Beauty Tips For Body Care
(Sorry long post ahead, routine near bottom). Hello, I (Female, 23, brown skin tone) lurked on this subreddit for sometime back in 2019 as I wanted to start a 'proper' skincare routine. I read the wiki, searched through the posts for some advice and laughed at the memes. Then I started looking for some products that were suitable for my skin and available where I live. I have combination skin - dry in some places and oily in the T zone, though not excessively oily or dry for either. My previous skincare routine consisted of 'J Malki Dead Sea Natural Mud Mask Soap' (for about 5 years argh) and that was it, my skin was relatively clear but a little too dry as you can imagine (I used to enjoy that squeaky clean feel lol). Prior to that, in my teens years, I just used any cleanser that was on offer - be it Simple or Neutrogena. I'd never used a moisturiser for more than a week as any moisturiser I'd tried made my face sweat like mad and I had also never tried any skincare 'treatments'. I suffer from PIH after I get hormone related spots - I usually get about one or two a month which is not an issue for me but if I do get PIH from this it can last a while - which is annoying as I do not use or want to use concealer. I also have rough/tough slightly darker skin around the sides of my face (side burn area) which has always bothered me. I have never suffered from any form acne, fortunately. Though my skin is sensitive to makeup (eye shadows, foundations etc).The products I began using 5 months ago were the basics and a little extra. I started using 'Simple Refreshing Gel Cleanser', 'TO Hyaluronic Acid + B5' and 'TO Natural Moisturising Factors + HA'. I loved almost every one. I noticed an improvement in my skin after a week and this continued. My skin felt plumper, it looked less dry and little more healthier.The Simple Refreshing Gel Cleanser is great, it does not make my face feel dry or tight and does the job well. I do not double cleanse as I do not wear any makeup (well I do wear mascara, no issue getting this off with the cleanser).I chose the TO Hyaluronic Acid + B5 as a little extra, I used it on slightly damp skin (with moisturiser straight after) as many have suggested and it felt quite nice on the skin but it also felt a little unnecessary. I can't tell if it actually did much or if it was the moisturiser I was using. I used a whole bottle but decided not to repurchase it as I believe the TO Natural Moisturising Factors + HA is moisturising enough and I have not noticed any difference since I stopped using the Hyaluronic Acid. I'd prefer to ditch this in order to have a simpler routine and a little bit more money in the bank. I believe this product may be more suited to those with drier skin, dehydrated skin or ageing skin as I believe it does make the skin feel plumper but as I said the moisturiser I was using was enough for me.The Natural Moisturising Factors + HA is wonderful, it is the first moisturiser that absorbs well into my skin and does not make me sweat! My skin is plumper, softer and healthier looking. There is no dryness anymore and my skin is not overly oily as a result. HOWEVER, I have started getting sebaceous filaments on my nose (hardened white bits in the pores) and I think it is a result of using this as I have never had this happen before, it may have been the hyaluronic acid too. Nevertheless, I have stopped using the moisturiser on my nose and I just use it on the rest of my face (the cleanser works quite well on the sebaceous filaments if I gently massage it on my nose, for slightly longer, then wash off as usual).Overall after using the above products my skin does look a lot better and a lot healthier, but after getting the base routine down I have also incorporated two new products (I have been using these for 2 months/1 month). My first new product was the Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Gentle Exfoliating pads (started 2 months ago), I started these to target my PIH and the darker skin on the sides of my face. I chose this Glycolic product as I wanted to start with something that had a low percentage of actives (less than 3% I believe) and this was what I found in stores near me. My only concern is that it is formulated with fragrance (shame but it does smell nice). I use this once or twice a week, it does say you can increase to daily use but I'd prefer not to. I have noticed a bit of difference in the PIH and darker skin (roughness/toughness is also going) but I doubt I'd repurchase the product once I have used it up. I'm keen to keep using the next product.The next new product was TO Niacinamide + Zinc (started one month ago), this is amazing! I noticed a difference within a week of using this! A blemish I had on my cheek was gone so quick after starting this product and there was no PIH after and my existing PIH also started to get better. My skin also looks slightly less dull, brighter you could say (within one month). I'm really surprised by this product and definitely recommend it! I haven't noticed any difference in skin oiliness but will report back in time. I do not use it on it's own, I put one drop in my moisturiser and mix - I do this as this product tingles my skin slightly.Bonus product: Lips! I had been using Carmex for years, but I hate that I'd have to apply it so much during the day in order for my lips to not feel dry or for them to not peel so much. I have also heard the ingredients are not that great (fragrance, menthol, salicylic acid may have caused the peeling etc). I'd previously tried Vaseline on its own but this always made my lips feel ten times worse (drier, stingy). I heard great things about Glossier's Balm Dotcom but did not want to try something formulated with fragrance or colour, so I got the original (fragrance free). Wow, this stuff is amazing - it's my HG, my lips are so much better. I only have to apply this stuff once a day in the morning and my lips stay hydrated, do not peel and just look so much better. I can now go a couple of days without even using a lip balm. 1000% recommend (Only been using this for three weeks!).I'm so happy with my routine and love the results, here is my routine as of now:AM:1.) Cleanse with Simple Refreshing Gel Cleanser.2.) Moisturise with TO Natural Moisturising Factors with one added drop of TO Niacinamide + Zinc.3.) Glossier Original Balm Dotcom on lips.PM:1.) Cleanse same as above.2.) (TWICE A WEEK ONLY) Exfoliate with Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Gentle Exfoliating Pads.3.) Moisturise same as above.You'll notice I do not have a sunscreen, I know I know, I'm using a glycolic product I should use one. However I have not found one that 1.) Does not make my face sweat 2.) Does not have a white cast. 3.) Is also physical (generally have preferred these but I know it's hard to find one without a white cast) and preferably coral reef safe. I also looked for moisturisers with SPF but could not find one within my budget that did not also have dimethicone (I know silicone based products make me sweat, plus I do not like the feel of them). I'm not concerned about ageing (good genes in the fam and no one uses sunscreen ekk, also ageing does not bother me) and I do keep out of the sun/wear hats in summer when necessary, though recommendations are welcome!You'll also notice I do not have a before and after, I unfortunately did not take a before (I was not expecting much) and I do not feel comfortable posting my face lol.I am also including the ingredients of the products I am currently using, just in case that helps anyone out:Cleanser, Simple Refreshing Gel Cleanser: Aqua, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Pantolactone, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopheryl Acetate.Moisturiser, TO Natural Moisturising Factors + HA: Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Stearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Glycine, Alanine, Serine, Valine, Isoleucine, Proline, Threonine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Glucose, Maltose, Fructose, Trehalose, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Allantoin, Linoleic Acid, Oleic Acid, Phytosteryl Canola Glycerides, Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Lecithin, Triolein, Tocopherol, Carbomer, Isoceteth-20, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.Niacinamide Treatment, TO Niacinamide + Zinc: Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Pentylene Glycol, Zinc PCA, Dimethyl Isosorbide, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan gum, Isoceteth-20, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.Exfloliator, Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) Fruit Extract, Glycolic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Parfum (Fragrance), Limonene, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Geraniol, CitralLip Balm, Glossier Original Balm Dotcom: Petrolatum, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Beeswax/Cera Alba/Cire d’Abeille, Lanolin, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol.Thanks for reading if you got this far and thank you for those active in this sub for your help whilst I was lurking!
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by clementinesorbet
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