MY SKIN
My skin is dehydrated/dry combination. I get EXTREMELY dry everywhere, even the parts that produce oils. Basically, the skin itself goes dry and textured while oil blocks my pores from seeing the light of day. Hence the combination. I have whitehead/blackhead issues on my nose, chin, and a bit on my cheeks. If a moisturizer is slightly too comedogenic I will get all crazy blocked up, but too lightweight and my face is dry and tight. If a mask or cleanser is too clarifying I just want to dunk my face in water. This is most likely due to the fact that it is dehydrated and I need to drink more water and be better to myself, but that's another talk for another day.
I also have very sensitive skin and suffer from rosacea on my nose. Seriously. Rudolph was one of my grade school nicknames. Just putting on my moisturizer makes my face red and harsh treatments or fragrances make it sting. Lately I was also dissatisfied with how dull it looked, the texture was patchy, uneven and not smooth, and I couldn't go out in public with feeling that I at least needed to even things out with a BB cream.
In summary, my skin problems: dry, clogged pores, redness, dullness, discoloration/uneven skin tone
THE MIRACLES
Please keep in mind that I have very finicky skin, and that these products might not work for you. However, if you find that your skin is dehydrated or dry, you've got clogged pores, and uneven skin or redness this might be the trio for you...
For blocked pores: Murad Blackhead and Pore Clearing Duo 2.2 oz total ($49.50). I received a sample size of this in either a gift-with-purchase from Sephora or a beauty box I purchased. Regardless, this duo has been really amazing at changing the surface of my skin. I have seen a small improvement in my pores and blackheads, but also in the overall softness of my skin. Step one involves an exfoliating mask with a light scent that you leave on for up to ten minutes. Instead of just wiping it off, you wet your hands with warm water and start to use it like any old exfoliant. I find that it's not too harsh and I can rinse it off if my face starts to hurt. While it's on, it feels really tingly and it might be my head but I can see those little clogged-pore worms wiggling out of their caverns (wonderful image, right?). Using this product in combination with the other two products has helped with exfoliating away dead skin cells and has really made my skin look and feel amazing. Plus it doesn't freak out my sensitive skin, WIN! Since I only use it once a week (have I mentioned my sensitive skin?) I can see this being a worthwhile product that would last me a long time and will probably repurchase once I move back to the states. No clay mask or exfoliant I've tried has ever yielded such amazing results so quickly.
For new skin: Rodial Glamtox Night 30 ml (£90). Holy mother of pearl this sh** is expensive. I received a deluxe sample of this in a Love Me Beauty Box (£10 plus p&p), which I really recommend for anyone in the UK looking to try out some great products. I've got reviews on here of the subscription so have a browse if you'd like. Anyways, I started to use this at the beginning of the month while traveling. I ran out of night cream and this said "night" on it. Literally my thought process there. I hadn't looked into the sample at all, the brand, or the product. I started to see a real improvement in my skin (hadn't even started to use the other two products yet) immediately! This is my first foray into retinols, so they must really work. I haven't seen any decreases in my forehead or eye wrinkles but I'm fine with that (hey, I'm in my early twenties and I get mistaken for a teenager, I NEED to keep those wrinkles!). What I have seen is an improvement in my skin's softness and elasticity (I lost a lot of weight, my face skin hated me for it) as well as the overall appearance of my skin tone. It claims to fade hyperpigmentation, reduce pore size, and thicken the skin. I'd say it pretty much does all of that! I'm not sure I'm going to be able to break the bank and purchase this one once my sample runs out, but you bet your bottom dollar I'm going to be running out to find something similar! I've heard it's comparable to REN products, but I'm pretty much going to look for any night time moisturizer with a retinol. Holla atcha girl if you know of such a thing.
For more even skin: Matriskin Technology Vitamin C 5% Serum 30 ml ($106/£56.35). If glamtox gave me new skin, this sucker gave me skin that was actually worth leaving the foundation at home. Even. The. Nose. I couldn't tell you how well this does on its own, but in combination with the Glamtox Night my face is a new face. I also received this as a sample size in a Love Me Beauty Box and so far it is lasting me a long time. You only need a thin layer on the face for it to work its magic. I'm not one to mix a bunch of serums around, so since I use Hydraluron (£24.99) at night for dehydration I use this one in the day for an added layer of moisture and awesomeness and because it sinks in and won't affect my makeup. Because of the hefty price tag I probably won't purchase this specific product, but I will be on the lookout for a Vitamin C serum that can make less of a dent in my wallet. Some I might consider are Avalon Organics Vitality Facial Serum with Vitamin C ($17.99), Yes to Grapefruit Correct & Repair Dark Spot Erase Serum ($16.99), Nip+Fab Pigmentation Fix ($15.99), Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Glow Boost Skin Serum (£15.99), Boots Botanics Triple Age Renewal Super Serum (£6.99), Vichy Normaderm Anti Aging Serum ($25), or Lumene Vitamin C Drops ($21.99) to name a few. One thing to keep in mind when using products with vitamin c, or anything that increases cell turnover is to USE AN SPF! Even if it's cloudy the UV rays can damage your sensitive new baby skin. Protect your investment.
WHY IT ALL WORKS
1) Glamtox Night contains RETINOL, which helps increase cell turnover. Topically it works, but you can also get it prescribed if you are that desperate to have baby skin.
2) Matrinskin Vitamin C Serum contains VITAMIN C, which is again amazing for anti-aging, evening out the skin tone, and fading dark spots.
3) Murad Blackhead Duo more than anything works for me as an EXFOLIANT, which helps slough off the dead skin and reveal your new face.
So kids, what did we learn today?
RETINOL + (VITAMIN C + SUNSCREEN) + EXFOLIANT + PROBABLY SOME CLAY MASK MAGIC = AMAZING SKIN 4 LYFE.
Thanks for reading this ridiculousness, me and my makeupless infant-soft skin hope you have a great day :)
