I'm 52 and test skin care for a living — here are my top products of the month

These TikTok-famous K-beauty toner pads have been on my radar for a while but I finally tested them this month and — wow — was I ever pleased with the results. They contain high concentrations of top skin care ingredients, including vitamin C, snail mucin, niacinamide and peptides and work to both brighten your complexion and calm any redness or irritation. I used them for a week and found they left my face feeling clean, with zero sticky residue and my skin looking more glowing overall.

At $45, they're not cheap, but you get 100 in the tub, making them less expensive than most any face mask, with more noticeable benefits, and at a little under $2 per use. 

Last year I received a sample of the Jennifer Aniston-loved Tatcha Eye Brightening Stick and quickly became addicted to its hydrating, undereye transforming powers (not to mention the way it made concealers glide on without settling into fine lines). When I ran out, I was bereft — that product is $49 and I am cheap! I've been on the hunt for a replacement since.

And here it. Grace & Stella's version replicates all the wrinkle-smoothing, dark-circle brightening wonders of Tatcha's and — with the addition of de-puffing caffeine — even improves upon the original. All this while ringing in at one fifth of the price. 

My favorite product of the month! This high-quality anti-aging serum contains not only a potent 0.1% encapsulated retinal but also a Matrixyl 3000 peptides complex and a combination of vitamins C, E, ferulic acid, all of which are among the only formulas clinically-proven to soften wrinkles and firm and brighten skin. I have yet to find another serum that brings together this level of potent, dermatologist-recommended ingredients in a single product, making it truly a one-stop shop for improving the condition of your skin as you age. 

I threw this in my bag before a recent trip and, while time will tell on its collagen-building impact, I was amazed at how well it streamlined my skin care regimen, smoothed fine lines and instantly perked up even my dullest, driest, post-plane-ride complexion. 

My eyes are getting more sensitive as I age and most commercial mascaras have become a serious drag to wear, leaving me itching, tearing up and of course smearing whichever makeup I apply. 

I thought I'd have to go bare-lashed for good, but Tower 28's lengthening, thickening formula has put me back in the mascara game with this mild, no clump, no flake, water-resistant solution which was specially designed for wimpy eyes like mine. 

I've become a bit smitten with hypochlorous acid sprays after researching and writing a story about them earlier this month. These anti-bacterial spritzes manage to freshen up and condition skin and are especially useful for calming mild irritation from chaffing and itching from bug bites and even for reducing underarm odor when my natural deodorant gives out midday. I've been carrying this travel-size version from Mighty Mist in my purse all month and find it's ideal for a quick skin reset on these hideously hot August days.

It's also hypoallergenic, dermatologist-approved and safe and mild enough for all skin types. 

I'll be honest, these little aqua-hued socks initially screamed old folks hospital product, but desperate times call for desperate measures! My feet have been so rough since a recent trip to Europe, where I walked 25,000 steps a day, and so, when a friend recommended these gel-filled wonders, I decided to give them a go.

The cushiony silicone inside is packed with vitamin E and jojoba oil and smells of rose in a pretty, not-overpowering way. Best of all, after just 10 minutes of wear, my feet were comfortably soft and moisturized, like they used to be naturally when I was young!