Winter Skincare

I don’t know about you but my skin is not a fan.

 Personally  I deal with “sensitive” dry skin, I’m sure you’re sitting there like what does that mean?!

Spoiler Alert: The above photo is a recent selfie I took

Regardless of your skin type you just may find some products worthy of your face—so if you’re in the mood to read &/or spend money, keep reading.

Here’s a little backstory about my skincare journey. About 2/3 years ago I started birth control and my face and neck did not agree with it at all! A dermatologist told me it wasn’t an allergic reaction but it very much was. I had small whitehead like hives all over my face, neck and my left arm. I was told to use hydrocortisone to help the problem. The hydrocortisone did help but it didn’t solve the problem completely. I discovered First Aid Beauty during this time, as an avid Sephora fanatic I had fallen victim to the zig zag of temptation leading to the register, as a result I picked up a small bottle of First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to use as a hand lotion. I didn’t like it at all it made my hands feel sticky and dry One day after working out (that was probably the last day I ever worked out) and showering I realized I hadn’t brought the hydrocortisone or any face lotion with me. My face was dying from dryness! I could hear the small cries for help coming from my orifices, I gave in and used the Ultra Repair Cream. Within hours I swear I could tell that the redness, dryness and the hives had calmed down drastically.  I was officially hooked, immediately went out and bought the wash that complimented it and haven’t looked back since.

Fast forward to the past year, I decided to switch birth controls and once again my face didn’t like it, I had to add some new products to my regimen to calm down the reaction this time however these new products are also helping to remove the lasting effects from using too much hydrocortisone, some acne scarring and overall look and feel of my skin.

After that rant if you are still interested in finding out what I use keep reading, all titles are clickable & will take you directly to each product.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wash:

• -          Preserves natural oils
• -          Helps calm and soothe upset skin
• -          Removes makeup

I have been using this wash for a couple of years now and it by far my favorite cleanser. After removing a majority of my makeup with wipes I use this along with my cleansing brush to remove the rest and clean my face. My face always and I mean ALWAYS feel great afterwards.

 First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream:

• -          Visible improvement of distressed skin
• -          Helps with psoriasis, atopic & seborrheic dermatitis, irritant & allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris
• -          Acts as a natural barrier to daily elements

This goes way beyond being a HOLY GRAIL! This product is literally everything, it can be used from head to toe and is simply amazing, it helped my allergic reaction as well as simply keeping my dry skin hydrated. My mom has also fallen for it and has now passed the torch to my grandmother.
If you want these same results but want something that will penetrate a bit more I  suggest also trying the Ultra Repair Concentrate- the main  difference is that the concentrate is thicker and has more of an oil feel.  I use the cream after I cleanse and tone, the concentrate gets used on days where I feel my skin really needs a bit of extra love.

First Aid Beauty is a brand that I love, I will be honest I haven’t tried everything but what I have tried hasn’t disappointed. ALL of their products are Dermatologist approved, allergy tests and fragrance free, no parabens. They are not cruelty free which is a bummer but so far I love the products and really can’t live without them.

During my recent allergic reaction I discovered tea tree oil. I had used the oil before but this time I used pure tea tree oil and products and it has made the difference. Desert Essence was the brand recommended to me when my original bottle from Trader Joe’s had run out. The brand makes just about everything tea tree oil you can dream of. My dry skin also affects my scalp so I do use their shampoo and conditioner, 2 words: AMAZING RESULTS.

Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil & Blemish Stick:

Warning: many sites suggest you don’t put tea tree oil directly on the face however undiluted and smacked all over my face had given me the best results. Tea tree oil has a strong smell and can burn, you have been warned.

Tea Tree Oil:

• -          Antiseptic
• -          Relieves redness
• -          Can be used from head to toe & all around the house

Just google the benefits and uses of tea tree oil and you will be convinced it is needed in some part of your life.

Blemish Stick:

• This product is still fairly new to me but is working wonders! It contains more than just tea tree oil and can burn bit. 
• -          Reduces blemish causing oils
• -          Improves and maintains skin’s clarity

Within a very short time span I can see it clearing up the dark spots and scarring I had from the use of the hydrocortisone. I love it! I will say it doesn’t seem to be as effective as a drying lotion for spots but that could be because the product is all natural it takes time to work as opposed to a lab made product that gives you instant results.

As of right now the only down side to the Desert Essence products is the size, they run on the small side but other than that, buy ALL OF IT! I alternate between the oil and the stick depending on what my skin needs that night but this step comes after cleansing and toning but before moisturizing.

Thayer's Witch-Hazel:

During my second bout of allergic reaction I decided to incorporate more “pure and natural” products into my regimen, hence the tea tree oil. I read up on witch hazel and decided to give it a try as my toner. I was originally using the Clinique toner meant for dry skin—which I still stand behind but have placed to the back of my cabinet.  On a simple level witch hazel soothes and cleanses which is what all toners are supposed to do but witch hazel is just witch hazel. If you purchase the right one – alcohol free! The ingredients should read witch hazel and maybe water- THAT’S IT! That is the difference between using it and using a fancy smancy toner. The naturalness of it does the job nature intended it to do. And let’s be real Mother Nature does no wrong.

If you’ve made it this far you’re either a great friend or a really lonely person, no worries though it’s almost over,

Mac Volcanic Ash Exfoliator:

STOP! I know what you’re thinking! If my skin is dry why should I exfoliate? Shouldn’t I just “hydrate”? The answer N-O.

You should definitely exfoliate- not every day all day but you should have a dependable exfoliator.

• -          Smoothes skin
• -          Hydrates
• -          Controls oil

I consider this exfoliator a little bit on the heavy duty side, so I only use it when I feel like  my skin is really rough aka once or twice a week.  For a more every other day basis I would suggest the Korres Wild Rose Exfoliating Cleanser.

Something I found via YouTube is products that “exfoliate” without being an exfoliator.  These next two products are basically magic witchcraft made by Harry Potter.

Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel:

• -          Removes impurities
• -          Exfoliates
• -          Help clean clogged pores

ORG Mineral Body Peel:

• -          Eliminates dry and ravaged skin
• -          Evens tone
• 
  

How do you use this magic? After you dry your skin place the gel or spray the mineral body peel and rub, within moments you will feel “balls” of the product. The best way to explain the feeling is when you would put glue on your hand and rub it before it dries that rolled up glue is what the product will feel like. Once you have done that all over your skin you can rinse and that’s it. Magic over.

Some people say these two products don’t really work and all you feel is the product rolling around but I can attest that my skin definitely feels smoother after using.

Lastly, masks, any time I feel like my skin needs an extra boost, I use a mask. I tend to stick to “hydrating, moisturizing, brightening “masks. I am not picky with brands most of them work just fine. I will say currently I am enjoying:


 Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Mask

• hydrates
• combats the visible signs of aging
• tones

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask

• calms dry skin
• cooling
• refreshing  & moisturizing 

Lush Fresh Oatfix Mask

• naturally calms and soothes skin
• gently exfoliates dry skin
• moisturizes

Grace & Stella Anti-Wrinkle Energizing Collagen Face Mask

• adds collagen
• restores youthful appearance 
• hydrates

Ps: The grace & stella is fun to wear because it's not your typical sheet mask & you can demand to be called goldfinger!

As of right now my skin is trying to have a breakthrough, it is on the up & up. These products haven't resolved everything but they have helped in tremendous ways, I hope they can help you too & I am always up for being the guinea pig so throw suggestions my way.

 Might as well make some dinero while spending it, one word: EBATES. I'm sure you have heard of them and if you're a skeptic let me tell you

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Thanks for joining me on this Beautyful Journey. 

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