I am often asked what I really use.  Technically, I really use everything I blog about; I use each product until I have a handle on its full benefits.  If it’s skincare, I test a product for about a month before writing about it, but if it’s a lipgloss, I might just test it for a couple of days.  (And, I would never, ever write about a product that I don’t like, or don’t see value in.  I can promise you that.)  Again, you ask, but what do you really use?  I guess I can say I really use a product if I’ve run out of it and immediately reorder it, right?  Well, there are a few things from Ayla Beauty that I order over and over again, and I thought I’d share them with you.

This pillowcase needs to be in your life.  Period.  We’ve all heard that silk pillowcases are good for your hair and skin, but I never see them sold by themselves, and I’m certainly not buying an entire set of silk sheets, are you?  (If you are, we have more to talk about than just hair and skin!)  Enter: The Goodnight Co, an Australian company founded by two moms who wanted a better night’s sleep.  They started with the silk; 600 thread count, 22 momme mulberry silk, to be exact.  Obviously, it feels incredible, but did you know that silk is a natural temperature regulator as well as naturally dust mite-resistant and hypoallergenic?  100% silk is great for preventing face creases (in the short term) and wrinkles (in the long term), and it doesn’t sap skin of moisture, unlike cotton, which is very absorbent.  Silk pillowcases are also much better for your hair, no matter the texture.  Because they create less friction than cotton, frizzy hair wakes up smoother, straight hair wakes up with less weird kinks, (that would be me) and all hair wakes up in better condition.  My hair hasn’t looked this good upon waking up since before I had a child, seriously.

I’m no longer breastfeeding, (which is a whole other blog post) so I’m back on the retinol train.  Marie Veronique’s Gentle Retinol Night Serum, is very similar to the recently discontinued True Botanicals Retinol Serum that I used to live and die by.  Remember, it is not entirely clean, (retinol is the much-less-toxic, gentler cousin of tretinoin, which you’ll see in products like Retin-A and Renova) but if you are a die-hard retinol fan who is looking for a less toxic version than what your derm is going to prescribe, this is going to be your new best friend.   This formula promotes collagen production and stimulates cell turnover at warp speed without irritating even the most sensitive skin.  I alternate between this and True Botanicals CLEAR Cellular Repair Serum at night before bed.

I’m on my third bottle of BioRecept Mousse de Peau in less than a year, and I cannot believe I’ve forgotten to tell you about it.  Please forgive me.  This creamy cleansing foam is unlike any other; it will remind you of something you’ve used from your derm, but so much better in every way.  First, it’s fragrance-free; it’s also enriched with 6 purifying and antiseptic plant extracts to effectively cleanse skin and regulate its oil production.  But before you go thinking it’s going to dry your skin out, know that this formula  boasts a hefty amount of super-hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid that will comfort even sensitive and dehydrated skin.  This stuff completely removes makeup, and leaves skin feeling fresh, clean and balanced.  I can basically guarantee you will love it and reorder it, just like I do.

We’ve all heard the hype about Hyaluronic Acid, and it really does deliver on its promises, drawing moisture deep into the skin, creating a plumped, hydrated effect.  However, while the Hyaluronic Acid peel you’ll hear about in your derm’s office is of the synthetic variety, Hyaluronic Acid in the clean beauty world is plant-based and nontoxic – and it works just as well.  Rather than a topical application, Biocyte is actually a pill that is taken orally, and the results are astounding.  In clinical tests, 80% of the hyaluronic acid in this product was shown to be delivered to the bloodstream, and the results (Dara, and I can attest) are visible in just 1 month.  My fine lines are less visible, my skin looks more plump, firm, and not so dehydrated.  When I stop using it, I swear old scars (the pitting variety) are much more visible.  You can begin taking this supplement at the first signs of aging and you only need to take one pill every morning.

I blogged about Olio E Osso only two months ago, and already I need to reorder.  This chubby little stick is easy to find in my bag, and doesn’t roll off my husband’s nightstand (I cannot tell you how many lip balms the two of us go through).  Along with the Clear, my favorite is French Melon,  which looks like I swiped a pink highlighter across my lips.  🙂  These tinted balms can be used on lips and cheeks, providing a beautiful, sheer wash of color.  When applied, they don’t read “makeup” – this is a product that actually stands up to the term “you-but-better”.  The perfect little stick for easy, breezy summer beauty!

And, you know I had to throw in something new, which I will definitely be reordering.  First, did you know that disposable plastic toothbrushes create more than 50 million tons of landfill waste in the US every year?  That is a pretty staggering statistic, and on top of that, it takes thousands of years for plastic to break down.  What if we all switched to 100% sustainable, biodegradable toothbrushes?  PearlBar makes a great one, and it’s even infused with activated charcoal, which whitens teeth, detoxifies and deodorizes your mouth and balances PH levels while absorbing odors.  (They make a cute kids’ version, too) We also love their charcoal infused floor picks, which are also biodegradable when buried in soil or compost.

So, there you have it, some of the many things that I really use.  Did you see any favorites?

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