Squeeky Clean: Cleansers

I love doing skincare posts for you guys because, quite frankly, I'm obsessed with what skincare can do not only to keep your skin where it should be, but how you can use it to prep for whatever makeup look you're going for!

Let's say you want something more long lasting and matte for the evening...choose your skincare based around that look (maybe using a mattifying hydrator as your moisturizer, or an oil control primer).  Glow like J-Lo more up your alley?  Grab some radiance serums and a lightweight face oil to press into your skin.

I spend the most amount of time on skin when I'm doing looks not only for myself, but for clients as well.  If this is something you're not used to or have any questions about, let me know and I can lead you in the right direction :)

Now, I'm sure you know by now that if you're wearing makeup all day, please, PLEASE, I BEG YOU...take it off at the end of the night.  I will say here: I don't love wipes as a primary method of removal (try taking a cotton round with some cleanser over your face after you use a wipe...you'll see what I mean...) but if it's late and you simply can't make it to the sink, it will work in a pinch.

I'm a huge fan of the double cleanse, myself.  I find that it is quick, effective, and keeps my skin in tip-top shape.  But Ashleigh, what's a double cleanse???  Quite simply, cleansing twice!  My routine goes something like this:

                                        

*  Use either a cleansing water (also known as a micellar water in some circles) or a cleansing oil to really break up and remove the bulk of the makeup (oils are fun because it's like finger painting as your mascara and liner starts melting...I never said I wasn't a fan of the panda look, as long as I can get it off quickly!  Haha!)

     Shown Above:  Boscia Makeup BreakUp Cleansing Oil

*  Then I'll grab either a creamy or a foamy cleanser that has a makeup removing property and my Clarisonic Aria and get to exfoliating and really cleansing the grime and makeup off.  I like doing this second because I don't get the bulk of the makeup on the Clarisonic bush and have to deep clean it all the time.

     Shown Above:  First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser, Sephora Collection Radiance Cleansing Foam

*   A couple times a week I will forgo cleansing with my Clarisonic and manually wash with the second cleanser so that I can do some kind of a manual exfoliation or a peel.  I like the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme peel in the photo because I can use it both as an exfoliator and a mask.  It has since been repackaged so don't be surprised if you don't find it in a tube!

*  The odd man out is my Jack Black Post Shave Cooling Gel.  I don't mention this a ton, but I do have hirsutism that stems from a PCOS diagnosis and I have facial hair I need to get rid of every day.  Sucks, but what can you do, right?  So I use this to keep my skin from freaking out and turning red on me...LOVE IT.

                                                

So then this is the result of some epic cleansing (and then layered off with skincare that is appropriate to my dry skin type)

What's your favorite cleanser?  Skincare Item?  Tell me!!!

Disclosure:

In addition to the products I purchase, I receive a lot of product as GRATIS through my job.  I know I say this all the time, but it cannot be repeated enough in a social media dominated world -- It is up to me (and me alone) to feature what I feel are good products that I can stand behind 100%.  I always take the utmost care as I write my posts to give you, the reader, the best information that I can about my experiences.  If I love a product, I'll say so.  If I hate the product, I'll tell you why.  It's equal opportunity on my blog in all aspects.  I am in NO WAY a spokesperson for my job when writing on this blog.  No company, including the one I work for, has any influence on what I say or what I feature on the blog.

Summer Skin Edit: What I Love

Oh hello, Golden Gate Bridge!

HELLO HELLO!  I figured I'd try to not let a long time go before I wrote another blog.  I'm awful at making time for myself much less anything else that isn't either work or theater.  However, you can see in the photo above that when I travel FOR work, I will make some time to take in the sights!  

I was fortunate enough this past week to be in San Francisco for work and since my best friend Heather lives just about a half hour outside the city proper, she generally plays tour guide for me when I'm there. (Bonus!  work fun AND bff time!)

Anyways, that's not really the point of the post, so let's just get right into the skincare, shall we? 

I begin by saying (as always) that I have an extremely dry skin type.  In the summer I tend to lean a little more normal but by no means do I have enough oil to be considered combination.  So I tend to stay with my creamy formulas, but they tend to be either oil-free or still hyper-hydrating.

In the photo above (my very messy bag o' skincare) you'll not see a cleanser because it's in the bathroom...but it's the Sephora Collection Supreme Cleansing Oil (which is sadly, out of stock right now!)  It gets my skin super clean (especially when used in tandem with my Clarisonic Aria!) and I absolutely love using oil cleansers!  I'll have to do a specific post on them soon!

Then you'll see the Josie Maran Argan Milk - this is one of those hyper-hydrating products that I absolutely love especially in the summer months.  It gives me all the hydration of argan oil, but without the heavy feeling -- I'm actually not a lover for the pure argan oil on my face...I much prefer the texture of Argan Light if I use Josie's...but then again, I'm a total Fresh Seaberry convert (see my post here!)

I mix a few drops of that Seaberry oil (or any oil really...in my bag is a trial version of the Kate Somerville Dilo oil...more on that later once I've made up my mind about it) into the Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation moisturizer.  This is a must-have product for me.  I love the lightweight whipped texture, and it has licorice and pea extract for brightening!  This container is probably the third full size jar I've gone through in the past three or four years so I'm always trying new things, but eventually I get back to this one.

I also am trying out a trial of the Kate Somerville Age Arrest eye cream.  I like the dense texture that immediately sinks into the eye area...and it leaves my skin very velvety feeling which I adore!

There are a few other things you're seeing in the bag and they're more like my ancillary products...not necessary but nice to have every once in a while...Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die for serum (LOVE!), Amore Pacific enzyme peel scrub, GlamGlow Supermud trial, Murad Acne Spot Fast Fix, Clinique healing gel, and the Peter Thomas Roth 40% peel.

If you have any questions or would like anything more in-depth, leave a comment!

Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - I do not make any commission by including links, nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Winter Edit: Skincare Routine January 2014

Winter Skin = Dry, flaky, itchy, irritated.  Oh wait, that's my skin all year long!

So when winter comes, it's time for richer textures, oils, and lots of exfoliation (sorry it's not pictured, but I will list and link everything that I use in my routine in the post!)

Being that I work where I do, I have a plethora of skincare in my arsenal, and so I try a lot and rotate a lot.  I wanted to make sure I give you everything that I'm currently using so with that in mind -- here we go!

My cleanser(s) of choice still remain to be oil cleansers.  Do not let them scare you, especially if you're oily...they are fantastic at helping control your oil production and keeping you hydrated!  They also rinse clean which means no greasy feeling!  Currently, I have the Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil, and a couple samples of the Dior cleansing oil that I'm working through.  My ultimate favorite is the Boscia Makeup Breakup and I've tried the new Tsubaki hybrid cleanser and that's ace as well!

As far as exfoliation goes, I'm still loyal to my Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads as well as throwing in some Bliss Steep Clean or Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Peel and Reveal.  Also, I have a Clarisonic Aria that I pretty much keep on the highest speed ;)

So after I've cleansed and exfoliated, I move onto serum.  I've been using my Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Serum for a month now, and it's so cooling and fresh feeling on my skin!

I then layer my moisturizer mixed with 2-3 drops of Fresh Seaberry Face Oil.  For day I'm using the Caudalie Vinexpert Riche (the packaging has changed but it's great for some serious moisture and a gorgeous radiant glow!) and for night I have the Sephora Collection Age Defy night cream.  Both textures are richer than a typical moisturizer (aka my favorite texture! the richer the better!) 

My eye cream right at this moment is the Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel from Ren.  Again, this has gone through a package switch.  Some days I think that I should have saved it for this upcoming spring/summer because I don't think it's giving me as much as I want as far as moisture right now, but it's not leaving me parched in any way.  I love the texture and the cool feeling of a gel around the eyes too -- especially since I have allergies and wake up with super puffy and irritated eyes most mornings ;)


That's my current skincare routine...sometimes I'll throw in an Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel to really get the flakies away...

If you have any questions or want a more in-depth review of any products, please let me know!

Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thoughts: Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

HOLY GRAIL ALERT!

HOLY. GRAIL. ALERT!

Hahaha.  I do have a penchant for the dramatic, n'est pas?

But seriously.  This is one of my most loved products right now!  As you know (if you've been reading my blog) I do work at Sephora...therefore I get to try a lot (I repeat...A LOT) of skincare throughout the year.  There are times when I am halfway through something and I wish I could just get through it to try something new...but Seaberry Oil is something I want to never, ever, EVER, go away.

Seaberry oil is jam-packed with a great blend of pure oils and omegas including: 

• seaberry - antioxidant and contains omegas 7 and 9 (moisturizing)
• cranberry seed - helps keep skin smooth and elastic
• camellia seed - emolliant and a skin moisturizer
• grapeseed - anti-inflammitant, anti aging benefits
• sweet almond  - an excellent emollient and moisturizer
• Omega 3 - calming and soothing
• Omegas 6+9 - improves skin elasticity, softness, and smoothness
• Omega 7 -  an ingredient I don't see often in skincare, omega 7 enhances the skin's ability to heal itself

as well as being packed with omega essential fatty acids.  It also has vitamin E for hydration and and to maintain skin elasticity.

Seaberry (or seabuckthorn) which is native to Siberia and found across Asia and Europe, is a multi-use ingredient that can not only be refined to be used in face oil (which, clearly, is what I'm talking about in this blog post -- haha) but you can also refine it to be used in food/beverages (ps, if you can get ahold of Sibu juice [LINK] -- it's DELICIOUS...I had a training with the founder of Fresh in San Francisco last month and we got to try some!)

So why do I love it so?  Well firstly, dry skin loves moisturizing oils.  I am hoping I'm not the only desert skin out there who doesn't enjoy the feeling of argan oil on my face (I find it super thick and it never fully sinks in...and I loathe feeling greasy).  This just melts into my skin and leaves me looking so glowy and hydrated but never greasy or shiny.

PRO TIP!  

I love mixing 2 drops of Seaberry Oil into my current moisturizer of choice.  It slightly changes the texture of the moisturizer (right now I'm using a Lancome night cream and a deluxe size Amore Pacific cream...but it pretty much mixes into any oil-free moisturizer very well) and turns it into a silky lightweight texture.  The creams sink into your skin and it's a fantastic way to feel ultra pampered.

You can also use it like you would any oil - I've run it through the ends of my hair, used it on my cuticles, mixed it into body lotion (which will be great coming into winter in Maine...my elbows and knees will love it!)

Have you tried Seaberry oil or any other face oil?  What was your favorite?

*this product was provided by the company to me through my job.  this does not influence what i put on my blog in any way.  my thoughts and opinions are my honest ones*

Doctor Brands: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare: ALPHA BETA PEEL PADS

This is going to be one hell of a love fest for a post.  Just throwing that out there.

This is the hero product for me that started a long love with this brand.  I keep trying new things, and I'm never disappointed!  That's saying a lot considering when it comes to my skin, I'm suuuuuuper picky.

The Alpha-Beta Peel comes in two varieties.  The Original and the Extra Strength (Extra Strength is shown above and is a bit stronger so it's more recommended for normal/resilient skin.  It also contains willow bark extract and mandelic acid).  You can see the brand comparison here [LINK]..  I'm going to be talking about the original strength in my post...but I have used both (and I've also had the professional treatment that you only can get in the dermatology office) and I am in loooooooooove.

So I admit it -- I'm a peel junkie.  I've got dry, flaky skin and I have to peel my face at least once a week to keep the flakies at bay.  That's why these are such a skin saver for me -- you can use them daily or you can spread them out!

It is a 2-step treatment and they come packaged either in separate jars or in the packettes --

Step 1 is your refining step. It contains:

• Glycolic Acid (anti-aging)
• Lactic Acid (promotes cell renewal - exfoliating/moisturizing)
• Malic Acid (promotes cell renewal - exfoliating/moisturizing)
• Citric Acid (helps speed cell turnover/renewal)
• Salicylic Acid (helps to keep pores clean)
• Genistein (stimulates collagen production)
• Chamomilla Recutita (soothes/calms irritation)
• Green Tea Extract (natural antioxidant)

Step 2 is a neutralizer for Step 1.  It contains:

• Retinol (anti-aging)
• Green Tea Extract (natural antioxidant)
• Phospholipids (humectant - draws moisture from the air and seals to skin)
• Sodium Bicarbonate (neutralized acids in step 1)
• Vitamins A, C, E (antioxidants, prevents collagen breakdown)
• Genistein (stimulates collagen production)
• Yarrow Extract (natural toner/anti inflammatory)
• Ubiquinone (antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals)
• Resveratrol (grape-seed polyphenol that protects skin from premature ageing)

The best part is that it takes about 4 minutes to do the peel!  The pads are pre-soaked and pre-labeled.  Take step 1 and use small circular motions all over your face, neck and decollete until the pad has lost it's moisture.  Wait 2 minutes (I take this opportunity to brush my teeth!). Then take step 2 and do the exact same motions.  That's it!

After using these my face always feels extremely clean and smooth and I feel like my skincare is better absorbed into my skin because I've cleaned off all of the dead cells.

This is my MUST HAVE skincare product -- have you tried it?  What do you think?

Thoughts: Perricone MD Chia Serum

It's no secret that my dry skin loves oil.  Any oil.  Oil for all.  So when I received a Perricone Chia Serum from my job last summer I knew I was going to save it for winter for when I get really dry and those pesky flakies make an appearance.

So I've been using the oil since the beginning of December and I have to say that I do like it.  It's hydrating, leaves my skin nice and glowy, and I can definitely say it does improve how my moisturizer performs (I didn't use it faithfully on my work trip to San Francisco last week and it definitely showed by the time I came home).

I use 2-3 drops morning and night and apply it directly to cleansed skin.  If I feel like making a serum cocktail I will apply other serums on top...then my moisturizer of choice (depending on day or night) and finally my eye cream.

It's fast absorbing and doesn't leave me feeling super greasy...which I love (I don't even like greasy hand lotion!)

The great thing about oils is that anyone can use them, even oilier skin types.  Some people like myself can layer them with their moisturizers, and some people can use them AS moisturizer.  Super customizable!  It's just all about finding which one works for you.

Do you use an oil?  Which is your favorite?

this product was provided to me by my job.  this has no bearing on what i say in my blog.  no one is compensating me for my thoughts.

Skin Saver: Dr. Perricone Blue Plasma

Just a quick blog post to let you in on something that has saved my skin.

Many of you may know that I was in a pretty bad car accident in December that left me car-less for a month, but it also left me with a broken nose (thankfully it was a clean break and was re-set on New Year's Eve so it's on the mend!)

However, this meant two things.  A) no makeup until I could safely move my skin after the re-set (which was this past week...so a month of no makeup) and B) no exfoliation.

Being very dry, this KILLED me on the inside.  I can deal with no makeup...heck, if I could go to work every day with the bare minimum I totally would (or at least the mornings I have to be there early haha!)  But no exfoliation?  My skin is going to haaaate me.

I kept most of it in check with gentle exfoliation with a washcloth, but as you can imagine, I couldn't exfoliate OR moisturize my nose and very quickly I had a dry and scaly nose.  Boo.

Blue Plasma came out just after Christmas and thank goodness it did!  It is a super gentle, non-acidic daily facial peel that will not leave your skin sensitive or red...and it is specifically formulated to only go after dead skin cells while protecting the healthy ones AND it micro exfoliates without dryness!  Blue Plasma I love you.

I got a sample from my local Sephora and used said sample for 3 days.  No more flakes.  None.  At all. I have to say that I am won over by this (normally I am adverse to Perricone because of the high price point --this product I believe is $95-- and I am super picky about how my products smell...many of the Perricone products contain DMAE which has a slightly fishy odor to most people...this product however has virtually no scent).  I will say with a little bit of excitement that I can't wait for my tax return because this little bottle of blue is going to be mine.

Autumn Edit: Current Skincare Routine

I feel like I keep updating my skincare routine.  If I'm completely honest about it though I am a proud product junkie so I love using things up to try more! (and believe me, if you could see my bags of skincare I have waiting to be used, you'd understand why I'm so impatient!)

My big thing right now is minimizing the amount of products I actually have opened at any one given time.  I tend to get super excited about the next thing I want to try and (admittedly) sometimes I'll give in to the temptation and open it while I'm still trying to use up my current products.

All that aside - here's what I'm using currently as we transition into winter!  I've got a photo of the current skin creams and I'll list the rest :)

Cleanser (not pictured):  Still using my ever trusty Boscia Makeup Break-Up oil cleanser

Toner (not pictured):  Sephora Collection Instant Refreshing Toner

Serum:  Rexaline Hydra-Force Concentrated Hyper Hydrating Anti-Wrinkle Serum*

Eye Cream:  Rexaline Hydra EyeZone Hyper Hydrating Anti-Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Contour Cream*

Day Cream:  Beyond Belief Vita-C Nourish & Diminish Day Cream

Night Cream:  Lancome Primordiale Night Skin Recharge Cream*

Exfoliation:  I use multiple types of exfoliation and my skin can handle it.  Know your skin and what it likes when you exfoliate...and please don't over do it!

• Day:  F.A.B. Daily Radiance Pads
• Evening:  Philosophy Miracle Worker Pads
• Manual: Peter Thomas Roth Peel & Reveal Dermal Resurfacer OR Philosophy Microdelivery Peel (2-step)
• Chemical: Dr. Denis Gross Alpha-Beta Daily Peel Pads

* - Product has been discontinued

I'm so sorry to have so many discontinued products in my line up right now - especially for people who come to my blog looking for dry skin fixes (I will be writing a post on some of my favorite *not discontinued* hydrating products soon!)

In regards to the Rexaline products - Sephora manufactured them - and now they have their own collections of skincare dedicated to your specific concerns...which is why you won't find Rexaline on the shelves anymore!  Don't pay exorbitant prices for it online...it was replaced by the Sephora Collection Skincare which has many of the same ingredients and gives many of the same benefits!  Rexaline worked because of high doses of hyaluronic acid to hydrate - and the new Sephora Collection Skincare has Hydrosenn+ (a plant derived version of said acid)

Boscia Makeup Break-Up has been on my favorites list for going on a year.  I was a little wary of oil cleansers at the beginning (yes, even with my dry skin!) because I completely despise any greasy feeling.  However, it goes on creamy when massaged into dry skin (it doesn't feel greasy to me!) and turns into a lovely milk texture once you add water to it.  And it rinses completely clean!  It takes off everything from dry lash glue to waterproof mascara - all around it's a winner!

Sephora Collection Instant Refreshing Toner was a random purchase for me.  I don't think everyone needs a toner, and certainly no one needs an alcohol based toner!  I basically use toner to pick up whatever my cleanser missed - nothing more and nothing less.  I haven't yet joined the ranks of the Clarisonic users so until that happens, I will be happy to use this as a final sweep.

Rexaline Hydra-Force Serum has been a staple of mine since last winter.  I have really dry skin and for some reason last year it got a little out of hand and all of a sudden I had chapped and cracking skin ON MY FACE.  Painful doesn't even begin to describe it...but this serum helped my skin so much that I bought a bottle of serum, and then a kit that had the serum and a moisturizer when it went on sale (as it was being discontinued for the Sephora Collection Skincare).

Rexaline Hydra-EyeZone Eye Cream again is in my line up because of it's intense hydration.  It's an all around eye cream that packs a punch with hydration.  My skin eats it up!

Beyond Belief Vita-C Day Cream is something of an accidental discovery.  When Em was visiting over the summer we went to Sally Beauty Supply and the deluxe size samples were on 99c. offer at the register.  So being the junkie I am and not being tied to any one brand/company/etc. I decided I wanted to try one.  Am I glad I did!  It's an anti-aging day cream and because of the vitamin C it's a BLT (Brighten, Lighten, Tighten).  It's not too thick and it keeps my skin nicely hydrated throughout the day.   I can't wait to get a full size!!

Lancome Primordiale Night Cream - I can't say it enough...my skin...LOVES Lancome and for the life of me I can't figure out why.  This night cream is supposed to retexturize your skin as well as kick start your cell renewal over night and contains Biotin which is a water-soluble B-vitamin (B7 specifically...which is vitamin H).  My skin never feels greasy and it's so soft every morning when I wake up.  LANCOME WHY YOU DISCONTINUE GOOD STUFF (Collaser-5x?  Remember that? I LOVED THAT!)

My exfoliation is a long list.  Basically my skin is so dry I can exfoliate it to death and it doesn't hurt it.  Granted I still will only exfoliate up to 3 times a week (unless it's the dead of winter and sometimes I'll do 4x)...but in a nutshell here's what I like about these exfoliators:

• F.A.B. Daily Radiance Pads - Lactic and Glycolic acid gently exfoliates chemically.  Safe and gentle enough to use every day and even good for people with "angry" skin (aka skin that gets red very easily)
• Philosophy Miracle Worker Pads - high performance retinoids (HPR) boost surface cell turnover rate (which slows in your 20's from 30 days to 60 days...did you know that?) and the best part is...no irritation like you would get with a traditional retinol!
• PTR Peel & Reveal Dermal Resurfacer is a bead based manual exfoliator.  It peels with alpha hydroxy acids, exfoliates with pumpkin enzyme, and polishes with aluminum oxide crystals.  Leaves skin silky smooth AND it smells like pumpkin pie. 
• Philosophy Dual Phase MicroDelivery Peel - polishes skin with vitamin C/peptide crystals and a lactic/salicylic activating gel that warms on top of the polishing beads.
• Dr. Denis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads - this is quite possibly my favorite exfoliator on the face of the planet.  I'll give you a moment to process that.  ................. I LOVE THESE THINGS!  I'll have to owe you a legit post on them...but the short story is:  travel friendly packettes, no irritation, great for all kinds of skin concerns (helps complexion issues, balances oil production, tones skin, boosts radiance!) and just all around amazing.  Non irritating and great for use every day!

What have you been using lately that you are in love with for your skin type?


Some of the products contained in this post were obtained through my job and some were purchased by myself.  Any and all opinions are fairly based on my own experiences with the products and no one else has any bearing on what I say on my blog.

Thoughts: Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40

This is truly a sunscreen for people who (like myself) do not like typical sunscreens.  I personally find traditional creamy sunscreens to be too heavy (especially for my face).  I will use them on my body [ahem when i remember to] and that's pretty much it.

The difference for myself for the Clarins one is that it's liquid and lighter than most foundations - almost watery!  Give it a good shake, drop out a few drops onto your palms, emulsify, apply, and you're off!  

Clarins says this sunscreen has 100% mineral filters for UVA/UVB protection (SPF of 40) and includes an anti-pollution complex.  Cantaloupe extract is the antioxidant of choice in this particular product.

At $38 it is pricey for a sunscreen but it performs fabulously and I'll never go back to thick creams for my face.

Head past the jump to see more product photos!

Updated Skincare [DRY]

Just a quick little update as I swap out my skincare products once they're used up (remind me to take a picture of the BAGS of skincare I have sometime and you'll understand where I'm coming from when I say I'm not always loyal to my products...I promise!)

sorry about the photo quality...iPhone is not my favorite camera...

Not pictured is my current cleanser and toner which varies depending on the day/what I've got on my face already.

My Current Routine [6/29/12]

Cleanser:  Boscia Makeup Breakup Oil or Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Exfoliation: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Serum: DDF Restoring Night Serum and Perricone Intensive Pore Minimizer

Day Cream: Ole Henriksen Nurture Me

Night Cream: Clinique Youth Surge Night

Eye Cream: Lancome Renergie Microlift

I do want to mention that there is a product in this routine that I'm not 100% positive that I love.  Specifically it's the Clinique night moisturizer...I'm not a huge Clinique skincare fan and I do receive a lot of products from my job so I feel obligated to test them so I know how they function and work.  I'm sure you'll know how I feel one way or the other eventually ;) haha.

Past Skincare Routines:

MARCH 2012

Skincare: Oily & Acneic Skin? Troublesome, But Not Terrible!

Today's guest post is a guest post coming from Adrian (aka my younger sister!  who can be found at: lightmeuplikethesun.blogpost.com)


I can speak at lengths about dry skin, and fairly knowledgeably about other skin types, but I thought that it would be nice to have the perspective of people who actually have other skin types.  So I asked her to guest post about her more oilier, hormonal acne type skin.  Enjoy and if you've got the same type of skin, let us know what works for you!!


(Quick Facts:  Adrian is a 22 year old, double music major currently in college)

----

Naked Face!

For as long as I can remember, I've had issues with having oily/acneic skin. I never really "knew" what my skin type was until May of 2010 when Ashleigh and I took a trip to New York City and stopped by the Mario Badescu salon. I got a personalized skin care routine based on the fact that I have combination/oily skin. The acneic factor is primarily hormonal, so my acne is based predominately around "that time." - Let's talk about inconvenient. I feel like crap, and then on top of that, my skin looks like crap!!

So I seem to have hit the jack pot with "crappy" skin. I have to constantly have blotting papers on my person, or I have to matte down my skin with primers. I also only wear matte finished foundations.

My saving grace? Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Facial Cleanser. It's 10% Glycolic Acid is enough of a chemical exfoliation to deep clean my skin, yet it's not harsh enough to destroy my sensitive skin. Oh… I forgot to mention that bit? Yeah. I have extremely sensitive skin… more negative points for my skin! /sarcasm.

I have become so incredibly picky about what I use for my skin care routine, that once I find something I tend to cling to it (which I know I won't be able to do forever, since your skin typically changes multiple times throughout your life); however, as of right now, I look for products that have roughly around 10% glycolic or salicylic acid in it. If I want more exfoliation on certain days, I have an Olay Professionals spin brush that I use for less than 30 seconds over my entire face. For moisturizer, I specifically look for mattifying moisturizers that are oil-free, and for eye cream, I prefer to have a firming eye cream, because even though I'm young (I'm 22 years old), I firmly [hah] believe in taking good care of your skin as early as possible!

SO: Here's what I [personally] use to keep my oily/acneic skin at bay as much as I possibly can:

* Prescribed birth control: This has been prescribed to help keep as much of the acne at bay as possible, before my natural body chemistry takes over.

* Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Facial Cleanser: I started only using it in the morning, and slowly worked myself to using it morning and night. With things such as this, and with sensitive skin, I find that you really don't want to go overboard at first.

Side note: For days that I want a gentle cleanser, I use Cetaphil original. There's nothing in it, which is great sometimes.

* Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion: This mattifying moisturizer is wonderful! It's hydrating enough to keep my skin looking as great as it can, but also hinders oil production to an extent.

* DDF Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate: This eye cream is fantastic! It's thick, but light, and even in the short time that I have used it, I have noticed a significant difference in the texture of my skin around my eyes.

Skincare: My Skin Type [DRY]

my naked skin...no makeup in sight!

The fashion and beauty industry push many things onto the impressionable minds of society (and by impressionable I'm not just talking about the young men and women...we are ALL impressionable at any age of life).

The one thing that they've actually gotten right, but unfortunately not all of us have...is skin types.

Knowing what your skin type is can mean the difference between a perfect glow and a horrific reaction.  Harsh words, but true.  Am I wrong in assuming that at one point in time everyone has had a reaction to something they've put on their skin?  Or that you had amazing skin, changed the moisturizer you use, and all of a sudden something isn't quite right?

The hardest part for most people is determining what kind of skin you actually have...and to add insult to injury it may be more than one type...and ON TOP OF THAT you skin pretty much changes every 7 years or so...so what you're doing right now may not always work for you.

I've always had normal to dry skin.  I may not have always known it, but the signs were all there.  Wash/rinse my face with only water? Tight.  Go swimming then take a shower? Itchy and tight.  Winter? FLAKIEEEEEEEES!  Dry skin is the bane of my existence because if I don't keep it properly hydrated, it looks like shoe leather.  No joke.  AND it hurts.

For me, this means that I know I need a moisturizer that is fairly thick and creamy, with added hydration.  Bonus if it is time release (Lancome Aqua Vital), contains hyaluronic acid (holds 1,000x it's weight in water), and if it actually repairs the moisture barrier of my skin (hello Murad Hydro Dynamic Moisturizer or Clinique Moisture Surge Intense)

Keeping your skin properly hydrated (and yes oilier skins this means you too! you need oil free moisturizers - your skin needs water and that's what a moisturizer gives you!!) and treating it now, when you're younger helps in the long run (again, I'm speaking from the life perspective of someone who is 27...but had I known when I was a teenager, I would have started long ago).  

Knowing if you've got normal skin, dry skin, oily skin, acneic skin, aging skin, combination skin (the list can go on really...) is very important because it's going to determine what type of skincare is going to best bring your skin back to it's optimum pH level.  Unfortunately I cannot tell you via the internet what your skin type is...but some careful research on your part or better yet, a dermatologist, can be insanely helpful!

With that said...I can always talk about products, tips, and tricks that help with dry skin, and I do know a fair amount about different ingredients and products for different skin types so if anyone has any burning questions please let me know in the comments!  I always try to respond within a week :)  I'm also asking 2 of my closest friends (Em Wyllie and my younger sister Adrian) to write about their experiences with oilier skin - they both have it but they're quite different.  Keep your eyes peeled for that post coming soon!

In case there are any other dry skinned beauties out there, here's what I use in my routine as of today:

My Current Routine [3/27/12]

Facewash:  Fresh Soy Face Cleanser

Serum: Lancome High Resolution Collaser-5x

Day Cream: Ole Henriksen Comfort Me OR Bobbi Brown Hydrating Cream

Night Cream: Lancome High Resolution Night 3x

Eye Cream: Lancome Primordiale Eye Skin Recharge

*of note:  I do not believe that skincare is gender specific...there are specific products and lines that are targeted towards men, but both men and women can use all skincare (for example: Jack Black Beard Lube? best leg shaving gel EVER) - again, it's dependent on your skin and how it reacts...Also, I do not believe that you have to use the same skincare brand for each part of your routine.  currently i am using my Lancome skincare up before I move on to anything else...there are some brands out there that when used together work more effectively, however, this decision is up to each individual and what they feel their skin needs.*








*Also of note: I receive a lot of product through my job.  I know I say this all the time but it can't be repeated enough -- it is up to me and me alone to feature what I feel are good products that I can stand behind 100%.  I always take the utmost care as I write my posts to give you, the reader, the best information I can about my experiences.  If I love the product, I say so.  If I hate the product, I say so.  It's equal opportunity on my blog in all aspects. No company has any influence on what I say or what gets featured on this blog.*

Thoughts: Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum

don't you feel accomplished when you see a completely empty bottle of skincare?

When you think of grapes, skincare is probably not the first thing to come to mind.  A tasty snack from the produce department (made better when frozen...don't believe me? try it in the dead of summer, you won't regret it!)...or perhaps a fabulous bottle of wine.  But a skincare routine???

Allow me some backstory.

French-based brand Caudalie (created by Mathilde & Bertrand Thomas) was conceived and born between the years of 1993 and 1995 out of the discovery of the anti-aging benefits of grape seed polyphenols.  Before I keep going with that I'm sure you're staring cross eyed at the computer silently going "....o_0..." in your head.  Let's get nerdy.

Grape seed polyphenols are Caudalie's patented, potent, and powerful anti-aging antioxidants.  They give you 100% protection against free radicals, help protect your collagen and elastin, and improve the microcirculation in your skin (giving it the ever popular radiant glow!).

Caudalie went on to open their own spa in 1999, and have since taken on 2 more patents: Resveratrol and Viniferine.  For the purposes of this blogpost we're going to be focusing on the latter, however you can find more information on Caudalie's website!

Viniferine is an molecule extracted from the grapevine sap which aides in the fight against dark spots and uneven skintone.  It reduces the existing dark spots by targeting the cause of the over-production of melanin (tyrosinase if you're interested), it helps to prevent the formation of new dark spots, and evens and brightens the skin's complexion.  It's also 62 times more effective than Vitamin C...

The Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum is a liquid serum containing Viniferine that is applied twice daily under your moisturizer.  It is dispensed via dropper (a full dropper is too much product for myself, I only used half each time), emulsified in your fingertips or palms, and pressed into the skin on your face/neck/decollete.  I find I use less product when I'm pressing it into the skin rather than smearing it all over...just for my two cents on that subject :)

I absolutely loved the texture of this serum!  It's liquidy, but not so thin that it will run everywhere once you get it into your hands.  It has a pleasant smell which is not overwhelming (I like my products to smell nice but not "fragranced" if that makes any sense)  I used mine over the course of about 5 or 6 months and I feel that I saw a more even tone to my complexion.  As I am still fairly young, I don't have any dark spots or severe discoloration that I'm treating...but I can absolutely speak to the radiance and evenness that this has left me.

As far as who can use it, I have very dry skin, and I have friends with oilier skin who have also used it and none of us have had any issues.  It always bears repeating that everyone's skin is different so patch test if you have any hesitations!

The price is pretty par when compared to other high end serums.  I personally would pay up to $80 for a decent serum that works for many reasons (of which I will go into and link here when I write my serum post!)

Have you tried any Caudalie products before?  What are you thoughts?




What: Caudalie Vinoperfect Complexion Correcting Radiance Serum
Where: Caudalie-usa.com, Sephora.com, Sephora Stores, wherever Caudalie is sold!
How Much:  $79.00 USD


















*the product contained in this review was provided by my job.  this has no influence on my opinions of the product as vigorous testing has taken place by myself and no one else*