Recent Skincare Holy Grail Items

As you know if you’ve been keeping up with this blog, my perioral dermatitis flare came back a couple of months ago. You can read about that here. Ever since then, I have been focused on finding non-irritating products that will help soothe my skin + repair my skin barrier, and NOT irritate my dermatitis further.

My skin has been really happy lately, and I’m so happy to report that! I have been keeping my skincare routine extremely simple and wanted to share products I’ve been loving.

As someone who’s had her fair share of struggles with perioral dermatitis, finding the right skincare products has been a journey. I have posted about how I love the products from Osmia Organics (and still do!) ~ I only wash with the black clay facial soap and use the Purely calm toner, but I specifically needed products that would help with hydration and barrier repair. I’ve had varying luck with the face cream and rose oil from Osmia…plus these products are extremely expensive to keep up with. Perioral dermatitis essentially causes very uncomfortable redness and itching around the mouth and nose…so it is really important to find products that are not harsh and don’t have a ton of ingredients. In general, perioral dermatitis likes simple and minimal.

That’s why I’ve fallen in love with these three standout skincare products recently: Bioessence’s Squalane Oil, Rhode’s Peptide Glazing Fluid, and Naked Chemist’s H20 Shots. They’re simple, hydrating, and—most importantly—don’t aggravate my sensitive skin. Please note, I am not sponsored. This is my genuine opinion, as always!

Let me tell you why these gems have become staples in my skincare routine.


Bioessence’s Squalane Oil: Lightweight Hydration at Its Best

Squalane oil has been a game-changer for me, and Bioessence’s version is the best I have found. The only ingredient in the product is 100 percent Squalane oil and that is what you want to look for. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for sealing in moisture. I am a fan of jojoba and rosehip oil as well, but I have been finding Squalane is my new love. I find it even more lightweight than those 2 oils, and I love how it instantly hydrates and supports the skin microbiome.

The product is also incredibly versatile. Here is how I use it:

  • Hydration Boost: I use a few drops at night after my toner.
  • Layer-Friendly: It layers really nicely under makeup/other product and gives you that healthy, rested glow.
  • Gentle on Sensitive Skin: It doesn’t irritate my perioral dermatitis, so I can use it for gua sha, body moisturizer, and even around my hairline.

Squalane mimics the natural oils our skin produces, so thats why it feels so incredibly soothing. If you are a sensitive girly and haven’t yet found Squalane oil~ give it a shot and you won’t regret it.


Rhode Peptide Glazing Fluid: That “Glazed” Glow

If you’ve been anywhere near skincare TikTok, or just online in general, you’ve likely heard of Hailey Bieber’s brand Rhode. I was always incredibly skeptical of this brand…I’m honestly skeptical about celebrity skincare in general, if I’m being honest. Because celebrities are already rich, famous, beautiful etc, it makes you wonder if this product is just another cash grab and if there is actual substance behind it, and also if its truly what the celebrity used to achieve the effortless glow. I can confirm that the Rhode Peptize Glazing Fluid is a beautiful product and actually has merit behind it.

This lightweight gel-serum hybrid is packed with peptides that help to repair and strengthen the skin barrier. For someone with compromised skin due to perioral dermatitis, this product is a lifesaver. Here’s why:

  • Deep Hydration: It’s incredibly hydrating without feeling heavy, which is a must for my skin.
  • Instant Glow: After applying, my skin has this dewy, “just-had-a-facial” look that I adore.
  • Calm and Soothe: It doesn’t contain any irritating fragrances or harsh ingredients.

I use this as my daytime hydrator, and it keeps my skin looking radiant all day. I’ll typically apply some in the morning after waking up and spritizing with some Avene Spa Water, I’ll use it under makeup, and also if I workout, sweat, tone my skin after, I’ll apply this product to boost hydration after cleansing my face.


Naked Chemist H20 Shots: Literally A Quenching Drink for the Skin

I am so thrilled I found this product. I was doing research into products that do not irritate sensitive skin, and this product came up. It’s a water-based serum packed with hyaluronic acid and other moisture-locking ingredients that penetrate deeply. This product literally feels like giving your skin a tall glass of water and after you use it, the skin is immediately hydrated. It is great for layering, long-lasting moisture and is also skin-barrier friendly. It is gentle and irritation free. I find that this product pairs really beautifully with the Bioessence’s Squalane Oil. I typically apply a toner (Osmia Purely Calm has been my love for a while…the owner struggles with PD and so the majority of her products are PD safe), let that sit for 30-60 seconds, then I apply a few drops of the H20 shot. After that penetrates, I finish off with the Squalane oil and my skin is perfectly hydrated and glowy.


Why I Love These Products

The common thread among these skincare heroes is their simplicity and focus on hydration. With perioral dermatitis, less is truly more, and these products deliver everything my skin needs without overcomplicating my routine.

Benefits of My Routine:

  • Hydration Without Irritation: Each product deeply hydrates without triggering a flare-up.
  • Minimalist-Friendly: Three products, endless benefits—what’s not to love?
  • Healthy, Radiant Skin: My skin looks and feels its best, even on makeup-free days.

If you’ve been searching for hydrating, gentle products that won’t upset sensitive or compromised skin, I can’t recommend these enough. They’ve made a world of difference for me, and I hope they can do the same for you.


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One response to “Recent Skincare Holy Grail Items”

  1. A Dude Abikes Avatar

    You have a lot of good, useful, or interesting things to say. I’ve stepped way back from reading blogs to work on writing first a memoir now a novella. But I wish more people read both our blogs. Using social media to promote them I guess is a choice I’ve not made. Wonder as a younger person if you’ve thought of that. Keep writing. Maybe you could self publish a book of collected blogs. Or not. Take it easy.

Let me know what you think!

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