I Finally Tried My Skincare Samples During Self-Isolation
Because of COVID, self-isolation, self-care and delayed shipping, i’ve finally started to dip into my always-growing collection of skincare samples. Wanted to give a high level first impression to what i’ve tried so far, what i’ll probably buy full bottles of, and what I could probably do without.
Pai, Rosehip BioGenerate Oil
First impression
I got a few samples of Pai’s rosehip oil while at the Credo Clean Beauty Summit. This oil is for all skin types, but specifically for dry, mature, blemish-prone, combination end especially sensitive skin — pretty much every issue I struggle with. The benefits were speaking my language! I also read that rosehip oil could help with reducing the appearance of acne scars and stretch marks, signs me up.
The oil helped kick-start my new chapter into sensitive skin, by doing a great job hydrating my face and balancing the red tones a bit more. I realized red splotchy skin doesn’t have to be the norm.
I was only able to use this product for about a week, but overall I do recommend this as a great treatment oil to use if you struggle with the same issues that I do.
Tip: Wait for this oil to completely dry, before going to bed or putting on clothes. It could tint fabric orange.
How to use
Apply 2-3 drops to the palm of your hand and use fingertips to gently massage into clean, dry skin on face or body. Avoid contact with lips. Allow the oil to fully absorb before dressing.
Ingredients
Rosa Canina Seed Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
Clinique, Pep-Start Eye Cream
First Impression
This eye cream is supposed to hydrate and brighten the skin around your eyes. While i’m not one with dark circles, I can’t speak to improvements there, but it does do a great job keeping the skin hydrated around the eyes, which help reduce the appearance of those crows feet. I like that I can use this product all around my eyes, including the lid. I didn’t find it heavy or greasy, and no issues with eye makeup.
For a hydrating and brightening eye cream I think it does a good job, it’s similar to the Banana Bright Eye Cream by Peter Thomas Roth.
How to use
Use twice a day, morning and night. Gently squeeze a small amount of product onto applicator tip. Swipe in circular motion around eye area, including lids. Use finger to smooth in any excess until absorbed.
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Squalane, Cetyl Esters, Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyethylene, Glycereth-26, Polybutene, Sucrose, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul'S Wort) Extract, Algae Extract, Molasses Extract, Sapindus Mukurossi Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Whey Protein, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Caffeine, Phytosphingosine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Yeast Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sucrose Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, Peg-8, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simethicone, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Dextran, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)
Ursa Major, Fortifying Face Balm
First impression
If you’re looking for a light weight cream moisturizer, get this. I love how silky it felt on my skin, and how little I needed to apply. Don’t let the word balm scare you, the texture is not balm-y at all. If the moisturizer I ordered isn’t what I’m looking for, I will 100% be buying this to be my staple moisturizer.
How to use
Massage balm (start with a 1/2 pump) onto clean dry skin, making sure to cover entire face and neck. For best results use daily after you wash and tone.
Works well alone or as a primer before applying sunscreen.
Ingredients
aloe vera leaf juice (aloe barbadensis), glycerin, hydrolyzed myrtle leaf extract (myrtus communis), sunflower seed oil (helianthus annuus), leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, witch hazel leaf water (hamamelis virginiana), willow bark extract (salix nigra), kendi seed oil (aleurites moluccana), prickly pear cactus stem extract (opuntia ficus-indica), carrot seed oil (daucus carota), hydrogenated lecithin, birch sap (betula alba), olive leaf extract (olea europaea), sclerotium gum, lavender flower oil (lavandula angustifolia), lime peel oil (citrus aurantifolia), niaouli leaf oil (melaleuca quinquenervia), frankincense resin extract (boswellia carterii), bisabolol wood oil (vanillosmopsis erythropappa), spearmint leaf oil (mentha spicata), carrageenan (chondrus crispus), rosemary leaf extract (rosmarinus officinalis), maltodextrin, spearmint leaf extract (mentha spicata), xanthan gum, p-anisic acid
Vertly, CBD Face Serum
First Impression
Similar results to the Pai rosehip oil but it did a much better job with controlling my acne. I’m a huge believer in CBD skincare as it does everything for me: hydrates, anti-aging/fine line protector, soothes skin and is an antioxidant.
It’s a little pricy so i’m trying a more affordable CBD oil to see if it’s comparable. If price isn’t an issue for you, go for it!
How to use
Apply 3 to 5 drops onto clean skin (I did a bit more than this). Warm drops between fingertips and gently press into face, neck and décolleté. Apply morning, evening or as needed.
Ingredients
simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, borago officinalis (borage) seed oil, punica granatum (pomegranate) seed oil, cucumis sativus (cucumber) oil, full spectrum cannabinoids (cbd), caprylic/ capric triglyceride, vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) seed oil, brassica oleracea italica (broccoli) seed oil, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, coffea arabica (green coffee) oil, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower, centella asiatica (gotu kola), equisetum arvense (horsetail), urtica dioica (nettle), hippophae rhamnoides (sea buckthorn) fruit oil, tocopherol (vitamin e), rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, citrus aurantium (bergamot) oil
Philosophy, Ultimate Miracle Worker Eye Cream
First Impression
This eye cream was a hard no for me. Way too heavy, it didn’t absorb at all and felt greasy af. I used it twice before I passed it over to my husband, and even his dry skin didn’t drink it up. I didn’t have any negative reactions.
How to use
Use in the morning. Apply gently under eyes, extending toward the temple.
Ingredients
avobenzone (2.7%), homosalate (2%), octinoxate (5%), octocrylene (2.16%) inactive ingredients: water, glycerin, dicaprylyl carbonate, isononyl isononanoate, methyl methacrylate crosspolymer, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, tribehenin peg-20 esters, cetyl alcohol, isostearyl isostearate, trisiloxane, glyceryl stearate, peg-100 stearate, cetyl stearate, stearic acid, bifida ferment lysate, potassium cetyl phosphate, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone crosspolymer, caffeine, chlorphenesin, propylene glycol, carbomer, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, glycine soja (soybean) oil, sodium hydroxide, squalane, hippophae rhamnoides oil, iris pallida root extract, ruby powder, disodium edta, alcohol, algae extract, mica, lecithin, ascorbyl glucoside, adenosine, cellulose gum, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, retinol, peg-8, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60, calcium sodium phosphosilicate, bht, acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, chitosan, ethylhexylglycerin, glycolic acid, sorbitan oleate, tocopherol, aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut) seed extract, glucose, lactic acid, behentrimonium chloride, glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) root extract, sodium benzoate, ascorbyl palmitate, potassium phosphate, potassium sorbate, camellia sinensis leaf extract, coffea arabica (coffee) seed extract, pongamia pinnata seed extract, isopropyl alcohol, acetic acid, angelica archangelica root extract, citrus aurantium amara (bitter orange) peel extract, maltodextrin, citric acid, magnesium aluminum silicate, xanthan gum, ascorbic acid, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) rhizome/root extract, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract, caprylyl glycol, sclerotium gum, bha, sorbic acid, titanium dioxide (ci 77891)
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