My May 2026 Beauty and Health Empties and Reviews

In 2025, I set out on a mission to love my morning and night routine. When I took a look at my bathroom drawers, my piles of makeup, and my vanity, I knew there were products I loved in there, but all I could see was junk. I wanted to enjoy my time while putting on my makeup and while taking it off. Between all the items that were given to me and all of the ones I bought mindlessly, I was in a haze where I didn’t know what I loved and what I put up with. 

To put a stop to haphazard buying and begin purposeful purchases, I began reviewing every “empty” I had. In May, I was able to use up a lot of products that were more like placeholders than my dream items. I also am officially cruelty-free and vegan! I will no longer be purchasing products that are not cruelty-free and vegan, and I finally used up my last non-cruelty-free and non-vegan item. I have been aiming toward this for so long, and it is so wonderful to think that my hygiene routine is no longer hurting animals. I rarely use makeup, but using up all my non-cruelty-free, non-vegan makeup is the next step, as I will not be repurchasing those items either. We are one more step closer to a clean and healthy vanity, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Esfolio Strawberry Essence Sheet Mask 

I used to use these masks all the time in college, and I really loved them because they were affordable, convenient, and hydrating. I still really like them for all of these reasons, but as I mentioned in last month's empties review, I want to stop purchasing individual sheet masks. I have started to use them so often and can’t ignore the waste factor of them, so I want to start leaning toward a natural face mask or a paste one rather than a sheet that I will be throwing away. If you like sheet masks and are looking for an affordable option, I do suggest these. 

Repurchase: No.  

PanOxyl Overnight Spot Patches 

I think that these spot patches are phenomenal, and if I were to need some, I would definitely choose these. However, I don’t really get blemishes anymore since figuring out what works with my skin. The only time I do is around my period and after sweating a lot, but it will be one or two and doesn’t really change how I feel about my appearance, so I am going to opt out of spending money on these. If you are someone who likes to cover up a blemish, I recommend these. They are noticeable at first, but after about an hour, they sink into your skin and are very hard to notice unless someone is close to you. I think they mask blemishes well without directing people to look at a patch on your face. They help clear the blemish too! 

Repurchase: No.  

Good Molecules Gentle Retinol Cream 

I was looking for a retinol cream for some time, and I really like this one. I buy it at Ulta, and I think it is really affordable for how long it lasts. It is strong enough that I can tell that it is working, but it doesn’t hurt my sensitive skin either. I was using a retinol before, so for me there was no period that my skin had to acclimate to the retinol, but there might be a transition period if you use this and haven’t been using a retinol. This is most likely not strong enough for it to be a long, painful process, though. If you are looking for a cruelty-free, vegan retinol cream, this is a great option. 

Repurchase: Yes.  

Peach Slices Snail Rescue Deep Moisture Cream 

Someone I knew in college recommended this to me, and when I ran out of my last moisturizer, I picked it up since I saw that it was cruelty-free. For some reason, I didn’t realize that, of course, it wouldn’t be vegan since it has snail mucin in it. But I had bought it and already started using it, so I used the rest of it up as well. Unfortunately, this isn’t vegan, but it worked really well with my skin. I thought it was super moisturizing and light, but it seeped in very well. I never experienced any dryness while using this and wish I could continue, but again, it’s not vegan, so that won’t be happening. 

Repurchase: No.  

Innisfree Brightening Toner Pads 

My sister gave me these since she didn’t want them anymore, and I used them all up, but didn’t find them to be anything wonderful either. In fact, I think they broke me out a bit, but Innisfree products often do. I used these in the morning and evening in place of my normal toner, and while I do think they cleaned my skin (or at least refreshed it), I didn’t see any brightening effect and didn’t love the texture of the toner. The toner was a bit sticky on my skin, while I like something that’s a bit more milky and soaks right in. I also feel the same way about toner pads as I do about sheet masks, and I have realized there is a lot of waste involved that I don’t want to take part in. 

Repurchase: No.  

The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%

I really love this product, and I have learned since using it that niacinamide works great with my skin. As I’ve mentioned, I have sensitive skin, and this doesn’t break me out at all, is super hydrating, and has really revived the look of my skin barrier. I heard that niacinamide is good at fighting wrinkles and the look of tired skin, and I do agree that my skin looks more alive since using this. It looks brighter, and I have actually gotten compliments that my skin looks more supple. My sister gave me a couple of products that I am going to use as replacements for this for the next few months, but after they are gone, I will be repurchasing this. 

Repurchase: Yes.  

No haircare empties this month! Check back in June ~

No makeup empties this month! Check back in June ~

Bath & Body Works Vanilla and Nutmeg Body Wash 

I got this for free while buying a lot of the lotion with the same scent over the winter. I loved this scent when I first smelled it, and I was told it was a limited-time scent (one of my other favorite winter scents was also limited, and I haven’t seen it since), so I bought a ton of them. Granted, I did have a couple of coupons, and they were on sale, so I didn’t pay much. I think this body wash works just as well as any other body wash, and the smell is great. However, with the recent news about the founder of Bath & Body Works, I will no longer be supporting this business, coupons or no coupons. 

Repurchase: No. 

TheraBreath Oral Rinse - Invigorating Icy Mint 

They didn’t have my typical Dazzling Mint at the store, so I got this one instead. I really liked it as a replacement and think it is very similar to the Dazzling Mint one that I like so much. What I like about this mouthwash is that it gives a very clean feeling without burning my mouth and leaving an alcohol taste. It feels a lot more natural, and also, I think it actually keeps my mouth cleaner than the alcohol ones. The flavors are diverse and have different purposes, and it is also very affordable. If you haven’t checked them out, then I really recommend doing so. 

Repurchase: Yes. 

Wild Deodorant - Coconut and Vanilla 

I recently switched to this scent from one of their others, and I will no longer be using it (after I am done with the box I bought). The scent doesn’t mask anything and actually adds to any body odor smell, and I also think that this brand may be going downhill, unfortunately, after being bought. I’m not sure if the formula changed, but there definitely isn’t 24-hour protection from smell, and the packaging of the deodorant isn’t coming off like it used to. Instead, my deodorant is falling out of the paper and making the container messy while also wasting product. I have a couple more from my subscription that I will have to use up, but I don’t know if I will continue using this brand. 

Repurchase: No. 

Kilian Travel Size Perfume - Princess 

My sister gifted this to me a couple of Christmases ago, and I loved the scent, so I only used it on occasion. I think this perfume smells absolutely amazing. For me, it didn’t stick to my skin the best, but it stuck to my clothes for a long time, which I loved, and I would just spray it to smell it again, honestly. I was thinking about buying the full size of this perfume, but I wanted to find a perfume that perfectly felt like me, and I am not sure this is it. I thought maybe it was, but after exploring other scents, I have decided it is not. I did really enjoy this perfume while I had it, though, and I will definitely give myself a spray of it every time I see it at a store. 

Repurchase: No. 

Now Pumpkin Seed Oil Softgels 

I saw that these helped with hair growth, and that is my main beauty goal right now, so I purchased these to try them out. I am someone who will try any beauty or hygiene product once to give it a shot, and after reading a study on pumpkin seed oil, I figured why not. I also talked to my doctor about these, and she said I can definitely continue taking them and see where it goes, so I am going to do that. Though I have gone through a full bottle, I’m not expecting instantaneous results, so I will probably continue to take these for about a year and see what happens. I found these to be affordable for the amount as well, so I am going to continue with this brand. 

Repurchase: Yes. 

Interested in more empties reviews? Check out My April 2026 Beauty and Health Empties and Reviews here!

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