I’ve used up quite a few beauty items over the last month! Mostly, skin care (I’m obsessed, apparently), but a smattering of hair care products, too. Consequently, here are my two cents on what’s worth your time…
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner
One of the BEST leave-ins I’ve ever tried — ever! — so I’m totally buying another bottle. For reference, my hair is wavy, on the drier side, and it needs a lot of hydration. If your curls/waves desire major moisture as well, just squeeze a dollop into your palms (it smells faintly of honeysuckle), and then work it through your strands for smooth, hydrated hair with plenty of volume.
FYI, it’s silicone-free! $25 for a 9.9-ounce tube.
CeraVe Healing Ointment
This thick, rich petrolatum-based moisturizer has become a staple at our house because it does a bit of of everything. I use it on all of the dry parts that frequently require extra TLC, like my lips, cuticles, heels and hands, and when I overdo it a little on the chemical exfoliators or retinol and it hurts to smile 😬 (you know the feeling), I dab a little at the corners of my mouth and around the base of my nostrils, and all is well with the world…
It’s also a minor miracle worker on the scrapes, scratches and bug bites Connor seems to get daily from playing hard on the playground. It seems to speed up the recovery process, too. I love this enough to get it in a large size.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser and CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Why do all of my favorite skin care things run out at the same time? LOL! I’ve been steadily using the CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser in the morning and the Hydrating Facial Cleanser at night for several months, and I’m quite happy with the results. They’re gentle and don’t strip my combination dry and oily skin, and they don’t aggravate my acne either. Good stuff.
I love trying new face washes, so I’ll probably get some fresh blood into the mix, but I also plan to keep these guys on standby for when I need something familiar and comforting. An 8-ounce bottle of the Renewing SA Cleanser is $13.99, and a big 16-ounce bottle of the Hydrating Facial Cleanser is $16.99.
Trader Joe’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Body Gel Cream
Grab this quick-absorbing gel cream if you see it at TJ’s, and be sure to use it before fall, because it’s lightweight but yet hella moisturizing — perfect for the dog days of summer. $6.99 for a 12-ounce bottle with a pump.
Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
I found this on one of those “best of” lists, and although I like 1) how well it shields my skin from the sun, and 2) how it doesn’t stain my white shirts, the scent bothers me… It smells like plastic and artificial coconuts, and it churns my tummy. I won’t be rebuying it because of that, but if you can get past the smell, it’s a decent and affordable sunscreen. $13.99 for a 6-ounce bottle.
Bliss Block Star Invisible Daily Sunscreen SPF 30
My love for this mineral tinted sunscreen knows no bounds! Totally buying this again. If I find it on sale, OF COURSE I will let you know, girl. $24.49 for a 1.4-ounces tube.
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion 50+
This sunscreen was a staple of mine years ago, and I forgot about it for a bit. All I have to say about it now is that we’re reunited, and it feels so good! I still really love it. Yes, it’s pricey, but if your skin is combo and/or dry like mine, you’ll probably love it as well. It’s not drying, doesn’t leave a cast, and it isn’t sticky on skin. It’s also extremely waterproof, so if you’re sweating up a storm like I’ve been lately, trust that it will not run off your face. It smells like a fresh lemon drink and vacation, too. I’ve gone through countless bottles and predict yet another one in my immediate future. $49 for a 5.07-ounce bottle.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2%
I love the price of this hydrating serum. It’s super affordable. I’ve been layering it underneath face cream for a moisturizing boost, but I can’t tell if it’s actually doing any heavy lifting… I probably won’t buy it again, but it might be worth trying if you’re curious and have dry skin. $6.80 for 1-ounce bottle with a dropper.
Have you finished anything lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Karen,
I bought the Trader Joes’ Hydrating Hyaluronic Gel Cream a few weeks ago and I really love it. I use it every morning and after I swim, when I do in the late afternoon. It feels so nice on my dry skin. I just finished my sixth tube of Alba Botanica Sheer Face Shield SPF 45 and will open my back up tube tomorrow. I usually can find it at Whole Foods with the other Alba Botanica Skin Care products.
I use The Ordinary Buffet every day as well and I probably have enough for the end of the month. It is probably my favorite of the Ordinary line.
Anyway, hope all is well.
I’ve heard good things about The Ordinary Buffet!
I’m so glad you like the TJ’s lotion. They consistently do a lot of great body lotions!
I, too, am on the Trader Joe’s Hydrating Hyaluronic Body Gel Cream train! Based on your post, I had my sister purchase me a bottle since she was visiting me on the island. I put a few drops of Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfume oil on my palm, two pumps Whole Foods Everyday Lotion, and one pump of the TJ’s and my skin stays hydrated well into the evening, even after I’ve taken a quick before-bed shower! Love that stuff! I might have to get more “mules” to pick me up some more bottles!
I recently finished the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint, which I replaced with the Saie Sun Veil. I gotta be honest, although it is more expensive, I like the emolliency of the Ilia. I just don’t mind my face looking like an oil slick and the Ilia’s viscosity just makes me feel like it’s really covering my skin. May have to just splurge on it; it’s for a good cause.
Hi Karen! I am almost done with the Neutrogena ultra gentle cleanser that you recommended some time ago. I am also running low on the Trader Joes oil free Antioxidant Facial moisturizer. I have combo sensitive acne prone skin and I love this moisturizer especially under foundation.
You are running out of a ton at the same time! 🙂 We had been in the Florida Keys in July and, holy cow, the need for waterproof sunscreen is real. I had luck with a Neutrogena SPF 70 waterproof for face. I also did pretty well with Sun Bum SPF70 lotion (reef safe) but found the only thing that really helped me was wearing a long sleeve SPF50 shirt. We were sweating so profusely the entire time that it didn’t matter if I was in short sleeves or not. It’s incredible to see the difference between people from hot, humid climates (who don’t have a bead of sweat) vs those of us from colder climates (who are soaking wet and purple the entire time). HAHA!
Claire , I love a good empties post ! I have finished some candles from Bath and Body works ( the big ones) and a full size lotion. Now, I am working on a body butter and a body wash from the Body shop along with some sheet mask
I read the paragraph about the Trader Joe’s product and my brain didn’t catch the line break between “dog” and “days” and I thought – I’m not going to waste this product on my dogs! I need more coffee.
I picked up the TJ’s gel body cream a week ago but haven’t tried it yet, I thought of you when I bought it though! And I feel you on retinol around the mouth dryness. My derm has me trying Differin a few times a week in addition to a rosacea topical and the around the mouth skin is SENSITIVE.
Just finished a tube of the Bioderma Sensibio gel cleanser. Already got a new one LOL.
I prefer The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid serum over the one from The Ordinary. As affordable, but much nicer texture and with some peptides for extra oomph.