Hi everyone, and Happy New Year! Hope you're all ringing in 2023 with good, healthy vibes.
As you already know, I love testing out viral products on TikTok. Some of them are hits, many of them misses for my sensitive (and high maintenance) skin.
But alas- I have found a way to stop wasting my money on cool-looking products that may or may not break me out— and it's saved my skin and my wallet lots!
It's called "Skincarisma," a life-changing and free website where you paste the full ingredients of any product, and it'll tell you which ones are comedogenic (or pore-clogging). An added bonus is that it'll also explain which ingredients are good for you, if the product is silicone-free, sulfate-free or fungal acne-safe (Those little, colorless bumps that you may see on your forehead? Yeah, that's fungal acne, not regular acne).
Of course, it's going to be nearly impossible to find a product that has no clogging or sensitive ingredients. However, it's a great method to use when you're choosing between two products. Or if you're contemplating buying an expensive yet trendy item.
Whether you have acne-prone skin, rosacea, eczema, etc. — today's blog is for you and your skincare needs. I've been scanning my ingredients for years before making the splurge on a product, and lucky for you newbies, I've rounded up some viral products I've learned to avoid — and what to opt for instead.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
This one upsets me the most. Anyone who knows me knows I've wanted to try this product so badly. It's what many makeup artists use to elevate their clients' looks for that airbrushed, filtered appearance (hence, the name).
I assume most of you don't have an issue with it given its widespread popularity But for those who feel like they're breaking out ever since using Flawless Filter, it may be because you have acne or fungal acne-prone skin. Ingredients like Bidmuth Oxychloride help give that sheen in makeup, but can be irritating to those with sensitive skin, acne and/or rosacea. Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate is another common, yet typically pore-clogging ingredient for those prone to fungal acne.
Instead, try Yves Saint Laurent NU BARE LOOK TINT Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation ($39)
Kosas Revealer Concealer
I've heard so many people swear that this is the best creamy concealer for brightening and covering. The main reason(s) I've refrained from buying, however, is because I learned it contains ingredients like Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate (with a comedogenic rating of 4 out of 5) and Sunflower Seed Oil (a common trigger of fungal acne). Others share my concerns too: I've been seeing more and more TikTok creators with sensitive skin expressing similar complaints about breaking out ever since using this concealer.
Instead, try Fenty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer ($28)
Your beauty blender
Are you cleaning them as well as you should?
The answer: Probably not. First of all, you're supposed to replace your beauty blender every 3-6 months— which I KNOW y'all aren't doing. Second, you have to make sure it dries completely. Otherwise, these porous surfaces (sponges) make the perfect environment for mold to grow.
The reality is if you're not properly cleaning and storing your beauty blender after every use, there's a chance you're patting leftover mold back into your skin— and that's a chance I'm not willing to take (especially because I get lazy. I admit I don't fully wash my brushes after EVERY use, as I should).
Instead, try a stainless steel makeup spatula ($7)
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
I hate foundation. Instead, I look for sheer, lightweight coverage— and skin tints promise just that. They provide a glass-like finish without leaving behind a sticky, heavy or oily residue.
The problem with this viral skin tint, for me, is it contains a lot of oils which clog my skin— along with Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Ricinoleate (fungal acne trigger) and Isopropyl Isostearate (the ester of rubbing alcohol with a 5 out of 5 comedogenic rating).
Instead, try Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint ($32)
Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
Non-comedogenic blushes are hard for me to find, because most pigmented products contain an array of comedogenic, heavy and pore-clogging ingredients. The Rare Beauty liquid blush luckily does not have many comedogenic ingredients. But for those who are sensitive to fungal acne (me), beware of ingredients like Sorbitan Sesquioleate and Sunflower Seed Oil.
Now, don't throw your Rare Beauty blush out. The good thing is that you're probably only using a little bit of this product, and not all over the face, so it is not the biggest deal. I personally opt to be on the safer side though — which is hard because I love Selena Gomez and everything that she does!
Instead, try Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Blush ($25)
Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
OK I'll admit it: The ingredients are not the only reason I've refrained from buying this. Drunk Elephant is expensive!!! That being said, the D-Bronzi Sunshine Drops, like many self-tanning or bronzing products, do contain clogging and irritating ingredients that have previously broken me out (Linolenic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate-60).
Instead, try Versed Mood Lighting Luminizing Glow Drops ($18)
Of course, use your discretion when reading this. I don't want you to feel you have to throw all your makeup out. As someone who values research over trends, it's important for me to know what's going on my skin, what's staying on my face for hours each and every day. Learning about which ingredients break me out, and which ones nourish and help my skin, has been one of the greatest factors in my skincare journey.
Thank you for reading this far, and I'll see you Monday!
Jenna
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