosine aox|cci, Genistein aox, Citric Acid buff, Sodium Citrate chel|buff, Sodium Hydroxide buff, Xanthan Gum vc|emu|surf, Disodium EDTA chel|vc, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Phenoxyethanol presThe Ingredient List of the Balm Labs Clear Balm Gentle Foam Cleanser::
Water (Aqua), Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Maltodextrin, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract.
