Ahhhh how is it April. Travel and a director-level job has taken a lot of my attention, even from simply doing my routine, which is why I almost certainly should have more empties this month than I do. I find myself shifting away from having a true routine and more towards just using what I have open as the spirit moves me — though on days when I want to “do the most” I still do all 15 or so steps. Nevertheless, stay posted for more openeds next week and (spoiler alert) a Krave Beauty Beet Shield vs Beet the Sun comparison the week after. Hold me to it.
🧼 Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm
Farmacy really brought visibility of cleansing balms to the Western market with Green Clean, and it remains a cult classic. This is a very lightweight cleansing balm that emulsifies easily and rinses well. I’m not a big makeup wearer, but when I do I find that it removes mascara without issue, and after my second cleanser I never find any hidden vestiges of it still on my lashes, which can definitely happen sometimes. I have never had issues with this making my eyes blurry after use, but then I’ve never had that problem with other balms either, so mileage may vary. Farmacy now does this balm in a variety of smells, including essential oil free, so there’s something that should work for everyone. I think it’s a great basic but a bit pricey for the fact that it is a basic.
Opened: November ’22
Rating: 9/10
Price: $36 USD / 100 mL
💜 By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream
As someone who was once terrified of retinol, generally, due to skin irritation, I feel I can say confidently that By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream is a pretty solid first retinal pick, even for the dry and more sensitive skinned among us. This retinal also uses bakuchiol (what I used for many months, before I got brave enough to do retinol). It says it’s a night cream but given that one is to use a pea-sized amount, I prefer to mix it in with a night cream for optimal slip, as I use this on face, neck and chest. In addition to retinal and bakuchiol, this formula has niacinamide, beta glucan, centella, ceramide NP and palmitoyl tripeptide-8, all of which help offset any possible irritation. While I eased into using it, I now find that I can use it nightly, if I so choose. I was lucky enough to receive a second one from the brand itself, via a giveaway, and you’ll see that in my openeds for the month — while I want to try other products, this could definitely be my forever vitamin A.
Opened: August ’22
Rating: 10/10
Price: $33 USD / 30g
💙 Pyunkang Yul Ato Cream Blue Label
This is not the first time I’ve emptied the Pyunkang Yul Ato Cream Blue Label, and it won’t be the last. This is a midweight cream with all the comfort of a heavy one but mine of the claustrophobic feeling. Pyunkang Yul markets this as a face or body cream, and prices it as such, but I’ll admit I really only use it for my face — it doesn’t have enough slip for body. This is called an Ato Cream because it’s intended for sensitive skin, which is why I love it for a night cream, especially in winter. Acetyl hexapeptide-8 (the “Botox peptide”) promotes healing of the moisture barrier, while ceramide NP and fatty acids from shea butter and macadamia seed oil give it the materials to do so. This will always be my recommendation for someone who wants a barrier repairing cream that feels like a picture product at a drugstore price per ounce.
Opened: November ’22
Rating: 10/10
Price: $19 USD / 120 mL
🛡 The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch
I don’t always get pimples, but when I do, I absolutely have to have pimple patches or I’m a picking wreck. If I had had access to pimple patches in my late teens and early twenties, I’m sure that the state of my hyperpigmentation would have been very different. These Soft Shield Pimple Patches from The Klog are an excellent exemplar of how patches can be wonderfully multifunctional, as the two sizes make them work for pimples as well as heat rash, cuts, etc. These seem to be a bit thicker than some other brands, like Cosrx, and to not stick quite as well. It’s definitely one where I recommend wiping off the skincare you applied before putting them on, instead of YOLO-ing them on over top. This is, of course, what you are SUPPOSED to do, but when do I listen to that? Full points, regardless, because I’m not about to ding them for me not using them as directed.
Opened: July ’22
Rating: 10/10
Price: $6 USD / 42 patches
Lisa Loves Skincare 