Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by omgbart
Over the last few months, I’ve been finishing off some fantastic products, and they’re too good not to share. So I’m kicking off an “Epic Empties” series: a couple of roundups a year. Revolutionary, I know.
This mid-year check-in only features products I used down to the last drop, which means I’d not just recommend them but buy them again with my own money. Today’s roundup leans face care, with a few hair and body products still blowing me away. Let’s go.
Face
Avène Thermal Spring Water
I’ve been exclusively buying the large 300ml bottles of this iconic Avène product. And honestly, this may just be my favorite face mist of all the spring water formulas available. It’s rich in soothing minerals, helps calm and strengthen the skin barrier, is armed with the perfect spray nozzle, and delivers the most perfect dose of hydration.
If you’re unsure how this fits in a routine, I use it to dampen my skin after cleansing before a serum or face oil application (not a cream because those absorb better when my skin is dry). It’s the easiest and most user-friendly solution to complement your routine when the skin is feeling inflamed, irritated, out of balance or simply craving an extra boost of hydration. Most importantly, it dries down without a trace of the filmy residue so many face mists sadly leave behind.
$11 (50ml), $15 (150ml), $20 (300ml) at dermstore.com where my code OMGBART saves you 15-20%
Dr. Loretta Barrier Enhancing Milky Essence
Milky toners have almost become a category all upon themselves. Which only leads to many mediocre formulas on the market. This Dr. Loretta essence is among the very best I have tried. I’d recommend it without hesitation to absolutely everyone. Its function is multi-dimensional and covers restoring the skin microbiome, protection against oxidative stress, optimizing product absorption, and soothing irritation.
Some ingredients to call out here: Ectoin, Glycerin, Niacinamide, Jojoba Oil, Squalane, and postbiotic yeast ferment. Just viscous enough to feel like more than just a toner, this essence really feels like a serum. No sticky finish here and everything layers over it beautifully without pilling. 10/10.
$50 (100ml) at drloretta.com and dermstore.com (see if my code OMGBART works) as well as violetgrey.com
Josh Rosebrook Bioidentical Collagen Serum
If you’ve been side-eyeing collagen products (rightfully so) like yours truly, this one deserves a second glance. And a spot in your routine. The hero ingredient here, Sh-polypeptide-47, is marketed as bioidentical, meaning it’s structurally identical to a fragment of human collagen rather than a synthetic mimic. And that is how it helps our skin build up depleting collagen 1. But what makes this unique formula even more impressive is the mushroom ferment complex that delivers antioxidant defense, barrier repair, and hydration.
A quick word on how it works best for me. Texturally, I find this Josh Rosebrook serum to be runny but it’s not exactly lightweight. It does absorb quickly and never feels sticky but there is slight heft to the formula. Its INCI richness is tangible, that’s how I’d put it. It is also not oily or oil-like despite the prominent presence of olive oil and jojoba esters. On hot summer days, I find it to double as a moisturizer under sunscreen.
$110 (30ml) and $99 for a refill vial at joshrosebrook.com, beauty-heroes.com, credobeauty.com, and thedetoxmarket.com
Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
This gel-cream from Paula’s Choice is hands down one of the very best in the peptide moisturizer category. Lightweight in texture, it absorbs quickly and delivers ample hydration. It’s, however, not moisture-dense so if your skin is dry, you may need to layer something richer on top. My best trick is to use it in a sandwich application method on tretinoin nights: this PC moisturizer goes on before tret. I swear my skin looks rested and more youthful looking every time I commit to incorporating this one into a more structured routine.
As someone who is obsessive about gel creams, I find this one to never feel sticky which is its own other success story. Paula’s Choice labels this as a night time moisturizer but I can happily attest to wearing this peptide gel-cream during the day. Because yes, it layers great under sunscreen.
$49 (50ml) at paulaschoice.com, sephora.com and SpaceNK.com
Bonjout Le Balm
You may have seen this jar of genius on my feed over the last couple of years. I will most likely not stop raving about Le Balm. It’s that good. It’s a solid balm that melts into an oil, which in turn melts into the skin making you look like you know what you’re doing. My full review is here but let me boil down the magic of this formula in 3 sentences.
Bonjout Le Balm is that rare anhydrous overachiever: 68 actives, including ceramide NP, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, squalane, hydrolyzed collagen, sodium hyaluronate, hibiscus extract, and rosehip seed oil, crammed into a solid little pot with zero water or parabens. It keeps my routine embarrassingly low effort: I warm a pea-sized amount between my fingers, press it in after my serums, and let it play cleanup crew over my retinoid most nights (it moonlights as an eye cream too). One pot lasts me about 3-4 months and melts in without ever feeling greasy, which is exactly why I’ll keep sharing my enthusiasm for it.
$130 (30ml) at bonjoutbeauty.com but my code BART15 saves you 15%
ISDIN K-Ox Eyes
I could easily narrow down my favorite eye creams to 3 and this ISDIN pick would definitely be included. The K-Ox Eyes formula is as close to perfection as one can get. The creamy yet lightweight texture makes it ideal to be used year round (a rarity with most eye creams) and the hydrating, firming, brightening performance is not to be ignored. Keep in mind that my undereye concerns are only related to gravity and good ole unrest so if your dark circles are actual hyperpigmentation or venous pooling, you may need to see a derm.
What I love about this ISDIN eye cream is how well it moisturizes and de-puffs. There is a subtle trace of iridescence to it which I appreciate but hear my unpopular opinion first: if you have dark circles under your eyes, the soft glow can often only make the issue worse. Luckily, this product creates the perfect environment for a light sweep of concealer which does not crease and lasts all day. K-Ox Eyes has a lotion-like texture and a light floral scent. For more details, I have a full review right here.
$106 (15ml) at ISDIN.com or dermstore.com (my code OMGBART works)
Dr. Few Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
If there is a luxury sunscreen worth splurging on, it is the Dr. Few tinted mineral SPF. Period. End of story. Unlike countless prestige attempts at mineral sunscreens which then sneak in SPF boosters like Butyloctyl Salicylate, this one keeps it clean and honest. When it comes to actual UV protection claims, the formula uses a 25% concentration of Zinc Oxide as its sole filter. Obsessively perfected, this product has the elegance of a chemical sunscreen while being purely mineral.
The tinted part is where the magic lies I believe. By adding a flash toned hue to the formula, it cancels out the aggressive whiteness of pure Zinc Oxide. So while the Dr. Few sunscreen does not show up with a tint on your skin per se, it leaves behind subtle skin-like glow instead of that dreaded mask-like finish. Fantastic absorption, by the way.
$85 (50ml) at drfewskincare.com, neimanmarcus.com, bluemercury.com, and goop.com
Bioderma Photoderm XDefense Ultra-Fluid SPF 50+
Say hello to the best budget buy in this roundup. Having tried countless European sunscreens since moving to Spain, this Bioderma formula gets the top spot for ease of use, performance, and affordability. The epitome of no-nonsense, this daily facial sunscreen is excellent for daily use in the urban setting where re-application may be necessary but not always convenient.
A trio of broad-spectrum chemical filters, Tinosorb S, avobenzone, and DHHB, does the heavy lifting here, with a stabilizer keeping the blend photostable in daily wear. On the skin, the runny liquid absorbs instantly and leaves behind a matte (not flat) finish that lasts hours. Due to the elegant and airy texture, I find the formula does not pill and looks natural even when I reapply it without a mirror. I have a strong preference for the clear formula vs the tinted ones.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream
This was my first winner after moving to Spain last year and having just finished my second bottle, it’s officially a staple. La Roche-Posay may be best known for their sunscreens but honestly, the Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream is the ultimate unsung hero in my opinion. The formula is powered by 10% Azelaic Acid and 1.2% Salicylic Acid so it’s focused on soothing, brightening, and purifying congested pores. And it really delivers on all of the above.
The lightweight cream texture is shockingly stretchy. I only need two pumps per application. There is also no tingling nor powdery finish upon application, something many azelaic-forward formulas are known for. If you’re looking for a lightweight moisturizer that helps plump the skin (Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin) while working against redness and imperfections, this is fantastic. There is a light fresh scent (which I like a lot) but it dissipates quickly.
I wish the brand was more transparent about why this particular product had such a short-lived presence at Ulta in the US because it is now nowhere to be found Stateside.
$42.99 (40ml) on amazon.com or £33.00 at boots.com
TATCHA The Liquid Silk Canvas
This is one product I use religiously but not as it was intended. Hear me out.
TATCHA originally launched Silk Canvas as a putty-like solution to be a makeup primer. And it’s great but the liquid ancillary is even better. It’s one of the lightest products that effectively smoothes out imperfections while adding soft-focus finish to the skin. And that’s exactly the base makeup artists want before applying color: perfectly primed skin.
Me? I use it as my very last step and usually just over my T-zone. Why? It blurs surface discoloration subtly but noticeably. It also helps to make my pores appear less pronounced. I either dab a few dots with my finger and pat it in or do a quick brush application. It works incredibly well over my tinted sunscreen. It keeps my face looking rested and radiant for a few hours which makes it great before a social outing.
See? I told you I don’t use it as intended. But it works so well, I am probably on my 6th bottle now.
$55 (50ml) at tatcha.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, and SpaceNK.com
Hair
Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique
Let’s chat hair. Because as a Leo, I do care. I care a lot. And while I hate spending the money on this Kérastase leave-in, it is the only thing that works this well on my hair. For reference: my hair is short and while not necessarily thick, I have a lot of it. I also use styling products and heating tools daily. I shampoo everyday, too. It’s not super dry but it’s dry. And sadly, most leave-in products leave my hair feeling straw-like and looking worse.
The Kérastase Nectar Thermique is meant to be used before blowdrying but I put it in my wet hair (after shampooing) and just let it air dry. What happens next is literally cause for celebration. My hair feels soft, looks healthy and shiny, there is no frizz, and it never feels weighed down. That is exactly why I stopped justifying this purchase, even at the oddly priced travel size. A small tube in my travel kit cancels out any anxiety related to dodgy hotel amenities and water quality in foreign places.
$50 (150ml) or $26 (50ml) at sephora.com, kerastase-usa.com, boots.com, and lookfantastic.com
Everist The Conditioner Concentrate
I first discovered Everist back in 2023 and The Conditioner Concentrate has been a shower staple ever since. Also, see what I did there?
Everist formulates without water so this conditioner is 40% aloe vera, 35% glycerin, and the rest is all the smoothing, nourishing, and repairing compounds to make sure you step out of the shower with healthy-looking hair. And every time I reach for this tube, I am reminded of how incredibly this product performs.
Since this is a concentrate, you use one third of what you are used to. Do not add water but rather apply The Conditioner Concentrate directly to wet hair, massage in, leave on for a minute, then rinse. You will notice the softness and shine after the very first use. And then you will never be without a backup.
$26 (100ml tin or tube) at helloeverist.com or thedetoxmarket.com
Body
Ziaja Pineapple Skin Care Shower Gel & Shampoo
I’ve been dipping in and out of all things Ziaja for the last year. And considering I was born and raised in Poland, I have very few recommendations. With that said, if you appreciate a great body wash, the Pineapple Skin Care formula is absolutely fantastic. I know other ancillaries include body scrub, cellulite gel, and more but this wash which doubles as a shockingly good shampoo, is my current favorite.
Frothy yet non-drying, the formula is infused with caffeine and pineapple extract for this sensorial energizing boost I desperately need most mornings. Unlike the Ziaja mango body wash which smelled a tad artificial to my nose, the pineapple one is spot on: more tropical fruit than plastic fruit display. Currently re-ordering a 2-pack, I liked it that much.
$10-$15 depending where you can find it but check out my Amazon storefront to see if it’s in stock
Clarins Roll-On Deodorant
Who would have thought that I’d be paying a premium for a deodorant? Living in Madrid literally turned up the heat on everyday hygiene so I actually try to always keep a backup of the Clarins Roll-On deodorant in my stash. And it’s one thing I zoom in on particularly when going through airport Duty-Free.
A little wet at first, the liquid formula goes on smoothly (no dripping) and the dampness lasts all of one minute. If that. What happens next is a whole lot of nothing: no sweat, no odor, no weird itching. Just a clean, dry, freshly herbaceous and floral wisps of air as you move through the day.
What I love about the Clarins deo in addition to its efficacy is how it manages to keep the skin feeling soft and comfortable. Unlike many antiperspirants, it does not leave that uncomfortable tightness or powdery finish. This is an elevated deodorant worth the splurge if you can fit it in your selfcare budget.
$28 (50ml) at clarinsusa.com or £22.00 at boots.com
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I actually use and love. If you shop through these links, I may earn a small commission, which helps keep this site running.
Discovered Bonjout through you and absolutely obsessed with Le Balm! Thanks for the code!!