Skin Care Empties (Long Overdue…)

It’s been a loooong time since I’ve done a skin care empties post, so much so that I have an empties box on the floor of my walk-in closet that I’m constantly tripping over.

So, in the interest of finally reviewing and emptying said box, it’s time to reflect on the skin care products I’ve finished and share which ones will be lucky enough to get the “repurchase” stamp from me.

 

Thayers Cucumber Witch Hazel With Aloe Vera Toner

This alcohol-free, budget friendly toner has a delicious, light cucumber scent and is great for refreshing and soothing skin. It doesn’t provide enough hydration on its own for me in the winter, but I love it in the spring/summer months applied after cleansing and exfoliating or on top of a hyaluronic acid serum to boost moisture. I also love using it after an acid peel or derma-roller session.

I currently keep it in an empty mister bottle of Wet n’ Wild’s Photo Focus setting spray for a quick spritz now and then.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Buy It: Ulta |  Amazon CA

    Related Reading: The Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Toner Makes The Best Setting Spray

The Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter Makeup Remover

The Body Shop’s Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter (review) is a great makeup remover that cuts through all my face and eye makeup in no time without leaving any greasy residue behind after rinsing.

I initially thought this tin of lightly scented, cleansing goodness wouldn’t last me very long, but it actually took many months for me to get to the bottom of it. I’ve recently gone back to my coconut oil to remove my makeup since this cleansing butter finished, but haven’t been enjoying it as much as I did this cleanser.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Buy It: The Body Shop

Cosrx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

I have yet to find a Cosrx exfoliating toner that I didn’t like, so you know I don’t have any complaints about this one (almost). The Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid (review) uses 7% glycolic acid to gently exfoliate my dinosaur skin for a smoother, brighter complexion without any tingling or irritation. It comes with a handy pump, it’s fragrance free and Korean – enough said.

Would I repurchase? No, only because I like the Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment even more.

Buy It: Ulta | Amazon CA

Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Can you tell I love Cosrx toners? Here’s another that I finished just a few days ago and totally love. It’s made with AHA (glycolic acid) to exfoliate and brighten the skin, while the BHA (betaine salicylate) deep cleans pores. I love exfoliating toners that contain both AHA and BHA and this one didn’t disappoint!

Super effective and gentle, my only complaint with this toner was that it came with a spray, whereas the other Cosrx toners come with a lovely pump. On the plus side, you get 150mL of product with this toner, while the AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is only 100mL.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Buy It: Ulta

 

Etude House 10-in-1 House Wonder Pore Freshener

I ordered this toner a couple years ago from Amazon because of its pore reducing promises but failed to check the ingredients first. I try to avoid alcohol in my toners and unfortunately alcohol is listed as the first or second ingredient in this thing.

As a result, I didn’t use this toner much and eventually ended up dumping it out. When I did use it, I didn’t seem to experience any irritation or excess dryness and my pore size looked the same.

Would I repurchase? No.

Buy It: Amazon

Related Reading: Amazon Beauty Haul

Kalleis Lift Serum (AD-gifted)

Kalleis is an Italian skin care brand that I’ve been fortunate enough to try out in the past and still use regularly; the Lift Serum was kindly provided as a PR sample and it blended into my skin care routine seamlessly.

Lift Serum works wonders at plumping and hydrating the skin and I would mix 1 or 2 drops of it into my essence in the mornings to bring some life and vibrancy to my tired, 30+ complexion. Downside – this serum is a pricey little sucker! It also has a cologne-like fragrance that some might find bothersome.

Would I purchase? On sale, yes (it’s pricey, but fabulous!).

Buy It: Cosmo Chic Boutique

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Essence

This essence from The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth line is great for hydrating the skin. It’s a light, clear, watery gel that spreads easily and absorbs quickly and is made with three plant stem cells: edelweiss from the Italian Alps, sea holly and criste marine from the Brittany Coast.

While I liked it well enough, it doesn’t provide the hydration that I get from my Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Lotion, nor does it have all the lovely ingredients of the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence, so I wouldn’t grab it again. I’m currently using The Body Shop’s Roots of Strength firming essence and feel the same way about that one too.

Would I repurchase? No.

Formula 10.0.6 Be Berry Balanced Nourishing Spray Toner  (AD-gifted)

The Formula 10.0.6 Be Berry Balanced Toner was received as a PR sample when this new line launched from the brand. It’s made with niacinamide to help minimize pores and reduce oil production.

This toner isn’t hydrating enough for me in the drier months but I loved it in the sweaty, summer months as an early morning mist of berry goodness. Only issue – the spray itself was a bit too intense so I would probably decant this into a better spray/misting bottle.

Would I repurchase? If I can find it in Walmart, yes.

Buy It: Ulta

    Related Reading: Two Fun Masks From Formula 10.0.6

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

What can I say that hasn’t already been said by hundreds of other skin care lovers about this stuff? CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a staple in my household – I use it on myself and my two girls as a facial cleanser (and my husband, if he’d use it).

It’s super gentle on skin and formulated with 3 different types of ceramides to protect the skin’s moisture barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid to help skin attract and retain moisture.

CeraVe hydrating cleanser is non-comedogenic and while aimed at normal to dry skin types, can be used for oily skin types as well – it’s totally non-greasy, I swear! I’m still dying to try out the foaming version, but I just have way too many cleansers to use up first.

Would I repurchase? Forever yes and already did.

Buy It: Ulta | Target | Amazon 

    Related Reading: Skin Care Favourites: Cream Cleansers Edition

Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

This is the first ever retinol treatment I tried and was what put retinol on the map for me as my favourite skin care ingredient. Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol (review) shrunk my pores overnight after my first use and continued to make my skin smoother, firmer and more poreless as time went on. I purchased this bottle before my first daughter, so it’s been on hiatus during two pregnancies and periods of breastfeeding, which had me wondering how potent the retinol still was at this point.

I’ve been working hard to finish this stuff off since it’s well past its best before date, but it refused to finish; it’s as if someone was refilling this thing overnight, I swear! But it just goes to show that a pea-sized amount of this stuff is super potent and worth the price – it lasts forever!

If you’re a seasoned retinol user, you might want to check this skin care gem out!

Would I repurchase? Yes, unless I find a cheaper option that works just as well.

Buy It: QVC | Dermstore | Paula’s Choice

    Related Reading: 11 Things You Should Know About Retinol

Indeed Laboratories inDefense30 Dual Action SPF Moisturizer (AD-gifted)

I received the lovely inDefense30 Dual Action SPF Moisturizer as a PR sample and instantly loved it! A small amount is enough for my whole face and it absorbs in seconds. I used this daily under makeup and it also doubles as an amazing skin mattifying and smoothing primer as well.

Great for oily skin, I loved using inDefense30 during the hot, humid summer. Just wish there was a larger size so it would last longer.

Would I purchase? No – because it’s time I start using a full-on sunscreen daily.

Buy It: Shopper’s Beauty Boutique | Indeed Labs | Boots

The Ordinary Vitamin C 23% Suspension

I reviewed The Ordinary’s Vitamin C 23% Suspension quite a while back and finally finished this sucker a few months ago. I didn’t use it as much because I found it to be quite greasy on the skin. It also pilled on me every time, which drove me nuts, since I’d have to rinse off all the little balled up bits from my hands after applying it.

Love how affordable it is and felt like it did improve my skin tone, but the pilling and greasiness were dealbreakers for me.

Would I repurchase? No.

Related Reading: Get Glowing Skin With Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line Reducing Concentrate Vitamin C Serum

What skin care products have you finished off lately?

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