April 2018 Empties

It's not every month that I have things to show for empties, but one goal I have for myself this year is to be better about using up the products that I do have. This reduces waste and doing these kind of posts help me look back later on on the products I really did enjoy.

Brandless Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

I initially got this because it was $3 and free shipping. If you haven't heard of brandless already, it's an online store of essentials that removes the brand tax, therefore offering affordable products-groceries, beauty, kitchen necessities, you name it. Their focus is to keep quality high while keeping costs low. This sugar scrub has a nice lemongrass scent to it, but I honestly used it up just to use it up. I didn't actually enjoy it at all since I felt like it wasn't densely-packed enough with exfoliants to make me feel like I actually got a good scrub. 

Heimish All Clean Balm

This balm cleanser does take all of your makeup off at the end of the day. Its ingredients are clean and what's better is that this is cheaper than the Banila Co. Clean It Zero (also a good one, cult favorite in fact). There is a slight enjoyable herbal-y scent and a blend of lots of awesome oils such as coconut, tea tree oil, and orange peel oil. Of course you have to follow this up with a 2nd step cleanser of some sort, but I didn't really like that it still left an oily residue after wash-off. This doesn't bother me too much though since I follow up with another cleanser immediately after in the shower anyway. 

Neogen Green Tea Cleansing Stick

This product actually counts as a first and second step cleanser. It's also low pH, so it's awesome as a multi-tasker while not stripping your skin. Since it's in a solid stick format, it's awesome for travel except that you need to leave the top uncapped after use so it can air dry. (If you put the cap on, you're trapping the moisture in and allowing bacteria to grow on the surface). So just like regular bar soaps, let it air dry after use. Overall I really loved this cleanser, but probably wouldn't buy it again just because I don't travel that much and there's no real need for a cleanser in this format. But that's just because of my lifestyle. There's also green tea leaves in there as well, but if you have very very sensitive skin, you might think they're too scratchy but they also serve as a gentle physical exfoliant. 

Cosrx Low pH Cleanser

You guys are probably sick me showing off this product already. Affordable, low pH, cleanses well, light herbal-y scent, lightly foaming without the harsh foaming agents. Gone through 4 or 5 of these already. That's all I have to say. Just buy it already. 

Glossier Body Hero

I wrote a review on this product a couple of posts ago, check it out here. In short, I wouldn't rebuy, but I did end up enjoying it even though initially I was so turned off by the scent. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

I feel like you really can't go wrong with First Aid Beauty products. (Watch I might eat my words in the future...). It's gentle for sensitive skin, no fragrance, moisturizes well, and definitely versatile for use during any season of the year. I have combo-oily skin, and I can still get away with using this cream during the summer as well! 

Hero Cosmetics Acne Patches

This silver packaging is actually a new product going to launch soon, so I can't really say much about it. But let me say that it works, and it's sticker and less noticeable that all the other acne patches I've tried out there. 

Karuna Exfoliating Sheet Mask

Over the course of April, I went through probably 3 of these.  With the whole hyperpigmentation and scarring going on, I seriously need all the brightening I can get. Thankfully, I bought a pack of these at Marshalls for only $10 (instead of $28) and I don't regret it at all. To my surprise these really do work to hydrate and brighten the skin! And also, after 30 minutes of sheet masking, the leftover serum actually absorbs into the skin and doesn't leave you feeling as sticky/messy as other sheet masks do. Highly recommend. 

Any favorites this past month? Things you consistently go through over and over again?