Hello! It’s your skincare obsessed bestie. Thanks for inviting me to drop by, and I can’t wait to start sharing my recs with you. Here is what you can expect from me this week.

• ICYMI: News, trends, and things to chat about over brunch

• WAY TO GLO: Authentic skincare tips

• GLO ABOVE & BEYOND: Business stories in beauty

• GLOSSIP: Sales events you won’t want to miss

ICYMI

• TRENDS🤟 

  - Old homes are selling for more $ than new ones

  - People are still crazy for Hermes bags

• BUSINESS🤝 

  - Get your waffles served by Lana Del Rey 

  - Yellow shuts down after 99 years of service, and how it can cost you

• RANDOM🙌 

  - A hidden Maya city in the jungle

  - 46,000-year-old roundworm awakes from Siberian permafrost

• FOR FUNSIES 😁💖 

  - The biggest physics discovery of a lifetime

  - Check out The New Yorker’s book recs for this week

WAY TO GLO!

Skincare routines often demand patience. But waiting sucks!

Imagine a skincare regimen where you can apply products before bedtime and wake up to remarkable results.

Luckily, there are specific key ingredients that can make this scenario come true. By incorporating certain elements into your skincare routine, you can actually experience swift (*albeit temporary without consistent use) skin plumping, tightening, and brightening.

No 1. Moisture Bombs: Hyaluronic Acid

You have heard about this hero ingredient. But did you know that hyaluronic acid is actually a natural carbohydrate found in the human body? It acts as a potent humectant, attracting and retaining moisture, thus providing exceptional hydration to the skin. With age, our natural hyaluronic acid production decreases, leading to skin dryness, wrinkles, and reduced elasticity. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold up to 1000x its weight in water, making it an effective moisturizer, while its viscoelasticity helps to plump up your skin cells. By incorporating hyaluronic acid in skincare products, it effectively combats signs of aging, plumping and rejuvenating the skin. There are so many hyaluronic acid products on the market now that you are likely able to score one at a reasonable price.

No 2. No-needle Botox: Argireline Serum

Argireline, also known as acetyl hexapeptide-3 or acetyl hexapeptide-8, is a peptide that inhibits the release of acetylcholine, reducing facial muscle contractions and visibly diminishing wrinkles and frown lines. Unlike Botox, it is safe but has limited skin permeation, often requiring combination with other ingredients like tripeptide-10-citrulline for enhanced effectiveness. Additionally, Argireline stimulates collagen production, countering the natural collagen decline with age, resulting in firmer, more elastic skin that smooths under-eye wrinkles and fine lines while providing a youthful appearance through improved skin hydration.

No 3. Blackhead Miners: BHA / Salicylic Acid

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) and salicylic acid are highly effective skincare ingredients renowned for their exceptional benefits in combating blackheads. These compounds possess unique properties that make them particularly well-suited for addressing this common skin concern. BHA, primarily in the form of salicylic acid, works by penetrating deep into the pores, effectively dissolving the excess oil, dead skin cells, and debris that clog them. Moreover, these acids also possess anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which contribute to calming existing acne lesions and preventing further breakout.

No 4. Skin Vacuum: Lactic Acid / AHA

Lactic acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), boasts an array of impressive benefits for the skin. Its gentle exfoliating properties make it a popular choice for those with sensitive skin or those seeking a milder alternative to harsher chemical exfoliants. Lactic acid works by breaking down the bonds between dead skin cells on the skin's surface, facilitating their removal and promoting cellular turnover. Additionally, lactic acid aids in boosting the skin's natural moisture-retention capabilities, making it a valuable hydrating agent for dry or dehydrated skin. Regular use of lactic acid can lead to a noticeably brighter, more even-toned complexion, making it an excellent addition to any skincare regimen seeking to enhance skin texture and overall radiance.

Like this stuff? It would mean the world to me if you can share with your friends and family! Your support is the best kind of motivation 😃 😃 😃 😃

GLO ABOVE & BEYOND

L’Occitane International, the French skincare company, is considering going private (from being a publicly listed company). Reinold Geiger, the executive director and chairman, who owns over 70% of the company, is reportedly looking to buy out minority shareholders in the Hong Kong-listed public group, valued at 33.5 billion Hong Kong dollars ($4.2 billion USD).

In the first quarter of this year, L’Occitane showed impressive growth with sales jumping 24.5%. The surge was driven by strong performance in the Sol de Janeiro brand (parent company of the increasingly popular hero product Brazilian Bum Bum Cream) and solid growth of L’Occitane en Provence in China. The Americas region led the growth at 57.5%, powered by Sol de Janeiro, while the APAC region registered 11.2% growth, driven by a 35.7% increase in the Chinese market.

L’Occitane remains cautiously optimistic about the financial year 2024 despite macroeconomic uncertainties. The company's portfolio includes brands like L’Occitane en Provence, L’Occitane au Brésil, Melvita (I previously recommended one of their products in the issue on French skincare), Erborian, LimeLife by Alcone, and Duolab. To expand into the clean beauty market, L’Occitane also acquired Elemis, Sol de Janeiro, and a majority stake in Grown Alchemist.

Public companies often choose to go private to decrease regulatory burdens and gain more management flexibility. The shift to private ownership allows for increased privacy and shields against shareholder activism, market volatility, and fluctuations. In specific cases, like L'Occitane with its thriving brands such as Sol de Janeiro, the decision might be driven by a perceived undervaluation, making the move even more appealing.

GLOSSIP

• CASHBACK

  Rakuten up to 6% cashback on Sephora, up to 4% off on Ulta, use my referral link to receive $30 when you sign up.

• SALES EVENTS

  Milk Makeup 25% off site wide + additional 30% off select items (CODE: KACHING)

  Paula’s Choice 20% off routine essentials

  Christophe Robbin up to 50% off select items while supplies last at the skinstore

That’s it for today friends! Will see you again next week!