I've Done Countless Hours of Skincare Research, And These Products Actually Work

What products do you swear by?

Our mist/toner is my skin savior, any time my skin feels dehydrated or dull, I use it.

For most of the year, my skin tends to be acne-prone, and so this bodywash from CeraVe always helps prevent any breakouts and keeps my skin healthy and balanced from the exfoliation. I'm also all about reinforcing my skin's barrier and health, so I apply tamanu oil at night and help with skin regeneration, keeping my skin strong.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what's the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why?

After testing various types of products and different ingredients, I always avoid products that contain phthalates, but this ingredient can also be grouped into fragrance. Any products I use most definitely cannot have either on their ingredient list. 

What products do you swear by?

I’m a fan of Philosophy Turbo Booster’s C Powder. It’s basically powdered vitamin C that fights free radical attack, a primary cause of premature aging.

I also swear by Cleanse by Lauren Napier Makeup Wipes. They are the only makeup wipes that don’t leave my skin feeling stripped, and they have amazing plant-based ingredients that I feel good about.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I avoid mineral oil like the plague. It is a moisture inhibitor, and it dries my skin out. It can also cause premature lines and wrinkles because it’s so drying.

What other skincare products do you swear by?  

I also swear by a weekly exfoliating treatment (a mud mask or AHA peel) that really keeps my skin in great shape. My personal favorite is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (aka the blood serum). I've started getting milia on my eyelids, and the YouTube world recommended this solution. It hasn't gotten rid of the milia, but I do love how it makes my skin glow after I use it.

The other product I swear by is Alba Botanica's fragrance-free Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen. It's not the trendiest of the clean mineral sunscreens, but for the level of clean you get and how nice it is to apply, you can't beat the price. We go through sunscreen very quickly in our house, so I like buying it in bulk.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

It's extremely hard to avoid, but I really try not to use products that contain PEGS. They show up on ingredients lists as PEGS or polysorbate-(any number) and are even in the two non–Alder New York products I recommended. They create a silky hand feel, and they are cheap, so cosmetic companies love them, but the chemical process by which they are made, they can bind dangerous contaminates to them. We don't use them in any Alder New York products for this reason, and any brands that avoid them and still create nice-feeling products immediately get my attention. 

What three skincare products do you swear by? 

I’ve been developing an Aromatic Botanical Face Scrub that clarifies, soothes, and calms inflamed skin, which launches in holiday 2020. But beyond my scrub, I swear by Monastery Made Aloe. It’s a gel-serum hyaluronic moisture boost. I love the deep hydration it brings to my face, which my skin really needs, especially in summer. And I love Heart of Gold's Harvest Moon Oilserum. It perks up sluggish skin while helping to calm inflammation and heal the skin.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

A common ingredient found in a lot of products is fragrance, which is added to mask unpleasant smells caused by mixing different ingredients. Many times, these have a toxic effect on people with respiratory issues or sensitive skin, as most fragrances are synthetic and can cause allergic reactions. This is compounded once you start incorporating so many different products in your skincare, bodycare, and haircare routines. This blend of fragrances can cause irritations. The safer, natural alternative is an essential oil, which can actually be beneficial for your respiratory system. When properly mixed, [essential oils] create a soothing, calming experience. The scent does not last as long, since natural essence naturally dissipates, so products with natural fragrance won't overwhelm your olfactory system.

What three skincare products do you swear by? 

Of course, I love our Glam Body Coconut Coffee Scrub for Dry Skin because it’s all-natural, nourishes my skin, helps to even my skin tone, diminishes my dark spots, and smells so good! I also love to use Mary Louise Cosmetics’ body butters. The company is Black-owned, vegan, and all-natural, and the buttery consistency makes my skin feel so soft and smooth.

My go-to toner is by the Black-owned skincare brand Ode to Self, and it’s called Wave. I use it because it’s packed full of nutrients for your skin, including vitamin C, which is a superhero for your skin. I’m 45 and always looking for ways to reduce fine lines. ⠀⠀

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I avoid any beauty products with parabens because parabens easily get absorbed in the body and are detected in many breast cancer tissues. A huge no-no for me.

What type of skin do you have? And what’s one trick you swear by for your skin type?

My skin has been going through a lot of changes after being pregnant! I used to have pretty dry skin, but now I would say it is more combination, oilier at my T-zone. Drinking lots of water with lemon and Sakara Beauty Water Drops has really helped change my complexion's glow and suppleness. But I also swear by Shani Darden Retinol Reform. We did a partnership with Shani a while back, and I discovered her incredible retinol. It has completely transformed my skin and helps with hormonal acne post-pregnancy.

What skincare products do you swear by?

I swear by Alexander Wagner’s exfoliant. I like to start the morning with a cleanse! I use this amazing brightening exfoliator made with fine quartz crystal and black volcanic sand. Ever since I had a baby, I feel like I need a little extra glow and TLC. I’m also a huge fan of face oils! Right now, I’m loving the Pure Radiance Face Oil from True Botanicals. It leaves my skin feeling moisturized, but never greasy, and keeps breakouts at bay.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I avoid silicone in haircare products. There are so many amazing ingredients, like coconut and argan oil, that actually seep into your strands to offer lasting moisture and shine. Silicone is a barrier to strands and just sits on top of the hair, making it brittle and dry over time.

What three skincare products do you swear by? 

Over the years, as my skincare regimen has become increasingly more minimal, discovering through trial and error what is best for my skin personally, our Cosmic Glow Face oil became my desert-island product, as I found it to be the most nourishing and compatible as it’s naturally nutrient-rich in vitamins and omegas, lightweight, and easily absorbed while leaving skin nourished and velvety.

I’m also a big fan of powder masks from a shelf-life perspective, and Golde Clean Greens Face Mask has been such a savior for calming irritated skin from daily safety mask-wearing. It feels and smells so fresh too, with a little bit going a long way. Also love Bathing Culture Total Body Brush. It’s hands down my favorite dry brush ever, with a comfortable handle with the perfect strength bristles to help with dry skin and stimulate the lymphatic system.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

In recent years, I tend to stay away from products where I might experience a period of burning, redness, or flaking. I have a little bit of hyperpigmentation and have been recommended products by dermatologists and estheticians specifically for that, but I have never successfully been able to get past the transitional periods with some retinoids and acids. My skin can be sensitive, so I try to be gentle with it.

What type of skin do you have? And what’s one trick you swear by for your skin type? 

I have dry and reactive skin (dermatitis). My number one trick is cleansing and exfoliating. Without a great cleansing regimen, it doesn’t matter how incredible your serum or moisturizer is! Cleansed skin = healthy skin. And my favorite cleanser by far is Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser. I love how gentle it is on the skin. It both removes makeup and deeply cleanses the skin.

What other skincare products do you swear by? 

I swear by Dr. Jart Teatreement toner. I love this toner because it gently balances the skin’s pH and reduces blemishes using tea tree extract, meanwhile soothing and hydrating the skin with green tea and aloe vera. I’m also obsessed with Amandine Sol Botanicals Glow Oil. It’s packed with clean ingredients and adds beautiful lightweight hydration. It also acts as a beautiful makeup base.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I always try to avoid alcohol and synthetic fragrances. My skin is super dry and sensitive, so I try to avoid ingredients that will overly strip my skin of moisture.

What three skincare products do you swear by?

I know it sounds like hyperbole, but our SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray is truly a miracle product for me. Its hero ingredient, hypochlorous acid, activates your immune system to tackle inflammation and bacteria, and it’s the only thing that keeps my eczema at bay other than steroids, which before developing SOS, I was relying on for longer than I’d like to admit!

Before I was able to treat my eczema, I never would have dreamed of using products with active ingredients. Thankfully, now that it’s under control, I can experiment with things like retinol! I love using Mara Beauty Evening Primrose + Green Tea Algae Retinol Oil at nighttime because it’s super moisturizing and my skin literally drinks it up. And finally, I love Alpyn Beauty’s Creamy Bubbling Cleanser. I love supporting fellow women-owned brands, and I can’t get enough of this cleanser. It lathers up really well and removes everything without stripping or leaving your face with that “squeaky-clean” feeling. Plus it’s fragrance-free, which is a must for me.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

Personally, to keep my skin under control, I avoid synthetic fragrance at all costs. Not only in my skincare, but in my haircare, makeup, laundry detergent, and perfumes! I am also super careful about exfoliation. I agree that it works in the short-term, but I strongly believe that our skin can only handle so much exfoliation, so it’s a trade-off, and the long-term effects of constant exfoliation and exposing new skin to sun damage is still unknown.

What type of skin do you have? And what’s one trick you swear by for your skin type?

I have normal to moderately dry skin. I used to have oily skin. I swear by tons of water, reducing stress through meditation and our peace pills, and weekly detoxing with our moringa mask.

What three skincare products do you swear by? 

I swear by our OrganiGlow facial cleanser because it removes dirt oil makeup and even mascara without stripping the skin. I also swear by rose water because it’s extremely cooling, calming, and hydrating and can give you a natural glow. And finally, I swear by the Spot Treatment by Musely. It’s the only thing I’ve found that you can get without seeing a doctor in person that gets rid of deep hyperpigmentation. You use an online process to get a consultation, and they ship you your prescription.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I always avoid perfumes and fragrances for so many reasons. Not only am I allergic, but many of them are carcinogenic and cause organ toxicity. I also avoid parabens and phenoxyethanol.

What three skincare products do you swear by?

I swear by Freck Beauty’s Cactus Water. You wouldn't believe how much gunk is left on your skin after you wash it. With 1% lactic acid, this toner makes for a squeaky-clean face and is safe for morning and night use.

I also swear by Hydropeptide Collagel Eyemasks. I keep these in the fridge for a refreshing peptide soak for these CEO eye bags. And finally, Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil. I love the gentleness of this retinoid, and the smell is actually addicting.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I hate synthetic fragrance; it irritates my skin and leaves a drying feeling, similar to products that have alcohol in them.

What skincare products do you swear by? 

Sun protection is my first priority when it comes to skincare. I use the Zoca Lotion Stick before I go out in the water. After all that sun exposure, I take care of my face with a few drops of our Outer Being Face + Body Oil, which is packed with the highest concentration of organic antioxidants. 

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

I don't mess with fragrances. They tend to give me headaches, and they take over my mind/attention, which is already fleeting. They also don't break down and can persist in waterways. It's a big reason why I care so much about what goes on my skin. Essential oils and naturally derived scents are okay depending on what it is and how it's sourced/extracted. Also, all the ingredients that are derived from petrochemicals need to go in general.

What type of skin do you have? And what’s one trick you swear by for your skin type?

OO: I have oily, acne-prone skin that scars easily. Using anti-inflammatory products that are typically geared toward eczema or dry skin help to calm skin and prevent irritation that leads to hyperpigmentation.

What three products do you swear by? 

OO: I started using Lauren Napier Cleansing Wipes, and I’m in love. The wipes act as a makeup remover and as a skincare product! I also love Bread Beauty Supply’s shampoo. It’s super moisturizing and also smells like Fruit Loops. And, of course, I use our brightening and clearing gel, Faded, because I have dark spots.

As a beauty founder who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

OO: I try to avoid hydroquinone because of its history of skin bleaching in darker-skinned people. It’s also linked to ochronosis (permanent pigment cell death) with prolonged use.

What type of skin do you have? And what’s one trick you swear by for your skin type?

CT: I have very sensitive, very reactive, dry skin. I swear by layering moisturizing (all fragrance-free!) products—moisturizer on top of humectants on top of oils, all sealed in with occlusives.

What three skincare products do you swear by? 

CT: I always have a tube of Aquaphor Healing Ointment with me. It’s affordable and very multipurpose. I use it on my lips, hands, and face. I never paid much attention to the face cleanser I used until I started using the Biossance Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil. It cleanses so effectively and easily and leaves my skin feeling so plump and moisturized afterward. Every night, I finish my skincare routine with our Topicals Like Butter Hydrating Mask as an overnight mask. I wake up with glass-like skin that I don’t even feel I need to re-moisturize in the morning, which is saying something considering I have eczema and very dry skin!

As a beauty founder and CPO who’s tested a lot of products, what’s the one ingredient you always try to avoid, and why? 

CT: I try to avoid pretty much all fragrance (including essential oils and citrusy extracts) because it often leads to irritation, which then causes hyperpigmentation.