January 2020 Favorites

January 2020 Favorites

(L to R: Thank You Farmer Water Sun Cream, LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream,
InkeyList Q10 serum, La Mer Eye Balm, Trish McEvoy Daily Exfoliator)

Thank You Farmer Sun Project Water Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++

This is a lightweight gel sunscreen. Applies smoothly with no greasy residue. PA+++ is the highest UVA rating. I would note, I have noticed this product does sometimes pill when layered over other products. Price is reasonable at $22. 

Where to buy: Amazon (link), YesStyle (link)

LilyAna Naturals Retinol Cream

This retinol cream is an Amazon bestseller. It contains lots of natural ingredients including aloe, hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and shea butter. The container is a pump style package and the cream hydrates without being greasy. I haven't found the retinol to be sensitizing to my skin. 

Where to buy: Amazon (link)

InkeyList Q10 Antioxidant Serum

This is another Inkey List serum. It contains Co-Q10. Co-Q10 is an antioxidant that helps the body to produce collagen and elastin. This is a small size at 1 oz and a squeeze bottle. The serum applies smoothly with no greasy residue. It also contains squalane for hydration. It's super affordable at $6.99.

Where to buy: Sephora (link)

(An inside look at La Mer Eye Balm)

La Mer Eye Balm Intense

This is one of La Mer's eye creams. The other eye cream they offer is called the eye concentrate. This eye balm is the thicker of the two eye creams made by La Mer. It's a thickish green hued cream. It absorbs pretty quickly though. It's not shown here but this cream includes an applicator with a metal ball on the end so you can apply the cream and the applicator has a cooling effect. This is pricey though, retailing at $225. I think I'm unlikely to purchase this again as I don't see anything too special about it.

Where to buy: Sephora (link), Nordstrom (link)

(What the Trish McEvoy exfoliator pads look like)

Trish McEvoy Daily Exfoliator Pads

These exfoliating pads are alcohol free and contains mostly BHA in the form of willow bark extract, the natural equivalent of salicylic acid. It also contains witch hazel, aloe, and chamomile for a soothing effect. One side of the pad is textured, while the other is smooth. These are pricey per pad though. It is $67 for 40 pads which comes out to $1.67/pad. There is a larger size retailing for $98 for 60 pads, but that only gets you down to $1.63/pad. To get the most mileage after using this on my face I swipe the pads on my elbows and feet. These are also fragrance free.

Where to buy: BlueMercury (link), Nordstrom (link)

Those are my favorites for January 2020. 

Product Review: Eve Hansen Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Product Review: Eve Hansen Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum

I purchased this Eve Hansens Hyaluronic Acid as part of a three piece set on Amazon. It included a Vitamin C + E serum and Retinol serum for $30. Link for the set is down below.

Eve Hansen Naturals is a brand I discovered through Instagram. They are a brand geared towards being natural.  This serum is housed in a dropper style bottle and is a milky liquid. Like many other hyaluronic acid serums, it works well. Hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant to draw moisture back to the skin. Perfect for winter, but also for any season. I generally mix and combine this with other serums. I look forward to trying other products from the line. 

Where to buy: Amazon (link), Eve Hansen Naturals (link)

Product Review: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum & Eye Serum

Product Review: Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum & Eye Serum

The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is $89 and contains the gold standard for anti-aging: retinol. Retinol is known to help with acne, smooth wrinkles, and even skin tone. The serum is lightweight yet potent. It includes time tested retinol as well as a retinol booster. Other ingredients include ceramides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and amino acids. All great ingredients for skin. Two pumps is enough for the whole face. As far as smoothing wrinkles, I use this primarily as a preventative measure. My one complaint with the packaging is it is hard to tell when you are about to run out. 

The other product in the collection is the Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Eye Serum which is $85. This serum is lighter than the facial serum and one pump is plenty for both eyes. I like to layer this with a thicker eye cream to keep my eyes from getting dry.

I use both of these products at night to maximize effectiveness as retinol is light sensitive.

The Murad Retinol Youth Renewal collection also includes a cream, that I have not used but you can buy the entire collection for a discount on the Murad website. Additionally, there is also a mini kit with trial sizes.

Where to buy (Serum): Murad website (link), Sephora (link)
Where to buy (Eye Serum): Murad website (link), Sephora (link)
Where to buy trial kit:  Murad website (link)
Where to buy collection set: Murad website (link)