Whoa, can you believe it’s been a year since my last monthly favorites post? I knew I was lagging behind in that department, but surely not by that much. Still, cant argue with the facts, and my blog history is a pretty trustworthy indicator that I’ve been putting this off way too long. Today is the last day of March, so I guess I’m not too late to share my March beauty favorites after all.
Usually I break down the products into categories, like makeup, body care, etc, but this time they’re all skincare. I realized it only when I actually sat down to write this post, so this lineup was totally unintentional.
My first fave product is LXMI Pure Nilotica Melt Nourishing Balm-to-Oil. It has only one ingredient – Shea Nilotica, a premium type of shea butter that is made from a different kind of shea tree than most products on the market. I will have a full review for you on the blog soon, so I’m not going to go into too much detail here. Know one thing: it definitely feels different than a regular shea butter; it’s creamier and more moisturizing, but not too greasy. Definitely give it a try at Sephora, if your local store carries this brand.
NOW Solutions Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil*
I also went on a little shopping spree at The Ordinary. This brand is very hot right now and their products constantly sell out. That’s why I ended up having to place 3 different orders to finally get all of the products I need for my routine. To be honest, I’ve been impressed with pretty much everything I bought, but these two are my absolute favorites that I already ordered backups for: The Ordinary Advanced Retinoid 2% and The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA. I bought the retinoid serum because it’s supposedly next gen active that promises to deliver great results without irritation. I’ve been using it for 2 months now and really, no irritation whatsoever! Alpha Arbutin is a proven ingredient for fading dark spots and skin discolorations, and I’ve been using it in conjunction with Niacinamide to get rid of my post-acne pigmentation with really good results. This combo works like a charm for me, and the only reason I didn’t include Niacinamide serum in my faves is because it pills like crazy. Again, I will have a big long review of everything I picked up in a few weeks, so stay tuned for that.
I found a new appreciation for NOW Solutions Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil*, especially after I started using The Ordinary products that contain very strong resurfacing acids. A few drops of this miracle oil mixed in with my nighttime moisturizer have done wonders for my skin. I actually think this oil is the real reason I am not experiencing any noticeable peeling, and my dry skin cells are much easier to exfoliate with a few swipes of a gentle washcloth.
Paula’s Choice Resist Omega+ Complex Serum
I received the new Paula’s Choice Resist Omega+ Complex Serum a couple weeks ago, and have been using it religiously every day since then. I feel like it really helps minimize the pilling effect from The Ordinary Niacinamide serum, so I can easily wear makeup on top and not worry about it falling off my face in chunks, especially if I’m being careful and avoid touching my face too much. On its own, this serum feels heavenly: it makes my skin feels instantly comforted and soothed, and I think it will work really well for someone with dry skin, or those with a compromised lipid barrier, like me [because, acids]. I’m sure you’ll see it again in my spring skincare wardrobe features. Note: the serum will be officially available in April.
Chidoriya Peach Herbal Moon Face Toner
Another amazing company I recently came across for the first time is Chidoriya. It’s a Japanese brand of traditional, all-natural, non-toxic skincare that I will talk more about during my Clean Beauty Month in April. I was introduced to Chidoriya Peach Herbal Moon Face Toner at Mills Pharmacy, where you can pick up several products from the line. I am so impressed with the offerings at Mills, they carry brands that are very hard to get elsewhere, so it’s always interesting to browse the latest arrivals on their website. This product in particular is everything I want in a toner, and then some. It’s non-irritating, smells amazing, provides antioxidant and anti-aging benefits, and contains only two ingredients: Getto Alpinia Zerumbet Herbal Water and Grapefruit Seed Extract. More about it in a future post!
I discovered Erin’s Faces thanks to my amazing contact at Boxwood Press, and now she’s got me hooked on this brand like Luna on tuna. I featured Erin’s Faces Peptide SPF 30 in my recent sunscreen edit, and I wanted to mention it again in my monthly favorites, because I’ve been using it almost every day. Remember how hard it used to be to find sunscreen that isn’t too thick, or one that won’t leave the dreaded white cast? Thankfully, times have changed and many brands now have more sophisticated, wearable formulas for everyday. Erin’s Faces sunscreen is just that – lightweight, doesn’t leave my face with white streaks, doesn’t dry out my skin or make it break out, and works well with makeup. Plus, the ingredients are very clean, so if any of you are into non-toxic skincare, definitely take a look at this line.
What beauty products are you loving right now? Have you tried any of the products from my list? Let me know in the comments!
*NOW® Essential Oils are highly concentrated and can be irritating to the skin. Avoid direct contact with skin and always dilute essential oils before topical use. Discontinue if rash appears after skin contact. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes.
Disclosure: This post features PR samples and products purchased by Glamorable, and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
I need to check out The ordinary and that Paula’s Choice Omega + Serum sounds amazing. Your skin care posts always get my ears up and put my wallet on alert! lol
I am really enjoying my The Ordinary picks, and Omega+ Serum complements them beautifully 🙂
I’ve been getting the announcements from Beautylish about The Ordinary but I’m drowning in skincare so I haven’t taken the plunge. I definitely would be interested in the PC Omega+ Serum. I have Paula’s Choice Niacinamide so maybe I’ll spring for The Ordinary’s Alpha Arbutus and see if the combo will do anything for my remaining dark spots that are impossible to get rid of.
I’m drowning in skincare, too, but The Ordinary has some of the products that made my routine truly complete.
I love your posts like this because it’s skincare and I’m not as knowledgeable and enjoy learning what is working for others. Paula’s Choice sounds wonderful to me.
Paula’s Choice products in general worked really well for me in the past. I like their 2% BHA toner, too 🙂
rosehip oil is so great for skin.
I agree, it’s so nourishing 🙂
These are great faves!
Thank you!
You always use the most unusual unique skincare. These are probably all amazing.
Thank you! I am happy to share.
I should pick up Alpha Arbutin to try. I’ve got a few spots that aren’t fading with other products, and I’m not feeling like becoming a leopard any time soon.
Make sure to read the instructions (arbutin hates water), and always wear SPF 🙂
OK, I need to pick up: LXMI Pure Nilotica Melt Nourishing Balm-to-Oil! This sounds luxurious and so nice to soothe my dry skin.
It’s a lovely alternative to regular shea butter, but a lot pricier. I wouldn’t pay the full price for it, but it’s a very lovely product.
I just picked up a new Rosehip Oil because my last one expired. I’ve had my eye on the skincare from Ordinary but it’s so hard to get ahold of!
My old one expired, too, and this is a new bottle. The Ordinary skincare is amazing, and the prices are so low!
I feel the same way. I can’t believe so much time passes before I know it! haha I love your faves!
Haha, thanks Laura! Glad to hear I’m not totally crazy 🙂
Right now my skin is being recalcitrantly dry so my usual favorites don’t work – but summer is coming!
Maybe adding some oils that work for your skin type could help?
I am so intrigued by that rosehip oil.
You should check it out, it’s a nice booster for skincare 🙂
I’ll be looking into a few of these products, especially The Ordinary! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the brands.
The Ordinary products are phenomenal and so effective – no bells and whistles, just actives that actually work. And the price point is perfect for almost any budget.
Like Luna on tuna, lol! These look like some great products 🙂
Luna loves her tuna, haha 🙂
I’ve been using the Paula’s Choice Resist Omega+ Complex Serum and I like it too. I’m also using the Pixi Beauty Rose Oil facial oil at night.
I like the PIXI oil, too, and it’s going to be featured in my upcoming PM routine post 🙂