Dawn Siler

So you want to make your own skincare products?

It’s not as easy as you think. You can’t just mix up a few drops of olive oil with a big dollop of glycerin, add a spoonful of vitamin C powder and voila, you have a product that works.

It’s way more complicated than that…

For starters, you need to make sure your own skincare products last as long as possible. Cos who has the time to make a new batch every day, right?

This means using the right packaging and preservatives to keep your precious concoctions safe from germs, light and air (they oxidise natural ingredients, making them go bad faster).

Don’t know where to start? Here are a few tips on how to make your own skincare products safely:

1. Wash your hands and sterilize your tools

I know you already know this, but I’ll say it anyway.

Before your start to make your own skincare products, sterilize your hands and tools to kill any bacteria you may transfer on them.

Wash your hands, clean your work surface, your spatula, your bowl and anything else you’re gonna use with hot water or Isopropyl Alcohol.

Make sure they are completely dry (either let them air dry or use a clean paper towel) before you use them. Bacteria, fungi and yeast thrive in moist environments. A few drops of water in your bottle may seem harmlesss, but it’s just what those pesky bacteria need to spoil your own skincare products.

One more thing: use a spatula or a spoon instead of your fingers to pick the small quantities of ingredients you need.

Related: How To Wash Your Hands Properly

2. Make small batches of your own Skincare Products

There’s a reason why moisturisers or serums come in 30ml or bigger bottles. They use preservative systems that are tried and tested to last for months up to a couple of years.

You won’t have access to those preservative systems or the opportunity to do professional testing to estimate how long the preservatives you can use will last. Heck, you may decide not to use preservatives at all.

That’s why it’s safer to make small batches of your own skincare products. You don’t want to make a big portion only to find tiny black dots scattered all over it a few days later.

(FYI, those black dots are bacteria. Throw the concoction away!)

Homemade skincare products have shorter shelf lives, especially when:

• They don’t use preservatives: I always recommend to add at least a couple of natural preservatives to make your own skincare products last a little longer.
• They contain water: A common ingredient in skincare, water makes antioxidants and other goodies spoil and go bad faster.

So make a small batch – just enough for a few days – and store it in the fridge. The lower temperature will help it last longer.

Related: Are Natural Skincare Preservatives Effective?

3. For bigger batches, use preservatives

If you want to make a bigger batch of your own skincare products, you MUST use a preservative. NO exceptions.

Nope, I’m not talking about vitamin E & co. Antioxidants aren’t preservatives. They help the active ingredients in your homemade skincare products last longer, but they don’t protect you against bacteria and fungi.

Essential oils are a common choice. Lavender, rosemary, lemon and sage (to name a few) have antimicrobial properties that can protect your products from bacterial contamination.

But, they’re not without side effects. The problem with essential oils? You need a high dose to act as preservative. That’s irritating.

If you want to go down this route, do your due research to figure out how much essential oil you can use safely.

Some online shops also sell preservatives DIYers can use to make their own skincare products last longer. These work better but, again, do your research to figure out how to use them properly.

Related: Parabens Alternatives: Which Ones Are Safe And Effective?

4. Store your own skincare products properly

I know I sound like a broken record, but homemade skincare products oxidize and lose their effectiveness when exposed to light and air.

Packaging matters as much as the ingredients you’re using. What’s the point of creating a wonderful homemade moisturiser if you’re gonna put it in a see-through jar that’ll make it go bad faster?

Always store your homemade skincare products in opaque and air tight containers. I like to use small dispensing bottles and tubes as they help avoid bacterial contamination.

That’s not all. Even if you’re packaging your own homemade skincare products properly, make sure you’re storing them in a cool and dark place, like your fridge. Leave them under hot sunlight or near your radiator and the heat will spoil them faster.

Related: Why You Should Avoid Jar Packaging

How do you make and store your own skincare products? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Is Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser a dupe for Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser?

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know Liz Earle Cleanser has been a staple in my skincare routine for years. It cleanses. It exfoliates. It gets the job done without irritating skin. Could a cheaper cleanser really compete?

Curiosity got the better of me. I put it to the test to find out:

What’s In Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser?

EMULSIFIERS

Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser has no cleansing agents. Nothing like surfactants that helps oil mix with water and dirt so they can be rinsed away. So, how the heck does it work?

Emulsifiers.

Ingredients like Cetearyl alcohol and Polysorbate 20 aren’t sexy or popular but they’re what makes this cleanser work.

Emulsifiers bind oil and water together. They remove both water-soluble and oil-soluble grime, such as dirt and makeup. Plus, they moisturise skin to boot. Win win.

GLYCERIN

No matter how gentle a cleanser is, the cleansing process always has the potential to be traumatic for skin. If your skin feels tight and dry after a good wash, you know what I’m talking about.

Enter glycerin. This moisture magnet attracts and binds water to the skin to keep it soft and hydrated as all the grime is melted away.

Related: Why Is Glycerin In EVERY Skincare Product?

COTTON CLOTH

A box of Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser contains two cloths made of pure cotton. I find them a little gentler than the cloth that comes with Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.

It doesn’t scratch or irritate my skin at all. Plus, it provides a gentler exfoliating action that removes dead skin cells, too.

I personally don’t like to use washcloths every day because I prefer to exfoliate with salicylic acid (plus, I can’t deal with all the laundry). But it does help remove waterproof makeup more easily.

Related: Should You Use A Washcloth To Wash Your Face?

Texture

Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser has a rich and creamy texture that spreads easily on the skin. It looks more like a thick body butter than a cleanser and is very hydrating.

Fragrance

The cleanser is fragrance-free (phew!), but it smells a little soapy.

How to use it

Massage a dollop of cleanser into your dry face and neck. Rinse the cotton in warm water, wring it out, and gently wipe away the cleanser. Splash your face with warm water.

Rinse the cloth after every use. Wash it at least every 3 days and let it air dry. Under NO circumstances, use a washcloth that’s not 100% dry. Bacteria thrive in wet environments. Ewww!

Your Good Skin claims you can use the cleaner morning and night, but I use it only to remove my makeup. Plus, I don’t think exfoliating twice a day is suitable for the most sensitive of skin types.

Performance & Personal Opinion

I use Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser every night to remove my makeup. The creamy texture glides smoothly on my skin as I massage it in.

Then, I pick up the wet washcloth and start to gently wipe away at my face. Everything comes off. Long-lasting foundation. Waterproof mascara… It takes everything off in just a couple of minutes without irritating or drying out my skin.

I tried to use it with cotton pads instead of a washcloth (I hate doing laundry!) and it still does the job effortlessly.

Who Is This For?

Dry and sensitive skin that needs a gentle cleanser that can remove makeup effortlessly.

Who Is This Not For?

I wouldn’t recommend it to oily skin, just because it could be too rich and emollient for them.

Packaging

This cleanser is housed in a plastic squeeze tube with a flip-top cap that contains 125ml. The small opening lets out just the right amount of product, so that none gets wasted.

Plus, you get two cotton washcloths. You can totally use your own if you prefer, but it’s nice to have them included. Heck, most brands hardly give you one, let alone two!

Does Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser lives up to the claims?

Price & Availability

$8.99/£9.50 at Boots and Walgreens

Do You Need It?

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse & Polish Cleanser or a cleansing balm that gets the job done quickly, this is worth a try.

Dupes & Alternatives

Have you tried Your Good Skin Nourishing Hot Cloth Cleanser? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

What are the best Skinceuticals products?

I have a soft spot for Skinceuticals. They were the first to put a proper Vitamin C serum on the map and have a solid reputation for creating science-backed products that do what they say on the tin.

But it’s bloody expensive. If you’re willing to splurge, you’d better be sure you’re splurging on the right things, the little potions that are gonna make the biggest difference in your skin and give you the results you crave.

Here they are below, the best Skinceuticals skincare products:

Best For Antiaging: SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic ($166.00)

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic is the original CEF serum, the first to combine Vitamin C with Vitamin E and Ferulic acid to supercharge its anti-aging powers. All together, these 3 antioxidants fight more than 4 different types of free radicals before they give you wrinkles and dark spots. Vitamin C goes the extra mile: it also boosts collagen production and fades away dark spots. The catch? Ferulic acid stinks. Without a fragrance to cover it up (and thank goodness there isn’t one – fragrances are irritating), the serum doesn’t smell the best. Is it still worth getting when there are so many dupes around? Let’s put it this way: if you can afford the splurge, this stuff works.

Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, and Look Fantastic

Related: What Are The Best Vitamin C Serums With Vitamin E And Ferulic Acid?

Best For Sensitive Skin: Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+ ($70.00)

Are you struggling to find a Vitamin C serum that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin? Meet Skinceuticals Serum 10 AOX+. It has “only” 10% L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), a concentration low enough not to irritate skin, yet high enough to still be effective at fighting wrinkles, boosting collagen, and brightening the skin tone. Skinceuticals also added ferulic acid for an extra antioxidant boost (but no Vitamin E this time 🙁 ). Plus, the serum’s hydrating, too.

Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, and Look Fantastic

Related: Can You Use Vitamin C If You Have Sensitive Skin?

Best For Hyperpigmentation: Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense ($98.00)

Skinceuticals Discolouration Defense is a powerful cocktail made up of 3 powerful skin-lightener: 1% Kojic acid inhibits the production of melanin, 3% Tranexemic Acid helps fade stubborn dark spots (it works as well as Hydroquinone, but without the irritating side effects), and 5% Niacinamide reduces sallowness, brightens the complexion, and hydrates skin. Will the serum fade away your dark spots? Hard to tell. There’s a reason why there are a dozen brightening agents out there (and more are being discovered every year). Just like most medications, what works for one person may not work for another. But the science here is solid and the formula gentle. I’d personally give it a try before opting for harsher, prescription-only treatments.

Available at: Blue Mercury, Dermstore, and Look Fantastic

Related: The Battle Of The Skin-Lighteners: What’s The Best Alternative To Hydroquinone?

Best Sunscreen: Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Daily Defense SPF 50 ($34.00)

Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Daily Defense SPF 50 is an all mineral sunscreen that uses mineral filters titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide broad-spectrum protection without irritating even the most sensitive of skin types. Usually, high SPF mineral sunscreens have disgustingly greasy textures that are hard to spread, but this one is sheer enough to make it a pleasure to use… Unless you have dark skin. If that’s the case, it’ll leave a white cast behind. Still, if you have sensitive skin, that’s always better than an irritation, don’t you agree?

Available at: Blue Mercury and Dermstore

Reasons: 3 Reasons Why Mineral Sunscreen Is Better For Sensitive Skin

Best For Reducing Wrinkles: Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0 Night Cream ($88.00)

Skinceuticals Retinol 1.0 Night Cream isn’t for the faint of skin. It contains 1% retinol, a concentration that can seem smaller to skincare newbies (we’ve all been there). But retinol is so powerful, 1% packs a very powerful punch. So powerful, expect it to cause some serious peeling, redness and irritation when you first start using it. To reduce the side effects, get your skin used to retinol slowly. Start with a low concentration and build your way up to this slowly. Why make the effort? Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, the only thing proven to reduce the wrinkles you already have. Is that a good enough reason for you? 😉

Available at: Blue Mercury and Dermstore

Related: What Strength Of Retinol Is Right For You?

What do you think are the best Skinceuticals skincare products? Share your fave picks in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Dr Deanne Mraz Robinson lives and breathes skincare.

In addition to her own practice in Connecticut, she’s an investigator in several research trials, serves on the advisor board of leading skincare brands like Allergan, and writes for a bunch of medical journals and women’s magazines, including Allure and Vogue.

Like that weren’t enough, she’s also a busy mom to her four kids, aged 12 to 2. With so little time on her hands, Dr Deanne is an expert on skincare hacks that help new mums save some precious time in their morning without compromising results.

But what does she uses on her own skin? In this interview, Dr Deanne shares her own skincare routines and top tips for brighter, younger-looking skin:

1. When did you become interested in skincare?

I went into Medical School thinking I’d go into pediatrics. I actually spent a year of internship in pediatrics, but the more I was learning about medicine in general, the more dermatology piqued my interest.

2. What’s your skincare routine like?

In the morning I use a gentle cleanser, the ISDIN Micellar Solution is perfect for this. It’s a great way to start the day fresh without stripping the skin of its natural oils. I follow that with my PURE BioDerm Antioxidant Super Serum, then Alastin Restorative Skin Complex and finally on top I finish with IT Cosmetics Better than Foundation BB Cream with SPF 50.

3. If you could only use three skincare products for the rest of your life, what would they be?

Alastin restorative complex, purebio super antioxidant and obviously, SPF. With these three, I could survive anything. 

4. What are your fave skincare brands and why?

• ISDIN – trailblazers in skincare, ISDIN is creating innovative products that tap new ingredients and technologies.
• Alastin- they are the perfect marriage of science and clinical expertise. Their products are made to enhance procedures and maintain results, something I am passionate about. 

5. What are your top 3 skincare tips to take care of your skin?

• Prevention – Broad Spectrum SPF 30 every day!
• Repair – Antioxidants and peptides
• Rejuvenate – Retinol to keep a high cadence of skin cell turnover 

6. What skincare treatments do you regularly have done?

I love the PicoSure laser for rejuvenation. For me, it is the perfect balance of little to no down time with collagen building capability. I love the HydraFacial and do this regularly. I’m not shy when it comes to botox and fillers either.

7. What lifestyle habits do you have that keep your skin in top shape?

SPF all day, everyday! I am dedicated to this habit and have created the same habit for my kids. 

8. What’s in your makeup bag?

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation (SPF 50+). ISDIN Skin Drops for adjustable amount of coverage – I mix these with my face lotion or even body lotion for a tint .VMV Hypoallergenics Lip Gloss – hydrating and clean Beauty.

Thank you, Dr Deanne!

Don’t forget to check out Dr Deanne’s website, Modern Derm Ct. You can also keep up with her on Instagram and Facebook.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.

Did you know skin loses around 500ml of moisture each day? If you don’t top it up pronto, you risk ending up with a bad case of dehydration.

It’s easier than you think. A simple, lightweight moisturizer like Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream will do the job. Here’s how:

What’s In Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream?

GLYCERIN

Glycerin is a moisture magnet. Literally. Like a magnet, it attracts water from the air into the skin and binds it there.

All that extra moisture makes your skin really happy. It plumps it up, so your fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It makes its texture softer to the touch. And gives your complexion a dewy glow.

Bonus points: glycerin hydrates skin without adding more oil to it. That’s what makes it so good for oily/combo skin.

Related: What The Heck Is Glycerin & Why Is It In All My Skincare Products?

CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is a mixture of coconut oil and glycerin. It’s just as moisturizing as coconut oil, but not as thick and NON comedogenic.

In other words, it gives you all the benefits of coconut oil without its side effects.

Related:Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Coconut Oil In Skincare

ALCOHOL DENAT

Alcohol Denat is one of the most misunderstood ingredients in skincare. Word on the street is that it’s terribly drying and irritating.

To an extent, that’s true. The reason you feel so bad after you gulp down one too many cocktails is that alcohol is drying out every cell in your body, giving you a bad case of dehydration.

Does the same thing apply to skin when you slather alcohol on it? It depends. If alcohol’s all you’re slathering on, then yes, it will dry out your skin.

But if you use alcohol together with moisturizing ingredients, they’ll counteract its drying effects. Science confirms this. Recent studies show that alcohol isn’t as drying as we once thought.

Having said this, everyone’s skin is different. If your skin is particularly sensitive to alcohol denat and doesn’t tolerate it well, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream is not for you.

But what’s alcohol doing here, anyway? Thinning the texture. Alcohol’s the cheapest way to do the job.

Related: What Does Alcohol-Free In Skincare Really Mean?

Texture

It’s so lightweight, it sinks in without leaving a greasy residue behind – even on oily skin. It makes a great base for makeup, too.

Fragrance

It’s fragrance-free, so sensitive skin can use it, too.

How To Use It

Massage a small pump of the cream on your dry skin, face and neck. You can use it both in the morning and at night.

Performance & Personal Opinion

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream has a very simple formula. I know some of you will be disappointed by the lack of natural extracts or oils.

But there’s a reason why they didn’t make it into this cream – and it’s got nothing to do with wanting to keep the price down.

Sensitive skin can’t tolerate natural extracts + oils well. The fragrant components that make them smell so good also give sensitive skin a rash or irritation. They’re also more likely to give you an allergic.

A synthetic molecule made in a sterilised lab has less chance of causing trouble for your skin. If you have sensitive skin, simple and synthetic is the way to go.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s talk performance. On my oily t-zone, Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream does the job fine. It makes my skin softer and suppler from morning till evening without clogging up my pores and giving me breakouts. The only problem is that a few hours later, the shine comes back with a vengeance.

My dry cheeks need something more heavy duty at this stage. After lunch, they already started to feel tight, a tell-tale sign they were thirsting for more moisture.

Who Is This For?

• Sensitive skin that’s on the oilier side.
• Teenagers who need a basic moisturizer (no need for anti-aging, yet).

Who Is This NOT For?

It’s not moisturizing enough for dry skin.

Packaging

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream comes in both a jar and a tube. It’s easier to get every last bit out of the jar, but the tube version is more hygienic. That’s my fave, by the way.

Does Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream Lives Up To The Claims?

Price & Availability

£13.00 at Escentual and Feel Unique

Do You Need It?

If you have sensitive skin that gets easily irritated or a teen on a strict budget, you’ll like this moisturiser.

Dupes & Alternatives

Have you tried Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Take The Guesswork Out Of Skincare Shopping

Get access to the “Pro Skincare Library” for exclusive skincare routine “cheat sheets” and tricks to help you navigate the beauty aisles jungle like a pro and immediately know what to pick off the shelves to achieve the gorgeous skin of your dreams – even when you’re drowning in an endless sea of skincare products.

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and get access to the skin library.