I've been searching for the perfect retinol serum to introduce into my skincare routine. I've used a fee retinol products which definitely met most of my standards, but I'm wondering if there's a "holy grail" product out there!

What's your fave retinol product? Please share with me down below so I can get some ideas! 💡 

The one I've posted is what I have been using most often.

💓🫶

Looking for the perfect retinol

I didn't find anything wrong with this product, it's done wonders for my skin!

Finding an ideal moisturizer for oily and combo skin can be tricky! That's why my skincare routine as a teen was tragic - I couldn't find a moisturizer that works for my skin type. Even nowadays I find it tricky sometimes to find a good moisturizer and I guess with age it's getting even harder since you expect a cream to target a few skin issues. Mary&May Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream quickly found a place in my heart with its light gel texture and no scent. 

Mary&May Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream comes in that cool eco packaging. The box is made out of recycled paper. Mary&May thought about everything that's why the brand is using eco-friendly soybean oil ink. That's something you would expect from an eco-friendly brand that wants to focus on sustainability. The packaging is made out of glass.

If you're a fan of fragrance-free products then Mary&May Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream is for you! The texture is lightweight - it's a white gel cream, non-oily and non-sticky. It's easy to apply, and for me, it's a great moisturizer if you live in a humid climate or if you need something lighter for summertime.   

Mary&May Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream is based on 71,8% of Houttuynia Cordata and 9,7% tea tree. It's a fragrance-free product which I appreciate a lot and it completed the skin irritation test. According to the brand Mary&May, Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream has an instant cooling effect, it soothes redness and external irritation damage. It's suitable for sensitive skin and it has a "pore convergence effect". The effects are supposed to be visible right after 2 weeks.   

Some of the ingredients you will find in this particular product are as follows:

● Houttuynia Cordata Extract is an ingredient which some people with acne-prone skin love. Houttuynia Cordata is a plant, which is still used in Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, it's also known as Heart Leaf or Chinese lizard tail. Houttuynia is an antioxidant with anti inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It's also a source of quercetin, quercitrin, rutin and hyperin. If your skin is sensitive, you might love it! It speeds up wound healing properties, and it might help with capillaries. 

● Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract or Tea Tree Leaf Extract is an ingredient with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. 

● Glycerin or Glycerol is a humectant. Its origin can be natural or synthetic - depending on the product. It protects TEWL (transepidermal water loss) and naturally occurs in the skin. It's one of the NMFs - natural moisturizing factors. It's practical in hair care. Glycerin won't clog your skin or irritate it just the opposite - it protects your skin from irritation. 

● Butylene Glycol is a common ingredient in products. It's not only a solvent, but also used because it helps with the penetration of active ingredients, protects products from drying and moisturizes skin and hair.

● 1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic solvent and preservative - it protects products from microorganisms by boosting other preservatives. At the same time, it can moisturize the skin, and it has no unpleasant effects on your epidermis. 

● Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride is a combination of coconut oil and glycerin. It's a notable emollient, quite common in skincare. It leaves a protective film on the surface of the epidermis to save your cutis from dehydration. Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride has a significant role in skin care products - it makes the application process effortless. Some people might experience pore-clogging after using Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride but pore-clogging and skin reactions to ingredients are individual.

● Ethylhexyl Palmitate is an oily emollient that provides a satin-like film on the skin. It makes brushing your hair easier. Water hides in cosmetic products under names such as Aqua or Eau. It's a solvent, but it's not your regular drinking water. Water in skin care needs to fit some standards. It should be clean and free from minerals, microorganisms or other substances. Usually, water makes up the majority of the content of the product.

● Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is an oil-in-water emulsifier, suitable for vegans. Isododecane is an emollient that leaves a film on the skin. It makes product application easier. 

● Panthenol is a humectant. It prevents skin from TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Panthenol is also known as vitamin B5, and it helps with inflammation. Panthenol can soothe the skin irritated by preservatives, scent ingredients, and chemical sunscreens - it might have a meaning for lipids in our skin and skin barrier. It speeds up the healing process. It's good to use it after sunbathing.

● Sodium hyaluronate combined with elastin and collagen is like a scaffolding for the skin. It has hydrating properties and leaves a hydrating film on the skin, but also prevents skincare products from drying. 

I appreciate that Mary & May decided not to add Niacinamide to Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream since for sensitive skin, Niacinamide can cause some redness, so the formula helps me a lot with calming my skin. Also, if you use serums with high amounts of Niacinamide, let's be honest - you don't need that ingredient in every step of your skincare routine.   

For some skin types, Mary&May Sensitive Soothing Gel Cream might not give enough moisture, but for me, it's good under makeup or hydrating sunscreens! If you have an important event then this cream might be a good combo with sunscreen and makeup. This formula fits oily & combo skin types, but sensitive skin should be happy with this formula too. I do have sensitive skin, especially on retinoids and it didn't cause any irritation. The fact that it worked with all the sunscreens I've tested lately is a big plus since last year I had a huge problem with sunscreen pilling.   

I highly recommend this product to anyone who's looking to upgrade their skincare routine & provide their skin barrier with ample amounts of Soothing moisture.

Absolutely nothing. It's my new go-to SPF!

I love this sun stick! It goes on easy and doesn't create a mess. The finish is mattifying and leaves your skin looking so radiant. My skin felt so soft after using this product. I love that it's SPF 50+.

This is the perfect skin cream to achieve that glass skin vibe! 😍 

This Cream is thick, but absorbs so nicely into the skin. It leaves a beautiful glow / glass finish on your skin. It's not heavy at all and provides your skin with ample nourishment all day long!

It's also a great primer for make up! I applied this product before doing a full face of makeup and WOW! It set my foundation and concealer so nicely without any caking! It helped my makeup stay set all day long. 

This is the perfect product to add to your skincare routine if you're searching for an elevated look!

I love this product! It's easy to apply and super hydrating. The formula is thick, but absorbs into the skin so well. The ingredients are extremely light and great for sensitive skin like mine. 

The cream is a bit on the thicker side, which some people may not enjoy. If a thicker moisturizer is not your thing, try using this cream at night.

Need a cream that does more than just moisturize? Then how about one that moisturizes, supports skin with anti-oxidants and charge it with the nourishment it needs to stay extra supple and firm? 

The Idebenone Blackberry Intense Cream is formulated with the duo of Idebenone and Blackberry to support skin with anti-aging benefits and also contains 5 types of ceramides for moisture replenishment and barrier reinforcement.

I’m normally not that easy to please as I find moisturizers the least enjoyable step in skincare. Finding skin the right moisturizer is an arduous task as its easy for oily skin to feel suffocated, clammy or clogged but this little jar is packed with hero ingredients to save dull, dry skin and it thankfully does it right. 

The custard like texture is light but still very moisturizing. It spreads like a dream and settles with a satin-like finish that is absent of tackiness or greasiness. Oily skin will be able to enjoy this as a winter cream for its ability to supply skin the moisture it needs without the burden of being heavy or suffocating. If supple, soft and elastic skin is something you’re chasing, this cream is definitely worth looking into. 

The MARY & MAY Idebenone + Blackberry Complex Intensive Total Care Cream is a powerful intense moisturising cream is rich with 63% Blackberry Complex, 500ppm Idebenone and 5 types of ceramide all of which aim to provide deep moisturization up to 10 layers of keratin. It retains moisture within your skin up to 48 hours to strengthen your skin barrier and visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

This affordable Korean face cream fights free radicals, softens fine lines and brightens skin. Also infused with five kinds of ceramides to strengthen skin. Comes in a rich, silky-smooth texture that provides ample nourishment.

What makes this face cream so special?

● Idebenone has antioxidant effects that are 4 times higher than Vitamin C and 10 times higher than CoenzymeQ10.
● Anthocyanin found in blackberries is the most powerful antioxidant amongst 150 flavonoids to prevent ageing caused by free radicals.
● Contains phytoshingosine that induces self-synthesis of ceramide and cholesterol to recover and strengthen the skin barrier.

☆ Sustainability: this company is using eco-friendly packaging and soy ink.

I've been thoroughly enjoying using this cream! It's brought life back into my skin, and the texture is divine. I highly recommend this to anyone seeking extra moisture and hydration in their skincare routine - especially in colder climates!

KayleeMayElizabeth