#dermaflash

July is all about keeping things calm, hydrated, and happy — especially when your skin likes to throw a tantrum the second the weather changes. These are the five products that have genuinely carried my routine this month, kept my skin steady, and made everything feel a little easier.

1. Good Molecules 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment — The Calm‑Down Queen

This was a slow‑and‑steady win for my skin. I started with once a day for the first two weeks to let my skin adjust, and honestly… that was the move. Azelaic acid speeds up cell turnover, which means it brings all those little clogged pores to the surface faster — aka skin purging. Mine lasted only about a week and was super minor, and I fully believe that starting slow kept things from going off the rails.

Once I bumped it up to twice a day, everything clicked. My skin has been noticeably calmer, way fewer flareups, and my tone looks so much more even. And when I forget a day? Oh, my skin reminds me by trying to purge again — like “hey girl, consistency please” 😭

It’s also way gentler than The Ordinary’s version, which was a little too intense for me. This one is soft, steady, and effective. Plus… the tube lasts about six weeks and it’s twelve bucks. Twelve. It’s genuinely one of the best steals in my routine.

2. Prequel Sulfur Cleanser — The “Hot Take” Skin Saver

Okay, hot take: sulfur gets a bad rap… but this cleanser is genuinely one of the gentlest, most calming products I’ve ever used. It has a low odor (thank god), and even though sulfur is notorious for smelling awful, this one is surprisingly tolerable — especially considering how well it works.

It’s incredibly soothing during rosacea flare-ups. My skin just chills out when I use it. I keep it in my night routine so I’m not walking around smelling like an egg during the day 😂 but honestly, the tiny bit of scent is a small price to pay for how much calmer and clearer my skin has been.

It’s one of those products where you think, “Ugh, sulfur…” and then suddenly you’re like, “Wait… why is my skin actually thriving?”

⭐ Special Shout-Out: De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment

Now THIS one… this one smells like sulfur with a capital S. No hiding it, no pretending — it’s intense. But when my skin gets mad (like real mad), this is the only thing that gets it together.

I use it as a spot treatment or a full mask on days when my skin is especially angry at the world. It dries up breakouts fast and calms redness like nothing else. Because it’s such a high concentration, I always follow with a super moisturizing routine — sulfur can be drying, but the results are worth it.

It’s not glamorous, it’s not cute, but it WORKS.

3. Thayers Milky Hydrating Face Cleanser — The Creamy Morning Reset

This cleanser is the definition of gentle. It’s creamy, no lather, and somehow still manages to cleanse really well without stripping your skin at all. No tightness, no irritation — just soft, comfortable skin that actually feels better after you wash it.

The ingredients are honestly the star here: hydrating botanicals, barrier‑supporting extracts, and soothing elements that make it perfect for a morning cleanse. It’s the kind of wash that wakes your skin up without overwhelming it. If your skin is sensitive, reactive, or just needs a calm start to the day, this is the one.

It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s one of those cleansers you don’t realize you love until you try something else and immediately miss it.

⭐ Special Mention: Anua Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser

If Thayers is the calm morning reset, Anua is the nighttime deep‑clean queen. It’s foamy, moisturizing, and non‑stripping — the rare combo that actually exists. I use it as the second step in my double cleanse after micellar water, and it takes off every trace of makeup and sunscreen without irritating my skin.

It leaves you feeling clean, fresh, and hydrated, not squeaky or tight. It’s the perfect “end of day” cleanser when you want everything off your face but still want your skin to feel soft afterward.

4. Bubble Star Dew Eye Cream — Holy Hydration, Batman

Holy hydration Batman — this eye cream shocked me in the best way. I originally got curious about Bubble because of how affordable their products are, and Star Dew ended up being the one that completely won me over.

STORY TIME: I got a little too consistent with red light therapy under my eyes (oops), and it triggered a psoriasis patch right underneath one of them. Normally, during a psoriasis flare-up, I reach for my bison tallow balm — but I definitely didn’t want to put that under my eye. So I tossed Star Dew into my cart, crossed my fingers, and hoped for the best.

And let me tell you… after about a week of using it AM & PM, the plaque subsided. I was genuinely shook. It’s hydrating without being heavy, soothing without being greasy, and it made that irritated area calm down so fast.

The bottle has lasted me well over two months — and I’m pretty sure I can squeeze out a few more weeks. At $12 a bottle, and with a little girl math, this eye cream is practically free. It’s become one of my favorite “quiet hero” products in my routine.

5. Dermaflash Luxe+ — The Best Dermaplane Upgrade Ever

This is hands‑down the best dermaplane upgrade I’ve ever made. I used to rely on the Jill brand blades, and while they were fine, the Dermaflash Luxe+ turned a once‑messy, 20‑minute chore into a quick, five‑minute, mess‑free ritual I actually look forward to.

The device itself is designed to give a super smooth, even exfoliation without tugging or irritating the skin. You can make multiple passes over the same area with zero redness or discomfort — which was definitely not the case with manual blades. My face is noticeably smoother, makeup applies better, and the whole experience feels elevated instead of chaotic.

It’s one of those upgrades where you immediately think, “Oh… this is what dermaplaning is supposed to feel like.” I LOVE.

💜 Final Note

July has been all about calming flare-ups, keeping things hydrated, and finding products that actually make my skin feel supported. These five have been the MVPs of my routine — gentle, effective, and surprisingly affordable.