As a beauty editor, my skin-care routine changes ALL the time. Something new comes across my desk and I can’t wait to try it, but sometimes my skin pays the price (consistency is typically a good thing, and the derm-preferred route). However, I recently added multiple Beauty Pie products into my regimen after years of hearing great things about the brand (it has a unique business model as a members’ club and members’ get access to insider prices on everything), and I was impressed.
After trying different formulas for both my face and body, I had no irritation, no breakouts and a beautiful glow from head to toe. These are my honest thoughts on the four products I loved most, which are also fan favorites.
My Skin Type:
Combination. I’m drier in the cold-weather months and oilier in the warm-weather ones thanks to the high humidity on the East Coast. Occasionally when I try a new product or use a formula with a high concentration of acids, I experience a little sensitivity (mainly redness, but sometimes tingling).
The Benefits:
Super Retinol Anti-aging Hand Treatment (1% Retinol Complex) ($50): Think of this as a retinol night cream for your hands—it’s a great product to keep on your nightstand. Formulated in Switzerland, it employs 1-percent encapsulated retinol to minimize sunspots, biotech pseudo-collagen to boost skin elasticity and shea butter to deeply moisturize. The only precaution I have with this one is that it’s not recommended for those with sensitive skin, but that is the case with many retinol products.
Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide (10%) ($75): One of skin-care’s most buzzed-about ingredients—niacinamide—is the star in this serum, which floods skin with antioxidants, minimizes the appearance of pores, smooths skin and helps prevent breakouts. This is the multitasking rockstar you should use for brighter skin and a healthy-looking glow your friends envy. It’s also not sticky and layers well with moisturizer, which I appreciate.
Superdose Vitamin C Bio-Vitamin Brightening & Firming Body Lotion ($65): Body-care is the name of the game in 2023, and it’s about time we treated the skin on our bodies with the same TLC we give to our face (and not just our hands and neck). But why use a standard body lotion (meaning one that just moisturizes) when you can get so many more benefits, like brightening and firming. Derms are raving about the all-star brightener tranexamic acid, which also revives sun-damaged skin, and this formula combines it with the gold standard vitamin C (2 percent). I also love that this one sinks in with little effort, rather than forming a yucky film on my skin.
Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream ($100): If you’re in the market for a deeply nourishing facial moisturizer, this lightweight formula suits all skin types. It delivers hydration deep into the skin’s layers, with three forms of hyaluronic acid (created in a top beauty lab in Japan), plumps with Idealift and firms with exopolysaccharides. It’s a dream for dry skin.
Key Ingredients:
Super Retinol Anti-aging Hand Treatment (1% Retinol Complex): Retinol, shea butter, bio-technical pseudo-collagen
Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide (10%): Niacinamide, Evermat, Oxygeskin
Superdose Vitamin C Bio-Vitamin Brightening & Firming Body Lotion: Vitamin C, brown algae extract, tranexamic acid, cica, hyaluronic acid, horse chestnut extract, argan oil
Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream: Hyaluronic acid, Idealift, Seafill
How to Use Them:
Super Retinol Anti-aging Hand Treatment (1% Retinol Complex): Massage generously into your hands each evening (you can also use it during the day, but because it contains, retinol, you should follow with sunscreen on top). According to the brand, for the best results, use it daily for at least six months.
Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide (10%): Each morning and/or evening, massage five to six drops onto clean skin (don’t forget about your neck and décolleté). Follow with serum, moisturizer and/or sunscreen.
Superdose Vitamin C Bio-Vitamin Brightening & Firming Body Lotion: Massage it generously onto damp skin (I like to use it right when I get out of the shower and my skin drinks it right up). According to the brand, you should use it daily for brightening, firming and rejuvenating effects, or two to three times a week to help prevent signs of aging. Do not use it on open skin or psoriasis.
Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream: Apply a generous layer onto clean skin, on top of serum. Use it morning and/or evening.
Prices/Where to Buy:
Super Retinol Anti-aging Hand Treatment (1% Retinol Complex): $50; Superdrops Brightening Niacinamide (10%): $75; Superdose Vitamin C Bio-Vitamin Brightening & Firming Body Lotion: $65; Triple Hyaluronic Acid Deep Moisture Miracle Cream: $100