Welcome to Actually Good Things

Recommendations from my commerce writer brain to your inbox

Hey folks,

I’m Theresa Holland, a former lifestyle blogger, current commerce writer, and contemporary consumerism aficionado.

As a commerce (aka online shopping) writer, it’s my job to research, try, test, and review items. At this point, my knowledge is vast.

I’ve personally touched linen sheets from all of today’s top bedding startups. I’ve slathered endless peptides onto my skin. I’ve used red light devices galore. I know what sunscreens will make you want to apply them every day, rain or shine, and which drugstore products are just as good as their fancier counterparts. I can tell you what brands are making the best denim shorts right now (hint: one is Levi’s and the other rhymes with schmabercrombie).

Nope, you don’t need to buy everything—or anything, for that matter. The fact that the highest 10% of earners in the U.S. do roughly half of the country’s spending isn’t lost on me.

But, if you’re like me, and you like products—knowing about products, learning about new ones, figuring out which things are the best of their categories, adding items to your cart you never intend to buy, creating wishlists and forgetting about them, finding out what’s good and what might not be worth your money—then this newsletter is for you.

This is Actually Good Things.

For my inaugural newsletter, I’m sharing actually good things I’ve repurchased multiple times—many of which have been in my arsenal for more than a few years.*

1. Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm

To be honest, Drunk Elephant leans a little too heavily into the “clean beauty” movement for my taste—remember, everything is a chemical, even water—but this lip balm walks the walk. It saved my dry pregnancy lips with baby number two, and now I always keep a stick in my nightstand. Plus, the short, stocky design is cute.

Number of times I’ve purchased Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm: 14

2. Vacation Crystal SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel

Vacation nods to the retro appeal of baby-oil tanning during the ‘70s and ‘80s (and, okay, maybe also the ‘90s and early aughts) but with a modern, safe-sun spin. The brand’s Crystal sunscreen is a smooth, non-greasy formula that goes on clear and absorbs immediately. It’s similar to Supergoop!’s Unseen Sunscreen—which I’m also fond of, though Vacation’s is the more wallet-friendly option. Men (my husband, for one) like it too. I even put it on my kids (I know it’s not mineral—don’t call the police).

Number of times I’ve purchased Vacation Crystal SPF 50 Invisible Face Gel: 3

3. Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops

If these eye drops aren’t part of your glam routine, what are you even doing? They make the whites of your eyes look like they’ve been touched up with FaceTune. The first time I used them, I was shocked by the effectiveness. Just make sure to blot up any drips down your cheeks or risk a white stripe on your face for the next eight hours. (The drops erase redness by constricting blood vessels, whether on your eyeballs or skin.)

Number of times I’ve purchased Lumify Redness Reliever Eye Drops: 13

4. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel

I’ve used this two-step exfoliator since 2018 and buy the 30-pack about four times a year. If you want good skin, this is it. I’ll die on this hill.

Number of times I’ve purchased Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel: 24

5. Tretinoin Cream (Generic Retin-A) 0.5%

Prescription tretinoin has been a skincare staple for me for a decade (give or take two pregnancies). I used to get it prescribed by a local dermatologist, but my co-pays for dermatology are the same price as getting a tube from Nurx ($90), which offers the exact same product through a telehealth prescription. So now I just get it through the Nurx app. One tube lasts me around six months, sometimes longer.

Number of times I’ve purchased Tretinoin Cream (Generic Retin-A): 18

6. Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Rosacea? Breakouts? Oily T-zone? Sensitive, irritated skin? Uneven texture? Hyperpigmentation? You name it, this is your guy. (I don’t use it all over my face and don’t reach for it every day—just where and when the need arises.)

Number of times I’ve purchased Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster: 7

7. Ennva Dermaplane Facial Hair Removal Razors

If you want smooth-as-butter skin that plays well under makeup, you gotta dermaplane (that is, shave your face) the night before. I wish I’d had this in my toolkit before my wedding day (same for the whitening eye drops), but now I know, and so do you.

Number of times I’ve purchased Ennva Dermaplane Facial Hair Removal Razors: 6

8. Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Adaptogens and Coconut Water

This facial spray is the calming spritz you need. I use it as part of my mini-midday skincare routine (yep, in addition to morning and night) that usually takes place after a workout or walk. Sometimes, I used it with a makeup sponge to blend, blend, blend. And it’s cheap! I heard Martha Stewart gets Mario Badescu facials, so don’t let the wallet-friendly price fool you into thinking it’s not top-notch.

Number of times I’ve purchased Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Adaptogens and Coconut Water: 3

*Some featured products are linked through affiliate programs and might earn me a small commission.

Please bear with me as I iron out the wrinkles of my logo, formatting, send-out cadence, etc.

Also note: You may be receiving this email because you signed up for my previous blog newsletter. If you’re not into it, no sweat.

What I’ve written lately:

• The Daily Beast | I Took the Same Biological Age Test as Kim Kardashian

• The Daily Beast | All the Products I Use for Low-Effort At-Home Pilates

What I’m reading lately:

• The Cut | Are You in Trampoline Denial?

• GQ | Why All the Guys at the Gym Are Maxing Out Their Glutes Right Now