It can be hard to get your hands on **FADED**. Topicals is a small brand with in-demand products and limited stock; you may be waitlisted or need to pre-order (which isn’t ideal when you rely on a product for daily use). I think this will change in time, sooner rather than later given all the positive buzz surrounding Topicals’ debut products. 

Because there are no added fragrances, **FADED** smells pretty funky. Prior to its newer, less-stinky formulation, it had a sulfurous&#47;rotten-egg scent until dry-down. People who ordered the first “drop” weren’t exaggerating about the scent, it wasn’t pleasant. The reformulation&#47;current version doesn’t smell *good*, but it definitely doesn’t have that rotten egg smell anymore. It reminds me of (sorry in advance) raw chicken and seasoned salt. Probably not your grail if you want a pleasant olfactory experience with your skincare, but  **FADED** works on my spots so I’m willing to breathe through my mouth til dry-down.

Topicals **FADED** brightening + clearing gel may be my “Desert Island product”: I’m on my second tube and never want to be without this stuff again. It’s the only product to noticeably lighten my melasma and dark spots left by acne-rosacea without causing irrtation. 

Almost everyone deals with some sort of hyperpigmentation—caused by overproduction and irregular distribution of melanin—at some point in their lives. Skin’s melanocytes can be triggered to overproduce melanin for a variety of reasons, like sun exposure, breakouts&#47;pimples, cuts, hormonal fluctuations, or eczema and rashes. **FADED** gel is formulated to help *heal* scarred and sun-damaged skin by fading away even your most stubborn marks, scars, and spots—but *gentle* enough for people with hyperpigmentation and erythema (redness) who can’t tolerate more aggressive acids. Since it’s made by two women of color, I implicitly trust Topicals when they promise the formula *never bleaches*. 

The gentle-yet-effective magic of **FADED** is in the ingredients. Per Topicals, key ingredients are: 
1. *TRANEXAMIC ACID* : prevents melanocyte (pigment cell) activation, initiation of melanogenesis (process that creates excess pigment in dark spots), and additional vascular development (pathogenesis of melasma)
2. *AZELAIC ACID* : prevents tyrosine conversion to melanin; scavenges discoloration-causing free radicals in the skin resulting from environmental stress and sun damage
3. *NIACINAMIDE* : interrupts pigment transfer from melanocytes to the upper layers of the skin where discoloration is visible, scavenges free radicals and helps to reverse oxidative damage, anti-inflammatory, refines pores and excess oil
4. *KOJIC ACID* : inhibits melanocyte activation, mildly exfoliates skin 
5. *LICORICE ROOT* : boasts powerful antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, helps to break down deposits of excess pigment in the skin
6. *CENTELLA ASIATICA LEAF EXTRACT* : anti-inflammatory, powerful antioxidant, helps to accelerate wound healing and collagen production
7. *MELATONIN* : interrupts communication between melanocytes and keratinocytes, limits melanocyte stimulation, scavenges free radicals

Other noteworthy ingredients include: ALLANTOIN (soothes, protects, and stinulates new tissue growth), ALPHA ARBUTIN (helps fade sun damage and scars left by breakouts), SQUALANE (hydrates, moisturizes, soothes, noncomedogenic), and TURMERIC ROOT (antiinflammatory, soothes, lightly exfoliates). 

**FADED** is fragrance-free, dye-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. You recieve 1.7fl oz&#47;50mL for $36 USD, which lasts me ~2 months with daily use. If you have melasma or other hyperpigmentation but your skin hasn’t been able to tolerate stronger acids, Topicals **FADED** is a must-try powerhouse (in fabulous retro packaging). **FADED** replaced a prescription product I’d used for years (Finacea&#47;azelaic acid—it’s an ingredient in **FADED** and my skin tolerates this formulation much better) from first use. It’s never caused a flare of eczema&#47;rosacea, and my skintone is the most even it’s been in years; I can’t recommend it enough.

EXPENSIVE: Rebirth serum is $58, which is cost-prohibitive for a lot of people. While I do believe the serum is worth rhe price—the formulation is excellent, the ingredients are vegan, the packaging is recyclable, and (most importantly) the product performs well for my skin despite chronic skin conditions. 

IN-DEMAND&#47;OUT-OF-STOCK: Rebirth is made by a small company in small batches, which are released as “drops”. If you don’t&#47;can’t place your order during  a drop, you wont be able to purchase until the next one...which may be months away.  Shipping is also limited to (IIRC) USA&#47;Canada .

**REBIRTH** is a unique resurfacing serum, made specifically for sensitive skin. I have eczema and rosacea (two chronic skin conditions that do not like exfoliants!) and other than tret, this is the first exfoliant I’ve ever been able to use consistently. The pH is 3.5 -4.0, which is on the “higher” (but still effective!) end for exfoliants. The key to success is, as always, “START LOW AND GO SLOW!” The directions say to use “a few drops” 2-3 nights&#47;week: try 1x&#47;weekly to start. I use a pea-sized amount (1-2 drips from the pipette) on skin that has been cleansed, toned, and allowed to dry down, then tap the product on gently and alow to dry before completing my nightly routine. I only use 1x&#47;weekly, and always 1)skip tret that night and 3)sleep in a hydrating face mask. Proud to say I have never had any irritation and my skin looks more even and glowy than ever! I thought i needed vitamin C (which my skin just diesnt seem to tolerate) to get this glow, so REBIRTH is definitely a top find of 2020 for me. AND its vegan!  The  magic is in the ingredients, seriosuly:
    The first ingredient is BIRCH JUICE, a common ingredient in K-beauty products due to its ability to provide more hydration to the skin than hyaluronic acid. Birch juice  (56% of Rebirth’s formulation) is full of “amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants and minerals that help your skin retain moisture and protect the skin barrier function,” per Charlotte Cho (founder of K-beauty site Soko Glam). In addition to birch juice, Rebirth is jam-packed with calming ingredients like CENTELLA ASIATICA, glycerin, oat extract, LICORICE ROOT, squalane, chamomile extract, and hyaluronic acid to **soothe and hydrate the skin**.  
    The second ingredient in the formulation is 10% NIACINAMIDE. Niacinamide “works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly minimize enlarged pores, tighten lax pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface [...] reduce the impact of environmental damage, and repair signs of past damage,”  per Paula Begoun (of Paula’s Choice, Beautypedia).
    The majority of Rebirth’s ingredients are hydrating, calming, and reparative. So what makes this a “resurfacing” serum?  A vegan formulation of 5% LACTIC ACID, an alpha hydroxy acid. Lactic acid is gentler than glycolic acid  (found in many pooular serums and toners) because the molecules are larger, but it functions in a similar way: by gently lifting away dead surface skin cells  to reveal the newer, healthy skin beneath.  Lactic acid encourages skin to build more collagen , which lessens the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Its also —perhaps surprisingly—quite good at providing moisture to the skin.  Be sure to wear spf (always ;), but especially) while youre using Rebirth; lactic acid can make your skin extra  sensitive.
    If you want something effective but gentle in your fight against hyperpigmentation or fine lines, try **REBIRTH**, try it slowly, and I hope you enjoy it as much as i do!

At $40USD&#47;4oz, EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser could be cost-prohibitive to many. I believe there is a 2oz travel size that would last a couple months, but at ~$20USD, EradiKate Daily Cleanser is not an affordable product for a lot of people who could benefit from using it. I cant think of a similar OTC or rx product that works as gently and effectively, its too bad it isnt more accessible.

After running out of rx sulfur-based cleanser (SulfaCleanse), I bought EradiKate Daily Foaming Cleanser as a sub and loved it so much I haven’t gone back to rx! 

This cleanser is so gentle and effective at keeping my (reactive, combination, eczema-prone) skin clear of acne rosacea. I love using it in the mornings and as a second cleanse at night after removing my spf&#47;makeup with Bioderma. 

Unlike with my rx sulfur wash, EradiKate never leaves my skin dry or flaky. Being able to treat my face with a medicated cleanser twice daily (vs once daily when using the harsher rx cleanser) has greatly improved my skin’s resilience to breakouts and flares.

The 4oz bottle has lasted me months, as it takes only a pea-sized amount to work into a lather each time you wash your face. I think it’s a great value for the money ($40USD) and would recommend to anyone whose skin responds well to sulfur.

This was my first time using an acid of any kind in YEARS, so I was nervous BUT it didnt sting at all, even in the beginning!! The essence was surprisingly hydrating and feels similar to Pitera or Gokujyun Light in texture. The bottle is lasting me forever (using 4 drops in palm 2x daily) and the inly bad things i can about it are: 
• The price is $85USD, which is not in the budget for everyone. I think one could probably dupe the non-propietary ingredients (e.g., low concentrations of BHA, PHA, etc). skin did purge for 1-2 weeks...
• My skin purged for 1-2 weeks, which has happened both when i used BHA and PHA in the past. All the little underground bumps have to come to the surface to go away! It wasnt pretty, but i just covered my zits in hydrocolloid bandages and let them heal. The main thing was that my skin never felt uncomfortable; it never stung&#47;burned&#47;itched, which is incredibly rare for me with any sort of exfoliant. My skin feels and looks very healthy and hydrated since ive been using the Essence, and i love that it’s allowed me to cut several steps out of my (previously long and kinda tedious) 2x daily skincare routine. Check out the website, read the studies, see for yourself if you think its worth buying. I’d definitely recommemd to any of my “skin twins” with thirtysomething rosacean, acneic, worried-about-wrinkling skin :)

I bought The Essence because I wanted to pare down my routine and it claimed to be a 3-in-1 toner, essence, and serum. It contains low concentratioms of exfoliating acids, AB’s patented TFC8®️, and has clinically demonstrated to be gentle enough for people with rosacea.

•PHYTIC ACID is a gentle but effective natural exfoliator derived from rice grains. It promotes cell turnover and boosts collagen production for even skin and less noticeable fine lines. 
•SALICYLIC ACID is a powerful beta hydroxy acid (BHA) derived from willow bark. It delivers essential keratoytic benefits: reducing redness, addressing imperfections, and boosts clarity.
•GLUCONOLACTONE is a highly beneficial, naturally derived polyhydroxy acid (PHA). It optimizes skin renewal by gently lifting away dead cells to reveal a soft, luminous complexion.
•HYALURONIC ACID is a polysaccharide naturally produced by the body. It is exceptionally effective in attracting and maintaining moisture for plump, fresh, well-hydrated skin.
•WASABI FERMENT is a “skin superfood” delivering potent antioxidant protection. It safeguards the complexion by helping to defend against free radical damage.
•WHITE PEONY EXTRACT is a potent botanical extract that soothes the skin and prevents visible signs of aging. Defends the complexion from pollution and environmental aggressors. 
•TRIGGER FACTOR COMPLEX (TFC8®️) is composed of natural amino acids, high grade vitamins, and synthesized molecules naturally found in skin. TFC8®️ nourishes and protects the skin while supporting the skin’s innate potential for renewal. 

The Essence:
•Purifies, tones and exfoliates to reveal smoother, softer, more vibrant skin.
•Gently dissolves and removes impurities while enhancing the skin;s ability to attract and retain moisture.
•Reduces the appearance of pores and regulates sebum secretion for a balanced, glowing complexion.
•Reduces discoloration, soothes redness, and visibly improves skin’s overall tone and texture.
•Natural actives nourish, hydrate, and protect the skin against environmental aggressors.
•TFC8® supports cellular renewal and guides key ingredients to the cells.

Just wish it came in a larger container, but I have that complaint with all sunscreens.

I’m always wary of hyped products bc my skin (eczema and rosacea) is so sensitive, but I compulsively buy sunscreens looking for The Grail. After using daily for 2 weeks, I am still stunned: this is the most cosmetically elegant and cute sunscreen I’ve ever used. People with skin conditions are typically relegated to chalky, thick preparations in medicinal-looking packaging; The Bamboo Sun Essence, oth, feels like a hydrating emulsion, and disappears into my skin (ZERO white cast) when applied. It has no scent, drying alcohol, or sulfates (things my dermatolgist wants me to avoid), and it doesn’t make my skin itch or turn red or rashy. At less than half the price of my former HG, this is an easy switch to make!

prettycalm