Why is Dr. Barbara Sturm selling a Hyaluronic Acid Serum for $325?! Meanwhile, you can walk into Sephora and grab a hyaluronic acid serum for $9. I was casually browsing Sephora’s website during lunch when I stumbled across this, and I genuinely had to double-check the price. It felt unreal.
The thing is, hyaluronic acid itself isn’t some rare, exotic ingredient. It’s actually one of the most inexpensive raw materials used in skincare formulations. So when you see a product priced that high, you have to wonder: what exactly are you paying for?
According to the reviews, people are paying for it. That’s the part that really gets me. Not because luxury skincare is inherently bad; there are absolutely high-end brands that justify their price with thoughtful formulations, great textures, or truly innovative ingredients. But in cases like this, it often comes down to branding, packaging, and perception more than substance.
I just wish more people felt empowered to look beyond the price tag and marketing. A higher cost doesn’t automatically mean higher quality, especially with something as straightforward as hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is an important ingredient in skin care, but you can get it pretty cheaply, and it’s not being “cheap” by any means.
I actually put on makeup today, okay, a skin tint, but it still counts. I’ve had the L’Oréal Glotion sitting in my bathroom drawer for a while and completely forgot about it. I decided to try it, just to see how it looked. It gives this glowy finish, definitely more shine than coverage, but I actually like it. I used the medium shade, and instead of really tinting my skin, it just kind of blended in and made everything look a little more even. You are still able to see my freckles through it.
While digging through my drawer, I also found a Saie skin tint that I want to try tomorrow. Apparently, I’ve been quietly collecting makeup without actually using it.
I feel like I should make more of an effort to wear what I already have. I’ve been watching makeup videos again, and it’s been making me want to experiment a little. But at the same time… I don’t always go anywhere. Then again, you don’t really need a reason to wear makeup, right? Especially since what I like is pretty natural anyway. I don’t really do eye makeup, no eyeliner (I genuinely feel like I’d just poke myself in the eye), and I’ve never worn blush because I’m convinced I’d somehow end up looking like a clown, despite never actually trying it. Lip products, though? Those I love.
Alex is outside once again, trying to figure out how Everest keeps escaping. Everest, of course, is inside right now, lying peacefully in the office like she’s never caused a single problem in her life. It’s almost impressive how fast she does it. I let her out to go to the bathroom, came back maybe five minutes later, and she had already made her great escape.
On a calmer note, Alexis had her doctor’s appointment today, and everything looks good. Though she did say she waited half an hour just to talk to the doctor for about two minutes, which feels very normal for doctor visits.
Since I already have a folder full of printed notes from my cybersecurity book, I’m starting to wonder if continuing to rewrite everything in my notebook is actually helping, or if it’s just extra work that isn’t really necessary. I’m not sure which approach is more effective.
For now, I think I’ll make some tea and work through a few quizzes. They really help with retention, and they’re a good way to test whether I’m actually understanding the concepts, not just recognizing them.
