Morgan's Skin Journal
the fourth journal
Hello, hi there and a very warm welcome to the fourth edition of the journal! Thank you for coming back to my little corner of the internet, where I can let my thoughts on beauty run wild.
Today we have a quick look at some of the chaos going on in Australian BeautyTok, a reformulated cult classic and stacks of my best recommendations! Plus one of the best lineups yet for our Big Three section.
Enough chit chat; let’s talk beauty.
Beauty Video of the Week
In case you missed it, a little leak happened in the Australian beauty space this week when big time content creator Indy Clinton accidentally shared a video using the as-yet unrevealed new tbh skincare product.
Whilst the brand has been teasing a new product and the exciting jelly texture, they hadn’t yet announced what it was. Oops! However, tbh responded in the best way possible by bringing forward the launch and answering all the very important questions about their brand new Jelly Cleanser. The texture looks incredible and to be honest, I truly can’t wait to try it. Here’s a little look at the video that started it all.
Tiktok failed to load.Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browser
And if it looks just too yummy to pass on, you can check it out here.
Lip oils are here to stay
If there’s one lip formula that’s dominated recent releases, it’s the lip oil. The glossy lip look is going nowhere and formulas that give that effect whilst also hydrating the lips are in high demand. Many new formulas are being released in the format, but brands have been making glossy lip formulas for years and there’s so many good ones, new or old!
Here are some of my (and the internet’s) top picks to get the glossy, glazed, shiny lip look:
Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil - this formula only launched very recently but has made an absolute splash, with many already calling it their favourite lip oil. It’s unsurprising really, since we know that Summer Fridays can make an excellent lip product (I’m looking at you Lip Butter Balm). It features a vegan oil complex, collagen and vitamin E, so it’s definitely delivering on hydration. Currently available in 4 shades, my top pick is Blush Dreams.
Ilia Balmy Gloss Tinted Lip Oil - in my opinion this offering from Ilia is sorely underrated. Ingredients include hyaluronic acid and seed oils, leaving the lips feeling cushiony and soft. I really enjoy the variety of shades it’s available in, including some more vibrant colours like Saint, a stunning rustic orange.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil - these had a real moment when they were release, but I feel like they’ve fallen off the radar a bit and for no good reason. Kosas did not miss when they put this formula together; it features hyaluronic acid and peptides (yes peptides, before everyone else jumped on that bandwagon). The coloured shades are quite opaque, delivering on juicy pigment and perfect for your next lip combo. I love Dip for an everyday ‘my lips but better’ moment, or Jaws for a true, vinyl finish statement.
Saie Glossybounce Lip Oil - high-shine and super hydrating, the Glossybounce formula is all you need in a lip oil. I’ve been seeing people compare it to the SF dream lip oil, but it’s amazing in it’s own right. It’s a cushy feel without being too heavy and the colour line up is fun and light. It leans more on the sheer side and features both oils and classic hydrators like hyaluronic acid. The colour Play is my fave so far, a pop of shiny pink!
hello lip swatches! do you see that gloss?
Cult Status: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 5% + B5
Some products have so many fans and good reviews that they become elevated to cult status - but are they actually worthy of the title?
Today is an iconic serum that recently underwent a reformulation to improve the texture as well as boost the ingredients list. The Hyaluronic Acid 5% + B% serum has been in The Ordinary lineup since the beginning and is a well-loved hydrating formula. I actually bought a bottle of this to try as soon as it launched in Australia and is one I’ve enjoyed and gone back to and time again.
The new formula is even better and does everything you want it to. It’s got a super lightweight texture that dries down a little tacky, but not sticky and plays well with others. Between the B5 and the ceramides it’s definitely got your skin barrier supported, plus the 5 types of hyaluronic acid certainly help.
So, is it worth? Absolutely it is! It has a stacked formula that delivers on what it says it will do and truly, isn’t that all we want from our skincare? The price point also makes it very appealing. You can shop it here.
Angry Skin? There’s a mask for that
Dealing with irritated, angry or inflamed skin is not fun. Whether it’s from breakouts, a reaction or you just have sensitive skin like me, a mask can do wonders to provide relief. Here are a few of my faves to help calm your skin:
La Roche Posay Cicaplast B5 Sheet Mask - ok but this is the ultimate soothing treatment. Gentle enough that you can even use it on post-procedure skin, it’s a cloth mask that’s absolutely drenched in serum to hydrate and calm the skin. I love it straight out of the fridge to help cool down angry flare ups.
Go To Skincare The Repair Shop - I’ve been through 3, nearly 4 tubes of this because it’s just such a yummy formula. It has a rich, buttery texture and is packed with skin loving ingredients. I reach for this one when my skin just needs a big comforting hug.
Vela Days Cica-Gen B5 Treatment Mask - a deeply restorative mask that features a lineup of collagen, Centella Asiatica and niacinamide. The mask contains so much serum for angry skin to drink up. Another one that’s extra comforting after being in the fridge.
Aceology Rose Petal Mask - a gel formula featuring 78% Rosewater, which sinks straight into the skin to help soothe reactive skin. Super hydrating and packed with antioxidants to help strengthen the skin barrier.
What’s Up Wednesday…on a Friday
If you’ve never seen one of my What’s Up Wednesday videos, they’re a regular occurrence on my page and provides a space for sharing beauty knowledge, answering FAQs, ingredient explainers or even myth busting. This week we explored an ingredient that’s starting to make some noise, even if it’s normally a background player.
What is ectoin?
Ectoin is not a new skincare ingredient, but it’s also not one that’s really been in the spotlight much. It’s an amino acid derivative and has some really interesting properties that make it useful in skincare. You may have also heard it referred to as an osmolyte or extremolyte, which mostly just refers to how it behaves and how resilient it is as a molecule.
What can it do?
Some people are dubbing it ‘the new niacinamide’ because it’s also such an all-rounder and well tolerated by all skin types. The main drawcard? It’s ability to balance water levels in the skin. It is an incredible hydrator that also helps to stop moisture loss from occurring. Whilst hydration can start sounding like a boring property, a properly supported moisture barrier functions well and helps reduce the chance of irritation occurring.
Research has also started to show that it has antioxidant style properties, helping protect from environmental stressors like pollution and UVA rays (please note, it does not take the place of sunscreen). Whilst more studies are needed, it’s certainly promising and makes it even more appealing.
Where can I find it?
So, it’s not really your headline ingredient yet - more of a supporting act that you’ll find a little further down the ingredient list. The new fresh beauty Lotus Youth Preserve Resurfacing Dream Serum includes ectoin and Biossance have a Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue cream (it’s not available in Aus yet, but fingers crossed).
TL;DR? Watch the reel instead:
The Big Three
SUN: Molten Store Magique Cologne
You might know Molten Store for their incredible sustainable jewellery offering (I already have another few pieces of theirs on my wishlist) but they recently sent me their signature cologne fragrance and I am utterly enchanted by it. They describe it as if ‘sunshine had a scent’ and it’s not wrong.
It’s a warm vanilla with wild orchid and in my opinion, a little bit of magic. A true mood boosting scent that lasts well throughout the day, and I love spritzing it in my hair so it wafts around my head.
Shop it here.
MOON: Current Body LED Mask
One of my absolute favourite parts of my evening skincare routine is using my LED mask. I accidentally fell off using it for a few weeks and I swear I noticed an instant difference. I’m back into it now and it’s one of the best habits I have. This one in particular is a flexible shape that fits my face and makes it comfortable to wear - I really enjoy just spacing out and relaxing for the 10 minute cycle.
It uses wavelengths that have been clinically proven to stimulate cells and get results, as well as a patented technology for how the LED is distributed (we love a science-backed product!). The most common results include improving fine lines, balancing skin tone and texture as well as brightening the skin. Whilst it doesn’t explicitly promise it, I find an improvement in my skin barrier strength and how resilient it feels, which is amazing for someone with skin as sensitive as mine.
Shop it here - you can also use the code MORGAN for a little savings.
RISING: Mecca Cosmetica Replenishing Niacinamide Serum
I adore niacinamide in my skincare and this serum is such a great way to include it in my routine. It can provide such a wide range of benefits - supporting the skin barrier, helping to boost collagen production, decongesting, improving the appearance of tone and texture. Combined with squalene and sodium hyaluronate in this formula, you have a well-rounded, hydrating and smoothing effect.
In terms of texture, it is a slightly thicker serum but absorbs well into the skin and plays well with others. Niacinamide is an ingredient that has a lot of research behind it and this one is a great way to introduce it into your routine.
Shop it here.
And with that, we’ve reached the end of the fourth edition of Morgan’s Skin Journal! If you’ve made it this far, I hope it means you’ve enjoyed it and would consider sharing with a friend who might like it. There’s so much beauty goodness to come in 2024 and I hope you join me for it.
I’ll play myself out with my song of the week and see you all for the next journal 🩵
Love, Morgan