Guys! I am so happy to update this post because PCA Skin revived my travel kit! This time around, they are also hooking you up with a free full size Hydrating Toner (which retails for $40) with a $150 purchase at pcaskin.com – make sure to use code BART19 during checkout.
Why the toner?
Because even though most of my favorites from PCA Skin lean more towards potent (Intensive Brightening Treatment .5% Retinol, Pigment Bar, C & E Strength Max, and Revitalizing Mask), the Hydrating Toner is perfect for absolutely everyone.
Yes, it’s a hydrating solution that you apply with a cotton round after cleansing but this particular formula is packed with antioxidant-rich Apple, Watermelon, and Lentil Extracts. In addition to delivering and sustaining hydration (which keeps the skin looking plump and glowing), the powerhouse toner also includes anti-aging extracts from Red Algae and Resurrection Plant. Add some Evening Primrose (Omega 6 gold, Vitamins C and B5) and you have a perfect liquid step which PCA Skin calls a ‘toner’ but to me, it feels like an essence. You’re going to love it.
OG post below! xo
I am still pinching myself but it’s real. There’s a travel kit with my name on it! So. Official. Some have noticed no doubt that a few PCA Skin formulas are permanent fixtures in my routine. The brand focuses on innovative and results-driven solutions that have been impressive since my first application and have yet to disappoint this picky skincare enthusiast. When offered the opportunity to custom create a set of my own personal favorites, the short answer was yassss.
Why am I so into PCA?
Last May, I visited PCA Skin headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ. I had been a fan of the product range for some time, but left the visit with a newfound appreciation for this clinical skincare company. Founded in 1990, PCA now boasts 77 formulas, 24 of which are professional grade used in physicians’ offices and medispas. Removing the fear from peels (the Sensi Peel is seriously life changing), the line addresses and corrects even the most frustrating complexion conundrums. P.S. all in-house sales and customer service reps are licensed aestheticians. No other skincare company can say that.
What’s in my kit?
Since I am literally masking my life away, curating a try me set of instant glow boosters spoke to me immediately. Though there are a few PCA Skin items I never am without (Pigment Bar and C&E strength max for sure), I focused on formulas that deliver visible results without requiring consistent use over many weeks. Since my skin becomes dull when I travel, craves a quick fix before an event, and appreciates anything labeled ‘pore refining’, my picks have been a carry-on constant this summer. P.S. all come in a waterproof pouch with a zipper ready to go places.
Revitalizing Mask
The gel formula is fueled by Papaya Enzyme that digests dead cells on the skin’s surface in just two minutes. Combined with Sugarcane, Honey, and Green Tea Extracts, it resurfaces, nourishes and protects against free radical damage. No tingling nor redness. My favorite jet lag solution to battle travel related skin fatigue.
Detoxifying Mask
I hate to play favorites, but my skin absolutely loves the Detoxifying Mask. The combination of Japanese White Charcoal and mineral-rich clays help to absorb oil and impurities for a visibly more clear appearance in just minutes. Fast drying and non-cracking, the Glycerin and Bisabolol infused soft drying mask never leaves my skin feeling tight. It’s my post-weekend makeover in a tube.
Pore Refining Treatment
This powerhouse fusion of Mandelic Acid, Rice Powder, Papain, Kaolin, and Bentonite is a non-negotiable PCA treatment in my routine. Cursed with enlarged pores, I reach for it at least twice a week and focus strictly on my T-zone where congestion is most severe. Aggressive but never irritating, it’s my in-shower staple, especially during the summer months.
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
One of, if not the most innovative Hyaluronic Acid serums I have come across to date, this PCA version is the superhero product everyone should try. Packed with various molecular weight HA (to ensure instant gratification as well as delivering longer-term benefits), the serum also features Ceramides and Niacinamide. Liquigel in texture, it absorbs in seconds as it firms, plumps, and freshens dull and dry skin. It’s a mandatory step after every single mask.
Hydrating Toner
Don’t neglect the toner category. Especially when it comes in a spray bottle and is loaded with Watermelon and Apple Extracts, Evening Primrose Oil, Lactic Acid, AHAs and Vitamin C! So much more than a ‘feel good’ mist, the PCA skin Hydrating Toner revives fatigued skin and provides superb antioxidant protection. This TSA-approved gem will make a perfect addition to your travel bag.
How long will these last you?
Figure 2-3 uses from the masks and a few weeks from the Hyaluronic Acid serum and the Hydrating Toner since this starter kit is intended as an introduction to the brand and to help you zoom in on things you may want to include in your steady regimen. PCA Skin formulas are significantly more potent than many others in the marketplace so a thin layer and a ‘pea size amount’ are all you need.
$55 available at pcaskin.com
