For the 2024 holiday season, did you know just over 30 percent of consumers in the United States said they planned to buy themselves a gift? The holidays can be a great time for some self-care retail therapy. However, we often have to prioritize buying other gifts as well. So, most people don’t want to get too crazy.
Thus, buying a gift set is a wonderful way to make a one-time purchase for yourself. But, at the same time, you’ll receive multiple items that you can use throughout the year. Let’s talk about some of the best!
DERMALOGICA
Dermalogica Cleanse and Glow Gift Set: $129
$179 value
Includes:
Daily Microfoliant (2.6 oz): Gentle, illuminating polisher
This contains physical exfoliants, chemical exfoliants, and rice starch! The main ingredients are monocrystalline cellulose and magnesium oxide. These two types of powders are gentle but granular enough to physically exfoliate the skin. While monocrystalline cellulose gently removes old skin cells and thickens the product, magnesium oxide adjusts the pH of the product and absorbs excess oil from the skin.
Plus, this includes rice starch! Rice starch is an amazing ingredient that hydrates, nourishes, protects, and even provides the skin with nutrients like ferulic acid. Read more here.
This microfoliant is a really gentle option for the skin. It also contains oil-soluble BHAs, tea tree oil, and licorice. BHAs and tea tree oil are known acne treatments, and licorice helps with dark spots and hyperpigmentation. However, for oily skin, it may not be a product for everyday use.
How to use:
Pour a little bit out, and then, fluff it up with water. Use a brush or whisk to turn the product into a fluffy, white texture. Then, apply it for gentle exfoliation.
PreCleanse (5.1 oz): Deep-cleansing oil
This is a gem for double-cleansing routines. It works wonderfully for removing makeup as well as sunscreen, and it smells so lovely. Then, when you rub it in, it turns into a milky lather that coats and moisturizes the skin.
Special Cleansing Gel (8.4 oz): Soap-free, foaming gel cleanser
Washes away impurities without stripping or drying.
Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil and caprylic/capric triglyceride for gentle cleansing and moisturization.
How to use this set:
$179 value
What does it include?
Daily Milkfoliant (2.6 oz) - calming vegan exfoliating powder
This is a calming version of the microfoliant, but Cassandra doesn’t think someone with dry skin should use this every day either. This has oat and coconut, and the texture is very viscous due to the beta-glucans.
This doesn't have the powdery monocrystalline cellulose like the microfoliant in the other set. On the other hand, the oat and coconut make it so nourishing to the skin, especially sensitive skin.
Circular Hydration Serum (1.0 oz)
Long-lasting hydrating serum
Active Moist Oil-free moisturizer (1.7 oz)
Provides effective, oil-free hydration without a greasy feel
Sodium hyaluronate and kelp extract soothe the skin and keep it hydrated. Also, the kelp protects the barrier from skin-damaging particles.
How to use gift set:
Glow Recipe Double The Glow Gift Set: $52
What does it include?
Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner
This toner hydrates and gently exfoliates the skin with PHAs and the BHA dissolves oil within the pores. What's also amazing is that the watermelon provides an incredible amount of antioxidants. Toners help to clarify the skin and balance its pH.
Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Oil-Free Moisturizer
Oil-free gel moisturizers can be a great choice for oily-prone or acne-prone skin. However, during the winter or for dry skin, you may want to top this off with an occlusive so it won't evaporate off of the skin too quickly. Occlusives like a thick cream can also help hydrating products like this one travel to deeper layers of the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid + glycerin: Provides long-lasting hydration deep within the skin.
ULIKE
Ulike Holiday Kit: $299
Wrapped in an exquisite package with special holiday touches, the Air 10 laser hair removal device comes a storage box, two aloe vera gels, a pack of gem stickers, and two Christmas cards. Treat your friends, family, and loved ones to the Ulike IPL hair removal device.
The aloe vera gel: We love aloe vera because it includes anthraquinones and polysaccharides. Anthraquinones are compounds that reduce swelling and promote healing. Polysaccharides stimulate skin growth and repair.
Read more about why we love the ULIKE device here.
TOWER 28
SOS Rescue Bestsellers Kit: $38
SOS Daily Rescue Spray
An award-winning, TikTok viral, and our #1 bestseller. It's soothing, purifying, and you can spray it anywhere (eczema, blemishes, irritation, you name it).
This also has hypochlorous Acid which can be used under the arms for freshness.
SOS LipSoftie Lip Treatment
Clear lip treatment that delivers the intense hydration of a lip mask to instantly rescue dry lips. It's cushiony and has clinically proven long-lasting hydration for smooth, softie lips.
SOS Cream
An intentionally basic moisturizer that's non-irritating. It hydrates, soothes irritation, and helps reinforce the skin barrier.
This cream includes ceramides and allantoin which not only help the skin repair itself, but these ingredients lock in other active skincare ingredients.
SAIE BEAUTY
Mini Glowy Super Gel Multipurpose Illuminator Set: $24
A bestselling multipurpose illuminator duo for fresh, dewy skin features mini sizes of Glowy Super Gel’s universal bronze gold shade, Sunglow, and limited edition universal soft warm golden shade, Warmglow.
These products include rosehip oil and squalane which can help with redness. They also moisturize the skin, but it's the other ingredients like silicone that will help the products actually grip the skin. However, sometimes having plant-based oils in makeup can make them easier to remove.
MURAD SKINCARE
Smooth + Hydrate with Clinically Proven Acids Set: $85
$59.50 at Nordstrom
AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser (5 oz.)
An intensive triple-action exfoliator with a proprietary blend of salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids that polishes away dull, dry skin.
This cleanser could definitely work for a “glass skin routine” because it meant to give your skin a luminescent, glossy look.
Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture Cream (1.7 oz.)
A moisturizing cream that helps penetrate deep into the skin for instant and lasting hydration.
After cleansing, this will add a dewiness to your skin on top of the glossiness.
THE ORDINARY
Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner (3.4 oz)
This is one of Cassandra's favorite products. Glycolic acid is a very powerful AHA acid that breaks down the bonds between old skin cells. The molecules are also very small. This allows them to travel deeply and provide hydration as well. On the other hand, some sensitive skin types may find glycolic acid irritating.
Squalane Cleanser (5.1 0z)
This a very moisturizing cleanser, but perhaps not the greatest choice for oily or even oily-prone combo skin. Dry skin will probably do better with this cleanser, and squalane is a great ingredient for coating the skin.
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (2.0 oz)
Vitamin B5 works wonderfully for irritated skin, and it can help prevent inflammation. Along with hyaluronic acid, vitamin B5 is also a humectant, meaning it holds moisture in the skin.
Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG (1.0 oz)
Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor. So, it calms swollen veins and purplish or dark discoloration under the eyes. This also has EGCP (epicatechin gallate), which is supposed to help plump the skin and increase elastin production.
Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (3.4 oz)
We love this moisturizer. It's great for repairing the skin barrier, protecting it during the winter, and helping the skin produce ceramides.
These are all fantastic winter products.
THE INKEY LIST
The Hydration Edit Holiday Set: $31.50
$22.05 at Sephora!
Oat Cleansing Balm 1.7 oz/ 50 mL
This is one of our favorites, and it works amazingly for a double-cleansing routine.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum + 1.7 oz/ 50 mL Omega Water Cream 1 oz/ 30 mL
The hyaluronic acid is extremely hydrating, and it can also pull moisture from the omega water cream deeper into the skin. The water cream also helps to seal in the moisture.
Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm 0.33 oz/ 10 mL
This tripeptide lip Balm plumps the lips and retains water. So, you don't have to keep using it over and over again throughout the day.