By Karen Moline
In spring one’s thoughts turn to flowers and soft rain and love, of course. But they also turn to the allergy section in the local drug or department store when the pollen is out of control…the sunscreen section because it’s not your imagination that it’s getter hotter sooner…and the gift section to get some unique ideas for Mother’s Day. For any shoppers (or any moms!) who need a skincare refresher, any of these wonderful items should do the trick.
Vertere Smoothing Neck Serum
One of the most difficult areas to treat without medical intervention is your poor neglected neck. The skin is naturally thinner, which makes it more prone to wrinkles, and there are fewer oil glands, so you’ll always needs more hydration. Luckily, Vertere’s Smoothing Neck Serum is as close to a miracle worker as you can get to tackle crepey skin and wrinkles. You really will notice a difference right away.
Buy it for $72 at https://vertereskincare.com/product/smoothing-neck-serum/
AO Skincare Raw Treatments
Who wants to see a bloom of red algae at the beach? Not me! But this amazing New Zealand skincare company uses the amazingly potent antioxidant power of local red algae, along with extracts from the indigenous Totara tree, in their raw serums. I love their Native Core botanical blends–Raw Nourish in the morning and Raw Nurture at night. They’re not just eco-friendly but leave your skin in sensational shape.
Buy each for $65 at https://www.aoskincare.com/products/raw-nourish-am-treatment.
RealHer Pro Blush Kit
RealHer is a cosmetics company you can believe in—each of their products gives you a motivational affirmation as a positive daily reminder that you are beautiful and you are worth it.
That their colors and textures are divine is a super-nice plus, too. And even though I rarely use blush anymore, their new “I Am Brilliant” Pro Blush Kit has six gorgeous and gorgeously sheer shades so tempting that I grabbed out my brush and was instantly thrilled with the results. Go for it!
Buy it for $38 at https://www.realher.com/collections/shop-menu/products/new-pro-blush-kit
Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion
CBD is the hot new buzzword in skincare. Yes, it is legal if it’s extracted from hemp, and no, it won’t get you high because hemp has very low levels of the compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. CBD is definitely worth a try if you have very dry skin, acne flare-ups, or eczema, as it has highly hydrating anti-inflammatory properties. Be sure to buy from a reputable company, as there are a lot of excessive claims and bogus products flying off the shelves—which is why I love Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion, as it was the first and only CBD brand to launch at Sephora. It makes your skin feel deliciously cool and soft as soon as you put it on.
Buy it for $60 at https://shop.lordjones.com/products/lord-jones-pain-and-wellness-pure-cbd-lotion?variant=39882789258
Dr. Jackson Day Cream
This amazing new MD-developed line from the UK is not only based on Pharmacognosy (the study of natural products and traditional, medicinal plants) but uses ingredients like kigelia, baobab, shea, and marula seed oil sourced from rural communities in Africa. Their day cream not only smells divine but is lightweight, silky, and gives you just the hydration you need. (It’s pricey, but worth it!) I also love their apothecary jar packaging, making them the ideal gender-neutral creams for anyone in your house.
Buy it for $120 at https://drjackson.us/collections/moisturisers/products/01-day-cream-50ml-1
Joyome Serum Duo
Discussing digestive health might make some people squeamish, but doubtless you already know how crucial it is to maintain a healthy biome—that balance of beneficial bacteria—with a good diet supplemented by prebiotics and probiotics. Now, you can thank Joyome for their marvelous serum duo that contains a unique prebiotic blend. It replenishes your skin barrier by increasing good microbes while it fights off destructive strains that cause accelerated aging. It’s the best of science + beauty.
Buy both for $153 at https://plexusworldwide.com/product/plexus-joyome-essentials-combo-pack-giving-keys
Herbal Dynamics Beauty
Another terrific company combining the best of science + beauty is Herbal Dynamics. Each of their products combines botanicals like aloe vera, broccoli, prebiotics, truffle, rosehip, jojoba seed oil, avocado oil, mango, green tea, acai, and chamomile, with advanced natural ingredients like hyaluronic acid. I especially like the Clean & Calm Cucumber Cooling Eye Cream to de-stress puffy and tired eyes, and the Essentials Pure Lavender Hydrosol Mist, which is great for teens with problem skin. Even better, everything is affordable, with no single item costing more than $30.
Buy them for $12-30 at https://www.herbaldynamicsbeauty.com/collections/shop
Masqueology
While on the topic of affordable, take a look at Masqueology. It’s one of the most cost-effective yet effective Korean skincare brands (and believe me, most of them are incredible, with the prices to match), and their masks are a hoot to use. You can choose from hydro-gel, moisturizing, peel-off, gummy (great for kids and teens), or rubber, and each with several packets inside costs only $3-4. I like the Vita-Collagen Dual-Action Mask + Cleanse when my skin needs some extra radiance. I also just lovetheir SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen Lotion that comes in a compact—it is a genius idea for no mess (and no excuses!).
Buy them for $3-4 at https://www.masqueology.com/collections/all-masks?sort_by=best-selling
Alpine Provisions Castile Soap
I have never been a fan of liquid shower gels as they’re not only expensive but don’t work as well as plain old bar soap. Well, the perfect solution for those who love liquid soaps is this wonderful brand of pure, organic, gentle (yet effective), long-lasting, and completely biodegradable castile soaps that can be used on your body or hair—without stripping its oils. Choose from Cedar + Sandalwood, Fir + Sage, or my favorite Lavender + Juniper. You’ll blissfully feel like you’re in the midst of an alpine forest.
Buy it for $12 at https://pangeaorganics.com/pages/alpine-home
Pretty In Pink Beauty Blenders
One of the best tools you can use for flawless blending is the now-iconic Beauty Blender makeup sponge. If you’re feeling blah on a gloomy spring day, this set will lift your spirits, because the original pink Blender comes with 2 more sponges in limited edition colors of Tutu and Bubble Gum. (And a limited edition lower price!)
Buy them for $45 at https://beautyblender.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/pretty-in-pink-makeup-sponge-trio
The Wave Tool
Speaking of tools, let’s not forget that one of the best ways to keep your skin glowing is by improving your circulation. This ergonomic instrument was originally designed by physical therapists and a mountain guide to help climbers de-kink their sore muscles after a day of climbing, but it is truly an amazing pain-relieving tool for anyone—especially busy moms—to relieve muscle tension and unclog your fascia, where stress can rapidly accumulate. Using this has become as essential to me as sunscreen.
Buy it for $49.99 at https://wavetoolstherapy.com/product/the-wave-tool/
