Hi Picky fam! I thought I'd share some brief thoughts about all the products I've been lucky enough to get to try through this app so far. You can find more detailed reviews for most of these (I haven't posted full reviews of a couple of them yet) on my page here and on my Instagram @ren_terese

Rovectin Skin Essentials Conditioning Cleanser
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this cleanser, I can absolutely see myself repurchasing after I use up some other cleansers I have waiting. "Conditioning" is the perfect word for it, it feels to my face like a good conditioner feels to my hair. It's so soft and silky and does such a great job of cleansing my skin and leaving me feel not only not dry and stripped but actually moisturized! Definitely recommend!

Varuza Soy Gentle Cleanser With Vegan Mucin
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This cleanser is great! It is fragranced, lightly citrusy, which is a turn off for some, but I enjoy the scent and it's a wash off product so I don't mind. Doesn't foam and doesn't leave me feeling stripped at all. Definitely would recommend!

Make P:rem Safe me. Relief watery gel cream
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm enjoying this moisturizer a lot! I love that it comes with it's own spatula and I'm SO relieved it didn't break me out, I was worried since it seems similar to a couple other products that have. I would recommend this product! It's definitely good for my combo-oily skin, even at night, but might be too light for dry skin.

Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this one, I found it very cooling and soothing. I especially loved using it on days that my skin was a bit irritated or I had active acne that was particularly sore. Would be perfect for use after a day in the sun, especially if kept in the fridge. I would recommend it for people with combo to oily skin, but probably not for dry skin.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this product! I haven't used it long enough to notice any difference in my acne scars but it does leave my skin feeling plump and hydrated, and I think I've noticed a reduction in sebum production too. I'll keep using this for sure and definitely recommend it! I just love the texture, and the pump packaging is such a win. Definitely follow with a good moisturizer as I didn't find it super moisturizing for my combo to oily skin.

Rovectin Lotus Water Calming Toner
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found this toner so soothing! Especially on my active acne, it really calmed down my inflammation. I'll definitely keep using this, particularly to keep maskne at bay. It doesn't TREAT my pimples or make them go away, but it soothes them and the skin around them! I definitely do recommend this product to basically all skin types if you're looking for hydration and something soothing!

Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I agree with all of this company's claims about the product. It calmed my redness and irritation around my blemishes, it dried down fairly quickly and nicely, and wasn't at all sticky. I could layer this product and use a whole dropper at once, and while that obviously took longer to dry down and absorb into my skin, it always did dry down and never left me greasy or oily. My skin has been very oily lately with the humidity and heat of the summer so I'm very pleased with that!

If you've tried any of these, let me know what you thought of them too!

Picky Giveaway Reviews

Do you guys use any other apps to keep track of your skincare or find info about products/ingredients? I have the Skincare Routine app by Mento Apps Ltd and Skin Bliss: Skincare, Cosmetics, & Beauty by Skin Bliss.

I use the first one daily because it lets you input info and pics of all of your products and organizes them for you so it's super easy to keep track of the order you use each step, what days you've used which products, how many times a week you can safely use something, which products you shouldn't use together, etc. It's great!

I haven't used the second one in a little while, but you can look up specific products and it'll give you info about them like what they're for and what they target, ingredients and their purposes, reviews, whether they fit your skin type, whether they're fragrance free or cruelty free or vegan etc. Also very good!

The top 3 pictures in this image are from Skincare Routine and the bottom 3 are from Skin Bliss. The middle one is obviously just their logos, in case you guys wanna download them so you know what to look for!

Other Skincare Apps

I sometimes get really sweaty at work, as I'm not always working in an air conditioned place. I want to get the sweat and oil off as soon as I get home, but I still want to do my normal night time routine before bed. Does that situation call for an extra cleanse, or should I just use water on my face when I get home to get rid of some of that sweat? I don't want to overclease and strip my skin.

cleansing 3 times a day?

For Self-care Sunday I thought I'd make a post about the body-skincare products I've been cycling between.

- First Aid Beauty Oat Hemp Multi-Fix Salve -
HOLY. GRAIL. This stuff is incredible. I first bought it because wearing a mask all the time was making the skin behind my ears dry, flaky, and irritated, and this cleared that up in a couple days. I've also used it under my nose when that area was raw from blowing my nose a lot, and most recently on my sore, chapped lips. It's like magic. 

- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream -
Such a nice, soothing moisturizer! The expiration is approaching so I've been using it all over my body instead of just my face. It doesn't leave my skin greasy or slippery, and it soothes any irritation and itchiness. Perfect for my mosquito-bitten arms and legs lol

- Cetaphil Sheer Hydration Replenishing Body Lotion - 
This one's not as rich as some of the others so I use it all over as opposed to just focusing on dry patches. It makes my skin so soft!

- Bliss Clear Genius Body Acne Spray (PR) -
I've reviewed this before, it's a Holy Grail for sure. I absolutely love it for body acne

- Hero Cosmetics Brave Body Mineral Melt (PR) - 
Smells wonderful and is very soothing! Very rich texture. I've been trying it without using any other acne treatment on my body and it's really holding up so far, no breakouts!

- Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter - 
This one's new but I'm enjoying it so far! It's very rich, will probably be great for dry hands this winter

- YesTo Cucumbers Daily Gentle Moisturizer -
I really love how this feels but the fragrance is just too much to be enjoyable on my face! It's great to use on my arms and legs tho, makes me feel so soft and hydrated!

Body Skincare Products!

Honey is one of my favorite skincare ingredients. I always get excited when I see it on the label! Here's some reasons why:

🐝 It's got antibacterial and antiseptic qualities
💛 It's good for oily and acne prone skin (me)
🍯 It's a natural humectant, so it moisturizes your skin without making it oily

Some products in my collection that feature this ⭐ ingredient:

🐝 Esfolio Honey Cleansing Foam - yet to try
💛 Frudia Honey & Blueberry Lip Balm - smells amazing, very moisturizing! Helps my chapped lips a lot
🍯 Pearl Essence Turmeric + Honey Reviving Mask - yet to try
🐝 I'm From Honey Mask - one of my favorite masks for sure. Makes my skin feel incredibly soft and smooth, smells delicious, and feels so luxurious!
🍯 Banila Co Miss Flower & Mr. Honey Propolis Rejuvenating Ampoule - yet to try but most excited to try!

Not pictured bc I finished mine: Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner - very soothing and hydrating, especially love when my skin is particularly sensitized.

Tell me about your favorite honey products!!

*all products purchased by me*

🍯 Honey in skincare 🍯

Yesstyle-💲 RENTERESE123 💲

Wishtrend- 💲 RENTERESE15 💲

Rovectin- 💲RENTERESE15💲

Luseta - 💲Renterese 💲

Oculaire- 💲 Ren.Terese 💲

Brookburg- 💲 RENTERESE 💲

I was sent this product by @yesstyle and @axisy_official for free in exchange for my honest review. Use code RENTERESE123 for a discount on Yesstyle!

Claims:
Corrects dark spots
Soothes and brightens skin
Improves uneven skin tone
Reduces pigmentation
Deeply moisturizes

Key Ingredients:
Niacinamide (5%) - A water soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances of the skin to help improve uneven skin tone, dullness, and weakened skin barrier
Papaya- Brightening
Squalane - Fights off free radicals
Calendula - Speeds healing
Sea Buckthorn -Brightening
Allantoin - Stimulate cell proliferation
Oryza Sativa Bran - Smoothes and brightens skin

Usage:
-Step 1
Apply a small amount to entire face or problem areas.
-Step 2
Pat until completely absorbed.
*Tip*
For the best results, use in both morning and night skincare routines. At night it can be used as a sleeping mask

My Experience:
I've actually seen a big difference in acne scarring! Scars and dark marks I had before have faded a lot, and I haven't seen scarring from new zits since I've started using this serum. It's worked great for me, and is so pleasant to use. It dries down quickly and feels soothing as I apply it. Plus it's not sticky or messy at all, which is usually the problem with niacinamide based serums! Highly recommend!

Price: $14.60 (currently $11.68)

It is a little bit annoying that you're only supposed to push the pump halfway down and not all the way, which would be easier to do. Certainly not a deal breaker tho!


I was lucky enough to be sent this for free in exchange for my honest review. After using it daily for almost two weeks, here are my thoughts!

Claims:
☀️ Visibly brightens and firms without the irritation, visibly clogged pores, or smell typical of topical vitamin C
☀️ Boosts radiance and defends against free radicals known to cause early visible signs of aging

Highlighted Ingredients:
🍊 10% Vitamin C: Visibly brightens and reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles
🍊 Vitamin E: Softens skin and fights free radicals
🍊 Squalene: Locks in moisture to hydrate and soften skin

Serum is transparent, colorless, and very thin and runny. Comes in a blue and white bottle with a top that you twist to move the pump up and down. I love this kind of packaging bc it's so non-messy.

I've already noticed a difference in my acne scars and the general glowiness of my skin in the short time I've been using it. I'm pleasantly surprised by the lack of odd smell or any irritation, as both are common with vitamin c serums. Overall highly recommend!

Only potential issue I see is the rosemary essential oil is you have a problem with that!

I was sent this product by @yesstyle @yesstyleinfluencers and Benton for free in exchange for my honest review.

Claims:
☀️ A chemical sunscreen featuring broad spectrum SPF50+ PA++++ to help protect skin from UV rays.
☀️ Brightening, wrinkle care, and UV protection
☀️ Comes in a hydrating formula and in a cream texture that leaves no white cast.

Key Ingredients:
🌿 Centella asiatica extract- soothing, helps control oil production
💦 Panthenol- for moisture and skin barrier
🧴Dipotassium glycyrrhizate- soothes and protects skin
⚖️ Tocopherol- protects, balances, and nourishes skin

Green tube with white twist off lid and black lettering. Light green, rosemary scented, lightweight cream. Rubs in smoothly and quickly with no pilling or white cast.

Usage:
Take a moderate amount and apply evenly over face.

My Experience:
Total hit for me! I absolutely love this sunscreen, because it's not greasy at all. It dries down fast, and I don't look oily or have any stinging or irritation around my eyes or active acne. Absolutely would repurchase.

Price: $19.19 on Yesstyle, currently $17.27. Use code RENTERESE123 for a discount!

 the fit could have been better, and it was quite difficult to unfold out of the packet

I was sent this product by Rovectin for free in exchange for my honest review.

Claims:
🤍Helps control excess sebum and refine pores
💙Deeply hydrates the skin
🤍Cruelty-free, paraben-free, contains no artificial colors, artificial fragrance, mineral oil, or steroids
💙Gentle enough for sensitive skin

Key Ingredients:
💠Tannin complex: 8 plant-based extracts effectively reduce enlarged pores and excessive sebum.
🌳Birch Tree Extract: With a similar structure to natural moisturizing factors (amino acid, salt, peptide, organic acid); helps maintain moisture balance for the skin.
🌿Tea Tree Leaf Extract: Gently calms skin irritation and is an excellent anti-inflammation.
✏️Charcoal Powder: Absorbs skin impurities and aidsin sebum control.

Usage:
1. After cleansing, apply toner.
2. Unfold and place a mask on the face, avoiding the eye and lip area.
3. Leave on for 10-20 minutes.
4. Remove mask and gently massage in remaining essence.

My Experience:
This sheet mask is definitely on the wetter side. Not so much that it drips down my neck and feels gross, but plenty leftover after 10-20 minutes that I can use on my neck and chest. It was very hydrating and my pores looked visibly (though temporarily) smaller after use.

Price: $15 for a pack of 5
Follow the link in my bio and use code RENTERESE15 for 15% any purchase!

The brand is expensive, but it is the more affordable end of the luxury skincare spectrum!

The was kindly gifted by the brand in exchange for a review! You can find my Affiliate link in my profile to check out their other products. And if you do end up trying anything, use code Ren.Terese to get free shipping!

This is my new favorite clay mask, easily. It smells nice and subtle and makes my skin feel smooth and soft, and so calm and soothed!

🌼Heals, tightens & brightens skin
🌼Evens skin complexion
🌼Addresses inflammation caused by acne, eczema & Rosacea 

🍵Green Tea Extract - Contains the potent antioxidant EGCG, can provide anti-aging benefits, UV protection, and DNA repair when applied topically.
🌱Colloidal Oatmeal -  has long been used as a natural remedy for irritated skin, and has many propitious qualities for the beauty and health of the skin: soothing, moisturising, and cleansing.

For use twice or thrice weekly, apply to dry, cleansed skin. Let rest and soothe for 5 - 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. 