If you’ve scrolled through Instagram or TikTok recently, you’ve probably seen the “deinfluencing” trend. It’s just as it sounds. People who are normally known for sharing recommendations and encouraging their followers to buy products (AKA influencers) are flipping the script by sharing the products they don’t recommend. It’s in an effort to save their followers time and money, and we think that’s pretty cool. After all, the beauty market is incredibly saturated, and it can be difficult to know what products are worth it, and which ones you should leave sitting squarely on the shelf.
So, in the spirit of it all, we thought we’d share our take on the trend. After all, as beauty and fashion editors, it’s literally our job to weed out the best from the rest. Ahead, see the 7 beauty products we want to deinfluence (and 17 alternatives that we think are way better).
What would you say your everyday makeup routine looks like?
It’s pretty simple but has also become slightly more complicated because I’ve gotten into gadgets and tools and stuff. On a perfect day, I would have a minute to do some of that stuff like skin prep. It would be a toner, some moisturizer depending on what the weather’s like and what my skin needs. I have gotten really into primer, and Armani Beauty makes a lovely primer that I use now if I’m going to do makeup. Typically, an everyday thing for me is a no-makeup makeup [look]. [I like] just a little bit of foundation. Sometimes, I’ll even mix it with my moisturizer, serum, or a little bit of oil. I like to use corrector under my eyes, so a little bit of orange, then a little bit of concealer, and then not that much powder—maybe just in the middle of my face. Then I use some rose water, and off I go. For every day probably, I would wear Armani’s Lip Power Lipstick because it’s really moisturizing, and if I’m not doing a color color, I would do something closer to my natural lip color and work it out almost like a stain, and that would be a good five-minute makeup look.
Something that’s really good is using a liquid highlighter too! Sometimes, I will mix that with a little bit of foundation, a little bit of oil, and then it’ll give sort of a sheen. Remember when BB balm was so big? Kind of like that!
Yes! It’ll give you a really natural, dewy glow.
Exactly. You mix a little bit of Armani’s Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer ($33) with a little bit of foundation, a little bit of oil, and even a little bit of moisturizer. I just take a blush brush and just lightly brush that across my face. That’s an easy no-makeup makeup look and creates a healthy glow.
I know you already mentioned a few, but what are your all-time favorite Armani Beauty products?
I have so many! The Luminous Silk Foundation is why I’m really happy to get to represent this brand and this product because I’ve been using it for so long and, at the time—I know this sounds silly to say about makeup—it really was life changing when I discovered it because I had been working mostly in television and on some indie films. I was a young actor, and I would sit in chairs, and artists would have such a hard time shade-matching my skin. At the time, there weren’t a ton of brands that had a wide range of shades. And typically, they would put stuff on me, and I would look either orange, or I would look ashy. Then, I had my first big red carpet, and an artist used Luminous Silk on me, and he actually mixed two shades—one that was way too light for me and way too dark for me—and made his own special thing. Then he said, “You should look into this brand,” and I did. I remember going to a department store and finding something. It was the first time there was a shade that was right for me and came out of a bottle.
Not just for me, but for friends and family, it’s been so easy for me to color-match for people in my life because there’s such a wide range of shades. Their foundation really did help me feel and look like myself when I was at work. As I mentioned, their primer’s really good. Another thing that I have discovered more recently in the last couple of years is the Fluid Sheer, which is so beautiful. You can use it, as I said, mixed with your foundation, and so many of their products are so user-friendly. I’ll be done with a full face of makeup and set it, then I can use Fluid Sheer and put it right on top, and it doesn’t do anything weird or funky to the makeup. It sits perfectly and just makes you look really dewy. I also love to use it on my shoulders or my clavicle if I have skin showing, and it just gives you this very healthy, dewy look. I find that with some highlighters, you can sort of see the glitter a little too much. My approach is usually to do pretty easy makeup, so I like it to be a little more invisible. This one can be, but it’s also buildable, so if you want it to be a bit more dramatic, you just use a little more when applying.
When I ask Hudgens about her personal skincare routine, it’s surprisingly minimal. “Well, I can just take you through what I did this morning, I guess. I literally wake up and the first thing I do is throw the mask on while I’m waking up. I don’t even give myself time to think about it; I just toss it on. The scent feels like a nice, relaxing, awakening start to my day. Then I’ll check my phone and brush my teeth. Then I hop in the shower and rinse it off.”
From there, it’s time for cleanser, a toner-serum hybrid, tinted moisturizer, and sunscreen. “I’ve been using whatever cleanser is in my shower,” she laughs. “I move around so much, so consistency for me is a challenging thing.”
When I first met my boyfriend, he was just like most men in their late-20s and using the bare minimum when it came to grooming products. The first time I went to his apartment, I peeked in his shower and saw a three-in-one shampoo—cue horror music. Luckily, all of his other qualities were good enough to look past his minimal self-care routine.
Now that we’ve been dating for over three years, I credit myself with single-handedly transforming his routine. My apartment is essentially like my own personal Sephora since I constantly have so many products to test, so I’m able to give him products I think he’ll like. I asked him to give his uncensored opinion on the products I’ve given him that he actually uses. Let’s just say we’ve come a long way since his three-in-one shampoo days. Keep reading for the products he loves and snippets from our conversation on why he loves them.
Derms first want you to know why your skin is oily. There are quite a few reasons, but board-certified dermatologist Lauren Penzi, MD, explains it perfectly. “Our skin naturally produces sebum/oil for beneficial reasons,” she says. “Oil helps preserve the skin, and people with oily skin tend to have thicker skin and fewer wrinkles. On the other hand, people with oily skin do tend to have larger pores and are more acne-prone. The key is to strike a balance between having too much oil and maintaining your skin’s natural moisture. Oil production is largely based on genetics, as well as hormones (think increase in oil production when going through puberty and decrease in oil production when going through menopause). Environment also dictates how much oil we make, with those in drier climates making less oil and those in warmer/humid climates making more oil. Our skincare practices also contribute to oil production. For example, if you over-wash or over-exfoliate your skin, it will actually increase oil production to compensate.”
Board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, also has a few pointers for choosing a moisturizer if you have oily skin. “Those with oily skin should opt for lightweight moisturizers that are noncomedogenic and won’t clog the pores,” she says. “Some moisturizers for oily skin may contain a small amount of salicylic acid, as this may help to reduce excess oil.”
Penzi also says ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide are key. “Ceramides are naturally occurring lipids found in the outer skin barrier that help to retain moisture. They keep your skin moisturized and prevent overproduction of sebum and oil. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps absorb and maintain moisture in the skin. Similar to ceramides, it keeps your skin moisturized and prevents overproduction of sebum/oil. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3, which has natural anti-inflammatory properties that help to calm skin. It has helps to strengthen the skin barrier, and also helps with hyperpigmentation and overall brightness. Topical formulations [with it] have been shown to decrease sebum/oil production,” she explains.
Both also agree that heavier, pore-clogging ingredients like coconut oil should be avoided along with fragrance and alcohol. “Avoid harsh ingredients like fragrance or alcohol that can skin strip the skin of its natural oil and cause worsening oil production for compensation and breakouts,” says Penzi. “Also avoid products that do not say ‘noncomedogenic,’ as these can clog the pores and lead to breakouts. For example, products with mineral oil, coconut oil, etc., should not be used.”
With this in mind, find both of their moisturizer recommendations for oily skin below along with a few of my own favorites.
One thing about me is that I am always running out the door. No matter how much time I try to give myself in the mornings, it never seems to cut it—I end up snoozing my alarm or spending too much time in the shower, or my hair won’t cooperate. No matter what it is, it’s a pretty usual occurrence for me to realize that I need to leave my house in five minutes, but I have not even begun to think about my makeup.
Because of my propensity for lateness, I’ve gotten pretty damn good at doing my makeup in the 11th hour. There are certain products I reach for that I can confidently rely on to work their magic in under five minutes. I figured that the other beauty editors on my team might have some tricks up their sleeves as well. (Trust me when I say beauty editors are always running from event to event.) Keep reading for our favorite products that make us look alive in no time.
As we approach warmer months, I have one thing on my mind: sunscreen. (Forgive me, I’m a beauty editor.) I am a ride-or-die sunscreen user. It’s a part of my morning skincare routine no matter the weather or season, but when I start spending more time outside, sunscreen becomes a pivotal part of my beauty routine.
One thing that always puzzles me about sunscreen, however, is reapplication. Conventional wisdom from derms dictates that we should be reapplying sunscreen every two hours (or every 40 to 80 minutes when swimming or sweating). That’s easy enough to remember, but what am I supposed to do if I have a full face of makeup on?
Luckily, there’s an easy solution for staying protected from the sun without trying to spread sunscreen on top of your makeup. Enter setting sprays with SPF, which make SPF reapplication a breeze, even if you’re sporting a full face. I reached out to experts to get the 411 on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about setting sprays infused with sunscreen.
Say hello to Unfiltered, a fresh beauty series where you’ll get an exclusive glimpse into the dressed-down beauty routines of our favorite celebrities and content creators. They’ll reveal their guilty-pleasure beauty practices, the five-minute-routine product lineup they can’t live without, the one good-skin tip they’ll be forever thankful for, and so much more. To bring every conversation full circle, we ask each celebrity to send us a selection of self-shot, filter-free photos of their choosing to capture the essence of their Unfiltered beauty philosophy.
Up next, we’re getting to know actor and filmmaker Elizabeth Banks. Below, she’s answering all of our rapid-fire questions and sharing her favorite products, best-kept beauty secrets, and more. Enjoy!
No7 is such a beloved brand. It’s been a go-to for so many people for so many years. Can you talk about when you were first introduced to it and how it fits in with your beauty routine?
I’m a recent convert, to be honest, but I’m newly in love. I’m getting older. I’m finally paying a lot more attention to everything, and I was really impressed with, frankly, how much retinol is in No7. That’s something your dermatologist is always like, “Maybe it’s time,” and I was like, “Wait a minute. There are these incredible products that already have a lot of retinol in them.” I got really excited for a nighttime ritual with retinol that doesn’t dry me out because that’s always been my fear about retinol. It’s kind of why I shied away from it. None of these products do that to me. My skin is just smoother, and I feel like I’m really working toward… I don’t really like to say anti-aging. I’m not anti-aging. I’m pro-aging, guys. It’s always better than the alternative. For me, it’s about managing my skin to feel like my best self as I get older—that’s what I feel the No7 Pure Retinol does.
If you could only use one No7 product for the rest of your life, which one would it be, and why?
Okay, I’m debating. One is the Night Repair Cream ($40) because that’s been a delight. But here’s the thing: You got to have SPF. They have so many great day creams that are fragrance-free and that have sunscreen in them, so I think I’d have to say their Day Cream with SPF 30 ($28). You have to protect. That’s number one—protection. Everything after that, the hydration and the lifting and the illuminating, none of that matters if you haven’t protected your skin first.
Yes, 100%! Sunscreen is so important, and it’s great that it’s a one-and-done thing.
Yes, everything’s in it. You’re lifting, you’re illuminating, you’re protecting, [and] you’re toning—all of it. I love it.
I love a simplistic routine. Speaking of, what’s your daily skincare routine like? Are you more of a minimalist or maximalist when it comes to skincare?
I’m pretty minimalist. I’ve even actually started not washing my face in the morning if I wash at night. I feel like it’s just a little extra moisture before I put on my makeup. I’m finding that I don’t want to overcleanse. You know what I mean? For me, I don’t feel the need to cleanse my face more than once every 24 hours unless I’m covered in makeup.
I’m also really into No7’s Exfoliating Cleanser ($10). I think you can use it every day. I just love the way it feels. That’s what I use when I feel like I have to get rid of build-up. So sometimes, I’ll do that. And just as a reminder, anything you do on your face you should do on your neck. I’ve known this for a while, but I love being reminded, and I love reminding people.
Then, I’ll use the Radiance Serum ($25), which is vitamin C. Throw that on, throw your day cream/SPF cream on, and you’re off to the races, and you can layer makeup on it with no problem.
That’s my biggest problem with skincare. You know when it pills or you feel that residue? I can’t stand that.
Yes, or if it’s too white when it goes on and you’re worried about how it will react with your foundation. I don’t have any problems with that with these products.
How has being an actor, being on set, and spending time in the makeup chair affected your skincare and makeup routines?
Beauty begins with your insides, like internally. Are you eating well? Are you hydrating enough? Are you getting enough sleep? All of that affects your skin, especially as you get older and especially when you’re working long days on set like I do. That’s become my number one. That’s why serums with vitamin C feel like healthcare but for your outer layer. I’ve come to understand my exterior is really a reflection of my interior. I have to take care of that first. So hydration and sleep are my number one.
Definitely. What’s your post–set day routine like to get the makeup off and reset your skin?
No7 has a really great everyday cleanser. I keep one in my shower and one on my sink. Again, it’s keeping it simple. It’s a wash, a serum, and a cream. They also have an eye cream that I put under and over my eyes. I use the cream I use on my face on my neck. They even have an incredible moisturizing body serum that I’ll use as well. I’ll be honest. I take too-long showers, which is bad on every level, but I’ll admit it to you. Don’t judge me too much, but I love a long, hot shower. It’s not good for your skin.
It’s not, but I think everyone does it. I do it.
Same. I guess you just have to have the products to deal with it.
Totally. Could you walk me through your daily makeup routine, if you have one? What’s your makeup aesthetic? Has it changed over time like your skincare routine?
I call it the “morning drop-off” look, so it’s just getting me out the door. It’s super simple. It’s just foundation, some pink lipstick on my lips and cheeks to just pop my cheeks, and a little mascara. It’s like, how do I make my routine as simple as possible while feeling like I’ve brightened myself up? The pink tends to bring out my blue eyes, so again, I’m just trying to highlight some natural features without going overboard. I don’t love to wear a lot of makeup when I’m not at work because I have to wear so much makeup when I’m at work.
Understandable. Do you know the name of the pink lipstick and the foundation?
Oh gosh, I couldn’t tell you. I can tell you my mascara is the really old-school bright-pink tube.
With the green top?
Yeah, Maybelline Great Lash ($6)! I’ve been using it for 30 years. It never lets me down. And it’s affordable; that’s the other thing. I’m a high-low person. I don’t mind the drugstore bits. It’s all good for me.
Absolutely. That one’s a classic. You’ve played so many iconic characters over the years. Which one was the most fun for you in regard to beauty and fashion?
Of course, Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games. That was everything. I had to dye my eyebrows. It was four hours in the makeup chair, and then there were the nails. Everything we did for that was incredible. We used a lot of products that you couldn’t even get in America, like these incredible eyelashes that were just beyond. We could do anything we wanted—there were no restrictions. I loved playing Effie Trinket. I loved her outfits, and she definitely influenced my fashion a bit after the fact. I was like, “I can be a little more outrageous and wear different shapes and colors.”
The other is Seabiscuit. Playing in that movie, in that time period, I absolutely loved it. Judianna Makovsky,who’s an incredible costume designer, custom-made these incredible suits for me. It was the 1930s and an incredible look. I absolutely loved the beauty in Seabiscuit.
Wait, how long did you have dyed eyebrows?
Girl, I had that on and off for two years. The worst part was the grow-in. It looked like I had blonde tips in my eyebrows.
That’s so funny because the bleached brow is a trend now, so really, you were just ahead of the game.
Yeah, but you can’t really get away with that unless you have, like, Kate Moss’s face. You gotta really lean into it if you’re going to do it. I looked like I was ill. I didn’t look good.
Oh yeah, I would too. That’s a trend I’m never going to touch, but I love it on other people.
Agree. It wasn’t great for real life—I can tell you that.
Did you ever use a brow pencil or anything, or did you just roll with it?
Oh no, I covered those babies every day. But even that felt weird because I’m not a big fill-in-my-eyebrows person. I’m very fair, you know? I don’t have a big eyebrow anyway, but suddenly, I did have a big eyebrow because I was covering up these bleached brows. It was a lot.
Did you have a go-to product to fill in your brows?
I don’t know if it’s discontinued, but … please have them send me some if they’re not—it’s called Vanity Mark. It was my favorite brow collection. They had pencils and a powder with a custom brush that I loved. I have a little bit still, but it’s hard to get, and it might be discontinued.
That’s always so scary when you have to hoard your product because you don’t know if it’s still around. Finally, what’s your Unfiltered beauty philosophy in seven words or less?
Here we go. Age gracefully, whatever that means to you. Everyone has their own relationship with their skin, their face, their routine. There’s too much judgment about how everybody ages, and I would just love it if we were moving toward encouraging people to age gracefully, whatever that means to them.
We’re excited to hear all about your partnership with Degree and the new Unlimited by Degree formula! What do you think makes this formula unique, and why do you like using it?
There are so many reasons! One, I think my fans know that I’ve always loved Degree for many years—I’ve been proud to be part of the family. Before we even worked together, I was raving about this product. What’s really cool about the Unlimited by Degree line… I’m going to start with a real fact. It has superior antiperspirant technology. This technology allows the product to really prevent that sweat from breaking out. It’s truly one of a kind. What I loved about working together on this product and this campaign is that Degree is really about celebrating how you move, encouraging people to move, and giving you the confidence you need while you move. They’re also inspiring people and encouraging them to live life without limits.
I really love this campaign, especially because I got to learn a lot in this process and working together. Two out of three Americans experience a heaviness of sweat due to anxiety. When I learned that, I was like, “Wow, two out of three Americans!” That’s kind of crazy to me to know that fact. Because of that, when people experience anxious sweat, your self-confidence is lower. You don’t feel as confident when you have to go to an interview, if you have date night, or [if] you’re gonna go on a date for the first time, right? You don’t feel as confident and secure. I think everyone deserves to live life without limits. That’s been my motto and what I like to live by. I hope that by people learning about this product, it can be game-changing for them like it was for me. This new product has been awesome, so I’m just excited to share with my fans and everyone the goodness of this new product that’s going to change the game for those that do sweat.
I think the most important test would be to use it for a workout. Are you into working out at all? How do you think the formula holds up against its competitors?
Oh, absolutely! Working out is a big part of what I do—whether it’s performing on stage, doing rehearsals, or getting ready for a video or for a photo shoot. I have to be up in the gym! That’s definitely a big part of my everyday routine, and I’ve honestly been pushing myself to work out more. I am really proud of me. I go through my ebbs and flows of training, and sometimes, I kind of spot-train. I train for a show, or I train for a video or a project, but I’m trying to really commit to elevating how I work out on a daily basis. I really love the woman that I’m becoming in this space.
What are your favorite types of workouts?
Right now, I’m really into doing Tabata workouts. It’s really good for your heart rate. Sometimes, when you’re trying to lose weight or really trim up, metabolic training is something that’s really game-changing. You actually don’t have to work as long as you think you need to. In my mind, [I always thought] you needed to be in the gym for like three hours, especially if you’re trying to lose baby weight, and actually, you don’t. If you eat right and have the metabolic workouts, you’ll see great results. Tabata-style workouts and a little bit of weight training in the midst of it for muscular development have been game-changing for me. I’ve been enjoying doing that, and it’s been really fun for me.
How do you typically cope with stress in your daily life? Do you have any other products or practices that help you stay grounded?
My go-to is praying. I love to pray. I will pray multiple times throughout the day, and that brings me peace. Sometimes, I like to just go for a ride on the highway and cruise. It’s the little things for me. Taking a bath can also be relaxing and a good stress reliever. I think it’s important to give yourself the opportunity to just silence things and calm down the world whenever you can. That’s where you’ll find your greatest stress relievers. Then I can also go to Disneyland with my babies. It’s so fun!
If you have acne-prone skin, derms want you to know a few things before purchasing your next moisturizer. Board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD, says, “Be cautious of over-layering too many products. Skin minimalism should be your go-to when it comes to skincare. Keep it to three steps: cleanse, treat, and protect.” Shirazi also says that it’s important to avoid certain pore-clogging ingredients that might trigger more breakouts. “It’s best to avoid ingredients that form a film on your skin’s surface, like silicone derivatives (dimethicone and cyclomethicone). Also, avoid fragrances, mineral oil, lanolin, shea butter, or comedogenic oils like coconut oil,” she says.
As a quick note, I will say that not every potentially comedogenic ingredient will bother your skin. A product could be labeled as having one or two of these potentially comedogenic ingredients but could still be a noncomedogenic formula. Celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau taught me that it’s all about the water-to-oil ratio in a formula. You really just have to find what works best for your particular skin. If your skin is extremely sensitive, however, you might want to go with a really simple moisturizer that includes no potential acne triggers whatsoever, like Vanicream, which board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, also recommended. I’ve used Vanicream personally and find it to be a great moisturizer for sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Garshick also has a bit more advice. When choosing the best moisturizer for acne-prone skin, you’ll want to look for certain key elements. “Those with acne-prone skin should look for ingredients that support the skin barrier, such as ceramides, to minimize irritation as well as hyaluronic acid or glycerin, which are humectants to draw moisture in,” she shares. “Niacinamide can also be helpful, as it helps to calm and soothe the skin, reducing redness and inflammation while also working to regulate sebum production and boost ceramide production. Some moisturizers may also have a mattifying effect and help to reduce the appearance of oil. Ingredients like salicylic acid may also be particularly helpful for those who are oily.” Ceramides and niacinamide are important to include if you use strong acne fighters like benzoyl peroxide, retinoid, and BHAs. These will help mitigate any potential skin irritation.
Nordstrom’s beauty section is elite, and I say that as a beauty editor who’s semi-obsessed with online shopping. So yeah, I frequent Nordstrom’s website (at least once a week). And even though I love a good online shopping spree, I also try to protect my paycheck and not spend it all in one go on high-priced products. That’s why I always check out the sale section. If I’m lucky, I’ll find an old favorite or discover a new go-to at a discount.
That’s exactly what happened today when I was innocently perusing Nordstrom’s beauty section. I found eight on-sale products that I instantly added to my cart. And because I couldn’t help myself, I also added 10 regularly priced products (but it’s okay because they’re all $40 or less). Keep scrolling to see every product I’m in the process of ordering as we speak.
Let me introduce you to my holy-grail moisturizer: Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel-Cream. This drugstore find never fails me when it comes to saving my dry skin. It’s a lightweight and cooling gel formula that feels so soothing on peeling, red, or irritated skin. If your skin has ever been so dry it actually hurts, you know that something cooling feels just heavenly. It also absorbs super quickly, so it works fast to get rid of that dry skin, and it doesn’t leave a greasy or sticky feeling.
Whenever I put this on, my skin feels way better. And after a few days of application, the dryness is gone. Sometimes when my skin is extra dry, I’ll apply it at least two times a day, and since it’s a lightweight formula, it doesn’t feel like I’m caking on the product. It’s like magic for me since my skin looks and feels plumper, smoother, and healthier after using it.
Ask any makeup artist, and they’ll tell you prepping your complexion with high-quality, strategic skincare products before going in with foundation, concealer, and powder is just as (and perhaps more) important than the makeup application itself. In order for your makeup to look amazing, the goal is to get your skin looking and feeling its absolute best. We’re not talking perfection; we’re just talking coaxing your skin into living its best and glowiest life courtesy of A+ products. Think about it this way: You wouldn’t show up for a marathon without putting in ample work and training beforehand. And in a way less dramatic sense, the same goes for your skin.
Celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff (who works with Margot Robbie, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kate Bosworth, and more) once said she nurtures and prepares the skin for at least 40 minutes before starting the makeup process pre–red carpet. Of course, we don’t expect you to go to those kinds of lengths (for the record, we’re not attending red carpets and hardly have that kind of time or patience), but something can be learned from that type of expert-level stratagem.
Even though we know most celebrities have an army of experts, products, and in-office treatments to help keep them looking right and tight, we asked three of the most sought-after makeup artists in the industry (from Paris, London, and New York, no less!) to share the absolute best skin-tightening face creams they swear by for lifting perks. Then, we took it even further by asking them to share their stash of reinforcements, aka the skin-tightening lineup of serums, masks, massaging tools, and anything else they love to use in tandem with said lifting creams. Curious to get in on their age-defying routines? Keep scrolling!
If you could see how many beauty products are in my apartment right now, you might have a heart attack. I often joke that being a beauty editor means I live in my own personal beauty store, and I’m not even really joking. I have so many different products that I have to categorize them by shelf. While I may not be the most organized person in the world, my bevy of products does translate into me knowing which are actually worth your money.
You can find so many of my all-time, die-hard favorites at Dermstore. I’d recommend these products even at full price, but I love a sale, so I’m scoping out Dermstore’s Beauty Refresh Sale, which is running now through March 10. All of the products on sale are high quality, and you can snag savings of up to 20% off and/or double reward points when using the code REFRESH at checkout.
Keep scrolling to find the 15 products I know you won’t regret from Dermstore’s sale, especially right now when a lot of us (including me!) are trying to make the most of every dollar. Happy shopping.
Raise your hand if you could spend an entire afternoon in Sephora and still not even make a dent in their product inventory. I know I could—I could happily browse the shelves for hours at a time and probably only make my way through a few different brands. As we all know, the retailer is basically every beauty lover’s dream—every product you could possibly want is at your fingertips.
Since it’s basically impossible to peruse every single product at Sephora, I always worry that some might be slipping through the cracks. There are brands at Sephora that I’ve never heard of and know I need to try, but I have a hard time figuring out what actually deserves my attention when there are thousands of products in front of me.
For this reason, I enlisted the help of SephoraBeautyDirectorMyiesha Sewell to tell me what products I absolutely need to try from Sephora right now. Since she has a bird’s eye view of practically every product in the store, she knows better than anyone what products are worth it and what aren’t. She shared her top picks across every beauty category with me, and trust me when I say that her favorites won’t disappoint. Keep reading for Sewell’s absolute ride-or-die beauty products from Sephora.
I’m a huge fan of baths too. Do you have a favorite cleanser that you like using?
It’s by Musely. They prescribed me a cleanser that’s super gentle. I would I would say that it’s similar to Cetaphil or something like that. Before that, I was using IS Clinical’s Cleansing Complex. Their gentle cleanser is really good too.
How do you like to stay grounded with a busy schedule? Do you have any beauty practices or rituals that you like to do during the day that help?
I like to meditate a lot. Because I grew up in nature, I don’t really feel quite right unless I’m out walking among the trees daily. My dog really helps a lot—he keeps me very grounded. Also just not looking in the mirror, you know? Obviously sometimes with my job—I don’t agree with this—but it can be a lot about what’s on the outside and how you look. I just try to steer clear of that as much as I can, particularly in this day and age when everyone’s so obsessed with themselves and how they appear. I’m more about inner beauty and how I feel. Focusing on that has been the best thing for me. Also, I work out a lot. That has really helped my sanity. If I don’t, I don’t feel right. I’m like addicted to it, I love it!
What kind of workouts do you like doing?
I have a trainer because I’ve learned if I don’t have someone waiting for me, I might not show up [laughs]. I learned that a few years ago because I was a dancer, exercise was never a thing I had to focus on, it was just a byproduct of what I did. I had to really re-frame it. I realized I can’t really be trusted and I was going to need someone to keep me accountable. We do all kinds of training, we use TRX bands and a lot of low impact things. We don’t use weights too much just to keep my joints healthy and also so I have a regiment that I can travel with. I have a rope, a mat, and a ball I can deflate and put in a suitcase.
Do you still like to dance?
I don’t do classes, but I definitely danced in my living room this morning! [Laughs].
If you could only choose one beauty product to use for the rest of your life, which one would it be?
Probably coconut oil because it’s so versatile. It has anti-microbial effects and you can use it on your hair, your skin, and even your teeth. You can also eat it!
Are there any other new projects in the works that you can share a little bit about with us?
It’s been a really busy couple of years and now I’m taking a little break. I just wrapped a series called Sterling, which is a mini series for FX. It’s about the Clippers organization and a big scandal that took place about 10 years ago and I’m playing someone that’s very central to the scandal named V. Stiviano. That’s been incredible and I can’t wait for people to see that. Before that, I was on Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic Rebel Moon, which comes out December 23 on Netflix, and I’m really really excited for people to see that one. It was probably the biggest thing I’ve ever been a part of in terms of budget, but also just in scale—it’s a lot of characters. It’s just such a big, epic story—a real sci-fi fantasy, which again, going back to sci-fi, it lends itself to all kinds of things and Zach was really great to work with along with the other actors and I’m excited for people to get to know my character.
There are a few major red flags to be on the lookout for in any ingredient list. If you’re sensitive, avoid eye creams that contain retinoids, hydroxy acids, fragrances, and alcohols. “Alcohol will dry out the eyelid skin and fragrance has a high likelihood to cause allergic reactions in the very sensitive and delicate eyelid skin,” says Nava Greenfield, MD of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
Instead, opt for hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, according to Hadley King, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City. These work to support the delicate skin around your eye area.
“Hydrating ingredients like oils, hyaluronic acid and ceramides are excellent for eyelid skin, as well as ingredients that promote and boost skin health such as peptides, antioxidants, and extracts,” says Greenfield. Keep reading for some of the best eye creams out there for sensitive skin.
If you’re also dealing with acne scars, skin experts want you to know a bit more information on them first. “There’s no magic wand for acne scars, typically we recommend a combination approach to remodeling textural acne scars, says celebrity esthetician Candace Marino. “Scars are the loss of collagen in the skin,. In order to rebuild the skin, we recommend a combination of lasers, peels, micro-needling, and radio frequency alongside skincare that includes growth factors.”
“Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or erythema are often times called acne scars, however these are not scars, they are pigment or lingering redness caused by the inflammation or injury to the skin (if you pick). These are treated as pigmentation, and acids, retinols, and pigment inhibitors are the standard combination for treating these. While sunscreen is always recommended, with pigmented skin, it’s absolutely imperative, as the sun will only deepen the discoloration.”
Garshick also has a running list of ingredients that can help hyperpigmentation. “Other ingredients used to help hyperpigmentation that may also be helpful for those with acne-prone skin include azelaic acid, alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic or lactic acid, licorice root extract, and vitamin C. Azelaic acid is also particularly good for those who are dealing with acne while pregnant as it is considered pregnancy-safe.”
Take a peak below for each skin expert’s picks for acne.
As a lifelong beauty enthusiast, I’ve always considered myself pretty knowledgeable about my combination skin type and the kinds of products that work best on it. I rotate through an artfully crafted regimen of cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and oils to combat the various zones of oiliness, dryness, and even the occasional sensitivity on my face. When I recently met with acclaimed celebrity dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD, he pointed to a small (but mighty) breakout I was experiencing and suggested a skincare swap I wasn’t expecting. “You should think about using an oil-free moisturizer,” he said plainly. “You want to hydrate, but oils can block the pores.” I was shook.
Although it’s no surprise that oil can clog the pores and lead to breakouts, I thought I was immune to such foolery since the slippery substance is among my favorite skincare ingredients. I love double-cleaning with an oil cleanser and even rely on a number of different types, especially during the winter months when the skin around my mouth gets straight-up parched. “Nowadays, technology allows for you to have great results without oils, and I think that’s a good move for you,” Gross explained.
There are a few different ways your skin could be dehydrated, and they can cause some real damage to your moisture barrier, something that Rouleau also says is the main cause of most skincare issues: “In my 30-plus years of experience, I have seen that pretty much every skin concern can be traced back to (or exacerbated by) a damaged moisture barrier. There are so many conditions that indicate a damaged barrier—redness, dryness, irritation, increased breakouts… The list goes on. The moisture barrier acts as your skin’s personal bodyguard, keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. When it’s compromised, small cracks appear, allowing moisture to escape and irritants to enter, leading to all of these issues!”
If you’re noticing any of these issues and your skin has become increasingly dry, Rouleau has a few extra tips. “Use a moisturizer that mimics the skin’s barrier structure with ingredients like ceramides, phospholipids, shea butter, and plant oils such as jojoba,” she says. “You can also use an essence to help reintroduce hydration into the skin.” Another great way to boost hydration in the skin is by adding a deeply hydrating serum to your routine so that your skin can begin to repair itself and get the nutrients it needs. For a rec from Rouleau along with my own favorites, keep scrolling.
