Have you heard of the term “empties” — aka products you’ve liked enough to use to the point that there’s hardly even a drop remaining? A few years ago, I remember seeing a beauty influencer highlight her “empties” and it stuck out at me because I knew she was someone who used a LOT of beauty products. I figured that this woman’s “empties” had to actually be decent if they were products she used in their entirety. I slowly started accumulating a bag of my own empties, not quite sure what I would do with them.

And then this week it hit me: A rapid-fire empties rundown on the blog!

Skincare Empties Review: What’s Worth a Repurchase?

I’m going to start with skincare empties because, as it turns out, my skincare products are the ones I tend to fly through fastest. My goal with this post is to give you a very brief (lolll, I’ll try) skincare product empties review where I’ll highlight a product and share whether or not it’s something I’ve repurchased or would repurchase in the future. All of the empties below are products I liked enough to use in their entirety (so no mega-duds!) but not all of them were huge hits worth repurchasing. These reviews are coming after the skincare products have been used in their entirety and some of them a few times over because I’ve repurchased a few of the favorites featured.

Skincare Empties

I’m sharing my skincare empties in the order I apply them: Cleanse → Tone → Treat → Moisturize. Let’s do this!

Cleansers & Exfoliators

Bubble Skincare Fresh Start Gel Cleanser

• What it does: A gentle but thorough science-backed cleanser that washes away pore-clogging dirt and debris without leaving skin dry or irritated.
• The verdict: This is one of those simple but great products. It’s a no-frills cleanser Ryan and I both liked using in the shower. FYI for anyone with teens, I’ve read this is a great cleanser specifically for teen skin as well.
• Repurchase status: Yes! A gentle but effective cleanser that’s priced well.

Honest Gentle Gel Cleanser

• What it does: A gentle everyday facial cleanser made with a clean vegan forumla that calms the skin without over drying.
• The verdict: Felt great on my face and left my skin feeling clean without any post-cleansing tightness/over-drying sensations.
• Repurchase status: Yes. Does the job at a good pricepoint.

Paula’s Choice EXFOLIATE

• What it does: Noticeably unclogs and clears pore congestion, combats blemishes, improves clarity, and smooths skin
• The verdict: This has been an integral part of my skincare routine for years and I don’t see that ever changing. It use this 3-4 times a week after cleansing.
• Repurchase status: YEP and I have about a million times.

Toners & Toning Pads

Barefaced Toning Pads II

• What it does: Refine texture, improve clarity and reveal smoother, more even-looking skin. Clears pores, calms and soothes skin, exfoliates and enhances absorption and efficacy of additional skincare products. Supports healthy skin turnover over time.
• The verdict: Holy heck, I love these things. LOVE LOVE LOVE. They are intense but you can truly feel and see them work. I’ve experienced a noticiable positive overall difference in my skin since using them and love the way they prep my skin for the additional serums I apply after I use them. They’re legit and have been one of the best additions I’ve made over the past few months to my skincare routine. (Note: I use the Toning Pads II which are a step up from the original Toning Pads. They’re intense and I would opt for the original Toning Pads before progressing to Toning Pads II to gently ease into them if you have sensitive skin.)
• Repurchase status: 100% yes. These are incredible.

Serums & Treatments

Dr. Brandt Dermal Micro Points (Microneedling Serum)

• What it does: Mimics the benefits of in-office microneedling! Renews and revives the skin, paired with skin-lifting actives and anti-wrinkle peptides that penetrate the skin’s surface to boost collagen, even texture, and smooth fine lines. Natural spicules (microscopic structures) enhance ingredient delivery deep into the skin and replicate the benefits of microneedling by stimulating the body’s natural healing process.
• The verdict: This stuff is WILD… and it works. I got it when it was recommended to me as an “in home microneedling” product and figured it was worth a shot. It’s kind of insane because you will feel a light tingling-stinging sensation as you apply this cream. It’s not too intense but you will definitely feel it! I use it twice a week and will continue to use this as part of my skincare routine.
• Repurchase status: Yes and I have!

Timeless 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid + Vitamin E

• What it does: Brightens skin, fades dark spots, and builds collagen. It combines a HIGH concentration of vitamin C with vitamin E and ferulic acid, a mix dermatologists praise because vitamin e boosts sun protection and ferulic acid stabilizes the vitamin C.
• The verdict: This one has very thin and watery texture that absorbs quickly (no greasiness). It also has a slight funky smell but that disappears once it’s applied. The pricepoint is fantastic especially since it’s essentially the same product as a $$$ brand’s vitamin C serum Timeless created once the other brand’s patent expired.
• Repurchase status: Yes and I have. It’s essentially a luxury skincare product at a very low pricepoint.

REMEDY 15% Vitamin C Antioxident Complex Brightening Serum 

• What it does: Offers a high concentration of vitamin C for sensitive and acne-prone skin types that may react poorly to harsher vitamin C options. Works to increase skin radiance, hydration, and reduce redness.
• The verdict: This feels fantastic and soothing on my face. There is no funky odor and it feels gentle on my skin when I apply it after cleansing. It also doesn’t leave any residue on my face so it works well under makeup.
• Repurchase status: Yes and I have! This is the vitamin C I’m currently using after repurchasing and I genuinely look forward to applying it every morning and evening.

RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum

• What it does: Reduces deep wrinkles. Clinically proven to deliver smoother radiant skin in 4 weeks and diminish the look of photodamage in 8 weeks.
• The verdict: This was a tricky one for me because I loved the forumla and the way it felt on my skin and I do think it’s effective. Unfortunately it smells like an overly-perfumed old lady.
• Repurchase status: No. While I liked it enough to use in its entirety, the scent on this one was too strong for me. If they made a scent-free version, I’d be all over it. In terms of a retinol, I am currently using Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum and really like it.

BIOSSANCE Squalnae + Copper Peptide Plumping Serum

• What it does: A natural solution for firm and bouncy skin. Visibly plumps and firms skin, fights fine lines and wrinkles
• The verdict: This serum feels like a true delight on my skin. It kind of blew me away because I honestly felt like it gave my skin an instantly visible bounce/youthful look, especially when I applied it in the morning when I felt like I looked extra haggard.
• Repurchase status: Yep! And I did the minute I ran out!

TIMEBEAM Beauty Moisture Melt Serum Balm

• What it does: Visibly smooths skin and evens tone for glow-like-glass skin before bed.
• The verdict: If you like to look like a glazed donut before bed, this stuff is A+! It’s such a unique product I loved instantly because it’s a balm that comes in stick-form that melts as it glides onto your face. It feels like a mini-massage/the ultimate self-care when I apply it before bed at night. I was just really, really bummed when I reached the end of the stick so quickly! TIMEBEAM needs to make a MEGA version of this balm.
• Repurchase status: Maybe. I love the product but there’s just not enough of it in a single stick.

HONEST Ageless Firm + Even Serum

• What it does: Advanced biomimetic actives mimic skin’s natural supporting elements of collagen and elastin to help deliver firmness and elasticity.
• The verdict: Lightweight and pleasant to apply but I didn’t notice it really working well for me.
• Repurchase status: Maybe. This wasn’t a slam dunk for me as I didn’t notice much of a difference when I used it. I’m curious to try other serums instead of this one for now, but I can see myself giving this one another shot because I like the ingredients in it and the reviews are good from those who use it long-term.

Moisturizers

BIOSSANCE Squalane + Omega Repair Cream

• What it does: A deeply mositurizing daily face cream that leaves skin feeling smooth, soft, and radiant while visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Omega fatty acids and ceramides work together to hydrate and restore skin’s natural moisture barrier.
• The verdict: I love the way the whipped texture of this clean-beauty daily face cream absorbs quickly and feels almost cooling on my face. It’s a product I love to apply before bed as I feel like my skin craves it and soaks it up so well. It feels deeply hydrating which I love because I want to feel all glazed up before bed.
• Repurchase status: Yes and I have. It’s a wonderful go-to daily moisturizer.

rhode Barrier Butter

• What it does: An intensive moisture balm for deep hydration that helps seal in moisture for up to 24 hours, restoring skin’s natural softness and bounce.
• The verdict: If you want a THICK, mega-moisturizing butter to apply to your face that will make you feel like you’re giving your skin the ultimate gift of super hydration, this is the barrier cream you want. It’s rich and thick and the kind of moisturizer I reach for in the driest winter months of the year. (I actually also really love using this one on my hands!)
• Repurchase status: Yes, but probably not until winter/the drier months when my face needs extra hydration.

Versed Daily Recovery Rich Barrier Cream

• What it does: Intensely nourish dry, stressed skin while supporting a stronger, healthier-looking moisture barrier.
• The verdict: This is a clean-beauty empty I’ve held onto since last winter! It’s fast-absorbing and has a lovely velvety texture. I also found it to be deeply hydrating which is exactly what I’m looking for during the winter months when my skin needs extra hydration help. I also love the unique press-down bottle dispenser that lets a little bit of product pop out so it takes a while to get through this cream.
• Repurchase status: Yes but this is another one I’d primarily use during the drier months of the year.

Lip Care

Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher

• What it does: Intensly hydrating anti-aging lip treatment that helps repair and protect lips and supports natural collagen, defines lip contours, and visibly enhances lip volume over time
• The verdict: The lip treatment that puts all others to shame. It stays ON your lips for hours without feeling stick or goopy… just delightlyfully hydrating. It’s the ultimate overnight lip treatment and I keep a tube on my nightstand to apply every night before bed.
• Repurchase status: I’m on my third (maybe fourth?) tube, sooo yes!

Quick Look: My Skincare Empties Repurchase List

Here’s a quick look at my skincare empties repurchase list:

Product Name & Brand	Product Type	Repurchase Status	Key Benefit / Takeaway
Bubble Skincare Fresh Start Gel Cleanser	Cleanser	Yes	Gentle, effective, great price point, and teen-friendly.
Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser	Cleanser	Yes	Clean, vegan formula that leaves skin feeling clean without tightness.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant	Exfoliator	Yes	Longtime holy grail for unclogging pores and improving skin clarity.
Barefaced Toning Pads II	Toner / Toning Pad	Yes	Intense but incredible results for skin clarity and texture refinement.
Dr. Brandt Dermal Micro Points Serum	Serum / Treatment	Yes	Tingling microneedling-mimicking serum that truly works.
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid + Vitamin E	Serum / Treatment	Yes	Luxury quality at a low price point; watery texture that absorbs fast.
REMEDY 15% Vitamin C Antioxidant Complex	Serum / Treatment	Yes	Gentle, soothing option for sensitive skin that wears great under makeup.
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum	Serum / Treatment	No	Effective formula, but the heavily perfumed scent was a dealbreaker.
Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Plumping Serum	Serum / Treatment	Yes	True delight that gives skin an instant youthful, bouncy look.
TIMEBEAM Beauty Moisture Melt Serum Balm	Serum / Treatment	Maybe	A+ for a “glazed donut” night look, but the stick runs out too quickly.
Honest Beauty Ageless Firm + Even Serum	Serum / Treatment	Maybe	Lightweight and pleasant to apply, but didn’t show noticeable results.
Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream	Moisturizer	Yes	Deeply hydrating whipped texture; a wonderful go-to daily moisturizer.
rhode Barrier Butter	Moisturizer	Yes	Thick, mega-moisturizing butter ideal for dry winter skin and hands.
Versed Daily Recovery Rich Barrier Cream	Moisturizer	Yes	Deeply hydrating with a lovely velvety texture and a great pump dispenser.
Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher	Lip Care	Yes	High-performing overnight lip treatment that stays on for hours.

High vs. Low: Skincare Splurges vs. Budget Finds

As you may be able to tell from the above skincare empties, I am always on the lookout for budget-friendly skincare products but I do think certain skincare finds are worth a splurge. Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Serum and Dr. Brandt’s Dermal Micro Points are two unique products I feel are worth the higher pricetag but budget-friendly options like Bubble Skincare’s Fresh Start Gel Cleanser and the Timeless Vitamin C Serum are proof that accessible price points can absolutely compete with high-end brands. 

What’s in Your Skincare Empties Pile?

Now I’d love to hear from you!! 

• What is one skincare product you’ve recently used up completely that you immediately repurchased?