Welcome, new subscribers! I’m so happy you’re here.
It’s been a while since I’ve done a Q&A (to catch up on past editions, head here, here and here.
Read: The Some Things Shower
Announcement: Nikki F won April’s T3 Airebrush giveaway for paid subscribers! Congratulations, Nikki!
Ok, let’s get into today’s Q&A. As always, if you have a question, please send me a DM!
My friend/former coworker Eliot asks:
A skincare Q for you: What are our thoughts and feelings on Aesop’s Lucent Facial Concentrate, if any? I’ve been using CeraVe Vitamin C, but perhaps I should upgrade. Also, what about retinol suggestions?
I love this question. After doing the basics, cleansing, moisturizing and using daily sunscreen, the 200-level skincare scion situation is adding actives and if you’re going to do no other ingredients, vitamin C and retinol are really the only ones you need. And if you only want one, vitamin C is the gateway active.
But back to Eliot’s question, here are my thoughts. Aesop is a great brand for body care — and skin care if you’re in your 20s. While they make beautiful formulas, I find their facial skin care is really for people who already have fantastic, young-ass skin. If you need a little something extra, and Eliot is simply not in the Aesop demographic (neither am I, obv), I think your money would be better spent elsewhere.
CeraVe’s vitamin C serum is a solid choice! This is my favorite drugstore skincare brand for serums and cleansers and I’ve tried this serum and have enjoyed the results. If you want to go a more luxe, I have three favorites.
Timeless 20% Vitamin C Serum also includes vitamin E and ferulic acid in an elegant texture for $30. It’s non greasy and layers well.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C is my go-to I’ve purchased time and time again. It’s more expensive at $105, but I find a bottle lasts me at least four months and it fades dark spots and gives me an overall brightness I can’t seem to replicate with other formulas.
Prequel Lucent-C Serum When I travel, I use this one and keep it in my carry-on and have been impressed by its efficacy at a low price point of $23. This brand is one of my favorites. The Gleanser is also a gem.
As for retinol, I have a couple of favorites as well.
Philosophy Help Me is an old go-to I’ve used on and off for over a decade. It’s a little harsher than some other formulas, so I use it only once a week and I always sandwich it between layers of moisturizer. It’s a fantastic mid-priced option and the bottle lasts me over a year.
UBeauty Resurfacing Concentrate is quite a bit spendier, but if you have sensitivity to most retinol formulas, this one is for you. It never irritates my skin at all, smells fresh and clean and layers well under makeup if you wear it during the day (paired with sunscreen, of course).
Thanks, Eliot!
P.S. Some Substack shout-outs! I’m loving
, my friend ’s latest review of Celluma Pro on her substack and has a great new series called Travel Rat.Until next time!
Love you, mean it,
Amber
IT cosmetics’ niacinimide and vitamin c serum is my favorite. The texture of my 49 year old skin has never been better and the dark spots are much improved. I used Ipsy for a while and tried loads of serums and this one is the best of the bunch. I struggled with cystic acne forevvvver and this has faded those chin scars to nearly nonexistent.
Thank you so much for the shout out! I appreciate it so much.