Caring for your skin is a personal journey and specific to each individual, this is why its so important (and difficult at times!) to find the best skincare routine for you. Looking after your skin in the correct way, concentrating on your skin type and it’s needs is how you’re going get that glow.
Use Glamour Shops as your one stop shop to curating the best skincare routine you’ve ever had. Featuring products you’ll want covering you from head to toe!
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I will always look back on 2023 as the year I was finally won over by Dior’s best-selling Lip Glow Oil, discovered a newfound adoration for the full-coverage and glowy combo offered by Armani’s Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation, and was converted into a Jo Malone fragrance enthusiast. So what’s in store for me in the New Year? I like to think that it’ll be spent in pursuit of a “that girl” beauty collection filled with only the highest-performing products that I can trust to carry me through 2024 without fail.
With that energy in mind, I reached out to one of my favorite retailers for a better idea of which beauty products are worth having. As a Seattle native, Nordstrom has always been my go-to for all things beauty. It’s the place where I purchased my first eau de parfum and experienced a full-face beat at the hands of Anastasia Beverly Hills’ makeup counter. With their help, I’ve ID’d the top skincare, hair, makeup, and fragrance finds that have been absolutely flying off the shelves recently. I’ll be using this as my Nordstrom beauty shopping guide going forward, so don’t be surprised if I try to snag all of these for myself.
By now, we all know that wearing sunscreen every single day (no matter the time of year or weather) is of utmost importance if you want to stave off damage and premature signs of aging. And thanks to the editor-approved selection of oil-free sunscreens below, even the oiliest, most acne-prone people can get by with that daily application sans irritation, clogged pores, and breakouts. Not all oil-free sunscreens are up to our high standards, but rest assured any of the below 15 have our discerning seal of approval. Keep scrolling!
This earthy and slighty fruity scent is rife with juicy notes like patchouli, blackberry, and clove stem. What initially drew me in were the notes of frankincense and guaiac wood—two powerful notes that I normally wouldn’t even think to pair together. Frankincense is usually reserved for my essential oil diffuser (it’s super relaxing and great for meditation), but adding it to this particular scent almost has the same soothing effect. Guaiac wood is both a smoky and slightly sweet wood. When blended with other notes like patchouli, pink pepper, and frankincense, it creates such a comforting scent that I want to have on me all the time.
It’s hard to really describe the unique quality of this fragrance, but it almost smells like a warm forest with fruit trees—trust me, it smells delicious and isn’t offensive or overpowering. It may not be for everyone since it is a bit of a sweeter woody perfume, but if you’re like me and have been looking for a scent that offers both lighter, fruitier notes and deeper woody notes, this is it and brings the best of both worlds.
In the realm of luxury skincare, Chanel is nearly untouchable. The iconic brand has been making skincare since 1927 when it launched 15 products aimed to help women improve their skin. Since then, the brand has launched a myriad of skincare products and lines, each aiming to help people achieve their best complexion. At this point, Chanel is a skincare staple for many.
If you’re looking to invest in one of Chanel’s skincare products, it can be difficult to figure out which ones might be best for you. I decided to go straight to the source and ask Chanel what its 10 best-selling skincare products are. The results don’t disappoint—you could build an entire skincare routine with these iconic products. From an eye cream that mitigates fine lines, dark circles, and puffiness to a CC cream that blurs while it protects, there’s something here for everyone. Keep reading to find out what Chanel’s 10 best skincare products are and what exactly has made them reach superstar status.
I invest in services like SkinPen micro-needling, Hydrafacial, and Geneo facials to help combat my hormonal breakouts and subsequent hyperpigmentation. Investing in skincare services is less about not aging and more about carefully taking care of my skin. In addition to these treatments, I like to ensure I’m also giving my skin the best of the best at home between services. I’ve loved shopping at Nordstrom for years, and these days, it’s one of my go-to skincare shopping destinations. Over time, I have built a collection of products that keep my skin barrier intact while treating, exfoliating, and masking without unwanted dryness or irritation.
Keep reading for 21 of my top Nordstrom finds that help soothe my hormonal breakouts and fade my hyperpigmentation!
One of my favorite pastimes as a beauty editor is to ask other people about their beauty routines, whether it’s my best friends, a total stranger at Sephora (I’m nosy AF), or in this case, a supermodel. I absolutely love my job, but after years of being exposed to new products day in and day out, it can be easy to become jaded, and sometimes, I just need a little inspiration in the beauty department, especially when there’s a brand-new year just around the corner.
In the winter, it’s easy to feel like you need to switch up everything about your life. From your clothes to your schedule, the dark, cold days can derail almost everything—including your skin. Blame it on the brisk temperatures or the dry air, but skin concerns abound from December through March.
That said, I’m here to make one thing clear. You don’t have to completely overhaul your skincare routine each winter to ward off winter skin concerns. In fact, transitioning your routine is less complicated than you think. Simply gravitate toward products and ingredients that moisturize while calming irritation and inflammation—think soothing serums and facial oils.
As a beauty editor, I know this better than anyone. Each year, I swap out a few steps in my skincare routine to maintain healthy, happy skin. There are some products I always restock and others that I retire for the time being. Keep scrolling to see them all.
I’m generally a big fan of organic skincare. Of course, there are a few brands and ingredients here and there that don’t exactly gel well with my sensitive, acne-prone skin, but for the most part, my skin tends to be happiest with simpler ingredients straight from nature. If you have a similar skin type or just love discovering brands that champion botanical skincare, look no further. I found the crème de la crème of organic skincare, and it’s aesthetician-made. That’s how you know it’s good.
Monastery products are handmade in small batches and designed to worked with your skin’s natural healing mechanisms. Instead of using harsh ingredients that can often degrade this repair system, the formulas incorporate botanical ingredients, each one chosen for its healing properties and gentle effect on the skin. It hasn’t been an easy journey finding the right products for my sensitive, acne-prone skin, but Monastery products brought some much-needed life and an impeccable glow back to my skin. The brand was kind enough to send me the entire line to try, and I’m sharing my thoughts below. Although I know it isn’t exactly a drugstore-priced brand (ugh), I promise these products are made with love and well worth the price. Keep reading for all my thoughts and favorites.
Skincare girlies, fear not — your moisturizer probably does not attract spiders.
Sol de Janeiro’s Delícia Drench Body Butter, which launched earlier this month, is quickly becoming a holy grail product among skincare enthusiasts. In addition to hyaluronic acid, the lotion is packed with flashy ingredients like copaiba resin, passionflower seed oil and prebiotic hibiscus to lock in moisture and soothe parched, “lackluster” skin, according to the brand’s website. Scented with velvet plum, vanilla orchid and sandalwood for a “mind-boosting experience” and packaged in cute violet jars, the $48 body butter is sure to be a staple in beauty hauls and GRWM videos.
Sol de Janeiro went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit this week after users claimed they were hunted, bitten and (unsuccessfully) courted by wolf spiders when they applied the brand’s new moisturizer. While the body butter may be irresistible to humans, it’s unlikely that it’s sexually arousing to lonely arachnids.
Catherine Scott, a spider behavioral ecologist and postdoctoral fellow at McGill University’s Lyman Lab, told TechCrunch that wolf spider mating involves visual and vibratory signaling, not just scents.
“They have excellent vision (for spiders) and they would not simply run toward the source of an odor, even if it did smell like a potential mate, unless it also looked like a spider,” Scott said.
The product began gaining popularity in beauty circles when early reviews lauded it for its hydrating properties and irresistible fragrance, but went viral on mainstream social media this week after a Sephora reviewer known as chemkats claimed that the scent “attracts wolf spiders.”
“I wanted to love them sooo bad, but one of the ingredients is like kryptonite to wolf spiders! When I put it on instantly one will come out,” the reviewer wrote.
They added that they’d normally see one “every like 3 years,” but since using the lotion, said they began seeing wolf spiders “every day.”
“Oh and one time, the spider wanted to eat whatever ingredient it is so bad that it chased me,” chemkats continued. “Like it was legit following the scent.”
One person claimed that a wolf spider bit them after they used their wife’s lotion. Another Sephora reviewer wrote, “Spiders love it, so do the people in the elevator.” A Reddit user said they put another product from the brand — known as “Brazilian Bum Bum Cream” — on a tissue, and a different brand’s lotion on a different tissue, and that spiders only appeared to be interested in the tissue with Sol de Janeiro’s product.
Scott noted that the phrase “wolf spider” can apply to an “entire family of spiders” scientifically named Lycosidae. What many people might mistake as “wolf spiders” are likely house spiders in the Agelenidae family, which behave and chemically interact differently.
If the users did correctly identify their arachnid pursuers as wolf spiders, it’s “technically possible” that the lotion could contain compounds that spiders might investigate because they think they’re following chemical cues associated with prey.
“But the story about the spider chasing the person wearing it does not hold up,” she continued. “This sound typical of when people are moving a lot near a spider and it is frightened, so it tries to run for cover, often into the person’s shadow — which makes the person think it is ‘attacking’ when in fact it is trying to hide.”
Wolf spiders are “visual hunters,” and would only try to prey on a target smaller of them, she said, and they don’t feed on human blood, so they generally don’t have any reason to approach humans.
The original reviewer’s story is especially dubious because they’ve left similar Sephora reviews about beauty products attracting spiders, including a nearly identical one on another Sol de Janeiro product in March this year. In 2022 reviews of two different BondiBoost products, chemkats claimed that spiders kept landing on their head because of the products’ fragrance.
“If they’re just trying to have fun, or if they truly have a grievance with Sol de Janeiro is uncertain,” a Reddit user wrote in a thread warning others about chemkats. “What [is] clear is that they’re trying to spread misinformation … I know that it’s been fun and games, but I just wanted to nip this in the bud before it gets even bigger.”
But hysteria over the body butter has already spread, and many online — including news outlets — quoted a Reddit comment about the “pheromones” in the product. In response to a thread asking about the body butter, a Reddit user posited that the chemicals in the Sol de Janeiro’s product are also found in spider pheromones, and that the right combination of those compounds “might bring all the thirsty boy spiders to your yard.”
The commenter appeared to cite a 2009 paper that identified compounds in the webs of sexually receptive female spiders, indicating “possible pheromone components.” The researchers also found that a combination of two of the identified compounds, farnesyl acetate and hexadecyl acetate, attracted male spiders. Both compounds are used in cosmetic products for fragrance and texture — just not in the viral body butter.
“All of our products, including our new Delícia Drench Body Butter and upcoming Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist are free from farnesyl acetate, diisobutyl phthalate, and hexadecyl acetate,” Sol de Janeiro said in an Instagram Story posted Thursday. “So while they may attract a lot of attention from people, they won’t from arachnids (even though we love all creatures at Sol de Janeiro. Hope that clears up any concerns and Happy 2024!”
Even if the products did contain those compounds, as many cosmetic products do, the paper only identified components in the female-products sex pheromone of a specific species of spider, Scott said. Pheromones are used for members of the same species to communicate with each other and provide species-specific information like age, sex and previous mating experience.
“Many spider pheromones used for sexual communication are short-range and require direct contact, with the spider essentially ‘tasting’ the silk or body of another individual to determine if it is the correct species and sex before approaching and attempting to court and mate,” Scott added.
In other words, the compounds that would attract one species of spider wouldn’t attract another, like wolf spiders or house spiders.
“What we are more likely talking about here are kairomones, which are info-chemicals produced by one species (like an insect pheromone, intended for communication between males and females of that species) used by another species (a spider) which is not the intended recipient of the chemical message,” Scott said.
Some wolf spiders, for example, user kairomones to avoid larger spiders that might hunt them, or hunt in areas where there’s more prey for them. Research into the specific compounds that make up wolf spider pheromones is limited, but it’s highly unlikely that common beauty products will send them into a hunting (or mating) frenzy.
It’s unfortunate news for those who were planning on building a spider army, like one Reddit user who asked others to send them unwanted body butter.
“I believe pesticides can be harmful, despite the need for them, and spiders are a natural way to keep harmful insects from overpopulating!” the user said. “Taking on the first part of this project in winter means I can release my spider army when the weather is the best for them to survive and do their duty of killing these damn mosquitoes.”
First impressions are important. When you meet someone new for the first time, it’s might be instinctive to make eye contact, smile, and shake hands. Hopefully, you encounter a firm handshake—although etiquette practices vary widely by country—and aren’t grazed by a gnarly set of nails, an open wound, or jagged cuticle, but hey, it happens. No matter which side of the handshake you’re on, odds are if it’s a rough one, you leave the encounter with a strong desire to head to your nearest nail salon.
But wait—this might not be the best course of action. In fact, it’s possible that too many manicures might be the source of damaged nails in the first place. So instead of masking any unsightly or uncomfortable nail deficiencies with a sleek coat of lacquer, take a moment to pause and reflect on how to fix the problem, not just cover it up.
Unfortunately, there are a ton of ways nails can become damaged. Whether it’s from overuse of gel or acrylic nail techniques, vitamin deficiencies, direct injuries to the nail bed, or seasonal skincare concerns, it’s actually pretty easy for nails to fall into states of disrepair.
Fortunately, there are also several simple ways to get your nails back into tip-top shape, and who better to advise us on these tactics than professionals who deal with nail concerns every day? We reached out to editorial manicurist Jin Soon Choi, Olive and June founder and CEO Sarah Gibson Tuttle, celebrity crystal manicurist Mazz Hanna, and Varnish Lane co-founder Lauren Dunne to get the best tips, tricks, and treatments for repairing damaged nails.
If you’ve heard of Coenzyme Q10, also known as CoQ10, before, it’s likely been in a biological sense. That’s because CoQ10, like hyaluronic acid or amino acids, is found naturally in your body. Coenzyme Q10 helps generate energy in your body’s cells.
“[CoQ10] is a naturally occurring antioxidant that is present in every cell of your body. It’s essential for the proper functioning of many organs and chemical reactions in the body, helping to provide energy to cells and protect against oxidative damage,” says Dr. Margarita Lolis, MD, New Jersey-based dermatologist. “It plays a critical role in the production of ATP, which is a source of energy for cell processes.”
“Emery boards cause microscopic openings and splits at the tip of the nail that lead to peeling and cracks,” Dr. Stern explains. “I prefer glass or crystal nail files over cardboard emery boards because they don’t cause microscopic openings or tears and instead create a clean edge at the nail.”
Leighton Denny Small Crystal Nail File
Opt for non-acetone polish remover
“In terms of chemical exposure, polish remover is a big one: Acetone tends to be especially drying to the nail and can make brittle nails worse,” Dr. Stern says, noting that it’s best to seek out conditioning formulas that contain ingredients like soy and/or have added moisturising benefits from oils. Try the Cutex Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover which is enriched with coconut oil, or the Manicurist Green Nail Polish Remover.
Avoid nail products with formaldehyde
If typical nail-strengthening products sound too good to be true, that’s unfortunately because many of them are. “Many so-called nail strengtheners still contain formaldehyde or formalin, ingredients that are very damaging to the nail,” warns Dr. Stern. “Formaldehyde will initially harden the nail; however, with time, the nail becomes paradoxically brittle and is at risk of lifting or separating off of the nail bed.”
Formaldehyde can also cause severe allergic reactions at the surrounding nail folds, she adds, prompting the skin to become extremely irritated, swollen and painful. Translation? When shopping for nail products, opt for those formulated without formaldehyde.
Moisturise with sunflower oil
Keep your cuticles and nail moisturised, but always look for products that are formulated with scientifically proven ingredients, says Dr. Stern. “When looking for a nail and cuticle moisturiser look for products that are rich in phospholipids, which have been shown to increase nail flexibility, thus combatting brittleness,” she says. “Massage the product into your cuticles several times daily.”
You’ll find phospholipids in products containing sunflower oil and Brazil nut oil: According to Dr. Stern, both oils are especially rich in phospholipids.
L’Occitane Shea Nail & Cuticle Nourishing Oil
OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil To-Go
Treat nails with glycolic acid
Finally, be sure to seek out nail treatments containing glycolic acid. “Glycolic acid has been shown to rejuvenate brittle nails,” confirms Dr. Stern. “Just like we do peels for the skin to remove the superficial layers of dead cells, this strategy is also applicable to the nail,” Stern says.
Once the damaged layer of nail cells is removed, any product you apply after will be better absorbed – helping to hydrate and fortify the nail. A “peel for the nails” can be be done either in a dermatologist’s office or at home, Stern says.
Drunk Elephant’s moisturizers have always been favorites of mine. The Protini Polypeptide Cream works wonders for firming skin, while the Lala Retro Whipped Cream is a restorative powerhouse. Its newest product, the Bora Barrier Repair Cream, couldn’t come at a better time for me. The ultra-rich cream promises 24 hours worth of deep moisture.
“It’s for chronically dry skin, it repairs the barrier,” says Tiffany Masterson, founder of Drunk Elephant. “It’s a much more reparative cream. There’s some confusion on social with the community [on] what’s the difference between Lala and Bora. It’s very simple—Lala is maintenance, Bora is repair. It really goes in and fixes the broken barrier and helps by giving the skin ingredients that it produces itself, along with some of these other great ingredients to help retain the moisture.”
Somehow, in the blink of an eye, I’m 43 (allegedly). Aging is a weird thing. I’m grateful for this gift of getting older, but I’m not lying when I say that it can be a shocking dose of reality from time to time. I remember one evening, about six years ago, I saw Jeff Goldblum perform his then-regular jazz show in my neighborhood. He came to our table and commented on the macaroni and cheese I was sharing with my co-worker. “Ahhh, mac and cheese. That was another life…” I wasn’t sure what he meant by then, but now I sure do. You can’t eat the same way in your 40s as you did when you were younger! I’m learning how to navigate all that gut stuff these days, but one thing I have under control in my wiser age? My skin.
If you want some beauty advice from me, a 43-year-old (again, allegedly) beauty editor, I’ll start off by telling you all the things you’ve heard time and again. Staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and not smoking (my skin was the worst when I used to smoke over a decade ago)—all played out advice, yes, but all true. Now that we have the boring stuff out of the way, my two other tips are getting regular facials (as much as you can) and simplifying your beauty routine.
I’m lucky to be able to get regular (and interesting, sometimes really out-there) facials in my line of work, and it’s taught me that regular facials are super important. I like to think of them as a deep cleaning reboot for my skin. I love a good facial that comes with a serious facial massage, like the ones at Joanna Vargas Spa and Face Gym. Recently, I had the most incredible facial at The Peninsula Spa from Margy’s Monte-Carlo, a Swiss skincare line. The products aren’t available online in the U.S. yet, but I can’t wait for it to be because the gommage scrub is amazing. A couple of months ago, I was blessed to get the celebrity-loved Instafacial from thee Jason Diamond, MD, and am still reaping the benefits. (I’ve been using his amazing line religiously at home.) My skin is truly in the best shape it’s ever been.
When it comes to sunscreen, there are two universal truths. The first is that it’s intrinsic to any skincare routine. (Please, please, please practice safe sun, people!) The second is that you don’t have to pay an exorbitant amount of money to get a quality formula. After all, effective doesn’t mean expensive. That goes for face sunscreen, too. Just because it comes from the drugstore doesn’t mean it will clog your pores, leave a white cast on your complexion, or do any of the other things we often associate with bad sunscreen. In fact, for some drugstore sunscreen formulas, quite the opposite is true. There are sheer formulas, noncomedogenic formulas, two-in-one moisturizing formulas, and more. You just have to know which ones rise above the rest, and that’s exactly what I’m here for. Keep scrolling to see the 15 best drugstore face sunscreens, according to editors and reviews.
When it comes to sunscreen, Who What Wear Beauty Director Erin Jahns opts for a drugstore classic: Neutrogena. “I love Neutrogena in general,” she says. “Since I’m breakout prone, I need something oil free and light to keep me congestion free.” Pros: oil free, noncomedogenic, offers SPF 30 protection, fragrance free, water resistant for up to 80 minutes . Cons: reviewers note the formula has a strong sunblock smell . Glowing customer review: “This is my go-to sunscreen in the summer. It is non-greasy, soaks in seamlessly, and does not make me break out. It does smell like sunscreen, but it is not overwhelming. It just feels like regular lotion.”
This sunscreen-primer hybrid is so worth the money. It’s lightweight, offers SPF 30, has a sheer peach tint to avoid leaving a white cast, and treats the skin to hydrating ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane. Pros: lightweight; offers SPF 30 protection; available in three shimmer finishes; doesn’t leave a white cast; doubles as a primer; formulated with skin-loving ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane; fragrance free. Cons: reviewers say the formula can be too shimmery, pills when layered with some skincare products . Glowing customer review: “I have been using this since the beginning of summer. I love the glow when I wear it either as a primer or, more often, as a sunscreen when I’m not wearing makeup. I use Sunbeam, and it’s amazing with my skin tone. It doesn’t feel greasy or heavy.”
Former Who What Wear beauty editor Courtney Higgs recommends this sunscreen, which is lauded for being non-greasy, demi-matte, and water resistant. The real draw, though, has to be its completely sheer formula. Pros: boasts SPF 45 protection, water resistant, fragrance free, reef friendly . Cons: the formula could be too hydrating for some skin types, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “This is the last sunscreen brand I will ever use. All these years and they have cracked the code. This is the best face sunscreen. Light, matte, gel.”
Another Neutrogena pick. This one is a mineral formula that goes on smooth, feels lightweight, and doesn’t leave a slick oily residue like some other face sunscreens do. That’s impressive, especially considering it is a 100% zinc oxide formula. Pros: made with naturally sourced 100% zinc oxide, formulated with dry-touch technology that helps the SPF dry down with a non-greasy finish, fragrance free, offers SPF 50 protection . Cons: because of the mineral formula, it can leave a white cast. Glowing customer review: “At first, when I applied it, it felt thick and hard to rub in. But once I got it on my face, I loved how it looked. There is a very subtle tint that makes my skin look really nice without it looking unnatural. I don’t even need to wear foundation after applying this sunscreen. Will definitely be sticking with this one for a long time.”
This Versed sunscreen is a staple around the Who What Wear office. Thanks to SPF 35 and an antioxidant-rich formula, it protects against UVA and UVB rays as well as environmental and blue-light damage. Plus, it never leaves a white cast thanks to its peachy tint. . Pros: formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, offers SPF 35 protection, ideal for even acne-prone skin, prevents UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin, pregnancy safe . Cons: mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide can be sensitizing for reactive skin, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “This is the first sunscreen I’ve ever tried that doesn’t make my eyes sting—and I’ve tried * a lot* of sunscreens (and many of them were waaaayyy more expensive than this!). It’s cruelty-free, sinks into my skin nicely, and it dries to a matte finish so I’m not walking around all day looking weirdly glossy. I’m sensitive to smells but this doesn’t have any scent—not even a sunscreen-y one! It can be a tiny bit drying on my nose and around my lower lip, but I’m prone to being dry in those places anyway so I just slather on moisturizer before I apply the sunscreen and I’m good to go. 10/10!”
Here it is—one of my all-time favorite drugstore sunscreens. Sure, it’s more expensive than others, but it’s still technically a drugstore sunscreen if it’s sold at Target, right? Plus, you get a lot of bang for your buck. You can use it on the face and body, and a little goes a long way, so it lasts, even with regular application. It’s perfect for everyday use, but I make a point to keep it in my beach bag since it keeps me from getting burned no matter how long I stay out in the sun. Pros: fragrance free, offers SPF 50 protection, can be used on the face and body, non-greasy, water resistant for up to 80 mins. Cons: reviewers say it can take some elbow grease to get the formula blended into the skin, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “This sunscreen blends into the skin easily and doesn’t feel greasy. Doesn’t leave white residue and blends in seamlessly without making skin look dry or cakey. It’s easy to put makeup on over it or to reapply throughout the day. I like that the SPF is 60, so I feel protected from the sun. Don’t hesitate to purchase this one or any of their other products. I would give four stars for the price. I only wish it was more affordable. I would recommend this sunscreen.”
Fun fact: This is actually a sunscreen formulated for babies. But with a fragrance-free SPF 50 formula, it also protects grown-up skin from the sun. I use this whenever I want a no-makeup glow since it has a dewy finish. (Oily skin types, beware.) . Pros: baby friendly, offers SPF 50 protection, dermatologist tested, pediatrician approved, hypoallergenic, free of synthetic fragrances. Cons: reviewers note this is a white cast on some skin tones. Glowing customer review: “I have very dry, acne-prone, sensitive skin. I take medications that put me at risk for skin cancer, so I need to wear SPF 50 daily. I’ve tried SO MANY, and this is hands down my fav. Lightweight, moisturizing, and easy to reapply. Doesn’t cause acne and makes my skin look great. There is a white cast when applying.”
This brand has been on my radar for some time, but I wasn’t a loyal customer until I tried this unique sunscreen-serum hybrid. It’s super silky and lightweight. Plus, it sinks into my skin like a serum should, yet it offers the sun protection I need. Ingredients like spinach, green tea, and hyaluronic acid keep my skin plump and hydrated. Pros: protects against UVA and UVB damage, hyperpigmentation and pollution, formulated with hyaluronic acid, dermatologist tested, offers SPF 30 protection . Cons: reviewers say the formula can make combination skin more oily, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “Love, love, love this sunscreen. It was recommended by my esthetician, and she did not steer me wrong. It goes on beautifully, doesn’t have a white cast (which is extra important to me as a black woman), mixes well with a variety of other products from different brands and leaves a nice glowy finish without being too oily or greasy. 10/10 recommendation!”
I’m also a big fan of this sunscreen stick, which I pack in my bag on busy summer days. (Seriously though, reapplication is a breeze.) Aside from its convenient packaging, I like that it’s formulated with antioxidant-rich red raspberry seed oil, buriti oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and prickly pear extract to fight damaging free radicals. Pros: formulated with over 70% certified organic ingredients, offers broad spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, comes in a travel-friendly stick . Cons: has a notable scent, a bit pricier . Glowing customer review: “I bought this to spot-cover some places that need extra sun protection, and it did not disappoint! I love the scent and texture, packability, and sheerness of coverage. Another gold star product from Coola!”
Okay, although this is technically a face moisturizer, it’s worth noting because it includes SPF 30 and is an Amazon best seller (so you know it’s good). The fragrance-free formula includes hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, so it’s as moisturizing as it is protective. Pros: fragrance-free, offers SPF 30 protection, formulated with skin-loving ingredients, noncomedogenic, oil free. Cons: can leave a white residue, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “Perfect for sensitive skin! I’ve tried expensive lotions from Sephora or other brands like Monat, and this is the only one that doesn’t break my skin out. Moisturizing without leaving my face greasy.”
If you have only one criterion for your face sunscreen, and it is that it “has to be lightweight,” then this is the one for you. Its milky texture melts into the skin while vitamin E helps protects against free radicals and moisturizing agents keep dryness at bay. Pros: formulated to help lock moisture in to hydrate and protect the skin’s microbiome, noncomedogenic, offers SPF 50 protection, water resistant for up to 80 minutes, offers a dry matte finish . Cons: reviewers say it leaves a white cast. Glowing customer review: “I love this sunscreen. It really moisturizes well and doesn’t cause my sensitive skin any harm. It has a white cast, but that’s to be expected with a mineral sunscreen. I would definitely recommend this!”
A no-frills face sunscreen. This oil-free, fragrance-free formula is fairly lightweight. I love that it doesn’t slide or pill under my foundation, which means I can apply it daily without fear of a makeup meltdown. Pros: fragrance free, offers SPF 50 protection, oil free, water resistant, Hawaii Act 104 Reef Compliant . Cons: reviewers say this can be too oily from combination skin . Glowing customer review: “I was primarily looking for sunscreen without a white cast and oily tint to wear with light makeup. I love that this product does not have a white cast. It does leave a shiny residue on the skin, which I am torn about. Sometimes, it looks like a healthy, flushed glow, but sometimes, it’s like oily skin, which I dull down with a face powder. Overall, I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for sunscreen I use daily, and it’s the best I’ve found in the price range.”
I know what you’re thinking: Didn’t you already include a La Roche-Posay product? I did, but to my credit, this sunscreen-serum hybrid is too good not to be included. Like the previous one, this is expensive for a drugstore sunscreen, but I justify it because it’s a two-in-one product. It’s one part sunscreen (SPF 50, to be exact) and one part anti-aging serum. It uses vitamins C and E to help defend against free radicals. Pros: a two-in-one anti-aging face serum with sunscreen; great for sensitive skin; offers broad spectrum SPF 50; clinically proven to reduce the visible appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots . Cons: reviewers share the formula could be too hydrating for oily skin types, a bit pricier. Glowing customer review: “My skin is problematic [and] prone to congestion with lots of pores, but this cream is the only thing that works for my face, and I look so pretty when my face looks so healthy, and it makes me so happy.”
This sunscreen serum was quite literally made for breakout-prone skin, meaning if you struggle with clogged pores, this one won’t make them worse. It’s a chemical-mineral hybrid that melts into the skin like a serum and leaves behind a dewy finish. Pros: features SPF 50, formulated with breakout-prone skin in mind, noncomedogenic, made with a clean-chemical-mineral hybrid that doesn’t leave a white cast, doubles as a makeup primer. Cons: none. Glowing customer review: “This sunscreen is a game-changer! It doesn’t pill and leaves a beautiful finish under makeup. I have sensitive acne-prone skin, and this doesn’t break me out or burn. Will definitely be repurchasing.”
Offering SPF 50, this sunscreen will surely protect the skin from UV rays. However, what really makes this special is the combination of five potent antioxidants, including vitamin E and C. There’s even hyaluronic acid to keep skin looking plump and smooth. Pros: infused with five antioxidants (glycyrrhetinic acid, licochalcone A, vitamin E, vitamin C, Oxynex ST) and hyaluronic acid to help reduce signs of aging, formulated with SPF 50 formula, noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic. Cons: reviewers note the formula doesn’t always stay put in extremely humid weather . Glowing customer review: “I love everything about this product. It leaves my skin so beautiful. [It] has seen improvements in my skin texture, and the best is I could use it with my make-up. It makes my skin much smoother and glowy…love it.”
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Well, it finally happened—I turned 30 years old last month. Even though those around me have insisted that this decade is about a billion times better than the last one, there was still this monumental fear I grasped onto, and a big part of it had to do with the notion that I was starting to lose my youth. Blame it on the world’s obsession with beauty or even my career working in it, but there was a societal echo I couldn’t ignore.
Ironically, when people enter their 30s, they’re often tackling the same skin issues they dealt with in the past, including hormonal acne and oiliness. They might even be presented with new ones, like dullness, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity. In my case, I don’t have to worry about breakouts, but I do worry that I haven’t been doing enough in terms of prevention.
Even though I’m quite happy about where I’m at in life and know aging is unavoidable, I still want to kick my skincare routine up a notch to prevent early signs of aging. That’s why I created a new arsenal of skin, hair, and body products for top-tier care. Keep scrolling to see the skincare products I’m incorporating into my routine.
My name is Kaitlyn McLintock, and sometimes, I’m influenced by celebrities to buy things. There, I said it. As a beauty editor, it’s easy to blame it on my job and call it “research” or “due diligence.” After all, I can’t crown a certain product as the best without comparing it to all of the others on the market, right? That’s true, but if I’m being honest, it’s more than that. It’s also about the fact that I want to have the best beauty products at my disposal. If a celebrity, who has access to basically anything they want, uses or recommends something, I want it.
Let me be clear. I’m not necessarily looking for celebrity endorsements. I’m interested in the products they use without being compensated for using them or, at the very least, products they’ve created themselves. Say what you will about celebrity beauty brands, but if they’re slapping their name on something, they have to believe in it at least a little bit.
This year, I bought and tested a lot of celeb beauty products. I, however, only felt a few were worth the money, and I figured I’d share them with you. Ahead, see all the celeb-favorite beauty products I used this year, ranked from most to least favorite.
There are a lot of ways you can finally have the glowing skin of your dreams, but there’s one key step in your routine that can really make a huge difference. “It’s only obvious that everyone wants to achieve that perfect glow, but what I’ve learned after all these years in the industry is that most people do not know how to exfoliate properly,” says aesthetician and Facify Beauty founder Crystal Koro. “Either they are using products that are too harsh and rough or not using the proper form of exfoliation for their skin type.” If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to opt for something extremely gentle and only exfoliate a couple times a week. For those who are acne-prone or have oily skin, you may want to opt for a BHA toner with salicylic acid or even a PHA one.
Dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD, agrees. “Exfoliating about two to three times per week is critical to remove dead skin cells to keep skin bright and smooth,” he says. “You’ll also want to protect skin from environmental factors that contribute to aging skin, such as UV radiation and pollutants, by using products that include sunscreen and antioxidants, respectively.”
Another glowing-skin secret Koro has is to incorporate a device like the Facify Beauty Wand ($399). “Facify offers a unique five-iron head pulse magnetic massage head that provides a cooling massage to help with de-puffing, toning, and promotes blood circulation, which truly gets your skin glowing. It also improves fine lines and wrinkles and promotes lymphatic drainage to reduce inflammation of the face. It truly feels like getting a professional lymphatic massage but in the comfort of your own home,” she shares. For a few expert-recommended glowing-skin products, keep on scrolling.
