New In Skincare 2021
To try something new, I filmed an IGTV video on new skincare releases for 2021! I thought it would be helpful to have an accompanying blog post with all the same information, in case someone prefers reading over watching/ listening. I’ll link the IGTV video below once it’s live!!
Disclaimer, everything in this post is PR but I have no obligation to post or talk or share about any of it.
1. Youth To The People 15% Vitamin C + Clean Caffeine Energy Serum
This new serum contains 15% vitamin c complex aka a blend of vitamin c derivatives— 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. Also contains caffeine via Guayusa and yerba extract, plus squalene, one of my favorite oils, and a few antioxidant rich fruit extracts.
It claims to visibly brighten, reduce hyperpigmentation, even tone, firm the look of skin, and depuff. Personally, I was a bit skeptical of this as it promises to do sooo much. And their previous vitamin C/lactic acid serum made similar claims it failed to live up to too. I actually think it’s the only product from the brand I didn’t like. BUT this new serum has been receiving great reviews on Instagram, so I have higher hopes.
2. The Inkey List Succinic Acid Acne Treatment
A spot treatment featuring:
2% Succinic Acid: Visibly reduces blemish size and absorbs excess oil.
2% Sulfur Powder: Absorbs excess oil and unclogs pores for clearer-looking skin—long term.
1% Salicylic Acid: Gently exfoliates the skin, reducing dead-skin cell buildup.
It’s a green gel so it’s not something I would wear out and about. I am curious to see how it compares to my favorite Sunday Riley Saturn spot treatment, as this Inkey List one is about 1/3 of the price. So far I’ve applied it twice to one stubborn pimple near my hairline, but it hasn’t had much of an effect.
3. Tatcha The Dewy Serum Resurfacing and Plumping Treatment
Another serum that promises a lot!! As per the description, “smooths the look of fine lines and texture with lactic visibly plumps with hyaluronic acid, and locks in moisture with squalene.” The lactic acid comes their trademarked blend of rice, algae, and green tea extract and ferments. It’s the same blend found in their essence.
From my own experience, I know a 5-10% lactic acid is usually more effective than a plant derived blend. But I haven’t tried Tatcha’s so maybe they will prove me wrong!
This does contain fragrance.
4. Murad Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum
The ingredients on this look amaze— glycolic acid, tranexamic acid, peptides, and some soothing ingredients.
The only thing is, the brand sometimes confuses/ overwhelms me cause they have sooo many different actives. And sometimes the new launches aren’t exactly new but reformulations, which I think might be the case for this serum? I think my mom used a different iteration of this and really liked this. But also maybe it’s a completely reformulated, different product?
5. LANEIGE Radian-C Cream with Vitamin C
A daily vitamin c cream you (or rather, I) would use in place of a serum. From previous experience, creams like these are usually a lot gentler but not as dramatic on my dark spots as a dedicated serum. This contains the vitamin c derivative: 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.
It also contains fragrance and essential oils.
While there are perks to using vitamin C derivatives vs pure vitamin C, in that derivatives are gentler and more shelf stable, I still prefer pure LAA (aka ascorbic acid aka vitamin C). One of my theories for why derivatives are getting more and more popular (asides from the obvious that they are more shelf stable), is that we are seeing more and more vitamin C products in our routines— from cleansers to toners to serums to cream to sunscreen. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. By using gentler forms, consumers can use more 🤔
6. Supergoop! Daily Dose Vitamin C + SPF 40 Sunscreen Serum PA+++
If you saw my posts last week, you already know I hate this. It’s a hybrid vitamin c serum and sunscreen, but it performs poorly as either. It as a really off-putting texture that feels greasy and powdery simultaneously. I would rather just use two separate products that feel nicer on my skin.
7. Sweet Chef Ginger and Vitamin C Dark-Spot Toner
Sweet Chef is Glow Recipe’s more affordable little sister, that you can find at your local Target!
This new toner claims to brighten dark spots and even out texture and skin ton. It contains a vitamin c derivative as well as vitamin c, niacinamide, panthenol, and a few different extracts including ginger and turmeric. I typically use vitamin c serums, but the ingredients on this look promising so I’ll probably start this soon as I’m almost done with my current serum.
On branding alone, it reminds me of the versed toner which is similarly priced and also available at Target. I’m not sure how close they are in practice. I also love that the entire packaging is recyclable, and they even have instructions on their site.
8. Sweet Chef Beet + Retinol Nightly Firming Mask
This is a sleeping mask with granactive retinoid, so should be good for those with sensitive skin types. The ingredients seem similar to their beet serum which I found too gentle for me— it was basically a hydrating serum I used up on my neck. But it could be a good beginner retinoid.
It’s described as rich so assuming it will be suitable for those with dryer skin types. One thing to note is that there is fragrance, but it says 100% natural fragrance which I usually interpret as essential oils. But it also says free of essential oils so I honestly have no idea what the fragrance is?
9. Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
This is a liquid, wash off peel that contains 8.4% glycolic acid, 7.1% lactic acid, 5% mandelic acid, 2.5% malic acid and 2% tartaric acid plus 2% salicylic.
Love acids that are balanced out with soothing ingredients like this one. It’s one of the reasons I haven’t repurchased the ordinary’s peel in some time, because it does deliver results but is also really easy to irritate my skin with it as it doesn’t contain many ingredients to counteract the harshness of the acids.
10. HoliFrog Halo AHA + BHA Evening Serum
This serum features a blend of Glycolic, Lactic, Phytic, Citric acids plus Salicylic Acid, giving AHA + BHA name. It also has as a looooot of soothing oils and extracts including aloe, raspberry, apple, watermelon, rosehip, green tea, rice. And it also has Superoxide Dismutase which is a great antioxidant.
I loved their milky serum so have high hopes for this. It’s pricey but on paper it looks comparable to Sunday Riley’s good genes and you-know-who’s TLC serum, which are both even pricier.
11. Elemis Pro-Collagen Naked Cleansing Balm
Already shared first impressions of this in a previous Instagram post, but it’s a limited edition fragrance free version of their cult classic pro collagen cleansing balm. It has a rich texture that melts down into an oil. Because it is sooo ruch, it is a formula I typically use with a cloth to make sure it’s completely rinsed off.
I hope they make this permanent cause they’re definitely a demand for luxurious, fragrance free cleansers!
12. Versed Gentle Cycle Milky Cleanser
$14.99, 5 fl oz via Versed, 10% off with my affiliate code “SHARMILI10”
I am a versed affiliate, but have also been genuinely loving their last two releases—this cleanser and their Sunday morning serum. This milky, low pH cleanser is suuuper gentle. I use it in the mornings when my skin is dry and flaky. There’s no foaming nor does it have a strong smell.
13. Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion in Grapefruit
This is a new limited edition, Grapefruit take on their classic cbd cream. I have used the original cream on areas where I had rash and it helped calm the skin down within the hour. It is a thicker formula so it’s also suuppper moisturizing too. I wouldn’t use it as an everyday all over body cream because I would finish it up way too quickly, and the habit would become $$$.
14. Florence by mills Hit Snooze Lip Mask
See review in this sponsored post!
15. Florence by mills Hit Reset Moisturizing Mask Pearls
See review in this sponsored post!
16. Fourth Ray Beauty Lip Masks in Coconut, Watermelon, Strawberry, & Rose
$10, 0.5 oz via Fourth Ray Beauty
I only tried the rose, buuuut I wasn’t very impressed. It mostly smells like coconut with a veneer of rose on top. As a lip balm, it was pretty meh.
17. Fourth Ray Beauty Thirst Aid Priming Moisturizer
$14, 1.1 oz (that’s what it says on the tube but the site says otherwise) via Fourth Ray Beauty
Claims to protect against blue rays, but from what I’ve read from lab muffin beauty science, that’s kind of all up in the air? I would not buy a product simply because it promises that. Personally, I haven’t enjoyed the texture of a lot of the brand’s moisturizers and serums so I decided to pass this onto to someone else without trying it.
18. Fourth Ray Beauty Body Milk in Pink Grapefruit, White Peach, Avocado, & Coconut
$18, 9.7 fl oz via Fourth Ray Beauty
Now this, I like! It’s a lightweight hydrator that absorbs almost instantly. I will layer it under something thicker or wear it on it’s own after i hop out of the shower. It is fragranced but I don’t notice it too much after application.
19. Cocokind Sake Body Lotion
This is advertised as a low pH body lotion; I never noticed pH of body lotion before. It has a nice medium texture—not has heavy as say the necessaire body cream but definitely heavier than the ouai hand lotion. It is fragrance free, which I don’t mind and know is preferable to some with skin sensitivities.
I love applying this on damp skin after my shower or at night before bed as either way it absorbs well with no stickiness.
20. Innisfree Youth Enhancing Serum with Black Tea
I am really interested to see how this compares to their green tea hydrating serum. This contains black tea, which is rich in antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, ceramide encapuslated squalene. From first impressions, it seems heavier than their green tea hydrating serum which has a more watery texture. I also like that the claims are straight forward and simple! It’s soothing and hydrating.
21. Ranavat (via Credo) Eternal Reign Renewing Bakuchi Crème
SO when I first saw this, I thought it was related to bakuchiol but have since learned that bakuchi is a different plant that is used in Indian and Chinese herbal medicine. In fact, the entire ingredients list is filled with various plant extracts and adaptogens found in Asian herbal medicine, which I am absolutely here for.
I also noticed on the credo site they have this chart at the bottom of products that breaks down what the fragrance is comprised of, which can be helpful if fragrance is a trigger for your skin.
22. Indie Lee (via Credo( Restorative Eye Cream
This new eye cream from Indie Lee claims to strengthen skin around the eye area, reduce appearance of fine lines, brighten, and plump. One of the star ingredients is ectoin, which I had previously never heard of.
According to Paula’s Choice, not only does it potentially protect skin from environmental stressors, but it’s also an osmolyte. Which basically means it helps balance your skin by maintaining the correct water level. Whiiiiiich is really interesting cause my biggest issue with most eye creams is finding something that provides long lasting hydration without giving me milia.
23. Muri Lelu (via Credo) Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil
Muri Lelu is a new brand that I recently read a piece about on The Cut. It was founded by 3 first generation American women with French, egyptian and Belizean heritage. They work with the last prisoner project who focuses on freeing those who have been incarcerated on cannabis charges
This oil as well as their new serum features 100 mg of full spectrum cbd.
It’s named after the French word for weed—from what I remember from high school French, mauvaise means bad? So it’s the bad grass or herb which I find cheeky 😉
24. Plenaire (via Credo) Rose Jelly Gentle Makeup Remover & Hydrating Cleanser
Plenaire is not a new brand but I believe this is the first time they’re being sold direct to the US! Previously, I had seen them on the Cult Beauty site. The products are cute and marketed towards a younger audience. I look forward to trying this cleanser cause the texture looks fun. Also, the packaging seems easy to use! While I love a good cleansing balm, there’s no denying it’s a little more work to use vs something I can squeeze out of a tube.
25. Plenaire (via Credo) Skin Frosting
A hydrating mask from the same brand as above. It does have coconut oil as one of the ingredients so I will be passing it on to someone else.
26. Keys Soulcare via Ulta Beauty
$12- $30 for the skincare, with a $38 candle via Ulta Beauty
I posted about this collection last week in a sponsored post. Keys Soulcare is a new line by Alicia keys produced in collaboration with ELF. IMO, the prices are really reasonable for a celeb line, in the US you can find them at Ulta, elsewhere you can find them are at Cult Beauty.
The mist is suuuper fine and smells like rose. The balm is lovely, I used it on my lips but more recently I used it on my nose, cheeks, and forehead when I went outside during the snowstorm to shovel. I had no dryness and my skin didn’t break out.
I also like that there are positive affirmations printed on the back of each product.
27. Bad Habit Skincare via Ulta Beauty
A new skincare line by Morphe, definitely catered towards gen z. The packaging is cute and the prices are all under $30. It’s a pretty comprehensive line with a cleansing balm, oil, mist, and peel among the lineup. If you’re interested in reviews, check out @juanskindiary’s post here!
28. Kylie Skin Lip Oil
This reminds me a lot of the Clarins lip oil, down to the packaging. If you’ve ever used their lip oil before, you know it’s more like a non-sticky lip gloss. This Kylie one was okay, nothing about it blew me away. I find the Clarins provided longer lasting moisturizing power.
29. Fenty Skin Flash Nap Eye Cream
$32 via Fenty Skin, $42 with the eye massager— available 2/12
When I filmed the IGTV, I had received the eye cream a few weeks ago but did not know the pricing. Since then, they have publicly released more information on it— it will be sold with and without the eye massager! It’s a lightweight gel eye cream that promises to do a looooot. Brighten, de-puff, hydrated, reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If you read the rest of this post, you probably figured out that I am wary of products that promise to do all the things. I’ve used this a few times and like it as a lightweight gel cream, but it’s too soon to speak of any dramatic long term results.