Cece Meadows first founded Prados Beauty after seeing, and feeling, an intense lack of Indigenous representation in the makeup industry while working behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week. These interactions prompted her to take charge and bring the Indigenous experience to the world of makeup.

Since then, Prados Beauty has absolutely exploded onto the cosmetics scene. With trusty formulations and beautifully designed Indigenous centered packaging, it’s easy to see why makeup fanatics, like performer and drag superstar Trixie Mattel, are fans of the brand. 

Beyond an intense commitment to delivering on fun and story-driven makeup, Prados Beauty promises to go beyond donating to Indigenous communities and causes and also focuses on volunteering within indigenous communities and uplifting Indigenous voices across digital platforms.

To get a sneak peek into Prados Beauty and their CEO and founder, Cece Meadows, we talked to her about the brand’s origins, her daily routine, and some of her current holy grails.

1) How did you get into the beauty industry? 

I am an Ovarian Cancer survivor and during chemo I was in the lowest of lows. I was losing my hair at that time and my skin was so fragile.  My amazing friends were makeup artists at the MAC counter and came over one day to give me a makeover! It was at that moment that I realized makeup was such a powerful therapy tool. It helped me look how I wanted to feel! 

Life sometimes throws you challenges and moments when you feel like you cannot go on, makeup however can help transform you into the hopeful and better version of you. From that day forward I was completely in love with cosmetics and decided I would dedicate my life to painting the world beautiful. 

2) What inspired you to start your own brand?

After going into remission and years of being a local makeup artist and influencer, I took a master class in Manhattan at the New York Makeup Academy in 2018. They took graduates to NYFW and I was so excited to be a part of that! I wore a traditional ribbon skirt, my moccasins and a shirt that read “Strong, Resilient, Indigenous,” and the number of models and designers who asked “what does Indigenous mean?” was astounding. I felt like the one and only Indigenous person at these events and it was a very lonely feeling. I went home after that weekend and told my husband that there was so much work to be done. Inclusivity and diversity has historically been lacking at NYFW and in the beauty business. Designers and makeup companies appropriate not just Indigenous designs and traditional regalia, but of a mix of minority races. I wanted to change that. I wanted to be a representative of a whole nation of mixed Indigenous peoples by bringing our faces and stories to the forefront of every possible market. I wanted to be the bridge in helping to bring all BIPOC peoples to the table, to tell our stories and our truths through our lens and not that of history books who most times tell it all wrong.

3) What’s the biggest challenge you have faced as a founder?

Hands down, funding and correct representation. I have probably knocked on every single bank door in corporate America, and every time I get the door shut in my face. I decided that I was going to stop doing that, not only because I was tired of it, but also because I was tired of being hurt about it. 

On numerous occasions after presenting a beautiful and accurate to the cent presentation and projection sheet, I have been told by banks and investors that I have a beautiful story and it should be told. They take one look at the packaging and who’s on the box and suddenly it’s not marketable because it’s an actual Indigenous person representing themselves and not some appropriator with millions of dollars and social influence. 

The hardest part of asking someone else for money and backing, is the notorious question of “what happens if you default on your loan, where will we get our money from then?” These are smart questions to ask when loaning money, but why does the conversation always start with the assumption that I’ll default? Bootstrapping is the way we have been forced to go to grow my business and brand. I am happy that my husband and I have made smart decisions in diversifying our portfolios at a young age, because now we have the freedom to invest in ourselves and the business. We do it on our own terms and we do it for our people. We don’t answer to anyone and we get to give back to others through our philanthropy and successes.

4) Ok, put us in your shoes. What’s an average day in your life like?

 My day usually starts at 6:00 am, as I am a proud wife of a MAJ in the US Army. Our littles go to preschool on post with my love, so I am running around getting my family ready, fed and blessed up for their day. By 7:45am my two eldest children are on the bus to school and my personal routine starts. I am usually on the bike for 30 min in the morning, I shower and then take about 30 minutes to write in my journal and pray. I put the crockpot on and head out the door by 9am for my Starbucks. Haha!

 I get to the office at about 9:15-9:30AM everyday and I am here with my team doing our day to day tasks which include designing packaging, playing with formulas, creating content, and admin stuff. By 3PM I am usually headed home for my kids to get home from school. I do homework, clean and get ready for daddy and the littles to be home by 6PM for dinner. Bedtime is at 8:30PM for the babies and then its relaxation time. I’m usually working on pressing things for the business after everyone is asleep. My normal bedtime is between 11-11:30PM. I get to sleep in on the weekends and that is always nice!

5) What are some of your favorite beauty products at the moment? 

Oh I am absolutely obsessed with OneSize beauty, Fenty Beauty, Nopalera, Ceremonia, Switch2Pure, Anove and of course Prados Beauty. These are all brands founded by BIPOC peoples and although I don’t shop exclusively BIPOC owned, these products truly help my skin and feel curated to my skin tone and type. That is always a win win in my book.

6) Plans for what’s next?

We are working on a fun launch for Pride month and already have plans for May 2022! 

Humbly and proudly, we are the first Xicana and Indigenous owned beauty brand to be sold in a mega retailer. With that comes alot of responsibility and work. Prados Beauty is in it for the generations to come and that means that we will expand our line and keep pushing the envelope when it comes to inclusivity and diversity. We may be a BIPOC owned brand who paints the world beautiful through the lens of Indigenous peoples, but importantly our brand is 100% inclusive and we create products for all. We will continue in that work and also be in more retail stores and spaces in 2022 and 2023. Very excited for the opportunities to come!

Want to check out some of Prados Beauty’s impactful and downright beautiful products? Here are our recommendations:

The Matriarch Eyeliner ($16)

Prados’ ultra black eyeliner is both vegan and cruelty free. Housed in a chic and easily handled component, this eyeliner can totally be used for a chic flick or full-on Euphoria inspired graphic looks.

The Matriarch Bronzer ($25)

Looking to warm up your complexion? Look no further.

Described as “bringing the same heat as the sun,” the Matriarch Bronzer is a four shade bronzing palette that can cover anything from a soft sun kissed look to an intense contour session.

The Matriarch Palette ($45)

This beautifully curated palette with 30 different shades comes out of a collaboration with artist Steven Paul Judd, a Native American multihyphenate. 

A colorful mix of shimmers and mattes compliment the palette’s neutral tones, making it perfect for day-and-night usage. Did we mention the palette’s artwork is absolutely stunning? 

+Have you tried Prados Beauty?

The post Prados Beauty Founder and CEO Cece Meadows On Creating An Impactful and Beautiful Indigenous Owned Brand appeared first on The Klog.

Ask anyone who experiences seemingly immovable dark circles under their eyes and they’ll tell you their least favorite invasive beauty comment is “Are you tired?” (See variations: Did you get enough sleep? Have you tried going to bed earlier?)

If everyone who has asked me that question only knew how many times I’ve tried to remedy my dark circles with sleep, lavender sprays, and white noise machines, I think they’d erase the question from their vocabulary.

Dark circles do pop up when one fails to catch a few Zzzs, however, I’m not talking about the transient half-moons that disappear after resetting your sleep cycle. I’m talking about the dark circles that are associated with age, genetics, and ethnic background; those that are a bit more stubborn and take a bit more work to tackle.

As someone from an Eastern European background with skin that produces hyperpigmentation if it even so much as sees someone else’s wound or cut, dark circles have been a skin concern of mine since before I even got my first pimple. I’ve tried every dermatologist tip, from hydrating so as to plump up the skin under the eyes to applying a caffeine based eye cream to stimulate blood circulation. 

Effective for some, these hacks just didn’t work for me. My dark circles were rooted in hyperpigmentation and genetics, not broken sleep cycles and dehydration.

It was with this discouraged attitude that I approached Goodal’s Green Tangerine Vita C Eye Gel Patch. Because I’d been let down so many times before, I assumed they wouldn’t work. Boy, was I wrong.

Goodal’s Green Tangerine Vita C Eye Gel Patches target hyperpigmentation with vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. 

After reading the ingredients of these hydrogel patches, I had a giant face palm moment. Why had I not tried vitamin C on my pigmented under eye circles before? I used it daily on the hyperpigmentation on my face and it makes complete sense to apply the ingredient on my dark circles- vitamin C interferes with pigment production!

Because these hydrogel slices contain vitamin C, they focus on long term brightening results over short term blood circulation or momentary plumping, making them perfect for me and for all those with genetically induced dark under eyes.

Vitamin C is an active ingredient, so I was careful with where I stored the patches. Eventually, they ended up in my fridge, which added a nice cooling sensation upon application! They’re super thin and jam packed with serum. Their weight made them comfortable to wear and reduced the amount of slipping and sliding they did on my face while I was wearing them. 

Over time, and with consistent usage, this eye mask drastically reduced my under eye circles- so much so I’ve cut out using my beloved NARS concealer on regular days. 

The product’s benefits make sense due to vitamin C and niacinamide’s abilities to combat pigmentation. For those like me who were previously given misguided advice, the type that only eliminates dark circles that appear when you’re fatigued, the Goodal patches are a breath of fresh air!

The post This K-Beauty Vitamin C Infused Eye Mask Treats Dark Circles So Well It Practically Eliminates The Need To Wear Concealer appeared first on The Klog.

Soko Glam’s once again driving purposeful action within the skin care and beauty industry with the second installment of their Beauty For Good program, the Conscious Beauty Collective.

Back in May, we announced the K-Beauty destination’s first ever Beauty For Good capsule collection, the AAPI Founder’s Collective, which sought to bolster the voices of Asian-American beauty founders. The initiative went a step further and donated a portion of proceeds from the capsule collection to The AAPI Community Fund.

This time around, Soko Glam’s sights are set on promoting a greener beauty and skin care space. In order to focus on community backed (and loved) brands that are doing some serious good, Soko Glam tapped One Tree Planted partner, Naturium, Versed, the affordable line pushing empties recycling taking over Instagram, and climate neutral certified chic body care brand Nécessaire.

Honing in on their message, through the month of December, Soko Glam will donate a portion of proceeds from the Conscious Beauty Collective to 1% For The Planet, a global movement with a unique model that supports a network of nonprofits addressing urgent environmental issues through funds and action. 

The Conscious Beauty Collective hits Soko Glam December 21st, and features more than 20 products from the three sustainable, and totally Instagrammable, brands.

Let’s explore some of the new sustainable friendly goodies hitting Soko Glam this week!

Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion 10%

Created by skinfluencer Susan Yara, Naturium’s focused on creating a greener skin care industry. Not only does the brand have an on-going partnership with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization that looks to “restore forests, create habitat for biodiversity, and make a positive social impact around the world,” but they also partner with Plastic Bank, who works to hire coastal community members to collect plastic bottles and plastic waste that would otherwise end up in the ocean! We love hearing that! 

Naturium’s Azelaic Acid Emulsion 10% is probably our favorite of the newest curations from Naturium to hit Soko Glam, as it taps into the power of azelaic acid, a gentle alternative to AHAs and BHAs, to help fight breakouts and keep the skin bright. The alternative is a superstar when it comes to battling hormonal acne. Did we mention this lightweight emulsion contains niacinamide to further brighten the skin? 

Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator

Besides being absolutely aesthetic, this impactful body care brand is committed to offsetting their carbon footprint. They’re so committed that they’ve been Climate Neutral Certified since 2019 and have just received their Plastic Neutral certification. 

The holy grail body care line also donates 1% of their yearly sales to environmental causes as a member of 1% For The Planet.

Nécessaire’s The Body Exfoliator is one of the brand’s top sellers, combining the best of chemical and physical exfoliation methods to leave the body smooth and incredibly soft. Although this gel scrub works well for all skin types, it’s also a great pick for those with keratosis pilaris, as it helps to mitigate all signs of strawberry skin!

Versed Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream

Let’s get into recycling focused Versed! The brand prides itself on its affordability, but also on it’s in-house recycling program. 

They’re letting you cut out the trip to the closest location that accepts skin care empties with their very own recycling program. Simply wait until you have 3 Versed empties to email the brand about your recycling wishes. They’ll send you a prepaid label that you can slap on the box you filled with your now product-less containers. Then all you have to do is drop it off at your local FedEx location. The best part? Versed will send you a code for 15% off your next purchase as a thank you! 

It’s easy to rack up Versed empties, especially with products like the Dew Point Moisturizing Gel Cream. The fun starts with the texture, a lightweight jelly dream, and continues on into the formula with hydration favorites like hyaluronic acid and aloe. 

+What brands do you think are doing sustainability well? Let us know below! 

The post Soko Glam’s Conscious Minded Capsule Collection Will Have Beauty Lovers Feel Good About Clicking ‘Add To Cart’ appeared first on The Klog.

Dull skin’s a drag. We’re all aware of this, especially during this time of the year when it seems every environmental factor is out there trying to dim our glow.

In an effort to liven and brighten up our skin, a few of us (we won’t name names) reach for illuminating primers and shiny highlighters. Of course, these products will momentarily hide the skin’s dullness, but at the end of the night when you double cleanse, the dullness will once again rear its head as your shimmer and glow make their way down the drain.

K-Beauty brand Acwell knows many of us, especially during the colder seasons, struggle with dryness, dullness, and a lackluster skin tone. But, they also know trying to cover these skin concerns with glowy makeup products is definitely not the way to deal with them.

Instead, the brand seeks to treat them at their sources with brightening and hydrating ingredients that promote a glow and balance our compromised and deprived skin barriers. 

Lucky for us, Acwell’s helping us to brighten our skin from start to finish with their Licorice Trial Kit featuring 3 travel-sized award winners, their Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum, Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream, and Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner for an instant hydrating and brightening boost.

Ready to dive into how the balancing and brightening Acwell line eradicates unwanted dullness? Let’s go! 

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Advance Serum

Acwell’s kit is all about balancing and brightening the skin, so it’s a no-brainer that it contains a travel size of their 2021 Best of K-Beauty® award winner. 

Much like it’s Licorice pH Balancing line siblings, the lightweight fast-absorbing serum is formulated with brightening licorice root extract and licorice root water. However, this serum departs from its family due to the inclusion of Pycnogenol, AKA pine bark extract, in its formula.

It might sound odd to use tree bark in skin care, but its high antioxidant content makes it a soon-to-be staple ingredient in the beauty world. Together, Pycnogenol and licorice work to moisturize, even, and fight off free radical damage for a refined, bright complexion. 

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Cream

Nothing says dull, tired skin like dark, dry under eyes.

Packed with licorice, peptides, squalane, and caffeine, the two travel sized Licorice pH Balancing Intensive Eye Creams hydrate and depuff tired eyes for a refreshed look. 

Unlike other depuffing eye creams, this creamy moisturizing favorite also works to dispel under eye hyperpigmentation thanks to licorice root’s ability to block melanin producing enzymes.

Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner

Old school powerful astringent toners often leave the skin a bit tight or squeaky clean. But, Acwell knows this is definitely not how it should be. 

This powerful cleansing toner is perfect for all skin types due to its pH of 5.5, and moisturizes as it cleans, meaning there’s no stripped feeling after usage. Kick dullness and pigmentation to the curb with potent levels of green tea, peony extract, and of course, licorice. 

We love this toner’s ability to create a moisturizing layer on the skin while it cleanses and prepares the skin for the rest of our skin care routine. 

+Are you ready to conquer winter dullness with licorice root? Tell us how you plan on achieving a seasonal glow below!

The post Balance Your Barrier With Acwell’s Unbeatable Soothing and Brightening Skin Care Kit appeared first on The Klog.

As all skin care lovers know, Korean Beauty pioneered making lush, effective skin care formulas affordable. 

This perfect combination of price and complete potency (did we mention cute, aesthetic packaging?) makes Korean skin care the perfect present for anyone looking to give gifts and stocking stuffers this holiday season to their loved ones without putting a serious dent in their savings.

We rounded up the best K-Beauty skin care holy grails under $25 (yup, you read that right) that’ll have your giftees glowing, nourished, and completely skin care obsessed this holiday season. From lip masks that double as lip balms and award winning cleansing balms to breakout busting serums and milky cleansers with purpose, there’s an affordable skin care find for everyone in your life, ranging from besties to aunts and uncles.

Then I Met You Honey Dew Lip Mask ($22)

Besides being absolutely gorgeous, this multi-tasking lip mask is an on-the-go staple. Heralded by the likes of the queen of skin care herself, Caroline Hirons, and skinfluencer James Welsh, it uses a combination of lactic acid, squalane, honey dew, and vitamin E to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells and deliver nutrients to your pout.

 Layer it and leave it on overnight as a sleep mask or swipe across the lips during the day to use it as a glossy nourishing balm.

Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser ($17.99)

Milky textures and formulas are *so* satisfying and incredibly gentle! This transforming formula is no different, containing microbiome friendly fermented oat.

Packaged in a recyclable tube made from sugarcane materials, this vegan formula transforms from a hydrating oil cleanser to a milky foam when massaged into the face using water. Who doesn’t like watching skin care magic before their eyes?

Rovectin LHA Blemish Ampoule ($15)

Is your giftee’s skin sensitive and acne prone? This gentle breakout fighting innovation is reporting for duty. 

Finding a truly effective anti-acne product that jives with sensitive skin is tricky, but Rovectin’s cracked the code. The LHA Blemish Ampoule uses a more gentle derivative of salicylic acid, one which is closer to the skin’s natural pH level, to unclog pores and bypass irritation. We love ingredient innovation!

Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm Original ($19)

Beauty editors across the globe are in agreement, this cleansing balm is the bomb.

The perfect kick-off to any double cleansing routine, this balm-to-oil cleanser works to rid the skin of oil based impurities, like makeup and sunscreen, using both vitamin E and vitamin C. The result? Soft, clean, nourished skin!

The Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patch ($6)

These aren’t just any pimple patches and they have the features to prove it. Vegan? Check. Nearly invisible? Yup. Sticks to skin even during a workout? Duh. 

Your giftee will love these, as they’re no fuss and do all the heavy lifting when it comes to calming and deflating bothersome zits. They’re also the perfect size for gifting and stocking stuffing!

+What do you plan on gifting this year? Let us know below!

The post The Best K-Beauty Skin Care Gifts To Give This Season $25 And Under! appeared first on The Klog.

Spending day after day studying, testing, and curating the latest and greatest in skin care and beauty products kinda gives those of us working in the beauty and skin care industries the upper hand when it comes to gifting.

Not only do we know what’s currently trending, but we have insights into what will be the next, most efficacious ingredient in the skin care world. The holiday season is the perfect time to put all of this knowledge to good use and provide our loved ones skin care goodies that are perfect for their skin type and concerns. After all, doesn’t it feel much better to give a thoughtful gift than to receive one? 

Below, we asked the staff at Soko Glam and Then I Met You to provide the skin care and beauty picks they’ll be wrapping up for those in their life this season! 

Manyo Factory Galactomy Essence Cream

This brand is a breath of fresh air, likening their formulas to potions and leaning into a witchy vibe. (Manyo Factory actually translates to witch factory!) 

Their Galactomy Essence Cream absorbs quickly and is an asset for staving off December’s bitter winds due to the moisturizer’s fermented goodness.

Did we mention the packaging is right up our alley? 

Top Gift Pick: Shannon, Associate Manager, PR + Editorial at Soko Glam

Thank You Farmer Back To Relax Soothing Gel Mask

A sensorial and hydrating experience in a jar, Thank You Farmer’s Back to Relax Soothing Gel Mask is a great way to wind down and brighten at the same time. Vitamin C and cica lovers will use this mask up in no time, as both lend themselves to the jello formula! 

Top Gift Pick: Liz, Marketing Associate at Then I Met You

Neogen Real Firming Bakuchiol Serum

Bakuchiol’s about to be the next big skin care ingredient, so it only makes sense that any beauty or skin care lover would love to get in on it early!

The plant derived ingredient is a much gentler dupe for retinol that doesn’t cause irritation. Neogen’s Real Firming Bakuchiol Serum formulates the vitamin A alternative with squalane for an added boost of nourishment.

Top Gift Pick: Shannon, Associate Manager, PR + Editorial at Soko Glam

I’m From Mugwort Mask

If you’re keyed into K-Beauty, you know I’m From is THAT brand. 

They truly tapped into self-care vibes with their Mugwort Mask, a way to wind down as mugwort extract helps to cool down heated skin and bring quick relief to irritated skin after a long day.

Top Gift Pick: Steven, Performance Marketing Intern at Soko Glam

Chasin’ Rabbits Limited Edition Set

Look no further. We found a vegan, cruelty free and cute skin care gift set from a K-Beauty indie brand currently making waves in the industry. 

The set includes three full size faves, a tie-dye bag, headband, and, of course, stickers.

Top Gift Pick: Talia, Manager, Brand Marketing at Soko Glam

Sioris Time Is Running Out Mist

Forget 2-in-1 products, K-Beauty’s already onto 3-in-1 holy grails. This product combines the benefits of a toner, mist, and serum in one for on-the-go hydration that can easily fit into any tote or purse. 

Top Gift Pick: Gee, Associate, Creative at Soko Glam

+What will you be gifting this year? Drop your ideas below!

The post Here’s What Beauty Experts Are *Actually* Gifting This Year appeared first on The Klog.

Soko Glam’s giving you something beyond a three-day weekend to celebrate today: a summer sale! 

The beauty retailer is making picking up refreshing and protective skin, body, and hair care even more affordable than they usually do with 20% off products picks with the code SOKOSUMMER– starting today.

 Ready for some more good beauty news? They’re also offering amazing travel sized gift with purchases from efficacious brands like Hanskin and It’s Skin when you spend over $100. I don’t know about you, but these travel sized favorites will be perfect for packing on all of my upcoming trips.

Getting in on Soko Glam’s saving event is simple- just visit the site before the summer sale concludes on July 6th.

To make deciding what to pick up a bit easier for you, we rounded up our favorite skin, hair, and body must-haves.

I’m From Fig Cleansing Balm

After an outpouring of requests from the retailer’s community, the beloved K-Beauty brand I’m From is finally on Soko Glam! Eleven of their best products are available now on the site, but we particularly love their balm-to-milk Fig Cleansing Balm. This balm is rich in vitamin and polyphenol which moisturizes and helps restore vitality to tired skin!

British M Regenall Calming Mask

British M is used widely throughout top Korean salons, so it only makes sense we’re obsessed with the brand’s Regenall Calming Mask. Formulated with glacial clay and coconut oil, this mask treatment can help strengthen damaged strands, manage dandruff, and regulate oiliness.

TONY MOLY Watermelon Dew All Over Serum

Why is this head-to-toe moisturizing serum giving us Harry Styles summer vibes? If you’re looking to amp-up your body care this summer, this watermelon, aloe, and centella asiatica filled all-over serum is the perfect stepping stone! 

Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner

Talk about a cult classic!  With over 550 reviews on Soko Glam, it maintains a 4.8 rating! K-Beauty newbies must pick up this tried-and-true refreshing and balancing toner. 

Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen

This fast-drying nongreasy sunscreen works overtime to not only protect the skin from UV rays, but also to moisturize, control oil production, and calm. Another plus? The Neogen sunscreen boasts no whitecast.

Sioris My First Essener

Perpetually busy? The My First Essener cuts down on your skin care time by combining the power of a toner and an essence into one product. Antioxidant rich, this formula will leave your skin nourished and prepared for any and all following skin care regimen steps.

The post 6 K-Beauty Staples to Pick Up at the Soko Glam Summer Sale appeared first on The Klog.

When the internet’s resident skin care expert Rio Viera-Newton recommends a product, you know it has to be good. 

Newton’s skin care must-haves, including Acropass’s Trouble Cure and Good (Skin) Days C’s the Day Serum, span every price point from $6 pimple patches to $53 masks. However, we were kind of shocked when we saw Newton recommend the $9 PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash.

It’s not because the 10% benzoyl peroxide foaming cleanser doesn’t deserve the hype- it’s maintained a 4.6 star rating on Amazon with over 16,000 reviews- but because the drug store staple remains relatively low key, often looked over by beauty and skin editors. 

That’s about to change!

The Let’s Face It author sung PanOxyl’s praises in her latest YouTube video, detailing how it “got rid” of her cystic flare up in THREE days. Beyond the quick turnaround time, the top skinfluencer also detailed how PanOxyl can be used on the arms, chest, and on the butt for breakouts, too. A multi-tasking acne cleanser for only $9?! Yes, please!

The secret to this product’s acne vanishing success? Pimple crushing benzoyl peroxide paired with a massaging technique. 

Benzoyl peroxide’s long been known by dermatologists as a powerful top acne ingredient. It both exfoliates pores AND kills bacteria that causes acne.  It can be used for treating all types of acne, including cystic flareups, as experienced by Viera-Newton, and inflammatory spots. Because it’s so potent and targets bacteria, BP can also deliver pimple-diminishing results quicker than salicylic acid.

PanOxyl instructs users to massage the face and body cleanser into the skin for 1-2 minutes for full effectiveness. Newton also suggests using the buzzy product as a spot treatment, massaging the formula into any and all breakouts and following up with a great moisturizer, like the Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Moisture Cream (benzoyl peroxide is a strong ingredient, after all!).

Finding a skin care product that tackles a variety of acne types across the body is rare. But, I’m pretty sure Rio Viera-Newton did just that. 

What’s your favorite benzoyl peroxide packed product? Share your recommendations below!

The post The Affordable Drugstore Acne Busting Cleanser That Skin Expert Rio Viera-Newton Can’t Get Enough Of appeared first on The Klog.

After a year-and-a-half spent cooped up inside, we’re all totally ready for a solid summer getaway. Preferably this long-awaited vacay will include ditching our work from home setups in favor of lots of lounging next to a large body of water with friends and a great book in hand.

TripAdvisor reports we’re all pretty much on the same page with our much-fantasized about vacations, as two-thirds of Americans are planning on traveling this summer.

In order to prep you for all of your summer vacations and day trips to the beach, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite beach skin care picks. Together, these staples round out the perfect beach bag line-up, doing everything from protecting your skin from the sun to providing much needed cooling effects.

Let’s get into our beach skin care must-haves! 

Face Sunscreen

Cocokind’s Daily SPF exploded on the social media scene this past year- and for good reason. 

This adorably packaged and branded sunscreen features an SPF of 32 provided by the brand’s unique combination of non-nano zinc oxide, blue phytoplankton, and microalgae. 

What really makes this a perfect beach skin care product pick? The sunscreen’s reef safe, meaning it won’t contribute to the deterioration of the ocean’s reefs. 

Body Sunscreen

Absolutely hate whitecast? Us too. Good thing  La Roche-Posay Anthelios Face and Body Sunscreen Melt-In Milk Lotion SPF 60 doesn’t leave any behind. Oh, did we also mention this beauty editor favorite also skips over leaving behind a greasy residue on the skin?

Widely available in drug stores and big box stores, including Target, you can easily pick up this non-comedogenic antioxidant packed UVA fighter on the way to the beach!

Spray Sunscreen

Any sunscreen lover knows reapplying it is an absolute pain. Not only do you have to actually remember to reach for your SPF every few hours, you also have to circumnavigate all the skin tints and sweat that’s accumulated on top of your skin since your original application.

Our solution? Supergoop’s Play Antioxidant Body Mist SPF 50 with Vitamin C. 

Simply spray this non-aerosol sunscreen on dry-or wet!-skin for protection. The fuss-free beach skin care fave pairs avobenzone with vitamin C for ultimate free-radical protection.

Hello to a summer full of easy SPF reapplication! 

Sunburn Soothing 

What’s a beach bag without aloe?

Our favorite this summer is the Benton Aloe Real Cool Soothing Gel. At only $8, this gel, packed with 93% aloe leaf extract, seems like a steal.

Soothing sunburn never felt so good. Easily apply this anywhere, including the pesky areas that we often forget to apply sunscreen to (scalp, ears, hands) and feel the cooling sensation take over as it tackles redness and inflammation.

There are lots of other ways to use this community staple, but tossing it in our tote bag and using it throughout a relaxing summer say is our favorite.

Face Mist

There’s no feeling quite like the one you get when you’re sitting with your feet in the sand. On the flip side, there’s also probably no feeling quite that of the sun’s rays beating down on you as you try to take refuge under an oversized umbrella. 

We’ve got an easy, portable skin care solution to this heat-based problem (beyond the standard portable fan we’ve all encountered once or twice.)

Enter: face mists. Most notably, Acwell’s Licorice pH Balancing Essence Mist. 

Beyond it being a Soko Glam staff favorite, the mist is also a beach skin care must-have. 

It’s ultra-fine, cooling mist delivers a steady stream of fermented ingredients, like the K-Beauty star saccharomyces ferment filtrate, to nourish and balance the skin barrier.

Although this we recommend using this hydrating midday pick-me-up in any setting, it’s definitely a nice refreshing addition to any beach, pool, or lake day. 

Face Mask

Some of the sweatiest, hottest, and most tiring car trips are those after a long day swimming, chatting, and reveling in the outdoors. 

Make the car-ride back to the hotel cool and enjoyable with a face mask that’s been tucked away inside the cooler all day. 

Leader’s Amino Moisture Mask is our pick because it takes hydration seriously and after a day out in the sun, that’s exactly what our skin barrier needs. This mask contains 17 amino acids, ceramides, mineral water AND hyaluronic acid which will have your skin pretty much forgetting the dryness it was embracing mere minutes ago.

What’s your favorite beach skin care must-haves? Let us know below! 

The post The Best Skin Care Products To Put In Your Beach Tote This Summer appeared first on The Klog.

Whether we like it or not, acne’s one of those unique skin concerns that can occur at any stage of life. 

Unlike fine lines and pregnancy spots, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, pimples and breakouts can appear as soon as one enters adolescence and continues well into adulthood– often until one’s 30s and 40s. 

There are now entire brands dedicated to eradicating every type of pimple and comedone, with products ranging from hydrocolloid patches to liquid exfoliators packed with AHAs and BHAs, but this season, we’re focusing on simplicity and getting back the acne fighting basics. That’s why we’re set on sharing our favorite budget acne fighting cleansers. 

These three water based cleansers tap into the powers of tea tree oil, salicylic acid, and amino acids to eliminate gunk, dirt and grime and keep your skin clear!

Check out our favorite budget acne fighting cleansers below and see which one you should pick up to cut out all that extra summer sunscreen and sebum.

Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water – $17

This game-changing Soko Glam’s Best of K-Beauty winner is also a favorite amongst beauty editors, having graced the digital pages of publications from Byrdie to Refinery29.

Fragrance free and formulated with only 10 ingredients, the Benton Tea Tree Cleansing Water provides the most for your money with 70% tea tree leaf water. 

This cleansing water uses tea tree’s unique antibacterial and antiseptic properties to zap zits without irritation- this natural ingredient soothes inflammation and decreases redness! 

Inward Agas ACue Cleansing Foam  – $19

If you’re looking for an AHA and BHA packed cleanser that’s also soothing and moisturizing (yes, it’s possible!) the Inward Agas ACue Cleansing Foam was made for you.

Lactic acid and salicylic acid work together in this dreamy foamy formula to exfoliate acne prone skin and clear out pores- preventing further breakouts while eliminating any current ones.

Moisturizing agastache, or Korean mint, is at the heart of this cleansing foam. Cica lives alongside the agastache in order to provide as little irritation to the skin barrier as possible! 

We love this product because not only is it effective, budget friendly, and fragrance free, but it’s formulated with a pH close to the skin’s natural acidity so it doesn’t disrupt the skin’s acid mantle.

Dewytree Hi Amino All Cleanser – $15.99

If acne prevention- and not elimination- is your focus you might want to get into amino acids. Amino acids help the skin reproduce its own antioxidants to provide protection from free radicals like pollution and UV rays. If you’re not aware, free radicals can damage the skin causing everything from fine lines to skin cancer.

Amino acids’ benefits don’t stop there- they also assist the skin in maintaining hydration and keeping healthy with a nourished skin barrier.

A healthy, nourished, and protected barrier means bacteria has a harder time finding a home on the skin’s surface. 

Try Dewytree’s Hi Amino All Cleanser facial cleanser In order to get in on amino acid’s benefits!

What’s your favorite budget acne treatment? Let us know below! 

The post 3 Acne Fighting Cleansers We Swear By- All Under $20 appeared first on The Klog.