My Top Skincare and Wellness Finds of 2024: Products I Can’t Live Without
Cheers to the end of another memorable year! Did you know that shopping for skincare and wellness items is one of my favorite hobbies? Tell me we are going to a couple of skincare shops and a grocery store and I’m one happy girl. Here is a list of my favorite skincare and wellness items I purchased in 2024.
scrub me secret: Shopping for new skincare items is fun but a few of the items in my skincare routine are ones I have been using for years. When you find an effective serum or a special unique product your skin loves, keep it in your routine. The Josh RoseBrook Vitamin C serum and the Ology Essentials CBD toner are 2 items I continue to repurchase.
UV Deflect Cycling Cap
If you love to cycle like I do, or if you use a bicycle as a mode of transportation this item is for you! If not…you can move on.
This little cap provides an extra level of sun protection for our scalp and upper forehead underneath our bike helmets. Even if we apply proper SPF to our face and body, our scalp usually doesn’t get any sun protection other than our hair. And SPF on our forehead sweats off quickly. Most bike helmets have little slats on the top that expose large stripes of your head to the sun. I bike a lot for exercise and I was noticing new pigment on my hairline even though I was applying proper SPF.
This cap was super helpful for deflecting UV rays that burn and pigment my skin when I’m out on long bike rides.
Lymphatic Brushes
If this blog post was called “My Favorite Skincare Item I Bought This Year” the lymphatic brush set would be it. After learning all of the benefits of these unique face and body massage tools and seeing the results for my own eyes I can't stop using them!
These lymphatic brushes were created to help allow for proper lymphatic flow and drainage with ease. These tools are super soft, skin-safe brushes that lightly grip our skin in a way that helps aid in the movement of the lymphatic fluid that sits just beneath the layers of our skin tissues.
These lymphatic massage brushes are great for reducing inflammation and moving stagnant lymphatic fluid. This can result in less puffiness, contoured face and neck, overall more radiant skin, and an improved immune system.
I LOVE using these in my skincare treatment room and pairing the massage with gua sha massage and other skincare.
scrub me secret: In March this year, I traveled to Colorado for a 2-day education class to learn specific techniques for lymphatic brush massage. These types of hands-on massage courses help me become a better esthetician. I love the results I can provide for my clients using these brushes.
Empress Jade Gua Sha Stone
I will admit, when I first purchased this gua sha stone I got it because I thought it was just a really beautiful limited edition gua sha stone. I thought the jade would be a lovely contrast to my black gua sha stones (and it is 😉) But what surprised me about this stone is that it is a lighter weight and softer feel vs. my original Empress Gua Sha and it makes a great addition to my collection of tools.
This white jade gua sha is the same patented shape as the Empress Stone which is my all-time favorite gua sha because of how well it fits all the contours of our face. The edges of this Jade stone are a bit softer and rounder feeling; same with the bumps on the “comb” edge. Also, this stone is lighter weight making it easier to have a light touch while you massage. I like using this stone when my skin feels more sensitive or delicate.
Japanese Face Tape
Is all facial tape created equal? No. About two years ago I took a face-taping education course that was helpful for education about how facial tape works. I also learned a lot of different facial tape applications for wrinkle reduction, firmer skin, and a lifted look. What the course DIDN’T teach us was regular kinesiology tape isn’t the best thing for our face and neck.
Up until 2 months ago I was using k-tape for my face which adhered to my skin too much and was difficult to remove without damaging my skin. This Japanese face tape I heard about on a podcast is a complete game-changer! It’s easy to use, adheres to my skin well, and removes very easily without hurting my skin.
Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser
Normally I gravitate towards creamy cleansers or cleansers made for sensitive skin. But the ingredients of this cleanser intrigued me and I really like the Indie Lee brand so I had to try this cleanser out. I ended up loving it!
This gel cleanser contains strawberry seed oil, tomato, and hydrolyzed wheat protein which makes it surprisingly hydrating feeling for a gel cleanser. It also smells amazing! I find that my dry skin type feels even, glowy, and healthy when I use this cleanser.
Bioidentical Collagen Serum
I love an effective serum. This new bioidentical collagen serum is an innovative ingredient formulation that uses plant-derived collagens and cultivated yeast cells to improve the firmness and elasticity of our skin. A plant-based serum that improves collagen in my skin? Yes, please!
Scientists at Josh Rosebrook created a breakthrough alternative to animal-derived collagens that helps improve the collagen in our skin cells. In their biofermentation process, enzymes are released that distill molecules into micro-molecules, ensuring optimal absorption and efficacy. This serum is made to help boost collagen, reinforce the skin barrier, and defend the skin against environmental aggressors.
My clients and I have been really enjoying this serum so far and seeing some nice results.
Exa High Fidelity Balancing Color Corrector
This color corrector is perfect if you’re like me and wear very minimal to no makeup and I’m sure it would also make an excellent addition to a makeup kit for those of you who like a full face. It comes in a variety of colors and I find it works great for undereye darkness.
Exa is a brand of makeup that I trust the ingredients of and I have a couple of other items of theirs that I like (lipgloss and lip liner). This color corrector makes my under-eye area look bright and even and it layers nicely under my Kosas concealer.
Pique Sungoddess Matcha
I love a beverage that has benefits for my skin and I also love something caffeinated. This Pique sun goddess matcha is something I have been hearing about from various wellness influencers for a long time and I wasn’t sure if it would live up to the hype. It totally does 😋
This high-quality, ceremonial-grade matcha powder mixes easily into hot or cold water and doesn’t clump up. It has a smooth taste and delivers a boost of caffeine that gives energy but not caffeine jitters.
I love that matcha is a caffeinated beverage with added antioxidants and phytonutrients that protect the health of my skin and body. The Pique brand is committed to making products that don’t contain heavy metals, molds, or other toxins. For these reasons, I can feel great about drinking 1 or 2 of these matchas every day.
scrub me secret: I listed these Pique drinks in my Best Drinks for Skin Health blog post earlier this year. If you’re like me and one of the little joys of your day is to have a delicious treat or beverage that blog post is definitely worth checking out.
Adaptogenic Coffee Alternative
We’ve already established that if there is a drink that promises to give me anti-aging benefits and/or help my skin glow, I will be purchasing it! This cacao, tea, and functional mushroom blend is a tasty coffee alternative that’s packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients that will fight inflammation and free radicals that cause aging.
I still have a cup of coffee or matcha almost daily but I like to reach for this if I feel like I want a second caffeinated beverage or need a late-afternoon boost. I like to drink this hot with a tablespoon of honey and warm almond milk. It’s a nice treat that I know is benefitting my skin and body.
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