About Glass Skin Diary

Glass Skin Diary started in a bathroom cabinet that had gotten embarrassingly out of control, full of half-used serums bought on impulse because a label promised something a previous product hadn't delivered. I'm Elodie Marsh, and I started writing this as a way to actually track what I was using, what it cost, and whether any of it was doing what it claimed, instead of trusting my own hazy memory of "I think that one worked okay."

What began as a personal spreadsheet turned into this site a few years ago, once I realized the notes I was keeping for myself, how long a sunscreen actually lasted before pilling, what a retinol ramp-up schedule really needs to look like, what a teledermatology consultation actually costs once you add up every fee, were more useful written out in full than buried in a notes app nobody else could see.

What you'll find here

Mostly tested reviews with real prices and real timelines, written after weeks or months of actually using something, not a first-impression post the day a product arrives. Beginner-friendly routines built around a small number of products rather than a ten-step wishlist. Dermatology explainers written in plain language, sometimes reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist when the topic is prescription-strength or medical. And, occasionally, an essay or a bit of history, because not everything about skincare needs to end in a buying decision.

How we handle products and links

Every product mentioned on this site has either been purchased with our own money or clearly marked if it wasn't. Some links are affiliate links, which may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you; that arrangement never changes which products we recommend or how honestly we describe their downsides. Nothing on this site is medical advice. For anything prescription-strength, persistent, or outside the scope of a skincare routine, please talk to a licensed dermatologist.

Say hello

Questions, corrections, or a product you think deserves a real month-long test? Reach out any time through the contact link in our Instagram bio @glassskindiary. Thanks for reading, and for putting up with how often we talk about sunscreen.