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Every time I go to my dermatologist or esthetician, it’s the same drill – me, asking for the same three things:
- Solutions that hydrate my skin without making it oily
- Rihanna’s flawless skin (let a girl dream please)
- A spot treatment that works for those surprise breakouts, and something – anything – to help with hyperpigmentation.
That’s the thing with melanin-rich skin: we’re more prone to dark spots that pop up after breakouts or irritation, and they can stick around for months – and in those very special stubborn cases, sometimes a whole year.
I’ve tried the $100+ serums and the CVS aisle go-tos. I’ve used products that overpromise and underdeliver. And can we talk about how many skincare products are loaded with unnecessary fragrance that does nothing for your skin – or worse, how many exfoliants out there are basically just sandpaper in a bottle? If you, too, were personally victimized by trendy rosewater toning sprays in the 2010s, I feel your pain.
My skin is also sensitive…like, sensitive. Sensitive to fabrics, to laundry detergent, to alcohol, and definitely to anything too harsh or trending on TikTok (snail mucin? No, thank you). I’m highly prone to eczema and KP flare-up every time the seasons shift. So here’s one rule I swear by: always test a new skincare product on your body before it goes anywhere near your face. The skin on your face is much thinner than your body, so if it’s not working on my arms or legs, it’s not getting near those eyes.
That’s why Loved01 by John Legend has been such a game-changer. It’s a full lineup of products that check all the boxes: affordable, hydrating, toning, fragrance-light, and gentle. Like, face-and-body gentle. Which is major, because when a product is safe enough for both, that’s a green flag for me.
I’m talking real hydration that doesn’t leave you greasy, formulas that feel soothing (not stripping), and spot treatments that don’t feel like they’re burning a hole in your skin. Loved01 is proof that skincare can actually be simple, effective, and budget-friendly – and I’m here for it.
My Star-Studded Lineup
The Loved01 Hand Wash is formulated with nourishing oils like rosehip, avocado, and sea buckthorn, and it honestly feels more like skincare than soap. The lavender scent is soft and calming – not too much, but just right. It’s gentle on the skin, non-drying, and leaves my hands feeling clean but still soft (even before lotion). At $14 for a big bottle, it’s a small upgrade that makes everyday hand washing feel kind of like a reset. Out of all the little things I romanticize in my day, washing my hands never crossed my mind as an option…until now.
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I’ve been using the Loved01 Exfoliating Cleanser on my body to help with post-shave razor bumps, and it’s been my silent hero. Because ladies, let’s be real. It's summer, and if you have sensitive or melanated skin, you know how quickly shaving can lead to hyperpigmentation. This exfoliant has already been a game-changer for me. The bamboo powder gently buffs my pores without irritation, while mandelic acid helps smooth and even out skin tone over time.
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But the work isn’t done there. Pair it with the Hand + Body Lotion, and the results will really show. It’s lightweight but deeply hydrating, thanks to rosehip, sea buckthorn, and shea butter. No greasy film – just soft, nourished skin that actually stays that way. Together, this dynamic duo has completely elevated my post-shave routine.
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The Brightening Serum has become my post-hormonal acne hack. I use it more like a spot treatment – especially for those under-the-skin hormonal pimples that love to invade my face once a month (thanks, luteal phase). With mandelic acid, niacinamide, and azelaic acid, it tackles uneven tone and texture without being too harsh.
The rollerball applicator is lowkey genius. It’s cooling, depuffing, and makes applying it feel way more satisfying than it should. At $29, it’s earned a permanent spot in my top shelf lineup and in my travel bag. And as I mentioned earlier, I’ve had dark spots take forever to fade – on occasion, nearly a year. Never again with this product.
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At $18, the Loved01 Face + Body Oil is giving glowing goddess energy – without the luxury price tag. It’s lightweight but deeply hydrating, and my skin soaks it up instantly (no greasy residue in sight). I’ve been applying it post-shower on damp skin, and the glow it leaves behind is unreal.
The rosehip and sea buckthorn oils help nourish and even out tone, and over time, my skin’s looked smoother, softer, and just…healthier. I love using this earlier in the day if I know I’ve got an event or anything that requires glam. My skin eats it up, and by the time I’m applying makeup, it’s perfectly prepped and ready to glow from underneath. It’s like giving your skin a head start so your glam hits even harder later.
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The lineup’s Hydrating Toning Mist is that rare find I’ve been searching for – alcohol-free and just $15 (finally!). It’s packed with aloe vera, rosehip oil, and sea buckthorn oil, so it hydrates and soothes without any sting or stickiness.
I love using it as a midday refresh when my skin’s feeling a little dull, or right after cleansing to prep for moisturizer. It absorbs fast, leaves no residue, and just makes my skin feel calm and awake.
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The Loved01 Soothing Cleansing Wipes have officially become my travel MVP. On a recent 5.5-hour flight from LAX to Miami, my skin and sinuses were feeling the effects of that recycled cabin air. I ordered hot water with lemon and swiped my face down with one – okay, two – of these wipes. Instant relief. My skin felt clean without that sticky residue some wipes leave behind.
They’re infused with blue tansy, aloe vera, cucumber, and chamomile, so they’re as soothing as they are effective. I also love using them after a night out, post-makeup remover – they always manage to catch the little spots I missed (looking at you, jawline and hairline). For $10 a pack, I’ve already stocked up on more.
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I’ve never been a fan of cleansing bars – probably too scarred from those generic soaps that left my skin feeling tight and dry. But the Loved01 Face + Body Cleansing Bar completely changed my perspective. It lathers on beautifully and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated, thanks to nourishing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil.
I even snuck this one into my boyfriend's shower (what is it with men and their loyalty to bar soap?), and now he's obsessed. It's the little training steps, ladies.
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A Roster Made Thoughtfully, Priced Honestly
Loved01 has earned its spot in my routine by doing what most brands at this price point don’t: delivering thoughtful, effective formulas with ingredients you'd expect to see in products twice the cost. Everything feels considered – not just in how it’s made, but how it’s meant to fit into real life.
I love that so many of the products work for both face and body. That kind of versatility only works when the formulas are legit, and these are. It speaks to the ingredient integrity, and more importantly, the brand’s trust in its formulations.
The line works as a collective. Each product layers beautifully on top of the next – whether it’s mist to serum to oil, or exfoliant to lotion to bar. There’s a consistency in texture and performance that makes the whole routine feel seamless. And while many of the products are gently scented, none of them are over-fragranced.
And the biggest bonus for me – as someone with melanated skin, I really appreciate that these products were made with us in mind. Not as an afterthought, but as the starting point.
