My Daily Skin Care Routine

Oh Hiiiiiiii there! Where have you guys been!? 

Just kidding! Life gets busy and sometimes I have to disappear. Sorry it was for months this time but I have had the busiest summer ever, which is good but it is going soooooo fast. This blog is not my full time gig so it is not always at the top of my to do list and other priorities take the top spot. Honestly, I write this blog because I love talking about makeup and skin care. Now if a bunch more of you would subscribe, I would be able to make this my full time job and you can hear from me pretty much every damn day you lucky buggers! 

Ok back to beauty! 

What better subject to discuss than my current skincare routine? I thought I would discuss this because one of my girls asked me what I put on my face at night before going to sleep. So here is what I use on a daily basis. Most of these products I use am and pm unless noted. 

• Aquanil Cleanser-My AM cleanser and the 2nd cleanse of my PM double cleanse.
• Coconut Oil-I use this as the first cleanse of my PM double cleanse and sometimes as a PM moisturizer. 
• The Magic Pads (PM Only) I have already written about my love for this product. 
• Bioelements Calmitude Hydrating Solution for Sensitive Skin-According to the website this product will: Safeguard against moisture loss,Soothe, hydrate and comfort upset skin, Free of artificial colorants or synthetic fragrance, Dermatologist and clinically tested to be non-irritating, NO artificial colorants, synthetic fragrance, parabens, DEA, phthalates or harsh irritants, used twice a day will last 3.5 months! This is very nice, like a daily, hydrating drink for the skin. It is basically a spray toner that adds a layer of moisture before applying whatever serum or moisturizer you are going to use on top. 
• Paula's Choice Resist Ultra Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum- Yes I love long product names. This product, according to the website will fight acne breakouts, aging, large pores and wrinkles. It is a very lovely, silky smooth serum. I did not see magical things happen to my skin so I am not sure I will repurchase but it is in the repertoire right now. 
• Hydralight Shinefree Daily Mineral Complex SPF 30 (AM only) Sun Protection

• Loroche Posay Toleriane Cleanser-This is my cleanser I use when I am traveling. 
• Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser- I have this on hand for those extra sweaty summer days when your skin need a little deep cleaning. 
• StriVectin Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles- I think the StriVectin line is highly over rated and over priced but I received this as a sample and I will use it until it is gone. Most likely will not be a repurchase.

I will be adding a few products to my daily list. First, a good retinol product and second, a good moisturizer! I do not know why I've had such a hard time finding a moisturizer that I love. I may go back to Dr. Dennis Gross Age Erase because I did like that one. 

So that is it, AM and PM. This list is always changing because my skins needs are always changing so I will add and remove accordingly.

So hopefully I will now be on my regular schedule of multiple post per week. I feel like I have so many things to tell you guys about! I hope you are all enjoying your summer!

 

I know you must have missed me a bunch-I missed you! Clicking on the links below will make us so much closer!    

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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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RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 Review

Summer is fast upon us! Not nearly fast enough but be patient my little goddesses, it will be here before you know it. 

Every year I re-post my sun protection post reminding you why you need to wear sun protection. I usually post it in April because the weather starts getting nicer, the sun is out longer and everyone starts spending more time outdoors. Let me be clear my lovelies, it goes without saying that you should be wearing sun protection all year long, everyday no matter the season. 

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am a Paula's Choice fan. I look for certain things in my products that she usually has in her products so it's a no brainer. Also besides producing quality products, she will suggest other companies products as long as she feels they are up to par. That's a great supportive trait to have as a successful business woman. 

I decided to try PC's Resist Super-Light Wrinkle Defense SPF 30.

PHOTO CREDIT

PC's Resist line is aimed at anti-aging so all of the products have ingredients with anti-aging properties. 

According to the website, Resist Anti-Aging Collection:

Smooths Wrinkles

Builds Collegen

Fades Dark Spots

 
RESIST Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 is a daytime moisturizer with sunscreen designed for combination to oily skin with signs of aging. Its multi-purpose formula not only protects skin from sun damage, but also fortifies it with potent antioxidants to repair and stimulate collagen production for firmer skin. You will see a more even skin color, fewer visible lines and wrinkles, and the return of a younger healthy-looking glow.

I choose the  Super-Light because it is supposed to have a shine free finish. A lot of mineral based sun protection can make you look a little shiny and I was looking for a more on the matte side, natural finish. I had tried the Hydralite sunblock and although a good product, it was a bit shiny for me. It is also supposed to be shine-free. It was not.  

I have been wearing this for a few weeks now and I am very happy with it. I wore it for 1 week in sunny Florida without any burning/tanning issues and no breakout issues as well. It has a high Zinc content so it is tinted to combat the white cast that comes along with Zinc and Titanium Dioxide products. I find the tint to be an odd shade of pinky mauve although it does not translate that way on the skin (or in the photos). Once applied, there is absolutely no white cast and really no tint to speak of.  

One pump out of the bottle.

Blended into the skin.

My one complaint is Paula's Choice packaging for their suncare products suck! At the least the one's I have tried do. This comes in a plastic tube that you squeeze to get the product out. Have I mentioned that it sucks? It squeezes out way too much product and you can easily waste your product. I usually re-package the product into a dark, glass bottle with a pump that used to house a competitor's sunblock. 

Please Paula! Put a pump on your squeeze tube! 

This is supposed to be good for Oily/Combination skin. I have true combination skin, oily t zone, normal in some spots and dry in others. I have read reviews from people with dry skin saying it looked a little chalky on them. I have had no problem at all with chalkiness on any dry parts and it has been very cold in NYC. I do apply a moisturizer underneath this product.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Paula's Choice products. 

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Retin-A is NOT an Exfoliant! Who Knew?

So I was schooled by the Paula's Choice people. I can admit when I am wrong. If I am passing on information to you, I want to make sure I am passing the correct information. 

So in my prior post about Retin-A I said Retin-A is an exfoliant. I was always under the impression that Retin-A was a prescription strength exfoliant.  Well lo and behold, it is not.

I wanted to get a definitive answer on whether or not I could use my Paula's Choice BHA 9 in addition to my Retin-A because I was still experiencing minor breakouts. Not as bad as I had been but they were still there and I want them to be gone. My doc said to hold off but I had heard so many different opinions and answers, I decided to take my question to the Paula's Choice peeps. 

First, let me say Paula's Choice customer service are absolutely awesome. They have a live chat box and basically informed me that Retin-A is a treatment and not an exfoliant, therefore it can be used with my BHA9.

According to Paula's website:

A common misconception is that tretinoin (active ingredient in Retin-A) exfoliates skin like an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) or BHA (beta hydroxy acid) product. However, tretinoin is not an exfoliant. Tretinoin improves living cells so they can shed normally whereas AHA and BHA exfoliants dissolve dead skin cells in skin’s uppermost layers. Tretinoin improves how skin cells shed naturally, helping them do so in the manner they did before being damaged by sun exposure. But this action is not the same as exfoliation. It gets confusing because tretinoin does affect how skin cells form and shed deeper in the skin, beyond where AHAs and BHA ingredients reach. But technically what’s going in terms of how skin cells shed isn’t the same action as exfoliating skin’s surface to improve its appearance.

So with that said, now that I have added the BHA-holy moly what a difference it has made in my skin. Breakouts are pretty much non existent and old marks are fading away! Yay! I am at the 4 month mark with Retin-A and for the first time, I woke up this morning with flaking skin. I'm not sure if it was the Retin-A or the addition of the BHA but moisturizer chased it right away.  

So now you know!

Until next time, 

Jessica

Spoiler Alert-September Birch Box Reveled

Look what's here!!

Yay! My favorite time of the month-BirchBox time!

So these are the goodies that I received this month:

As you can see, very generous sized samples!

• Davines Sea Salt Spray
• Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Lip Gloss in Precious Petal
• Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Fox Hunt
• Paula's Choice Resist BHA 9 ~what a coinkydink, no?
• Pearly Wipes Clean Up Your Kisser

So I would say on a scale of 1-10 this box is a 5/6. I'll explain why.

First, I have never used a sea salt spray for my hair, I would've probably loved to have tried this at the beginning of or mid-summer but coming into fall, I am picturing a little more sleekness in my hair styles. Also, the products in the box had a bit of salt on them so I am wondering how this is going to work in my hair. 

I will follow up on this one for all you kitties that are waiting on the edge of your seats. 

I am quite excited about the Elizabeth Arden lip gloss, it is a gorgeous shade of pink with a heavy dose of gold shimmer in it. This gloss looks like it was made for me and me thinks gold makes everything look better! Next, the nail lacquer is ok-I don't generally get worked up over polish as I never do my own nails. The Paula's Choice BHA 9- one of my favorite products but I have a full bottle of it-maybe I will pass this one to my momma. Finally, the Pearly Wipes--wiping your teeth is not exciting at all. Enough said.  

So I will let you all know how these products work out for me. Maybe I will find a Holy Grail product in the mix! 

We shall see~

Until next time, 

Big Kisses to All!!

Paula's Choice and Skinetica

Oh hello there pretty kitties!

Just a heads up-this is going to be a long one. 

Regular readers of this blog know that I am fanatical about protecting my skin with the proper sun protection and that I treat my skin with my favorite acids-AHA's and BHA's. You would also know that I have very reactive skin and struggle with breakouts. 

I have recently upped my skincare game to include Retin A (this will be a separate blog post) and a topical antibiotic to help banish the breakouts and generally improve the health of my skin. At the same time that I started this new skincare regime, I had discovered an AMAZING blog written by Caroline Hirons (carolinehirons.com) that has changed the way that I take care of my skin. All of this will be a separate blog post as there is just too much to write.

What I do want to tell you about are two products that you may be interested in trying. 

The first one is from Paula's Choice (paulaschoice.com). Reasons I love Paula's Choice: good products with good, quality ingredients, very reasonably priced, fragrance free, you can try it before you buy it, and she takes on the big named companies who sell sub par products with basic ingredients at ridiculously expensive prices. 

So earlier this year, Paula's Choice rolled out their Resist BHA 9 for Stubborn Imperfections.

Click here to read my post on BHA's

Now usually the highest strength you can find for a BHA product is 2%. The good folks at Paula's Choice have managed a 9% formulation that is very gentle on the skin. The texture of this product is like a serum bordering on an oil. I am on my 2nd bottle of this product, however I had to stop a few month's ago as per doctor's orders, when I started using the Retin-A. According to Paula's Choice website, Resist BHA 9 is effective for: Acne Breakouts, Anti-Aging, Blackheads, Brown Spots, Enlarged Pores, Keratosis Pilaris, Redness, Rosacea, and Wrinkles. 

It:

• Reduces clogged pores-Yes
• Diminishes enlarged pores-Yes
• Reduces white bumps (milia)-Not Sure
• Minimizes flesh-colored bumps (sebaceous hyperplasia)-Yes
• Softens rough, dry, and flaky skin-Yes
• Calms redness and irritation-Yes
• Fades marks from past breakouts-Yes
• Reduces wrinkles and fine lines-Yes
• Dissolves stubborn blackheads-Nope
• Clinically proven non-irritating-Definitely non-irratating
• 100% fragrance free, no added dyes-Yes
• No animal testing
• Reduces Breakouts-Yes

Pros: A well formulated product that definitely makes a difference in the skin's appearance and helps with controlling breakouts.

Cons: Very expensive for a Paula's Choice product. $36.95 for .3 oz. That is not a lot of product.  

This product confused me at first. It was touted as a spot treatment, however my blemishes, wrinkles, pores, etc are located on all different parts of my face so I was applying it all over as a full face treatment. The original pump sucked. This was being marketed as a spot treatment but the pump only pumped out a full face pump. They seem to have gotten that in order with their New Precise Control Pump so you can use it any way that benefits you. 

This is definitely worth a try if you have any skin imperfections. You can purchase a sample to try it first before committing. I tried the sample first and didn't see any major changes until 1/2 way through the sample bottle. 

The next product I've found, I am on the fence about. 

I found Skinetica (http://www.skinetica.co.uk/) while snooping around online and decided to give it a whirl. The reviews looked good and the price was right-around $21 USD. This product ships from the UK.

According to the website, it is:

•    anti-blemish skincare treatment~  for the removal of acne, spots, pimples, blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads
•    a Super Toner – removes virtually all skin impurities
•    a Base to Foundation – prevents make up running even in hot climates

•    With visible results in 2-3 days and no side effects

•    No harsh chemicals, non-toxic, non staining, non greasy and can be used under make-up

•    Safe for all skin types and all areas of the body

It claims to "kill 99.99% of P.Acnes Microbes without using toxic chemicals". The technical explanation from the website is:

 As Skinetica air dries after being applied to the skin, it forms a molecular matrix, attached to the skin surface, which consists of very sharp pointed molecules. P.Acnes microbes cells are negatively charged, whereas the Skinetica molecules carry a positive charge, and when in close proximity the two are electrostatically drawn together. The Skinetica molecule being sharp like a sword, penetrates the outer cellular wall of the microbe, thus killing it. The medical name for this process is “lysis”. 

The ingredients list is short:  purified water, ethyl alcohol (only 18%), fragrance (BOOO-we no likey fragrance in our facial products), quaternary ammonium compound. 

So basically, you would use this product twice a day after you cleanse your skin, just like a toner (this product is a liquid- It is thin like water). Apply to a cotton round (I feel you lose too much product with a cotton ball) and swipe all over your face, neck, hairline, chest, back-wherever you may have a blemish. 

One thing I noticed while reading the online reviews, either people loved it and described it as a miracle product or they didn't see a difference. There was very little in between. After using this for a few weeks, I did not feel it did anything for my breakouts, existing or preventive. It definitely made my skin look and feel much more soft and conditioned in the morning but blemishes were still present and did not disappear, especially within the 3 day time frame. Once Retin A came on the scene, I put this on the shelf for about a month or so. I am now back to using it and like it much better the 2nd time around. My face is much clearer than it has been in a while but I am not sure if Skinetica has anything to do with it or if it is the result of the Retin A/Antibiotic combination. Either way, I am not sure if I will be repurchasing this when the bottle runs out. 

So there you have it! 

Please feel free to post any questions in the comment section below and I will answer as best I can. 

Until next time!

Have a safe Labor Day weekend!

~Jessica~