Hot Girl Summer is fast approaching, and the products I found myself reaching for the most are all focused on performance. I want to look and feel my best, STAT. The outside world is waiting. 

1. Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream

I’ve wanted to sell this line at IRC for years, and this month, it finally happened. I tried both of Bader’s iconic creams when they first launched, but I never fully committed to using them consistently-- I was an idiot. There is a lot of hype around Augustinus Bader, and I can confidently say that it is entirely well-deserved. After a month of consistent use, I’ve seen visible changes. My skin’s texture is smoother, my skin tone is more even, and I don’t feel remotely dry. 

If you are overwhelmed by the number of multi-purpose miracle creams we sell, I get it. I created a Google Doc to help you decide which one is right for you. They’re all fantastic. But if you’ve been on the fence about investing in Bader because you weren’t sure if it would live up to the hype, take this endorsement as a sign that you should. 

2. Macrene Actives High-Performance Face Cleanser

This month, one of my projects was to categorize our skincare by popular ingredients so that customers can shop our website more easily. This task took years off my life, but it served as a reminder of how many amazing, efficacious ingredients are in each product we sell.

Macrene Actives is no exception. It’s no secret that their hero product, High-Performance Face Cream, contains over fifty active ingredients, but the cleanser isn’t far behind. This luxurious, lightly foaming cleanser is filled with skin-nourishing ingredients that effortlessly remove makeup and dirt without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It also contains niacinamide and peppermint to help minimize acne bacteria. 

This product is so much more than just a fancy face cleanser-- it’s a highly active first step in your skincare routine that can make seriously positive changes to your skin.

3. Mara Beauty Sea Vitamin C Serum

I love vitamin C products, but serums that contain L-Ascorbic Acid can be too irritating to my sensitive skin. This squalene-based vitamin C uses THD-Ascorbate, an oil-soluble alternative that is great for sensitive skin. This serum is juicy and creates an instant, brilliant glow. I couldn’t love it more. Because it is technically an oil, I apply a few drops on top of my Augustinus Bader Rich Cream every morning. You can use it as a regular serum, but Bader’s philosophy prefers that you apply their products before others, so this combination works quite well for me.

I want everyone to have a great vitamin C serum in their routines, and Mara’s is a serious contender for my all-time favourite. 

4. Unsun Mineral Tinted SPF 30 

There are a million reasons to be obsessed with Unsun’s innovative tinted sunscreen. The ingredients are high quality, it leaves zero white cast, and it layers wonderfully under makeup. For me, it’s all about the glow-- this sunscreen is basically a good skin day in a tube. Pair it with a little bit of concealer and a light dusting of translucent powder if you’re on the oily side, and you’ve got an effortless no-makeup makeup look. 

5. Dally Goods Small Batch Botanical Hand Wash

We just launched these cute little hand wash bottles this week, and I can’t get over how good they smell. They’re fresh and fun, and they don’t contain any irritating synthetic fragrance-- perfect for frequent hand washing. The bottles are a cheery alternative to the big black Aesop pumps that everyone typically reaches for. These make me smile, and I think they will do the same for you.