• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
Subscribe Give A Gift
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Style
  • Fashion
  • Black Beauty Matters
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • The Cut Shop
  • Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • The State of the Uterus
  • Parenting
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
  • Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
  • Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • NYMag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
+Comments Leave a Comment
  • Style
  • Fashion
  • Black Beauty Matters
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
  • The Cut Shop
  • Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • The State of the Uterus
  • Parenting
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Horoscopes
  • Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
  • Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • NYMag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
  • Curbed
SPONSOR STORY
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.
Sponsored By Saks Fifth Avenue Sponsored By Saks Fifth Avenue
June 15, 2020

5 Beauty Dilemmas, Solved By a Saks Beauty Expert

By Laura Delarato
Photo: Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue

We beauty-lovers are always on the hunt for the best and most effective ways to get the results we’re seeking, and with a little more indoor time on our hands, many of us are searching for routines tailored to our new inside lives. We crowdsourced your questions on the Cut’s Instagram for Saks Beauty to solve — and they didn’t disappoint. Many, many, many questions rolled in, but five common themes kept popping up. From redness-reducing serums to the best zinc-tastic sunscreens, these products are here to help, according to Saks Beauty Buyer Joanna Kennedy. Read on for her go-to product list, plus tips on giving your skin and hair some extra care.

“I’ve tried every SPF under the sun. Can you recommend a sunscreen that won’t cause breakouts? And should I still be wearing SPF inside?”

Sunscreen is here to protect you, not cause more stress. In situations like this, it’s important to understand the type of sunscreen that works with your skin. There are two ways sunscreen-related breakouts can occur: blockage of the pores by minerals in the sunscreen that sit atop of your skin (aka comedogenic materials), or a reaction to chemical UV-blocking agents that [can] irritate and cause breakouts. If this is a case for you, consider lightweight, oil-free, and non-comedogenic formulas. And then, we can’t say this enough: test, test, test! Test each one at a time to see how it reacts to your skin.

And yes, wear that highly-tested sunscreen indoors! While we might be more inside than outside lately, it’s important to remember that standard glass windows block UVB rays (the type that cause redness and burns) but do not protect against UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and play a major role in causing discoloration and wrinkles.

Shop Saks' Picks

Supergoop! Zinc Screen Mineral Lotion SPF 40

Supergoop! Zinc Screen Mineral Lotion SPF 40

$42, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42

$35, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum

Clé de Peau Beauté UV Protective Cream Broad Spectrum

$135, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
RéVive Soleil Superiéur Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen PA++++

RéVive Soleil Superiéur Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen PA++++

$115, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now

“What’s good for calming down redness on the face?”

Glad you asked! Typically, redness is attributed to sensitive skin, rosacea, or eczema, [which] are highly common skin woes — they just need a little extra care to sooth and chill out.

Take a peek at products with niacinamide in the ingredient list. This water-soluble ingredient is a form of Vitamin B3 that prevents skin from flushing and reduces redness. Plus, niacinamide helps reduce the effects of UV rays. Niacinamide is kind of like a superhero that helps ward off any issues at microscopic level. Not only will you see a visible reduction in redness but also premature aging of the skin.

Shop Saks' Picks

Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cream

Chantecaille Rose de Mai Cream

$212, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Jack Black Clean Break™ Oil-Free Moisturizer

Jack Black Clean Break™ Oil-Free Moisturizer

$30, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Chantecaille Blanc Gardenia Brightening Emulsion

Chantecaille Blanc Gardenia Brightening Emulsion

$160, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now

“I have more intense dark circles due to irregular sleep patterns. What should I do?”

In order to take care of the problem, we must go to the source: your sleep pattern. Sleep is the ultimate in skincare cures because it allows your body to rest, it keeps your circulatory system in check, and it allows the blood vessels under the eyes to properly drain. While you get your beauty rest, treat the optical area with retinol-formulated eye creams and hyaluronic acid serums. Both can help rebuild collagen and help fill out the thin skin under the eye. Plus, this helps strengthen the skin’s foundation and makes the blood vessels in that area less visible. As for the root issue of getting enough rest, Saks can also help you get those 8 hours: we have sleep supplements and little treats, like aromatherapy mists and silky pillowcases, that can help turn your room into a sanctuary.

Shop Saks' Picks

Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Advanced Repair Retinol Eye Cream

Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Advanced Repair Retinol Eye Cream

$126, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum

$50, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Sleep Mist

Aromatherapy Associates Deep Relax Sleep Mist

$44, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Slip Slipsilk Travel Set

Slip Slipsilk Travel Set

$124, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now

“I’m not using heat on my hair while I’m staying at home. How else can I make it healthier?”

While you’re putting away hot tools, go one step further by reducing the amount of hot water your hair is exposed to in the shower. The heat allows the hair cuticle to swell, making follicles more susceptible to split ends. Instead of blasting the heat, use cold water to rinse and close off the hair’s outer layer, then help strengthen each strand by adding argan oil-infused hair masks or deep conditioning treatments to your routine. These treatments are designed to keep hair damage at a minimum, as the oil molecules are so small that they can permeate the shaft of the hair to treat those pesky splits. Also while you’re at it, upgrade your usual brush to a detangling version that’s kinder to wet hair, and swap out regular hair ties for Slip scrunchies, which are less prone to snagging.

Shop Saks' Picks

Raincry Detangle Large Brush

Raincry Detangle Large Brush

$75, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Mask

$36, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Moroccanoil Moroccanoil Treatment

Moroccanoil Moroccanoil Treatment

$44, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Slip 6-Pack Skinny Silk Scrunchies

Slip 6-Pack Skinny Silk Scrunchies

$39, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now

“What are some indie brands you like — smaller brands that we can support?”

Good news: Saks Beauty’s The Apothecary is a great place to identify independent beauty brands you might not have heard of. For example, there’s Epara Skincare, a luxury line founded by Ozohu Adoh to specifically serve the skin needs of women of color. There’s Helmm, whose team has made an incredibly conscious deodorant — from the paraben-, phthalate-, talc-, triclosan-, sulfate-, and aluminum-free formula to the eco-cognizant packaging, it’s a prime sweat-stick with four designer scents to boot. Le Prunier comes from a California sister trio dedicated to unlocking the beauty power of plums and creating a plum-based beauty oil through sustainable farming practices. Lesse, whose mask and serum are made without chemicals or toxins, is perfect for stress acne. And, of course, SOH Melbourne, whose candles are designed to burn 70-plus hours of the most clean, dreamy scents your home will love.

Shop Saks' Picks

Epara Skincare Comforting Body Cream

Epara Skincare Comforting Body Cream

$160, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
HELMM Helmm Scent 5-Piece Antiperspirant & Deodorant Wardrobe

HELMM Helmm Scent 5-Piece Antiperspirant & Deodorant Wardrobe

$75, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil

Le Prunier Plum Beauty Oil

$72, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
LESSE Bioactive Face Mask

LESSE Bioactive Face Mask

$60, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now
SOH Melbourne Verdant Scented Candle

SOH Melbourne Verdant Scented Candle

$70, Saks Fifth Avenue

Shop Now

All images courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.

This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

Tags:

  • sponsor story
  • beauty
  • saks fifth avenue
  • skincare
  • market roundup
  • new york stories
  • More
+Comments Leave a Comment
The Most-Asked Beauty Questions on Our Instagram, Answered

Most Viewed Stories

  1. Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of February 6
  2. The New Rules
  3. Everyone’s Dissolving Their Pillowy Filler Faces
  4. Every Look From the 2023 Grammys
  5. The Fleishman Effect
  1. The New Rules
  2. Every Look From the 2023 Grammys
  3. Everyone’s Dissolving Their Pillowy Filler Faces
  4. The Fleishman Effect
  5. Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of February 6

Best of The Cut

  • This Is Pamela, Finally
  • The New Rules
  • The Cool Tang of Ice Spice
  • The Laundress Was Supposed to Be the Nice Detergent
  • The Promise of Pyer Moss
See All

The Latest

power 2:00 p.m.
What to Know About the Protests in Iran Since Mahsa Amini’s death, Iranian forces have killed more than 500 protesters, including women and children.
is this flirting? 12:58 p.m.
Divorced Dad Experiments With Thirst Traps A newly retired Tom Brady is posting mirror selfies.
brooding 12:00 p.m.
What If You Just Didn’t Clean That Up? Our ideas about cleanliness are stuck in the mid-20th century. Today, women can afford to care less.
By Kathryn Jezer-Morton
:( 11:21 a.m.
Ben Affleck Plumbs New Depths of Existential Despair Not everyone had a nice time at the Grammys, but at least one man was honest about it.
grammys 2023 9:47 a.m.
Fans Are Still Processing That Beyoncé Snub Are Grammy voters okay?
rich people stuff 8:00 a.m.
The Fleishman Effect In a city of Rachels and Libbys, the FX show has some New York moms worried they’re the ones in trouble.
By Caitlin Moscatello
appointment viewing 8:00 a.m.
The Last of Us Is the Apocalyptic Tearjerker You Won’t Want to Miss Yes, that zombie-apocalypse show The Last Of Us is actually worth the hype.
how i get it done 7:00 a.m.
Misty Copeland Is Back in the Studio And preparing for her return to the stage since becoming a mother and authoring a memoir. Here, she shares how she gets it all done.
grammys 2023 Yesterday at 10:35 p.m.
The Best, Wackiest, and Most Tin Man–Like Looks From the Grammys Red Carpet No, Beyoncé did not walk the carpet, but Cardi B, Harry Styles, Lizzo, and Taylor Swift arrived in their sparkliest outfits.
grammys 2023 Yesterday at 10:20 p.m.
The 9 Grammys Beauty Looks We Are Re-creating ASAP Want inspiration for your GRWM? Doja Cat absolutely wins in the winged-eyeliner category.
grammys 2023 Yesterday at 8:55 p.m.
The Highlights and Disappointments of the 2023 Grammys From waiting for Beyoncé to Kim Petras’s historic win.
sex diaries Yesterday at 8:00 p.m.
The Tokyo Woman Flying to Milan for a Former Co-worker This week’s sex diary.
grammys 2023 Yesterday at 5:11 p.m.
Every Look From the 2023 Grammys Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Bad Bunny, Adele, Doja Cat, Jack Harlow, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, and more.
By Brooke LaMantia
astrology Yesterday at 8:30 a.m.
Madame Clairevoyant: Horoscopes for the Week of February 6 A full moon in Leo brings long-simmering feelings to the surface.
By Claire Comstock-Gay
grammys 2023 Yesterday at 12:05 a.m.
Beyoncé Just Broke a Grammys Record The night ended with an upset, but she still holds more awards than any other artist.
back in the press Feb. 4, 2023
13 Takeaways From Armie Hammer’s First Interview Since His Scandal He admitted to being emotionally abusive to his accusers, but claimed that all his sexual encounters were consensual.
parties! Feb. 3, 2023
Pauline Chalamet, Tessa Thompson, and More of the Bestest Party Pics This Week Partying with Guerlain, Marni, and more.
life after roe Feb. 3, 2023
The Future of Abortion Pills Is on the Line One Trump-appointed judge holds the power to effectively ban medication abortion even though the U.S. approves its use up to ten weeks into pregnancy.
spring fashion Feb. 3, 2023
Ella Emhoff’s Other Plus One Her always-present Secret Service detail.
style Feb. 3, 2023
At Marc Jacobs, a Generous, Life-Enhancing Fashion History Lesson The designer’s latest show, “Heroes,” celebrated the the late Vivienne Westwood.
More Stories
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • About The Cut
  • About New York Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • We’re Hiring
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2023 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.