Recently in Skincare Category

We enjoy traveling, but it isn’t always necessary to take our full-size products along. To stay looking our best, we find packing travel-friendly versions of our favorite products to be easies. When we fly, the liquids can come on board with us and on weekend getaways, they keep us feeling pampered without being overloaded. Another plus: most of these compact goodies come with compact price tags.

 

 

Skincare:

 

Hope in a Jar to Go

This fast-absorbing, skin-loving moisturizer keeps our skin looking so great everyday, we wouldn ever dream of leaving home without it. Thankfully, our favorite skin cream comes in this travel friendly jar, so we don’t have to worry about the dreaded dry-out that happens mid-flight. $15, sephora.com

 

 

Bliss Face Value Trial+Travel Skincare Essentials Set

To get your glow on on the road, this kit of skincare goodies will do wonders. With everything we need to keep our skin looking it’s best, this set is also perfect for those wanting to try some best-sellers without blowing a budget. $25, blissworld.com

Unfortunately, not everyone wakes up looking refreshed after a night’s rest. We’ve all been there — waking up to see the dreaded puffy eyes. In most cases, it’s caused by lack of sleep, consuming too much salt or not drinking enough water. When this happens, don’t panic. We have an age-old recipe for banishing them. 

Start by applying a cold compress to your peepers. Some at-home remedies include:

 

Cooled green tea bags: the caffeine and antioxidants in green tea will assist with reducing the swelling.

Cucumber slices: the cucumber has astringent properties which will reduce puffiness.

Ice pack— not too fancy, but the cold factor does reduce the puffiness. If you’re a mom of a baby, frozen teething rings work well, too.

 

 

 

We also like Sephora Brand Pearl Ice Cooling Eye Mask by Inka: This mask is kept in our freezer for those “just in case” situations. Filled with tiny glass beads and enclosed in thermal plastic, this mask can also be warmed by placing it into a bowl of warm water. $26, sephora.com

 

 

After relaxing with one of these on for 10 to 15 minutes, follow with the application of a lightweight eye gel or cream  (steer clear of “hydrating” creams that will only trap the water under the skin).  Be sure to look for ingredients like caffeine, Vitamin K and chamomile. 

Great puff-banishing eye gels:

 

 

L’Oreal Dermo Expertise Defense Eye— Our drugstore favorite, this gel treats our puffy eye symptoms with caffeine and other ingredients to sooth and combat signs of aging.  $13.49, drugstore.com

 

 

 

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels are perfect for travel when puffiness due to lack of sleep is common. Cooling and refreshing, your eyes will thank you for this de-puffing treat. from $45, sephora.com

 

 

Benefit Depuffing Action Eye Gel soothes our eyes with chamomile and red raspberry extracts while a “secret” ingredient gives puffiness the boot. $28, benefitcosmetics.com

We all love to indulge in pampering treatments from time to time, but when money is tight, it’s best to do it yourself. It not only saves money over time, but ensures you get to use products you love and will give you results you want. We have many products we turn to for at-home spa days, and these facial goodies will leave your skin glowing and fresh— who needs the spa anyway?

 

Cleanse:

It’s important to remove all makeup before any skincare regime, so we reach for MAC Cleanse Off Oil, a formula of skin-loving oils (that means no mineral oil) to really break up the dirt, makeup and even water-proof mascara. Emulsify with water and rinse for residue-free, smooth skin. $21, nordstrom.com

 

 

 

 

Every facial includes a second cleanse, typically being a formula made specifically for your skin type or condition. To keep skin’s moisture in balance, regardless of skin type, we reach for Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. This soap-free cleanser is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin, contains anti-inflammatory balm mint and lavender extracts to soothe the skin, and natural quillaja saponaria to gently foam away toxins and debris. 16.9 oz. $48, drugstore.com

 

 

 

Exfoliate:

 

To remove dead skin cells, and speed up the process of cell turnover that slows down as we age, exfoliation is key to getting, and keeping, a youthful complexion. Queen Helene Oatmeal ‘n Honey Natural Facial Scrub sloughs off those dead cells, but also soothes skin with moisture-rich honey. $3.49, drugstore.com

 

 

 

Mask:

Now that skin has been cleansed thoroughly, it is ready for a mask that will go deep into pores to give skin a treat. Murad Pomegranate Exfoliating Mask is antioxidant-rich, hydrating and while it’s on, gives skin a revitalizing tingle. Apply to face, neck and decolletage. After 15 minutes, skin will look and feel more radiant and refreshed. 6 treatments per box. $22.50, sephora.com

 

 

Tone:

Give your skin more moisture with a toner that doesn’t contain alcohol— for this we recommend Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner. Along with antioxidant green and black teas, the sweet, calming scent also makes this an exceptional skincare product. For combination and oily skin types, it provides hydration without added oils; for dry skin types it’s a boost of long-lasting hydration that improves the performance of your favorite moisturizer. $27, skinstore.com

 

 

 

Moisturize:

The last step to your at-home facial is applying moisturizer. It is important to choose one that will suit your skin type. For oily/acne-prone skin, try Neutrogena Oil-Free Free Fresh Moisture, a light-weight, non-greasy formula that will leave your skin feeling smooth, and works great right before makeup application $11.99 drugstore.com.

 

 

If your skin is on the dry side, try Complex 15 Therapeutic Moisturizing Face Cream. While it sounds like a heavy-duty moisturizer, it is surprisingly light, oil-free and absorbs quickly into skin. $7.49, drugstore.com

Worried about what sunscreen to choose? Want to make sure it will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays? Last week we exposed the ugly truth behind suncreens and the manufacturing practices of brands’ suncreens. It left us with disappointment, but we’re determined to find the best sun protection for ourselves and those we love. The following is a list of products highly recommended based on the EWG research study, and we are loving too.

 

Best Sunscreen for Your Face: TruKid Sunny Days Sunscreen Facestick

Some sunscreens don’t work so well on the face— they’re opaque and may leave an unattractive white film behind. This facetick from TruKid smells great and goes on sheer, but still protects from the sun. We don’t recommend this for use under makeup— this is strictly for those days when you need specific protection for your face by the pool or on the beach when you’re wearing no makeup. $20.52 amazon.com

  

 

Best Lip Treatment with SPF: Jane Iredale LipDrink SPF 15

While most people are slathering their shoulders and noses, the lips are frequently forgotten. In fact, lower lips are highly susceptible to skin cancer since it is exposed the most. Let Jane Iredale’s LipDrink moisturize dry lips and protect them at the same time. We love the fresh lemon scent that keeps our spirits up in the heat of the season. $11.60 beauty.com

 

 

Best Facial Moisturizer SPF: Marie Verionique Organics Creme De Soleil, SPF 30+

This mineral-based formula, made with zinc oxide, offers complete protection against UVA/UVB rays. Using jojoba, red raspberry seed, and sea buckthorn oils in a green tea base to provide additional natural sun protection and anti-aging support, Creme De Soliel is non-comedogenic and recommended for all skin types. $44.99, marieveronique.net

 

 

 

Best Everyday Sunscreen: UV Natural Sunscreen SPF 30+

We love this sunscreen for its simplistic, yet effective, blend of ingredients. Green tea, grapeseed oil and natural Vitamin E offer anti-oxidant benefits to strengthen skin to fight against free-radicals. Water-resistant. $37.99, amazon.com

 

 

 

Best Sunscreen for Your Kids: California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+

Our kids love to go out and play, and that means loads of exposure to the sun. This sunscreen offers non-chemical, fragrance-free protection that is safe even for our littlest ones. We also love it because if we’re running low on our own product, this sunscreen works great for us too. $18.09, drugstore.com

 

 

 

Best Water-Resistant Sunscreen: Fallene Cotz Water Resistant Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 58

When it’s time to hit the beach or cool off in the pool, a water-resistant sunscreen is important. They also work great for when you play outdoor sports and will be working up a sweat. Fallene Cotz has created a formula that will stand up in the water and is suitable for sensitive skin. Plus, it has the highest UVB protection out of all our product picks. $22.99, drugstore.com

 

 

 

Best Drugstore Sunscreen: Solar Sense Clear Zinc Sport Stick for Face, SPF 45

We have relied on drugstore sunscreens to protect us (and our kids) for years. When we discovered that practically none of them made the grade when it came to the EWG study, we were beyond disappointed. One of the two we found to be in the recommended range without oxybenzone was Solar Sense Sport Stick. Thankfully, it’s safe and offers a high level of SPF to protect skin with a great price and convenience to boot. $3.82, drugstore.com

Bio-Oil has quite a cult following, and it should come as no surprise— it works in so many ways for so many people. For some, it’s the product to turn to for soothing skin that has been burned by the sun, or the must-have for smoothing away stretch marks. For others, it is a moisturizing night serum for the face or a “drink” for their parched hair. In addition to those many uses, we recommend using it to give your legs a silky sheen for a night out— in your favorite dress, of course— or try adding a few drops to your bath for a relaxing, at-home treat. from $11.99, drugstore.com