Holding on to Summer with Mists and Mini Sets

My Mom's health is declining. She's 89 years old and after a fall in June, she was admitted to hospital and is now in long term care. It has been an emotional summer but as usual, my courageous Mom is showing us how it's done - facing challenges with grace, grit and lots of kindness and love. 

I am travelling back and forth from Toronto to Peterborough, Ontario to care for her. Toronto traffic is such a nightmare! But amidst it all, I am determined to take care of myself and do things that bring me joy - like eating nutritious food to keep up my energy levels, and lots of swimming, yoga and pilates to fortify my emotional and physical well being. This helps me to be truly present for Mom and the rest of my loving family as we walk this journey together. 

Since I'm travelling a lot, I'm using skincare mini sets to pack lightly and stay organized (at least my skincare is organized, LOL). I am loving the HEVEBLUE Salmon Caring Centella Special Travel Set - with its super gentle mousse-y cleanser, glowy toner, hydrating serum and plumping moisturizer. The star ingredient is Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), derived from salmon DNA, which has regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects for human skin. I've been using the serum and moisturizer for the last few months and my skin looks firmer and my fine lines are smoothed out.

Friends of mine with sensitive skin love the Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Travel Kit, with centalla asiatica to calm and soothe skin as well as offer a boost of hydration. You can double cleanse on the go with their cleansing oil and foamy cleanser and sample their holy grail ampoule.

Other great mini sets include the Torriden DIVE-IN Trial Kit, which is the absolute best for hydration, with six types of hyaluronic acid. It offers a complete routine - a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer. The set works for all skin types and offer a convenient way to try the full line DIVE-IN products. 

For oily/combination skin, I recommend the Ma:nyo Bestsellers Trial Kit. Its oil cleanser is one of the best on the market for gently removing makeup and sunscreen without clogging pores. The products layer beautifully, offering hydration and the brand's trademark bifida biome ampoule with probiotics to keep the skin barrier healthy and protected. 

Another step I am loving right now for my skin as well as my mental health are mists! Spritzing a mist on my face calms my senses and transports me to the South of France, wearing an Hermès scarf and driving in a convertable, à la Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief! Such a pampering way to cool down skin, reduce redness and hydrate. Mists are multi-taskers - they can double as a toner, serum or a primer and setter for make up.

Mom and I are enjoying the Medicube Pink Glutathione PDRN Mist, which helps to firm and revitalize skin. Suitable for all skin types and a particular powerhouse for helping skin age well by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. We spray it on several times a day.

I am am also fond of the APLB Collagen EGF Peptide Essence Mist. Any product with essence in the title is usually a win as my skin is sensitive and dehydrated. It is instantly hydrating, evens out my skin tone and makes my skin look firmer and bouncier. I use it all day long and even at night as a part of my full routine.

And a buzzy new mist on my shelf is the Sungboon Editor Deep Collagen Barrier Collagen Serum Mist. Infused with 60% Collagen water and Vitamin C, it sprays on super fine, and provides a nourishing glow! A fabulous, pampering product. 

So, with my mists and mini sets, I am making summer last a littler longer, and amping up my self-care so I can be there for my beautiful Mom. Family first, skincare second. That is my motto!

Check out all of the SLB approved mists here, and the mini sets here.                                                                                                     .