We've all had our school days when all the homework and assignments are piling up... and with those quickly approaching deadlines, all-nighters are something we know all too well.
Sleep deprivation is tiring, but dealing with a puffy face and swollen red eyes in the morning makes it harder. If, like me, you've tried everything from cooling your face with ice to drinking lots of tea, but didn't quite get your face refreshed, you know how rough it can get!
Plus, having a 10-step skincare routine for the night can get, well, unrealistic. There's simply no time to apply all the fancy lotions and creams when you're on a time crunch.
So, after searching forever for an easy acne-friendly skincare routine that takes less than 10 minutes, I was overjoyed to come across Hero Cosmetics.
Blemishes happen, dark spots happen, rosacea happens. Issue-prone skin is human, and it can often feel entirely out of our control. We’re here to help put the power back in your hands. Whether you’re looking to prevent, treat, or repair – we create gentle, effective solutions that help your skin fight back; so you can open up, not cover up.
- Hero Cosmetics
Shop Hero Cosmetics at herocosmetics.us.
Let me just say loud and clear: if anything, this is the one brand that I genuinely trust for my skin.
After all, your skin's an organ, and it deserves all the care! I love that Hero Cosmetics has truly shown effective results, is affordable and student-wallet-friendly, and works with all types of skin from sensitive to acne-prone.
Created with powerful, clean ingredients, (the brand restricts over +2,400 ingredients that could cause irritation; they call it "being consciously clinical") Hero Cosmetics's skincare line is actually something you can believe in.
If you're looking for an affordable, on-the-go skincare routine that will have your face feeling clean, nourished, and refreshed, this is exactly what you need:
Everyday Refresh in 3, 2, 1
Forget about those fancy 10-step wash routines, and keep it simple instead. Why take the long way when there's an even better shortcut?
Shop the Clear Collective Trio here.
After spending quite a bit on unnecessary products, the Clear Collective Trio is exactly what I'd been needing all this time- and I haven't looked back. Comprised of the 3 must-haves- cleanser, toner, and moisturizer- this trio is the perfect AM and PM routine to keep your skin clear and fight off pores, oily skin, and breakouts.
The Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser is always the start of my day, and also the end of my day. This foamy cleanser exfoliates the skin in the most gentle way ever, and I love how it actually makes my skin feel so clean and fresh. Plus, it'll leave your skin feeling so soft, even before the moisturizer part. This works magic for unclogging those pores and wiping away the dirt and grime.
The Balancing Capsule Toner has quickly become one of my favorites- and this is coming from someone that never really used toner. Toners are so underrated- and this one is seriously deserving of your love. With 8 types of hyaluronnic acid, this toner works magic for "draw[ing] moisture into multiple layers of your skin." It's a must before your moisturizer if you want to maximize its benefits.
The Clarifying Prebiotic Moisturizer is simple, but it does exactly what it needs to do without complicating things. Just like the name suggests, this moisturizer is filled with good bacteria that is practically food for your skin. This pore-purifying moisturizer will make your skin feel balanced and hydrated.
I just love how lightweight and supple it feels, and it doesn't make your face feel greasy at all. I love applying this immediately after toner when my skin is still damp to really lock in that hydration! With the coming colder months, this is an absolute must-have.
Plus, I love that this set is perfect for sensitive and acne-prone skin. It has "no skin-irritating artificial colors, fragrance, parabens, pore-clogging silicones, or mineral oil." No matter what phase your skin is at, this is the best neutral, skin-safe option that I truly wholeheartedly.
For Those Sleepless Nights
When you miss those hours of sleep, it's hard to keep it a secret when the dark, tired under eyes are there. But don't worry- this magical cream is about to be your hero.
Shop the Bright Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream here.
Just after one use, the Bright Eyes Illuminating Eye Cream quickly made its way over to my essentials side of the skincare counter, and for good reason. This glide-on eye cream has actually helped brighten up my dark circles within minutes, and I'm actually obsessed with how it cools down my inflamed, sleep-deprived eyes. The results are so visible, and it's hard not to love this eye cream!
With a bright yellow tint and formula infused with niacinamide, the Bright Eyes will actually brighten up your under eyes and eyelids, just as the name says. It's so lightweight and doesn't feel sticky at all, and is perfect for acting as a base for any makeup. This cream absorbs so quickly, and will make you feel so much better in an instant!
Plus, I love how it has a stainless steel applicator. You can use it as a "cool down" tool to make your eyes feel so much more awake. If you want to amp that effect even further, Hero Cosmetics suggests "storing Bright Eyes in your fridge to up the chill factor."
Cool It In The Morning
Puffy eyes are the worst (and so hard to get rid of). But nothing is impossible- you actually can cool it down in an instant!
Shop the Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes here.
It's time to make your morning routine so much more energized and reviving at the same time. The Mighty Patch for Tired Eyes is a gel patch that will wake up your eyes even if you haven't gotten your sleep in. I'm actually shocked and delighted at how they depuffed my under eyes, and how nice and calming it feels. Call it a mini-self-care for the morning, if you will!
All you have to do is place these gel patches under your eyes (or honestly, your eyelids if you feel like it- I've tried this to depuff my eyes!) and wait 30+ minutes until the white patches turn clear.
Plus, for all you busy students, you don't have to just sit still and close your eyes for this gel patch to work its magic. With a contoured fit that will stay right under your eyes without slipping off, this makes it totally possible for you to go about your work. Not even kidding, I was able to have these on for over half an hour and still do my work!
I love how they make me feel like a total beauty queen, but are totally practical at the same time, too!
Pimple Care, But Make It Lowkey
We've all had those days when pimples come up just in time for school- but what if I said you could actually hide them without caking them with concealer?
Shop the Mighty Patch Invisible+ here.
Pimple patches are the internet's latest craze, and for good reason. It's the most genius concept: patch on a sticker, wait just 6-8 hours for it to turn white as it absorbs all the gunk, and peel off to reveal a zit-less skin surface!
However, if you've been getting annoyed with how visible they are, the Mighty Patch Invisible+ will be your new favorite thing. This is one of the thinnest patches, and has a seamless taper that makes it hard to notice. Not even kidding, these patches are so unnoticeable in their incognito mode that I once forgot to take them off! Seriously, that's how good they are at their job.
Made with hydrocolloid, a gentle fluid-absorbing gel, this pimple patch is safe for sensitive skin as it is medical-grade and allergy tested. They work beautifully for zapping away those zits, and I love how it helps you fight pimples even at school!
Overnight Magic
If you're following skincare on social media at all, you know you've heard of "retinol" before- and it's about to be your best friend.
Shop the Rescue Retinol here.
This nighttime cream has a balm-like texture that's perfect for putting on overnight. In the morning, you'll find your face much smoother, bouncier, and more lively.
The Rescue Retinol is designed to help even out skin texture and fight post-blemish marks. Made with retinol blend, squalene, and Rescue Balm Complex™, this retinol cream will actually nourish your skin. Retinol can be a strong ingredient, which is exactly why Rescue Retinol has a hydrating formula to keep the skin calm and happy. If you're looking to start with retinol, this is the perfect introductory product!
This retinol cream has helped fade away post-acne scars and hyperpigmentation, and I love how much smoother my skin feels. If you're in the stages of clearing away old acne marks and regaining that smooth skin, this is the perfect product for you.
Keep Up With Hero Cosmetics
Be sure to follow Hero Cosmetics on social media! Find them on Instagram at @herocosmetics, Twitter at @herocosmetics, and TikTok at @herocosmetics.
