Everyone was so kind to me during my pregnancy, and I was surprised at how many compliments I received on my skin – I kept saying its just my skin care and makeup obsession! I think people were mostly impressed to see me at work every day as my due date approached and wearing a smile goes a long way 🙂

I’m thankful for so many things during my “good” pregnancy, and I’m pleased I was able to not make my melasma works! I did have a tiny new dark spot on my nose, but no matter how much SPF I wear I need to prepare for sun damage while living in such a sunny place.

This past spring and summer I realized on a lot of products from the Detox Market to keep my skin fresh, improve and prevent further melasma and hyperpigmentation development. I try to by locally when I can but the San Diego luxury natural skin care scene is still growing.

Odacite Papaya Geranium Serum Concentrate Review

I first tried Odacite when their Green Tea + Lemongrass Radiance Serum was included in my January 2017 Art of Organics natural skin care subscription box.  I’m very sensitive to scents, even essential oils, so I’m very choosy about the skin care I use, even if it is organic and non-gmo. This papaya and geranium serum is specifically formulated for hyperpigmentation and brown spots, but honestly, I thought the Green Team + Lemongrass serum left my skin seeming brighter (I ran out of my radiance serum but I’m promising myself I’ll make an “empty” out of the papaya version before I buy another Odacite product 🙁 ). In addition, geranium is a tough essential oil for me to handle like its rose cousin. I think this did help to protect my skin, but I don’t think it reversed any dark spots or melasma for me.

Kahina Giving Beauty Brightening Serum Review

I was very intrigued by this serum because I had read before that pine was helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation. I frequently get sample boxes from the Detox Market to ensure that I jive with skin care scents before I use them, and of the brightening serums they sell this Kahina Giving Beauty serum had the least scent (even though they were all “naturally” scented – Mun Aknari serum was so intense!). This organic seaweed and pine based hyperpigmentation serum had strong reviews and I was excited to try this brand. While ultimately I don’t think it moved the needle for me (as far as reversing) and I wouldn’t buy it again, I would love to try more from this brand and I would recommend others to try this serum in case it works – it seems great for sensitive skin.

I love that this argan oil obsessed skin care line also donates a portion of its sales to organizations that support Moroccan women.

Tammy Fender Essential C Tonic Review

I was in need of a new toner and I’m so happy I found Tammy Fender essential C tonic! I’m always trying different vitamin C skin care products too, so this fit the bill. I use it immediately after washing my face and this tonic provides refreshing relief to my skin. It has a very faint scent from essential oils – even the lavender doesn’t bother me for some reason! My favorite use for for this organic vitamin C toner with hibiscus and bergamot is actually as a spray! I pour it into one of my blue apothecary spray bottles and use it to set makeup – it’s my favorite natural setting spray and face mist actually.