The Beauty Ed®’s Note: For those new to The Beauty Ed® you may not know that I mentor high school and university students and up-and-coming journalists for my mentorship program THE LAB. This is something that has become very important to me, especially in this era of AI and algorithms full of #ads, and the lovely was one of my first mentees. As you will read, her writing is beautiful - so fluent and warm - not to mention honest and thoughtful. Gia is a beauty obsessive and honestly, knows her stuff! Her product recommendations come from a genuine place - she is always so honest in her reviews, not to mention thorough, and as always, I loved reading this article and I know you will get so much from it too. Thanks Gia ♡

I spent spring-summer in Italy, then came back to London briefly, packed up again, and headed to America. Somewhere between the airports, unpacking and repacking, I realised I had accumulated a rather good collection of products I used almost every day. So, after being a little MIA from The Beauty Ed®, I thought what better way to return than with a proper summer beauty edit?

These aren’t products I have simply had sitting on my shelf. Some were kindly sent to me as PR, others I bought myself, and none of this piece is sponsored. I have used all of them properly & all opinions are my own.

I am also quite particular about what I recommend. I don’t think something is automatically brilliant because it is expensive or trending on TikTok. I want to know what it is actually like to use, particularly when you’re travelling, dealing with summer heat, washing your hair more often, wearing less makeup and generally asking your beauty products to do a little more.

So these are my favourite summer beauty products from skincare and body care to hair, fragrance and the pimple patches that came with me on a ten-hour flight.

1.Tatcha The Melting Lip Balm (£27): The Summer Lip Balm I Couldn’t Stop Reapplying

I am very loyal to Tatcha. Their moisturisers have been favourites of mine for a long time, so I was always going to be interested when The Melting Lip Balm launched.

I had actually first spotted it on Troye Sivan and Sarah Pidgeon at the Vanity Fair after-party in March’ 26, which immediately put it on my radar. I was then very happy to finally try it properly this summer.

(Troye Sivan wearing ‘The Melting Lip Balm’)

It comes in four sheer shades: Papuru, Moka, Reddo and Pinku.

It is very glossy, but not sticky, which is probably my favourite thing about it. It gives that glass-like finish to the lips without feeling as though you have covered them in a layer of thick gloss. The application is also incredibly smooth, and the formula feels really moisturising.

I wore it on days when I wasn’t wearing much makeup, by the pool and over lipstick when I was getting ready in the evening. It has been one of those products that keeps finding its way back into my handbag.

The formula contains Japanese tamanu oil, and I really like the softness it gives the lips.

My favourite shade is Moka because I tend to gravitate towards nude and slightly brown-toned lip products, so this was always going to be the one for me!

My only criticism is the staying power. When I wore it on its own, I found that I needed to reapply fairly regularly. It isn’t a deal-breaker for me; I actually don’t mind reapplying a balm but it is worth knowing if you are looking for a lip product that will last through an entire meal.

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2.Sol de Janeiro Badalada Body Lotion (£26): The Lightweight Body Lotion I Used Every Day

I have tried quite a lot from Sol de Janeiro, so I was particularly interested in the new Badalada Body Lotions.

There are three permanent versions: Cheirosa 62 for shimmer, Cheirosa 48 for refreshing hydration and Cheirosa 39 for soothing hydration.

My favourite was Cheirosa 48, and I have been using it every day.

My skin tends to be dry, and travelling doesn’t exactly help. Between flights, air conditioning and being in a much hotter climate, I wanted something that would give me proper hydration without feeling heavy.

The texture was the first thing I noticed.

It is much lighter than a traditional body lotion and has this lovely water-gel consistency that sinks into the skin very quickly. I particularly like that in summer because the last thing I want after a shower is to apply something thick and then immediately feel as though my clothes are sticking to me.

Cheirosa 48 contains star fruit and multi-glycerin, and my skin felt noticeably softer after using it.

It smells incredibly fresh to me. I am quite sensitive to very strong body products in hot weather, so I appreciated that this was noticeably tropical and fresh without feeling suffocating.

The pink packaging is also very cute, but it is the formula that has kept this in my routine.

3.Gustav Fouche Fabulosity ‘Hottie’ (£32): My New Favourite Heat Protectant

I take my haircare quite seriously, largely because I spent so many years doing the exact opposite.

My hair is naturally wavy-curly, prone to frizz and naturally quite dry, so after years of heat styling and experimenting with my hair, I am much more conscious now about what I put on it before reaching for a hairdryer or straighteners.

I was kindly sent ‘Hottie’ by Gustav Fouche, which costs £32, and I was curious to see whether it could justify the price.

It promises heat protection up to 230°C, as well as pollution defence, frizz reduction, shine enhancement, colour protection and reduced breakage.

The first thing I noticed was the scent.

It has that fresh, slightly tropical salon scent that makes your hair smell as though you have just walked out of a really good hair appointment. I am ridiculously fussy about the fragrance of hair products, and this is probably one of my favourites!

More importantly, it doesn’t leave my hair sticky.

This is one of my biggest complaints with the overwhelming majority of heat protectants on the market. I have used plenty that leave my hair feeling coated and slightly grimy after styling, which then makes me want to wash it again. ‘Hottie’ didn’t do that.

I noticed the shine almost immediately. My hair looked glossy before I had even added my usual hair oil, which is usually the step that gives me that final polished finish.

For someone with naturally frizzy hair who still enjoys heat styling, this is one I would genuinely recommend.

4.Sol de Janeiro’s New Limited Edition: Leite Néctar Perfume (£25)

I have always associated summer with lighter, sweeter fragrances, and this year I became particularly obsessed with fruity gourmand scents.

Sol de Janeiro Leite Néctar Perfume Mist came with me to America and quickly became the fragrance I used the most.

It is inspired by a Brazilian peach dessert and combines peach, coconut milk and sweet cream. It is undeniably sweet, but I don’t find it sickly, which is where a lot of gourmand fragrances can lose me.

Sol de Janeiro also released Leite Café, inspired by Brazilian coffee. I actually found that one much heavier and slightly too sweet for my personal taste, so I kept to Leite Néctar instead.

I wore it throughout my holiday and particularly liked it during the day when I wanted something easy to reapply.

It is very much a summer holiday perfume mist rather than the fragrance I would reach for in winter, but that is precisely why I enjoyed it.

5.Pimple Patches (£12): The Travel Essential

I wasn’t expecting more pimple patches to make it into my summer beauty edit, but here we are.

I bought the grace & stella hydrocolloid pimple patches shortly before travelling because I had just run out of my limited-edition Rhode ones.

They come in three shapes: a lilac flower, pink heart and blue cloud, and contain tea tree and salicylic acid.

I have had to become much more comfortable with acne over the last few years. I didn’t grow up with acne, so dealing with breakouts as an adult was something I found surprisingly difficult at first.

I actually think pimple patches have made the whole experience a little easier.

I tested these properly while travelling, including on a ten-hour flight, by the pool and overnight.

Two stayed on throughout the flight, while the cloud-shaped one started peeling slightly at the corner. The pink heart was definitely the strongest in terms of staying in place.

I also noticed that the patches helped to flatten my spots and draw out some of the gunk. I would give them a solid 4/5.

The one thing I would mention is that the different shapes didn’t all perform exactly the same. The cloud patch peeled more easily, although that could have been because of where I had placed it; on my chin, where there was naturally more movement from eating and talking.

I ended up giving some to my sister, too. She had never used pimple patches before and actually preferred the clear versions from grace & stella because she likes her skincare to be much more discreet.

The Summer Beauty Verdict:

The Tatcha lip balm is permanently in my beauty pouch. The SDJ lotion has become part of my everyday routine. Hottie is what I reach for whenever I am heat styling. Leite Néctar has followed me around America. And there is currently a small collection of pastel pimple patches living in my bathroom.

I don’t want to recommend something simply because it is new or because everyone else is talking about it. I want to be able to tell you how I actually used it, what I liked, what I didn’t and whether I would buy it again.

So, after a rather long summer away, these are the products that have genuinely made the cut.

And yes, I am very happy to be back!

Let us know what products you’d like me to review next in the comments!

-G xoxo

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The Beauty Ed®’s Note: Real and honest reviews are hard to come by these days thanks to paid #ads and click-bait hungry algorithms, and that is one of the reasons I started my student mentorship group THE LAB. Not only to help brilliant journalism and media students grow their writing experience, but also to give you, reader, a genuine viewpoint and real-time review of trends and products. Diana’s review is a perfect example of unbiased, thought-led beauty journalism ♡ These are her real and honest opinions that are not there to please advertisers or algorithms, but to help you make informed choices about your beauty purchases. Enjoy!

GrandeLASH and Babe Original Essential Lash Serum: it almost feels as if they’re competing for the top spot in the lash serum industry (although according to GrandeLASH’s website, they are the #1 Lash & Brow Serum Brand in the U.S.- so they’ve already claimed it). But in true THE LAB and The Beauty Ed® style, I had to get to the bottom of these claims, and so took the battle upon myself, and the results were really surprising.

I have always been weird with the textures and feels of things and one thing that has always bothered me, and still does to this day, is anything on my eyelashes. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love wearing light, lengthening mascara to feel a little fancy, but I tend to avoid wearing mascara most days - not least anything heavy or clumpy, and don’t even think about fake eyelashes! That being said, I still want things that help accentuate my natural ones.

At some point last year, I wanted to get a lash lift, but I was terrified by horror stories I had seen online - I’d heard they were super damaging to natural lashes - so I opted to dye them dark brown myself with men’s beard dye. Sounds crazy, I’m aware, but it’s a great way to make your natural lashes stand out for a fraction of the cost.

GrandeLASH Vs. Babe Original: Which Lash Serum Actually Delivers Fuller Lashes?

I’ve been using GrandeLASH Serum for almost two years now, and quite frankly, I’ve seen great results with it. In the first month or so of applying the product every night, I saw a noticeable difference in the length. I also have very sensitive eyes, and I didn’t notice any irritation from the product.

Then when THE LAB received Babe Original’s eyelash serum in the mail, I immediately reached for it. I have seen many of their ads and reviews on social media, and was eager to try it - but I could never justify spending the money on it myself! (more to come on price later).

So I could tell if there was any difference between the two, I continued applying GrandeLASH serum to my right set of eyelashes, and then applied the Babe Lash Serum to the left ones.

First Impressions: How Babe Lash Feels On Sensitive Eyes

The first time I applied the Babe Lash serum on my left eye, I immediately noticed a tingling sensation, which then turned into a light burning. This went away after about a minute, but I do think it’s important to note that my eyes are really sensitive, and if yours aren’t, this might not happen to you. I persevered, and after about a week, it went away so I continued to try it for several months, tracking the progress.

The Mascara Test: Which Serum Actually Makes Eyelashes Fuller & Thicker?

During the first few weeks, a difference wasn’t really noticeable between the two. The first time I saw a real discrepancy, was when I was putting on mascara for a birthday dinner. I curled my lashes like usual, then I put the mascara on my right eye (GrandeLASH) first. It went on like normal, and my lashes looked long and full. The other eye, however, was a different story. Putting the mascara on that eye, it immediately was so much thicker, fuller, and I think, a little longer. This trend continued as I kept applying the serum. I eventually decided to end the experiment because it felt (and looked) weird to always have a good lash day on one eye, and a mediocre lash day on the GrandeLASH eye.

Price Breakdown: Is Babe Lash Serum Worth The Extra $13?

Now, I think it’s unfair to compare the two without mentioning their prices. The smallest size of GrandeLASH serum, which their website claims to last six weeks (though it usually lasted me about 8-12), is priced at $36. Their standard size bottle is double the price, at $68.

The smallest size of the Babe Lash Serum, which also claims to be a six week supply, is priced at $49, while their standard size costs $89. Both seem pretty expensive to me, but these prices are relatively standard for the industry.

Personally,I think it’s a better investment in yourself to have healthy, thick, and long natural lashes rather than having to keep up with the maintenance and uncomfortability of lash extensions or regular lash lifts. However, if that look appeals to you, go for it! Don’t let me hold you back.

All in all, the only thing I’m upset about is that I’ve wasted so much time using the GrandeLASH Serum when I saw insane results from the Babe Lash serum in just a few months. The tingling effect was slightly concerning, but after the first week, I had no other issues and I was willing to trust it with my precious lashes completely.

So…for the extra $13, I would 100% invest in Babe Original’s Essential Lash Serum.

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My history with Jones Road Beauty predates any PR lists - I bought into its founder’s vision (makeup artist Bobbi Brown) with my own money back in 2020 because the brand’s effortless, modern approach to beauty spoke to me. 6 years later, after writing and raving about the products so much, I am on the lovely PRs radar and they are kindly sending me products to review.

Last week, they sent over their new Minimalist Defining Mascara (which launches today, August 13th!). It came in the most gorgeous brown-paper style pouch which I’m 100% going to keep for travel. I love how even this is so on brand - practical, understated, modern and chic.

As I’m a person that often skips mascara - unless I have a work meeting or a dinner on the calendar - I was keen to try this ‘less on purpose’ mascara. I think heavy, spider-leg lashes look dated. Especially as we age. They just weigh down the eyes, making you look tired and drawn.

I like to think of a mascara like this as the equivalent of a great designer white t-shirt - a James Perse if you will: understated but so stylish!

They sent me both the brown and black shades, so I decided to wear-test them side-by-side.

First thing I noticed: I love the shape of the wand

Unlike thicker, fibrous, fluffy wands that are messy and often cause smudging, this wand features a slim, molded design that gives you total control. It also has two edges: the straight edge grips lashes tightly right at the root which is ideal for reaching awkward inner corners and lower lashes. While the curved side coats and pushes the tips up for a soft lift.

The texture is soft and silky

The formula glides on with a cushiony, soft feel rather than a chalky or stiff dry-down. This is due to the conditioning formula which helps to support the health of the lashes. I’m yet to confirm the ingredients - but will keep you posted! This softness also keeps lashes separated and naturally tinted rather than clumped.

Brown Or Black?

The difference is subtle.

Brown (which I’m wearing on my right eye here) gives a lovely warm and soft daytime definition. More of a ‘are you wearing mascara?’ finish.

Black (on my left eye) offers slightly more contrast; my son even pointed out that the whites of my eye wearing the black looked brighter. More of a ‘going out’ option.

Both have a strong colour payoff so I only needed to apply one coat. The brown colour pigment is especially strong - as you can see from what was left on the pad when I removed it.

The Removal

One of the reasons I choose to skip mascara is because of the faff that comes with the removal - it requires extra effort during your night-time cleansing routine. The PR kindly sent me some branded reusable pads and micellar water in the package, which helped both shades came off surprisingly well. There seemed to be more pigment than I realised in the brown shade…which can only be a good thing, especially if your lashes are naturally light.

So is a less on purpose mascara really worth it?

If you want an everyday mascara that enhances your natural lashes without feeling heavy, rigid, or over-the-top, this 100% hits the mark. It’s making me want to wear mascara everyday which means a lot let me tell you…

Jones Road Beauty Minimalist Defining Mascara costs $28/£26 and is availabe on jonesroadbeauty.com

For as long as I can remember, my daily makeup routine has leaned into the comfortably minimal: a sheer base that shows off natural skin texture while subtly blending away pigmentation, a cream blush for a healthy pop of colour, lip balm or a nude lip, a brow gel, and depending on the day, a coat of black mascara or clear mascara.

And I’ve realised that as I’ve entered my fifites, that “less is more” approach has evolved into something deeper than just a makeup choice. It’s become a bit of a reflection of where I am in life. I find myself wearing less makeup because firstly, I have nothing to prove to anyone - as long as I am happy with how I look - but also, I’ve become really turned off by how midlife is performed online. Social media has become so shouty with smug “This is what [insert age here] looks like” posts and passive-aggressive humblebrags. I used to think being vocal about aging was empowering, but now? I just want the quiet ease of living it without shouting about it.

Which brings me to back to how I’ve been wearing blue eyeliner lately (my current fav is Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Denim 👖). Wearing it makes me think of Princess Diana in the eighties. When she wore that flash of blue on her waterline, I like to think it wasn’t a calculated trend or experiment to invite newspaper commentary. It was just a quiet, playful quirk - a hint of her mischievous side maybe?

I’ve been wearing just a quick stroke along my upper lash line. It isn’t loud. It’s smudge-y and subtle. It doesn’t scream for a reaction. But it does brighten the whites of my eyes, and gives me a little lift every time I look in the mirror…

I’ve been really struggling with social media lately. Some of you who follow me on Instagram may have noticed. One minute, I’m like yeah, I love being a part of this, and then the next minute, I want to delete the app forever.

Maybe my beauty-focused algorithm is to blame. The industry that I work in often focuses on the negative way too much. And I get it - it’s part of the business model - but as I age, I’m not sure how comfortable I am tapping into your insecurities in order to encourage you to buy products that make you feel better. There’s too much focus on the negative things about aging as it is, and I believe that advertising campaigns targeting 40/50-something women need to be positive, empowering, uplifting, not filled with backhanded compliments convincing us that our value is tied to looking younger.

That’s why I love Jones Road Beauty. It is so celebratory about unique and individual beauty. It’s the reason that I’ve followed Bobbi Brown in her career for so long, and the reason I’ve written about her and her brands so many times over the years.

If you’ve been reading my work for a while, you know this isn’t my first time singing the brand’s praises. Here on The Beauty Ed®, I’ve shared my unfiltered review of the Jones Road Foundation Stick and given an honest breakdown of the Jones Road Lip Recharge. I’ve also written for HELLO! about how female-founded brands like Jones Road are changing the narrative around aging and I was also delighted to share Bobbi’s advice on thriving and living your best life as you get older.

And I just feel like the new Bright Skin Illuminating Drops kind of sum all of that up.

They really make your skin look and feel happier. No matter what your age. They give your skin a glow. They are not meant to fix anything. They are designed to boost what you have. The fact that they are so lightweight, it doesn’t matter how many wrinkles you’ve got - they’re not going to settle into those creases in an ugly way, they’re just going to blend into them - show them off in their best light - and give your skin a gorgeous glow.

I actually recorded an Instagram reel where I mixed the Champagne Shade two ways:

• Direct to Skin: I applied them directly for a deeper tan shade.

• Mixed with Moisturizer: This dilutes them for more of a gentle, lightweight finish.

Both applications give your skin like a lovely luminosity. And if you want more coverage, you can mix them with your foundation too.

Another huge beauty win for me is that all of the 6 shades compliment any skin tone - as you can see from the brand’s marketing image below…

I also love how they can also be used on your body too - they add a lovely shimmer to your collarbones ✨

Have you tried any of Jones Road Beauty? Let me know in the comments 👇🏼

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Jones Road Beauty Bright Skin Illuminating Drops cost $38/£36 and you can buy them online from their website.

I’ve been a Beauty Editor for almost 30 years, so of course I take sun care seriously - but you know, I also live in Florida and I LOVE being outside in the sunshine. And I don’t care what anyone says, sunshine is good for the soul.

I love the beach. I love the pool. They all give me LIFE. Not to mention so much JOY 😁 😎 ☀️ And I believe that as long as you’re sensible (ie. no frying in the midday sun, wear a hat, keep in the shade, hydrate, wear spf etc etc), a day on the beach can make life so much brighter.

What are my favourite tried-and-tested sun care brands?

So this means, especially as I live 5-minute walk from St. Pete Beach, I’m never too far away from a bottle of sun cream. They are dotted everywhere - around my house, in my car, in all of my bags. And even though it’s hard for me to stay loyal to one brand there are a few tried-and-true brands that I always go back to:

✔️ ☀️ Clarins - it’s a classic. A brand that I’ve been using since I was a teenager. If I had to pick one favourite product, it would be the Clarins Glowing Sun Body Oil High Protection SPF 30 .

✔️ ☀️ Neutrogena - I’ve been using the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF 70 which I believe is only available in the US 🇺🇸 for years now. It’s so lightweight and not one bit greasy. Although this particular product isn’t available in the UK yet, it might be soon as my beauty industry insiders tell me that Neutrogena have relaunched their sun care this year online and in Boots 🇬🇧.

✔️ ☀️ Vacation® - I’ve been raving about this brand since they first launched. Again, this is only available in the US 🇺🇸 but I’m sure they’ll be sold in the UK soon. Why do I love them? For so many reasons! The ‘holiday in a bottle’ smell of all the products. The retro packaging. The unusual SKUs - mousse sun cream anyone? The corny but cool marketing. I could go on and on…My favourite product is the Classic SPF 50 Spray.

That being said, when I looked in my beach bag recently - the one that I keep by the pool door for those dash-out-of-the-door emergencies - none of these favs appeared, and what I’m actually carrying around right now is a mix of new discoveries, kid-friendly sprays, lip balms and other random beach essentials.

Here’s what’s inside…

The Products That Are Actually In My Beach Bag Right Now

By the way, my beach bag is from Kurt Geiger 🌈 How gorgeous is it? My son’s friends bought it for me for my birthday a couple of years ago 💕 I couldn’t find any in stock right now, but they do have other options that are just as bright and fun.

What’s In My Beach Bag: The Quick List

• Best SPF Lip Balm: Target Up & Up SPF 50 Lip Balm

• Best Tinted Lip Balm: Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me

• Best for Kids: Banana Boat Kids Sport Spray Can SPF 50+

• Best Local Florida SPF: Florida Squeezed SPF 50 Lotion

• Best High-SPF Spray: Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray SPF 70

• Best Post-Pool Hair Conditioner: Nature Well Sunday’s Leave-In Conditioner Mist

• Best Beach Hair Accessory: Emi Jay Hair Clips

• Best Cooling Gadget: Handheld Mini Personal Fan

I have to take a lip balm to the beach

Target Up & Up SPF 50 Lip Balm

Beauty editor duty calls and so I never forget lip protection when I go to the beach! This Target one is my current go-to for keeping my lips protected. It’s cheap and hydrating.

That being said…I also found this in my bag:

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me

My best friend Leah actually got me hooked on this one! It smells amazing and gives lips the prettiest sheer wash of color. But this doesn’t have SPF, so it’s good for trips to the bar once you’re done with the beach.

Best sunscreen for my kids: Banana Boat Kids Sport Spray Can SPF 50+

Sprays in a continuous can are so much easier to apply when you’re trying to chase kids and get them covered quickly. Just make sure you rub it in so you don’t miss any spots! And yes, I still have to do this to my kids even though they’re old enough to know better!

2 local Florida SPFs:

☀️ Florida Squeezed SPF 50 Lotion

Oh, I love this brand. My son is a pool attendant at our local beach hotel - The Don CeSar - and he brought it home after a guest left him a bottle to try. It smells like fresh orange juice and is packed with soothing aloe vera and jojoba. Mine currently has a bit of local beach sand mixed into it, so when I apply it, I get a little unexpected face scrub action too!

☀️ Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray SPF 70

Like my favourite Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen Spray SPF 70 , this settles into skin so nicely - no gross sticky residue, just solid, high-performance protection.

The best post-pool hair conditioner: Nature Well Sunday’s Leave-In Conditioner Mist

I don’t believe this offers UV hair protection, but it’s my husband’s favourite and it smooths down frizzy, post-pool hair so nicely.

The best hair accessory: Emi Jay Hair Clips

I keep this clipped right onto the strap of my bag! Emi Jay are hands-down the best clips because they actually grip your hair properly and so help it stay put.

A fan that keeps me cool: Handheld Mini Personal Fan

Essential for sitting poolside in the Florida heat when you need an immediate breeze!

Have you tried any of these? What’s the one product you never leave out of your beach bag? Drop a comment below and let me know 😎

I recently had one of my followers reach out asking for recommendations for her son’s oily teenage skin - specifically what to shop for in places like CVS, Walgreens or Target. Skincare for teenagers is a subject I really care about. I’ve been passionate about helping kids celebrate the skin they are in ever since I worked as Beauty Editor on CosmoGIRL! over twenty years ago. And now, I do just the same with my student mentor program, THE LAB . Please check it out. The articles are so good - my mentees only write totally honest reviews. Plus, there are zero ads!

✍️ READ THE LAB: A 14-Year-Old’s Guide to Surviving Skincare FOMO

A few weeks ago, I asked my lovely dermatologist friend Dr. Justine Kluk to come onto my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, to talk through the best products and routine for teenage skin. I love Justine’s approach because she’s such a realist. We sat down to chat about this whole phenomenon of teens becoming obsessed with skincare, using all the wrong things, and how we can actually guide them to build a simple routine that works.

🎧 LISTEN TO SMILING GIVES YOU WRINKLES® HERE

So, if you’re trying to help the teens in your life find the best products for their skin, start by reading Justine’s expert advice below, and then give them the shopping list that follows, that’s derm (and me) approved!

A Dermatologist’s Guide To Teen Skincare

The 4 Skincare Products Teenagers Really Need:

1. A Gentle Cleanser

2. Lightweight Moisturizer

3. Sunscreen

4. ONE treatment step (if they have spots)

1. What is the biggest mistake teens make with oily skin?

Justine pointed out a huge trap that teenagers fall into when their skin starts getting congested:

“They think: I’ve got oily skin, so I’ll buy a cleanser that’s designed for oily skin. I’ll buy a moisturizer that’s designed for oily skin, then I’ll use the treatments as well. And actually, if everything there is intended to reduce oil on your skin, it’s going to tip over the edge and get too dry.”

The Expert Fix: Keep their cleanser and moisturizer super gentle, and let one active treatment step handle the oil and spots.

2. How many skincare products do teenagers actually need?

Piling on ten different products doesn’t just irritate the skin - it can actually trigger lasting issues. As Justine explained:

“The more things you put on your skin, the more you expose yourself to different chemicals... We are increasing our risk of allergy, and that is really sad when that happens.”

3. Should teenagers use retinol or anti-aging serums?

No! We had a laugh about how obsessed everyone has gotten with ingredients like retinol, but Justine made a really important distinction: most over-the-counter retinols are meant for slowing down signs of aging, not for treating oily teenage skin.

4. Do pimple patches actually work for teenage acne?

Justine is a massive fan of pimple patches. Not only do they help flatten spots faster, but they act as a physical barrier to stop kids from picking and squeezing (which is what leads to scarring). Plus, with brands making them so fun to wear now, it’s turned spot care into a fashion statement rather than something to hide.

🛒 The Shoppable Target List for Oily Teen Skin

I took all of Justine’s tips and mapped out an easy, budget-friendly run through Target. These picks give teens that effortless, clean-skin result without stripping their skin barrier.

🧼 What are the best drugstore cleansers for teen skin?

The Goal: Cleanse twice a day without stripping the skin tight.

• Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser: Justine and I both adore Byoma. The bright packaging makes it appealing for teens, and the formulas are ultra-gentle and barrier-safe.

• CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser: This transforms from oil to a gentle foam. It’s brilliant for clearing away excess oil while using gentle ceramides to keep the skin barrier intact.

💧 What are the best lightweight moisturizers for oily skin?

The Goal: Keep oily skin balanced so it doesn’t over-produce oil.

• Byoma Moisturizing Gel Cream: Justine specifically called out this on the podcast. It’s an oil-free gel that soaks in instantly without feeling sticky.

• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer with SPF 30: A fabulous 2-in-1 SPF/moisturiser for teens who hate layering extra creams. It gives sun protection while actively soaking up shine to leave a clean, matte finish.

🧪 What are the best drugstore exfoliants for blackheads?

The Goal: Unclog pores and cut through blackheads. Use once a day!

• Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%: Salicylic acid (BHA) is the absolute gold standard for getting deep into pores and dissolving blackheads.

• Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment (🇺🇸 only): An affordable toner blending gentle AHAs and BHAs to sweep away oily dead skin cells overnight.

🎯 What are the best drugstore acne spot treatments?

Goal: Clear active breakouts without irritating the whole face.

• Target Up&Up 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment (🇺🇸 only): A gentle leave-on spot cream. 2.5% benzoyl peroxide kills acne bacteria almost as well as stronger 10% formulas, but with way less stinging and dryness. So it’s great for sensitive skin.

• PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash (🇺🇸 only): Keep this one in the shower! It’s an absolute lifesaver for teens dealing with both face breakouts and “bacne.”

• Differin Acne Treatment Gel (Adapalene 0.1%) (🇺🇸 only): An over-the-counter retinoid specifically tested and formulated for acne (not anti-aging) to keep pores clear.

• Starface Hydro-Stars: The viral yellow star patches that combine hydrocolloid protection (no scarring) with pore-clearing salicylic acid.

• Mighty Patch Invisible+ by Hero Cosmetics: Completely clear patches. Perfect for kids who want to wear one to school or sports practice without anyone noticing.

What skincare ingredients should teenagers avoid?

To save money and protect their skin, tell them to skip:

1. Anti-Aging Retinol Serums: Purely for mature skin and totally unnecessary for teens.

2. Harsh Physical Scrubs: (Remember those old apricot scrubs we all used years ago? Avoid!) Scrubbing just inflames breakouts and forces the skin to make more oil.

3. 10-Step Routines: Piling on five different serums is the fastest track to red, irritated skin.

At the end of the day, skincare should be joyful and simple! I hope this shopping guide helps you guide the kids in your life to really love the skin they’re in.

And please don’t forget to share this article with someone who might find it helpful…

I’d rather skip on foundation than blusher. It just really helps zhuzh up your face doesn’t it? Plus, as I live and work in hot-and-humid Florida, I like to wear as little makeup on my skin as possible. When you deal with this kind of heat almost every day of the year, you need products that actually survive the sweat and humidity.

I have tried LOADS in my time, and my top 2 current favs are Merit Flush Balm in Stockholm and the now discontinued ☹️ Jones Road Beauty Lip & Cheek Stick in Bright Pink. They have replaced it with the Blushing Stick which I’m sure is lovely too, but don’t quote me, as I haven’t tried it yet.

✍️ HOW TO APPLY BLUSHER: I wrote about how I love to apply blush in HELLO! which you can read here!

Anyway, any new blushers that I receive from PRs face stiff competition to impress this critical Beauty Editor ✍️😁🪭, but I’m happy to report that I’ve found a new fave - and it’s only $5 (or £6 if you live in the UK).

The Beauty Ed® Review: e.l.f Cosmetics Sheer For It Blush Tint

This is a water-based blusher that, on first application, doesn’t look like it’s going to amount to anything other than just a watery ‘patch’ of colour on your skin. But as you blend it in (I just tap away at it with my fingers) and build the colour (I love the So Petal shade) it delivers such a lovely seamless finish. It really is so easy to apply that it’s hard to mess up - it just looks really natural.

It can also be used on lips too - which is exactly what I’m wearing in this pic!

How it Compares: e.l.f Vs. Merit and Jones Road

Merit and Jones Road give more of a creamy finish. This e.l.f tint is water-based, so it doesn’t sit on your skin like a balm stick. It sinks right in. So if you want a weightless feel, give the e.l.f one a try!

The other 2 shades e.l.f sent me were Mauve Actually (on the left in the pic below) Burgun-did That (on the right). I’m going to ask my mentees from THE LAB to try those, so look out for their reviews soon.

Let me know if you’ve tried these or if you have a favourite blush that you’d think I’d love!

Leave a comment

Donna x

If you watched me and my family on Channel 4’s Escape to Florida (if not you can stream it here - we are in the first 4 episodes), you’ll know that my skincare routine had to undergo a bit of an overhaul when I moved from London. More hydration and way more protection. I had to really up my SPF game.

But finding a good SPF for your face is hard, right? They either ‘pill’ into little balls as soon as you apply your makeup, leave an ugly white cast on your skin, or just make your face look really greasy.

However, after almost 5 years of living in Florida full-time, and of course as a beauty editor who has tested thousands of formulas over nearly three decades in the industry, I’ve become quite the expert at finding the good ones that don’t do any of those annoying things. Actually, the SPFs that I use now don’t just protect my skin - they help it look instantly better.

Right now, I have 3 favourite SPFs that have survived the ultimate Florida humidity test:

My Top 3 Face SPFs at a Glance

• No7 Prime Forever Skin Preservation SPF 50: Best for a blurring, invisible primer effect that targets early sun damage.

• e.l.f. Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30 : Best for an affordable, pre-makeup radiant base.

• Naked Sundays Cabanaglow Mineral Glow Drops SPF 50: Best for an effortless, dewy beach-town glow without the need for foundation.

How To Layer SPF Under Makeup Without Pilling

One of the questions I get asked often is how to layer sun protection without creating those annoying little grey balls that pill up on the skin. My routine changes depending on what my skin needs that morning and whether I’m wearing a full makeup base.

• The Pre-SPF Step I Always Do: After cleansing, I always apply a serum first. A serum is essential for hydration (remember: dry skin = aging skin) and delivering active ingredients deep down. Right now, I love using a Vitamin C serum. While it isn’t a sunscreen, Vitamin C is packed with antioxidants that act as an extra layer of defense against environmental aggressors like intense sunlight. I absolutely LOVE Murad Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum.

• The Makeup vs. No-Makeup Rule: If I’m not wearing a foundation or base that day, I’ll go straight from serum to a lightweight moisturizer (like CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion), and then apply my SPF. But if I’m wearing a full makeup base, I look closely at how my skin is behaving. If it feels particularly dry, I’ll layer that lightweight moisturizer between my serum and SPF. If my skin already feels nourished and hydrated, I skip the moisturizer entirely and go straight from serum to SPF to keep the layers minimal and prevent pilling under my foundation.

1. The New SPF Discoveries: No7

No7 has absolutely mastered the art of under-makeup SPF formulation recently. I’m currently rotating two of their SPF 50s depending on what my skin needs that morning.

No7 Prime Forever Skin Preservation SPF 50

This is a brand-new discovery for me. It’s part of a new range technically targeted at a younger, 30-something demographic whose skin hasn’t quite shown the visible effects of aging yet, even though any after effects of previous sun damage are bubbling away quietly under the surface. But anyone can still use it. It’s gorgeous under makeup - zero pilling and sinks into skin instantly, making it perfect for makeup.

💌 Read more about the No7 Prime Forever products here - I was lucky to be taken on a trip to Upstate New York to hear all about them

No7 Future Renew Damage Protection SPF 50

This feels just a tad richer on the skin than the Prime Forever version. Just like its sister product, it sits under makeup perfectly without disrupting your foundation.

The Sweat Test: During summer, the sun is already up when I go to the gym or take a walk along the beach. Even though No7 doesn’t explicitly market these as sweat-proof, I’ve put them to the test. They are incredibly lightweight, stay firmly in place, and crucially, they don’t run into your eyes when you start to sweat.

2. The BUDGET SPF I ALWAYS Recommend: e.l.f. Cosmetics Suntouchable Whoa Glow

You all know how much I love e.l.f and this is the SPF base I recommend to my best friend, my closest circle, and my followers non-stop.

e.l.f. Suntouchable! Whoa Glow SPF 30 (I ♡ Shade: Sunbeam)

This has been an absolute staple in my skincare routine for a good couple of years now and I’m obsessed with the shade Sunbeam. While it comes in a few shades, Sunbeam gives my skin tone the most stunning, what I like to call (excuse the magazine speak: lit-from-within glow). My only criticism? As a Florida resident, I always prefer a slightly higher SPF factor than 30 for daily wear. But the finish is so beautiful, I keep coming back.

Because I’ve currently run out of Sunbeam, I’ve been testing the Invisible version which has no tint, and I love it. It works exactly like an expensive makeup primer. It is completely weightless, clear, water-resistant, and visually blurs the skin. If you hate the feeling of traditional sunscreen, this lightweight option will change your mind.

3. The Makeup Base With Added SPF50: Naked Sundays

Naked Sundays Cabanaglow Mineral Glow Drops SPF 50 Sunscreen In Illuminating

When I want an effortless glow without a full face of foundation, I wear these drops for my base. The texture is a total dream - completely lightweight and fluid. It’s a bit like a tinted moisturizer, giving just a slight hint of coverage while flooding the skin with a luminous, dewy glow. It’s the perfect one-and-done product for a healthy, low-key day look.

The Midday Refresh: How to Reapply SPF Over Makeup

If it’s just for incidental sun exposure - like leaving the house to get into the car - I love using a quick SPF mist to top things up. The Vacation® Super Spritz Face Mist SPF50 is a personal favorite. BUT if you live in the UK, that isn’t available yet, so I would also recommend La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Anti-Shine Mist Sunscreen SPF50. My brilliant makeup artist friend, Donna May, swears by that one too - you can read more about Donna’s recommendations here.

The Beauty Ed® Tip: If I’m wearing a full face of makeup and know that I’m going to be working or spending a lot of time outside, I use a brilliant industry trick: take a high-quality makeup brush and gently dab a drop or two of your liquid or cream SPF directly over your makeup. It keeps your protection fully intact and actually gives the skin a really lovely, dewy finish rather than disrupting your base.

📹 WATCH ME DO IT:

I hope this helps you avoid those dreaded SPF makeup/foundation ‘pills’! If you have a favourite SPF that manages to survive the summer heatwave, drop it in the comments below - I’m always ready to test and share a new recommendation.

And if you need a top up, don’t forget to shop my current favs through the links above!

Donna

xx

I think you’ll be surprised - I don’t actually take too much away with me when I travel for work, and it’s not just because of luggage restrictions. I’m a creature of habit when it comes to my makeup look and I like to keep it simple. I always revert back to the same ‘no makeup, makeup routine’.

As a beauty editor who has spent over two decades testing literally thousands of products, I’ve learned that packing light or choosing the simple, less-is-more route, isn’t about compromising; it’s about making sure you’re using products that are multi-tasking and work hard for the result. I just want a fresh, glowy look with zero effort.

Here’s exactly what made the cut for my recent work trip:

1. The Best Luxury Base: Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops

These Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops are the new mainstay in my makeup bag. I wrote a detailed review about them here and while I admit, they’re not cheap, and I didn’t pay for this sample myself as they were sent to me to try by the PR, I will definitely be stocking up when I run out.

• Why they works for midlife skin: What I love about them is that they have added skincare benefits and the finish is really natural. As you get older, I think a lot of women tend to put on more product, but less is definitely more - anything heavy is going to sink into any open pores or your creases! And these are really easy to blend with your fingers or a brush.

• The Only Problem: No added SPF. There’s probably a formulation reason for that, because SPF can make a product a bit chalky. So don’t forget to wear an SPF underneath. I wore it right on top of the new No7 Prime Forever SPF 50 Primer, and it sat beautifully. No balling or pilling.

  ---

2. The Multi-Tasking Concealer: Jones Road Your Skin Foundation Stick

For this trip, I wanted a concealer-cum-base that I could swipe over my skin quickly (there was a couple of early morning starts) and for speed and ease of use, I always recommend the Jones Road Beauty Your Skin Foundation Stick which I previously reviewed HERE.

• Application Tip: I suffer with redness around my nostrils so I blended some there, plus I’ve got a little broken vein on the top of my nose that needs a bit of extra coverage. This can be used all over for a lovely, natural base too!

  ---

3. The Brightening Eye Secret: Beauty Pie Under Eye Genius Corrector

I don’t use under-eye concealer anymore. I used to, but then my makeup artist friend Donna May advised me not to. She said, “I don’t think you need it, I don’t think a lot of women need it unless you’ve got really, really dark circles.” She reckons makeup looks so much better without it.

So instead of using it under my eyes, I actually apply the Beauty Pie Under Eye Genius Corrector directly onto my eyelids!

• The Result: It gives a really gorgeous effect. It blends away any redness and makes your eyes appear brighter and more open. It creates a nice base for eyeshadow too. Or just wear it on its own.

4. The Easy Eye Routine: Jones Road ‘Just A Sec’ & Sweed Cloud Mascara

• The Eyeshadow: I love the Jones Road Beauty ‘Just A Sec’ Eyeshadows in Baby Pink and Pewter. They are really lovely with a shimmery gel-like texture and give enough ‘be-dazzle’ to dress up my daytime look to night-time. I just pop my finger in the pot, apply a wash over my eyelids, and it gives that really lovely natural shimmer that catches the light.

• The Mascara: I packed my Sweed Satin Kajal Kohl Eyeliner in Black to tight-line, but I don’t think I even used it the weekend that I was away - I just went for a quite bare eye look. But I did use the Sweed Cloud Mascara in Black. I love it because the wand is really slim and plastic instead of really fibrous, which I find just smudges really easily. This one gets right in the corners.

5. The Perfect Everyday Lip: Victoria Beckham Lipstick in ‘Sway’

For lips, I took the Victoria Beckham Posh Lipstick in Sway. It’s like a pinky nude which works for day and night events. I also packed the Jones Road Beauty The Lip Pencil in Tawny Nude with me, but I skipped that step this trip.

6. The Face-Framing Brow Gel: REFY Clear Brow Sculpt

Doing my brows is a step that I’ve recently added into my regular makeup routine - probably in the last year or so. For this trip, I used the REFY Clear Brow Sculpt.

• Why it’s a favourite: This clear gel fixes your brows in place and gives them that laminated look, that’s really natural. Setting your eyebrows just really gives a nice structure to your face. If you want a tinted one, try this one by Merit.

7. The One Product I Never Skip: Nudestix Nudies Bloom

I would gladly skip foundation, but I hardly ever skip blusher. As a beauty editor, I’ve tried hundreds, and the Nudestix Nudies Bloom in Cherry Blossom is a new fav!

• The Formula: It has the perfect amount of slip and staying power without looking greasy.

• The Packaging: What I also love about this product is that one end has product - you just dab the stick onto your cheeks - and then you take the lid off the other end, and you’ve got a really lovely flat brush to blend the color in. So handy! And space-saving. I really love that.

Anyone else getting extremely tired of social media these days? The competitive algorithm has become so shout-y. Creators and, actually anyone working in media, including me, are desperately trying to get noticed. We need the engagement to earn a decent living. But to be honest, I’m growing tired of being a slave to it.

Turning 50 has really made me think about what I am putting out there on Instagram. I know that my age is my meal ticket to success as a ‘midlife’ Beauty Editor, but I just don’t want to share, what I often see as disingenuous skincare reels with on-screen captions like: “Hard to believe I’m 50: this is what I use on my skin” All while they are accompanied by a flawlessly lit, hyper-smoothed close-up.

To be honest, when I see content like this, my first thought isn’t about the creator’s skincare routine. It’s about the woman watching it. What must that viewer be thinking? “What am I doing wrong? Why don’t I look like that? What do I need to buy?”

It’s the same old comparison trap and it feels a bit smug.

The Reality Check We All Need

We all have days where we look in the mirror and think: “ugh, I look and feel like absolute s*it.” I don’t care who you are, how many serums you own, how much Botox you’ve had, or what year you were born. Hormones shift, stress happens, life shows up on our faces.

When I have those days, the answer isn’t in a miracle cream. It’s about how I talk to myself. It’s about digging deep, accepting the bad day, and intentionally shifting the focus. I look in the mirror and actively choose to find the positives - focusing on what I do like, rather than obsessing over what I don’t.

Writing about beauty in my twenties, thirties, and even my forties felt very different than it does now. Back then, the narrative was often about correction and prevention. But today, while I absolutely want to look and feel the best I possibly can, my perspective has changed.

What a Clear 50 Year Old Mind Has Taught Me

Yes, my job is centered around beauty and skincare, and yes, I will always champion high-performance, science-backed formulas that give midlife skin its glow back. But the truth I’ve come to realize is this: there is only so much beauty you can squeeze out of a bottle.

When you see a woman who looks genuinely beautiful and alive, that glow isn’t just because she applied a retinoid last night or had a luxury facial. The rest of her beauty is made up of the things money can’t buy. It’s the confidence born from doing work that fulfills her. It’s the warmth of being loved by her friends and family. It’s the deep, unshakeable sense of feeling respected by others - and, most importantly, by herself.

That is what actually builds your confidence. Not a smooth and shiny complexion, but a fierce appreciation for the life you’ve built and the woman you’ve become.

I’ve been writing about beauty for over 25 years, and my obsession with brilliant skincare hasn’t changed just because I’ve hit a milestone birthday. Growing older doesn’t mean we stop caring about how we look - far from it. It just means the goalposts have shifted from trying to look 25 again, to looking and feeling like the best possible version of ourselves.

So yes, I am absolutely going to keep testing, reviewing, and sharing the hard-working formulas that I love and are coming right with me into my 50s. But I’m sharing them as tools for self-care, not tokens of perfection. My algorithm (or business) might not thank me, but I want to leave the smug reels behind, and focus on feeding our spirits, and take care of the skin we’re in - during the good and bad days…

Donna

x

As per, I’m writing to you today from hot and humid St. Pete Beach, Florida, where I’ve lived for almost 5 years. But I know, from all the messages that I’ve received from family and friends back in London, that the weather is boiling there too - in fact, I just checked and it’s 4 degrees hotter in London right now than it is here!

I used to love London in the sunshine - there really is no place better. But when it gets past a certain temperature, things kind of come to a standstill. The tube breaks down (any extreme weather affects London Transport right?). And with no air-con, sea breeze or pool to cool you down, there really is nothing more to do than to strip off - bra included - and just wallow. Or, just grab your bikini, and pop to the beach - if you’re lucky enough to live by one like me (sorry, not sorry 😆)

But the problem is, not many of us can do that. We have jobs to go to!

I remember being pregnant with my first son, Oliver, having to commute into London’s Soho every day in early summer. I was working for Hearst back then in 2005, as the beauty editor for a teenage magazine called CosmoGIRL! As it was a monthly, with three-month lead times (meaning you have to write your articles a full quarter before it hits the press) I’d already written the obligatory How to Sweatproof Your Makeup feature.

I’ve written dozens of them over my 25+ years as a beauty editor writing for various titles, but if I’m being completely honest, the headlines are always the same, and the copy is usually just a variation of the same generic textbook advice like (and I quote) “keep shine at bay by switching to powder formulas” or “swap your regular mascara for a waterproof one to avoid smudging.” Are those tips actually helpful, though? Or just regurgitated clichés?

Living in Florida, where the humidity is relentless - even with air conditioning blasting in almost every building - I’ve had to abandon the standard ‘textbook’ beauty advice. Out here, every single day is a masterclass on how to survive the sweat - and humidity.

A couple of years ago, when Florida was hit by 2 devastating hurricanes - Helene and then Milton - we had zero air con and zero running water for a couple of weeks. So trust me, I understand what the real pain points are when you’re hot as hell. The chub rub. The constant upper lip sweat. The Monica from Friends frizz that takes over the second you step out the door…

To make sure I’m addressing what is actually bothering you beauty-wise in the heat, I asked my lovely Instagram community to share their real heatwave pain points. And that they did. Thanks guys!

So here are my tried-and-tested tips for what actually works when it’s hotter than the Devil’s armpit lol…

🥵 Real Hot Weather Issue #1: “I’m not even bothered trying to look decent!”

“The sweating on my face is unreal 🥵 not bothered trying to look half decent 🤣🤣”

Fair! I get it. There is nothing you can really do to totally stop the sweats, and it does get to a point where you just want to give up and sit in front of a fan, naked, with an ice coffee. But what I will say, is that you don’t have to completely give up!

Instead of wearing a heavy base, try using a ‘glowy’ gel or a face bronzer. It’s often all you need to make you feel human again. Plus, they are so lightweight, you won’t have to worry about your base melting off.

The Weightless Glow: I love the Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Multipurpose Illuminator. It’s really lightweight and gives the skin such a lovely natural glow that you can skip foundation and just pop on a bit of blush or bronzer on top.

The Sheer Tint: I’m also loving the Victoria Beckham Colour Wash Bronze Water Tints. I like the Tanline shade. They are watery and really sheer so build them up by layering if you want more warmth.

The Suits-All Blush: For cheeks, Merit Flush Balm in Stockholm is my absolute fav and one I recommend to all my friends no matter their skin tone.

One to Watch: They have just been launched and I can’t wait to try them: the Jones Road Beauty Bright Skin Illuminating Drops.

🫠 Real Hot Weather Issue #2: Melting Makeup & Constant Face Sweat

If you have bothered with makeup, and find it’s sliding away by lunchtime, you need to look at your SPF. Anything too thick and creamy will just ball up and ‘pill’ into tiny pieces either the second you apply your base over the top, or a few hours later when the heat kicks in.

• The All-in-One: Try a base that already has built-in protection like IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream which has SPF 40 or SPF 50 depending if you buy it in the UK or US.

• The Invisible SPF: Alternatively, try a lighter makeup primer with added SPF. The new No7 Prime Forever Broad Spectrum SPF50 Primer Sunscreen is gorgeous.

The Pro Secret For Face Sweat: On this episode of Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, my makeup artist friend Donna May shared how she manages to keep BBC TV presenters looking flawless when they are filming in the heat for 15-hour days at the Chelsea Flower Show:

“Try not to add more powder. Normally it’s round the sides of the nose and around the top lip, so just take that little bit of extra shine off with oil-absorbing sheets or a tissue, then use a powder puff and just pat it in, dampening it down a little bit.”

The Refresh: Donna swears by the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine SPF 50 Over-Makeup Mist for extra over-makeup protection and a bit of a cooling refreshment.

🩹 Real Hot Weather Issue #3: Chub Rub & Boob Sweat

This came up many times in my DMs.

“The boob sweat 🤦🏼‍♀️ never had a problem pre-baby, now it’s real! 🥵🫠”

Thankfully, there are actually sticks designed especially for this issue and to be fair, they’re mostly pretty good.

The Lifesaver: I personally rate the Megababe Thigh Rescue Anti-Friction Stick. I tried it after interviewing the brilliant founder, Kate Sturino, for this article in HELLO!. It goes on smooth like a regular stick deodorant, doesn’t stain your clothes and really does the job the whole day.

👁️ Real Hot Weather Issue #4: Sore, Dry Eyes

I feel your pain here. I have suffered with dry eyes since I was a teenager - apparently I don’t fully close them when I sleep (😳) which causes them to dry out.

When your eyes feel scratchy and sore, I’d suggest skipping mascara entirely to avoid irritating them further. 100% avoid tubing formulas as the tiny tubes that flake off when your remove them might trap in your eyes. But if you can’t bear to go entirely bare:

The Gentle Volume: Use a formula like Clinique High Impact™ Mascara which is opthalmogically tested, won’t irritate sensitive eyes and gives a lovely, natural volume.

The Quick-Set Liner: For definition, choose a gel liner like Ilia Clean Gel Eyeliner which ‘sets’ really quickly and behaves itself on sensitive eyes.

The Beauty Editor Mascara-Free Face Hack: Personally, I don’t wear mascara during the day when it’s this hot. If I want to lift my face and give it structure, I’ll just wear a brighter lipstick instead. I’m loving the e.l.f Glow Reviver Slipsticks that are like a lipstick/lipgloss hybrid. My fav shade is Loveslick - a warm pink.

Frame the Face: If you feel ‘naked’ without eye makeup, add definition to your eyebrows instead to open up your face. I love the Refy Clear Brow Sculpt Gel, brushing it upward through my brows to give them a lifted, naturally ‘laminated’ finish.

🦁 Real Hot Weather Issue #5: Hair Frizz!

As one of my followers put it:

“My hair is naturally curly and I [normally] blow dry it straight but with this weather I wash it every morning and rub in products and let it dry naturally and I just scope it up, but I caught a reflection today of myself and I look bloody awful XXX”

Same same. But you can get your hair looking more than half decent if you follow this ‘air dry’ method that I’ve nailed down to a tee. No frizz allowed:

1. Ditch the Silicones: Use a silicone and sulphate-free shampoo. Silicones actually dry the hair out over time, and the drier your hair is, the more moisture it will suck out of the humid air, causing it to poof! I love the Chāmpo shampoos, and the Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo is great.

2. Swap Rinse-Out For Leave-In Conditioners: You want your hair to be as smooth as possible to trap the moisture in so go straight for high-performance leave-ins to trap moisture deep inside the hair shaft. My absolute fav (and probably one of my most recommended products) is the K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask - I’ve written about it loads - read more about why I (and loads of you too) love it here.

3. The Multi-Tasker: I also love the Michael Van Clark Lifesaver UV Leave-in Styling Treatment. It’s a phenomenal multi-tasker that treats, styles, and protects hair against UV rays all at once. I slather it on damp hair and let it air-dry. If you have wavy hair like mine, it defines your natural texture without the crunch.

🌟 The Ultimate K18 Air-Dry Power-Combo

You all know how much I absolutely love the original K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mask, but the K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil is the real secret weapon for toning down the frizz in between shampoos. Just make sure you use it quite sparingly.

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The Beauty Ed®’s Note: As a beauty journalist with over 25 years experience, I have witnessed how the ‘viral skincare’ trend has changed how we shop. But let’s be honest, looking cute on camera doesn’t always equate to cute results on the skin. And when the Grace & Stella PR asked THE LAB to try some of their products, I couldn’t think of a better person than my brilliant contributor . I wanted her to give this ‘cool girl’ brand an honest, real-skin test. And that she did…

Beyond the pretty packaging: can a ‘cool-girl’ brand actually deliver high-performance skincare results?

Grace & Stella might just be the next viral skincare brand, so when their products landed on my desk, I was obviously going to put them to the test.

I got sent their eye patches (as seen on Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada 2, mind you) and their *adorable* pimple patches. I’m a sucker for anything that looks fun, so they really had me from the get-go.

The Overnight Fix: Testing the Internet’s Favorite Pimple Patches

I feel like I’ve tried every pimple patch out there since the Starface ones became super popular in 2020. While my go-to pimple patches are usually whatever is the best value from Amazon, the Grace & Stella ones piqued my interest because they are SO cute - sue me, I’m easily influenced.

The Ingredient Upgrade: More Than Just Hydrocolloid

Most pimple patches are just standard hydrocolloid patches that draw out the oil and gunk from your blemishes. On top of that, the Grace & Stella ones also contain Salicylic Acid (which reduces swelling) and Tea Tree Oil (an antiseptic to combat acne bacteria and speed up healing).

The added ingredients make these super effective not only at calming the redness of angry blemishes but also at reducing their size and drawing them out of the skin more quickly. Since going on Accutane a few years ago, my skin has definitely improved and I don’t get nearly as many blemishes as I used to but I do get the odd pimple here and there. These patches are so aesthetic that they almost make you want to get a pimple just so you can use them, so I was actually quite delighted to get to test them out.

I’m a pimple patch overnight girl, and by the time I had woken up, the redness and swelling had gone down, and with a little dab of concealer, it was like there was nothing wrong in the first place.

The Prime Day Verdict: The best part is that the patches are included in the Amazon Prime sale from the 23rd-26th June and are nearly 15% off!!

The £0.83 Pamper: Putting the Viral Eye Masks to the Test

As an avid beauty fan, the first thing I noticed about these eye masks is the number of pairs you get in a single box - 24! For a little comparison, Sephora’s best-selling eye masks are the Topicals ones, which come in a pack of 6 pairs for £20 ($22 in the US!), which comes to around £3.30 per use. BUT, the Grace & Stella masks are currently £20 for 24 pairs, which is around £0.83 per use. So it’s pretty clear to see which ones are the most cost-efficient. Okay, maths lesson OVER, let’s get into the eye masks themselves.

Grace & Stella are really spoiling us with 6 different kinds of eye masks to try! Energising, moisturising, restoring, firming, illuminating and revitalising - I received the illuminating ones (which were actually the perfect selection because I am noticing dark circles at the ripe age of 22).

When I first received these, I put a pair straight into the fridge because I just knew that the added coolness would upgrade the experience, and I was right (shock!) It also made me wonder if I should invest in one of those skincare fridges for my bedroom, but that may be taking things too far, even for me.

The Application Test: Do They Actually Stay Put?

Anyway, when I tried them the next morning, one thing that immediately stood out to me was that they weren’t slipping down my face every five seconds (huge win!) and the cooling effect made me feel de-puffed and more awake. While you definitely don’t need a pair of eye masks every day, they feel like a little treat when you want an elevated morning routine, or a pamper night in.

The Beauty Ed® Approved: The Honest Verdict

It’s hard to cut through the noise in the beauty industry, but I think Grace & Stella have done just that. Not only are their products effective and cute, but they also come at a reasonable price point that doesn’t make you dread your restock.

Here is how they stack up:

Grace & Stella Pimple Patches Verdict

Best For: Overnight blemish healing and calming acute inflammation without stripping the skin barrier.

The Experience: Somehow, these pimple patches strike the perfect balance; they stay put firmly on your spots, but they are gentle to take off. I find that some pimple patches that look playful, like this, aren’t always the most focused on skincare, but the Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid in these give you genuine results. I have no complaints (and I’m a Virgo, so that’s pretty rare!)

Grace & Stella Illuminating Eye Masks Verdict

Best For: A cost-effective, cooling luxury treatment to de-puff the under-eyes and prep skin for makeup.

The Experience: I don’t know that I noticed a huge difference visually, but as a pampering treatment, they definitely made my morning routine feel a little more luxurious, and they feel amazing on my under eyes. I’d also definitely repurchase these over other brands I’ve tried; they’re cost-efficient, look good and feel fabulous.

Now, please excuse me while I scroll the rest of their website, adding to my wishlist!
P xx

Today’s announcement that the UK will be banning social media for under-16s is huge, especially for the beauty industry - and it’s a moment I’ve been preparing for.

Reclaiming the Roots of Responsible Teen Media

Long before algorithms dictated what girls saw in their feeds, I learned exactly how to speak to young demographics with absolute responsibility. As an editor on the core team of CosmoGIRL! magazine back in 2001, we built trust through real, fun and approachable imagery and genuine skincare education - long before digital filters existed.

That specific, pre-algorithmic media blueprint is exactly why I launched THE LAB. As a beauty editor with nearly 30 years of industry experience, I designed this mentorship program to be the calm, truthful alternative to fake influencer culture for high school and college students.

How the UK Social Media Ban Impacts Gen Alpha Beauty Marketing

Today’s news that the UK government is planning a full social media ban for under-16s by spring 2027 is a very welcome one.

But let’s be real: this probably won’t completely get teens off the platforms (they’ll just fake their dates of birth). But what it will do is force the beauty industry to completely shift how they market to this demographic. And that is a brilliant sign. It’s going to force brands to be more responsible, more thoughtful, and to finally lead with purpose.

I know from personal experience that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the absolute golden ticket for these brands. As a Gen X creator, I see it all the time - it can feel like total crickets when you’re trying to get brands involved in any kind of commercial partnerships for midlife. But the second you mention younger demographics? You have them instantly engaged.

If brands want to keep that engagement once that ban is in place, they need to stop looking at these teens as easy sales and start looking at community-driven programs like THE LAB that talk about beauty in a responsible, meaningful way, and they have to start leading with purpose.

Why the Beauty Industry Must Pivot from Sales to Youth Education

Yes, beauty is a business, but profit cannot be the primary intention when approaching teens. The focus must shift to skin health education, truth, and transparent reviews.

Teenagers are incredibly savvy. They know ingredients, they know formulas, and they spot disingenuous marketing a mile away. They don’t want filtered hype; they want real, peer-to-peer recommendations.

Beauty at this age should be fun, creative, and joyful - not a clinical obsession with anti-aging before they’ve even finished school.

Building THE LAB as a Responsible Solution to Algorithmic Beauty

The era of predatory, algorithmic youth marketing is facing a massive shift. If you’re a brand looking to pivot your strategy toward something more purposeful, or a student wanting to learn how to create honest, impactful media, this is the perfect time to work with me and be a part of THE LAB.

What are your thoughts on the ban? Do you think it will actually force beauty brands to clean up their acts, or will they just find a new backdoor? Let’s talk in the comments below.

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Lately, I’ve been missing the camaraderie of working in an office amongst a team. So it’s nice to get ‘out’ so to speak. Plus, now that I live in Florida, it’s great for me to attend beauty press events as much as I can. When I lived in London, they were ten-a-penny, so now I cherish them 💕

Inside My Finger Lakes No7 Press Trip & Staying at The Inns of Aurora

Anyway, this No7 press trip was in Finger Lakes - a beautiful area in Upstate New York, and it was an honour for me and The Beauty Ed® to be invited alongside other amazing journalists from legacy media brands like Allure, Good Housekeeping, Instyle and Refinery 29.

Before I get into the new No7 skincare products, I must give a shout out to the hotel we stayed at: The Inns of Aurora. What a magical place! It was founded by the creator of American Girl dolls and no wonder - it almost feels like you are living in a dolls house fantasy when you’re there. In the most natural, down-to-earth way.

The setting by the lake is absolutely stunning! We went lake boating, to the hydrotherapy spa, bird-watching (saw some Bald Eagles nesting) and even did some glass blowing.

🎥 Watch the Finger Lakes Press Trip Vlog: You can come behind the scenes, see the stunning lakeside property, and watch me test the skincare as well as attempt to glass-blow a flower (!) over on my channel. Click here to watch the full vlog and subscribe to @thebeautyedvlog on YouTube!

The New No7 Skincare Launches Landing in the US

OK, back to the No7 skincare launches - which was the whole reason why I was there! These ranges have already launched in the UK in Boots and are becoming available here in the US over the coming months (more info below). While neither is technically targeted at my own midlife skin, they are filling some massive gaps in the market:

No7 Prime Forever (Best for Late 20s & 30s Skin)

First up: Prime Forever, which is launching in the US in August - find it at Ulta and No7 Beauty. Prime Forever is designed to preserve all the good stuff (like collagen) while your skin is still in its prime. It’s a fantastic range if you’re in your late 20s and 30s - a demographic that is often ignored. You’re coming out of your 20s, you aren’t seeing deep visible signs of aging yet, but your natural collagen stores are just beginning to deplete.

The formulations focus heavily on a brilliant peptide blend to preserve skin elasticity. My standouts from the line are the Preservation Serum and the SPF 50 Primer (which sits beautifully under makeup with absolutely zero balling or pilling). The Weightless Moisturiser is also a treat - it has this fascinating, bouncy memory-gel texture that flattens itself back out in the jar so it’s always smooth as you pop your finger into the jar.

No7 Good Intent (Active-Free Hydration for Teens & 20s)

Next up is Good Intent which is available NOW in the US and also in the UK. Good Intent is a non-active skincare collection with the most beautiful pastel packaging - the bottles are so soft and tactile. Because it’s active-free and deeply hydrating, it’s perfect for teenage and 20-something skin types. But I love it too! Especially the Radiance Reflect Spray Serum. I’ve never tried a serum spray before and as this is one of my must-do skincare steps, I am obsessed! It’s so lightweight and a great one to keep on your desk to top up your hydration and glow throughout the day.

I’m actually going to send a selection of the Good Intent range to my group of mentees in THE LAB to try - I expect they’ll be fans of the Skin Sip Moisture Milk , which is a beautiful, press-on milky toner that works exactly like the Rhode Glazing Milk which they are all obsessed with.

🍄 Read our full Rhode reviews and breakdown from THE LAB here

I look forward to sharing exactly what THE LAB think once they finish testing them!

In the meantime, let me know in the comments: Do you have someone in your life who fits into these 30-something or teen brackets who would love these?

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The Beauty Ed®s Note: As part of THE LAB, my student mentorship program where I oversee the work of the next generation of beauty writers, I’m so happy to share this helpful piece (especially if you suffer badly with frizz) by Contributing Editor, . I introduced Gia to the PR agency who handle the press for Moroccanoil in the UK as she is the perfect candidate to road test their frizz fighting formulas. And here, she gives an honest review as she trials a complete curl care routine during her travels in hot and humid Italy 🇮🇹

This is a PR/Gifted Review with no obligation to post

After years of bleach, heat styling and trying to force my hair into being something it simply isn’t, this summer in Italy has become an unexpected turning point.

For most of my teenage years, my relationship with my hair was built around control. Blow-dries, straighteners, and endless attempts to tame the frizz. If there was humidity in the forecast, I immediately assumed it would be a bad hair day.

Perhaps it’s the wider beauty conversation moving away from perfection. Perhaps it’s getting older. Or perhaps it’s spending summer in Italy, where the heat, humidity and reality of everyday life quickly make you realise that fighting your natural texture is exhausting.

So this summer, I’ve decided to embrace my natural hair properly…

Coincidentally, I was kindly sent the Moroccanoil Curl Collection to test just before leaving for Italy. Having used Moroccanoil products since my early teens, I wasn’t completely new to the brand. In fact, the original shampoo, conditioner and iconic treatment oil have been staples in my hair routine for years.

What was new, however, was committing to an entirely curl-focused routine and seeing how it performed against the ultimate challenge: an Italian summer.

The Best Routine For Thick, Frizz-Prone Wavy Hair

For context, my hair is naturally thick, dry, wavy-curly and extremely prone to frizz.

When I say frizz-prone, I mean it. If a drop of rain touches it, it expands. If there’s humidity, it expands. If someone merely mentions moisture in the atmosphere, it somehow expands.

Years of bleach certainly didn’t help matters, and whilst my hair is far healthier today, hydration is still something I have to prioritise constantly.

Because of that, I tend to judge products quite harshly. If something weighs my hair down, leaves it sticky or makes my roots oily, I notice immediately.

How To Properly Prepare Textured Hair For Styling: The Clarifying Step

Before using any of the Moroccanoil products, I started with my favourite OUAI detox shampoo.

This is something I’ve become increasingly strict about because so many people underestimate how much product buildup accumulates on the scalp.

If you’re using mousses, curl creams, oils, dry shampoo or hairspray throughout the week, your regular shampoo is not enough.

A clarifying wash essentially gives you a clean slate.

Only after doing this did I move on to the Moroccanoil Curl Enhancing Shampoo, followed by the Curl Enhancing Conditioner. One thing I immediately noticed was that the shampoo doesn’t foam nearly as much as the Moisture Repair Moroccanoil shampoo. The scent is also softer and less distinctive.

The conditioner, however, was lovely.

Because my hair is naturally dry, I applied a generous amount throughout my lengths and ends. A professional stylist once told me that most people with textured hair simply don’t use enough conditioner, and ever since then, I’ve become much more generous with it.

🐄 I also used the “milking method” that Gustav Fouche previously taught me during an appointment at his Notting Hill salon. It sounds unusual, but it involves taking small, manageable sections of hair and gently running the conditioner down each strand from root to tip with your fingertips, almost as if you were slowly pressing moisture into the hair.

It helps distribute moisture evenly and has genuinely transformed how hydrated my curls feel.

Moroccanoil Curl Defining Dream Review: Is It Worth The Hype?

The standout product in this entire routine was, without question, the Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream.

In fact, this product had been sitting on my wish-list long before I received it.

My best friend Maria has been telling me to buy it for months and absolutely swears by it, and now I understand why.

I applied around three pumps through damp hair when it was approximately 90% wet.

The first thing I noticed was how lightweight it felt.

So many curl products promise definition, but leave the hair feeling coated or sticky. This did neither. It almost disappears into my hair.

The second thing I noticed was how smooth my curls looked. Not stiff, nor crunchy, but soft and defined.

The scent is also beautiful without being overpowering, and it gives the hair that luxurious salon-product feeling that makes styling feel less like a chore and more like self-care.

❤️ If I could only recommend one product from the entire collection, it would be this one.

How To Protect Curls and Waves From Summer Humidity

After the cream, I followed with the Curl Control Mousse. Again, I was pleasantly surprised.

I’ve used mousse since I was around thirteen years old, desperately trying to understand my hair texture before I really knew what I was doing.

Many mousses leave a sticky residue or make curls feel hard; however, this one didn’t.

I scrunched it throughout my hair, concentrating particularly around the roots where frizz tends to appear first.

I then added a small amount of gel to the ends of my waves. (This is something I always do during the summer).

No matter what curl products I’m testing, a small amount of gel helps lock everything in place and prevents humidity from undoing all my hard work within the first hour.

The Ultimate Hair Oil For Shine and Smooth Ends

Once my hair had dried slightly, I finished with the Moroccanoil Treatment Oil.

This is the product I’ve used the longest from the brand.

I’ve been buying it since I was thirteen years old, and it remains one of the most reliable hair oils I’ve ever tried. It adds shine, smooths the ends, and somehow manages to make hair feel healthier instantly.

I used a few pumps throughout the length and then headed out into the Bologna heat.

The Honest Verdict: Which Moroccanoil Curl Products Are Actually Worth It?

• The Curl Defining Cream is exceptional.

• The mousse is excellent and will be a product that I repurchase.

• The conditioner is lovely.

• The shampoo, however, was my least favourite product.

Whilst it may work beautifully for someone with a different hair type, I found it made my hair feel slightly heavier, and my roots became oilier more quickly than they usually do.

Interestingly, this is something a few friends of mine have also experienced with Moroccanoil shampoos generally…

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad product. It simply means it wasn’t the best fit for my particular hair.

And I think that’s important to say. Good beauty journalism isn’t about telling people everything is amazing. It’s about explaining what worked, what didn’t and helping readers decide what might work for them!

Final Thoughts

This summer has been less about achieving perfect hair and more about learning to appreciate the hair I already have.

The curls, the volume and even the frizz! Because the truth is, hair doesn’t need to be perfectly sleek to look beautiful. Sometimes it just needs to look like yours.

And somewhere between the heat of Bologna, countless scoops of gelato, and finally letting my natural texture take up space, I’m beginning to think my hair agrees.

If you opened Instagram or TikTok last week, there’s a chance your feed was taken over by dramatic and scary headlines about one of my favourite (and most recommended) skincare brands, CeraVe.

My DMs blew up with screenshots showing viral posts that screamed headlines like: “CERAVE SUED FOR CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS.” It even sent me into panic mode - the Beauty Editor that knows that a lot of the time these headlines are just there to scare-monger and for click-bait. But, I get it. When an infographic shows stock images of the products sitting on your bathroom shelf, it’s bound to cause concern.

For me, the headlines hit close to home. Anyone who follows me or reads The Beauty Ed® knows that I am a massive CeraVe fan. I don’t just test and review their products on my socials; I bulk-buy bottles of their Moisturizing Lotion for my household. My sons use their skincare, and my eldest loves their Anti-Dandruff shampoo - it’s a permanent fixture in his shower.

So before you, or I, throw our beloved CeraVe into the bin, I wanted to look at the actual facts and science behind these scare-mongering headlines.

Firstly, I must point out, that this story isn’t new. The wave of panic surrounding CeraVe originally began when independent lab reports were published in early 2024. It has resurfaced recently due to all of the ongoing class-action lawsuits moving through the courts in 2026.

To help me get to the facts, I reached out to the brilliant consultant dermatologist Dr. Nicole Chiang, who I recently invited onto my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®. She explains what is exactly going on, what the headlines got wrong, and why you don’t need to panic.

1. The CeraVe Lawsuit is an Ingredient Issue, Not a Brand Issue

The absolute biggest flaw in the viral posts circulating right now is that they use images of standard CeraVe lotions, cleansers, and baby products to grab your attention.

Here is the truth: The lawsuits and underlying scientific reports are exclusively targeting products that contain one specific active acne ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO). In CeraVe’s range, this only applies to two specific acne treatments: their Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser and Acne Foaming Cream Wash.

Is standard CeraVe safe? Yes. If your CeraVe product does not have Benzoyl Peroxide listed on the back - if it’s your daily Hydrating Cleanser, your Moisturizing Lotion, or your shampoo - it is completely untouched by this issue. There is zero benzene risk in standard formulas powered by ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or niacinamide. Your daily staples are perfectly safe.

2. The Science: Why is Benzoyl Peroxide in the News?

So, what is the actual issue with Benzoyl Peroxide?

“Benzoyl peroxide can degrade into benzene under certain conditions, particularly when products are exposed to elevated temperatures for prolonged periods,” explains Dr. Nicole Chiang. “Benzene is a known human carcinogen, which is why these findings have generated concern.”

Essentially, the Benzoyl Peroxide molecule is inherently unstable. If a product containing it is exposed to extreme heat - like being left in a really boiling hot car, stored in direct sunlight, or kept right next to a really hot radiator - it can break down and form benzene. The recent legal drama is based on allegations that these products can become unstable during transit or warm storage conditions before they put on the shelves to be bought.

3. The Reassurance: What Did the FDA Find?

While that sounds frightening, the actual data is reassuring. This isn’t a wildcard ingredient that’s just come out of nowhere; it is one of the most heavily regulated and intensely studied molecules in skincare.

Dr. Chiang urges us to look at the broader picture:

“It is important to put this into context. Benzoyl peroxide remains a well-established and highly effective acne treatment that continues to be recommended by dermatologists worldwide. In March 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested 95 acne products containing benzoyl peroxide and found that more than 90% contained undetectable or very low levels of benzene. Six products were found to have elevated benzene levels and were voluntarily recalled by their manufacturers.”

Dr. Chiang also points out a major safety buffer when it comes to the specific CeraVe products in question: they are wash-off formulas.

“CeraVe’s benzoyl peroxide-containing products are rinse-off cleansers rather than leave-on treatments,” Dr. Chiang notes. “As these products are washed off after a short contact time, overall exposure would generally be expected to be lower than with leave-on formulations.”

4. Should We Stop Using Benzoyl Peroxide?

If you or your teenagers rely on a Benzoyl Peroxide cleanser to help control breakouts, the expert medical consensus is clear: No, you do not need to stop.

“Current dermatology guidelines continue to recommend benzoyl peroxide as an effective treatment for acne,” says Dr. Chiang. “In addition to reducing acne lesions, benzoyl peroxide plays an important role in helping to reduce bacterial resistance when used alongside topical or oral antibiotics. This is one of the reasons it remains a cornerstone of acne management.”

Instead of abandoning an ingredient that works, the real solution comes down to how we treat and store our products. “The key takeaway for consumers is that proper storage matters,” Dr. Chiang emphasizes. “Benzoyl peroxide products should be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions and protected from excessive heat.”

5. How to Store Skincare Safely: The New Golden Rules

To keep your bathroom completely safe and give yourself total peace of mind, Dr. Chiang recommends following these straightforward rules:

• Keep it Cool: Store benzoyl peroxide products according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ideally at room temperature or cooler. Avoid leaving products in hot environments such as cars, near windows, or in direct sunlight.

• Watch the Thermometer: Discard products that have been exposed to excessive heat (e.g., greater than 78°F / 25°C). (If you live somewhere hot like me in Florida, or your bathroom gets incredibly steamy, consider storing your acne washes in a cool pantry or even the fridge!)

• Refresh Your Stash: Replace your active benzoyl peroxide products every 10–12 weeks. Do not let old acne treatments sit in your cupboards for months or years on end.

• Know Your Alternatives: “If you are concerned about using benzoyl peroxide, speak with your dermatologist about alternatives such as adapalene, salicylic acid or azelaic acid,” advises Dr. Chiang.

Why We Need To Move From “Clean Beauty” to Evidence-Based Beauty

This entire story taps into a much larger issue: the anxiety-driven world of “Clean Beauty.” As a beauty editor, I have always been vocal about the fact that fear-mongering shouldn’t dictate your skincare. As you can see in this article that I wrote for The Sun newspaper’s Fabulous Magazine about 15 (!) years ago…

And Dr. Chiang agrees entirely.

“Clean beauty’ is largely a marketing term rather than a scientific or regulatory one,” Dr. Chiang clarifies. “An ingredient is not safer simply because it is natural, and it is not harmful simply because it is synthetic. What matters is the quality of the evidence, the formulation, the concentration, and how the product is used. From a dermatology perspective, I encourage consumers to focus on evidence-based beauty, rather than clean beauty.”

When we look at the actual scientific evidence, regulatory bodies like the U.S. FDA, the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), and the European Commission’s SCCS are constantly monitoring, testing, and restricting ingredients to keep us safe.

And the list of ingredients that have rock-solid, undisputed evidence supporting both their safety and efficacy when used as directed? It includes the gold-standard ingredients we love: ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, salicylic acid, retinoids, and yes - benzoyl peroxide when stored correctly.

The Bottom Line: You do not need to throw away your bulk-bought CeraVe lotions. My family will absolutely keep using ours. If you use their acne wash, just keep it out of the heat, replace it regularly, and rest easy knowing that real science always trumps a scary 15-second video.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CeraVe Lawsuit

Why is CeraVe being sued?

Certain CeraVe acne products are involved in class-action lawsuits following reports that the active ingredient, Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO), can degrade into benzene - a known carcinogen - when exposed to high heat over prolonged periods. Standard CeraVe lotions and cleansers do not contain this ingredient and are not part of the lawsuits.

Does standard CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion cause cancer?

No. Standard CeraVe formulas - including the Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Hydrating Cleanser, and shampoos - do not contain Benzoyl Peroxide. Because they are powered by ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, they carry zero risk of benzene degradation and are completely safe for daily use.

Is Benzoyl Peroxide banned by the FDA?

No, the FDA has not banned Benzoyl Peroxide. In March 2025, the FDA tested 95 acne products containing the ingredient and found that more than 90% had undetectable or low levels of benzene. Only six products with elevated levels were voluntarily recalled, and dermatologists continue to recommend it as a gold-standard acne treatment.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments! Did this headline pop up on your feed at all? Has it made you rethink how you store your active skincare? Let’s chat below!

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Donna tells me that it was so hot in London during the show! Heatwave hot! And if there’s one thing I’ve learnt during my 28 years working behind-the-scenes on shoots as a Beauty Editor, is that makeup pros like Donna know how to handle makeup and skin in the heat! So I quizzed her on what she used.

THE OVER-MAKEUP SPF MIST THAT WON’T PILL YOUR FOUNDATION

The Pro Product: La Roche Posay Anthelios Anti-Shine Invisible Fresh Mist SPF 50+

If you’re sick of your sunscreen balling up into little grey flakes the second you try to blend foundation over it, Donna says you must stop putting SPF face cream underneath your makeup, especially on hot days. Instead use a spray like this one. But this must be caveated by the fact that your makeup base should have SPF in it too. A lot of the TV presenters were using the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream as a base which contains SPF40.

THE FAKE TAN ALTERNATIVE THAT BLURS ‘PASTY LEGS’ AND BLUE VEINS

The Pro Product: Vita Liberata Body Blur

If you hate the patchy, streaky nightmare and awful biscuit-smell of fake tan, try this one - it’s one of Donna’s favourite instant bronzers! It’s great if you want to tan quickly and you can wash it off if you make any mistakes. There’s no smell plus it’s great at concealing any veins or pigmentation patches.

THE BODY GLOW PRODUCT THAT ISN’T STICKY

The Pro Product: REFY Body Glow.

For getting ‘expensive looking’ skin - you know, that glossy sheen that makes your arms, shoulders and collarbones look really glowy - Donna has recently discovered this. She loves it because it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky which so many other similar products do.

THE BRONZING DROPS FOR FIXING PALE, WASHED-OUT SKIN

The Pro Product: Weleda Sunkissed Bronzing Serum Drops

Donna’s easy hack for adding instant warmth to a pale face? Just mix a couple of drops straight into your daily moisturiser or foundation. She also loves (as I do too) the Naked Sundays Cabana Glow SPF50 Drops, especially if you’re looking for extra protection!

THE SLEEP-IN HAIR MASK THAT FIXES COARSE, STRAW-LIKE HAIR

The Pro Product: L’Oreal Elseve Hydra Hyaluronic Mask

We also discussed how I am on the lookout for a hair product to use in-between shampoos to help smooth out dryness and frizz. Donna swears by this mask which she ‘whacks’ onto damp hair after her shampoo and conditioner and then either leaves her hair to air-dry or finishes it off with a blow dry. She says it’s amazing for fixing menopausal straw-like dry hair! I have some on order already…

By the way….there seems to be all different names for it depending on the country it is stocked in. Elvive…Elvital…Elseve…they all look the same so pretty sure they are!

🎧 LISTEN TO THE FULL CHAT BY CLICKING HERE (AND DON’T FORGET TO FOLLOW)

The Beauty Ed®’s Note: Having spent almost three decades struggling to write about fragrance so as not to get caught up in the hard-to-understand pretentious language, THE LAB’s Contributing Editor, captures what KAYALI is about perfectly in this article. The Middle Eastern art of fragrance layering is a trend I am yet to test on myself and I love how the Kattan sisters have shaken up an industry that was so ready to be disrupted!

Inside The Disruptive World of KAYALI Fragrances

Few fragrance brands have managed to balance glamour and relatability quite like KAYALI. Launched in 2018 by sisters Mona Kattan and Huda Kattan, the brand has become one of the most recognisable names in modern fragrance, particularly amongst Gen Z and young millennial beauty audiences.

Earlier last year, the sisters announced a new chapter for the company, with Mona continuing forward as CEO and leading the future vision of the brand independently. For long-time followers of the Kattan sisters, it marked a significant shift, but one that feels deeply aligned with Mona’s identity as the emotional core of KAYALI.

And truthfully, a huge part of my own fascination with the brand began through the series Dubai Bling. (2022)

(Some of the Dubai bling cast including Mona’s husband: Hassan Elamin)

Dubai has always been somewhere deeply familiar to me. My family has travelled there since I was little, so when Dubai Bling first launched, all of us watched it together obsessively. Amidst all the chaos, glamour and inevitable drama, Mona Kattan was like a breath of fresh air.

What intrigued me most were the glimpses inside the her offices and the fragrance world itself. The bottles looked luxurious yet playful; inspired by traditional Middle Eastern perfume artistry, but modernised.

(Mona’s Dubai office)

Why Gen Z Is Obsessed with KAYALI

Unlike traditional fragrance houses that focus on a singular signature scent, Kayali built its identity around layering fragrances together, something heavily rooted in Middle Eastern perfume culture.

Many of the fragrances are rich, warm or fruity-floral, with recognisable notes like oud, vanilla, amber, musk and pistachio appearing throughout collections, but interpreted in a softer, more wearable way for everyday use.

Some of the cult favourites include:

1. KAYALI Vanilla 28

2. KAYALI Yum Pistachio Gelato 33

3. KAYALI Yum Boujee Marshmallow 81

If I had to recommend one fragrance to start with, it would still be Vanilla 28. It is warm without being sickly and rich without becoming overpowering. The blend of brown sugar, vanilla orchid, amber and tonka bean creates something incredibly comforting and expensive-smelling on the skin.

An Honest Review of the New KAYALI Eden Summer Collection

This summer, I tested the new KAYALI Eden Plush Pear 23 and KAYALI Eden Sweet Peach 35 fragrances during my travels through Italy, and both instantly felt perfect for hot weather and long evenings.

They sit under the “Eden” franchise, Kayali’s fruity-floral collection known for playful, juicy scents.

1.Eden Plush Pear🍐 | 23 “The clean girl scent with a fruity twist”

Out of the two, Plush Pear became my favourite almost immediately.

With notes of pear, bergamot, mandarin and gardenia, it smells incredibly fresh without being overly citrusy. The first evening I wore it, I was complimented almost instantly. Even my best friend kept asking what perfume I had on because, in her words, “it just smells clean.”

That is honestly the best way I can describe it.

It has that freshly-washed softness to it, almost like luxury laundry mixed with delicate florals. There is something very effortless about it.

I tested the 10ml miniature version, which has been perfect for travelling. I keep it inside my makeup pouch and reapply throughout the day, especially in the Italian heat where perfume disappears quickly.

The soft coral-pink bottle also unintentionally matched my summer nails, which somehow made me love it even more!

2.Eden Sweet Peach🍑 | 35 “Nostalgia in a bottle”

If Plush Pear feels clean and airy, Sweet Peach is its younger, louder sister.

This one is sweeter, warmer and far more playful. Notes of peach, nectarine blossom and frangipani make it smell almost edible, like a sweet sorbet during the summer.

What surprised me most was how nostalgic it felt…

About a week into testing it, I finally realised what it reminded me of: those iconic early-2000s Victoria’s Secret body mists everyone carried around at school.

The fruity-floral ones every changing room smelt of after PE.

Except this feels like the elevated grown-up version. The same mouth-watering juicy sweetness, but with far better longevity and depth.

It immediately reminded me of the old Pure Seduction era, that hyper-feminine fruity scent profile Gen Z is suddenly rediscovering again through the return of Y2K beauty!

Is KAYALI Perfume Worth The Price?

The miniatures begin at £28, whilst the larger bottles range upwards of £80-£110 depending on size.

Personally, I think the travel sizes are the smartest entry point into the brand, particularly because Kayali fragrances are designed for layering and switching depending on mood.

The KAYALI Eden Obsessions Miniature Set is probably the best option for anyone undecided, especially for summer travel.

And truthfully, that is where Kayali succeeds most: the fragrances feel emotional.

Some perfumes simply smell nice, whereas others become attached to memories, seasons, holidays and versions of yourself. These very much fall into the latter category.

You know the feeling: you’re standing in the shower, rinsing out your conditioner, and you lean back slightly so those annoying loose hairs don’t stick down your back or legs. You then vigorously rub your fingers together to clump together the wet wad of hair you’ve accumulated so that it doesn’t clog up your drain. And then as you flush said wad down the loo, you’re trying to reassure yourself that you’re not going bald!

Ah, yes, welcome to another midlife reality check! One that feels extra familiar to me. In fact, it’s so familar that when you google my name, the phrase ‘hair loss’ immediately follows thanks to how much I’ve written about it for publications like The Daily Mail and HELLO!.

The Hormonal Reality of Hair Loss in Midlife Women

If you’re a midlife woman, please understand that hormones and hair loss go hand in hand. You only have to read the forums on Reddit to know that. One woman shared: “I drop my hair on the ground in one big pile. I then try to hurry my shower, but I’m just presented with another few clumps while I put my leave-in spray in.” Another wrote: “Cleaning a mouse-sized clump of my own hair out of the drain every single morning is a physical countdown of my confidence disappearing down the pipes.”

My Personal Experience: Realising My Hair Loss Was Hormonal

When my hair started showing the classic signs of perimenopausal thinning and breakage - the timing felt like a cruel joke. It was during Covid; my dad was on life support (he thankfully and miraculously pulled through!); my husband was nursing his terminally ill uncle in America while I was back in the UK; I was home-schooling my kids and trying to hold down a job. To say it was a stressful is an understatement.

So I initially dismissed my hair thinning and breakage as stress. I was so concerned that my scalp was balding that I thought it might be alopecia, which my mum suffers from. But then when Covid passed, and my dad got much better, and the kids returned to school, and my husband returned to the UK and work started improving…my hair just continued to get worse. I could see my scalp more and more and the ends would constantly break. So if it wasn’t stress, what was it? It took writing a few articles about perimenopause and hormones for me to put two and two together…

Testing Red Light Therapy: My Honest CurrentBody LED Hair Regrowth Helmet Review

As an award-winning Beauty Editor, I have spent decades testing hundreds of hair products, trying to cut through all the brand marketing fluff so I can give you my honest thoughts about them. Do they work? Are they worth the money? And since my hair loss experience began, I have been road testing all the latest products, gadgets and gimmicks: scalp serums, tonics, supplements, masks - you name it, I’ve most likely tried it.

And while there are a handful of products that really do work (I’ll save those for another feature), when I was sent the CurrentBody Red Light Helmet to test, I was reluctant to believe that it would be one of them.

Even though I knew the helmet was FDA approved and the claims behind the technology were backed by data and science, I was sceptical that this would really work. Why? Strangely, the price point was to blame. Expensive at-home gadgets that promise miraculous-sounding results are rarely worth their money. You’re often better off going to a clinic for a more personalised treatment.

But as a journalist who values science over TikTok trends, I committed to a trial. And now that I’m three months into the process, I want to give you an update as to what has actually happened to my hair and what the experts think about the science behind the helmet too…

My 3-Month Verdict CurrentBody LED Helmet Verdict

Let’s start with one honest observation: three months in - I can’t actually tell if it has made any real difference. However, this must be caveated by the fact that I haven’t exactly been using it properly. The experts at CurrentBody claim that you should see a 123% increase in hair growth after 3 months, BUT in order for this to happen, you must be using the device once daily for at least 10 minutes. This is the part that I have not been doing…

Which leads to my second honest observation: 3 months has given me enough time to realise that while the helmet is lightweight and pretty comfortable considering how cumbersome it is, it doesn’t really fit into my routine that well. Which makes consistency - ie. the entire key to its success - feel like a chore and hard to keep up with in my routine.

Unlike LED face masks, which I find relaxing and soothing to wear while watching TV or reading in bed, I don’t really look forward to wearing the helmet. The kids think I look like an absolute lunatic walking around the house in what they now call - The Tron Helmet. The best option for me is wearing it while I’m working at my laptop. I just have to get used to the passing p*ss take comments if my husband or sons are at home at the same time.

I’ve tried wearing the helmet and my LED mask at the same time too - but that’s uncomfortable and an unrealistic habit that I would never stick to.

There’s also the issue of storing it. It’s big! It comes with a stand, which looks smart, but unless you’ve got a huge f*ck off bathroom or walk-in wardrobe like Kim K, it will probably just end up gathering dust on top of an erm, a trunk like mine or underneath your bed.

Why Holistic Health & Upgraded Haircare Matter Most

The irony is though, that actually, my hair is currently in the best health of its life. Well, its midlife. It’s shiny, it’s strong, and I’ve even managed to grow it past my bra strap - something I haven’t managed to do since I was in my twenties.

But this hasn’t been a quick fix. And you must remember that we can’t expect a $859.99 helmet to undo all of the complex hormonal shifts that we experience in midlife while we keep doing everything else the same.

While testing the helmet (probably around three times a week), I’ve been consistently taking care of myself too. I have daily stress, yes, don’t we all? But I haven’t drank alcohol for two years. I go to the gym most days, and I am using some really amazing hair products (K18 Hair Mask - I am looking at you as per). Oh and I take HRT. So let’s say, the helmet is likely the extra 5%-10% on top. The icing on the perimenopausal hair loss cake if you like…

What the Experts Say: Dermatologist Dr. Nicole Chiang Gives Her Verdict

I recently spoke to consultant dermatologist Dr. Nicole Chiang on my podcast, Smiling Gives You Wrinkles®, who confirmed that while there is “no harm” in trying red light therapy for perimenopausal hair loss, and that there is “great science” behind it, the effects for using an at-home device is nuanced and “quite small.”

“As a main treatment, I don’t tend to see significant improvement in the hair density even after six months down the line. There’s some evidence [it works], and if somebody has significant thinning, I would use it as an adjunct rather than the main treatment.” explains Dr. Nicole Chiang.

Dr. Nicole also notes that if you have thick hair, a bulky helmet like the one from CurrentBody can block the light from reaching the scalp, which may make it less effective and the results inconsistent. So she suggests trying a red light therapy comb - like this one from Hairmax - that parts the hair so the red light accurately and more precisely reaches the scalp skin and so may be more effective.

PROS & CONS OF RED LIGHT THERAPY FOR HAIR: A DERMATOLOGIST’S OPINION

🎬 WATCH THIS CLIP FROM SMILING GIVES YOU WRINKLES®

My Personal Experience: The Fixes That Actually Work

If you find yourself staring at all the hair in your shower plug after every shampoo and feel overwhelmed, I know it’s hard, but please try not to worry! Instead, look at your everyday habits. Think about your diet - are you eating enough protein? Are you keeping hydrated? Are you really stressed? How is your sleep? These lifestyle factors play a huge role in the health of your hair. And please review the products that you are using. Avoid any that contain drying silicones and sulphates. These can strip the hair and scalp of moisture making it more prone to dryness and breakage. Also try not to shampoo everyday - that can really dry out your scalp too!

And if you have the money, and the patience to try out a new long-term routine, there is no harm in trying a red light therapy hair device like the CurrentBody one. I also like the look of the Hairmax comb and the LED caps like this one from Beauty Pie which is currently on sale in the UK for £332. I just think they would be easier to store and pop on while you’re making a cup of tea or answering emails…

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