Here's the second installment to The Skincare Diaries!!!
Introducing...SillyLilacs from Secret Life of a Pharmacy Student! And yes...she really is a pharmacy student :-) Check her out HERE!! I love her 'Makeup Rotation' posts, where she shows what makeup she will try to use for the week. She also has a no nonsense, easy to follow grading system for her reviews where she grades categories such as packaging, texture and application. Have fun reading :-)
Hello everyone!
First I want to say that I am so incredibly honored that Gummy has asked me to write a guest post! So thank you Gummy for giving me this chance :) And onto my skincare rambles!
At 22 years old, my skin has finally settled down. When I was in high school, my skin did not break out for the most part (maybe a few small pimples a year). But I had sensitivity to the max. I worked my way through drugstore and nothing really worked. Everything burned, or itched, or created some rash. Thankfully, my skin has decided to cooperate!
Right now, I categorize as combination and sensitive skin. My combination side is oilier in the summer and drier in the winter. My sensitive side is well...normally...normal to sensitive, but the occasional product that I try out could get me into some trouble.
Chicago is where I live now. For those of you who do not know, Chicago can have quite a harsh winter, especially with the wind. So with my drier skin, I try to have more creams to help keep my skin hydrated. But please note, my main goal throughout the year regardless of the weather, is to keep my skin happy and healthy. That means I want my skin to be moisturized, dewy, supple, by itself and not with makeup!
Cleansers
L'oreal Paris Skin Expertise go 360 Clean Deep Exfoliating Scrub
This is my morning cleanser. The microbeads are extremely gentle (then again, I don't rub that hard). And the little scrubber is just great. It helps with getting rid of dead skin cells and helps to wake me up! I also enjoy the semi-sweet apricot-citrus scent.
Olay Deep Cleansing Face Wash with Witch Hazel for Combination/Oily Skin
This is my PM cleanser. Usually, my days are quite long. So after I get home, all I want to do is to relax, change into comfy clothes, and get all the days worth of dust and gunk off my face. I find that this creamy cleanser to be the best for me! It really does get rid of dirt, oil, and most of my makeup. (I use baby wipes to get rid of my makeup first before using a cleanser).
I kept my scrubber from the last L'oreal bottle, so I use it for this Olay cleanser. The formulation of this cleanser is not harsh, but I can definitely feel a difference after using this product!
Moisturizers
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15
Funny relationship that I have with this product. In high school, I absolutely hated this. And now, I really enjoy it. It is a thicker lotion in comparison to other products in drugstore world. This is why I save this moisturizer for winter times. I take public transportation everywhere, so my face greets the wind everywhere I go. It is really important for me to have a thicker moisturizer to have that extra barrier so it doesn't feel dry just from the wind! Plus this product absorbs quickly, which I love even more for morning time.
Olay Age Defying Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream
This is what I use at night (like the name suggests!). I enjoy this cream because it settles in quickly and is able to give me some moisture back that I may have lost in the day. Plus...it's never too early to start anti-aging products right? Prevention is key!
Olay Age Defying Eye Gel
This product I use in conjunction with the Night Cream as mentioned above. I don't have a lot of high expectations for eye creams simply because they don't really...work well. Puffiness is not something you can take down with a cream, gel, roller, etc. And darker pigmentation can not be taken away like that either. But the reason why I use this product still, is because it makes my undereye areas soft. It makes it smooth, and adds that extra hydration as well.
When I have time / If I remember
L'oreal Paris Dermo Expertise Ideal Balance Pore Clarifying Toner for Combination Skin
I first encountered this product in the late 2000s. Ever since then, I have absolutely adored this toner. Not that it really minimized pores, and I can't really comment on this oil control as my skin was still changing...but I do enjoy the refreshing feelings after I use this product. It also leaves my skin soft and smooth! Unfortunately, I think it is discontinued because I can not find this anywhere. So what you see, is my last bottle...and I am rationing it like a mad woman.
Masks/Masques
Generally speaking, I have only tried a few. I have yet to find any that really made a significant difference in my skin, so they are not an integral part of my skin care routine. Some of them have even made my skin worse! However, I am open to trying them! (And even find a holy grail item?)
Saving the Most Important for Last
If you read through all these paragraphs, first, kudos. Second, you probably noticed me saying "moisturize, hydration, dry winds, etc" a lot. Even though I do love products that moisturize, a lot of the supple skin effect comes from water. Water is definitely one of my main ways of taking care of my skin. Dewy and supple in the summer; hydrated so the moisturizer do not need to work as hard in the winter.
Anyways, that is it! I am happy to answer any questions, and address any comments and/or concerns!
Again, thank you Gummy! *hugs*
- SillyLilacs