AR Obsessions: Beauty & Grooming Favourites For September 2021

As someone with darker skin, I’ve been burned (figuratively speaking) by one too many mineral sunscreens claiming to be ‘invisible’ or ‘sheer’ yet leave me looking like I’m set to audition for a role in Memoirs Of A Geisha. With that in mind, I didn’t have particularly great expectations for the Dr Roebuck’s Barrier Reef, a notion that was solidified by its thick consistency. However, I was pleasantly surprised; despite being a zinc oxide-based sunblock, Dr Roebuck’s Barrier Reef blended out completely sheer, devoid of any white cast. It does take a little effort to rub it in so it’s entirely invisible, however, it’s well worth it if you’re in the market for a physical or mineral sunscreen. 

The perfect verdant, fresh fragrance with a touch of edge, Aesop Karst is a unisex, vegan-friendly scent that smells amazing on just about anyone. Karst opens with herbaceous notes of juniper, bergamot, and pink pepper, while earthy vetiver and a salty mineral note add depth and intrigue. 

A fragrance-free formula designed to calm and nourish irritated skin, the Avène Tolerance Control Soothing Skin Recovery Cream is ideal for use on sensitive (or sensitised) skin, or alongside potentially irritating active ingredients like retinol.

Gel formulas aren’t typically the first port of call when searching for a soothing cleaner, but the Selfless by Hyram Centella & Green Tea Daily Gel Cleanser breaks the mould. Suitable for even the most sensitive skin, it works perfectly as a second cleanser in a double cleanse routine, providing an effective deep clean without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Plus, the addition of centella (or cica) works to comfort the skin as you cleanse.  

With many of us spending the majority of our waking moments in front of some sort of electronic device, it can be helpful to employ some form of blue light protection to safeguard the skin from oxidative stress which can lead to photoaging and speed up collagen breakdown. The Susanne Kaufmann Blue Light Defence & Moisturising Mist is an easy-to-incorporate product, using a combination of butterfly bush flower extract, ectoin, coenzyme Q10, and silk protein to shield the skin from free radical damage. A few spritzes post-cleansing allows your serums to be better absorbed, however, the mist also acts as a refreshing deskside reset. 

Coming into the warmer months, a body oil makes for the ideal body moisturiser in lieu of richer creams and lotions. A lightweight antidote to dry, scaly legs, the Peggy Sue Bath + Body Oil is best slathered onto still-damp skin after showering, leaving you with silky smooth limbs. Or, for ultimate nourishment, mix a few drops in with your usual body moisturiser or cream.

While fragrance-free products are often better for the skin on your face, there’s nothing better than a luxuriously aromatic body product. Purely worth it for the nuanced botanical scent alone, the Grown Alchemist Body Cleanser is a gentle body wash that leaves your skin smelling amazing hours after you step out of the shower. To extend the olfactory experience, pair it with the Grown Alchemist Body Cream. 

After trying about a hundred ineffective lip balms, the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm was the saviour my dry, chapped lips needed. There’s a faint tingling sensation upon application thanks to the addition of menthol which may be a deterrent to some, however, this lip balm quickly gets to work moisturising lips and eliminating any flakiness. 

Made from rose, neroli, and lavender hydrosols, the Ingredients Wellness Plant Water Mist is the ultimate way to hydrate and refresh your skin throughout the day. Not to be confused with essential oils, hydrosols are produced by steam distilling fresh flowers and are non-irritating to the skin. Plus, the packaging uses an innovative bag in can technology, to provide an even, continuous mist without the environmental concerns of traditional aerosols.