Product Post #1!
So occasionally I am asked questions on what I use on my skin. I have relatively decent skin genetically as far as acne goes, though it's combo/oily (particularly the "T-zone") and I have unfortunately large pores unless I really keep at my routine. But about a little over a year ago I had some fairly nasty break outs and started doing research. I can not use Proactive, because after a few days use it's feels like I'm pouring burning devil's piss on my face. It hurts so bad. So after some research I now am having luck with the following items:
1. Cetaphil Cleanser: "Daily Facial Cleanser For Normal to Oily Skin is effective for normal, combination or oily skin. Its non-irritating formula is designed to remove surface oils, dirt and makeup without leaving skin feeling tight or overly dry. It is a foaming cleanser that leaves skin with a clean feeling. It doesn’t leave behind any irritating residue and is non-comedogenic."
- Morning & Evening - With this and my current shampoo, I've learned that a product does not have to be super foamy/sudsy/lather-y to actually clean. Not only does it clean, it does a great job. Contrary to what is stated above from the website, I really do not consider it to be "foamy" at all. Not unlike the devil's piss Proactive cleanser, it almost seems more like a cleansing lotion than a real soap based cleaner, though the Cetaphil does suds up a bit. It's extremely gentle and if anything makes my face feel soft and clean. You can get this at any drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.
2. Nivea Moisturizing Toner: "Freshen and refine pores without the drying effects of alcohol. Removes all traces of cleanser residue and prepares skin for a moisturizer. Contains Pro-vitamin B5 and natural moisturizers to leave your complexion soft, smooth and refreshed.
- Morning & Evening - To be quite honest, I'm not even really sure what exactly a "toner" is supposed to do, I guess the stuff listed above. But I enjoy how it makes my skin feel. I like that it's alcohol free and seems to have a soothing quality to it as a opposed to some other toners I've tried which include alcohol and produce a tingly/cold sensation and normally results in drying out my skin. I notice that is also seems to help with the redness I have naturally have post face-washing. You can get this at any drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.
3. Olay's Total Effects w/ Sunscreen: "Total Effects 7X Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex - with UV Protection has more power to fight 7 signs of aging, plus the damaging effects of the sun. Infused with 7 vitamins and minerals - vitamin C,zinc, titanium, magnesium and VitaNiacin, an exclusive formulation of vitamin B3 (a niacin derivative), vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5."
- Morning - While I have been aging pretty gracefully, I'm all about trying to prevent wrinkles before they happen and I'm lazy so built in sun screen is a big plus. Here's the 7 signs of aging that this moisturize claims to fight, I've been using it for over a year now and I like how my skin feels with it. You can get this at any drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.:
4. Jojoba Oil: Jojoba "oil" (pronounced "ho-HO-bah") is actually a liquid ester wax produced from the seeds of the jojoba plant.
- Evening - This stuff is quite simply amazing. I use it as both a nightly moisturizer and an eye make up remover. Because this wax is pretty much identical to the sebum produced inside your pores, it can actually reduce the size of pores by slowing down the production of sebum with the introduction of an outside source. And used as a moisturizer, it is purported to help slow the aging process.... I heard of this before, but give it more stock when recently I read an article that stated people with oily skin do not age as quickly. You can purchase it online or in health food stores. A little goes a long way with this, I will never be without it.
5. Origin's Modern Friction: "Nature's gentle dermabrasion. Origins tested Modern Friction™ on a panel of 54 women. After just one try, of those who had undergone clinical micro-dermabrasion, 94% said they would now consider using Modern Friction™ instead."
- Weekly - I love this stuff. I mean completely <3 it! It's a bit pricey, but come on... 94% would have done this instead of a very expensive treatment which basically blasts off layers of your skin with crystals to resurface it. As far as exfoliates go, this is my number 1. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, in that it can break out easily from products and scrubs are very much suspect due to their abrasive nature. This one however isn't at all painful to use, and it does not feel as if I am scratching pieces of my face off, I just feel a lot smoother when it's rinsed away. It also gets smashing reviews over at e-opinions.com TRY IT. You can order it at Origin's website, or you can normally pick it up at slight discount at the Cosmetics Company Outlet.
Note: This needs to be followed up with a toner, according to the directions. I use it after Cetaphil and before the Nivea toner once a week.
6. Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask: "Dry up acne pimples and rinse away blackheads. This original masque treatment helps to dry up acne pimples, rinses away blackheads and even shrinks enlarged pores. Relaxes tired facial muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck."
- Weekly - Again, another fantastic maintenance product. It helps take care of my enlarged pores, feels fantastically minty but not enough to be stinging/annoying. If my face is going through a dry spell (cheeks) I will only apply this to the T-zone. I have been able to find this only in CVS so far.
7. Back to Basics Color Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner: "Senses are indulged as hair is treated to a beneficial blend proven to seal in and protect hair color. Gentle sulfate free cleansers and detangling conditioners keep hair shiny and soft while added UV protection prolongs bright, healthy, vibrant color. Blue Lavender: Closes cuticle to seal in color. Soothes hair and scalp. Smoothes each strand for increased shine. Olive Leaf: Antioxidant Vitamin A protects against color fade. Deeply hydrates for healthy hair. Birch Bark: Helps prevent color fade from UV exposure. Increases combability."
- Daily - I have decided that I was intended to be a brunette. I'm naturally a really horrible ashy dark blonde color, and I tried red for awhile. But I feel like brunette suits me, I'm comfortable and it feels natural to me. So for now and probably most of the future, I am going to be dark headed. I have found the best shampoo! I have naturally very fine and oily hair. This stuff makes my hair clean, shiny, soft and best of all it does seem to actually help with color fading! Because it's sulfate (salt) free, the color won't wash out nearly as quickly and because it has built in sunscreen it won't fade as quickly either. Like my Cetaphil, the lather factor is very slow, but I never suffer with cleanliness. Low suds is actually the gentlest way to clean. I highly recommend this shampoo. You can get it online and in salons. I got mine at the Beauty Express.
1. Cetaphil Cleanser: "Daily Facial Cleanser For Normal to Oily Skin is effective for normal, combination or oily skin. Its non-irritating formula is designed to remove surface oils, dirt and makeup without leaving skin feeling tight or overly dry. It is a foaming cleanser that leaves skin with a clean feeling. It doesn’t leave behind any irritating residue and is non-comedogenic."
- Morning & Evening - With this and my current shampoo, I've learned that a product does not have to be super foamy/sudsy/lather-y to actually clean. Not only does it clean, it does a great job. Contrary to what is stated above from the website, I really do not consider it to be "foamy" at all. Not unlike the devil's piss Proactive cleanser, it almost seems more like a cleansing lotion than a real soap based cleaner, though the Cetaphil does suds up a bit. It's extremely gentle and if anything makes my face feel soft and clean. You can get this at any drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.
2. Nivea Moisturizing Toner: "Freshen and refine pores without the drying effects of alcohol. Removes all traces of cleanser residue and prepares skin for a moisturizer. Contains Pro-vitamin B5 and natural moisturizers to leave your complexion soft, smooth and refreshed.
- Morning & Evening - To be quite honest, I'm not even really sure what exactly a "toner" is supposed to do, I guess the stuff listed above. But I enjoy how it makes my skin feel. I like that it's alcohol free and seems to have a soothing quality to it as a opposed to some other toners I've tried which include alcohol and produce a tingly/cold sensation and normally results in drying out my skin. I notice that is also seems to help with the redness I have naturally have post face-washing. You can get this at any drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.
3. Olay's Total Effects w/ Sunscreen: "Total Effects 7X Visible Anti-Aging Vitamin Complex - with UV Protection has more power to fight 7 signs of aging, plus the damaging effects of the sun. Infused with 7 vitamins and minerals - vitamin C,zinc, titanium, magnesium and VitaNiacin, an exclusive formulation of vitamin B3 (a niacin derivative), vitamin E and pro-vitamin B5."
- Morning - While I have been aging pretty gracefully, I'm all about trying to prevent wrinkles before they happen and I'm lazy so built in sun screen is a big plus. Here's the 7 signs of aging that this moisturize claims to fight, I've been using it for over a year now and I like how my skin feels with it. You can get this at any drug store, Walmart, Target, etc.:
- Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Smoothes skin texture - visibly and to the touch
- Evens skin tone for younger-looking, more balanced color.
- Improves surface dullness, giving skin a radiant, healthy glow.
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Visibly reduces the appearance of blotches and age spots.
- Soothes dry skin, hydrating with Olay moisture.
4. Jojoba Oil: Jojoba "oil" (pronounced "ho-HO-bah") is actually a liquid ester wax produced from the seeds of the jojoba plant.
- Evening - This stuff is quite simply amazing. I use it as both a nightly moisturizer and an eye make up remover. Because this wax is pretty much identical to the sebum produced inside your pores, it can actually reduce the size of pores by slowing down the production of sebum with the introduction of an outside source. And used as a moisturizer, it is purported to help slow the aging process.... I heard of this before, but give it more stock when recently I read an article that stated people with oily skin do not age as quickly. You can purchase it online or in health food stores. A little goes a long way with this, I will never be without it.
5. Origin's Modern Friction: "Nature's gentle dermabrasion. Origins tested Modern Friction™ on a panel of 54 women. After just one try, of those who had undergone clinical micro-dermabrasion, 94% said they would now consider using Modern Friction™ instead."
- Weekly - I love this stuff. I mean completely <3 it! It's a bit pricey, but come on... 94% would have done this instead of a very expensive treatment which basically blasts off layers of your skin with crystals to resurface it. As far as exfoliates go, this is my number 1. I do have somewhat sensitive skin, in that it can break out easily from products and scrubs are very much suspect due to their abrasive nature. This one however isn't at all painful to use, and it does not feel as if I am scratching pieces of my face off, I just feel a lot smoother when it's rinsed away. It also gets smashing reviews over at e-opinions.com TRY IT. You can order it at Origin's website, or you can normally pick it up at slight discount at the Cosmetics Company Outlet.
Note: This needs to be followed up with a toner, according to the directions. I use it after Cetaphil and before the Nivea toner once a week.
6. Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask: "Dry up acne pimples and rinse away blackheads. This original masque treatment helps to dry up acne pimples, rinses away blackheads and even shrinks enlarged pores. Relaxes tired facial muscles and eases tension lines on the face and neck."
- Weekly - Again, another fantastic maintenance product. It helps take care of my enlarged pores, feels fantastically minty but not enough to be stinging/annoying. If my face is going through a dry spell (cheeks) I will only apply this to the T-zone. I have been able to find this only in CVS so far.
7. Back to Basics Color Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner: "Senses are indulged as hair is treated to a beneficial blend proven to seal in and protect hair color. Gentle sulfate free cleansers and detangling conditioners keep hair shiny and soft while added UV protection prolongs bright, healthy, vibrant color. Blue Lavender: Closes cuticle to seal in color. Soothes hair and scalp. Smoothes each strand for increased shine. Olive Leaf: Antioxidant Vitamin A protects against color fade. Deeply hydrates for healthy hair. Birch Bark: Helps prevent color fade from UV exposure. Increases combability."
- Daily - I have decided that I was intended to be a brunette. I'm naturally a really horrible ashy dark blonde color, and I tried red for awhile. But I feel like brunette suits me, I'm comfortable and it feels natural to me. So for now and probably most of the future, I am going to be dark headed. I have found the best shampoo! I have naturally very fine and oily hair. This stuff makes my hair clean, shiny, soft and best of all it does seem to actually help with color fading! Because it's sulfate (salt) free, the color won't wash out nearly as quickly and because it has built in sunscreen it won't fade as quickly either. Like my Cetaphil, the lather factor is very slow, but I never suffer with cleanliness. Low suds is actually the gentlest way to clean. I highly recommend this shampoo. You can get it online and in salons. I got mine at the Beauty Express.