The Products That Worked for my High-Maintenance Skin this Summer
With summer coming to a close, I thought I should re-cap my most used skincare products. As you may recall, my face is slightly combination and acne-prone with some fine lines and large pores that clog easily. Sounds dreamy, right? However, my skin from the neck town tends to be a little on the dry side. I’m also super acne-prone across my body! Bacne? You can bet that I struggle with it! Bumps in places I’d rather not mention? Absolutely.
While it’s always terrifying to post photos of yourself in a swimsuit online, I do think this is the best my skin has ever looked from head to toe! These photos were taken at Ste. Anne’s Spa in Grafton, Ontario. My ethical, multi-way swimsuit was made in Vancouver by Londre.
Physical Exfoliants for the Face
Gingersnap Solid Zero-Waste Bar by Ethique – The best option if you’re looking to go plastic-free! This solid bar smells kind’a like a gingersnap cookie and contains tiny physical grains. Mix in a little bit of water to create a slight lather as you gently massage into damp skin. When the bar is done, you’re left with nothing. (Just the way I like it!) The solid scrub comes pre-sliced into manageable mini-bars. Gingersnap by Ethique is perfect for those looking to reduce waste and it’s also ideal for travel, since there’s no risk of leaks.
(Related Note: If you haven’t tried the Bliss Bar by Ethique, I’d definitely recommend checking that out too! It gently melts away makeup and cleans skin without stripping it. Like Gingersnap, the Bliss Bar is also zero waste!)
Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant with Lactic Acid by Éminence – A luxury green beauty choice. This exfoliator is made with rice grains, so it’s gentle enough for daily use. I like to use it as the last step in my P.M. nighttime cleansing routine if I’ve been wearing heavy makeup or SPF that day. Also, it comes in an adorable milk-bottle-shaped bottle. Just twist the cap and shake out the dry formula onto damp hands. Use as much or as little as you’d like.
Facial Moisturizers with SPF
Wild Vanilla Moisturizer with 32SPF by Eminence – I love a good multi-tasker. This delicious moisturizer by Eminence has a medium-weight texture and a delicate scent that doesn’t linger. I find this melts in perfectly and offers decent sun protection. I truly fell in love with this product, as finding SPFs that don’t break me out or feels sticky has been a big issue since I switch to green skincare. However, it is a little on the pricey side,
Rosillance by COOLA – The new Tinted SPF CC cream by COOLA is more fluid and less matte than their original tinted formula. This is a better option for those with dry skin or who prefer a dewy finish. While I like the formula and coverage, I occasionally have to follow with setting powder since I have slightly oily skin. Rosiliance is also perfect to mix into other moisturizers if you want to create a skincare cocktail. I like to mix three pumps of this tinted moisturizer with a dab of the Wild Vanilla Moisturizer to create a semi-matte coverage that’s full of sun-blocking ingredients.
Physical Exfolitors for the Body
24K Black Gold by Truly Beauty – This is actually a multi-use scrub that is also safe for your face and can be used as a mask. Plus the black metal tube with a heavy-duty gold-tone metal twist cap gives off a luxury feel. The 24K Black Gold looks lovely sitting on a shelf in the shower. The sugar grains melt into a glossy texture as it warms up, so it’s perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Buns of Glowry Smoothing Butt Polish by Truly Beauty: This is a super-effective whipped polish that combines wheat protein for plumping skin, watermelon extract that helps fade discoloration, and Jojoba seeds for gentle exfoliation. I like to use this all over my lower body for a hydrated, touchably smooth finish to my skin. This is also great for acne-prone skin. But unlike other grainy exfoliators, it’s nourishing on the skin. My skin doesn’t feel dry or tight, due to the shea and mango seed butters in this formula. It’s also stored in a glass jar with a heavy gold-tone lid. So pretty!
Cup O’ Coffee by LUSH – An oldie, but a goodie. Cup O’ Coffee is different from other coffee scrubs because it also contains lots of clay. Slather this super skin-smoother onto problem areas like upper arms, upper legs, and all over the torso to get rid of those irritating, tiny, skin-colored bumps. The clay helps treat skin conditions like acne. Be sure to save the black plastic jar for LUSH’s Back-to-LUSH program.
Body Lotions and Moisturizers
Body Serum by OSEA – A luxurious treat for the skin year-round. I’ve been using this once a week on my legs and holy do I feel like a goddess as soon as I do. This serum lingers on the skin and sinks in very slowly, giving the skin a super dewy, healthy look. But it doesn’t just look good, it really works wonders on dehydrated skin. Notice how plump your skin feels the following day. In the winter, I tend to apply this more generously to combat dry, dull skin. Like all OSEA products, this is packed with nourishing botanicals and natural oils. To extend the longevity of this pricey skincare investment, mix two pump of this serum with three pumps of any other body oil. And for an even deeper treatment, use this right after bathing when your skin is still damp. Products penetrate further on wet skin than dry.
Skin Food Body Butter by Weleda – This is a classic for a reason! Formulated with shea and cocoa seed butter, its whipped texture leaves skin feeling nourished but non-greasy. I find it sinks in well. It’s also a great price.
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