Essentials

Small Business Saturday: I found my new favorite small skincare brand through TikTok, and it's having a Black Friday sale

By Lily Rose

November 26, 2022 / 7:00 AM EST / Essentials

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In honor of Small Business Saturday, CBS Essentials is sharing some of our favorite small brands. I found my new favorite small skincare brand, Stratia, one day while I was scrolling through TikTok.

I have sensitive skin. Many popular skincare brands use ingredients that break me out and irritate my face. These brands frequently use a whole lot of science-y sounding words to camouflage the names of irritating ingredients. I first heard about Stratia after watching a (now long forgotten) TikTok, where a user talked about the brand's ingredient transparency. Stratia has an ingredient glossary on the Stratia site, which includes pictures of each ingredient and provides a detailed description of what each ingredient is used for. The TikToker was also emphatic about her glowing results after using skincare from the female-founded brand.

I immediately purchased Stratia's Essentials kit to give the brand a try. After using Stratia, my skin barrier has never looked better or felt stronger. I'm especially a huge fan of Stratia's Liquid Gold. It's a moisturizing serum (included in the kit) and it's made with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids.

Stratia is having a Black Friday sale. Right now, you can take 20% off when you use the code "TheBigOne."

Shop Stratia's Black Friday sale

Stratia The Essentials Kit

Want to protect your skin barrier this winter? Start here. This highly rated Stratia skincare kit has everything you need to create healthy, happy skin.

This set of minis includes Stratia's Velvet Cleansing Milk, a moisturizing, non-foaming cleanser; Soft Touch AHA, a hyper-gentle, highly effective exfoliant; and Liquid Gold, a lightweight but powerful moisturizer.

Stratia The Essentials Kit, $23 (reduced from $29)

$23 at Stratia

Shop more of the best Small Business Saturday finds

Discover small brands such as Sleepy Tie, Brightland, Great Jones and more.

Many of these Small Business Saturday picks are on sale for Black Friday.

Sleepy Tie

The long-haired friends and family in your life will appreciate these revolutionary double-scrunchies. "Not only are they adorable-looking, but Sleepy Tie helps set and protect my freshly blown-out and curled hair styles," explained CBS Essentials senior writer Lily Rose.

"These hair accessories are more gentle on hair than a regular hair elastic. They don't rip out or snag my strands."

Sleepy Tie, $30

$30 at Sleepy Tie

Girlfriend Collection compression pocket leggings

Oprah loves these "sweat-wicking, high-compression and high-waisted," leggings from size-inclusive brand Girlfriend Collective, made out of recycled plastic bottles. Available in sizes XS to 6XL.

Girlfriend Collection compression pocket leggings, $70 (reduced from $88)

$70 at Amazon

MAÄT leggings

These futuristic-looking leggings provide protection and cushioning for your knees while you workout. MAÄT's moisture-wicking, stretchy leggings are designed with ultra-flexible ribbed knee pads that pad the area without being bulky, and are tapered to put wider coverage where it's needed.

"I wore these leggings to a pilates class," said CBS Essentials senior writer Lily Rose. "I normally get knee pain when I use the reformer, but these leggings really cushioned the area and helped me hold my poses. Plus, the material is really soft, stretchy and the leggings are flattering."

Select from three colors.

MAÄT leggings, $148

$148 at MAÄT

Soren top and Turner legging

"I've received a record amount of compliments on this brown set with a cinched top and drawstring-style legging from L*Space," said CBS Essentials writer Carolin Lehmann. "The top doesn't have bra cups, which I was apprehensive about at first, but it actually offers a supportive and flattering fit. It has a low back that shows off all your hard work at the gym. The leggings are long enough for me, and they're made of a high-end looking ribbed fabric. The drawcord detail is fun, too."

Soren top, $47 (reduced from $79)

$47 at L*Space

Turner legging, $99

$99 at L*Space

Softies Marshmallow crew neck lounger

Oprah regularly features cozy goods from Softies on her list. "When Gayle saw this, she immediately said, 'I'm definitely getting this—the gray one and the blue one!'" Oprah exclaims about this comfy dress. "I live in Softies, and this ultra-soft lounger (it's called Marshmallow fabric for a reason) works as well for running errands with some boots as it does for a cozy night in with a pair of snuggly socks."

Softies Marshmallow crew neck lounger, $119

$119 at Amazon

Brightland The Artist Capsule olive oil collection

Stumped on what to get the chef who has everything? This set of four different olive oils "looks as good as it tastes," according to Oprah. In addition to making your food taste great, the bottles, each designed and crafted by an artist, liven up the kitchen counter.

Brightland The Artist Capsule olive oil collection, $128 (regularly $150)

$128 at Amazon

Great Jones family style cookware set (5 pc.)

Great Jones makes modern kitchen pieces that last. The female-founded brand boasts a wide variety of cookware and bakeware, plus mixing bowls, kettles and more.

This must-have cookware set has everything you need to cook a holiday feast, make a cozy Sunday night dinner or throw together a casual weeknight meal. The set includes: an 8-quart stock pot, a deep sauté pan, a 3-quart sauce pan, a non-stick frying pan made with a non-toxic ceramic coating, two stainless-steel lids and a gorgeous 6.75-quart enameled cast-iron dutch oven that comes in seven colors.

Great Jones cookware makes a low-risk gift, too. The company offers a 60-day trial and free returns on its products.

Great Jones Family Style cookware set (5 pc.), $355 (regularly $615)

$355 at Great Jones

Lavender-scented plush animal Warmies

This cute and cuddly Fox can be warmed in the microwave. It gives off a gentle, calming lavender scent. Other animals are available as well.

Lavender-scented Marshmallow Bear Warmies, $25 (regularly $30)

$25 at Amazon

Cozy Earth waffle bath towel bundle

Expensive towels are an investment worth making.

This Cozy Earth set of two bath sheets, two bath towels, two hand towels and four wash cloths features a waffle texture on one side and cozy terry cloth "that's soft and absorbent" on the other.

Cozy Earth waffle bath towel bundle, $239 (regularly $299)

$239 at Amazon

Beekman 1802 Time Capsule Advent calendar

Beekman 1802, famous for making luscious goat milk products, created a clever time capsule filled with 24 bestselling, cruelty-free products. The gorgeous, packaged product comes with a real, hand-blown hourglass, plus daily affirmations printed on each reusable time capsule.

Beekman 1802 Time Capsule Advent calendar, $150 (regularly $222)

$150 at Beekman 1802

Sips By DIY 24-day tea Advent calendar

Make your own drinkable Advent calendar. This Sips By DIY kit lets you create a festive garland of 24 daily teas. This advent calendar kit contains enough tea to make a cup a day.

This Sips By calendar includes 24 glassine envelopes, 24 unique single serve tea bags, 24 illustrated advent cards, two tassels, a pom pom rope, 24 mini clothespins and instructions.

Sips By DIY 24-day tea Advent calendar, $28

$28 at Sips By

Sips By also offers an 8 Nights of Tea Hanukkah calendar.

8 Nights of Tea Hanukkah calendar, $18

$18 at Sips By

Apotheke Votive candle gift set

Apothke Votive candle gift set: $50 — Nordstrom

Stock up on soy wax candles at Nordstrom to keep things cozy this winter. This set of six candles from Apotheke includes a Charcoal candle, Earl Gray Bitters candle, Hinoki Lavender candle, Santal Rock Rose candle, Sea Salt Grapefruit candle and a White Vetiver candle.

Apotheke Votive candle gift set, $64

$64 at Nordstrom