This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.
It can be really difficult to find the right skincare routine for you, especially with so many different brands and products on the market. If you have not found the right products for you or are not completely satisfied with your current skincare, then pay close attention. Our chapter recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Higher Education Skincare, a clean and cruelty-free company that designs products that teach your skin to look and feel its best.
To target five essential categories of skin-care (cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating, treating and protecting), Higher Education, along with Dr. Susan Cox and highly skilled chemists, developed a 14-product line to treat all skin types. The products are paraben and sulfate free, and to make things even better, Higher Education Skincare is actively against animal testing. Packed full of powerful, invigorating ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants, these dermatologist-approved products were specifically formulated to tame, treat, and protect your skin.
And we got to try them all.
Cleansers
PRE-REQ™ Invigorating Foaming Cleanser
Skin Type: Oily & Acne Prone, Normal to Oily/Combination
Reviewed by: Maddy
As someone with combination skin, it has been hard for me to find a cleanser I can use both day and night that doesn’t dry out my skin or leave excess oil. PRE-REQ does both of those and beyond. The gentle foaming formula dissolves bacteria and removes makeup without drying out your skin. I loved the way the Tea Tree oil left my skin feeling smooth and refreshed. Plus, it is made for so many different skin types!
Pro-Tip: Rinse your face after cleansing for 5-10 seconds to help PRE-REQ balance your pH levels and minimize the appearance of pores.
NO BRAINER™ Gentle Skin Cleanser
Skin Type: Normal to Dry
Reviewed by: Kaitland
This is one of the most refreshing cleansers I have tried. It has been hard to find a cleanser that does not hurt my dry and sensitive skin but this one worked wonderfully. The product feels soothing on the skin, and, immediately after washing it off, I could tell it was already making my skin feel better. Gentle is the perfect word for this product, and I definitely look forward to the long term results from using this.
CHEAT SHEET™ Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes
Skin Type: All
Reviewed by: Maddy
We all have to cheat sometimes, right? CHEAT SHEET just makes you feel a little bit better about it. But seriously, we all have those times where a full skincare routine isn’t possible, so these makeup removing wipes are a definite must-have for me now. And yes, they even remove waterproof makeup without leaving your eyes raw and red.
Pro-Tip: Since you aren’t doing your full skincare routine, follow up CHEATSHEET with treatemtn pads, EASY A or RUSH, to completely cleanse your skin and leave it feeling cool and refreshed all night.
Treating Pads
RUSH™ Clear Complexion Wipes
Skin Type: Oily & Acne Prone
Reviewed by: Kelley
For all of my oily, acne-prone girls, these wipes will be your lifesaver. I used one pad and gently covered my entire face. After a few minutes my face began to dry up. I would strongly recommend following with an oil free moisturizer, however, because these wipes are no joke. My face actually felt overly dry which has never happened before! But, the next day all of my little pimples (that like to hang out around my cheekbones) had vanished and the pores on my nose had shrunk dramatically thanks to the salicylic acid in the wipes. This product would be perfect to use in the morning as an oil reducer if you applied it to your T-Zone or any oily spots as a spot treatment. If you want to try it at night hoping to wake up with clear skin, I would use it all over the face and apply your night cream on top.
Pro Tip: Use RUSH pads periodically throughout the day whenever your skin needs a little boost.
EASY A™ Gentle Resurfacing Pads
Skin Type: Normal to Dry, Normal to Oily/ Combination
Reviewed by: Maddy
I was super excited to try this product given that it received a Her Campus College Beauty Award, and they lived up to the hype. I have very sensitive skin, and have been troubled to find exfoliators that don’t burn or damage my skin, but these gentle pads left my face feeling hydrated and smooth. Chemical exfoliation may sound intimidating, but the chemicals used for this are extremely safe and occur naturally, which is less abrasive than physical exfoliation. This is one of the products I saw immediate results when using, and definitely look forward to using long term.
Hydrating Products
CRAM SESSION™ Vitamin Infused Hydrating Lotion
Skin Type: All
Reviewed by: Kelley
Growing up with oily skin, adding a moisturizer on top sounded like the last thing I wanted to do to my skin. After conquering this fear, I eventually realized that moisturizers are important no matter what skin type you have. When your skin is producing more oil, it is due to a lack of moisture and your body is trying to replenish it. So, don’t worry, moisturizing will not make you look even more oily as long as you use the right product. CRAM SESSION is a lightweight, vitamin-infused lotion that acts like a daily antioxidant for your skin. What I love the most about this product is the fractionated melanin that is added to protect your skin from not only the sun but also from blue light emitted by your phone (note: this product should not replace your daily sunscreen. Instead, it should be used as an additional defense mechanism). We never think that technology could be damaging our skin, but it is! This product will act like a technology sunscreen…a techscreen? Personally, I like to apply my moisturizers only at night (to prevent over-moisturizing) and this product works perfectly as a night cream.
Pro-Tip: Use CRAM SESSION on your neck and chest too! Apply the product with upward strokes in these areas for best results.
GOAL DIGGER™ Moisturizing Cucumber Crème
Skin Type: Normal to Dry
Reviewed by: Kaitland
It’s hard to find a moisturizer that does its job while preventing breakouts, and this does that. The product is lightweight so it doesn’t weigh your face down and it doesn’t clog your pores and create breakouts like a lot of moisturizers do. After a few days of using this product I could tell that the dry patches on my face are starting to go away which is great progress. The infusion of cucumber and other natural plant extracts not only replenish your skin’s natural moisture, but also protect your skin from harsh environmental conditions.
DOUBLE MAJOR™ Moisture Relief Gel
Skin Type: Normal to Oily/ Combination
Reviewed by: Maddy
I was not sure about this product before using it, since a moisture relief gel didn’t seem like it would work as an efficient moisturizer. Boy, was I wrong. This super lightweight, oil free gel strengthens your skin’s natural moisture balance, which I personally noticed the most at night. A lot of times my lotions feel too heavy or greasy when I am sleeping, but not DOUBLE MAJOR. My favorite aspect was the use of ginger extract in this gel, because I immediately felt its anti-inflammatory, soothing effects.
Pro-Tip: Mix a bit of SPRING BREAK Sunscreen with DOUBLE MAJOR for an easy two-in-one application!
Extra Treats
SPRING BREAK™ Oil Free Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen, SPF 30
Skin Types: All
Reviewed by: Maddy
Sunscreen is such an important part of every person’s skincare routine, but I have struggled to find one that works for me. This oil free sunscreen, however, works amazing with every skin type and left my sensitive skin feeling protected and moisturized. Microfine zinc in the formula protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays, while aloe vera soothes and balances your skin. I will not leave home without this product.
Pro-Tip: SPRING BREAK can double as a mattifying makeup primer to help reduce the appearance of pores.
GRINDING AWAY™ Polishing Scrub
Skin Type: All
Reviewed by: Kelley
I am a huge fan of exfoliators, and this product does an amazing job at deep cleaning your skin and pores. Use this product one to two times per week to clear out the oily parts of your skin that a daily cleanser cannot. This polishing scrub is gentle on the skin and helps to even your complexion, making it look smoother, brighter and more even in color.
Pro-Tip: If you have dry or sensitive skin, use this product twice a week. If your skin is combination or a little oily, use this product 3-5 times a week.
MBA™ Night Renewing Serum
Skin Type: All
Reviewed by: Kaitland
I have never tried to use a night serum because the idea of putting something on my face before going to bed scared me because of my combination skin. I have dry patches, but I still break out too, so basically my face is a mess. I tried this out and it felt really nice and didn’t feel so heavy that I was afraid it would clog up my pores. I woke up the next morning and my face felt refreshed and not super dry and tight! This product convinced me to consider a night serum as part of my skincare routine.
Pro-Tip: Since this product has retinol, allow your skin time to adjust. Introduce the product into your routine gradually, making sure to listen to what your skin is asking for. Also make sure to apply sunscreen daily as retinol makes the skin more prone to sunburn.
NIGHT OWL™ Reviving Eye Complex
Skin Types: All
Reviewed by: Maddy
As your average stressed-out college senior, I constantly have dark, puffy bags under my eyes. Personally, concealer alone has never been enough to minimize the appearance of these and I have been really wanting to try a product that specifically targets under my eyes. My first experience with NIGHT OWL was amazing. The cream visibly reduces puffiness and brightens the skin around my eyes, making my whole face look and feel like it was glowing. I would recommend this product to literally every person I know.
Pro-Tip: The skin around your eyes is a lot more sensitive than the rest of the face, so apply NIGHT OWL in the first step of your routine after cleansing and exfoliating.
STUDY BUDDY™ Clarifying and Brightening Mask
Skin Type: Oily & Acne Prone, Normal to Oily/ Combination
Reviewed by: Kelley
Before I begin to rave about this product I would like to mention that it won the 2019 Teen Vogue Acne Award Winner for ‘Best Mask’, so it already proves itself. Study Buddy is a clarifying and brightening mask that also acts as an exfoliator, which is the holy grail for all us oily girls. It helps improve skin texture and tone. Apply this product all around your face, or only in the T-Zone and it will gently warm the skin to melt away your impurities and clogged pores. I kept this mask on for 10 minutes and my skin was left feeling incredibly soft and toned after one use.
Pro-Tip: Customize your mask with other Higher Education Skincare products. For example, apply a thin layer of CRAM SESSION or DOUBLE MAJOR underneath this mask to target all of your unique skin care needs.
MAKE OUT READY™ Moisturizing Lip Balm, SPF 15
Skin Type: All
Reviewed by: Kaitland
This is one of the best lip balms I’ve tried because it locks in moisture for hours without needing to reapply. There have been a lot of times I need to reapply lip balm 2 or 3 times within a little bit of time because it just moistens the top without actually helping whereas this product really seems to repair the skin underneath.
Pro-Tip: Use MAKE OUT READY under lipstick and lipgloss for long-lasting color and protection.
Guess what, Buffs? You have a chance to try it out for yourself. Higher Education Skincare sent a second full product line for one lucky winner. Yes, you read that right. You can win the full 14-product skincare line with every item in this article. Check out our Instagram @hercampuscuboulder to learn how you can participate!
Plus, be sure to follow @highereducationskincare on Instagram to answer all of your skincare questions and fulfill your dreams of healthy skin. Also, check out their website for access to the brand’s blog which is full of information on how to use their products and better take care of your skin.
Thank you so much for reading!
HCXO,
Maddy, Kelley and Kaitland