Cosmetic chemist, BeautyStat Cosmetics founder, and CEO Rob Robinson shared a little bit more about the research and findings when it came to testing this particular formula. First off, Robinson says that BeautyStat uses one of the highest levels of pure vitamin C available in over-the-counter cosmetic products. “We also combined our 20% pure vitamin C with EGCG (the most active component in green tea) and tartaric acid. This combination helped us get significant results in an independent clinical study,” he adds.
According to the clinical test results provided by Robinson, after four weeks of usage, 100% of subjects showed significant improvement in deep lines and wrinkles. Ninety-one percent showed significant improvement in skin density and collagen production, while 100% noticed an improvement in skin softness. Seventy-two percent also showed an improvement in hyperpigmentation, and 100% of users saw a more even tone and smaller pores. Another consumer test was performed, and 93% of users agreed that the product left skin radiant and smooth. Ninety-two percent of users saw an improvement in skin softness, and 87% agreed their skin tone appeared firmer.
Additionally, Robinson and his team drew some interesting conclusions when combining SPF with vitamin C. “We discovered that sunscreen alone only blocks 55% of free radicals, but 20% pure vitamin C combined with SPF 50 mineral sunscreen provides superior protection to reduce the signs of aging. Hence, they are better together,” he says.
In the coming months, I’m sure we’re going to start seeing more formulas containing vitamin C and SPF thanks to BeautyStat’s innovative approach to skincare and glow-inducing products.
Achieving flawless-looking makeup starts with providing a smooth and even-toned base over which all other products are applied. Makeup primers are a key component of this, lessening the appearance of fine lines, pores, and wrinkles and locking in hydration where the skin needs while keeping your makeup budge-free. Like all skin types, combination skin can definitely be affected by the products you use, as harsh, irritative ingredients can result in rough patches and further damage to the skin’s barrier. With this in mind, identifying the makeup primers that keep your skin looking and feeling gorgeous can be easier said than done. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about primers straight from a makeup artist and shop some of Who What Wear’s favorites.
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.
ICYMI, Ulta’s highly anticipated 21 Days of Beauty Event is on through April 1, and each day, a selection of beloved beauty items are slashed down to 50% off their normal price. So, when I saw that my all-time favorite liquid eyeliner was half-price today, I immediately let out an eep!, added about five to my Ulta cart, and also texted the group chat. My friends always ask me how I create my signature, subtle cat-eye, and the on-sale eyeliner in question—Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner—is my answer. Keep scrolling to shop it yourself and to peruse more discounted beauty offerings available at Ulta right now.
According to Marmur Medical dermatologist Rachel Westbay, incorporating a good body cream into your routine encourages the skin to retain its moisture and stay hydrated for a healthy skin barrier and appearance. “Your skin is an incredibly impressive organ that needs support to optimally function, just like any other,” Westbay begins. “It is our protective barrier and is also a sensory organ, temperature regulator, and so much more. Adding a quality body cream to your skincare routine is one of the best (and easiest) ways to keep your skin healthy.”
While many high-quality lotions contain topical antioxidants that work to repair the damage caused by free radicals and environmental toxins, other body lotions incorporate gentle chemical exfoliants to stimulate collagen synthesis. Wondering if you have dry skin? Westbay wants you to look out for these commonly associated symptoms: the feeling of tightness, skin that’s rough to the touch and appears rough, inflammation, itchiness, dryness, and flakiness. If you’ve noticed retaining moisture as a common theme so far, that’s no coincidence, as loss of moisture is one of the major players in dry skin.
Luckily, there are a number of key ingredients that can replenish hydration, including petrolatum (a thick and occlusive emollient that helps prevent 99% of transepidermal water loss), natural and synthetic humectants (ingredients that help the skin retain its moisture), and others such as ceramides, squalane, B vitamins, and colloidal oatmeal. If you’re looking for lotions that contain these game-changing ingredients, check out Westbay’s favorites below.
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.
Most Wantedis a weekly series in which one Who What Wear team member or friend of the brand will share the top 30 fashion and beauty finds on their current wish list.
Some people are really into spring cleaning, but I can definitely say I’m not one of them. Instead of trimming down my arsenal of moisturizers, serums, and gadgets when the time rolls around, I seem to find myself with an even longer wish list of items to add to my rotation. Oops.
I know having a 30-item wish list might seem a tad unrealistic, but I consider these items safe bets to use well into summer and beyond. The weather is also warming up and for me, that means soft, pastel-hued makeup, lots of SPF, and some serious hydration. I also couldn’t resist sprinkling in a few spring fashion staples I’ll be adding to my wardrobe. Keep scrolling—a few of these items I’ve recently gotten my hands on while others are right up next to to buy.
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.
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.
I’d first love to start by talking about your background as an aesthetician and why you decided to create your own brand.
I became a licensed aesthetician in 2010—which was well over a decade ago. When I was seeing clients, I essentially could not find the products I needed because I had various clients with different needs. I was in Los Angeles, in Hollywood at the time, and I felt like I was starting to see a segment of women (and men too, but mainly women) who were coming out of those teenage years, approaching their 20s and 30s, where they could not use the same skincare. They couldn’t use Neutrogena anymore, couldn’t use Clean & Clear anymore, but they were still struggling with hormonal imbalances and acne. They were also wanting to work their way into [using] some anti-aging [products]. They would say, “I don’t want to use benzoyl peroxide, but I want to jump into retinol.”
So when I decided to create Klur as a brand, it was a few years into [doing] treatments. I realized that there wasn’t really anything that was sophisticated enough that felt like a grown-up skincare brand. It needed to meet the clinical needs of what you could get from an aesthetician or dermatologist with high-performance ingredients as well as contain the soothing botanicals of a natural-care product. It really clicked with me in 2013 that after I had been seeing clients for a few years that there were no Black aestheticians with a skincare line on the market at all—not one. I just took a step back and said, “With all the knowledge that I have, the education I have, and my real life experience with people, I think I can do this. I think I should at least try to put a line out, even if it’s just sold in my spa. I can just sell it to my clients.”
That’s how it began; it actually just began focusing mainly on selling it to my clients. Eventually, I was called by Urban Outfitters in 2014, and that landed us on shelves. Very quickly, we did very, very well. This was my first foray into anything retail. I had no clue that there had never been a Black professional skincare line on the market. I’d never known that there wasn’t a Black aesthetician who’d ever had a product on a shelf, on a major retail shelf. I had no clue—I was just kind of going. At that point, I decided to close my spa and stop juggling all these things and just solely focus on building as a brand. Two years later, after a really good run and being in 200 stores, I voluntarily pulled out of Urban Outfitters to take care of my own health because I felt like I was compromising it by running a facial studio and trying to build the line. So I took two years off to rebrand and relaunch the line.
What would you say is the core ethos of Klur, and what is your brand mission?
As a founder, I believe that my personal mission is the same as the brand mission, and that is to inspire, educate, and guide individuals into making healthy decisions. Not only just skincare decisions but healthy decisions living holistically and showing them that by using skincare as a catalyst to inspire and cultivate a healthy lifestyle using holistic tools.
It’s so great to see so many women of color creating their own brands now—especially ones that champion holistic practices and ingredients! Would you say treating melanin-rich skin is different than treating those with lighter skin tones?
People of color come in all different skin tones, which is fantastic because speaking clinically, there is a difference in melanocyte activity. Some people have very robust melanocytes, which means they’re much darker, and then some people have melanocytes that are not as active. That’s one reason why we actually get hyperpigmentation is because the melanocytes rush to that one area and then they darken. They act as a sort of healing mechanism to the skin, and it ends up healing darker in an area. When we look at dark skin versus lighter skin tones, I think one of the main things is (besides all the science-y stuff), there is some thickness in the skin. I think that people don’t realize with darker skin, you must treat it quite gently.
Having that experience working with dark-skinned women and being a Black woman, of course, I realized that, for the most part, skincare brands were catering to lighter skin or white skin before they would cater to darker skin. We reversed the scale and actually made sure that we put dark skin at the forefront of the science, and we realized that fair skin actually can also take a gentle approach. There’s not a single person with skin that can utilize a harsh skincare routine. You don’t have to be sensitized or sensitive to have a gentle routine. It’s actually really, really important that all of us practice that gentle consistency. I think with dark skin, somehow people have believed that you can take this aggressive approach, and you really cannot, because the skin does hyperpigmentate. When you understand that, though, that’s actually really beneficial to all skin.
Stars, they’re just like us. Selena Gomez woke up early this weekend for a 6 a.m. flight and took to TikTok to share her (extremely) early morning routine.
Gomez walked us through the products she prioritizes before boarding, taking extra care to douse her face in moisture. Remember, the air on planes can be extremely drying, so it’s extra important to take good care of your skin before and after a flight—no matter how long the wheels-up-to-wheels-down time is.
If you want to level up your next flight experience, we’ve compiled Gomez’s entire travel routine below. While we may not get the kind of luxe cabin experience that Gomez shared at the end of the TikTok, we can at least have glowing skin.
When it comes to skincare, I’m very picky about where I shop. There’s no denying that the skincare market is extremely oversaturated, and it can be hard to comb through all of the products out there to find the ones that are really worth spending money on.
That’s why when I heard about SkincareEssentials, the new ultra-curated skincare retailer, I couldn’t wait to browse the digital shelves. SkincareEssentials only carries tried-and-tested, professional-quality skincare that’s guaranteed to deliver results you can actually see. Each product has expert advice attached to it, so you know what the exact benefits are before you buy.
Below, I put together the ultimate lineup from SkincareEssentials. These are all the products that we’re FTFO over. Major bonus: Most of them are currently on sale.
Not to toot my own horn but over the years, I’ve developed a sort of knack when it comes to perfume-induced compliment quotients. It’s part of my job to test practically every new fragrance that lands on the market, and anyone close to me in life can attest that my office desk (RIP), bathroom vanity, and dresser are so completely congested with bottles and nozzles that you can’t even spot land. (Literally, you would need a compass and treasure map to find an open space.)
Of course, I have personal favorites and signatures I’m especially partial to, but most days, I’m experimenting with a completely new scent. And trust me. When you’re getting around that much in the scent circuit, you start to notice patterns and coincidences when you wear certain brands or scent families. For instance, when I wore a different perfume every single day for a month, the vanilla-spiked fragrances earned me the most admirable comments and exclamations like, “Oh my God, what are you wearing?!” I’ve also noticed that every single time I wear perfume from legendary Italian brand Gucci, I get compliments as well. (Compliments, of course, aren’t everything. If I love a perfume, I’ll wear it regardless of what anyone else thinks, but there is something special about smelling just damn enchanting, am I right?)
Since I’ve been getting lots of questions about my favorite Gucci perfumes lately, I put together a star-studded list featuring 10 of the brand’s standout perfumes. After rating my own favorites and taking into account the reviews and ratings at top retailers, I feel pretty confident saying these are the all-time best Gucci perfumes ever made. Keep scrolling and pick your poison.
