Hand soap is a highly competitive product category. Product labels have to be eye-catching and full of buzzwords like “soothing,” “advanced,” “foaming”, “natural,” you name it. But as consumers, we have the power to look past the marketing—simply by turning the package over and reading the ingredient list. If a product label says “soothing,” you might logically assume that it is designed for people who are concerned about skin…

Ever since I got back from Hawaii, I’ve been daydreaming of long, lazy days at the beach. That’s probably why I impulse-bought Not Your Mother’s Texturizing Sea Salt Spray when I spotted it at CVS. It promises to leave your hair looking perfectly wind-tousled, like you just spent the day at the beach. I was intrigued—I’ve only ever used sea salt for cooking/eating before. Could it really help texturize my hair and shape it into glamorous, tousled waves?

Lately I’ve come to realize that salicylic acid is an underrated over-the-counter ingredient. For a long time, I only associated salicylic acid with acne face washes, spot treatments, and the like. But it’s actually a very versatile skin care ingredient that helps people who have psoriasis and keratosis pilaris (“rough and bumpy” skin). And it’s classified as a beta hydroxy acid, aka a chemical exfoliant that helps improve the texture of skin and fine lines, without…