The Lineup is a monthly series where we’re giving you an inside peek at the beauty lineups of cool fashion people, editors, makeup artists, hairstylists, and estheticians—all the people we trust the most. Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at all the can’t-live-without products that make their worlds go 'round.
If you're a beauty lover on TikTok, chances are you've probably seen a certain viral cleansing bar pop up on your FYP again and again. You know the one I'm talking about—it's from Rachel Roff's brand, Urban Skin Rx. Its popularity skyrocketed in 2020 when an influencer shared that it helped her achieve the clearest skin of her life. (The video garnered over one million views overnight.) Since then, the brand has continued to blow up, and for good reason.
The brand is led by Roff, a licensed aesthetician with over 20 years of experience. Before helping people achieve beautiful skin, she was the one seeking help from dermatologists for her own skin woes, including acne and a large, brown nevus mole on the side of her mouth. "They helped me feel better in my own skin, and that's really what triggered my love for beauty and the industry," she says. "Life is short, and I think if something is really bothering you, you should make the investment to fix it and feel better."
At 24 years old, Roff opened her first medical spa in Charlotte, North Carolina, and solely focused on providing skin and laser treatments for patients with skin of color. "There weren't any other med spas treating people with melanin-rich skin—they were being turned away, misdiagnosed, or even worse, scarred or burnt," she explains. Roff says she quickly recognized the need to fill this gap on a larger scale, so she developed Urban Skin Rx, and as they say, the rest is history. "I'm beyond proud of the work we've done so far to elevate and expand the category of clinical skincare for melanin-rich skin tones," she says.
Even after speaking to Roff briefly, I can feel her good energy and enthusiasm for helping others feel more beautiful. It's clear that Roff's passion for helping people feel confident in their skin is reflected in each product she creates, and I can't wait to see what else she'll do for the beauty industry. But for now, she's sharing her go-to picks for achieving a glowy, even-toned complexion, so my future (and yours) is already looking bright. Keep scrolling for her picks.
Skincare Must-Haves
"I love an oil cleanser for makeup removal, especially to remove waterproof mascaras."
"My skin has been a little haywire during and after pregnancy, so gentle, hydrating cleansers have been heroes in my skincare routine. This CeraVe cleanser is affordable, accessible, and effective."
"This is my brand's newest launch, and I use this daily! It helps with redness and pore size."
"This is a prescription-strength tretinoin cream, which helps with texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also helps with hyperpigmentation and discoloration and is less irritating than other tretinoins because the molecule is larger."
"I used to love this brand's rose elixir, but unfortunately, it was discontinued. Thankfully, she has so many other amazing products in her line, like this serum."
"I am most self-conscious about signs of aging on my neck, which is why I love this product for keeping the skin tight. I always say I'm going to get a neck lift by 50."
"This face oil has it all: It's anti-aging, helps with skin texture and tone, is super hydrating, and and leaves my skin feeling and looking amazing. As I'm getting older, foundations can make me look old, and putting on an oil before my makeup helps with that."
"This facial mask leaves me glowing and helps with the appearance of pore size."
"We launched this moisturizer last year, and it has been one of my favorite products. It's a rich ceramide cream but won't break you out or clog your pores. It helps repair the skin's barrier by delivering ceramides to the skin."
"Suntanning is horrible for your skin, but I feel more confident when I have a tan, so self-tanner is a year-round staple in my beauty routine. I love this self-tanning mist because it moisturizes and looks so natural. Super-easy application as well."
"I love body oils. This oil feels and smells amazing, and who doesn't love the promise of firmer skin?"
Shower Hair Essentials
"Another one of my favorites from my brand, this body bar helps with blemishes, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation on the body."
"I love The Honey Pot because I really trust their ingredients. This wash smells amazing and never irritates me."
"This shampoo really helps my dandruff, and it smells great. Fun fact: Anti-dandruff shampoo can help prevent body breakouts."
"Again, no time to do my hair, so I was sold when I saw '6-in-1'! It leaves my hair hydrated and frizz-free."
"I rarely have time to do my hair, but this keeps my high ponies looking snatched! No flyaways over here."
Most-Loved Makeup
"It's hard to find a concealer that is heavy but not dry or matte. This one is super hydrating."
"Perfect hint of color when I don't want to do foundation, and the SPF is a bonus!"
"When I do wear foundation, this is my go-to. Great coverage but with a natural finish."
"My brows do not move with this!"
"You can put this topcoat over any mascara. It helps prevent smudging and flaking."
"This is the perfect matte, dark-red liquid lipstick. Beautiful color and long-lasting."
"Great color and easy application!"
Fragrance Faves
"I absolutely love this because it's fruity but musky and perfect for colder seasons. I'm a fruity-fragrance girl, and this one works for winter."
"I love Nest candles and recently discovered their perfumes. This fragrance is so clean and fruity, great for spring and summer."
"One of the first luxury fragrances I purchased for myself. I've worn it for years, and it's in constant rotation with my other favorites. This is my go-to for date night."
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