A key part of my job as a beauty reporter is using an abundance of products — a task that, surprisingly, makes it hard to finish a container of any one item. I’ve learned that sometimes it takes until the very last drop of a formula to know how well it performs with long-term use, and whether or not it will make it into my very exclusive lineup of repurchases — or, be swapped out for something new.
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Keep reading to see the nine full-sized beauty products that I finished this past month, what I honestly thought about them, and if they made their way into my permanent rotation. (Spoiler alert: Not all of them did.) That’s not to say they are bad formulas or that they won’t work perfectly for someone else. In fact, beauty is rarely one-size-fits-all. But hopefully my “empties” analysis will help you make critical decisions about which products you’ll be happy to use till there’s not a stitch left in the container.
A lightwieght Korean face cream packed with PDRN
The Rejuran Nutritive Cream is a beloved and well-known Korean face moisturizer that I’ve repurchased three times and hold in very high esteem. It’s formulated with trusted skin nourishers, soothers, and a heavy dose of PDRN, a hero ingredient for anti-aging, all wrapped in an airy texture that’s suitable for warmer weather and lightweight hydration that lasts. Though, despite all the fanfare it greatly deserves, I think I will be moving on to new horizons this time around, but not for the reasons you might think.
Usually, this time of year, I switch to a thicker face cream that suits my ultra-dry skin, which only becomes exacerbated in colder conditions. For this reason alone, I will be buying Skinfix’s Barrier + Triple Lipid Peptide cream instead for the same cost as the Rejuran. This cream is said to have a buttery-rich texture and a potent humectant blend that draws moisture deep into the skin. Similar to the brand’s other well-loved products (I’ve tried a few and really enjoyed them), this formula contains ceramides to ensure a healthy skin barrier, plus a 3% peptide solution, which dermatologists have told us can help produce collagen.
But if you’re someone who prefers thinner and more lightweight face moisturizers all year round, the Rejurian Nutrive Cream will do you no wrong.
Triple exfoliation pads that made my skin look and feel incredible after first use
I really didn’t want to like these PCA Skin exfoliating pads as much as I did, but unfortunately for my wallet, they made such a noticeable difference in the look and feel of my skin that I will be rebuying them expeditiously. I have chronically textured skin due to a condition called keratosis pilaris, more commonly known as KP. Aside from nearly eliminating the bumpy patches and roughness brought on by KP — something I never thought could be possible considering all of the products and lengths I have gone to manage it (including professional intervention) — the PCA Skin triple exfoliation peel pads gave my complexion an overall brightness and refinement and cleared away my frequent skin flaking caused by tretinoin use.
They also contain prickly pear extract, an enzyme that can eat away dead skin cells and promote cell renewal, as well as niacinamide for brightening, licorice root for soothing redness, and peptides, which dermatologists have previously told us stimulate collagen production. And because the pads are textured on one side, you can also add physical exfoliation to the mix for extra efficacy.
Aside from how well these pads perform, I further justify the $60 price tag by reusing each pad twice, since they are so well saturated, and I find I can still get enough product.
An unbeatable color-correcting foundation infused with skin care
Before I even squeezed the very last drop of this miracle foundation, I already had a backup secured. But this is far from the first time I’ve reported on the It Cosmetics CC cream, a color-correcting formula that I’ve used for years now because of how flawless it makes my skin and the benefits it contains. As I mentioned above, my keratosis pilaris on my cheeks makes it difficult to achieve smooth and even-looking skin, but this full-coverage and neutral-finish product makes it imperceptible without appearing cakey or unnatural in the slightest. The long-wearing formula is also infused with SPF 50, nd a whole slew of skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and niacinamide, so it never feels overly drying on the face. It comes in 22 shades.
A versatile and universal healing ointment that everyone should have
Aquaphor is one of those perennial skin care staples that, I believe, deserve a recurring role in everyone’s bathroom cabinet. I use this all-purpose healing ointment for just about everything, from a lip balm to a salve for minor cuts and scrapes to a barrier that prevents my skin from staining when I dye my hair. I even love swiping a very thin layer under my eyes before applying my foundation to prevent creasing.
The formula contains 41% petrolatum, which, despite its occlusiveness, still allows skin to breathe. And unlike ointments of a similar ilk, Aquaphor is enriched with skin-nourishing ingredients like panthenol, glycerin, and bisabolol for added skin care benefits. In case it wasn’t already obvious, I have already repurchased another jar of this stuff and will likely use it in the winter as the final layer over my evening skin care to lock in moisture.
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A nourishing fermented barrier oil that fights dryness on command
Always a fan of Beekman 1802 — a sensitive, skin-friendly brand that harnesses the power of goat milk — I decided to try the Oh Mega Milk fermented barrier oil for my parched skin. It’s true that this unique oil comforts and intensely nourishes irritated and troubled skin. In fact, it’s done wonders for the flaky, dry eczema patches that crop up from time to time on my skin. That being said, I think I will return to my old faithful: The Ordinary’s fermented rosehip seed oil, a no-frills formula that I have been a long-time user of.
Like the Oh Mega Milk, The Ordinary’s oil uses the benefits of fermentation to support aging skin and calm irritation, but for significantly less. I love to press several drops of this oil into my skin as the last step in my skin routine or to provide a soothing and protective layer when dermaplaning my skin.
A lactic acid-based body cream that actually reduced crepeness under my arms
I never thought I would see the day when a body cream would dethrone the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, a no-frills, yet highly effective and dermatologist-loved formula that I’ve been using for over a decade. But somehow, Amlactin’s Crepe Firming body cream has become my new moisturizing obsession that I will be repurchasing again and again. Though CeraVe will always have a special place in this skin care lover’s heart, I was interested in a formula that would address the skin thinning and crepeness on my upper inner arms that cropped up in recent years due to age. This rich, yet far from heavy, cream miraculously eradicated that concern using a 15% concentration of lactic acid, a chemical exfoliant that is incredibly helpful for refining skin texture and conditions like keratosis pliaris (KP) and adding elasticity back into the skin. And like CeraVe, this moisturizer also contains three essential ceramides that strengthen skin’s natural barrier.
A do-it-all leave-in conditioner that I’ve been using for years
Every time I re-buy a tube of the Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging hair cream, I’m suprised at how long I’ve been using it — and will continue to use it. As someone who wants the simplest hair care routine (I spend enough time on my skin), this all-in-one styling cream manages to make it possible. It’s enriched with nutrient-dense caviar extract, proteins, minerals, and hydrators that not only tame unruly tresses and make my blowouts look like a dream, but also provide heat and UV protection to prevent my color from fading or damage from my heat styling tools.
A repairative conditioner that smells like heaven
Saltair is a brand that, for me, rarely misses, and after having such great success with Saltair’s affordable and beyond-nourishing body oil, I decided to give this $13 conditioner a try. Though the brand offers a few conditioner formulas for different hair types and concerns, I chose the damage repair formula, as I have incredibly brittle, frizzy strands from constant heat styling and color treatments.
Aimed at strengthening hair bonds and reviving tresses to a healthier state, the Saltair Recover & Restore conditioner features a shea butter base, hydrating marine extracts, and a “bond multiplier complex” to help repair breakage, add shine, stave off dryness, and improve overall manageability. This really did add a softness and fluffiness to my hair that had been desperately missing, and it is by far one of the most hydrating conditioners I have tried, especially at this price point.
I also love how thick and creamy this conditioner is, in fact, it feels closer to a really expensive hair mask than anything else, and the lasting floral pear scent is absolutely divine.
An elasticity-boosting body oil in one of my favorite fragrances
I adored Sol De Janeiro’s Beija Flor Elasti-Cream body cream, so I decided to splurge and try the matching body oil, which not only boasts the same intoxicating fresh and floral scent but also contains cacay oil, an ingredient that is said to encourage skin’s elasticity and promote cell renewal. As much as I loved this body oil and indulged in the nourishing formula, I don’t think I can justify the cost when my favorite Saltair body oil performs just as well for less than half the cost.
As a person who is opposed to certain textures, I’m in love with the fact that the Saltair formula doesn’t sit greasy or stick atop the skin. It actually soaks in quickly and thoroughly to the point that I’m able to throw on my clothes right after and not leave a stain. Deceptively luxurious and available in nine expensive-smelling scents, it’s enriched with three different oils that are nourishing and rich in antioxidants, like squalane and moringa. I’ve also noticed that my tattoos appear more vibrant and renewed since using a body oil.
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