A happy happy new year everyone! It seems like only a few days ago that I wrote a New Years Day 2020 post. Hope everyone had a few restful days before the Monday started again.
I had this post in my drafts for quite sometime but didn’t end up posting it since some of the products are not cruelty free. I did go cruelty free a few years ago so wouldn’t use some of these anymore but have provided some alternatives as well. We cant travel now but can at least enjoy beauty products from around the world!
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Dermologica Exfoliating Powder – USA
Duygu introduced me to this brand a year or so back and I pretty much love everything I have tried. The exfoliator is especially awesome. I started looking for a face scrub after reading a lot of warnings against the St Ives face scrub that I and almost everyone I know use. I linked only one of the articles but if you dig around there is a lot of negative reviews about St Ives and the scrub in particular and I am generally very unhappy with brands which advertise in a deceiving manner (St Ives claims and implies to be all natural but is most definitely not).
After I chucked out the St Ives scrub (actually I didn’t chuck it out but only use the remaining product in the tube for my heels – never for my face), I was so happy to have found Dermalogica. I cant stop touching my cheeks after I use this exfoliater which is the opposite of what I should be doing but my skin is so soft! Its been more than a year and I am still using my same bottle I got originally. However, I use the scrub about 1- 2 times a week – I definitely believe less is safer when it comes to scrubs.
Pros: lasts a long time, easy for travel, since its in powder form it does not count towards your 100 ml liquid limit on flights, brand is cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified).
Cons: expensive? (although I don’t think so when you take note of how long one bottle lasts) and there is a move away from physical exfoliants although this is definitely one of the better ones on the physical side.
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Apivita Facemasks – Greece
Another friend of mine, Dimitra introduced me to this brand and I really liked their products. Very hassle free ingredients and feels luxurious.
Pros: reasonably priced and feels very luxurious.
Cons: difficult to find in the UK except online.
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Tony Moly Face Sheet Masks – South Korea
I wanted to get in on the whole sheet mask trend. I did a random search for Korean sheet masks on Amazon and this was one of the first reasonably priced products and I bought it. And I just ordered my second set of masks yesterday. In all honesty I have to admit these are the first and only sheet masks I have ever tried – Korean or otherwise. I have used about 5 of them till now – you get a set of about 11 random masks when you order. I don’t know if there is a major difference in each of them but they are super calming and great for moisturising. My skin definitely looks clearer and for lack of a better way to put this – less spotty.
Pros: cheap, easy to use, travel friendly.
Cons: too much packaging since each mask is individually packed, one use product, can only be ordered online and NOT cruelty free
4. Avene Moisturiser – France
The first winter I spent in London was a shock to my poor skin which had only been used to hot, humid and moist climate till London. My first dry London winter was excruciatingly painful for my skin – I felt my whole face was about to peel off. I’ll spare you the gory detail but to summarise – it was not pretty.
I was in Paris and walked into a pharmacy and asked one of the pharmacists to give me something that would prevent this dry skin issue the next time. She handed me the Rich Skin Recovery Cream and I went through the whole tube the following winter without any issues. This is fantastic for emergency recovery for very dry skin. It does say this can be used for sensitive and irritated skin but I have only tried it to address the dryness issue.
Pros: Readily available, great for emergency relief, must have for winter!
Cons: slightly expensive (although it is currently on half price at Boots). Unfortunately, this brand is NOT cruelty free so I have had to find alternatives although my skin is in a much better position now so its not such a drastic problem either. I would recommend the next product if want something amazingly moisturising but light.
5. Dear Klairs, Supple Preparation Unscented Toner – South Korea
I was introduced to this toner a year or so ago and now I am never without it. I cannot recommend it enough. This is one of those holy grail beauty products for me.
Pros: beautiful texture, light but so good for dry skin.
Cons: only available online.
What are the beauty products around the world you have in your cabinet? I am getting into Korean skincare big time so any recommendations are welcome. Also check out the Indian beauty products I love. Comment below or on Instagram or Facebook and please make sure you have checked out my new podcast available on the homepage!
– Anisha
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