Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser, A Dual Review



You have to wash your face every day, twice a day. In the morning when you wake up to get rid of all the oily, sleep sweat and at night to get rid of the dirt and grime of the day. Sexy, I know. 

It is good to keep multiple cleansers on hand because your skin will need different products at different times of the year, as well as different times of the month. Hell, I'll even say different times of the day-you may not need something as serious in the am hours, as you may need at night. Depending on your day, if you wear makeup, where you live, your skin will have different needs.

Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser

Which brings me to these two guys. My current facial cleansers of the moment. Let's start first with Paula's Choice. I purchased Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser because it has the words "pore normalizing" in the name and I am always trying to normalize my pores as well as prevent breakouts. This has a silky, gel like texture that foams up slightly. As with all PC products, this is fragrance free. 

According to the website:

This cleanser gently removes excess oil, dead skin cells, and makeup without leaving a trace. Use it day and night to curb breakouts without dryness.
  • Acne Breakouts, Blackheads, Enlarged Pores
  • For All Skin Types
  • Reduces red marks & prevents redness
According to the packaging:
  • Refreshes skin without causing dryness. *Not True*
  • Reduces red marks & prevents redness. *Not True*
  • Dissolves pore-clogging oil & dirt. *True*
This was a bit too drying for me. Within a few days of using it, I noticed a lot of dryness around my chin and mouth.  My skin was tight as soon as I washed my face and there was a bit of redness as well. I do think this will be a fabulous cleanser to use in the summertime when it is a bit humid out and you are more sweaty than usual. I will use this on days my skin needs a good cleansing or even just a couple of times per week to keep the pores in check but I do not think this is a good every day, two times per day cleanser for someone with normal/dry skin. I would jump on in, full force if I had oily skin. The price is right on this-$11 for 6 oz.


Paula's Choice Ingredients



Next up is La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser. This is a creamy, gentle cleanser with minimal ingredients and no fragrance. 


La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser

I purchased this based off the great reviews I read online and the fact that there is no fragrance involved. I like the texture of this cleanser and it seems like it will take everything off including eye makeup. It is a little odd because it is a cream that turns into a translucent, oil like texture once it hits your skin. It is super gentle and I have had no issues with breakouts. Everyone should have a cleanser like this in their arsenal. 

According to the website:


Gently cleanses to remove makeup, dirt and oil on face and eyes. Can be rinsed or removed with cotton or tissue. *Don't use a tissue, use a warm washcloth*
  • Surfactant-free formula with Glycerin to hydrate skin
  • Fresh, milky texture
  • Apply in the evening to cleanse skin or remove make-up


While we are talking about creamy cleansers, side note: someone had said to me, they didn't like a certain cleanser because they didn't feel like their skin was clean. People, listen up---Your skin should not feel squeaky clean. It should not be stripped to within an inch of it's life in the cleansing process. If your skin feels squeaky clean, you've gone too far. You risk damaging your skin's acid mantle which in turn will make your acne worse and your skin dull and dry. Trust me, for the health of your skin, you want a gentle cleanser and you do not want to strip your skin of it's natural oils. Your skin should feel clean and conditioned after cleaning. It's skin, not a kitchen floor. 

Ok, back to the subject at hand, my two complaints for this cleanser are as follows: First, it smells a bit plasticy. The downside of having fragrance free products is sometimes the ingredients don't smell that great. A lot of times a company will include a fragrance neutralizer so you cannot smell the stinky ingredients. Second is price, $23 for 6.76 oz. A little more than I want to spend for a cleanser. If it were 12 oz, that would be a different story. 

So I will mix and match these two depending on what my skin needs. Hopefully, it will be the perfect combination. So far, so good.

Ingredients

Lastly, I want to discuss Coconut Oil. I am a fan of Double Cleansing.


Basic explanation: cleansing twice. First cleanse, usually with a balm or oil, second cleanse with a gentle cleanser such as Toleriane Dermo. I have been using coconut oil for my first cleanse. Yes, the kind you cook with. 

According to Caroline Hirons *Skin Fcking Guru*, 
I am apparently doing the right thing: 

Pure coconut oil is around 50% lauric acid. Lauric acid is a fatty acid that is anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial - so a good option if you have skin problems including random breakouts/dry skin/eczema/cold sores. It's also completely non-toxic - unlike a lot of products recommended for those symptoms. The only other substance that high in lauric acid is breast milk.

So there! You should jump on the coconut oil bandwagon, people! It's good stuff and works beautifully! While you're at it, you should jump on the Little Goddess bandwagon and subscribe to this rockin blog! Thanks peeps!



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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

The Magic Pads and Why Anyone With a Face Should Purchase Them

The Magic Pads


I love when I find a product that does exactly what I want it to do! I have been searching for an AHA/BHA product that is not full of fluff, that is fragrance free and that I don't have to sell a kidney to purchase. Imagine my delight when a celebrity makeup artist that I follow on Instagram recommended this product called The Magic Pads. With a name like that, it really better be good. 

So what are The Magic Pads? According to the website, they are cleansing pads for the treatment of acne. You would use these at the toner stage of your cleansing routine. I clean my face first and then go over it with one of these pads. 

First awesomeness is the ingredients. 6 very identifiable ingredients. Purified water, Glycolic Acid (AHA), Salicylic Acid (BHA), Alcohol, Aloe, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). That is it. No fragrance, no parabans, no unnecessary nonsense. I was a little concerned about the alcohol, however it has not been a problem for me. No irritation or drying out and no alcohol odor either. There is only 2% alcohol in the formulation and it has to be there due to the Salicylic Acid not being water soluble. That is chemistry geek sh$t that I don't understand so I am just repeating what I've been told. 

So these Magic Pads are really magical! They have helped clear up any blemishes pretty quickly and gives my skin a bit of a glow. I've been using them for a few weeks now and I am really impressed. You all know how I love my AHA/BHA Acids! Even though the jar says you can use these up to three times a day, I have been using them once a day at night and I've been sticking to a two days on, one day off routine. Even though these are on the mild side (2% Salicylic and 2% Glycolic), I want to avoid exfoliating my face off. You MUST wear sun protection while you are using these, which really is a no brainer because you should be using sun protection all the time.

I had the pleasure of speaking with the creator of The Magic Pads, Rob Harmon (who besides being a skin care wizard, is also a makeup artist on the hit Broadway musical, Wicked) and when I asked him why he decided to create these, he basically said he wanted a product that worked without all the unnecessary ingredients and was affordable for the people who really needed it.

 "I know how hard it is to get people to trust in a new skin care product. That's one of the many reasons I kept the price as low as it is. I'd like to say they are unlike anything I've ever found, and they are great for everyone with all skin types." 

Which brings me to awesomeness number 2-the price!

This jar of 50 pads only cost $19.95! How great is that!? There are a few really good anti-aging acid products on the market, however they cost a small fortune. This product is great AND will not break your bank. 


So who should purchase these?


  • Anyone with a face
  • Anyone who has acne/skin blemishes
  • Anyone who is looking to put a little glow on their skin
  • Anyone who is looking for an anti-aging product
  • Anyone who is not looking to bust into their life savings in the name of beauty


The Magic Pads

Run out and purchase these and subscribe to this blog while you're at it!
Your face will thank you! 






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