It definitely took me a bit of time to get a handle on my quarantine acne. When it came to my search for products that would be a game-changer for my hyperpigmentation, Topicals emerged at the top of my list of recommendations. So, I decided to give it a try. After taking a scroll on the brand’s Instagram page, I was immediately drawn in to their focus on real skin. I decided to give their two products, Faded and Like Butter a try and here is my topicals skincare review using them for about two months now.
Topicals Skincare: About the Brand
Topicals was founded by two women of color who have had their fair share of skin struggles. They wanted to create a brand that transformed the way we feel about skin. And they are doing just that. Their IG-aesthetic-worthy, Gen-Z friendly packaging pulls people in, but you’re likely staying for the community. The products include clinically backed ingredients that are known to help eradicate some of the largest concerns for women of color—but they’re also sure to remind you that with or without these skincare issues, you are beautiful.
Topicals Skincare Review: Like Butter
What is it for?
Like Butter is a hydrating mask that restores dry and flaky skin and replenishes skin’s damaged barrier. It’s best for those dealing with eczema or just generally dry and sensitive skin.
What’s in it?
The ingredients in Like Butter play no games. It makes sense why this product worked so well for my skin on concerns I didn’t even realize I had. The ingredients include:
- Green Tea Extract for anti-inflammatory properties
- Colloidal Oatmeal to help sooth itch and irritation
- Turmeric to strengthen the skin’s barrier and accelerate wound healing
- Chinese Rhubarb Root to help reduce the number of inflammatory cells in the skin
- Ginseng Root for its anti-inflammatory properties to reduce itching and swelling
- Madeassoside to accelerate wound healing
How do you use it?
Like Butter can be used as a hydrating mask that is applied on damp skin and left on for 20 minutes. However, my preferred method of using this product is as an overnight mask. I use it as the last step in my nighttime skincare routine. The caveat if you choose to apply it in this way is to use a very modest amount (no more than pea-size). Not only is that all you’ll need for Like Butter to work it’s magic, but if you use anymore, you’ll notice that the product starts piling. That won’t affect the ability of the product to work on your skin, but it’ll be something annoying to deal with.
My skin has never been so hydrated and I have this product to thank for sure.
The Results
Every single morning after I use this product, I am amazed at how soft my skin is. I don’t suffer from eczema, but the use of heavy hitting prescription tretinoin and Benzoyl Peroxide does a number on my skin, especially at the purging stages. Like Butter was the PERFECT solution for my dryness and itchiness because of the active ingredients I used. My skin has never been so hydrated and I have this product to thank for sure.
Topicals Skincare Review: Faded
What is it for?
An ode to those who struggle with hyperpigmentation. Faded is that product for you. This gel like cream is meant to fade dark spots and marks, smooth skin texture, and overall even out your skin tone.
What’s in it?
Faded is packed with a ton of household name ingredients meant to target hyperpigmentation including:
- Tranexamic Acid (TXA) to prevent pigment cell activation
- Licorice Root to help breakdown excess pigment and for its antioxidant properties
- Niacinamide to regulate oil production and treat hyperpigmentation
- Melatonin to limit melanin production
- Kojic Acid to inhibits melanocyte activation and mildly exfoliate skin
- Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties
How do you use it?
The instructions for this product are simple: apply before moisturizing and be sure to wear sunscreen if you’re using during the day. It is advised that you do not use this product in the same routine as AHAs, BHAs, or retinol. For that reason I only use this product twice a week on evenings that I am not using my prescription retin-A. That’s still more than enough for me to see results!
The Results
Fading hyperpigmentation was definitely a gradual process, but I am fully confident that this product is responsible for the progress I have seen. The only downside is that this product smells horrendous (it smells like sulfur). But the product itself is so good that I got used to or over the smell.
Topicals Skincare Final Verdict
The final verdict? I not only love the products, but I love everything the brand stands for. The smell of the faded cream aside, it does what it says it will do, and I feel like I’m getting prescription strength treatments at that. I highly recommend having both in your arsenal if you deal with any of the concerns that the products are meant to target!
“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15: 7
I am Interested in getting “ faded” but the moisturizer I use has hyaluronic acid in it which I think is BHA. What moisturizer would use with this product?
Hyaluronic Acid is not a BHA! Even though it has acid in the title it’s actually really hydrating. You can keep your current moisturizer, but the one I currently use is the Belif Aqua Bomb and I love it!