Spill the beans! Let me hear it! Tell what I wanna know! So…what, pray tell, is currently on your beauty wish list?
Girl, what isn’t on my beauty wish list is more like it!
I’ve been deep-diving into the skin care world, scanning the interwebs for solutions to hyperpigmentation and melasma, and I owe my discover of these first items to Dr. Alexis Stephens on YouTube. She has a video on hyperpigmentation for darker skin tones where she basically “sciences the sh*t” ? out of the ingredients one should be looking for in their quest to even out their skin tone.
Today, I’m deeply enamored with the idea of tranexemic acid products and would like to add one to the mix, so I’m wish-listing (yes, I just made that up) three options.
Option one is affordable and accessible. It’s the $14.99 INKEY list Tranexamic Acid Night Treatment at Sephora. I like that it doesn’t break the bank, and I also like that it’s available at Sephora, so I wouldn’t have to drive 250 miles to find it.
Option two is pricier at $88 (oh, my!). It’s by Peter Thomas Roth, called the PRO Strength Niacinamide Discoloration Treatment.
So, this one’s much more expensive, but I like that it contains hyperpigmentation heavy-hitters niacinamide and kojic acid, as well as tranexemic acid. It’s also supposed to have a creamy texture, which my dry skin would probably like.
Option three is the most expensive ?? one, so of course it’s the one I’m most intrigued by, ha ha ha. It’s called SkinMedica Lytera 2.0, and it clocks in at a whopping, ridiculous, staggering $154!
I’ve seen the brand in dermatology offices before, though, and it’s listed in that hyperpigmentation video from Dr. Alexis Stephens, so I’m deeply curious about it…
After much internal debate, which is still ongoing, I’m thinking about splurging on the Peter Thomas Roth item in the purple tube to kickstart things before perhaps eventually transitioning to the more affordable INKEY list product for maintenance, assuming my skin likes tranexemic acid.
Also on my list is a moisturizer with vitamin F, which technically isn’t a real vitamin, but rather two essential fatty acids — an omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and an an omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid (LA). Vitamin F is another thing that is supposed to help with hyperpigmentation as well, and yes this is another thing I learned from Dr. Alexis!
As for moisturizers, both of these are on my list right meow: Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream ($58) and Drunk Elephant F-Balm Masque ($54).
Incidentally, even though the Drunk Elephant F-Balm is billed as a “sleeping mask,” I think that’s just marketing-speak for “night moisturizer.” I can’t imagine you couldn’t just use it in the evening before bed, if the timing and convenience worked out better for you.
In other news…can we briefly chat about retinol for a minute? I’ve been using this one from Neutrogena for a few months, and I like it just fine (it’s moisturizing and doesn’t irritate my skin), but I’m getting the urge to try something new. I’ve been reading up on the different types of retinols in over-the-counter products, and now I want to try a treatment with retinaldehyde, which is supposed to work quicker than retinol…
The Avene RetrinAL 0.05 Cream ($62) gets mentioned often, and so I’ve got that one on my list!
Speaking of Avene, they have new mineral sunscreens, including a tinted one. Ugh. WANT! ?
That’s it for me…at least for now…from what I can think of at this very moment. Ha! What’s currently on your beauty wish list? Inquiring minds want to know.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. BTW, today is someone’s birthday. ? I’ll give you a hint. It’s somebody typing on a keyboard into this blog right now, and she likes cats and makeup and clothes and sunny weather and kindness and good conversation and is currently obsessed with skin care and sunscreen… ????
Happy Birthday, Karen! Hope something from your wishlist magically appears today. And if not, treat yourself! ?
Thank you, Megan!
Happy birthday Karen! I hope you have a fantastic day. Treat yourself to some wishlist goodies! I want to try the Bliss sunscreen you’ve been raving about!♥️
Thank you, Tina! BTW I think you will love that Bliss sunscreen, it’s so good!
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Karen! Happy birthday to you! I love to read you every day – so take a break and enjoy YOUR day. Celebrate well!!
Thank you Lisa! 🙂
Happy Birthday Karen!
I’m an olive-skinned, SE Asian lady and have used Skinmedicas Lytera 2.0. I honestly didn’t see results that warranted the price point. The combination of a stable vitamin C (at any price point), daily spf 50+, SkinCeuticals Discoloration defense, Augustinus Baders The Rich Cream or a nice moisturizer of your choice, has worked well at keeping dark spots at bay AFTER fractal lasor treatment.
Truly. nothing topical gets rid of dark spots on mature (40+) skin.
Always,
Maxine
Thanks, Maxine!
Also thank you for sharing your skin routine. I appreciate the insight!
I’ve used Lytera morning and night for a few years. It faded out the discolored areas and has prevented them from returning as well as preventing new dark spots. I also mix a bit of The Ordinary’s 2% alpha arbutin into my daily moisturizer. Of course, I also use a good sunscreen every single day.
The cost of Lytera isn’t really all that bad when you do the math. It’s frequently on sale for about $108 for 2 ounces plus I use Rakuten to get cash back.
Ooh, good to know that it goes on sale!
Places like Dermstore, Lovely Skin, SkincareRx, etc. will often put SkinMedica on sale and Rakuten has cash back. You just want to be sure you’re getting it from an authorized seller. One pump is enough to cover my face, neck, and my chest V. I have a friend who only uses half a pump to treat the sides of her jawline and neck. How long it lasts will just depend on how much area you’re treating. As with any product for hyperpigmentation, the key to success is patience, consistent application, and sunscreen. Over time, these products can dramatically reduce and minimize the discoloration, but they don’t completely remove it. For that, you need to see a dermatologist for some heavy duty treatment options.
Happy birthday Karen! I hope you get a lot of love and good food today.
About my skincare wishlist, right now I want to try more Korean cosmetics, after watching Odile Monod YouTube videos. Specially Physiogel sunscreen and Dr.G blemish cream. And also maybe buying more essences.
About dark spots, if you’re considering spending a great amount in products, maybe it’s a good idea to invest in a visit to the dermatologist. I know most of us have had at least one “meh” experience with one, but when you find the one, you can see the way they see your skin gives you more options.
Have a nice day birthday girl!
Thank you, Efra!
Happy Birthday, my Friend!! I hope you have a wonderful day and get everything on your wish list. 🙂
Thank you, Kim!
Happy happy birthday Karen! Have a wonderful year ahead filled with everything you love!
Honestly, after the year we’ve had, my wishlist contains two fun things – an eyeshadow palette with some nice (khaki) greens, olive and bronze shades (I have no idea if such a palette even exists), and the shadows should blend themselves because I have no skills. I’d also like to get a lipstick that is a perfect mix of pink and red with zero purple in it. One can dream 🙂
Thank you, Pav!
If you ever find that palette let me know because I would probably love it.
Maybe the Melt Cosmetics 4 20 palette? It’s a good one!
Happy birthday Karen!! Have a wonderful day and treat yourself to something on your wish list!!
Thank you, Jodi! It’s been a “treat yourself” kind of day. I’m running on doughnuts and skincare, LOL! (I stopped by both Ulta and Sephora this morning.)
Happy Happy Birthday Karen! I hope you have a wonderful day and a blessed year!
On the hyperpigmentation front, on my asian NC30/35 skin, I’ve found that a combo of glycolic acid 10% (toner or gel) with Vitamin C (I’ve been using the ordinary’s ascorbic acid powder mixed in with HA) has helped me quite a bit. Kojic acid, etc. doesn’t seem to do much for me. Around the 3mo time is when I see the most difference.
Thank you, Cherie!
I *just* started adding a glycolic acid into the mix and plan to do it 3 times a week. I’m eagerly anticipating seeing what happens in the next three months!
Happy Birthday Karen! I hope you have a great day and an even better year. Hope you get a few things that are on your wish-list and that there is cake for dessert this evening!
Thank you, Tatiana! There will most certainly be dessert this evening!
I wish for the Lord Jones Bump &Smooth Body Serum, anything by Mad Hippie (just want to try it) and the Pai Skincare Impossible Glow Bronzer.
I also wish for you to have a happy B-day! You are beautiful, creative and a hero for cats! ?????
Hope you are having a great birthday!
Late to the party, but have a good one. Take photos for us!
My strategy fir new ingredients is to buy the least expensive option and use it fir a while to see if I see aby effect. And to make sure I don’t have any strange reactions. If it seems to be working for me, then I’d go for the more costly versions to get more of the ingredient. I also read the ingredient label to see how many items are listed before the ingredient I’m interested in. The higher in the list, the more of it in the formula.
I’m very scientific in my approach to this! Also very budget- conscious ?
Happy, happy birthday, Karen! I hope you have a wonderful day – and that Rosie, Connor and El Hub spoil you! 🙂
Happy birthday Karen! Hope you get spoiled rotten by Connor, El Hub and Rosie. A fellow Gemini – my birthday was 2 June. Treat yourself to the skincare product you want today! Wishing you a joyous year ahead. x
Happy birthday! I hope you had a wonderful day.
Wishlist:
Soon —
*The three Sydney Grace x Temptalia palettes and Dearest Reader single.
*Nomad National Parks Palette
Eventually —
*Lunar Beauty Blush Palette
*Terra Moons eyeshadow singles (I only have Red Giant).
*I want to try Odin’s Eye eyeshadows and highlightes.
*I want to try Lethal Cosmetics’ blushes ( especially the lavender), contour, and highlighters.
What?! It’s your birthday today? Omg, that’s so crazy, it’s my brother’s birthday today, too, so June 9 is a special day for me. Happy Birthday! ?
Happy birthday, Karen!
I don’t know if I’ll stay obsessed with makeup or if I too will go minimalist with makeup and switch my obsession to skincare and sunscreen when I get older (I’m in my late 20s), but I know I’m makeup obsessed now! My beauty wish list as it stands now is Melt Blushlight in Nevermore (if it ever restocks-it’s been sold out on both Sephora and Melt’s site for like 2 months and I’m getting cynical), Pat McGrath Skin Fetish: Divine blushes in Lovestruck, Cherish, and Divine Rose, and Besame Red Velvet lipstick (it’s the shade Hayley Atwell wore on Agent Carter!).
Happy birthday!
Don’t have much of anything on my wish list. Someday I might get a palette from Pat McGrath.
Belated birthday wishes. I hope you had a day filled with joy, love and a sense of overall peace.
Happy (late) birthday! (I get your posts a day late here at the office) Wishing you a happy, healthy, kitty-filled, fun trip around the sun!
Happy Belated!
I’ve been looking into tranexamic acid, too. Before you spend on the spendy one, check ut Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration. It has the same ingredients and it’s $36 at Sephora. It’s back in stock now. While I was waiting for that, I got La Roche Posay Glycolic B5 10% Pure Glycolic Acid Serum, which also has tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and B5.
Happy Birthday Karen!! Hope you have a wonderful day and may all your beauty wishes come true!!
Happy birthday, Karen! Thank you for making my beauty world brighter and more interesting every day.
And FYI, the one by The Inkey List smells like Barbecue Sauce. That is not a bad thing, if you like the scent, but did surprise me when I first got my bottle.
Belated happy birthday to you, Karen! Treat yourself to something fun and enjoy the day…and every day! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog for several years- in fact, yours is the main beauty-related blog I read daily. Thank you for sharing both the great and the not-so-great of all you report on, including aging, body changes, exercise, etc. Keep on rockin’!