Dermstore Black Friday Sale 2024: Top-Notch Skincare Products
Greetings, knowledge seekers, and a warm welcome to 'But More Importantly,' where we discuss a topic of your choice each week, from cosmetics and skincare to life itself. Today, we're spotlighting the Dermstore sale. But before we dive into the details, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter, like the article, and don't forget to suggest topics for future discussions. Now, let's get to it. Dermstore has kicked off a sale, offering up to 30% off on a variety of products. This sale is unique as it features a blend of medical-grade and everyday drugstore brands.
But here's an important clarification - medical-grade skincare products do not necessarily outperform others. They're simply different. Never assume that not using a medical-grade product means you're missing out. The key to effective skincare lies in understanding what you're using, how to use it, and how your skin reacts to it. A single product isn't the magic solution; successful skincare involves using a range of products and ingredients. I've personally tried every product I recommend, ensuring they're reliable and effective, and I'm not sponsored by any of these brands.
Top Products on Sale Right Now
For hyperpigmentation, you can't go wrong with Vitamin C. An excellent choice here is SkinCeuticals' CE Ferulic, a 15% active Vitamin C solution. Although the dropper packaging might be problematic for some, this product is a long-standing favorite in the skincare industry. However, it's worth noting that this product might not suit everyone, especially those with sensitive skin.
Ron Robinson has also formulated a 20% active form of Vitamin C that comes in a more user-friendly pump. This formulation is more stable, doesn't oxidize easily, and therefore remains effective for longer. And it has vitamin E that helps support your natural cellular repair and production. Squalane is blended into this lightweight moisturizer, giving it a somewhat silicone-like texture. While it does deliver a mattifying effect upon application, it might not be ideal for those with oily skin due to its somewhat slippery feel. However, for others, it can be a valuable addition beneath your skincare products. A word of caution though: due to the silicone-like property, layering other products with active ingredients like Azelaic acid may lead to pilling.
Unveiling the Marvels of Avène and ColoreScience for Rosacea
Now, let's talk about Avène - a brand originally developed for people with redness, inflamed skin, and compromised skin barriers. They have a wide range of products that are specially designed for such skin conditions. The Avène Cicalfate Plus Cream is a nourishing barrier cream formulated with a Copper Zinc Sulfate complex and Avène thermal water. Its thick, creamy, fragrance-free yet slightly grainy texture requires a bit of effort to work into the skin but will leave your skin thanking you the next day.
Next, let's move on to ColoreScience, a sunscreen brand that's designed their All Calm Clinical Redness Corrector SPF 50 specifically for those with rosacea. It's a titanium and zinc blend offering SPF 50 and it aids in neutralizing the appearance of redness.
Layering Secrets with SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid for Dry Skin
If you have dry skin or live in a dry climate, the best advice is to layer your skincare products. SkinCeuticals' Triple Lipid is a luxurious skincare product perfect for this. It's packed with essential oils, making it a little concern for sensitive skin. However, its rich, creamy consistency and soothing, spa-like scent are incredibly appealing. It's formulated with essential lipids, including natural cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids, which help restore your skin's elasticity. It also includes vitamin E to support your skin's natural repair and regeneration processes. Despite its large packaging, it's less than 3.2 ounces, making it travel-friendly.
The Double Act: Embryolisse's Lait Crème Concentrée as a Primer and Moisturizer
Embryolisse's Lait Crème Concentrée, popular among makeup artists, particularly in France, doubles as a primer. Priced at $29, it contains mineral oil, stearic acid, and soothing aloe vera with a mild fragrance. The texture is noteworthy, adding a touch of bounce to your complexion under makeup, and it has a gentle rose water aroma that doesn't overwhelm the senses.
Lip Basting with Weleda Skin Food
If you're into the concept of lip basting, then make sure to stock up on Weleda Skin Food. The process of lip basting involves exfoliating the lips chemically, not physically, and sealing in hydration with a rich moisturizer. While the essential oils in Skin Food might give an unusual taste (a bit like gin), its benefits are undeniable. Weleda Skin Food retails for $20 and is a versatile product suitable for various uses beyond just your lips, including as an under-eye treatment.
Combat Acne with Silymarin CF: A Vitamin C Variant
Now, let's discuss acne solutions. The Silymarin CF is an efficacious vitamin C variant for acne-prone skin. It matches the C. Ferulic's price point at $182 but includes 15% ascorbic acid and salicylic acid - unfortunately it retains the hot dog smell.
When dealing with a sudden pimple, benzoyl peroxide, like the 5.5% found in La Roche Posay's Effaclar Duo, can dry it out effectively. A thick layer at night and a thin layer in the morning should do the trick. However, be cautious, as benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics.
The Anti-Aging Magic of Retinol and SkinMedica's TNS Serum
As for anti-aging, retinol plays a key role. SkinCeuticals offers three different strengths: 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0. The best approach is a consistent, less intense application rather than sporadic, intense sessions. As your skin grows tolerant to the 0.3 strength, you can gradually incorporate the 0.5 and even the 1.0 into your routine.
Lastly, for those sensitive to retinols, SkinMedica's TNS serum is a great alternative. It's composed of human fibroblasts, previously derived from human foreskin! I apply this product nightly on my face, neck, and chest. Particularly, I focus on my neck and chest areas as they are more sensitive to retinol and prone to irritation. The unique growth factor cocktail in this product is composed of medium-long amino acid sequences, essentially tiny proteins that stimulate growth - essential for maintaining a youthful appearance.
The Best Under Eye Creams: La Roche-Posay's Dermic R and Neocutis Lumière Firm
For the under-eye area, I recommend products that serve a purpose beyond just moisturizing. La Roche-Posay's Dermic R's retinol eye cream is an excellent option, although it doesn’t specify the retinol percentage. It's a lightweight lotion that costs about $50.
Another suggestion would be Neocutis Lumière Firm, a $108 illuminating and tightening eye cream. It is packed with proprietary peptides for boosting collagen and elastin, growth factors for enhancing collagen and hyaluronic acid production, and vitamin C and caffeine for anti-aging and de-puffing effects. Its silky texture makes it great under makeup.
Sunscreen Recommendations for Every Skin Type
Lastly, for sunscreen, if you have dry skin, La Roche-Posay's Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 is a good pick. It's a purely chemical sunscreen rich in ceramides. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense is a light liquid serum that offers purely mineral sunscreen protection with titanium and zinc. And for those with oily skin, Elta MD with its blend of zinc and chemical sunscreen is a great choice. It's a lightweight, fragrance-free moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 46.
Remember to shake your sunscreen before use to ensure even mixing. Always test the product for your skin tone, and keep in mind that tinted options might blend in better. I hope these suggestions are helpful, and I look forward to sharing more tips next week after my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving!
About the Author: Caolan
With over a decade of international experience, Caolan's passion lies in simplifying the complex. Now, as the founder of But More Importantly, he applies these talents to the world of cosmetics, aiming to unmask marketing hype and provide readers with the truth about beauty products. His mission: to help you make informed choices and discover what truly enhances your beauty routine.
