roll up! roll up! get yer empties!

Rubbish. Trash. Garbage. Let's talk about it.

Two posts in a month? Who even am I?! But the empties basket grows full, and I think it’s weird to keep my rubbish sitting around. So, without further ado:

Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Watery Sun Gel SPF50 and Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF50

I spent quite a bit of time rhapsodising about Asian sunscreens in my 2024 favourites post. These were two more I used this year – both are great, I’d happily use them again, and in fact I have a two-pack of the Skin1004 SPF on the way from Stylevana at the moment. I look forward to seeing them in a couple of months (I accidentally also ordered something that takes 30 days to ship, so… it will be a while).

Garnier Ambre Solaire Super UV Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Fluid SPF50

This one gets put out on its own because to me, this is SPF first, hydration second. And that’s okay sometimes! I got it so I could top up my sunscreen on holiday without using my precious K-SPFs willy-nilly. It’s very similar to the La Roche-Posay Anthelios – very thin, kinda messy, with a strong chemical smell. Again, that’s okay sometimes. But I don’t think it’s an enjoyable product to use as your daily SPF. Especially when there are so many great, more moisturising options on the market.

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Yes, I enjoy smearing snail goo on my face. I used this in the place of a hydrating serum and found it incredibly effective. It is weird, texture-wise – kind of tacky and to be honest, slimy, as you would expect snail goo to be – but the radiant, bouncy, hydrated skin you get from it is worth any momentary ick. And this bottle lasted me AGES. I’ve seen it in TK Maxx recently so if you can pick it up there for a little cheaper, do.

COSRX Propolis Synergy Toner and I’m From Rice Toner

God, it really was the Year of Toner for old Val here. I’m also reviewing these under the same banner because I liked them both, and they performed the same function in my routine: Locking in the juiciness. The COSRX toner contains propolis, a substance produced by bees that is purported to have antibacterial properties. The I’m From toner has rice in it (duh), which is supposed to brighten and improve elasticity. Listen, all I know is that they both felt gorgeously rich on my skin despite looking like glorified water, and my face has felt supple and hydrated since I got serious about this toner step. Would repurchase either of them.

Ultraceuticals Ultra Protective Antioxidant Complex

Oh dear, I can’t remember much about using this, which isn’t a great sign, but I know it took the place of my usual Vitamin C serum. The main ingredient here is Silymarin, which I have heard is good for people whose skin does not get on with Vitamin C, but I’m alright with that particular ingredient, so I think I prefer it for any antioxidising. That’s a word I just made up. I received this in a Bag of Shite from a pal, and at €66, I will not be repurchasing.

CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

I must have replaced it with this, and I was probably very excited about it, because I’m always on the lookout for affordable Vitamin C products. Unfortunately, this was not the one for me. This pilled like crazy under my moisturiser, to the extent that I was picking little rolls of product out of my eyebrows and hairline. Not cute! The packaging is really good for a cheaper brand – airtight, no way for the product inside to be exposed to the sunlight and turn nasty – but for me, I like the serum to stay on my face. I’ve replaced it with the Naturium Vitamin C Complex, which is cheaper and plays well with my other skincare.

Obagi Medical Retinol 1.0

I’ve reviewed the lesser strengths of this product here before, so I’ll be brief: This is a very effective retinol product for me. They’re not cheap, but if it works for you and you use it, it’s worth it. And I pretty much only buy it when there’s a sale, anyway. The only thing now is I have reached the Highest Level of OTC Retinol, so where do I go from here? Literally no doctor will prescribe me tretinoin (oh Lord have I have tried).

Inkey List 10% Azelaic Acid Serum and Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 20% Cream

Another two products going under the same umbrella. As I said in my 2024 favourites, azelaic acid has been a key discovery for me. My skin looks more even, the texture has improved, small spots are kept at bay… I just love it. Between these two serums and my prescription Skinoren, I’ve used a lot of it over the last 12 months or so.

Naturium Niacinamide Cleansing Gelée 3%

Naturium is sneakily becoming one of my favourite skincare brands. Surprisingly affordable, interesting formulas, and it just works. I liked the experience of using this cleanser, which might sound weird, but it’s true. It’s just so soft and gentle, but leaves you feeling really clean. I’m not sure if the niacinamide necessarily adds anything to it, but it didn’t hurt. Would very happily repurchase.

CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser

A mainstay of my empties posts. Great shower cleanser! Cheap! Lasts ages! Put it on your body acne! I switched it up this time and replaced it with the niacinamide one, just in case you thought you could ever predict my next move.

Pestle & Mortar Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser

This is the first Pestle & Mortar product that I haven’t liked – I know it says it’s a lightweight moisturiser, but I wasn’t counting on it being so light. If you have oilier skin, this might sound perfect for you. But where I’m at right now, I want to be cocooned (more on that below). I liked the pump-action packaging that kept me from getting moisturiser under my nails, but that’s probably it.

Sculpted by Aimee CloudCream

I’m always a liiiiittle sceptical of skincare products from makeup-first brands, but this is lovely. CloudCream is such a great name for it, because it feels light yet enveloping (it also makes me think of @bigdirtyfry’s impression of Aidan Gillen. Moooon creeeam). I was cocooned! This was a mini that I bought to try out, and I think I’ll get the full size once I finish my current moisturiser. Bonus points for the full size being refillable, too.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Eye Cream

Another semi-permanent resident of the empties posts. This brought my eyes back from the brink, but I’ve actually retired it in favour of the CeraVe one for now, and guess what? We have survived. I’m relieved that my eyelids have ceased developing eczema at the drop of a hat. For now, anyway.

Palmer’s Coconut Hydrate Hand Cream

Sometimes you just need a hand cream and grab the hand cream that is in front of you in the shop that sells hand cream. This one was fine. I liked the coconut scent. I formed no attachment to it. Thank you for your service, Mr Hand Cream.

Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

This I bought in Rome after realising that the cleanser I’d brought was definitely NOT going to remove my eye makeup (Sculpted by Aimee DuoCleanse, nice but eh, gentle). It did the job beautifully, and now I’m actually kind of converted to a separate eye makeup remover. You mean to tell me I was standing there painstakingly wiping mascara from my eyelashes when I could have done it in two seconds flat with this little yoke? The time I have wasted!!

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumising Mascara

Every time I buy a more expensive mascara I remember why I usually don’t. Luckily this was a mini, so I don’t feel too bad, but it did nothing a L’Oreal one couldn’t do better. I am learning my lesson, but slowly.

Sculpted by Aimee Velvet Veil Translucent Powder

This was on its last legs but then it got the slightest dint in the drawer and everything came crashing down. I liked this! It did a perfectly good job of mattifying and setting my makeup. The mini size is very handy for my handbag, and though I know some would prefer it had a powder puff or something included, I don’t mind carrying a little brush around. I’m not running to repurchase it, but if I needed a powder in a pinch, this would do just fine.

Thanks for reading Vanity Project! I’m off to New York this week, after which I will be implementing a strict beauty no-buy. More on that in my next post. See you soon!