Hello and welcome to Worth It (opens in new tab). Of course, spending money on makeup and skincare is a risk, but trust me, this beauty editor will only recommend what I truly believe is worth every penny. Because you deserve the best. Keep reading to discover the one product you don't want to miss, and catch up on the latest Worth It breakdown here (opens in a new tab).

Promises:

"Exfoliating" is not a sexy skincare term. In fact, many of the exfoliators that claim to provide brand new, baby soft skin are actually the result of abrasive beads that reflect the act of scratching your skin with a Brillo pad, leaving your skin feeling the opposite of sexy. In other words, they are too irritating for my sensitive skin. So while I know that exfoliators are good for the skin, and experts say that you should exfoliate two to three times a week if your skin can tolerate it, I am skeptical about the new exfoliators.

Before incorporating exfoliators into your skin care routine, it is important to understand that there are many different types of exfoliators. There are chemical exfoliants that use alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid, which are suitable for acne-prone skin. There are also mechanical and physical exfoliants, which use beads to buff away dead skin cells and are suitable for removing impurities. There are also enzyme-based exfoliants, which gently exfoliate the skin using natural ingredients such as fruit, and are suitable for sensitive skin.

As someone with sensitive skin, I have recently been raving about Royal Fern's latest launch. Phytoactive Skin Perfecting Essence (open in new tab) is an enzyme exfoliant. A hybrid of an exfoliator and lotion, it soaks the skin with anti-inflammatory fern extract, fruit acids, and gluconolactone, working many wonders at once. Together, these ingredients remove dirt and dead skin cells deep within pores, fade blemishes and pigmentation, moisturize, and brighten the complexion. It contains the patented Royal Fern Complex, which prevents excessive skin exposure to harmful UV rays and pollution. It also contains lactic acid and malic acid to refresh the skin and stimulate collagen production. I said a lot at once, but somehow the vegan-friendly formula doesn't feel like a strain on the skin.

Why I'm hooked:

After cleansing my skin, I run a Rene Rouleau toning cloth (open in new tab) ($16)-which won't absorb 50% of the product like a typical cotton pad, btw-under lukewarm water and run this on the pad Pour 4 drops of essence. (If your skin is sensitive, the brand recommends diluting with water.) Then pat onto skin. It feels cool with a slight tingling sensation due to the concentrated ingredients.

Instead of rushing to the next step, we found that the best results were achieved by blending it into the skin. I then apply the serum and moisturizer, but prepping the pores with this essence seems to help those products absorb into the skin more easily. I have been using it for about 3 weeks now and already my blemishes have faded considerably and the dry winter texture is very well defined. I like that this exfoliator is botanically powered and does not strip or dry out my skin. It is very soothing yet effective and I cherish this bottle more and more each day. If you're looking for a plant-based lotion that gently exfoliates and is packed with a trail of skin magic, this is it.

For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.

Sign up here