We tried over 50 new products in the last six months and we’ve picked some of our faves for you and explained why we will be adding these to our ‘re-buy’ list.  We are pretty tough critics when it comes to skincare and beauty products so we guarantee satisfaction. In addition, we only use products that are gently on sensitive skin so no need to worry about irritating or burning.  In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more products we loved and some we didn’t.  We always give ourself a few weeks to give products a chance to work before we review.  Hope you try at least one of these amazing skincare products! 

1. Love Your Bare Face Detoxifying Cleansing Stick

Overall Review

10/10

This is one of our favorite new products this year (top 5-so hard to choose)! At first we were simply confused about the application process for what looks more like a deodorant stick than a face cleanser. However, after using this for the first time, we couldn’t imagine not having it as a staple in our skin care routine.  It smells amazing. It’s natural.  It’s effective.  It’s great for sensitive skin.  It doesn’t leave any residue or make you feel ‘squeaky’ clean like your skin has been stripped of all its natural oils. It also has a really nice foamy lather and washes off really well. 

Product description/Ingredients

This innovative (and travel-friendly) cleansing stick contains rice bran oil to deeply remove dirt, excess oil, and impurities while it gently yet effectively exfoliates the skin with natural pomegranate enzymes.

Benefits:

• Natural pomegranate fruit enzymes provide gentle exfoliation to leave skin smoother, brighter, and softer

• Rice bran oil purges impurities

• Grapefruit peel oil evens skin tone and provides a refreshing natural scent

• Camellia oil hydrates and clarifies

Use/Packaging/Application

To use: Generously apply cleanser to wet hands, then massage over wet face. Rinse thoroughly. For best results, use with a Konjac Sponge.

It’s actually shocking that more cleansers are not packaged in this way.  As mentioned we were a bit nervous about how to apply because it looks very hard at first.  Essentially we just wet our hand and move the stick in circular motions in our palm.  You don’t need much water and it lathers very quickly.  Eventually we just started applying it to a dry face on the forehead, chin, and cheeks and then using some water and our hands to lather it up.  It’s SUCH a cute little stick and it’s so nice and portable. You never use too much product as you might with a pump and it never leaks into your gym bag! 

What we will try next from this brand?

Love Your Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil for 36.08 CAD on ulta. Again this cleansing oil has ridiculously amazing reviews and seems to always be paired with the cleansing stick and described as peanut butter and jelly!

*Consumer study of 902 women who used Love Your Bare Face Hydrating Cleansing Oil.

• 91% reported softer, more hydrated skin after just one use*

• 94% reported no oily residue*

2. Birch Juice Hydro Sleeping Pack

Overall Review

9/10

Another Korean beauty product that has quickly stolen our hearts. This is essentially a super hydrating moisturizer for nighttime which feels light in texture and weight but is SOOO hydrating. They actually don’t call themselves a moisturizer.  Think of it like a hydrating overnight treatment. It works as effectively as a repairing ointment or baume but it feels like a light gel somehow. Also, IT SMELLS DELICIOUS.

Product description/Ingredients

• This rich face cream acts as an after-hours miracle worker thanks to its formula, enriched with 74% Birch tree sap, chamomile, and plantain seed extracts to transform your complexion while you sleep. Wake up to restored, rejuvenated skin!

• Does not contain any animal ingredients and is free of parabens, mineral oil and artificial fragrances. Suitable for all skin types, especially for sensitive and dry skin.

• This product has a pH level of 6.

Use/Packaging/Application

Comes in a small travel size jar (2.5 oz / 75 mL)  with a twist of lid which is perfect for testing it out.  Although small, it lasts a long time and is only meant to be used twice a week.  We’ve been following this and it’s more than enough.  However, it’s tempting to use it every night because it’s just so soothing.

3. Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Water

Face Gel Moisturizer

Overall Review

8/10

This product has had such great reviews and was one of the most highly rated new moisturizer of 2017.  In addition to its great reviews, it’s well priced.  On influenster it has 4.6 stars on 5 and 694 reviews. We have to admit that we have a hard time associating Neutrogena with the word luxurious.  However, there is something so decadent and fantastic about this moisturizer and it’s open our eyes to a whole new perspective.  It’s lightweight, gel, and oil free and yet it delivers a deeply hydrating sensation.  It almost feels like silicone but absorbs right away. There is no noticeable scent and it’s very gently (great for sensitive skin).  This would be great for all skin types. However, it’s especially great for people with oily and dry skin because it doesn’t feel greasy and yet does a great job of hydrating. This moisturizer really makes our skin feel hydrated ALL day which is often not the case with other moisturizer’s.

The only down side of this product is that the list of ingredients is not quite as natural as we would like.  If you can’t read any of them, it’s usually not a great sign.

Water (eau), Dimethicone, Glycerin, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide, Cetearyl Olivate, Dimethiconol, Sorbitan Olivate, C13-14 Isoparaf¬fin, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Chlorphenesin, Carbomer, Laureth-7, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum, C12-14 Pareth-12, Sodium Hydroxide, Blue 1.

Product description/Ingredients

NEUTROGENA® Hydro Boost Gel Cream instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated all day. Our unique light-weight formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream. It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day. Formulated with hydrating hyaluronic acid, naturally found in skin, it acts as a sponge for dry skin cells, moisturizing with up to 1,000 times its weight in water, resulting in more supple and smooth skin.

• Oil-free

• Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)

• No drying alcohol

• Purified hyaluronic acid

Use/Packaging/Application

Comes in a twist jar.  Apply with fingers. Simple, easy. The Jar is nice and heavy (feels like glass) and the cap twists on and off easily, but stays on firmly if you carry it to and from the gym you don’t need to worry about it spilling.

4. Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Mist

Overall Review

9/10

Initially, when mists became a new trend in the skincare world, we were skeptical.  We tried a rose water mist while flying, and it was really nice, but it was hard to imagine incorporating a mist into our daily routine.  Now we aren’t sure if we could live without this magical aloe vera mist.  Again this is a Korean skincare brand.  Most of the Korean brands we have found tend to be formulated with natural ingredients that are great for sensitive skin. The brands and products can sometimes be hard to find but a little search on google will do the trick.  

We decided to try this because we are HUGE fans of aloe vera as an ingredient for skincare.  We already have an aloe vera moisturizer from a Korean brand called Benton which we rave about often.  This comes from tons of reading and personal experience.  It’s soothing and heals skin extremely quickly (which is why you put it on sunburns).  In addition it’s extremely hydrating and creates a protective barrier on the skin.  We love this mist because it’s 92% aloe vera and it just feels SO nice and makes a huge difference in our dry patches.  It also does NOT leave a sticky feeling. We use it whenever the mood strikes, which is now often.  But, we tend to spritz our face 2-3 times before bed and when we wake up. It just wakes up your skin.  It’s also really nice how it’s a gel myst because it doesn’t leave your face dripping wet.  Instead it absorbs and just leaves a nice dewing sensation.

What we will try next from this brand?

After trying this brand, we are definitely going to look into their other products because as you know, we love natural and we love aloe vera. We are excited to try The real squeeze aloe vera toner (19.90) and the The SUPER AQUA MAX WATERY EMULSION (18.90). The second one is a a water based toner. It contains Kona Hawaii's 914m deep ocean water which instantly hydrates, releasing steady amounts of moisture. As well as MD101 Polynesian Lagoon Water which replenishes dehydrated skin, provides intense hydration and provides nutrients

Product description/Ingredients

This Soothing Gel Mist is a gel mist that moisturizes and protects the skin against the harmful environment.  It can be used o the face, arms, and legs.  Spray frequently to moisturize dry skin or to protect the skin from the harmful environment.  When using on the face, spray 10-15cm away.

Use/Packaging/Application

Mist bottle spray nice and evenly which is really important.  The packaging is not luxurious but does the job and feels sturdy enough not to break if dropped. Smaller size is available ( Price 7.90 for 5 oz (150  mL).  They also have this is a gel tube format (thicker version-more of a gel moisturizer).  

5. Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick

Overall Review

9/10

We usually don’t tend to put anything on our under-eye during the day.  However, this product has changed that.  It’s cooling, reviving, and simply addictive.  It absorbs quickly so it’s perfect for daytime use and it feels really calming and gentle.  However, we don’t think provides lasting moisture so we wouldn’t rely on this as an under eye cream.  It really just protects your under eye throughout the day.  PERFECT for when you are travelling or on the go.  Keep it in your purse and use it as needed.

Product description/Ingredients

This Tony Moly Panda's Dream So Cool Eye Stick is a portable eye serum in a stick that moisturizes and cools the delicate skin around the eyes as it smooths the appearance of fine lines. Instantly cool and de-puff tired eyes while minimizing the appearance of fine lines with this multitasking eye stick. Infused with nourishing and hydrating bamboo extracts, this serum cools and soothes skin around the delicate eye area while it hydrates.

Use/Packaging/Application

What we especially adore about this product (other than the hydrating and cooling sensation) is that it absorbs really fast.  It feels like it’s still very visible and thick under your eye but to the touch it’s absorbed. AND there’s no trace of it.  So you can technically put this on anytime during the day when your feel like you need it. Our under-eye are always seems to feel dry and in need of hydration so this is perfect.

The packaging is pretty much the most adorable thing you have ever seen (nothing new for Tony Moly). It looks like a big lip balm in the shape of a panda with a twist up stick.  The product is really a nice consistency and doesn’t come off in clumps. It slides on effortlessly without leaving a trace. It’s small, portable, and convenient. Never knew we could love an eye stick so much.