Oak Essentials Skincare Review

A little over a year ago I started using the Oak Essentials skincare routine, and I have to say I don’t think I’ll be looking for new products anytime soon. Oak Essentials recently released two new serums, which they sent me to try out. The day serum has vitamin C and is supposed to help with collagen production and balancing discoloration. The night serum has retinol and smooths texture and supports an even tone.

• Cleansing Balm - Of all the products the cleansing balm is the one I reach for the least. While I love an oil cleanser, I prefer washing my face in the shower and this balm isn’t the best for that.

• Balancing Mist - This is my favorite product of the entire line. The scent is divine and I truly feel the toning properties do balance out the pH of my skin.

• Daily Vitamin C Serum - This serum is a new top favorite product. It’s non-sticky and lightweight, it also feels lovely underneath my spf and make-up.

• Ritual Oil - I love love love this oil. I personally have preferred lightweight, vitamin rich face oils and this certainly is that.

• Moisture Rich Balm - Nice, but not may favorite. Personally I prefer using just the ritual oil unless I am suffering from severe dryness.

• Restorative Mask - A lovely moisture retaining mask that always feels like a luxury.

• Nightly Retinol Serum - I haven’t tried the retinol serum as I am expecting, but look forward to adding back to my routine once I pop this baby out!

• Dew Body Oil - I absolutely love this body oil, it’s been a go to for my stretch skin and growing bump since the start of my pregnancy. I even include it in my first trimester favorites!

Oak Essentials First Impressions

For the past few months I have been trying out some new skincare products from Jenni Kayne. Oak Essentials is a cruelty free, non-GMO, and organic product line. Watch the video below for my honest first impressions of the five foundational products, also known as “the routine.”

Shop the Line and get 15% off with my code GINAS15:

• Cleansing Balm

• Balancing Mist

• Daily Vitamin C Serum

• Ritual Oil

• Moisture Rich Balm

• Restorative Mask

• Nightly Retinol Serum

• Dew Body Oil

Gratitude Pages no. 3

Another round of things I have jotted down in my gratitude journal lately.

This week’s gratitude journal glimpses:

• Incredible authors who pen stories you can get lost in. Lately I have been reading more and it feels incredible.

• The way the afternoon light streams into the house and gives me a second burst of inspiration near the end of the day.

• The changing season, I have been pulling out my sweaters and coziest clothing and it feels great to shop my own wardrobe.

Gratitude Pages no. 2

Another week of 2021 gone and all I can think about is how is September nearly over? Even the start of the year is a blur much less the spring and summer.

Another few glimpses from my “journal” this week:

• The courage to start fresh. Specifically, choosing to move to California four years ago, but also in so many other ways.

• A quiet home. I love the peace. I grew up in a big family so I was used to noise but I much prefer a bit of silence.

• Options. Sometimes decision-making can feel like a burden, particularly the big life decisions. But in actuality it’s a privilege to have options. To have autonomy to direct your life as you wish, what a gift to have options to do and to try.

Gratitude Pages no. 1

Back when I was in college, and severely homesick, I started keeping a little journal with bullet points of things that made me happy each day. When I got sad I’d pull it out and read back how beautiful the little life I was creating was. I think without this small practice my homesickness would have resulted in me dropping everything and heading home.

I was thinking about this recently, and about the many times I have added gratitude practices to my daily routine. They are a powerful way to change your thinking over time, require your brain to focus on the beauty in front of you and find a way to push though difficult situations. I don’t have any particular reason to get back to gratitude journaling aside from it make me feel good, and I really love the thought of future me looking back on them. I really wish I still had 17 & 18 year old Gina’s first gratitude journal. I’m sure it would be full of things like, “my friend Christine brought me a cookie from the cafeteria” and “I got an A on my English assignment.” Little memories that meant so much to me at that time.

All that to say here is are some snippets out of my “journal” for September 20th.

• My slow mornings. Taking the time to pace myself has helped set a calm tone to the day.

• Seeing a friend this weekend just to talk and hang with her new pup. Bliss.

• Affirming text messages from my sister, who intuitively knows just what to say when you need it most.