My skin has always been high-maintenance. My acne arrived when I was 10 years old and remains my longest-running relationship. For a while, I threw the strongest stuff I could get my hands on at it: benzoyl peroxide, chemical and physical exfoliants and plenty of vitamin A.

And while some of those things remain staples in my skincare routine (oh how I love you, retinol), I’ve learned how to use them better over the years. That has meant taking a gentler approach in other parts of my regimen — not every step needs strong actives to be effective. I’ve also learned what my skin is specifically sensitive to, like fragrances and certain essential oils.

One brand that has helped me keep my complexion calm and happy for a while now is Tower 28 Beauty, which is named after an actual lifeguard tower in Santa Monica, California. Keep scrolling to learn more.

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Founded in 2019 by CEO Amy Liu, Tower 28 Beauty (previously featured here) was born in response to her struggles with chronic eczema. Having tried it all, this former beauty executive was looking for quality products that would soothe inflammation without causing any further irritation. The award-winning range now includes both skincare and makeup products formulated to keep skin happy.

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Tower 28’s products are free of common irritants like fragrances, animal-derived ingredients and waxes and undergo third-party testing to ensure they’re safe for all skin types. They’ve also acquired a slew of certifications, including EU Cosmetic Regulation compliance and alignment with the National Eczema Association guidelines. Lastly, their packaging is made from at least 50% post-consumer resin.

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Tower 28’s first product — and, in my opinion, still their best — is the SOS Rescue Spray ($12 and up). It contains just water, sodium chloride and hypochlorous acid, an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredient naturally produced by the body’s immune system. It’s instantly soothing, especially if you’re breaking out or got a bit too much sun. I’m also a fan of their SOS Rescue Serum and JuiceBalm Lip Balm.

Readers outside the US can find Tower 28 Beauty at Revolve and Cult Beauty.

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MIDDI is a weekly newsletter highlighting the best mid-priced beauty, fashion and home buys written by a millennial with a (somewhat under control) shopping problem. Let me know what you’re shopping for in the comments or send me a message.