Recently makeup releases have been kind of repetitive and boring, so why not look into the newest skincare offerings? So, bring it on, brands. Dazzle me with your exciting new skincare releases!
Same as with the makeup round-ups (here’s the latest), I try to choose both brands that’re somewhat available internationally, priced not totally ridiculous (looking at you, Cle de Peau!), and, well, that I like. That’s not unreasonable, is it?
Hourglass Equilibrium skincare
Skincare is actually not new for Hourglass, who has dabbled with it in the past, and now released a line-up of cleanser, essence, eye cream, moisturiser with SPF30, and a serum. All feature their trademark Cell-Balancing Complex, are eye-wateringly expensive, and (caution, strong opinion ahead) are garbage. This follows in the vein of luxury, high-end skincare that always feature: one, a word salad of catchphrases (Hourglass’ is “Rebalance, Restore, Renew”); two, a trade marketed ingredient mix of inoffensive ingredients (here, antioxidants and lipids), and three, a new, science-y sounding manufacturing process (here, ingredients are treated by sound waves).
On top of that, I really take offense at their wording: they describe their sunscreen filters as “contains SPF 30 in a blend of four organic compounds” which sounds rather intriguing, but is Homosalate, Octinoxate, Octisalate and Avobenzone, which are actually bog-standard. (Between 27-255€)
Fenty Skin – Flash Nap Instant Revival Eye Cream
One of my biggest disappointments last year was Fenty Skin’s launch. After Rihanna nailed her makeup line, I was hoping of another groundbreaking line from her. Alas, it wasn’t to be. The line isn’t bad – it ticks a lot of boxes, but for me, it’s mostly unusable due to the high amount of fragrance in each product. Same with the new eye cream (siiiiiiiiiiiigh): it not only uses fragrance, but sensitising essential oils that NOBODY needs in the super sensitive eye area! Otherwise, the formula sounds lovely, including Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, Niacinamide in rather substantial amounts. SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGH. ($32)
Paula’s Choice CBD products (in Germany)
Paula’s Choice’s CDB products are now available in Germany, and sucker that I am, I ordered the CBD Milk. The thing is: Paula recently is launching trendy skincare products left and right (a peeling solution not unlike The Ordinary’s, sleeping masks, trendy ingredients, products with actives that are much higher than science would support and so on). Their CBD line comes accordingly: there’re still not really studies that support the benefits of a topical application of CBD, and even Paula’s marketing blurb is astonishingly vague on the benefits. So, yeah. (49 & 54€)
Sunday Riley Charcoal Jelly Smoothie Body Scrub
I’ve to admit that I only included this one to poke fun at it. Sunday Riley of the potent, ingredient- and actives-driven skincare releases… a holographically-packaged, millennial-geared BODY SCRUB?! Oh how the mighty have fallen! *falls down laughing* Sure, Sunday, you do you. (Coincidentally, if you ever had to clean your shower after doing a coffee body scrub, you’ll never do that again. Just sayin’.) ($38)
Good Molecules – Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel
Another eye cream! (February seems to be the month for eye cream releases, or did all the brands scramble to release them due to pandemic/zoom/masking reasons?!) (There’re also new ones by Mario Badescu, Indie Lee and REN.)
Thankfully without fragrance and packaged in a tube, this eye gel relies on a nice mix of Hyaluronic Acid, Peptides, and antioxidants from their star ingredient, Yerba Mate. No idea if that kind of AOX is more beneficial than others, but this is a nice, lightweight mix I’d try out in a pinch. ($6)
The Inkey List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment
A bright green spot treatment, this Acne Treatment brings its hero ingredient succinic acid to the attention of the skincare community: apparently, since the beginning of 2021 google searches peaked. But: what is it? It’s “similar to salicylic acid, and also has antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties”, says Bustle. Sure, nice!
It ALSO doesn’t exfoliate as much as Salicylic Acid, which makes it gentler, while it outperforms Salicylic Acid when it comes to antimicrobial properties. TIL combines it with 1% Salicylic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid. I mean – could this be just the thing for maskne?!?! ($9)
Drunk Elephant Sweet Biome Fermented Sake Spray
DE wants to strengthen the buzzy microbiome in their new product (the good bacteria living on your skin). To do that, their spray (usable as toner, serum, moisturiser and occasional face mist) aims to strengthen the acid mantle with the help of fermented sake extract, electrolytes, antioxidants and ceramides. Annoyingly, this ticks all the boxes of what I want in a toner (remember my toner search of 2020?!). The only thing that’s deterring me is reports of stickiness – and indeed, nearly every skincare products with sake I’ve tried has been sticky. ($42)
Dermalogica Neck Fit Contour Serum
Roll-on serum that’s supposed to tighten skin and tone it over time. This contains a mix of antioxidants, hydrators and peptides to give you ‘retinol-like’ results. I’m EXTREMELY sceptical: first, a mix of those three ingredients is great – but it won’t give you results like retinol, especially if we’retalking prescription-level retinoids. Second, absolutely no skincare product will tighten and tone seriously sagging skin, even if it comes with a silver rollerball. And lastly, this is as superfluous as it gets: someone once famously said when it comes to skincare application, ‘your face ends at your tits’. Always, always apply the skincare you apply on your face to your neck and décolletage area as well. And then you’ve done everything you can do, apart from surgery. (89€)
L’Occitane Bonne Mère soaps
Wheeee, L’Occitane came out with more soaps! I like their solid soaps, but found their range (shea, verbena, lavender, rose – like their existing skincare lines) a bit dull. Basil & Rhubarb and Lemon & Tangerine sound very tempting. (6€)
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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