not a professional. just crazy.

The Five Things I’m Buying During Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale

Photo: Vendors

Though Dermstore is a very easy-to-use website (it has this handy filtration system that lets you input your specific skin type and concerns), it can also be a very overwhelming website. In total, there are about 459 brands sold on Dermstore, many of which are some of my all-time favorites, like Skinceuticals and Dr. Dennis Gross. It’s an embarrassment of riches — if you know where to look.

I stress that because things are about to become particularly overwhelming on the beauty site. Starting today through August 25, participating brands are up to 25% off. Since I consider it my duty to make sure you, my readers, only buy the very best things when you shop for your skin care, hair care, and beauty products, I hunted through the giant, rather daunting list of brands that’ll be on sale, and put together a carefully curated list of products worth ordering during this precious weeklong window. A note: To get any the discounts, you must enter the code CELEBRATE at check-out.

When my skin is feeling pimply and clogged, I like to use a clay-based mask anywhere I’m oily (for me, that’s along my jaw and T-zone) and, simultaneously, a more hydrating mask on my cheeks and forehead (where my skin is drier and more sensitive). This mask from Astara seems like the perfect thing for the former. It has tea tree for battling inflammation and bentonite clay for drawing out impurities, plus aloe vera and vitamin E for soothing and healing the skin. I’ve had my eye on it for a long time, and decided I absolutely needed it when Liv Tyler revealed that it was her favorite mask in a Vogue Beauty YouTube video.

As you guys know, I’m a huge fan of Cosrx’s AHA Whitehead Power Liquid. But I’ve been really wanting to try their BHA alternative, and this Dermstore sale seems the perfect time to finally take the plunge. Let me briefly explain the difference between the two. AHAs (like lactic or glycolic acids) exfoliate the skin’s surface, which means they’re great for dry or sun-damaged skin. BHAs (salicylic acids) have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which penetrate deep down to combat breakouts, enlarged pores, or blackheads, before they pop up and ruin my day. I keep breaking out in the same spot along the side of my face, and I have a gut feeling that using this exfoliant every other day as a part of my evening routine is going to kick those recurring zits to the curb. I can’t wait to try it out!

I’ve heard incredible things about this hair mask from Briogeo — Jen Atkin adores it, and so do a few of my most trusted beauty-obsessed pals. The product has argan, avocado, and sweet almond oils to deeply nourish your dry or damaged hair, keratin for boosting shine, and biotin for strengthening. It’s also sulfate-, silicon-, and paraben-free!

Shayna Gold, a makeup artist and total beauty nut, has been telling me I need to try Ilike products for a while now. She explained that all of their products are made with handpicked herbs, fruits, and vegetables, all of which are, interestingly, sourced from Hungary. This cleansing milk, according to her, makes your skin feel bouncy and plump — it’s rich in fatty acids and essential oils, so it moisturizes without stripping or drying. As you guys know, my skin strips easily, so testing new cleansers can be a bit scary — but I trust Shayna with my life (aka my skin), so I’m definitely going to order it to see if I like it as much as or better than my Kitao cleanser.

I’ve been dying to purchase this for months, and am absolutely thrilled that it’s finally on sale. This perfect little palette contains two of RMS’s lovely, creamy lip2cheek blushes. One is Beloved, the shade Hailey Bieber wore in her perfect Pop Mag shoot, and the other is Demure, a beautiful light pink. It also comes with their super cult favorite Luminizing highlighter (adored by everyone from Megan Markle to Lily Aldridge), a creamy, easy-to-blend bronzer, and a clear, vanilla-flavored lip balm to ensure your whole look is dewy and nourished. This is the kind of thing that would really open up some real estate in my makeup bag when I’m going out of town!

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Five Things I’m Buying During Dermstore’s Anniversary Sale