Do you notice your mental health affecting your skin? I have been noticing that when I'm very stressed my skin gets more inflamed and irritated. Also this week I have cried a lot and saw some tiny red spots near my eyes, looks like some burst capillary blood vessels. Anyone know how this happens?

Mental health and skin

I saw a lot of people saying they would skip on this box, but I was particularly interested in some of these products. I love trying new and unexpected things and wanted to share an unboxing for those of you who didn't get it this time! Looking forward to try and review these here on the app!

Picky Rookie Box unboxing

Hi pickys! 
I've had this gel for some time, and recently it started really drying out my skin under the spot when I apply it. I know this is a really strong product, can anyone recommend a good acne spot gel that won't dry my skin out too much?
It's a delicate balance, I know, so appreciate your help! 😉

Gentle acne spot treatment?

How cute is Benton's mint colour line identity? I got the recent giveaway and it goes perfect with the sunscreen I got from the picky box. ❤️❤️

Benton visual identity

A bit late but here goes an unboxing video specially for Picky!

Unboxing Sunshine madness!

Can be drying and irritating if over used.

Ok so I'm about to share not only a review but kind of a hack, because I've found that this toner not only works a treat when being used on the face, but also, and even better, when used in the body. More specifically it's a great solution for bacne! Those pesky blackheads and pimples that plague the back of us oily skinned divas don't stand a chance against this. The hack is to put it on a spray bottle, or you can just add a spray cap on the original bottle if you have one that fits. Then after shower, or before bed, spray it on your back and let it dry for a couple minutes before putting clothes on. I normally do that at night because that's when I like to shower, whenever I feel my back is in need of it. If you want to do it on your morning routine, just be sure to cover it with SPF because AHA sensitizes the skin to UV rays. 

And this solution has plenty of it, with 7% Glycolic Acid. I've found that if I use it everyday on my face it can be a bit drying, soap few times a week is ideal. But on my back I can use it daily during summer and it really helps keep my pores under control on the scorching Australian heat. And it's a steal for the price. The brand claims that "Glycolic Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin. This 7% toning solution offers mild exfoliation for improved skin radiance and visible clarity. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture with continued use.

This formula contains a studied Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative. This derivative is of plant origin and varies in colour seasonally and this colour variation may be apparent in the formula from time to time. The formula is further supported with inclusion of ginseng root and aloe vera for both visible radiance and skin soothing benefits." Which I found to be pretty much true! Highly recommend.

Sometimes I'll get a small pimple where I apply it. But you can't win every time 🤷🏻‍♀️

Absolute best repairing and soothing balm for all skin types! La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Soothing Repairing Balm is a rich, nourishing restorative balm that assists recovery for sensitive skin types. Suitable for the entire family: babies, children and adults. It's also Fragrance Free. That's a great balm for whenever my skin is irritated, red or sore. I have really bad hayfever and will often get the soon around my nostrils very irritated from blowing and rubbing my nose all the time. I also use it after removing warts with strong salicylic acid, or whenever I get sun/wind burn. Most of the time I don't get clogged pores from it too, which most other repairing balms do!


Tingling can be a bit too much and can cause irritation of used twice a day as they recommend it; I prefer to alternate with a soothing eye cream. Might not be ideal for sensitive skin. PAO only 3 months.

There's a lot of discussion within the skincare community about whether eye creams are worth it or not. I don't think there's a hard and fast rule, it depends on the product. This one is probably the most effective eye cream I have ever used. Dr. Lewinn's is a very well regarded Australian cosmeceutical brand. Although it's sold on most drugstore chains, it's on the pricier side, but fortunately you can get it on special every quarter. 
This brand uses several trademarked ingredients  and formulas in their products, and this one is no different. They list for this eye cream: Juveleven™ - A powerful hexapeptide that influences skin's natural repair mechanism and helps improve skin youthfulness by 11 years

Beautifeye™ - Proven to reduce the visual signs of ageing in the eye area in just 7 days

Neodermyl® - Known as a 'needle-free' alternative to collagen injections. Proven to reduce lines & wrinkles by 15% in 14 days

I have been surprised by the results I got from this. It's a very powerful formula and it stings quite a lot, specially the first few times you use it. I believe that's due to the peptides. I feel that it also moisturisers my eye area, but the most noticeable effect is tightening. You should see results after a couple of weeks of regular use.

The packaging is quite luxurious and the cooling applicator tip makes all the difference in the final experience, improving it a lot. Overall very effective, I'll definitely repurchase it.





Downside is the finish is quite dewy and slightly sticky, I prefer a more matte finish.

I have received this sunscreen from Dear Klairs and Picky in exchange for my honest review. It appears that Klairs recently found out in clinical trials that their sunscreens were not providing as much sun protection as the label suggested. In response to this, they have not only apologized and issued full refunds to their customers, but also discontinued the previous products and released this one to replace them, with more extensive testing.
This kind of response is exactly what I expect to see a brand do when they are faced with such a situation. I hope others out there are taking notes.
Anyways, onto the product itself, it is a fairly lightweight creamy sunscreen. I've been outside wearing it and it seemed to work well. With an SPF 50+ PA++++ rating, it protects your skin from UV rays without leaving any a white cast.
Contains various soothing plant extracts including Peruvian Ginseng Extract and Portulaca Oleracea Extract.
Free from essential oils, a mild formula that is suitable for all skin types.
The texture is very comfortable and moisturizing, and although it is a little bit too dewy for my skin, I did not experience clogged pores or any breakouts while wearing this. It feels moisturizing and soothing, definitely great for winter.





But it's a bit too rich for daily use for my oily/combo skin. Very good to keep in my rotation, and I will definitely save some for winter because I think it'll be an asset then!

I have received this serum from Picky and The Skin House in exchange for my honest opinion. It has firming, moisturising, antioxidant and well aging properties.


🍄🌿 key ingredients:
Red ginseng, 9 types of mushroom extracts and adenosine.

✅ Description:
The sticky transparent essence contains ginseng extract and high-enriched 9 types of mushroom’s nutrition and it makes skin elastic and smooth. It fills up skin with basic nutrition and the adenosine which is the wrinkle improvement ingredient will help improving micro wrinkles to become elastic and smooth skin. Also, i makes skin healthy and shiny by relieving stress of tired skin from stress and fine dust and providing vitality to skin. Especially, the antioxidant ingredients from mushroom will help the skin to become baby face.

🤔 My experience:
I've been using this serum for a few weeks and so far I'm really liking it! It is of moderate thickness for a serum, milky translucent in appearance, and very pleasant to apply. The first thing that striked me was the smell! It has a delicious mildly sweet floral fragrance that reminds me of rose but is not quite it. The texture is sticky and a little thick but not greasy. It's absorbed really well on the skin, but a small stickiness remains, which is I prefer to apply it in the evening. It's very good for me on days on my skin is very dehydrated.

Video Music: Mornings
Musician: Jeff Kaale

Luanamoreno