10 SKINCARE PRODUCTS I’VE TRIED RECENTLY

Is it weird to say that one of my favorite rooms in our new house is the master bathroom? It feels like such an upgrade from our last rental thanks to the double sinks, counter space, and lots of drawer space. I finally feel like I have a chance at keeping all my products organized!

design darling skincare products in acrylic tray

I’ve tried several new-to-me skincare products recently and am excited to share my honest reviews, from those I’m obsessed with to those I could do without. I love finding new skincare products that really make a difference, but I always read reviews first because I hate spending money on a pricey product only to find it makes little to no difference on my skin. If there are any skincare products/services you’re curious about, let me know so I can add them to my list of things to try! Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see what’s piquing my interest… I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of them!

design darling kate somerville skincare

1. Kate Somerville Eradikate Daily Cleanser

This is hands down my favorite new product. I should start by admitting that I can be really lazy about washing my face — I always take off my makeup with these wipes, but I’m not as diligent as I should be about doing a thorough cleanse both morning and night. That said, I noticed an almost immediate difference when I started using this cleanser for acne-prone skin. It’s definitely not inexpensive, but the bottle is huge and it only takes a pea-sized amount to lather my entire face. If you’re suffering from acne and feel like you’ve exhausted all the benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid-based products, I highly recommend giving this sulfur-based one a try.

2. Kate Somerville Eradikate Acne Treatment

This is another sulfur-based acne product that’s great as a spot treatment to dry up developing pimples overnight. While I don’t love going to bed with pink spots on my face, this is great to have in your arsenal if you break out a day or two before a big event.

3. Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

The packaging recommends using this product in the shower to massage into the skin for 30 seconds and leave on for up to two minutes. I have fairly sensitive skin so I only leave it on for a minute or so, but I love the way this makes my skin tingle (so I know it’s doing something I guess?). I used this a few times the week we got back from Mexico to sort of hit the reset button after a few days of drinking sugary margaritas in the sun (basically the worst thing I could do to my skin!) and my skin instantly felt smoother and more radiant. It can also be tough to find an exfoliating treatment that’s not super drying, but this does the trick for me.

4. Kate Somerville Clinic-To-Go Resurfacing Peel Pads

A ton of you DMed me when I first mentioned trying out Kate Somerville to rave about these peel pads, which provide a professional-strength peel in a single-use pad. They come in a set of sixteen and I’ve been trying to use one or two a week — they always leave my skin super glowy and best of all, they couldn’t be easier to use.

design darling first aid beauty retinol serum review

5. First Aid Beauty Skin Lab Retinol Serum

This was my first time using a retinol on my skin and this is apparently a great product for “beginner” retinol users or those with sensitive skin (check and check). I was surprised when the product came out bright yellow, but apparently that’s totally normal and a little will go a long way. It makes my skin feel more firm/plump (especially on my forehead) without breaking me out (because I’m one of the lucky few battling both acne and aging). Also, like all First Aid Beauty products, it’s free of parabens and sulfates, so if you’re focused on shifting your skincare routine to cleaner products, this passes the test.

skinceuticals c e ferulic acid review

6. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

I have heard so many rave reviews about this antioxidant, but I can’t recommend it for one reason: the smell is just about the worst thing I’ve ever experienced. It honestly smells distinctly like hot dogs — and even if I weren’t a pescatarian, I have to believe it’s the last scent I’d want to rub all over my face. I’ve tried to push past the smell several times (bonus points if any of you have stuck with this one long enough to provide a more helpful review) but I just don’t think I can do it.

tata harper repairative moisturizer review

7. Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer

On the opposite end of the scent spectrum is Tata Harper’s line, which I will try literally anything from as I have more than a few favorites at this point. The products are all natural and have an earthy smell that’s pleasant but never overpowering. This moisturizer is the perfect consistency in my opinion — not so heavy that it feels like you’re clogging your pores overnight and not so light that there’s no way it’s actually working.

8. Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Cream

This is a super cool product that’s formulated for both daytime and nighttime use. While it’s moisturizing enough to wear as an overnight eye cream, it’s also formulated to have a pearly finish that can be layered over concealer and worn all day long. If you’re looking for a way to brighten up your eyes without makeup, this works like a charm!

9. Tata Harper Concentrated Brightening Serum

As much as I adore (almost) all things Tata Harper, this product doesn’t get my usual rave reviews. The formula made my skin feel greasy and honestly I just think there are lots of more impressive Tata Harper products that don’t cost quite as much as this one (and I admittedly have more pressing skin concerns than brightening my complexion). If you’re new to the line, I’d instead recommend starting with her purifying mask (magic, I tell you!) and her exfoliating cleanser.

perricone md daily brightening moisturizer review

10. Perricone MD Daily Brightening Moisturizer

Everyone says it’s even more important to wear daily SPF when you’re using a retinol, so this moisturizer with SPF 30 came into my life at just the right time. I hadn’t tried anything from this line before but it’s all natural, lightweight, and feels hydrating without making my skin oily or shiny.

design darling bathroom organization

So there you have it! If you want my top three picks, I’d go with the acne cleanser, the peel pads, and the illuminating eye cream. Let me know if you’ve tried any of these — or what you’re hoping to try next — in the comments!

P.S. I’ve been trying to keep our bathroom counter organized with these glass containers for cotton balls and Q-tips and this acrylic tray for my most-used makeup and skincare.

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