I'm Loyal to This Rarely on Sale Retinol From an Oprah-Approved Brand

Publish date: 2024-05-08

Retinol seemed like the no-brainer solution to essentially turning back time on my skin before NYC air filled my pores with dirt and pollution. However, I was terrified the vitamin A derivative would irritate my sensitive skin and exacerbate the issue — but if I was going to trust a product from anyone, it would be the Oprah-approved brand, Sunday Riley. And boy, did I make the right decision. After incorporating the Retinol Sleeping Anti-Aging Night Face Oil in my skincare routine, this shockingly blue serum turned invisible once I rubbed it in, and effortlessly transformed my rough, bumpy skin into a smooth, glass-like finish. And right now, it’s currently on sale for 30 percent off in honor of Amazon’s October Prime Day, aka Prime Big Deals Day. You can shop it along with dozens of other deals on our editor-adored skincare products, including celebrity-used tools and smoothing face primers.

Sunday Riley Luna Retinol Sleeping Night Oil

Amazon 

Lauded by celebrities (hello, Drew Barrymore) and editors alike for its gentle yet extremely effective formulas, this pick from Sunday Riley taps the anti-inflammatory blue tansy oil to ease redness and even out discoloration. Meanwhile, it uses a milder version of retinol to promote skin cell turnover to deliver luminous, radiating results without making my skin angry even once. It took around four weeks to see my skin appear brighter, clearer, and more even-toned than ever before, earning it a permanent spot on my shelf. 

Youth to the People Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream 

Amazon

While Kaia Gerber may be a fan of Youth to the People’s nourishing facial cleansers, I’m partial to its ultra-rich and luxuriously lightweight moisturizer. The springy green-hued lotion coats my complexion in a thin veil while pumping my skin full of vitamins C, vitamin A, and vitamin K from the kale and spinach extracts to ease the flakiness and redness I have from too much time in the sun. In fact, after I apply it, my skin is so even-textured that I often slather it on in place of a traditional makeup primer since it creates such an excellent, smooth canvas for foundation. 

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion 

Amazon

Tempting as it may be to pick up a warm sugar cookie-scented body wash, I often opt for the no-frills, straightforward Cetaphil products: They’re extremely gentle on sensitive skin. This hypoallergenic lotion leaves out potentially aggravating ingredients, like fragrances and parabens, in favor of soothing ones, such as niacinamide and glycerin. These vitamins work alongside other hydrating oils like avocado and sunflower seed, to restore moisture back into my flaky, reptilian-like skin, which is truly no easy feat. 

Mighty Patch Original

Ulta

Though I don’t typically get breakouts, single angry red blemishes crop up along the sides of my cheek in protest against how often I rest my face in my hands. Instead of dotting on an unsightly gloopy zit cream night after night, I pop the neat and barely visible Mighty Patch over my pimple, and six hours later, the damage has disappeared—the redness and mountain-sized bump are totally wiped. It’s perhaps the easiest acne treatment I’ve ever used, all thanks to the formula’s use of hydrocolloid. The fluid-absorbing gel pulls the dirt, oil, and other impurities out of clogged pores without disrupting the healthy skin around it. 

Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash

Amazon 

Far be it from me to knock a Drew Barrymore-used brand, but I initially had my doubts as to whether Dove’s Hypoallergenic Body Wash would truly be kind enough to my reactive skin type. However, I delved into the ingredient list and my confidence soared. Without parabens and sulfates, I feel good about sudsing up with it day after day, and the fact that it’s PETA-approved vegan. Plus, as a habitual fake tanner, I need to be wary that the products I wash with won’t scrub off my hard work early, but this one does just the opposite and extends the life of my faux-glow with aid from moisturizing ingredients like glycerin and soybean oil.

Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen

Amazon 

My roommates and I share a lot of different things, and foremost among them are our super-sensitive scalps and the Skin Cancer Foundation-approved, SPF 30 Jane Iredale powder sunscreen. Its super fine, translucent powder formula and brush-style applicator make it a much more convenient and less messy option over a traditional lotion or spray. I’m also fond of how it saves my sun-soaked skin from becoming dry and flaky with moisture-replenishing ingredients like pine bark and pomegranate extracts

Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm

Amazon

I can hardly wait to get home and melt off my oily, fractured makeup with this criminally rich cleansing balm from Naturopathica. My skin is in for a real treat every time I massage the elixir of sweet almond oil and manuka honey into it as these ingredients wash away foundations, powders, and other products while soothing any dryness and killing acne-causing bacteria. Sure, it’s on the pricier end, but just a little dab is all you need to reap its benefits, meaning it will sit on your shelf forever, and since it’s on sale for 26 percent off this is the perfect time to test it for yourself. 

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