Early February is fairly quiet for sales — there’s no big holidays and the post-Christmas sets are largely sold out. With that said, there’s still lots of worthwhile products in the sale bin. I’ve trawled the usual suspects — Ulta, Sephora, and Dermstore, along with some less obvious spots — and surfaced a cheap SPF moisturizer from Byoma, $10 Australian sunscreen, and more.
This Beauty Blender set is an opportunity to try the popular triangular powder puff and add the classic Beauty Blender into your routine.
This mineral-based highlighter-sunscreen hybrid has an SPF of 15 and can be mixed into foundation or moisturizer.
The TheraFace tool is a microcurrent device with lots of modalities. It has LED light, hot and cold rings, various face massagers, and, of course, a microcurrent attachment. Natalie Aguilar, an aesthetician based in Beverly Hills is a fan: “It is very easy to use, it’s cord free, and it leaves instant results. It really depuffs and tones.”
I’m a big fan of a cleansing oil — it’s the key for in-shower moisturizing. This one from Bioderma has a satiny feel and contains niacinamide and lipids to support skin’s barrier.
The Australians are good at making sunscreen. This is the sheer version of our favorite mineral sunscreen for sensitive skin, which means less white cast and a nicer feel on skin.
This lightweight lotion is ideal for people who aren’t particularly dry but still want to hydrate their skin. If you’re like me (extremely dry) it would make a good first layer of moisture before adding a heavier cream or oil on top.
And if you’re ultrasensitive, CeraVe’s baby formula is ideal. It contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to soothe and hydrate skin.
This all-in-one micellar water cleanses and breaks down makeup and SPF.
A gua sha is a nice manual alternative to a microcurrent device and works well for face-sculpting massages and lymphatic drainage. This one is made from stainless steel, a sturdier material than jade or rose quartz (ask me how I know).
The name EltaMD is hallowed in the sunscreen world — a favorite of dermatologists and beauty enthusiasts alike. The hybrid formula (it contains chemical and mineral blockers) is my top pick for sunscreens, but this tinted mineral version is a good bet too.
The Mutha body butter gets me through the winter, so I have reason to believe that the face cream is just as moisturizing.
111Skin is pricey and rarely discounted, so I was pleasantly surprised to see this mask in the sale bin. We’re big fans of the sheet mask, but this leave-on mask, designed to protect the skin barrier and calm skin, is a good option for the cold, ultra-dry air.
A nice-smelling and nourishing hand cream that contains rosehip oil and soothing aloe vera.
Apparently this bronzing mousse is what helps Kim Kardashian maintain her color between tanning sessions. This quick-developing mousse also comes in a mini-size so you can bronze on the go.
I recently tested these Sephora facial razors on a whim. My Dermaflash was dead, and I was too lazy to look for the charger. I was pleasantly surprised by the results: baby-soft skin and no irritation. Fair warning, though: The blade is very sharp.
I love mini-versions of full-size products I already have because it’s easy for travel and great for visual continuity. Strategist contributor Priyanka Aribindi swears by the brand’s natural deodorant, which she says works well and smells nice enough that it’s replaced her perfume.
A rare opportunity to snag two of Elemis’s best-selling products — including the cleansing balm Abby Elliot swears by — in one convenient kit.
The Phlur Farewell Sale is a good opportunity to stock up on discontinued scents. The brand is sunsetting the body-lotion format of the popular scent Somebody Wood, which Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen says is both spicy and warm. It has top notes of bergamot and lemon, complemented by sandalwood, vanilla, and musk.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
