Cho's Favorite Skincare of 2023
A Youtube Skincare & Lifestyle Blogger Shares His Secrets!
Hey everyone! My name is Cho, owner of the lifestyle blog Cho Aesthetics.
I’m a friend of Fawn’s, and I’m here to share with the class my favorite skincare products of 2023.
At Cho Aesthetics, I discuss all the products, services and activities that truly make life beautiful. While skincare is a major focus, I sneak in other topics such as health & fitness, traveling and supplements among other topics.
If you're in the mood for tea, you should definitely check out my Youtube channel!
The content there is focused on exposing the blemishes within the skincare industry as it relates to influencer drama, deceptive marketing from corporations and general consumer exploitation.
I never hold back when it comes to my opinions on the topics I deem important. Some might consider me the Ida Tarbell of the skincare world!Â
Now, this has been a year of transition for me in terms of career which led to stricter financial budgets.
Naturally, I ignored this completely and discovered a love for luxury skincare products!
Don’t worry, there’s a few budget-friendly gems on this list too, so let’s get right to it!
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Saro De Rue x Gothamista Essence
Everybody who’s anybody knows the mother of Korean skincare herself, Renee aka Gothamista!
After assisting with the product reformulations of the iconic CALM line of Paula’s Choice, Gothamistsa decided to branch further out into product formulation.
Gothamist is a well-accomplished influencer over many social media products, and she’s also really nice too!
In collaboration with Saro de Rue, Gothamista released The Essence, which delivers a luxury sensorial experience while simplifying your routine.
This essence is chock full of skin-loving ingredients such as Niacinamide, peptides, fatty acids, sodium/zin PCA and its star ingredient: black ginseng water.
This served as my toner, essence and serum all-on-one, making it a multipurpose powerhouse.
It also doesn’t hurt that it’s real pretty to look at on the counter which is the most important aspect of skincare right?
Equal RXN Oat Milk PHA Serum
Equal RXN is a small indie brand featuring affordable k-beauty products with an emphasis on functional and calming properties.
Trialing and learning about their brand really inspired me to be more intentional about reducing the occurrence of irritation at all costs in my routine.
One way we don’t treat our skin sensitively is by over exfoliating.
It’s one of the most fun product types due to its fast acting results, but it can really wreck our skin barriers.Â
Equal RXN’s Oat Milk PHA Serum is an exfoliant that I was able to use twice a day EVERY day.
Yes, you read that right.
The name of the game is low dose high consistency with the use of lactobionic acid (PHA) which is able to effectively exfoliant your skin while hydrating and strengthening over a period of time.
From the packaging to the milky soothing texture, I always looked forward most to using this product.Â
PSA Acai & Manuka Honey Reset Nourishing Cleansing
The year is 30 BC. You’ve just finished a long arduous day of doing nothing.
You are literally the queen of Egypt herself, Cleopatra, and you’ve decided to take a milk bath with honey as you’re fed grapes by hot shirtless guys.
Yes, that is what it feels like to use the PSA Acai & Manuka Honey Reset Nourishing Cleanser.
I normally never pay over $20 for a cleanser, but I make an exception with this product due to its amazing sensorial spa-like experience.
It does all the things that a cleanser should do including removing light makeup minus all the things it shouldn’t like stripping your barrier.
Out of all the Allies of Skin / PSA products, this is probably my all time favorite.
And mind you, I didn’t even discover this in 2023 but in 2022!
THAT’S how good it is!
Pro-tip: wait for a Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale (they have these a couple times a year, and they’re insanely high value) and stock up!Â
Kroger Sport Spray, Invisible Gel & Hydrating Cream Sunscreens
Sunscreen has always been so boring to me, but it doesn’t have to be a necessary evil in your routine.
I’ve struggled to find a sunscreen that I actually look forward to using, but that was until I discovered Kroger’s trio of dupes.
ALLEGEDLY, they use the same manufacturer as a really popular skincare brand that I won’t name here.
The formulations are just as cosmetically elegant but at a literal fraction of the price!
In my experience they’re non-irritating, nourishing and leave no cast whatsoever.
I listed all 3, because despite using them under different circumstances, I love them all equally.
The Invisible Gel is great when I’m working out or planning to sweat. The Sport Spray is great for outdoor activities.
The Hydrating Cream is great when I’m taking photographs as it has a blurring effect on the skin.
Who would have thought a grocery store would lock me into my all time favorite sunscreens?!Â
Allies of Skin 35% Vitamin C + Perfecting Serum
I had already loved PSA from the year prior, but their parent company, Allies of Skin, was a brand that I absolutely fell in love with this year.
They deliver luxury experiences, supercharged results and a multifaceted approach to your skincare concerns.
I had been intentionally looking for a vitamin c product that would give me all of the anti aging and brightening benefits I craved but without the irritation that sometimes comes with L-ascorbic acid.
That’s where the 35% Vitamin C + Perfecting Serum comes in.
Now don’t let the marketing of its name fool you. It’s not really a 35% concentration but actually a 10% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) combined with a 25% Ethylated L-Ascorbic Acid.
This has been the most perfect replacement for my more potent vitamin c serums.
It provides a deep glow upon application while imbuing the skin with long lasting youthfulness making it a product I see using for the foreseeable future.
Note from Fawn: Skincare Stacy readers get an exclusive 15% discount at Allies of Skin using code SKINCARESTACY.
Did any of those picks surprise you? Any products that you're already familiar with?
I'd love to hear any feedback you have constructive or otherwise!
I love chatting with my audience in the DMs and through my content, so please reach out to me on the social media of your choice at anytime: Instagram, TikTok and Twitter/X.Â
— Cho