Clean, effective products that don’t tear up your skin (and don’t drain your bank account) are what Versed is all about. Bender, who says that SPF and retinol are now two of

her absolute must-haves, is all too familiar with the smoke and mirrors running rampant in the industry. “In reality, the biggest drivers of most product prices are packaging and markup. If an item is in a heavy, custom component and sold through a prestige retailer, I know I’m paying for a lot more than the goop inside the bottle,” she explains. And even beyond the monetary implications, the products we choose to buy also have impacts on our earth and the many life-forms that inhabit this place. “Like everything we do, our beauty regimen has an impact on the planet. To help minimize yours, think about using each item to the last drop before buying something new, and if a product wasn’t the right fit for your regimen, use it on your body or offer it to a friend. Support brands that are committed to sustainable practices, like Klur, By Humankind, Youth to the People, and Versed, and recycle and reuse your beauty containers to their fullest potential.”

Bender’s advice? “Don’t do things to your skin that you wouldn’t do to your best friend’s. We tend to be overly harsh on ourselves, which can lead to unnecessary damage and irritation.” I’ll take it! Ahead, check out the lineup of beauty products occupying permanent spots on her vanity, and get ready to level up your own routine.