What Gothamista recommends and skips: 222 products reviewed

Every review.

All 222 products Gothamista has reviewed, grouped by product type. Click a product to see the full guru consensus.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Against the gurus

Type

Serums31 reviews

"This is definitely one of those serums that just make an immediate difference. From the moment I apply it, I can feel the way the skin is just so much smoother, soothed, and just really, really deeply hydrated. But also, it's got a nice kind of dewiness to it as well. That being said, this isn't one of those heavy, greasy formulas that just kind of sit heavily on your skin surface. [...] It plumps everything out."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

Haruharu Wonder Centella Phyto & 5 Peptide Concentrate Cream

"When it comes to well-aging moisturizers, this formula has everything I want. This is rich but does not leave any greasy residue because it absorbs fast and it just leaves a really pleasant velvet finish on the skin. It's not at all scary for anyone who just doesn't like shininess or oiliness or anything like [...] that. I particularly love peptide moisturizers. I especially like using this under an overnight mask, whether it's a hydrogel one or a wrapping mask."

✓Yay

89%Guru Score

Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

"I really love this new booster gel this is so elegant it's so refreshing it's not sticky at all"

✓Yay

68%Guru Score

K-Secret Soul 1988 Liposomal Serum

"It's almost like a very light refreshing gel but it does absorb, it sinks in, it's slightly moisturizing. This also gives my skin really beautiful glow. I mean, this is kind of great for this time of year because it is slightly moisturizing but it's really not heavy. I love that it clearly brings my skin back to life. It kind of revives my complexion. [...] This is just a well-aging powerhouse. For those with very sensitive skin, this has also gone through skin sensitivity testing as well."

✓Yay

81%Guru Score

Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide + Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum

"I don't think it's a replacement, I do think it's different though. I also like the texture, it is bouncy, it's pretty substantial, which makes it really nice, especially in the drier months because you really feel like it's got some skin plumping hydration. There's also just a really nice bouncy slip to it during application which I enjoy. It's quite lipid, feels quite moisturizing, and it does sit on the skin, it's kind of somewhere in between."

✓Yay

81%Guru Score

Super Egg Sound Renewal Serum Cream

"This cream is really lightweight, it's definitely like a hybrid serum and cream, it's more like an emulsion, very refreshing texture. It's too lightweight for me during the winter to just use as a moisturizer, but if I use this as a serum emulsion layer then it totally works."

~Mixed

76%Guru Score

Qure Epidermal Growth Factor Rejuvenating Serum

"There are two serums but the one that I use the most is the Rejuvenation serum which does contain growth factors. This has an EGF which is a skin identical synthetic peptide with 53 different amino acids that help with reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and can also brighten the look of dull skin."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Neon Modulating Glucosides Serum

"If my skin is feeling really sensitive then I will most likely use Neon Modulating Glucosides Serum and the way this has worked for me is the more I use it the less sensitive my skin becomes. This has also been great for post-treatment. This has been a longtime favorite for me."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

PCA Skin ExLinea Pro Peptide Serum

"It really does work. I mean it's not immediately effective but nothing that I do for anti-aging really is. It's a marathon. It is the fastest absorbing weightless formula. It leaves nothing on the skin. I love that the texture really allows you to effectively spot treat, so I do it on my forehead for forehead lines, the 11s around the sides of my eyes, just anywhere I feel my expression lines are. I also love that peptide formulas don't really clash. In fact they complement one another so well."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

The Ordinary Soothing & Barrier Support Serum

"I started using this towards the end of the summer and I have the kind of reactive skin that turns red from too much heat, too much cold, when the wind blows. It's really soothing when my skin feels overheated. I love the texture of it, which doesn't have any oil in it but it does somehow feel lipid, kind of like [...] it has a little bit of richness to the texture. A friend of mine who has oily skin during the summer actually used this in place of a moisturizer and she felt it was perfect."

✓Yay

76%Guru Score

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + Copper Peptides 1% Serum

"This is one of my favorite formulas that contain matrical in them. The Multi-Peptide Serum Plus the Copper Peptides 1%, I even prefer this to their formula with matrical in the name. Desium just does peptides exceptionally well and especially if you're looking for an option you don't want to spend that much money, peptide serums tend to be really expensive. This is an allrounder, it does it all. Copper peptides fall into my second category of peptides which is the carrier peptides."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Goodal Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Care Serum

"Apparently one is sold globally every 30 seconds. This isn't vitamin C as an ascorbic acid, which is my gold standard. This vitamin C refers to the extract of the vitamin C rich fruit. The base of this serum is Tangerine extract, but it also contains 4% niacinamide and 2% arbutin. It's great for immediately brightening dull skin, which is what I use this for. [...] It's a nice satisfyingly thick gel, feels comforting on the skin, and also gives so much hydration and glow."

✓Yay

63%Guru Score

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic

"The reason why vitamin C is even a thing in skin care today is because of SkinCeuticals. They made the original formula which is their C E Ferulic with 15% ascorbic acid and all the studies to show what this can do for your skin and how it benefits your skin. Ascorbic acid is the most powerful antioxidant and it's in a form that your skin recognizes and can use. It will protect your skin from the environmental aggressors that tend to cause aging."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum

"The Merit Beauty Great Skin Instant Glow Serum is exactly what I want, a formula that gives my skin instant radiance but it's skin care not makeup. It's hydrating with four different weights of hyaluronic acid, and it also has Copus root, which is one of my favorite TCM ingredients. It has a lightweight texture but it really feels moisturizing. Two pumps is what I use and it's perfect, and it leaves my skin feeling really moisturized and glowing."

✓Yay

79%Guru Score

Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion

"I'm just going to go with a staple which is Hada Labo's Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. This one, the orange one, is just the perfect weight for a day like today. It's not too thin, it's not too thick. It's not premium but might just be a little too much. This is [...] one of my favorite all-time formulas. I just really appreciate it so much."

✓Yay

88%Guru Score

Allies of Skin CE15 Brightening & Firming Oil

"This is such a fast-absorbing and lightweight oil serum that it disappears. It really doesn't feel like an added layer. It's one of the lightest oil serums I've ever tried. This sits in a base of rosehip oil, which is a dry oil but it's also full of vitamin A. There's a beautiful blend of nine cold-pressed oils as well as a vitamin C derivative that's great for brightening the skin and evening out the skin tone, vitamin E, [...] as well as one percent Bacchochiol and CoQ10."

✓Yay

86%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Clinical Discoloration Repair Serum

"Paula's Choice Clinical Discoloration Repair Serum [...] is a really good and effective serum if you want to even out your skin tone. [...] I would say this is probably the best more affordable option compared to products that are pricier. Like a lot of the Paula's Choice serums, the texture itself just feels fabulous on the skin—it gives you pretty much a baseline of everything you need. It's hydrating, plumping, comforting and comfortable, and it's soothing."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Wrinkle Modulating Peptide Cream

"I love how it makes the skin look, it gives that beautiful glassy, hydrated sheen. Most noticeably, I feel like it actually does make my pores appear smaller, and my pores have been gaping as of late so I've been quite self-conscious about them. It's [...] a concentrated treatment with 10% of their exclusive Myrixin complex, a group of six plant extracts high in antioxidants that also help improve the appearance of lines and pores."

✓Yay
Sponsored

81%Guru Score

Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream

"Honestly, I like this mostly because of just how good it makes my skin look. [...] It is so so lightweight. Actually, it's weightless. It's a light creamy gel that absorbs so fast, but at the same time, it feels hydrating on the skin. It leaves a greaseless glow and you can't really even feel anything other than your skin just feels really soft and hydrated. It's like it just sinks in there and does its work. This is almost your perfect daytime moisturizer. [...] Anua uses this salmon DNA PDRN."

✓Yay
Sponsored

66%Guru Score

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Serum 3:1

"As far as copper tripeptides go, there hasn't been a single formula that can beat this for me. [...] This is all about skin optimization, just helping your skin function more effectively and efficiently, but also this promotes good collagen for firmness and elasticity. It's always been hard for me to describe, but it's an overall noticeable improvement, not just in the texture or the way my skin feels, but also just in the way it looks."

✓Yay
Sponsored

82%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous C-Glow 15% Vitamin C Serum

"This is made in small batches. Every single time I've received one, it's crystal clear. And it stays that way for a few months before I see even a tiny bit of oxidization, just a little bit of yellowing. But usually by that time, I'm almost done. I love the texture of this. It is so light. It makes my skin like glow from within. [...] This has been a longtime favorite of mine. One of the most powerful antioxidant formulas."

✓Yay
Sponsored

83%Guru Score

Allies of Skin Peptides and Antioxidants Firming Daily Treatment

"I use this as a daytime moisturizer. [...] The texture is light, but it actually gives the skin such a beautiful finish. Hydrated, healthy, and a little radiant. It's a beautiful gel-like creamy texture. This has seven firming peptides, nine protective antioxidants, and 13 different brighteners for the skin. [...] This is on the lightweight side. So, during winter, I use this with more layering as a nighttime moisturizer."

✓Yay
Sponsored

85%Guru Score

Medicube Age-R Booster Pro

"I am still loving from Medicube their Age-R Booster Pro. This is more for the superficial layer of the skin, so I tend to use this when I feel my skin just doesn't look great. And it's actually fun to use during my routine, and this helps really boost the overall appearance of my skin."

✓Yay
Sponsored

67%Guru Score

d'Alba White Truffle Double Serum & Cream

"There's a new category of moisturizer that I have been obsessed with. The ones that combine gel and cream in one. For me, this really started with d'Alba White Truffle Double Serum & Cream where the gel and the cream are separate, but when you combine them together, it actually mixes so beautifully and the result is just amazing."

✓Yay
Sponsored

85%Guru Score

d'Alba White Truffle First Spray Serum

"But especially with a formula that has some lipids in it, it's got some fat, and when you have fats in it, it just holds everything in. This has just the right combination that you get the glow without the greasiness, and it just makes everything sit and look really nice. Instant glow. I've noticed it's also actually really good on the hair as well. But also this has been my go-to for long haul flights."

✓Yay
Sponsored

87%Guru Score

d'Alba Double Serum All-in-One Multi Balm

"I try to not touch my face when I'm on the plane so these have been just a perfect combination. They're Double Serum All-in-One Multi Balm, this is all of these but in a balm stick format. It just really helps to prevent these areas from just getting dry and crinkly. So I love putting it around my crow's feet area, around the eye and the forehead, my nasolabial folds. This is not heavy and greasy by the way, and also gives that sort of natural healthy sheen and highlight."

✓Yay
Sponsored

Notverified

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Alpha Arbutin

"My skin just loves propolis serums and it loves this one it's just that incomparable glow that you get"

✓Yay
Sponsored

78%Guru Score

Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum with Rice and Arbutin

"I've actually paired [...] the Glow Deep Serum with Rice and Arbutin for a little brightening boost. I always layer it by using the glow deep serum first and then the glow serum afterwards because I love that proper glow. For a lot of people it might be too sticky, I don't mind that at all. It just lifts the complexion. Pairing this with the dynasty cream, I mean forget about it, you're talking about the dynamic duo of glow."

✓Yay
Sponsored

78%Guru Score

Poems from the Lab Future Focus Vitamin C Serum

"I have a new favorite ascorbic acid serum. [...] This is a 15% water-based ascorbic acid treatment that is also supported by ferulic acid, glutathione, amino acids. [...] The texture overall is just very lightweight, it simply disappears in your skin after you apply it. Yes, this does have that hot dog smell because it's ascorbic acid, but what I appreciate the most about this and what makes it stand out above the others is just the airtight packaging."

✓Yay
Sponsored

82%Guru Score

Mary&May Idebenone Blackberry Complex Serum

"This antioxidant serum, I didn't expect to love as much as I do. It's got idebenone and blackberry complex with anthocyanin rich fruit extracts such as blackberry which makes up 20% of this as well as blueberry. It contains a good amount of idebenone, which is an ingredient that's actually really popular in Korean beauty and I just feel is quite underrated."

✓Yay
Sponsored

82%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous Stress Less Serum with 0.5% Beta-Glucan and Metacast-Aide

"Their Stress Less Serum with 0.5% beta glucan and metacast-aide, it's just one of those calming serums that you use when you want your skin to just feel good and be comfortable. I've always loved good beta glucan serum, I mean it's just so great for calming down stressed skin, but I also know from my product development experience that beta glucan is a very expensive ingredient. What I love about this brand is it just does not skimp on quality of ingredients."

✓Yay
Sponsored

69%Guru Score

Moisturizers30 reviews

Physiogel Calming Relief Redness Relieving Facial Cream

"This really has been the best in my experience at quickly reducing that redness. This has their biomimic technology which uses a lipid complex that imitates what we have in our own skin to really strengthen the barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss. I love this as a winter overnight treatment. In the morning, everything just feels so calm. [...] The finish on this is so beautifully glowy. It's skin flattering and the texture of this, in my opinion, it's not heavy at all."

✓Yay

88%Guru Score

Thank You Farmer Rice Pure Gel and Cream

"I came upon one of my favorite moisturizers, the Thank You Farmer Rice Pure Gel and Cream, which is a similar concept except it doesn't separate the cream and the gel. And I love this moisturizer so much. Even just seeing that messy clump inside the gel, it just for some reason brings me joy."

✓Yay

86%Guru Score

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream

"It's just become that all-occasion moisturizer for me. Apparently, one is sold every 7 seconds. [...] It's a very comforting creaminess, which to me doesn't feel too rich or too heavy. It uses their patented capsule technology to deliver high-density ceramides to the skin, and in combination with the fatty acids and cholesterol that forms the holy trifecta of preventing transepidermal water loss, so this really helps your skin hold on to hydration and moisture even more effectively."

✓Yay

90%Guru Score

Medicube AGE-R Capsule Cream

"I would not associate this PDRN formula with the actual PDRN used in the famous clinical application using salmon sperm DNA. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that what they use has no benefit to the skin. A lot of times there is. The fact is, I would have gotten this and loved this with or without the PDRN on it."

✓Yay

65%Guru Score

Purito Dermide Relief Barrier Moisturizer

"This is just that kind of moisturizer you fall in love with the minute it touches your face. The application really is that elegant. It's got that beautiful light creaminess, but it feels very, very hydrating as well. [...] I called it deceptively moisturizing because it feels so hydrating when you're applying it. And it does actually feel lightish, but it's got some magic to it. And it leaves the skin with this beautiful healthy natural finish."

✓Yay

76%Guru Score

Dr.Althea 147 Barrier Cream

"It is dense. It is creamy. It is a stunning formula and it is great for sensitive and sensitized skin as well. But even though it has that heaviness, there is zero greasiness, at least in my experience, which makes me feel that this is really great and comforting for compromised skin. Even if it's oily, this can be used by quite a wide broad range of skin conditions. It's creamy, rich, but fast absorbing with a soft, natural skin finish."

✓Yay

74%Guru Score

Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Concentrate Lotion

"This is intensely hydrating and moisturizing. [...] This brand kind of takes me back to the earlier years of my channel and I love it. It's gentle and therapeutic enough to use on really sensitive skin, so I'm talking postprocedure, atopic dermatitis, eczema, and even babies can use this. But the texture and application is what I really love. It is so hydrating but it's also moisturizing as well. It just feels great on the skin, instantly calming and soothing."

✓Yay

90%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer

"I've been loving Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer. This has three peptides that really help our skin attract and hold on to hydration and moisture. It's all about the skin plumping and I have to say this is really, really effective at that. [...] This is like a beautiful gel balm that is so intensely hydrating. You almost feel your skin immediately plump out when you apply it. This also leaves a really, really healthy glow and it looks great under makeup as well."

✓Yay

76%Guru Score

Rhode Barrier Butter Intensive Moisture Balm

"From first use, actually, I kind of fell in love with this because I've always longed for a formula that dares to be this intense. It kind of saved my skin during the period when I was really ill. There were moments where almost everything was cracking. I would just grab this, sloppily apply, and I kid you not, my skin was embalmed for a few days. This is not something that disappeared when I woke up the next day. Protected is probably the best word I can use."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream

"For days when my skin just feels really irritated, there's a lot of redness and rawness, and I just want pure comfort, then I really love Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream. I don't find this to be very rich, [...] but there's something so comforting about it. It's very moisturizing, which is exactly what my skin needs when it's feeling irritated and raw. This is one of my favorite drugstore moisturizers."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Phytoceramides

"Even though it is a dense cream, this is so moisturizing and so protective that I could be sleeping in front of an industrial heating unit and I will wake up the next morning with glowy skin. So I love the richness of this. I also really love the way it makes my skin look as well. When I do use this during the day it's on days where I just don't wear any makeup because makeup does not sit well over this."

✓Yay

75%Guru Score

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan

"I love the texture of this; it is so lush and it feels great to apply. The nature of beta glucan is that it can be quite a sticky humectant, like honey, but you don't feel that at all. It just forms this really weightless flexible film on your skin, leaving the texture very, very smooth. The way in which I really love using this a lot is as a sleeping mask, just a thin layer over all my other skincare. It shouldn't work, but it just does."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion

"Obviously the hot lava lotions are to me some of the most perfect hydrating formulas out there super super simple and it just hydrates"

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Allie Facial Gel UVX

"This is even more lightweight. I love using this during the summer. I'm not sure I could use it during the colder drier winter months however. It does sit really well over dense and heavy moisturizer. It will remove some of the shine, blur some of the pores. It makes for an excellent makeup primer. Truly weightless, easy to apply, it goes on like silk. I'm a fan."

✓Yay

82%Guru Score

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

"After cleansing, this has to be like my all-time new favorite hair treatment serum. This is a barrier-fortifying serum for the scalp that's so good I want to use this on my face, and the only reason why I don't is because my face already gets so much. The [...] texture [...] is super lightweight, very milky but lightweight, very hydrating without the use of alcohols, which actually is in the majority of hair serums that I've tried."

✓Yay

70%Guru Score

Klairs Rich Moist Soothing Cream

"This was recently repackaged and it got to remind me how much I loved this. This has been the perfect moisturizer for me for right now and also through a very mild winter that I experienced, because even though it says it's rich, I don't find it to be heavy. This really has such a comforting, silky emollient texture. It's particularly good if your skin is just stressed. Klairs does moisturizers really really well, they just get the texture down."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Hada Labo Gokujyun Premium Lotion

"I love using the Hada Labo Gokujun lotion on my skin. I use this all over, I even use it on my hair. This is so all-purpose, it's amazing for the face but really amazing for everywhere, even down to my feet. For times like now, the premium formula which is the gold bottle is what I tend to go for because it's really really intense. This just works so well, especially if you've got the scalies or the flaky skin."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

Cetaphil Cracked Skin Repair Lotion

"A truly effective option is from [Cetaphil], their Cracked Skin Repair Lotion. [...] One of the things that makes this so effective is that it contains 10 percent urea. Urea is [...] one of my favorite humectants, but at such a high concentration it is particularly good for dry itchy skin. Once you hit above the 10 percent concentration mark, that's when it starts to have a slight exfoliating effect as well, but it's not a harsh exfoliating effect, it's quite a gentle one."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

Strivectin TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Plus

"I feel like they nailed the texture—this is substantially moisturizing, which is something we need particularly during the colder drier months. It gets in there so [...] your skin doesn't have all those visible crepiness and lines, but at the same time it is not clammy. You don't feel it sitting on top of your skin—it sinks in. I apply it from the bottom all the way to the end of my chin and [...] around my jawline as well because you want to firm this whole area up."

✓Yay

63%Guru Score

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream

"It is so elegant, it feels so good on the skin, it makes the skin look so good. Again, it appears richer than it feels, super silky. It also has a nice glidy slip, which makes it really good for just a little bit of facial massage when you're applying it. To me, this acts like a rich cream, but it doesn't feel like one. [...] I can easily use this cream in the summer as well. There's a lightness about it, a lightness that kind of makes my skin feel just a little tighter."

✓Yay
Sponsored

Notverified

Centellian24 Expert Madeca Cream Active Renew PDRN

"I personally like this more than the other Centellian24 moisturizers, which are also really really good, but this one just stands out a bit more for me. [...] In Korea, Centellian24 is a pharmaceutical grade brand, you see these moisturizers in every single pharmacy. [...] I really love that this cream also has the ability to bring your skin's temperature down by 6 degrees, using an ingredient called beta sterile ( [...] I probably mispronounced it) for the cooling effect."

✓Yay
Sponsored

Notverified

VT Reedle Shot PDRN Capsule Cream

"VT's PDRN line for me last year was just a superstar. I loved everything I tried from their capsule cream, which I mean, it's just glorious. This is something, especially during the summer that I loved using."

✓Yay
Sponsored

87%Guru Score

Avène RetrinAL 0.1% Intensive Cream (reformulated)

"Aen is the retinol OG. They had the patent on it for a very long time, and their retinol moisturizer formulas have only just improved. The 0.05% is newer, but they also have the 0.1% as well. These are very lightweight and super fast absorbing. They're moisturizing, but they actually leave a dry touch finish. It's a far simpler formula. It's got niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, but it is effective. It works. In fact, the 0.1% just feels stronger than the others."

✓Yay
Sponsored

84%Guru Score

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream

"These Japanese moisturizers are in a luxury texture category of their own. We're talking super silky, refined. The moisturizer actually feels lighter than that of the eye cream even, but it is still moisturizing. Actually, feels really hydrating. It doesn't sit on the skin at all. It does seem to just sink in, but it does leave the texture of your skin feeling really soft and smooth."

✓Yay
Sponsored

Notverified

Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream

"Another really effective way I've used this, especially as we're going into the drier months, is as a sleeping mask. Before I go to bed I apply a thin layer over my moisturizer and it's just that moisture holding grippiness. You wake up in the morning with super plumped out skin."

✓Yay
Sponsored

81%Guru Score

Mary&May Idebenone Blackberry Intense Cream

"This is intense without that heavy or even a greasy finish, so even using it during the daytime wearing makeup underneath, it's all good. I would say the finish is like velvet dewy. [...] It's got that yellow color that comes from the idebenone. This has a patented independently developed Skin Barrier complex that not only protects the Skin Barrier but also strengthens its own natural moisturizing ability."

✓Yay
Sponsored

86%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous Happy Barrier Cream

"Happy Barrier is really silky, dreamy, moisturizing but light. It contains 10% squalane but also a lipid mixture with ceramides and the lipids used are ones that mimic the natural lipids that already exist in our skin. The color of this moisturizer comes from the green tea extract, which just shows that there is a high amount of polyphenols in here. The [...] texture is just that perfect lightweight, silky smooth, very hydrating, great for normal to oily skin or really hot humid weather."

✓Yay
Sponsored

79%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station Moisturizer

"The texture is [...] this comforting creamy gel, and the formula is actually oil-free. If you're breakout-prone and scared to use a moisturizer, this is the perfect moisturizer for you. I personally love the texture of this. [...] It goes on really pleasantly smooth, and it actually even sits well under makeup. But certainly during the dead of winter I will need more so now serums or more problem-focused solutions."

✓Yay
Sponsored

82%Guru Score

Allies of Skin Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm

"A moisturizer I love to use for tretinoin nights is this one from Allies of Skin, their Molecular Barrier Recovery Cream Balm. This works like a skin repair balm without having the consistency of one. This has a creamy texture yet it's still very silky when you apply it. It's not greasy or oily but it is very moisturizing. It's just comforting on the skin, especially when your skin needs recovery."

✓Yay
Sponsored

79%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Calm Rescue and Repair Intensive Moisturizer

"This is such a perfect moisturizer for the evening before going to bed, especially when you need something more intense for your skin. For me, I don't really like going to bed with skin that is really sort of greasy or heavy with product that has not sunk in or doesn't dry down because [...] my hair will get into it and stick; I move around a lot in my sleep; I smear my face in the pillows; it's just disruptive."

✓Yay
Sponsored

72%Guru Score

Sunscreen26 reviews

AHC Master's Icy Jelly Sunstick

"The texture is something I haven't yet experienced in a sunstick, [...] it goes on cold and feels [...] like gliding cold water on your skin. It's thin and weightless, which makes it perfect for reapplication because it's light as a feather. The stick itself has a bouncy texture and goes on completely invisible. [...] Even when I apply a lot, there's no feeling of heaviness, it's really weightless."

✓Yay

92%Guru Score

Haruharu Wonder Black Bamboo Daily Soothing Sunshield SPF50+ PA++++

"This one from Haruharu Wonder their black bamboo daily soothing sunshield I absolutely love it. It is so effortlessly glidy when I use this there is no tugging. A lot of times with these more waxy looking sticks you know it takes a few tugs to kind of get it going and even then it just feels like dry and this feels almost as I'm gliding it almost moist. It's also cooling as you apply it and I love that cooling sensation especially for spring and summer the hotter warmer months."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Beauty of Joseon Daily Tinted Fluid Sunscreen SPF 40

"It's so lightweight it's practically water and it's so thin it's really quite beautiful. [...] You can apply a lot and just not really notice it. This works beautifully under makeup or just on its own which is what I tend to do. I find there to be barely any coverage, just enough of a tint to mask a white cast. There are 12 shades of this which is really nice, and because of the blendability of it I can use like three of these shades and it would match me well."

✓Yay

61%Guru Score

Supergoop Protect Tint Daily SPF 50

"The application is so easy, it's so light I can apply multiple layers. The tint really is quite subtle, so even after applying two layers, which is what I do with my sunscreens, it's not like you have a lot of coverage. It still looks like your skin, everything is just slightly more evened out. And it dries down giving a kind of skin perfecting and blurring look as well. I do wish these were larger bottles though. This is practically travel size, and it's been great for travel."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Eucerin Sensitive Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 35

"I also love these two sunscreens from Eucerin, the one that is kind of similar to the Supergoop is their Sensitive Mineral Face Sunscreen with an SPF of 35. This has a universal tint and that skin perfecting finish on the skin so you don't really need makeup afterwards. So what I've been using as base makeup this year and really loving it."

✓Yay

76%Guru Score

Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid SPF 30

"This is quite sheer but during the summer I don't really wear makeup I love a good skin tint that's quite flattering and this is it"

✓Yay

92%Guru Score

Skin Aqua Super Moisture Barrier UV Gel SPF50+ PA4+

"Skin Aqua just recently launched their Super Moisture Barrier UV Gel with an SPF of 50 and PA of 4 plus. [...] It is probably one of the most lightweight sunscreens I've used but it's also super resistant in all the ways that count. I would say this is better for normal to oily skin."

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk

"This is probably the best upgrade yet. This now has better protection, is even more resistant to elements, sand, water, everything. The texture is even lighter, it's smoother, it's actually just plain old silky and weightless and it is great under makeup. For those with darker skin tones who may have experienced a cast using the previous versions of this, this has also become more blendable."

✓Yay

71%Guru Score

Skin Aqua Tone Up UV Essence SPF 50 PA4+

"The Superstar which is my personal favorite and to date the most flattering sunscreen I have ever used is their latte beige. This does something that really levels up the appearance of my skin and again it's subtle but noticeable. This has a latte beige tint which is a very accurate description of it but it's very sheer so there is no coverage to this, completely shears out, but what's great is this is a sunscreen that could be used on even darker skin tones. I've purchased this so many times."

✓Yay

81%Guru Score

Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk SPF 50 PA++++

"For extreme exposure days, for outdoor sports, for holidays, for hiking, anytime where I'm going to be outdoors for a long time, and during the times when the sun is strongest, the formula that I personally go for the most is this new one from Anessa, their Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk with an SPF of 50 plus a PA of four pluses. This is their 2022 version so again, this formula has been updated with even newer and better technology to really better protect our skin."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Correct Daily Lotion SPF 70

"It helps to calm redness and just general evenness in skin tone. I was very much seduced by the finish of this because the finish is so beautifully radiant. It leaves my skin with a mega watt glow, but not just that. I feel like it even makes my skin look brighter when I use it. [...] This is actually an oil-free formula even though it has some nice emollients to it. So it will add emollients to your skin or keep the moisture in your skin without being this heavy, cumbersome layer."

✓Yay

64%Guru Score

La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF 50+

"It has their Net Lock technology which ensures higher protection in a much thinner almost invisible weightless layer. [...] The application is so fast absorbing, and this dries down quickly and then it just does not budge, it does not migrate, which is why you can actually use this around your eye area which I love. [...] This is great for normal to oilier skin types and for very hot and humid weather, and it keeps everything dry to the touch."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

Avène Intense Protect SPF 50+ Sunscreen

"This is so comforting for dry skin when you apply it but still leaves your skin sufficiently moisturized for a pretty long time. It is safe to use around the eye area, although if you really have very very sensitive eyes do not go all in at once. This has no fragrance, no alcohol, great for very sensitive skin and can be used on infants from six months old."

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+ PA++++ (Korean formula)

"This still feels very very silky and lightweight but it does leave your skin feeling quite moisturized, so this would actually even be a good moisturizer replacement because it's got some beautiful moisturizer ingredients and barrier protecting ingredients in it. I love the skin finish on it. It gives you this sort of radiance from within kind of glow that looks really flattering under makeup. [...] I like to put sunscreen on in lighter layers and this is a very easy formula to do that with."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+ PA++++

"Texture-wise, I don't know if it gets much better than this. It almost feels like you are applying water. It does come out creamy, but when you're applying it, the texture is so interesting. It feels watery. We're talking so lightweight, silky, elegant. You just can't go wrong. This is non-greasy and it's invisible, but I still feel like it does leave that skin smoothing, really flattering kind of finish on the skin."

✓Yay
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87%Guru Score

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 50

"If you've tried the original Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector, I find that sunscreen very moisturizing on the skin as well."

✓Yay
Sponsored

60%Guru Score

Shiseido Mineral Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion SPF 60

"I'm kind of surprised by how much I actually love the Shiseido Sun Protector Lotion Mineral Sunscreen with an SPF of 60 plus. [...] I love the way it feels and it applies, it actually makes my skin look good, it's flattering, but also I like that it's sort of moisturizing. [...] I like that it's one and done, face and body. [...] This is fragrance-free and it's about 85% skin care ingredients to benefit the skin, to soften fine lines and even the skin tone."

✓Yay
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75%Guru Score

Round Lab Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ (Korean formula)

"SPF of 50, PA of four pluses. Time and again, this is always just a bestseller. And there is a good reason why. I feel like it maintains all the properties of the Korean sunscreens that we just love so much, except it's even lighter. It's elegant. It's so easy to wear. It feels really nice even on top of your skincare. It's great under makeup. It feels hydrating. It's non-greasy. You don't really feel it sitting on your skin. So, it's like very natural finish."

✓Yay
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85%Guru Score

Anua Zero Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen SPF 50

"One I really did love and this is a more moisturizing sunscreen. I think it's great for this time of year is from Anua their Zero Cast Moisturizing Finish Sunscreen. This has US chemical filters. I do love the application. I love that this gives a healthy moisturized glowy finish, which is so hard to achieve right now when it's so dry. And I love that they have a built-in kind of measuring cup in their cap, which helps us use the right amount."

✓Yay
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75%Guru Score

Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA++++

"So this is one of the first Korean sunscreens that has that water resistance, sweat resistance, friction resistance, seawater, sand, but also this supposedly has like a 10-hour wear. I've been in many situations where I've had to spend long hours outdoors with a lot of sun exposure and this is what I've been using. This has all that resistance without compromising on that beautiful Korean sunscreen elegance that I love so much."

✓Yay
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77%Guru Score

Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice + B5 SPF 50+ PA++++

"The new sunscreen from Beauty of Joseon, the Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Rice + B5 with an SPF of 50 and PA++++, [...] is a lighter weight version of the original Rice and Probiotics, which I also love. The difference between the two is not so extreme. It's just that the texture of this one is lighter, but on the skin it still makes the skin look really healthy and hydrated."

✓Yay
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91%Guru Score

Mary&May Vegan Peptide Bakuchiol Sun Stick SPF 50 PA++++

"I love the one from Mary&May, their vegan peptide bakuchiol sunstick with an SPF of 50. I love this because it's well aging skincare as well with like 25 different peptides, it's got bakuchiol, but also it is weightless and really silky."

✓Yay
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Versed Total Package Replenishing Body Lotion SPF 30

"It's a mineral sunscreen with an SPF of 30. I've been using this on days where I'm just getting incidental sun exposure and it's been really perfect for that. What I like about this is the texture during application is really light but then it's actually quite an intensely moisturizing sunscreen. But what prevents it from feeling really heavy on the skin is it's got a dry touch finish, so it definitely mattifies down and it's not invasive. It doesn't feel sticky or gooey."

✓Yay
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82%Guru Score

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF 50+ PA++++

"It's just one of those golden locks but with sunscreens kind of situations. I think that the texture it gets it just right for what I want. There's no scent. The finish, it's not too velvet, it's not too radiant, it's got that perfect texture between gel and cream where it's a little more gelish but it isn't so lightweight that it's nothingness. It's also quite hydrating as well, it's very very refreshing on the skin."

✓Yay
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80%Guru Score

TOCOBO Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF 50+ PA++++

"The texture is like a hydrating creamy gel, it is actually very gel like. This isn't moisturizing, this is a nice light layer to apply over your moisturizer. It feels hydrating at first because of its refreshing gel texture but it dries down really quickly into almost weightless velvet finish on your skin and makeup applies really lovely over this. It has that kind of jasmine tea scent or like white florals from bellflower."

✓Yay
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86%Guru Score

Benton Airfit UV Defense Sun Cream

"This has a slightly more hydrating texture to me but also it's cooling when you apply it. It's quite refreshing. It has an almost medicinal scent to it, it's actually Rosemary in this, it just smells slightly medicinal and I think it's coupled with the cooling effect and how it's just a bit hydrating when you first apply it. This dries down really quickly again and does feel very primary as well, sits very nicely under makeup."

✓Yay
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Masks & Peels19 reviews

Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask

"It dethroned my previous favorite, which is the Medicube overnight wrapping mask. [...] The texture of this one is kind of what makes all the difference, it's a thick creamy mochi paste, and the texture makes the application process a little better. I feel like you end up using less because you apply it much like you're applying a moisturizer. [...] I love how it transforms from that creamy mochi into just a transparent like glass film."

✓Yay

65%Guru Score

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Pore Minimizing Quick Clay Stick Mask

"This applies so beautifully, so elegantly. I just don't see the point of ever using my fingers to spread a clay mask ever again. It's got the smoothest, silkiest glide on the skin, but also it's creamy enough to just be a completely effortless application. There's no pulling or dragging on your skin as you use this, and it dispenses just the right amount, a nice thin layer that covers everything, gets in the pores, everything."

✓Yay

82%Guru Score

Round Lab Camellia Deep Collagen Firming Gel Mask

"When you peel it off your skin is so smooth it looks poreless and everything actually feels tighter and firmer. The key ingredient here is their own trademark complex which amongst other things combines camellia which is super antioxidant rich and great for well-aging and of course their low molecular weight collagen. The pink color comes from the vitamin B12 which really calms the skin. This is good for sensitive skin. I also love the fact that this contains granactive retinoids as well."

✓Yay

90%Guru Score

APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Sheet Mask

"This is such a legit legitimate and intense treatment for like way under a dollar. [...] The material of this mask is so soft and its ability to hold such a vast amount of serum is quite astounding. Afterwards my skin feels so hydrated, so plumped out, so calmed down, and even looks bright. This doesn't give the same ironed out smoothness that I get from a hydrogel, but it is quite an incomparable intense plumping and hydrated glow."

✓Yay

82%Guru Score

Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask

"This is something that I've talked about quite a lot already from Laneige, their Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask. I've never been into eye sleeping masks before, the ones I've tried always just seemed like they're eye creams. This one from first use completely shocked me. You apply this over your regular eye cream and by the next morning your skin looks like you've worn eye pads the entire night. Everything is just completely ironed out, all the visible lines are just not there."

✓Yay

69%Guru Score

Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask

"Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask is pretty much the one I consistently use the most. This has multi-low molecular collagen, which is quite fundamental in all of these sheet masks, but what makes this one stand out a little extra for me is that this contains also galactomyces ferment filtrate, which is just an ingredient I love, my skin loves it. It just gives my skin that extra complexion enhancing kick."

✓Yay

70%Guru Score

Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask

"I always really appreciated that there's something very special and intense about Innisfree's Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask. It's just clearly better at taking out any kind of blackheads or anything stuck in the pores, especially around my nasal area where it's very obvious. It's better at doing that than almost anything else I've tried. I did an experiment once with a couple of my friends where we put the volcanic clay on one side and another clay mask on the other side."

✓Yay

64%Guru Score

Dr Sam's Revival Mask

"Dr Sam's Revival Mask is what I put on my skin for a long haul flight and after a long haul flight because it is just so nourishing and moisturizing. It is a quick protective fix for really parched skin or anytime your skin just really needs some love after any kind of extreme exposure."

✓Yay

90%Guru Score

Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask

"This has their red complex of antioxidant rich red fruit. The texture is elegant, it's creamy but it's really silky and it has that film-forming aspect to it which I love. The next morning my skin just looks brighter and everything looks healthier and better. Scent-wise, [...] this is the only overnight formula that I use that has a scent to it because I just really like it. I find it very pleasant and it really kind of helps me drift off."

✓Yay

89%Guru Score

Torriden Cellmazing Firming Gel Mask

"This is all about the collagen and the peptides. This is a three-part mask so you've got the upper face, lower face, but also you have a neck mask. There are a lot of face masks attached to neck mask that can be very sloppy, but the way this is done is just perfect. I'm at that point where a hydrogel mask on my neck can make a big difference, it will completely smooth everything out, so I'm grateful that this is so well done."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Lindsay Modeling Mask

"I haven't used rubber masks for a really, really long time, it kind of died out for me, and then I went to Seoul in the beginning of the year, I had a treatment, and it ended, of course, as always, with the rubber mask, and my feelings just got completely reignited. I've been using them since. There are very few things that can make my skin look as good and feel as good in as short a time, it really is kind of that instant fix. Everything is brighter, smoother, softer, more revitalized."

✓Yay

69%Guru Score

Lancôme Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask

"This was surprisingly unique and different from the other eye masks that I've tried, but also this is probably one of the most effective eye treatments I've ever tried. The texture of this is an unusual matte gel. I apply this probably too liberally because it just feels so comforting when you apply it a nice thick layer. I apply it not just on my under eyes but also on my upper ocular bone as well, and it is just immediately soothing and calming. It feels really, really nice."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant

"I personally love that this is a combination of mandelic acid and time release lactic acid. As many of you know I have been a fan of mandelic acid since the beginning. My sensitive reactive skin, especially back in the day, was just not comfortable with a lot of the glycolic acid formulas out there that were just so harsh. Mandelic was so much easier to tolerate for my skin. I think for winter too this is such a great exfoliant."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

"Probably the most iconic salicylic acid formula out there is from Paula's Choice. Their 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is just formulated to work so well, so effectively, that it helps even in ways you don't expect. In terms of being analgesic, it can get rid of a lot of redness from inflammation, but it also actually helps with pigmentation as well."

✓Yay

88%Guru Score

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Mask

"From The Ordinary, their Salicylic Acid 2% Mask is something I use as a spot treat. I can also use it all over if I want. I leave it on for about five to ten minutes and my skin just feels so clean and fresh afterwards."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

MIXSOON Black and White Rice Peeling Ampoule

"Mixoon's black and white rice peeling amples. I personally find these to be like a gentler alternative to the Dr. Maxin. There are no acids in them but they still manage to get the job done and transform the skin texture, make it really smooth. The white rice is for very sensitive skin that's dry and dull. It [...] uses mainly enzymes and ferments. The physical exfoliation comes from the cellulose polymers. The formula feels quite hydrating."

✓Yay
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Geek & Gorgeous Cheer Up 5% Mandelic Acid plus 1% BHA

"I just think mandelic is that perfect combination of AHA and BHA functions. It's less irritating than a lot of AHAs because of its larger molecule size, but it still exfoliates. But also it's oil soluble so it can get down in the pores as well. This is a gentle formula that was developed for those with normal to oily skin, so it works really well for combination skin as well. With the BHA, it's just a great combination for keeping the pores clear."

✓Yay
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78%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous Smooth Out Liquid Exfoliant with 12% AHA

"This has a very effective combination of acids and it just works like a dream. But I really don't get the same kind of irritation or tingling that I usually do. I think that has a lot to do with the cactus ferment which helps mitigate neurosensory irritation. This ingredient is also used in some luxury high-end brands' exfoliating formulas. This is a very lightweight watery formula. I never apply acids with my hands; a cotton pad will ensure even application."

✓Yay
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81%Guru Score

Paula's Choice 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant

"Paula's Choice 1% BHA Sensitive Skin Exfoliant works effectively but also feels quite soothing on the skin. For something that isn't a leave-on treatment, it's kind of like a flash treatment but super effective."

✓Yay
Sponsored

81%Guru Score

Cleansers17 reviews

Dr Sam's Flawless Cleanser

"Of course, a staple for me is Dr. Sam's Flawless [...] Cleanser. All of these wash off completely clean without residue. Does not dry out the skin. They're effective and I feel like it's just changed the overall condition of my skin to be better."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

House of Hur Midnight Soothing Cleansing Balm

"This one is so super cozy and so comfy. This kind of shaves just a thin layer. This is such a soft creamy texture. This is one of those calming, soothing cleansing balms. This uses black rice. I love anything rice in a cleanser. It also has chia seeds. It transforms pretty much a touch to a silky, rich oil, but it's not oily. This melts all manner of makeup, including eye makeup, and emulsifies beautifully."

✓Yay

81%Guru Score

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Deep Cleansing Oil

"It's rather light. This has to be the most comforting oil cleansing experience I've had in a long time. [...] It really feels luxurious to apply. It's that bouncy texture which makes the whole massaging process and cleansing process feel really nice and comforting. This formula is only nine ingredients and is 95% natural plant oils. This also cleanses really deeply, has an impact on removing blackheads as well."

✓Yay

87%Guru Score

Arencia Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser

"These cleansers are meant to be first and second cleansers in one, but that doesn't work as well for me. They're not really able to replace my oil-based cleanser, especially where removing stubborn makeup is concerned. It doesn't do the best job of removing makeup around my eyes. But this is a great second cleanser, and it can be used as a mask. I really feel like it does something to brighten the complexion and deeply cleanse without stripping the skin."

~Mixed

62%Guru Score

The Face Shop Rice Water Bright Cleansing Oil

"Some of you may remember one of my old school favorite first cleansers from the Face Shop their rice water bright oil cleanser. I think that is when I really fell in love with rice brand oil especially in a first cleanser. I mean I just love rice as a skincare ingredient anyway."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Juno & Co Jade Clean 10 Cleansing Balm

"This is their new refillable version, and the pods use 78% less plastic. I love the softness and texture, it's not tough and waxy. It instantly melts upon contact with the skin and everything just disintegrates immediately. The freshly peeled orange smell just kind of wakes up my senses. It has 10 clean ingredients including things like Japanese pearl barley, and it has that refined texture. It will remove all the most stubborn makeup."

✓Yay

73%Guru Score

Sachi Skin Saponins Cream Cleanser

"This just feels so decadent and I do love the color. [...] This uses saponins which is a plant surfactant but it's so gentle. This just gives my skin that calming soothing comfort when I use it. [...] This is great for those days when your skin just needs a more intense cleanse like if you've been sweating all day you have tons of layers, but of course this is still a very gentle cleanser."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser

"In fact, this was tested on babies from 3 to 18 months, no tears, no redness. This was also tested against some other very well-known formulas for children and it came out as just being more gentle on the skin. I just naturally reach for it when my skin feels like it's got a lot of heaviness just sitting on top. I find this to be a great second cleanser after an oil-based cleanser. This would especially make normal to oily skin happy."

✓Yay

70%Guru Score

The Ordinary Glycolipid Cream Cleanser

"It doesn't really emulsify in the way that I'm used to, I don't see it turning milky, but it still rinses off clean. For this reason I prefer this to the squalane cleanser, which does not quite rinse off clean and leaves a residue on the skin. This removes all my sunscreen and makeup. It's a great first cleanser if you have normal to oily skin or if you just don't prefer or enjoy an oil-based first cleanser."

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

"I've been loving and using this ever since they upgraded like two years ago their most favored beloved dependable formula and just made it better. This is exactly the kind of second cleanser that I love which is super gentle, calming, soothing, hydrating. The difference between this and the old formula is that they removed the fragrance but they also added niacinamide, glycerin, vitamin B5, so it's very hydrating as well."

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam

"The set contains their cleansing foam, which is deeply cleansing and it leaves your skin feeling really soft afterwards."

✓Yay
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Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

"The Radiance Cleansing Balm has been featured in some of my previous routines. It's the combination of rice bran water which I just love so much in a cleanser. It's also got the soothing oats and rose hip and I love that the texture is nice and rich. This is great for drier skin types or anyone who just loves that lush cleanser application."

✓Yay
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80%Guru Score

Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Cleansing Oil

"What draws me to this formula is really the medicinal scent. I just love that first whiff as I'm applying it. It's very herbal and refreshing in that it wakes everything up. It's a very sagacious and very grounding scent. I definitely detect the nigella and svia as well and those are stimulating the senses but relaxing at the same time. This all comes naturally from the ingredients. The brand doesn't add additional fragrances or essential oils for the sake of scent."

✓Yay
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69%Guru Score

Mary&May Vegan Low pH Hyaluronic Gel Cleanser

"It's gentle on the skin. This contains 10 different weights of hyaluronic acid as well as ceramides and it just has that really lush soothing gel texture that I love. It slightly foams, I like to call it a milky lather because it really is quite gentle, so it's non-stripping, but it's one of those cleansers that just soothes and hydrates as you cleanse. So after cleansing your skin just does not feel dry or tight."

✓Yay
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Geek & Gorgeous 101 Mighty Melt Cleansing Balm

"It's pretty much the texture that does it for me and of course the overall user experience. This has that textural refinement that in my experience is usually reserved for the very high-end Japanese cleansing balms, and of course this does have Japanese technology in it. It does not sting the eyes and rinses off completely without residue. This will remove it all, from the very resistant sunscreens to waterresistant, stubborn eye makeup. It's one and done."

✓Yay
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95%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous Jelly Joker Low pH Cleanser

"The jelly Joker is quite remarkable. The texture alone is just so next level, gives you that heightened cleansing experience, but this is also about as gentle as a water-based second step cleanser can be. This uses micellar water cleansing technology, which really does blend gentleness and effectiveness at cleansing the skin. Micellar water is designed to be gentle enough to be left on the skin, and this is pretty much a micellar water cleanser but in the form of a luscious, luscious thick gel."

✓Yay
Sponsored

78%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Ultra Gentle Cleanser

"I want my second cleanse to gently caress my skin, so I'm using Paula's Choice Ultra Gentle Cleanser. This isn't so much foamy as it is milky and it feels almost moisturizing."

✓Yay
Sponsored

62%Guru Score

Other16 reviews

VT PDRN Glow Ample

"I'm using VT's PDRN Glow Ample. This is one of the finest misters I've tried. This with the patches is kind of my favorite pairing. This is my everything mist at the moment. So, it's completely melted down and it's pretty cool because I can still feel the patches on my skin. I feel like it's got that Botox effect in that everything just feels really kind of firm and tight and all the lines disappear. Everything's kind of glowy. Just small expressions like lifting my brows, smiling."

✓Yay

Notverified

VT PDRN Reedle Shot

"From the first time using it, it just didn't feel right. I did not like the way it felt at all. This kind of triggers the same response I had as a teenager using apricot scrub on my face. [...] The kind of discomfort from this feels irritating in the wrong way and the results don't justify it. I'd rather use an AHA."

✕Nay

73%Guru Score

The Ordinary Aloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution

"This is a great skin treatment for pre or post acne skin, but I particularly appreciate how this addresses so many post acne visible appearance concerns. [...] This reduces the appearance of post-inflammatory erythema, all those bright red marks that take forever usually to fade and are impossible to conceal in any natural looking way. But this also helps with post acne skin texture as well."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

Goodal Vit C Dark Spot Care Tangerine Extract

"The Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Care Cream, my skin actually looks like it's got a top coat layer of varnish on it and it's not that sort of oily greasy glow either because the cream actually isn't really oily. It's seriously the most intensely hydrating cream. This has that pudding Jell-O texture and it is quite thick, but when you apply it and when it dries down I feel like it kind of tightens my skin as it dries down, everything just feels tighter which is nice."

✓Yay

75%Guru Score

Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint

"I've loved for years the water-fresh tint which just makes your complexion look better somehow."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

Rodan+Fields Glazing Milk

"This comes out quite densely milky and it feels hydrating and moisturizing when you apply it on the skin as well as very comforting, but then it kind of absorbs and dries down to a finish that does not leave any oiliness, but your skin feels moisturized and it does leave a nice radiance without the oiliness or greasiness. This is very versatile, but the way I use it and I feel this works best is as a liquid moisturizer. This has all the moisturizing ingredients but it's also hydrating as well."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

Egyptian Magic Egyptian Magic

"One of my favorite bombs ever and I've been using this for decades is Egyptian Magic. This is five ingredients and all about the honey, the propolis, the royal jelly, the beeswax and olive oil. It's a bomb that transforms to an oil as soon as you apply it. It has real staying power, it's nourishing, it's also antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial."

✓Yay

77%Guru Score

Aklief Aklief

"Then I started using Aklief. This intrigued me so much because this uses trifarotene, which is the latest in retinoid technology that we've had in the last 20, 30 years, with a really hydrating texture that I enjoy and prefer, but it's a lot gentler on my skin. This also really noticeably affected surface appearance, especially where pores are concerned, and that's been a pleasant surprise."

✓Yay

74%Guru Score

NIOD Copper Amino Isolate Lipid 1%

"CAIL is a bit more of an acquired taste in my opinion, I personally love it though. This formula is all about volume and keeping that youthful, plump volume. It's mainly the texture that I believe is not for everyone. It might put some people off, but I think [...] you have to play around with this first when you first try it. It's gonna seem like it can't really spread, it's gonna seem too thick, almost Vaseline-like, but it goes through a texture change while you're applying."

✓Yay

69%Guru Score

NIOD Sanskrit Saponins

"Sanskrit Saponins during the summer or for really congested skin can be a real skin saver. It is one of the more effective cleansers, but it really, really decongests as well, all without being too stripping in my experience. Like it actually feels like a gentle cleanser. I approached this cleanser the same way I would approach an intense treatment, so like a clay mask or something. So if I were to use this every single day, it would definitely dry out my skin or be just too strong for my skin."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Klairs Fundamental Nourishing Eye Butter

"It's got its peptide complex. I reviewed it a couple of times, but I do just appreciate how moisturizing it is. And it doesn't migrate. I like those textures that immediately sink into the skin, kind of dries down, absorbs really quickly, but leaves this area just really well protected. Even overnight with the heating units, this keeps this area well moisturized. I can also use it on my upper eyelids. I apply by dabbing because it feels like it absorbs almost immediately."

✓Yay
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84%Guru Score

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

"I find this to be quite a hard worker. If you're using this consistently every single day for a few weeks, you will already begin to see the difference in the texture of your skin and how refined it looks. Smoother, more even toned and brighter. This definitely brings out an inner skin glow. It's different from very hydrated skin glow. This is not dewiness. This is like radiance from within coming out."

✓Yay
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Geek & Gorgeous A-Game range

"This gave me some sensitivity some low-key inflammation but it still wasn't as bad as what I've experienced before with retinol"

✓Yay
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91%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous Calm Down

"I reach for this quite a lot in fact, the two I reach for the most is the Smooth Out and the Calm Down. This was developed for those with really sensitive skin or skin with aging concerns. If you're looking for an everyday exfoliant, then this would be perfect for that because I can tell you it definitely is effective. Because this uses PHAs, which is a lot gentler than AHAs, as well as a lower concentration of BHA, this will not increase sun sensitivity."

✓Yay
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78%Guru Score

Geek & Gorgeous HA5 Rich

"The HA5 serums are just your very solid, dependable hydrating serums. So the light and the rich versions both contain five different weights of hyaluronic acid, but the difference in these is that they're only using the mid to large molecular weights. So those of you whose skin can't really tolerate the lower weights of hyaluronic acid, then these would be better for you."

✓Yay
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75%Guru Score

Curology Custom Formula

"My tretinoin journey began with Curology, which is the sister brand to Agency. Curology was mainly focused on treating acne, although people like myself were able to customize great formulas. [...] I can't use the traditionally prescribed tretinoin formulas because they come in two strengths, both of which are just way too high for me, 0.025 or 0.05 percent, and that's just way too strong for my skin, which is very sensitive and very rosacea prone."

✓Yay
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82%Guru Score

Eye Care14 reviews

OneSkin OS-01 Eye Topical Supplement

"I'm kind of locked in with OneSkin's OS-01 Eye Topical Supplement. I started using this last year and I've been loving it and I am sticking to it. The OS-01 is one of the latest and most advanced peptides that really help your skin become more resilient to the aging process. It's creamy, which I really like because it's very moisturizing without being heavy. It does absorb beautifully, but at the same time it does plump out the fine lines. It just feels good. It's powerful, love it."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

K-Secret Soul 1988 Eye Cream Retinal Liposome 4% and Fermented Bean

"It's got this hydrating gel-like consistency and it absorbs really fast, leaving the skin around the eye area actually quite plump and hydrated. This is great year round, but if the skin around your eyes gets really dry and crinkly in the winter time then you may need something over it. [...] I've been using this around my eyes and so far it's been great. This formula is kind of a well-aging powerhouse."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Bright & Tight Dark Circle Firming Eye Cream

"When everything feels and looks dull and fatigued or even anemic it's all about the brightening. It contains three derivatives of vitamin C, the three that are the most powerful at visibly brightening the skin. This also contains 3% tranexamic acid as well as licorice root which are both well known for helping brighten the skin and even out pigmentation. For aging concerns there's also bakuchiol and peptides, and for the deep puffing there's caffeine in this."

✓Yay

79%Guru Score

Indeed Labs Under Eye Patches

"There are these ones from Indeed Labs, they're SNS in two Under Eye Patches. I love that these have a gearing in them. A geerling eye patches are kind of a dream for me because I really do feel that there is a difference. I feel like this does relax certain areas of my skin as well as completely smooth it out. I also have a preference for thicker sturdier eye patches rather than the very flimsy ones, but also I like that these really stay, don't slide down."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Paula's Choice C15 Super Boost Eye Cream

"So I was pretty excited for this, especially to use during the daytime because I love an antioxidant during the daytime. The texture for right now is absolutely perfect. It's creamy enough, holds really well under makeup, but it's substantial enough that it does keep this area just well lubricated. This contains 5% of three vitamin C derivatives. These derivatives are good at brightening the skin, but also it has the peptides, the hydrators, and all of that as well."

✓Yay

64%Guru Score

Allies of Skin Peptides & Omegas Firming Eye Cream

"For eye cream I'm using my Allies of Skin peptides and omegas firming eye cream. It's so lightweight, fast absorbing, perfect for daytime and perfect to wear under makeup. I even apply it on my upper mobile lids because it absorbs so quickly and doesn't make things more heavy or greasy."

✓Yay

89%Guru Score

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream

"The Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream, this has been a long-time favorite, and that's kind of an understatement. It was one of the first serious eye creams I ever got, and I've come full circle decades later to really appreciating and needing this again, because it's intense enough to really handle what is happening in this area right now. I don't do injectables or anything, I need a very good eye cream. This is rich and it keeps this area moisturized, plumped out all day."

✓Yay
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63%Guru Score

Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Eye Cream

"I feel like it does have an impact especially for me on my upper eyelid area. It doesn't seem as droopy. I feel like I can see more of my lid. When you get used to the texture and how silky and beautiful it is, it's hard not to always want to reach for this. It seems dense, but once you apply it, it's that really thin, silky smoothness. A little bit goes a long way. It's definitely moisturizing, especially around the sides of my eyes. My skin just feels more plump."

✓Yay
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NIOD Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate

"I think NIOD's Fractionated Eye Contour Concentrate really is unbeatable. It's got 28 technologies targeting every imaginable aspect of skin aging around the eyes. It's got powerful peptides, antioxidant. It's just got it all. And it has the most lightweight texture. So when you apply it, it just sort of absorbs and disappears, making layering really simple and easy."

✓Yay
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77%Guru Score

Abib PDRN Retinol Eye Patch

"They really plump it out, hydrate it intensely, and everything looks so radiant. I always keep my eye masks in the fridge, and it adds a lot. These masks are thin and soft, and they feel like you're applying a second skin. They're great for all the areas of concern on the face. These are for when the eyes are just really tired looking and puffy. They make everything look fresh and bright. The mask deeply hydrates, brightens, and plumps."

✓Yay
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81%Guru Score

Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum: Ginseng + Retinal

"It's been a fantastic well-aging treatment for my extremely sensitive neck area. The texture is light and silky, it absorbs fast so you don't feel like it leaves anything on the skin. A little bit goes a long way, it spreads like silk, this fully absorbs, it dries down, and it's just really been working well. There's definitely a lot less guilt at such a great price."

✓Yay
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94%Guru Score

Mary&May Tranexamic Acid + Glutathione Eye Cream

"One of my favorite eye creams from last year is the Mary and May Tranexamic Acid and Glutathione Eye Cream. This is all about the brightening and the antioxidant protection. It has tranexamic acid but also contains glutathione, which is a powerful antioxidant. What I like about this is that it's actually quite intensely moisturizing as well without feeling that way."

✓Yay
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76%Guru Score

Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye Cream

"This has become one of my favorite eye treatments. [...] I credit Medik8 for being such a big part of my retinoid journey. [...] I was really excited when these came out because [...] this area around my eyes can benefit from something more, a lot lot more potent, and these are the first clinical strength retinal formulas for the eyes. The texture for me is about as good as it gets. It's moisturizing enough, it's hydrating enough, it's silky enough. I use this on my brow bone as well."

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87%Guru Score

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Eye Serum

"I really love their new Multi-Peptide Eye Serum. [...] I think it's such an effective formula, it's got everything I need for this eye area. The Ordinary just really knows how to do peptides well. [...] This contains eight actives which make up 35% of the entire formula, which is concentrated love. This treats the eyes on so many levels. I love the fact that I can use this on my upper mobile lids as well as the under eyes."

✓Yay
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69%Guru Score

Body & Tan12 reviews

APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Body Lotion

"It's creamy but it absorbs and dries down so fast, so it really is minimal effort to apply. It is moisturizing enough for me. My skin feels like it can breathe and this feels like it just does not congest at all. This is the kind of body moisturizer that would work year round. It even gives my skin a really nice glow, which during this time of year is usually inconceivable."

✓Yay

Notverified

Salt & Stone Body Wash

"The Salt & Stone Body Wash is practically face-worthy. It is gentle, it nourishes and hydrates your skin as it cleanses. The cleansing formula is antioxidant-rich with vitamin C, but also ocean botanicals like seaweed and spirulina. There's also niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. This line was designed to comfort and soothe your skin if you have a really active lifestyle, specifically skin that is exposed to the drying elements such as wind, sun, and seawater."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector in Bronze Radiance

"To me this is a very very elevated version of Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs. My legs are disproportionately paler than the rest of me but I'm also a very clumsy person I bruise very easily. This basically gives me flawless skin on my legs. It is flawless skin in a tube but also it is so natural looking, it's so lightweight, it's so silky and elegant. I get a perfect application using my hands every single time. I don't need a mat, I don't need a brush or anything like that, it's just so easy."

✓Yay

81%Guru Score

Native Body Wash

"I don't even like to put this in the budget category because everything about the Native Body Wash experience is quite luxurious to me. I buy two of these at a time and you get all this for under $10. [...] The texture of this feels really lush because it's a substantial gel so it feels really comforting. This has a mild but still satisfying lather. This does not dry out the skin; in fact it does leave the skin still feeling kind of plump and hydrated."

✓Yay

75%Guru Score

Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum

"What I've been using most recently is Paula's Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum. It's no secret I'm a big fan of Paula's Choice niacinamide formulas, they're amongst my all-time favorites. It's just such a great formula for your skin and great to pair with retinol or any other actives you use. Ideally this is what I use every day together with the retinol, it's a great pairing and it's been quite transformative."

✓Yay

79%Guru Score

Peach & Lily KP Bump Boss Microderm Body Scrub

"Recently I've been loving this one from Peach & Lily, their KP Bump Boss Microderm Body Scrub so much. This has the double approach of manual and chemical exfoliation and what I love about this is that it actually wants to mimic the Korean spa experience where you really are being exfoliated within an inch of your life. This is really quite hardcore. It uses finely milled micro crystals, which is one of the more [...] environmentally friendly form of physical particles, plus 10% AHA."

✓Yay

Notverified

Josh Rosebrook Body Acid Serum

"It does the same thing to your skin: overnight you have that brightness, the soft baby skin. This is so hydrating, it's also lightly moisturizing as well, and genuinely just makes my skin glow. During the summer it's perfect, but also during the winter time I feel like my skin still glows on the days that I use this. I can use it on its own. It smells intoxicating, it's that natural hibiscus scent to it. I love it."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Necessaire Eucalyptus Body Wash

"My favorite is the body wash from Necessary because it's a pH of 5.5, super gentle pH balance for everywhere on your body, and it's also satisfying as well. It gives you [...] just enough of a lather that you feel like you're getting yourself clean. This is full of all the non-stripping barrier strengthening and calming soothing ingredients so that as you cleanse you're also treating your skin and you're not taking anything away."

✓Yay

76%Guru Score

Necessaire Body Serum

"The other hydrating formula for the body that I just love is from Necessary, their Body Serum. The texture of this, it's a gel emulsion, so it's got a little more punch. It's also got some marula oil in it, it's got a little bit of fat but not so much where it actually feels greasy. This just feels like a quick absorbing and very very hydrating gel, but it also has all the nutrients in there, the vitamins, the minerals, the ceramides, the niacinamide, it's got all of that."

✓Yay

82%Guru Score

CeraVe SA Cream for Rough and Bumpy Skin

"If you're looking for something even stronger that deals particularly with rough texture and bumpy skin and your skin is sensitive, then I would recommend this again from CeraVe, the rough and bumpy daily smoothing moisturizer. This contains 20 percent urea, so it has even more of a smoothing and exfoliating effect without being very irritating, although I would caution anyone to patch test first because you just never know with anything that can be very concentrated."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Soft Services Theraplush Overnight Repair Treatment for Hands

"After using this, I wake up with new hands. I love that this is an overnight active hand treatment, so it has 0.05% retinol in it, but the formula is such that when you wake up everything just looks super clean and manicured. It deals with my cuticle situation as well, hangnails be gone. The texture itself is not dense or creamy, it's a medium weight, very silky smooth, hydrating cream."

✓Yay
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67%Guru Score

Versed Firm Ground Retinol Body Lotion

"I have tried a few, but this is the one I've been using most consistently. It contains 0.1 percent encapsulated retinol, which for me is just the perfect concentration, because I can only tolerate retinoids at a low concentration. I can use it every single day without any issues, and [...] the consistency really makes a big difference, so I can feel that my skin is being treated on a deeper level."

✓Yay
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91%Guru Score

Mists & Essences12 reviews

NIOD Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist

"My one complaint, which I feel is a significant oversight, is the misting function of this is abysmal. I mean, this is beyond tolerably bad. It's like I can't use it by misting it on my face because it comes out in one incredibly strong and focused stream. So, the way I apply this, and this is the best way to do it, I apply on my hands first and just use it like I would a regular hydrating toner or essence. This has a real fast impact I find on redness, especially the winter cold redness."

~Mixed

83%Guru Score

Cyclar Ceramide Milky Essence

"When you apply it, it's so glidy and slippy. You really feel like you are coating your skin. It actually absorbs really fast and it's noninvasive. It's not greasy, but your skin feels plump and moisturized and all the moisture is getting locked in. I don't need anything else afterwards. [...] It's got the ceramides, hydroxythyl urea, poly glutamic acid, which is like a heavily hydrating amino acids, squalane. It's just beautiful. This has no scent to it whatsoever."

✓Yay

85%Guru Score

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

"I feel like it wasn't necessarily right for my skin type. I feel like snail mucin was better for skin that was maybe more acne prone. I was never really wowed by any of these formulas. I was [...] more consumed by those formulas with honey and fermented ingredients because I could really see how much more it was doing for my skin."

✕Nay

76%Guru Score

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Hydro Essence

"It has like the bounciest of bouncy textures. It is intensely bouncy. I feel like it's on the verge of being a lotion but honestly the application is so satisfying. I mean it feels thick when you apply it. There's so much body to it. Does leave your skin feeling moisturized. It is immediately soothing and comforting and it is not greasy."

✓Yay

86%Guru Score

Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence

"I've already gushed about my new favorite rice toner from Haru Haru Wonder, their Black Rice Probiotics Barrier Essence. From the minute you apply it you already feel the difference it makes. This doesn't just absorb and disappear, it makes everything better. This is not just hydrating, it keeps everything as well, and it's got probiotics. I mean I love this, I can keep gushing."

✓Yay

86%Guru Score

Qure Dermal Mist with Hypochlorous Acid

"I'm using the Dermal Mist first, which is a hypochlorous acid mist, and this is the perfect skin prep. It helps further purify the surface of the skin as well as help balance the pH after cleansing."

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84%Guru Score

Dr. Althea Aquamarine Jelly Mist

"The whole jelly mist thing is popular, there are so many of them, but this is one of my favorites. It's really refreshing and great for overheated skin, when you apply it, it can bring your skin temperature down by 5 degrees C. It's also super hydrating, full of antioxidants, with a blend from malachite. [...] What gives it that cooling effect is xylitol, and since it's a mist, you may want to be careful using it around your dogs."

✓Yay
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79%Guru Score

Gothamista Masterpiece Essence

"So, of course, my beloved Gothamista Masterpiece Essence is really all about the well-aging and just protecting barrier health. It's a 62% concentrated black ginseng. It's always been one of my favorite well-aging ingredients in skincare. Ginseng is just so potent when it comes to antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, which is why it's so widely used in medicinal treatments. In my essence, I chose to use black ginseng because it is the most premium."

✓Yay
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87%Guru Score

Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence

"Their Shiseido Eudermine Activating Essence, which is another one of their most iconic. This was Shiseido's first ever formula. This was launched in the 1890s. This was used by geishas to refine and perfect the texture of their skin. It also protected their skin from all that heavy geisha makeup. It's just one of those formulas that really, really stand the test of time."

✓Yay
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VT PDRN Essence 100

"I love this because it gives the skin a water glow effect. It leaves a finish that is so glossy and reflective. It has 10% sodium DNA alongside their vegan PDRN, which is of course ginseng root. There are also five different types of ceramides as well as vitamin B5. [...] The texture is milky and not your typical texture. It's a little hard to describe, but while you're applying it on your skin, there's a little bit of a skin-gripping effect."

✓Yay
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79%Guru Score

Mary&May Vegan Blackberry Complex Cream Essence

"It's that unique combination of mixing essence and moisturizer, and I get an unreasonable amount of joy just watching this mix, it's almost meditative, I'm mesmerized. [...] This is what I mean by light, buildable lipid layers: the moisturizer uses mainly jojoba seed oil, which is not a heavy, greasy oil at all, it's rather lightweight and really mimics the constitution of our own sebum."

✓Yay
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80%Guru Score

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

"I've recommended the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence before during VIB sales in the past, but I want to bring this up again particularly for the size. [...] This is the 75 milliliter bottle, which is empty because I just finished the entire thing in about two months. The reason why I want to recommend it is this is actually the perfect size for someone who's just wanting to use it enough where you can see a change and where this will make a difference to your skin."

✓Yay
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77%Guru Score

Tech9 reviews

Ladora Duo Hair Stimulating Device with Serum Pods

"This has been the most effective way for me to really increase the circulation, and that is so important not just for my scalp health but also for my follicles because the increased blood flow really just floods my follicles with all the nutrients it needs to grow really strong and healthy hair. I've definitely noticed a decrease in shedding when I am using this more regularly."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

iRestore Laser Hair Growth Helmet

"I do feel that's been effective. [...] You can choose between three different levels of vibration which is paired with the microcurrent as well as the therapeutic warmth, and you can almost feel it instantly just bring blood to the scalp. There's circulation, there's movement. You can't underestimate the importance of massage, it will boost blood flow to the follicles and deliver all the nutrients it needs in order to grow really healthy hair."

✓Yay

76%Guru Score

Qure Micro Infusion System

"Of course, I am using my favorite Cure Micro Infusion System. [...] I've been using it since its first generation, and [...] I love that the system has upgraded with the times and continues to get better and safer and at the forefront of the technology despite all the other micro stamping systems that have been coming out."

✓Yay
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81%Guru Score

iRestore Professional Hair Growth System

"I used the Pro before, which definitely worked, but this whole incident last year prompted me to do an upgrade. [...] I really really felt it was well worth the upgrade. Even with the Pro, I remember experiencing noticeably less shedding."

✓Yay
Sponsored

82%Guru Score

iRestore Elite Low-Level Laser Hair Regrowth System

"I upgraded. I'm really, really glad I did. I mean, I feel like it is worth the price difference. The Elite is significantly more powerful than the Pro. The helmet has LEDs and laser diodes. LEDs to cover a larger surface area. The laser diodes, on the other hand, go deeper and they target the follicles and really stimulate them."

✓Yay
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85%Guru Score

JOVS 4D Laser Light Therapy Mask

"Enter my favorite mask from Joves, their 4D Laser Light Therapy Mask. And this just happens to be the most comfortable mask. It's made of medical grade silicone, but it is an ergonomic wonder. It's cold laser, but it has some of the most impressive specs. [...] Laser light is more powerful, goes deeper, and is more targeted than LED. So, it's more effective at tackling deeper issues like wrinkles. This has a fabulous face mapping element."

✓Yay
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Qure Q Rejuvalite Pro Face Wear LED Mask

"I just slide this on and it just sits there. The other really big deal is it's completely wireless. So you charge it and then you don't need to have anything dangling or holding or you don't have to be plugged into anything. What makes it even more convenient is that it is designed to only require 3 minutes of use a day. It's been clinically tested to show that 3 minutes is sufficient to get what you need to achieve the results you want. [...] There are two modes."

✓Yay
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The Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask

"I've been using this one from the Light Salon [...] since 2019. They were the first to come out with the whole silicone format, you know, bendable, flexible mask."

✓Yay
Sponsored

83%Guru Score

Light Salon Boost LED Face Mask

"This also has the best fit. The [...] extra strap that goes above the head makes all the difference to the fit. This has decades of clinical studies and was initially used to heal wounds. [...] It's best to just lie down so nothing slips and slides. The red light also helps me to relax. Ten minutes is all I need. I love removing everything because my skin just glows and feels amazing."

✓Yay
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75%Guru Score

Retinoids8 reviews

Agency Tretinoin Eye Formula

"So the fact that they have a separate super gentle tretinoin formula for the eyes just made me so happy. I love the texture of this as well. It is really substantial, like more of a balm consistency than a gel or cream. [...] It really lubricates this entire area and it's intensely moisturizing. Even in the winter this is just great, especially for a nighttime eye cream. This does absorb and dry down as well, it's not like putting Vaseline around your eyes."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6

"I've been using Medik8's Crystal Retinal for the longest time. These were my precursor to tretinoin, another gold standard ingredient for treating pigmentation."

✓Yay

89%Guru Score

Altreno Tretinoin Lotion 0.05%

"The most recent retinoids I've been using are prescription. [...] I was using Altreno, which has the most elegant hydrating jelly texture. I had to stop using that because I felt the formula, unfortunately as beautiful as it was, it's just a little too strong for my skin even after six months."

✕Nay

76%Guru Score

The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion

"This definitely makes a difference in reducing more visible signs of aging. So fine lines, uneven skin tone, dark spots, red spots, just smoothness of the skin texture. One thing I noticed when I was using this and just using retinaldehyde in general is that it gives my skin the same kind of luminosity that I get when I'm using tretinoin. It's that tretinoin glow. I get that with retinaldehyde formulas as well. More so the higher concentration ones like 0.06% upwards."

✓Yay
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83%Guru Score

Allies of Skin Retinol 0.05% & Peptides Repair Night Cream

"I love the texture and application of this. This is a bit more moisturizing than the daily treatment, but still it's lightweight, but it just again it's that glow and radiance. [...] This has 0.05% retinaldehyde. This has five peptides, but also a 7% ceramide and omega complex, so it's moisturizing, but also barrier strengthening. It's also got a 2% EGCG complex, so powerful antioxidant. So, this is a good place to start out and progressively move on to the 0.1%."

✓Yay
Sponsored

81%Guru Score

Agency Future Formula with Tretinoin

"I've been using formulas from Agency for years now. [...] I like Agency because their formulas are more focused on age-related concerns as opposed to acne. You go through a skin quiz, submit photos, and then a dermatology provider will customize a formula that will target your main needs and concerns. They stay with you throughout your journey to make sure the formula you're using is the right one for you. [...] I only started using tretinoin properly in my 40s, so it's never too late."

✓Yay
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79%Guru Score

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

"Because it is the eye area, it doesn't hurt to start out with the Crystal Retinal 3 that uses 0.03% retinaldehyde and it's really gentle. Over a 12-week period, tests have shown this to have quite a significant effect on reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, just overall youthfulness as well as dark circles. I also love that this has no scent to it."

✓Yay
Sponsored

89%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol

"I just feel like it's hard to make this better. This to me is a feel-good serum. It's like everyone could use this and their skin would benefit. It's an overall skin barrier fortifying treatment. With sensitive skin, I'm always going through cycles where I need a treatment like this, whether it's my skin needing to climatize to different seasons, changing weather, but also when I'm trying new actives or I'm phasing in stronger new formulas, or even just during the time that I'm testing products."

✓Yay
Sponsored

81%Guru Score

Lip7 reviews

Abib PDRN Collagen Lip Mask Glazed Jelly

"And at the same time, the finish is just smooth. It isn't sticky at all. This is a more affordable version. [...] These are unique in that they don't have a wax, butter, or petroleum base, yet they still work really well. [...] This has been tested to keep the lips hydrated for up to 24 hours. It looks gluey and honey sticky. It's always a surprise to me that it's just not. This has a little bit of a sweet candy-like scent to it, but it's not too much."

✓Yay

73%Guru Score

The Ordinary Squalane + Amino Acids Lip Balm

"I absolutely love this one from The Ordinary, the Squalane and Amino Acids Lip Balm. It's nourishing, it's glossy, it's light. It feels a bit like a hydrating serum as well as a lip balm. I love the texture and if we're being honest I love the packaging maybe even more."

✓Yay

60%Guru Score

Supergoop Lip Shade 100% Mineral Lip Color SPF 30

"For a hybrid lip protection and lip color, I love Supergoop Lip Shade 100% Mineral Lip Color with an SPF of 30 and a PA of three pluses. These are pigmented, they're really flattering, they have a beautiful texture."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Rhode Tinted Peptide Lip Balm

"I'm going to use the one from Rhode which is probably the least pigmented of all of them but I love it."

✓Yay

84%Guru Score

Allies of Skin Peptide & Ceramide Repair Lip Balm

"This melts like a butter when you apply it and just glides over your lips. It also leaves some glossiness as well, you're not going to have hair strands sticking to your lips. This has some beautiful plant ingredients that don't just nourish and moisturize your lips but also treat them with peptides. I like that there are ceramides in here. There's also occlusivity enough to just stay, it's long lasting. [...] It does absorb quite well."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

Merit Slick Tinted Lip Oil

"The Merit Beauty Tinted Lip Oil in Taupe is pretty much what I've always been searching for, which is that perfect your lips but better but glossy. Our lips are all different shades and this just happens to be the perfect one for me. It's not too light and it's not too dark."

✓Yay

85%Guru Score

Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Plus Peptide Lip Booster with Squalane

"This really is a unique treatment for lips because this really is part of their booster collection, so it's a lip serum. It's not one of those occlusive lip masks or lip sleeping masks. There's nothing waxy or buttery about this. It's very much a peptide serum for well-aging lips. I also just love the glossiness of it, so wearing it for daytime is so perfect because it's like wearing lip gloss. This does a good job of really plumping out the fine lines around my lips."

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Haircare6 reviews

Rogaine Minoxidil 5% Foam

"I used the 5% Rogaine Minoxidil. This has a roller ball applicator, which works better than I expected. I just directly get it on my scalp where I want it to go. I also love that the consistency of this formula is also really bouncy, like a good serum or essence. So you can have a very precise application and it will not drip down your face. The minute you touch it to rub it in, it's just so light. It becomes so watery, just sinks in."

✓Yay

86%Guru Score

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density

"I was using The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density before I started using minoxidil, and I loved it. It uses the same grouping of ingredients as other formulas, but what I like about alternatives is that they state the exact concentration of the different ingredients in the formula because they all comply with what the successful testing was based on."

~Mixed

66%Guru Score

Minimalist Hair Density Serum

"I'm recommending this over The Ordinary Hair Density Serum, which I loved and was using before I started using minoxidil. It pretty much uses the same grouping of ingredients, but I like that this formula states the exact concentration of the different ingredients in the formula because they all comply with what the successful testing was based on. It's also notable that this is the most watery, light formula. This will not weigh down the roots of your hair at all. You won't even notice."

✓Yay

83%Guru Score

Shiseido Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask

"This is the ultimate value for money hair formula, the most sophisticated formula at the most affordable price. This has Shiseido's luxury technology and even skincare ingredients in the mask. In my experience, Japanese hair masks are just next level performance-wise. The [...] mask has a very unique texture, it's very balmy, so it kind of feels oily, greasy, heavy, but it really does something to the hair. All of that washes out but just leaves the hair looking so beautiful and soft."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Anua Black Tea Nourishing Hair Essence

"This feels less siliconey but just enough to make a little bit of a subtle difference. I feel like this really nourishes my hair. I only apply this on my ends and I apply this every day so I can nourish my hair every day and it doesn't build up or weigh my hair down at all. The formula though is just as elegant as the way it looks. The black tea almost has a bit of an earthy cologne scent to it. I love it so much and it's not overpowering or cloying either."

✓Yay

69%Guru Score

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

"A very obvious favorite is K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. Even though this is creamy, it has a really lightweight texture, at least for my hair. Right after washing my hair, I apply it to my wet strands, and my hair just dries a lot nicer, a lot less frizzy or frazzled. This is advanced hair repair technology that I think works really well in combination with bond technology; it also works from inside out but goes even deeper into the hair to help with repair."

✓Yay

81%Guru Score

Toners6 reviews

Stratia Aqua Factory Hydrating Toner

"I just love a simple hydrating toner that just really hydrates. Stratia is just so solid. I've loved their Liquid Gold since that was the only SKU and to this day I still use it. This has a beautifully simple formula which contains natural moisturizing factors, 5% Urea, a 4% beta glucan complex as well as seven different humectants. I love the texture of this. It's got a little bit of that viscosity, that beautiful slip when you apply it but not too heavy, not sticky at all."

✓Yay

86%Guru Score

The Ordinary Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner

"I love this formula, it's one of my favorites from the ordinary. This gives the same beautiful complexion refining and brightening results as a first treatment essence. This also contains niacinamide which further helps with the texture refinement, just smoothing out and lightly slowly exfoliating the skin so gentle that you can use it twice a day. A microfluidizer technology was used to create microscopic droplets to ensure the most weightless formula."

✓Yay

80%Guru Score

Medik8 Press and Glow PHA Toner

"I kind of like Medik8 Press and Glow for this. With a Q-tip you want to make sure that you press away, just roll away any excess fluid. You don't want it to be drippy, you want as controlled an application as possible, especially when you're working around your eye area. I would just gently use it around the areas where I may have milia. Of course, if the milia is right on my eye bag or close to my waterline, I would not use this method."

✓Yay

85%Guru Score

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

"One of my favorite glycolic acid toners is this one from The Ordinary, their Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. It's one of the few glycolic acid formulas that only use glycolic acid as the AHA that just is so effective but does not cause me any irritation."

✓Yay

73%Guru Score

Celimax Dual Barrier Creamy Toner

"I find this has the lightness, but it's actually really quite moisturizing. It's more substantial than just your average hydrating toner. It does more. This has five different types of ceramides as well as phytoceramides and cholesterol making that beautiful trifecta for barrier support and preventing transepidermal water loss. So you really do feel like this holds everything in, but it's so soothing. It's so comforting and it is intensely hydrating without being greasy."

✓Yay
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Geek & Gorgeous Liquid Hydration 5% Panthenol and Natural Moisturizing Factors Toner

"I'm still kind of amazed at how intensely hydrating this is. I actually thought that this might be on the lighter side, like some of the serums, but I do love how substantial it is. It does contain 5% panthenol into this smooth soft texture. Certainly the natural moisturizing factors just add some robustness to it. I love a good NMF in a hydrating formula because it really helps keep the hydration locked into your skin and it's just great for the skin barrier."

✓Yay
Sponsored

76%Guru Score

Eye Makeup3 reviews

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum

"The Lash and Brow Serum is really one of my favorites. It took longer to see results than with the usual prostag landin formulas, but I can't really use those formulas because they just cause too much irritation on my eyes. The Lash and Brow Serum however uses peptides that cause no irritation whatsoever, and in the time that I've been using it I've never known any other side effects on my skin around my eye area."

✓Yay

69%Guru Score

Merit The Minimalist Mascara

"The Merit Beauty Clean Lash Mascara is [...] a tubing mascara, and [...] right now this is the only mascara I want to use. The reason why I like tubing mascaras above all others is because it is the only mascara that truly does not smudge. It's impervious to my oily eyelids, and that is my main problem. It's not so much waterproofness that I need, it's more like oil proofness."

✓Yay

90%Guru Score

ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara

"So I'm very limited to what I can use. Even waterproof mascara smudges because they're waterproof not necessarily oil proof. This not only does it not smudge, not even in the summer heat, but also it adds length and it adds volume. It has one of the best applicators and wands I've experienced so that everything is separated and non-clumpy. The teeny tiny, really short lashes are taken care of as well as the longer ones. I'm not using anything else but this right now."

✓Yay

99%Guru Score

Foundation2 reviews

U Beauty Super Tinted Hydrator

"The Super Tinted Hydrator is one of U Beauty's most popular formulas, it's a lightweight elegant moisturizer. It [...] gives me exactly what I want in my makeup. First of all, it is good for my skin. It's a sheer coverage but enough to even out the discoloration or make any of the contrast less intense. The skin finish is a healthy hydrated one. I mean, it looks like my skin but a little better."

✓Yay

78%Guru Score

Shiseido Vitalessence Skin Glow Foundation

"This is what she considers the ultimate skin finisher, and it's really kind of magical. She doesn't even consider it a foundation because it doesn't really cover anything up, it just gives skin the most beautiful and natural finish, enhancing vibrancy and bringing out a healthy glow. It's also good skin care, it improves skin as you use it and keeps skin hydrated for 24 hours. It's transfer resistant, heat resistant and fade resistant, good for all skin types, and fragrance free."

✓Yay
Sponsored

73%Guru Score

Balms & Ointments1 review

Vaseline Original Healing Jelly

"I've tried it and honestly, I just can't do it. I dislike the experience so much. It is so invasive. It's so messy. Also, trying to wash Vaseline off of the skin is in and of itself a real ordeal. I mean, there will always be a residue left behind."

✕Nay

86%Guru Score

Blush & Bronzer1 review

Merit Flush Balm Cheek Color in Beverly Hills

"I love the Beverly Hills cream blush because it's such a unique color that matches my skin so well because it's an earthy kind of peach tone. [...] This is about as foolproof as a blush can possibly get. It blends out really effortlessly, you can just dab and it blends out into this natural looking flush. [...] A lot of cream blushes have a powdery finish whereas this has a satin one, which I much prefer."

✓Yay

85%Guru Score

Supplements1 review

Nutrafol Women's Balance

"I find that I am less prone to getting stressed and anxious or at least less intensely so. This kind of takes the edge off, and when I take this with dinner it's easier for me to get relaxed enough in order to fall asleep. I feel like this is very well-rounded and it's really all about maintaining balance during this time of our lives so as to mitigate some of the symptoms we may be having. It also contains marine collagen peptides, which are the most bioavailable form of collagen."

✓Yay
Sponsored

Notverified

Tools1 review

Dermaflash Dermaplaning Tool

"Recently I've mentioned quite often that I really enjoy using the Dermaflash. This is the cute little travel size, and it's actually more gentle than chemical exfoliants. For me, chemical exfoliants can tend to cause inflammation and irritation, that redness which makes using it and combining it with other actives very very tricky sometimes, especially when you have sensitive skin."

✓Yay

74%Guru Score

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Gothamista, in short.

What does Gothamista recommend?

Which serums does Gothamista recommend?

Which moisturizers does Gothamista recommend?

Which sunscreens does Gothamista recommend?

Which masks and peels does Gothamista recommend?

What does Gothamista say no to?

What she reviews most.

Gothamista's hot takes.

Every review.