Retinol this, retinol that. There’s plenty to love about retinol, the miracle ingredient that helps to prevent wrinkles, fade scars and improve skin texture. But let’s not forget that the ingredient has its drawbacks: skin irritation, redness and photosensitivity, not to mention that most retinols are either animal-derived or lab-engineered. 

That’s where bakuchiol — the plant-based ingredient that’s being hailed as the natural alternative to retinol — comes in. 

Bakuchiol? What?

Pronounced ba-koo-chee-ul, it’s an antioxidant sourced from the Babchi plant. The ingredient has its roots in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, where it’s used to treat everything from psoriasis, vitiligo, leukoderma and even osteoporosis. 

That’s why it makes sense that the ingredient has been gaining traction in the skin care community. Some people refer to bakuchiol as nature’s botox, and for good reason— it increases your skin’s cell turnover, thereby helping to diminish signs of aging, even out skin tone, restore firmness and refine pores. 

So what’s the difference between bakuchiol and retinol? 

Molecularly speaking, bakuchiol and retinol are nothing alike. Bakuchiol is always derived from a plant, but retinol can be harvested from a variety of sources, including animal byproducts. Both, however, are known for their ability to increase cell turnover and address signs of aging. One study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that bakuchiol performed just as well as retinol in reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. 

The study also found that retinol users reported more skin irritation and scaling. For many bakuchiol users, its soothing properties  are the main appeal of bakuchiol. It’s a gentler, vegan alternative to retinol. 

Because it’s an antioxidant, bakuchiol is also pregnancy-safe and doesn’t make your skin photosensitive in the same way that retinol does. 

That being said, bakuchiol has only recently entered the cosmetics world, so there isn’t nearly as much research behind the ingredient as there is with retinol. Nevertheless, the general consensus is that bakuchiol is the gentler, pregnancy-safe little sister to retinol. If you’re looking for an ingredient that’s similar to retinol without the harsh side effects, bakuchiol is your match made in heaven. 

How do I incorporate bakuchiol into my routine? 

Bakuchiol is having its breakthrough moment in the skin care industry, which means that your options for incorporating the ingredient into your routine are endless.

For the Korean skin care junkie: Neogen Real Firming Bakuchiol Serum

This Real Firming Bakuchiol Serum from Neogen pairs bakuchiol with powerhouse ingredients like vitamin C, squalane and tea tree extract to refresh and recharge your skin. It’ll leave your skin glowy, bouncy, and hydrated without that sticky residue. Yes, please. 

 For the beauty queen that needs an overnight facial: Cocokind Resurfacing Sleep Mask

Who wouldn’t want to wake up with baby-soft skin? Ingredients like bakuchiol, wild indigo extract and beta-glucan work overnight to reduce redness, dryness and sensitivity, all while leaving your skin soft and supple. 

For the indecisive retinol user that just can’t give up retinol: Versed Gentle Retinol Serum

 If you’re in a long term relationship with retinol, but you want to branch out and try bakuchiol the Press Restart Gentle Retinol Serum from Versed is the best of both worlds. With a mix of microencapsulated retinol and bakuchiol, this serum was specifically formulated for first-time retinol users in mind. Apply it at night and you’ll wake up with supple skin and unclogged pores. 

For the skin care slacker: Naturium Retinol Complex Cream

We’ve all been there. Sometimes, applying a bunch of serums at the end of a long day is a chore. This Retinol Complex Cream from Naturium does it all for you, blending bakuchiol with retinol, squalane and lipids to tune up your skin without the irritation. 

The bottom line: bakuchiol is a gentler, natural alternative to retinol that offers the same great benefits. 

+What’s your favorite skin care ingredient on the rise?

The post Here’s How to Incorporate Bakuchiol, AKA Nature’s Botox, Into Your Skin Care Routine appeared first on The Klog.

There is nothing more irritating than acne that isn’t quite acne. Trust me, we’ve all been there: incessantly picking at those tiny, pesky white bumps on your forehead, hoping and praying that they’ll miraculously vanish. 

Turns out, those pint-sized bumps have a name. Known as one of the milder forms of acne, closed comedones, AKA whiteheads, arise when a skin follicle is clogged by sebum, dead skin cells and bacteria. Unlike blackheads, these closed comedones cannot be pushed out — so treating them goes way beyond squeezing them. 

How to Spot Close Comedones AKA Whiteheads 

Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules… does the list ever end? 

A common mistake that’s made when treating acne is not knowing what type of acne you’re dealing with. Similar to whiteheads, fungal acne and milia both appear on your skin as small, raised bumps. So, let’s dive into how they differ from closed comedones! 

Fungal acne — also referred to as Pityrosporum folliculitis — isn’t acne, technically. Caused by a yeast infection, fungal acne can be identified by itchy, small red bumps. Whiteheads, on the other hand, are white, non-itchy bumps. 

Likewise, milia is the result of keratin overgrowth. They appear on your skin as grain-sized, white bumps. However, unlike closed comedones AKA whiteheads, the area around milia is not as inflamed or raised. 

Tips For Treating Closed Comedones

The good news is that there are plenty of options when it comes to eradicating whiteheads.

1.Double Cleansing

Double cleansing is revered in the K-beauty world, and rightfully so. A double cleansing ritual consists of two parts: first, an oil-based cleanser to take care of makeup and oil buildup, and then a water-based cleanser to deeply remove old skin cells, bacteria, and other water-based impurities. 

By engaging in two rounds of cleansing, you’re helping remove the stubborn gunk 

and leftover makeup in your pores, giving your skin a breath of fresh air. Then I Met You’s award-winning Cleansing Duo combines a double cleansing ritual with nourishing ingredients like rice extract and Vitamin E to cleanse your skin without excessive irritation. 

2. Tea Tree Oil 

TikTokers swear by this at-home remedy for comedonal acne. Tea tree oil is a godsend for killing bacteria and calming inflammation. However, it should be used sparingly as it can cause dryness, blisters or rashes when applied directly to the skin. Instead, incorporating it into your skin care routine with products like Benton’s cult-favorite Tea Tree Serum is the safer route.

For those that suffer from whiteheads on the body, this Tea Tree Care Body Spray from KLAVUU features tea tree oil and salicylic acid to fight breakouts all around your body. 

3. Azelaic acid 

Azelaic acid is a skin care powerhouse: it clears your pores of bacteria while soothing inflammation. Dermatologists rave about azelaic acid for its gentleness on the skin and its versatility. Naturium’s Azelaic Acid Emulsion contains a concentrated blend of azelaic acid, bio-retinol and niacinamide, perfect for zapping away those stubborn whiteheads. 

4. Hands Off! 

The golden rule in skin care is that picking at your pimples is never a good thing. In the case of whiteheads, this still holds true. As satisfying as it is to pop your pimples, popping whiteheads may contribute to more sebum and bacteria buildup in your pores, in addition to infecting or scarring your skin. As someone who is frequently resisting the urge to pop my pimples, I like to apply pimple patches to bigger whiteheads to avoid the temptation. 

5. Retinol 

Retinol is frequently referred to as a miracle ingredient for anti-aging, but it also does wonders for pore clearing, too. By increasing your cell turnover, retinol not only keeps your skin glowing, but it also makes sure that your pores aren’t blocked. Depending on your skin preferences, prescription retinoids or over-the-counter retinol, like Versed’s Press Restart Serum, are both effective options.

+Do you have closed comedones? How do you tackle them?

The post Here’s How to Zap Away Those Annoying Forehead Bumps appeared first on The Klog.

Cleopatra did a lot of questionable things.

Crocodile dung face masks, crushed beetle blush, lead-infused eyeliner— it’s safe to say that her beauty ritual would not have been approved by the skincare gurus of today. 

But not all of it was total nonsense. Legend has it that Cleo bathed in sour donkey milk for soft and supple skin— and weirdly enough, there’s science to back up her beauty secret, as the two are both packed with one of our favorite AHAs.

Though I don’t advise anyone to bathe in sour donkey milk, Cleo was onto something: sour milk contains lactic acid, which is the sensitive-skin-friendly cousin to the AHAs of the world.

On TikTok, lactic acid is the newest miracle ingredient going viral for its gentle but effective exfoliating properties. 

Not Your Mother’s AHA

Naturally found in milk, lactic acid is a powerhouse ingredient and part of the alpha hydroxy acid family, a group of acids that remove dead skin cells and smooth the surface of your skin (AKA: exfoliate). What distinguishes lactic acid from other AHAs is its larger molecule size, which makes it safer and more suitable for sensitive skin. There’s more: unlike other AHAs, lactic acid’s unique structure helps bind water within skin, hydrating your skin while lightly exfoliating. 

If you’ve ever tried other AHAs and found them to be too strong, lactic acid is your soulmate. Because lactic acid is part of your skin’s natural moisturizing factor, it has unique hydrating properties that aid the chemical exfoliation process for sensitive skin. In different concentrations, lactic acid’s benefits range from fading discoloration to repairing sun damage to smoothing textured skin. 

Tried and tested

Over the past month, I used various kinds of lactic acid products — peeling pads, serums, toners, and masks — to test out TikTok’s bold claims. In the course of a week, I noticed a dramatic change in my skin’s texture and tone. Those little red bumps that aren’t quite acne but kind of are? Gone. Skin tone? Brightened. Dry patches? Zapped away. Having been on Accutane years ago, my skin is still acne-prone but extremely sensitive— so gentler acids like lactic acid were bound to be a miracle worker for my skin concerns.

Looking to get in on smooth and exfoliated, but almost never irritated skin?

Here are a few ways I incorporate lactic acid into my routine:

Inward’s Agas ACue Cleansing Foam has become an essential part of my double cleansing routine. This cleanser features a mix of different AHAs and BHAs, including lactic acid. Different AHAs work best in conjunction with lactic acid, which helps to gently slough away dead skin while boosting your skin’s hydration. With other AHA cleansers, I’m normally concerned with my face getting itchy and red after cleansing— but this cleanser is the perfect in-between. 

What did I do before I met Then I Met You’s Birch Milk Refining Toner? I pat this into my face every other day after my double cleansing routine, and I find that my skin feels adequately toned, soothed, and prepped for the rest of my skincare routine. The ingredient list explains it all: this toner contains a soothing blend of lactic acid, glycolic acid, shea butter, and birch juice to combat breakouts and smooth skin texture. For those looking for an affordable dupe to SK-II’s Facial Treatment Clear Lotion, this toner is eerily similar— without the hefty price tag. 

Rosé is bae, right? With Then I Met You’s Rosé Resurfacing Facial Mask, a little goes a long way. I use this mask once or twice a week in lieu of an exfoliator— with a blend of 6% lactic and glycolic acid, this mask reveals softer, fresher skin. With most chemical exfoliation masks, my sensitive skin usually suffers from a mild chemical burn; this mask is irritation free. Plus, who wouldn’t want rosé in their skincare routine?

This cult classic is a facial in a jar. Neogen’s Bio-Peel Lemon Pads are perfect for whenever your skin needs a quick pick-me-up: before a night out, I’ll prep my skin with these pads before I put on makeup. The end result? A smoothed, dramatically brightened canvas. It’s also amazing for zapping away acne— if I have any stubborn pimples, I’ll soak it in the pad for a quick solution. 

With great power comes great responsibility

Lactic acid comes with some unwritten rules. As a rule of thumb, lactic acid products should also not be combined with harsh exfoliating products like scrubs or retinoids. Likewise, as with every AHA, sunscreen is key: if you’re not already applying sunscreen every morning (which is an absolute CRIME), you’ll need to combat unprotected sun exposure with daily SPF. My favorite is Thank You Farmer’s Sun Project Light Sun Essence, which is the perfect lightweight sunscreen to layer over makeup. 

What ingredients do you want to learn more about? Let us know below!

The post Lactic Acid 101: Your Guide to the Buzzworthy Acid for Sensitive Skin appeared first on The Klog.

These protein-rich, white ovular structures are way more versatile than they seem to be: from hastily-assembled avocado toasts to Eggslut’s gourmet coddled egg “Slut” sandwiches, it seems eggs in all shapes and sizes dominate our kitchens and meals.

Turns out, they might soon dominate our skin care too. In April, TikTokers couldn’t get enough of egg-based skin care: one TikTok with over 1 million views preaches about the transformative benefits of at-home egg white masks. For years, Korean beauty brands have advertised egg whites as key ingredients that help remove blackheads and reduce the appearance of pores. 

Superegg, a brand recently introduced to Soko Glam, is a new, plant-based attempt to capture the unique skin care benefits of eggs. For founder Erica Choi, it was important to acknowledge the beauty benefits of eggs while also recognizing the animal agricultural industry’s negative impact on climate change.  

After an extensive research process into what exactly made eggs a skin care powerhouse, she debuted Superegg’s Sound Renewal Moisturizer and Gentle Elements Cleanser, formulated “with you and our planet in mind.”  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been trying out Superegg— and before you ask, no, it doesn’t taste like scrambled eggs (I, too, was mildly upset about that.) 

At $34, Superegg’s Gentle Elements Cleanser is powered by their White Duplex, a trademarked technology that contains 22 high-grade vegan ingredients to mimic an egg white’s nutrients. It’s a frothy, makeup-removing cream cleanser with barrier-strengthening ingredients, from hyaluronic acid to vitamin C to moringa oil. 

A little bit really does go a long way with Gentle Elements. At first glance, this cleanser reminded me of egg whites— the packaging is sleek and white, and the product itself is a creamy white that foams up easily. A pea-sized amount foamed up my entire face (I learned that the hard way!) 

No, but really. That was my one qualm with the product: if you don’t use it correctly, the foam can be a bit too foamy, it was easy for the cleanser to get into my eyes, which is never a good experience. But after I got the hang of it – pea-sized really does mean pea sized — I was able to fully enjoy Gentle Elements. 

Like every other skin care lover, I’m a double-cleansing fanatic, which means that I use two cleansers: one oil cleanser to draw out oil-based debris, and one cream cleanser to draw out water-based debris. I found that this product paired perfectly with my oil cleanser. With most cream cleansers, I’ve found that my skin is way too parched after double cleansing, but this cleanser is the perfect in-between.

At the same time, I know it’s doing something— my skin feels refreshed and replenished after this. I found myself gravitating towards the cleanser in both the daytime and nighttime because of how gentle yet effective it is. 

Next up is the Sound Renewal Moisturizer, at $60. First things first, I’m still entranced by the packaging. It’s handy, practical, but also aesthetically similar to the shape of an egg. What can I say— I’m a sucker for cute packaging. In terms of ingredients, Sound Renewal is a nourishing combination of their Yolk Duplex — packed with 24 vegan ingredients — and skin care superheroes like panthenol, squalane, and chicory root extract. 

This moisturizer was made for #HotGirlSummer. It’s lightweight while also being super hydrating, which makes it perfect for the daytime. Sound Renewal features one of my favorite ingredients, squalane, and it shows: my skin feels significantly more hydrated and moisturized after applying just a pea-sized amount of this moisturizer. As an SPF junkie, this also performs great under sunscreen and it gives my skin ample space to breathe. 

I will say that this moisturizer is on the pricier side, but a quick look at its ingredients list justifies it for me. It also helps knowing that the products going on my face are clean and cruelty-free– while I’ll probably never understand all twenty-four ingredients in their egg duplexes, I’m impressed by their ability to blend long-standing beauty rituals with modern, clean technology. I’m also obsessed with Superegg’s dedication as a brand to sustainability — they have a product empties program that lets you get a free replenishment of their products! And plus, I always love to support Asian-owned beauty brands, and Asian women-owned beauty brands at that. 

While I am sad that these products aren’t as tasty as, say, a mean avocado toast sandwich topped with a fried egg, honey, and red pepper flakes, they exceeded my expectations with their gentle yet potent skincare benefits. Beyond the brand’s dedication to sustainability, the two products together are a recipe for looking and feeling like it’s #HotGirlSummer. 

The post Superegg’s Vegan Egg-Inspired Products Made Me Look and Feel Like An Egg in the Best Way Possible appeared first on The Klog.

In March, when Lizzo posted a TikTok of her trying out “nature’s cereal” — a concoction of fresh fruit, coconut water, and ice cubes – she started a revolution of “nature’s cereal” fanatics who praised the medley of tropical and fruity flavors. 

“I’m addicted, y’all. It’s really so good,” she crooned to the camera.

Moral of the story? Trust Lizzo.

Her most recent obsession is gua sha, a facial massaging technique that dates back to ancient Chinese healing traditions. Though it’s been around for centuries, the practice is gaining popularity on TikTok because of its alleged life-changing results which have been likened to a bout of “free botox.” Under the #guasha hashtag, which has 374.3 million total views, hundreds of users offer dramatic before-and-after transformations with clearer skin, sharper jawlines, and more symmetric faces. 

Like other TikTok beauty trends, personal testimonies of gua sha offer promising but clickbait-y results. One TikTok posted by influencer Lena Maiah claims that gua sha “keeps hormonal acne at bay, wakes up the lymphatic system, releases tension, [and] lightens dark circles.” Many other TikToks brag about the anti-inflammatory nature of gua sha, with jawlines significantly more sculpted immediately after massaging. 

As a Taiwanese-American, I’ve grown up surrounded by the conflicting ideals of Eastern medicine and Western medicine. On one hand, gua sha’s instant virality is rooted in centuries of acupuncture tradition, and its restorative effects are backed up by hundreds of TikTokers. On the other hand, these same testimonies have also sparked controversy among skeptical dermatologists that point to the lack of research surrounding gua sha. 

So who’s right? Let’s investigate.

Gua sha: To Scrape Sand

In the most literal sense, gua sha translates into “to scrape sand,” referring to the pattern of speckled bruising on the skin after treatment. Traditionally, gua sha is performed on the body to the point of mottled bruising. It’s said to promote qi — the flow of our body’s energy — by dispersing “stagnant blood and energy, facilitating the free flow of qi throughout the body.” 

More recently, gua sha has been adopted into Western beauty practices as American estheticians and acupuncturists incorporate it into their facials. Celebrity esthetician Biba de Sousa blends Eastern European facial techniques with gua sha, prepping the skin with a peptide serum before gently using a rose quartz scraper to rejuvenate the skin. Now, because of word-of-mouth marketing on TikTok, at-home gua sha practices are gaining popularity.

Research suggests that traditional gua sha performed on the body can increase surface circulation of blood by 400%, reduce inflammation, and help treat hepatitis B. However, less research has been conducted on facial gua sha, which remains a relatively new practice. Facial gua sha is known to stimulate circulation and promote lymphatic drainage, which may awaken tired skin, aid immune function, and reduce inflammation. However, there is no conclusive research that confirms some of the claims made in viral TikToks, from nose reshaping to acne.

Tried and Tested

Enamored by the benefits of gua sha, I decided to test it out. Over the course of a week, I used Herbivore’s Rose Quartz Teardrop Gua Sha daily, making sure to look on TikTok for any gua sha application tips. 

At first, gua sha was more difficult than I had expected it to be: the tool can be used at so many different angles and positions on the face, which made it difficult to remember my exact routine. Over the next few days, though, I got the hang of it: once I effectively lubricated my skin with a serum, the gua sha slickly glided over my skin, and I was able to apply the right amount of pressure to the right areas of my face. 

As I became accustomed to gua sha, I began to find myself thoroughly enjoying not just the results, but the process; it’s a deeply therapeutic process of self-care that forces you to focus on your mind-body connection. Taking ten minutes out of my morning routine to indulge myself in gua sha — and only gua sha — was the most enjoyable part of it.

Results were almost immediate— in the pictures below, taken two hours apart, my jawline is noticeably more defined and my cheekbones are slightly more chiseled in the after photo on the right. However, aside from that, I didn’t notice much else: my eye bags weren’t any less puffy and my skin wasn’t brighter or glowier. 

After a week of doing gua sha, the results remained mostly the same. There wasn’t much of a difference aside from my jawline, which was still significantly more chiseled than before. 

Was Lizzo right? 

Though I wouldn’t say the results are as dramatic as some TikToks make them out to be, I’m not entirely skeptical of gua sha, and will definitely have to try it out for a longer period of time. In my before-and-after pictures, I’m still struck by the difference in my jawline definition— a small change, but nevertheless, a big step forward in my confidence. 

Linking together the science behind gua sha with my personal testimony, it seems that gua sha does, indeed, have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling. However, some of the more click-baity claims— that gua sha will give me an instant nose job, for example — seem to be less consistent among gua sha transformations. 

Nevertheless, I’m excited by the growing presence of Asian beauty traditions in Western society. By incorporating gua sha into my daily routine, I’ve come to appreciate it as more than just a tool; rather, I’ve come to see gua sha as an almost ceremonial process. 

So maybe I’m not as addicted to gua sha as Lizzo was to her nature’s cereal. But the results seem somewhat promising— given the research that backs it up, and my own personal experience with gua sha, I won’t be surprised if I look like “Handsome Squidward” in a few weeks.

The post Is Gua Sha Actually “Free Botox?” Here’s How the TikTok Beauty Trend Changed My Face appeared first on The Klog.

When Nicki Minaj rapped “Let’s go to the beach-each, let’s go get a wave,” she forgot to mention the worst part of it all: the chronic sunburns, sweaty armpits, and excessively sandy bums.

As Instagrammable as they are, beach days are tough on the skin on our faces AND the skin on our bodies. Let’s face it, it’s inevitable that our bodies will react adversely to sweltering heat, chlorine, sweat, and intense UV rays. 

That being said, I don’t let anything get in the way of my summer days! Instead, I ramp up my body care routine with top products, techniques, and ingredients that leave my skin protected, treated, and luminous.

From a miracle exfoliating ingredient that zapped away my bacne to a multitasking oil that I CANNOT shut up about, here are a few summer body care tips that keep me in check. 

Jojoba Oil: the Miracle Oil for Sensitive Skin 

To be honest, the word “oil” scares me. As someone with oily and acne-prone skin, I’m usually cautious of oils that clog pores or exacerbate acne. 

Jojoba oil, though, is and has been a holy grail ingredient of mine for years. I’ve used this luxe oil from head to toe for everything you could imagine— soothing a dry scalp, conditioning my cuticles, and moisturizing away flaky skin.

Known for its multitasking benefits, jojoba oil packs a punch. It contains natural forms of vitamin E, which means that it has antioxidant properties that’ll combat pollutants and toxins. On top of that, the chemical makeup of jojoba oil is similar to the sebum that the human body produces— so it’s non-comedogenic and a miracle worker for controlling sebum production. 

In my day-to-day routine, I incorporate Solved Skincare’s 100% Organic Golden Jojoba Oil, which is basically liquid gold. In the summer, I find this oil is perfect for helping with chafing: it helps the healing process and absorbs seamlessly into my skin without feeling too heavy. What’s more, it’s a miracle worker for my bacne, which flares up in the summer because of the humidity. 

Not only is this a top summer body care tip, it’s also a hair, nail, and skin tip too! 

The Holy Trinity of Acids 

Acids— the skin care world can’t stop talking about them. Every skincare guru has RAVED about the life-changing effects of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs for everything from fine lines to dullness. 

In the same way these acids work to smooth, clear, and brighten our faces, these acids also work wonders for body concerns. Those annoying little bumps (AKA keratosis pilaris) on your arm? Cancelled. Bacne? Zapped away. Hot girl summer? Commenced. 

AHA this, BHA that. Are we just going through the alphabet? 

AHAs, also known as alpha hydroxy acids, are water-soluble acids that dissolve the upper layer of the skin, revealing skin that’s smoother, brighter, and evenly toned– some of the most popular AHAs are glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and lactic acid. On the other hand, BHAs, or beta hydroxy acids, are oil-soluble, so they dig deeper than AHAs, targeting the sebaceous glands that cause whiteheads and blackheads. PHAs are the gentler, low key cousins of AHAs and PHAs: their larger molecule size exfoliates your skin without drying out or irritating sensitive skin. 

In terms of body care, these acids pretty much serve as the ultimate summer body care tip. In conjunction, these acids will SLAY the game when it comes to sloughing away dead skin, zapping away chestne (is that a word?), and soothing sunburned skin.

 I pair Some By Mi’s cult-favorite AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Cleanser with their AHA-BHA-PHA Soothing Gel for smooth, exfoliated and supple skin. Pro tip: if you ever accidentally take a three hour nap in the blistering Hawaii sun, the soothing gel will erase your pain— I speak from personal experience. 

Tea Tree Oil. That’s the Tea. 

Trust me, I’m not one of those essential oil moms. But I will admit that tea tree oil works wonders. It is, after all, a traditional healing tool.

Made from the leaves of the Australian Tea Tree, tea tree oil is backed up by centuries of traditional use as well as research that points to its antiseptic and anti-acne properties. From reducing inflammation to relieving itchy skin, tea tree oil is a cure-all for those humid summer days. Of course, as with all essential oils, it’s important to approach its use with caution! 

Speaking from personal experience, I find that tea tree oil works best in my body care routine because of its refreshing and anti-acne properties. On a humid summer day, Klavuu’s Green Pearlsation Tea Tree Care Body Spray is like a breath of fresh air: when I get the occasional stubborn zit on my body, I use this spray to zap it away— and plus, it feels UH-MAZING.

Do you have any top summer body care tips? Let us know!

The post We’ve Got Top Summer Body Care Tips and Ingredients That’ll Leave You Soft, Protected, And Nourished appeared first on The Klog.

I’ve never been able to figure out my TikTok’s “For You” page. Interspersed with oversaturated snapshots of the latest Y2K microtrends, #satisfying paint mixing collages, and mind blowing before-and-after gua sha transformations, my “For You” Page is pretty much an enigma. 

My recent feed has been dominated by videos of at-home dermaplaning: in these viral clips, beauty gurus drag a facial razor (yea, you read that right) along their face to reveal dramatically brightened, hyper-smooth baby skin. It’s weird at first – the dead skin and facial hair clump up to produce a “forbidden gunk” – but that’s also why these videos are so easily bingeable. 

Dermaplaning isn’t a new practice, by any means. Performed by dermatologists for over forty years, dermaplaning is a non-invasive technique where a surgical-grade scalpel is used to remove dead skin and vellus hair, also known as “peach fuzz.”

 Our skin is continually exposed to UV rays, toxins, and irritants; by removing the top layer of our skin, dermaplaning helps our skin cells regenerate. Dermaplaning, much like AHAs, works to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells. The end result is a smoother, brighter canvas that layers better with skin care and makeup products. 

It’s traditionally performed by licensed estheticians or dermatologists— more recently, however, at-home dermaplaning has skyrocketed in popularity, all thanks to weird-but-satisfying dermaplaning videos on TikTok. 

Jill, a company that sells beauty razors designed specifically for at-home dermaplaning, uses TikTok as a platform to inform users on the alleged complexion-changing effects of their product. Their videos — many of which have racked up millions of views — have sparked a long-awaited conversation about at-home skin care treatment, as many users express concern over how the facial hair will grow back, while others are instantly convinced.

Tried and Tested

Given the controversy, I, of course, had to try it out (I’m a Leo, OK?).

Jill kindly gifted me their Glow Kit, which includes a Jill Glow Wand, 1 petite blade, 1 wide blade, a travel case, gunk pad, and instruction manual. According to their website, their dermaplaning set helps with removing facial hair, gentle exfoliation, makeup application, acne-scars, and texture. 

Over the course of a week, I followed Jill’s instructions and observed how different products layered on top of my skin after dutifully dermaplaning.

Going into it, I was petrified. My skin behaves like a spoiled child: one wrong move can ruin its entire mood. However, I found at-home dermaplaning to be easier than I had previously thought. After applying aloe vera gel, like the Benton Aloe Propolis Soothing Gel, to prep my skin, I dragged the Jill razor along my face at a 45 degree angle, pulling my skin taut with my other hand. 

It definitely wasn’t as satisfying as my “For You” page had made it seem, but it wasn’t a stressful process at all— it did help that I was bopping to Doja Cat’s new album.

Immediately after shaving my face, I noticed that the tone of my face was slightly lighter and smoother, though it isn’t that visible in the before-and-after pictures below. To be honest, my cheeks felt like a baby’s butt. This was expected, as exfoliating, whether with a razor or ingredient, makes the skin brighter and helps to even out texture.

The dermaplaning process also helped with skin care product penetration. By removing the dead skin cells from the top barrier of the face, it makes it easier for our favorite products, like our glow-inducing serums, to sink into our skin and get to work.

I didn’t notice that any of my active pimples or blackheads were more inflamed than usual. However, there weren’t any dramatic transformations that blew my mind away— I still had some acne scars and discoloration from before. 

What did blow my mind, though, was how my makeup layered on top of my skin after dermaplaning. This made the process entirely worth it: as someone that detests textured makeup, I couldn’t help but notice that my foundation and concealer layered magnificently on my skin, more so than usual. From blush to bronzer, the products I put on top of my face were seamlessly blended together. It also seemed to last longer throughout the day; the picture below is a selfie I took after five hours of wear. 

After care is super important following dermaplaning because shaving creates tiny cuts on the skin’s surface. For a few days after indulging in this at-home or in-office exfoliating treatment, you should avoid applying strong active ingredients, like retinol or benzoyl peroxide, to prevent any further irritation. 

SPF is also a must, of course! Exposing new layers of skin to UV rays provides a higher change of UV and free radical damage. So, grab your sunscreen of choice (ours is the Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen) and apply away.

So… What’s The Verdict? 

In the past, I’ve used Harry’s razors to shave my upper lip and chin area as well as facial razors to clean up my brows. What differentiates Jill’s razors from your run-of-the-mill razors is that their ergonomic design features different blade sizes for different areas of your face, and that their razors are recyclable and designed for sensitive skin. 

The Jill starter kit helped demystify the dermaplaning process for me— as someone new to dermaplaning, the instruction manual as well as the gunk pad and different blade sizes helped ease me into the process. However, the Jill starter kit isn’t necessary to guarantee the same results— many people use regular facial razors for at-home dermaplaning. It’s most important that people are familiar with the dermaplaning process and make sure to follow any guidelines posed by medical professionals. 

I wouldn’t say that dermaplaning changed the trajectory of my life, but I’m impressed by how smooth my skin felt and how my makeup application changed with dermaplaning. Goodbye, peach fuzz! 

Would you try dermaplaning? Let us know your thoughts below!

The post I Tried Dermaplaning So You Don’t Have to: Inside the At-Home Treatment for Smoother, Brighter Baby Soft Skin appeared first on The Klog.