Just received email notice that I was selected for the Torriden giveaway. My 1st Picky giveaway! 

For awhile, I was wondering if my email was working or not, haha. But super excited to share my thoughts once it arrives. 😊

Selected for 1st Giveaway!!

Update: 
For added context, the scarring mention is flat and not textured/raised. Pretty sure if have to see a derm for that. It's scarring from being a horrible picker. 🙃 The back acne is pretty well managed now but hoping to help with skin tone. Just want to where pretty shirts & dresses. 😩

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I have pretty extensive scarring and hyperpigmentation on my back from acne. I was not remotely aware of any skincare anything when I was younger. And embarrassingly a bad picker. I've gotten better with that with age but the scars remain.

I've seen a lot of recommendations for the Some by MI AHA BHA PHA body cleanser that helps with lessening the dark spots and scars. Is there anyone that has had these results?

I currently use the Cerave acne foaming cream with 4% BP. I know it's for the face but it's works well if keeping acne away on my back but not much for the scarring.  I've been recommended Panoxyl with 10% but it's too strong for me.

Any thoughts would greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Back scars and hyperpigmentation

This is such a big deal to me. It shows I'm doing something right for my skin. I had noticed results have moving a majority of my skincare routine to Asian beauty products. But enough for my significant other to notice too?! It feels nice. 😊 Had to share somewhere someone may understand. Thanks!

My SO commented on my skin!

I recently purchased the Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser as a morning and 2nd cleanse in the evening. I've tried it out for the past couple days and enjoy how smooth it is. I don't know if it's just me but...the smell is so offputting. There is a hint of oatmeal that but also a strong scent that reminds me the bleach used for hair 

I'm wondering if I got a weird/defect bottle and may try to exchange for a different one.

SMELL??? Hero Cosmetics Gentle Milky Cleanser

The only downside that I can note is there is fragrance listed in the ingredients. I personally do not mind it since it is a fresh scent that dissipates quickly.

This is a broad-spectrum chemical sun cream that is hypoallergenic, cruelty-free and vegan-certified. The texture is, as it is called, a watery cream with a milky color. It applies like a serum; extremely lightweight on the skin and absorbs quickly into the skin.

The formulation consists of some skin-happy supporting extracts:
Vigna Radiata Seed (Mung Bean) Extract - skin soothing and nourishing Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract & Seed Oil - improve skin texture Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract - skin conditioning Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract - antioxidant
Hyaluronic Acid - boost hydration
Niacinamide - skin brightening, anti-acne

This is recommended for when:
- seeking sensitive/hypoallergenic sun cream
- moisturizing and light sun cream with no white cast
 - the skin needs soothing and intensive hydration —
Now for the deets:
This is truly a light-as-a feather sun cream with no white cast. Super moisturizing formulation that absorbs quickly and not at all greasy feeling. It blends easily in the skin and has a healthy, dewy glow if you use moisturizer first. I have dehydrated oily/combo skin but have been testing skipping the moisturizer altogether and using the sun cream as the last step for my AM routine. I am quite pleased with the results of this. It gives me a very natural, healthy look without it being too shiny. It is also a bonus that reapplication is a breeze with no issue of pilling or eye sting throughout the day.

Nothing bad to note. Great for everyone! 

Note: please see the accompanying video clip for texture & before/after shot. 

This toner is vegan & cruelty-free that is formulated with clean ingredients. That is to say it is formulated without the following: sulfates, fragrances, alcohol, formaldehydes, dyes, parabens, mineral oils, silicones, and gluten. With consistent use, this toner would help address the root cause of acne and so do without causing dryness or irritation to the skin.

Key Ingredients:
▫️2% Salicylic Acid - helps to clear acne and prevent breakouts
▫️Lactic Acid - gently exfoliates & evens out tone
▫️Glycolic Acid - helps to fade dark spots
▫️Centella Asiatica & Allantoin - calms inflammation and visibly reduces redness
▫️Acerola - helps treat acne & promotes skin elasticity; rich in antioxidants that helps with more vibrant and balanced skin

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Now for the deets:

I had purchased this toner because I had seen derms and skincare influencers dub it as a dupe for the popular Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliant. The PC 4oz bottle is $34 & Peach Slices is the same 4oz for $10.99. I have not personally tried PC yet but I really enjoyed the Peach Slices toner and was extremely sad when it was emptied. 

I had tried out this toner while I was going through a breakout along my jawline. I primarily used this as a spot treatment. I found that it aided in managing current breakouts but kept new ones from appearing. My skin did not experience dryness during the period I used this either. The texture is very watery with a fresh scent; I believe from the cucumber and acerola extracts. My skin absorbed it well and I do not recall experiencing irritation or stinging. I used this both AM & PM, with and without retinol in the evenings, all without issue. This toner worked really well for me and the price is very affordable. I would definitely repurchase this in the future.

It does take some work to get a good lather going if too much cleanser is dispensed. Would need to take care to rinse thoroughly. 

If any of the cleanser gets in your eyes, it WILL sting. If any of it gets in your mouth, it WILL taste disgusting. 😂

This is a foaming gel cleanser that effectively removes daily grime/dust, oil, and makeup. The formulation will help cleanse and maintain the skin’s barrier without stripping it. It is targeted to those with normal to oily skin but honestly so gentle that everyone would benefit from use.

Some skin happy ingredients:
- 3 Types of Ceramides - NP/AP/EOP: assists with healthy skin barrier and hydration 
- Hyaluronic Acid: retains & boosts hydration
- Niacinamide: brightens & calms the skin

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Now for the deets:

I have a value-sized bottle that is a whopping 16oz and comes with a convenient pump dispenser. I’ve been using this for at least 4 months and it’s still pretty full. Albeit I only use it once a day so it’ll last me quite some time.

 I double cleanse in the evening; cleansing balm first and then the Cerave cleanser after. I dispense a full single pump for my face and neck area but one could probably get away using less. The cleanser itself is clear gel (duh) and its texture is quite viscous. It does take some good lathering to get the foam going. I will typically do this first otherwise it will feel like a thick layered glob is stuck on the face and neck; at least until the foam gets going. In my opinion, it is a lovely cleanser that rinses off my first cleanse and leaves my skin feeling refreshed and clean without feeling dry or tight.

This is a quality of life complaint that I wish the mist was a bit more fine. I did not find the distribution of the mist was particularly great. With a single full spray, the mist was much heavier in the center; more droplets than mist. My way around this was a lighter press to get small mists and just move it around my face to get equal coverage.

***STILL 5/5 BECAUSE THE ACTUAL TONER IS AMAZE-BALLS!***

Key Notes:
▫️Vegan & Cruelty-free
▫️Free of oil, alcohol, and fragrance
▫️Non-comedogenic

Key Ingredients:
▫️Tri-Ceramide Complex (ceramide, cholesterol, fatty acids): helps to boost the skin barrier
▫️Allantoin: helps to moisturize and soothe the skin
▫️Probiotic ferment: replenishes and fortifies the skin’s microbiome which shields the skin from environmental stressors and calm signs of redness/inflammation

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Now for the deets:

Instead of using this as an actual toner step in my routine, I use this as a facial mist and refresh throughout the day. It provides just the right amount of added hydration to soothe my skin when it’s feeling a little too dry/tight. It also does so without the stickiness some toners can have. I do find myself remisting 2-3 times a day purely just for how nice it feels on the skin. 

I have combo/dehydrated skin and my cheeks especially are prone to being dry. The cooler weather is great for my t-zone but not so for the rest of my face. Since using this facial mist, it has helped add hydration into those dry areas and I can tell my cheeks are less red and irritated. I really enjoy using this as it doubles as a pick-me-up during the day.  

All in all, I would absolutely repurchase this. I can see this being great for the warmer months and likely be a staple product I use year-round. 

I did experience cloudiness if I am not careful about avoiding the eyes but thankfully there is no stinging.

This is a vegan & cruelty-free cleansing balm by BOJ. This new formulation is without artificial fragrances and colors, parabens, sulfates, animal products, alcohol, mineral oils, essential oils, and silicones.

Rice bran water and grain complex extracts are the star ingredients in this balm. The rice bran water is rich in amino acids and minerals that help to brighten and moisturize the skin. The grain complex extracts aid in skin protection and soothe sensitivities.

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Now for the deets:

This balm comes in a flip-top container that is easily opened with the flick of a finger. A little spatula is included for easy and hygienic scooping of product for use. Like most balms, this starts off as a solid that warms up to an oil consistency. It has an incredibly nice slip to it and glides across the face and neck without issue. It takes on a milky color once emulsified with water. I use this as a first cleanse and it does a fantastic job with the removal of daily grime, oil, and sunscreen. It was able to effortlessly remove waterproof eye make-up. There was no leftover residue and my skin did not feel stripped afterwards. 

In comparison with Heimish’s All Clean Balm, a cleansing balm that I adore, I would say this BOJ one is softer. I will try to explain: the application of the balm onto the hands/face as it melts into an oil feels decadent on the skin. I remember remarking how incredibly nice it felt while cleansing my face. I would venture to say that the cleansing abilities are on par with one another. But I would say that BOJ is best for those with skin sensitivities.

Overall, this is a great cleansing balm & would definitely recommend it.