Chemist Confessions Skincare Review

Anyone who is interested in skincare knows that a huge part of it is chemistry: knowing what formulations work best for your skin and with each other. Chemist Confessions is an Asian-American and woman-owned and founded company that makes breaking down the science of skincare easy and accessible!

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Chemist Confessions was founded by Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu, two friends who met while they were working as skincare formulation chemists for an international beauty conglomerate. After leaving their corporate roles, they created the skincare science blog, Chemist Confessions, where they posted their chemist perspectives about the beauty industry.

They have since expanded the blog to a brand of skincare solutions, with the mission to empower consumers with approachable science education by making skin science fun and approachable to all, and providing user-friendly skincare solutions to help everyone with their daily routines.

Chemist Confessions uses the most effective and safe ingredients in fine-tuned, optimized percentages to create meaningful formulas. They have products that are appropriate for all skin types and needs.

I tried the Aquafix Hydrating Water Gel and Gold Standard Exfoliation Treatment. Pictured above is the Gold Standard treatment, which is the most potent chemical exfoliator in the Chemist Confessions line. It is made with 30 percent glycolic acid and five percent tranexamic acid and sloughs off dead skin for a smoother, brighter complexion.

Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and tranexamic acid in skincare can be used to brighten and reduce hyperpigmentation. Both are strong ingredients, especially at a 30 percent formulation for the AHA, so this product is for people who have already worked AHAs/BHAs into their routines. I prefer chemical exfoliation (it's so much more effective than physical), and I use this gel twice a week on my T-zone, where my skin is the oiliest. I haven't had any negative effects after to weeks of use.

The Aquafix Hydrating Water Gel has madecassoside and panthenol for soothing stressed skin. Madecassoside is derviced from centella asiatica/cica, which many will likely recognize, as it's become a popular skincare ingredient as of late. It's wonderful for soothing redness and sensitive skin but is also great for all skin types. The Aquafix Hydrating Water Gel contains .5 percent madecassoside and two percent panthenol. Panthenol is a moisturizer and also works to soothe irritated skin.

The gel, as the name suggests, is a 100 percent oil-free water gel moisturizer. I love these types of moisturizers, especially during the hot, humid summer months. I expected the formula to feel light and airy, and although it was very soothing, it did feel a bit heavier on my skin than I expected. It wasn't so heavy that I would discontinue use, though.

The packaging is so cute! This little design was inside the top of the Aquafix Hydrating Water Gel box.

Here's a listing of the active ingredients in the Aquafix Hydrating Water Gel. It's also Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and essential oil-free.

• Visit Chemist Confessions to browse their full line and purchase

Bottom Line: Both of the products I tried from Chemist Confessions worked great for my oily skin. I appreciate that their formulas contain effective ingredients in optimized percentages from actual chemists. I'm eager to try more from their skincare line!

Cani-Wellness Cani-Fresh Stress Relief Supplement Review

If you're looking for a way to help combat daily stressors, the Cani-Wellness brand might be a perfect fit. Their Cani-Fresh Stress Relief oral spray is great for combating daily stressors.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

The Cani-Fresh Stress Relief Supplement is great for people who are not sure about CBD, since this contains no CBD but still provides great stress relief benefits. It has Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, and B12 and L-Theanine, folic acid, thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid, lavender flower, lemon balm leaf, passion flower herb, and magnolia bark. It has a strawberry/vanilla flavor that I think tastes like Fruit Loops!

The Cani-Fresh spray is in an easy-to-use spray bottle that can be taken anywhere. You can use it any time you need a bit of calm, and the 11 natural, vegan ingredients help do that without any drowsiness. There are 30 services in each bottle (240 sprays). The scientifically-formulated spray technology offers five times the nutrient absorption of pills or capsules, too!

I like this spray for its calming qualities. This formula is specifically made for relaxation and to help against everyday stressors. It also helps me when I have headaches, which I get often. I actually had a pretty bad headache earlier today and took one dose and it helped clear up the tension.

• Visit Cani-Wellness to browse their full line and purchase

Bottom Line: The Cani-Fresh Stress Relief spray is perfect for any time you need help with de-stressing and/or focus. I like using it to help combat stress. Cani-Fresh's products are high quality, and the sprays are especially convenient.

Petsmile Pet Oral Care Review

I have a cat named Tully and I want to provide her the best healthcare, and keeping her teeth and gums healthy is an important part of that. Petsmile makes it easy to provide professional-level care for your pets!

*These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

Petsmile is a professional-grade oral care company for pets. They are the only Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) accepted toothpaste for plaque inhibition. Plaque buildup on your pet's teeth can cause cavities, tartar buildup, bleeding gums and oral disease. 

The Petsmile toothpaste is made with Calprox, an encapsulated form of calcium peroxide and minerals that gently dissolves the biofilm that can build up on your pet's teeth. It also re-mineralizes enamel for stronger teeth. The toothpaste is clinically shown to provide 62 percent greater reduction in plaque and 28 percent greater reduction in gingivitis in a third-party clinical study.

The Petsmile toothbrush has two heads and a patented 45 degree brush head with five tufted rows of Dupont soft nylon bristles to remove debris and bacteria from teeth and gums. The center bristles clean below the gum line where plaque and bacteria accumulate, and the angled side bristles polish and clean enamel.

I wasn't sure how well this would go over with Tully because she generally has not enjoyed getting her teeth brushed in the past. I usually use gauze and rub it against her teeth, which was recommended by my vet. 

The toothpaste comes in three flavors: London Broil, Rotisserie Chicken, and Savory Duck. We tried the London Broil. As you can see from the photo below, Tully was definitely interested in the toothpaste. I figured she would be, since it's pretty much the same consistency as Churu treats.

Overall, she didn't enjoy getting her teeth brushed, but that's not a reflection of the product. Getting cats used to it takes time and training, and I like that the brush has two sized ends and can be easily gripped and maneuvered. One tube of toothpaste is enough to last for an entire year, so I'll continue to work with Tully on getting used to tooth brushing.

Petsmile is appropriate for cats and dogs and is made in the U.S.A. The products are also, of course, cruelty-free and free from known allergens, parabens, silica and sorbitol, and sulfates. 

• Visit Petsmile to purchase

Bottom Line: I'm impressed by the benefits that Petsmile's products provide. They make high quality toothpaste and brushes for pets that are easy to use and affordable!

June 2022 Bomibox Review - "Summer Kiss"

I am a huge skincare addict and my favorite products are Korean skincare, mostly because I'm Korean, but also because they work the best for my skin. Bomibox is the perfect subscription for K-beauty lovers like me!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.

Bomibox sends full- and deluxe-sized Korean beauty and skincare valued at $80+. Bom (봄) in Korean means "spring," and "Bom-mi" translates to Spring Beauty, I believe (you can see the Hangul [Korean alphabet] in the pink circle on the label in the photo above).

Each box is filled with curated skincare and beauty imported straight from Korea. The products are 100 percent authentic and are not tested on animals.

Bomibox costs $44.99 per month with free U.S. shipping. They also ship worldwide from $12 to $25, depending on where you live.

Bomibox also has a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee -- if you don't like your box, you can return it for a full refund (you must email them and this is only available if all of the products are unopened). You can also skip a month or cancel easily from your account page on their website.

The June Bomibox contained seven full-sized products and one deluxe sample. I've noticed that this is a skincare-heavy box, but they did include a few cosmetics products. I prefer receiving skincare so this box is perfect for me, but may not be for everyone based on that.

• Syn-Ake Anti Wrinkle and Whitening Emulsion: An emulsion is basically a serum/essence, as all three names are often used interchangeably with Korean products. It's an extra boost to your skincare routine, and this one contains the brand's SYN-AKE compound that works to tighten skin. It also has "whitening" in the name, so it will target hyperpigmentation on skin.

• TIA'M Vita B3 Source Niacinamide Serum: I'm glad I can read Hangul because I absolutely could not figure out the name of this brand based on their logo 😆. This is made with 10 percent niacinamide and two percent arbutin to lighten dark spots and even out skin tone. Niacinamide is one of my favorite ingredients, because it's also great for balancing sebum production on oily skin.
• ISNTREE Aloe Soothing Emulsion: ISNTREE is a great brand and one of my favorites. This serum/emulsion has aloe vera leaf extract from Jeju Island for instant soothing and cooling effects. It also has centenella asiatica extract and chamomile extract, which are also great ingredients for soothing skin.

• Jumiso Super Soothing Cica and Aloe Sunscreen SPF 50+: This is a gentle mineral sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. It's also reef-safe with no oxybenzone or octinoxate.
• Etude Dear Darling Water Gel Tint in Watermelon Red: Gel tints are huge in Korean beauty, as they give a sheer tint with just enough color. This one melts nicely into lips to provide hydration.
• TONYMOLY Mini Peach Lip Balm: TONYMOLY is always a favorite. This balm smells like sweet peach and is made with shea butter for moisture and has SPF 15 sun protection. I'm a little confused by the inclusion of witch hazel, which usually dries out skin, but the Bomibox description states it prevents water evaporation.

• Farm Stay Charcoal and Collagen Sheet Masks: I love sheet masks and I use one (almost) every night. My skin has drastically improved since I switched to using sheet masks over western-style drying masks (clay, etc). The Korean approach to skincare is all about moisturizing and protecting the skin barrier and this has cleared up my adult acne and oily skin better than any other approach has. That being said, sheet masks can still have things like charcoal to fight excess oil and acne. The collagen mask is great for anti-aging and hydration.

Bottom Line: I'm obsessed with Bomibox! I love Korean skincare and finding new products, so this box is perfect for me. I think it's a great deal, considering you get a majority of full-sized products that ship directly from Korea. If I was to purchase these here in the states through K-beauty sites based in Korea, it would be much more expensive due to shipping.

• Visit Bomibox to subscribe

Tiege Hanley Body Lotion Review and 30% off Coupon

It's easy to get great skin results with Tiege Hanley products. They make affordable skincare designed for men but perfect for everyone.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.

All of Tiege Hanley's products are cruelty-free, fragrance-free, chemist-formulated, and made in the USA. Their goal is to create high quality skincare systems to maximize results and eliminate guesswork for all skin types.

Their Body Lotion can be used any time your skin feels dry. It's made with healing antioxidants and Vitamins E and B3 to soothe irritation as well as help protect the skin barrier. Protecting the skin barrier is essential to keeping skin hydrated and working at its best.

When Tiege Hanley says that their products are uncomplicated, they mean it. This is a simple, effective body lotion that feels great on my skin. It's unscented with a creamy texture that is still light and absorbs quickly into the skin. I especially like using this as an all-over moisturizer after the shower, which is an essential time to add lotion, as your skin is more receptive to when it's still a little moist from the shower.

Just a dab goes a long way, so the 6.5 oz bottle will last quite a while. You can also sign up for Tiege Hanley's auto-restock subscription and get 20 percent off the one-time purchase price.

• Visit Tiege Hanley to purchase - Click the link to receive 30% off!

Bottom Line: If you're looking for an unfussy skincare product, the Tiege Hanley Body Lotion is perfect. It's effective and affordable and kept my skin moisturized and soft!

sk*p Clean Body Care Review and Coupon

sk*p is a new conscious hair and body care line that aims to break the beauty industry of its plastic addiction. Their products are packaged in the past-free, shower-friendly BeautyCarton to help cut down on plastic waste.

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.

The sk*p cartons are made with 100 percent eco-friendly, biodegradable cardboard. The beauty industry produces about 120 billion units of plastic packaging a year, so this is a great step towards reducing that statistic. I hope other brands follow along!

The sk*p products feature the trademarked G-HoneyBiome, which was born from founder Mark Veeder's previous co-founding of Farmacy. The products use a proprietary bio-fermented honey complex that strengthens and balances the skin's microbiome. The honey is responsibly harvested and locally produced at sk*p's farm in upstate New York.

I tried the Face + Body Cleanser and Face + Body Moisturizer. Above you can see the ingredients for both products (click the image to enlarge).

The Face + Body Cleanser cleans and balances your skin without stripping it of the essential lipids in the skin barrier. It also rebalances the lipids for oily skin and boosts the skin's natural ability to moisturize for dry skin. Protecting the skin barrier is essential to keeping your skin its healthiest, and I like that this cleanser is effective without stripping my skin of its natural microbiome.

I used the Face + Body Cleanser in the shower after my martial arts class and it lathered up nicely. It has a light citrus scent that isn't overpowering and didn't linger on my skin after. My skin didn't feel overly-dry after use.

After cleansing in the shower, I followed up with the Face + Body Moisturizer. The lotion also has a ctirus-y scent and the texture is just thick enough to allow for smooth application. It absorbed quickly into my skin without feeling dense or greasy. The moisturizer soothes and calms skin and hydrates deeply with hyaluronic acid sunflower oil. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent ingredient for moisturizing, as it is a natural lubricant found in the body and it is a humectant (meaning it helps the skin retain moisture).

• Visit sk*p to browse their full line and purchase
• Use coupon code SKPSTER for 20 percent off your first subscription delivery and 10 percent off each subsequent delivery (not valid on one-time purchases)

Bottom Line: The sk*p Face + Body Cleanser and Face + Body Moisturizer both worked great for me. I love that they're cruelty-free, ethically-sourced, and made from sustainable packaging. If you're looking to clean up your bath and body routine in more ways than one, definitely check out sk*p!