April Empties Review

Sometimes I worry about how much skincare I buy, then I see how much skincare I go through and I think “nope, seems fine.” Here’s what I emptied in April!

Cosrx Cica Serum

I won this serum (and the rest of Cosrx’s cica line) back in late November/early December. This serum isn’t as immediately calming and hydrating as the toner from the line, which is a holy grail, but it is really wonderful. If you’re looking for a simple, calming, hydrating serum I definitely recommend it. I enjoyed cocktailing it with ceramide serums, which can otherwise be difficult to spread. That said, if you’re looking to just try something from the line, go for the toner instead.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $28 USD / 30 mL

Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Enrich Essence

This essence came highly recommended, but I don’t know that it entirely lived up to the hype, given the price. I did legitimately enjoy using it. I do think a fair bit of my enjoyment was just due to how bougie the bottle is. If you’re specifically hoping for an essence, maybe look into a different option, as both the packaging (dropper bottle) and texture (not watery) is not conducive to using it as an essence. But in terms of a good moisturizing, soothing serum, this is a fantastic choice because it has the bee trifecta of royal jelly, honey and propolis. I would definitely consider repurchasing next winter.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $39 USD / 30 mL

Isntree Cica Relief Cream

This cream was an instant holy grail. I loved it for reducing irritation — both generalized redness and specific itchy patches. I used it as an AM moisturizer, for which it was a good weight. The light green tint really helped visibly neutralize skin tone. I’m slightly devastated that I didn’t rebuy when it was still $16 at Yesstyle, since at its full price it’s a bit pricier than what I like to spend for 30 mL, but I’ve got it on my droplist! Definitely would recommend for those needing redness reduction due to sensitivity.
Rating: 10/10
Price: $34 USD / 30 mL

Primera Miracle Seed Essence

Having heard many things about this essence before I was really aware of kbeauty (Primera, an Amorepacific brand, is one of the few kbeauty brands available at Sephora), I was very curious about this essence. Its hero ingredient is lotus seed extract, though it also has some saccharomyces extract and other nice ingredients. I noticed that it was hydrating, but didn’t see any other benefits. Perhaps I’m doomed to not notice much of a difference with essences? Who knows. Definitely doesn’t seem like it would be worth the price to get the full-size version.
Rating: 7/10
Price: $58 USD / 150 mL, shown here in the travel size from their bestsellers kit

Chiasm Skin Custom Oil

I ordered this oil on a whim when the brand launched in December, and it’s been a lot of fun to have something made just for me. It’s absolutely a splurge, but then as a rule I feel like facial oils are splurgey things. I always used this as one of my final steps in the evening, though whether it went before or after moisturizer depended on the moisturizer. The smell and the slip of it was wonderful. I would say most of the benefits I got from it were just from the occlusivity and emollience of all of the oils, rather than any specific skin brightening, but that’s largely a function of how long I used it for.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $165 USD / 30 mL

Ingredients: Opuntia ficus-indica (Prickly Pear) Seed Oil,* Rosa Mosqueta (Rose Hip) Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Squalane (Sugarcane-Derived), Supercritical Chia Extract [Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract & Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract],* Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Lactobacillus/Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Ferment Filtrate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract,* Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) Extract, Lupinus Albus (White Lupine) Seed Extract, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Helichrysum Italicum (Immortelle) Oil,** Michelia Alba (Magnolia) Oil,** Rosa Damascena (Damask Rose) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). * Organic. ** Wildcrafted

Trilipiderm Protective Day Crème – Broad Spectrum SPF 30

I’ve repurchased this chemical sunscreen a few times because it’s a really good standby to have around for those days when I just don’t have the time or the want to skincare in the morning. I can use just this, maybe a serum or toner underneath, and call it a morning. Unfortunately, that also tends to be how it works best, as if I use too much product underneath it can really pill as the day goes on. I have to give this sunscreen a lot of credit for improving my skin tone, though, and it’s the reason I discovered I love meadowfoam seed oil.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $40 USD / 50 mL

The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturizer

30 milliliters goes fast when you have thirsty, hungry skin. This little moisturizer is usable as an actual moisturizer for more oily folks, but I slide it into my routine most anywhere I can fit it, since bakuchiol is usable day and night. Small but lovely, and I do notice a fine line reduction from it! This was my fourth bottle, I think, and I have another in my stash.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $10 USD / 30 mL

Versed Doctor’s Visit

I had been hoping that this would be a cheaper dupe for the Peach & Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask … but it is not. Well, it is cheaper. I found this mask to be quite stripping, however. Even leaving it on for the shortest time (the suggestions are 2-3 minutes), I found that my skin would feel dry for the rest of the time unless I followed it up with a hydrating mask. I will say that it did everything you would hope an exfoliating mask with glycolic acid and salicylic acid would do, however, so if you want something nicer to use than The Ordinary’s peel, this might be a good option.
Rating: 3/10
Price: $18 USD / 50 mL

iUNIK Propolis Vitamin Sleeping Mask

This sleeping mask did not last long (about two months), but it was enjoyable and I give it a fair amount of credit for getting me through an unusually long Colorado winter. This is definitely a more moisturizing sleeping mask than some, so oilier skin types could probably just use this without a moisturizer or oil underneath. I can’t say that I really appreciated any brightening effects from this product in particular, but I do love me some propolis and sea buckthorn. I’ll definitely be buying another tube for the depth of next winter.
Rating: 9/10
Price: $16 USD / 60 mL