The Best Moisturizer for Oily Skin: I Found It!

Oily skin? Tell me about it!

It’s definitely a double edged sword. While it is the slowest to show signs of aging, it is also prone to acne, enlarged pores and blackheads. Aaarrghhhhh!

As a result, I was always hesitant to use a moisturizer on my face. So while my skin went psycho with enough oil production for export, it always lacked something. Something, I could never put my finger on.

Well, after tons of reading and researching I realized its hydration.

Water helps of course, and it definitely plays the most important part. That said, you do need to keep the outer skin hydrated too. So, I began my quest, tried a few products, failed. I was almost exasperated when I chanced upon, my now favorite, *drum rolls please* Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

A quick disclaimer here: If you have dry skin, this isn’t the right fit for you and you may be disappointed.

Now stay with me ladies, it’s an expensive product, I know. I broke a sweat too. But, a little goes a long way and the 125 ml. bottle lasts up to 6 months. Great!

Here’s my two cents on the uuhh-mazing product:

• Oil-free. Check. Fragrance-free. Check. The two basic criterion for my highly sensitive, oily skin are met. So far, so good.
• Though it’s touted as a gel, it has the consistency of a lotion. Albeit, a very silky, feather light lotion. It glides smoothly on the skin’s surface and absorbs before you can finish the alphabet song.
• The gel is absolutely non-irritating. No breakouts, redness, itchiness or flaky skin.
• I love the hygienic dispensing pump and the sturdy plastic container. It is travel friendly too, no antagonizing spills when you flip that suitcase open.

So, if you are in need of gentle hydration and have had disappointing results with other product, pick this up. Pronto! 

Love!

AHA Soufflé, anyone?

A sweet treat for your skin, indeed!

I hunted this bad boy down when I was looking for an exfoliant for my ultra-sensitive skin. And boy oh boy, does it deliver!

Let’s break down the science of it.

Alpha Hydrox AHA Soufflé 12% Glycolic is a powerful exfoliant that works to smooth and soften your skin. With regular use you will notice a youthful, firmer looking skin. It has 12% glycolic acid formulated at a pH of 4, which makes it ideal for exfoliation. The cream based formula contains peptides and green tea extracts to fight free radicals which damage the skin.

I noticed a change in the appearance of my skin with a single use. It’s just that powerful.

Well, to be honest, I did have my doubts initially. Will it hold up against my oily, sensitive skin? Will it cause break-outs? Why is such a great product priced so low, is this a hoax?

After a deep breath, I took the plunge.

The product is creamy, yet light-weight. So much so, that I slathered on a bit too much, the first time. A helpful tip here, less is more. Instead of vigorous rubbing, pat the contents gently on to your face. At first, it looks like it’s gonna take a while to soak into your skin but it absorbs surprisingly quickly. Top it up with your favorite serum and you're set.

So I kissed my boys (adorable yet extremely naughty Frenchies, think Dennis the Menace), crossed my fingers and went to bed to catch some Zzzzzzzzzz.

Next morning, my skin felt different, good different. It was hydrated, (not oily like most mornings) supple and I dare say, soft. Holey, moley of miracles! I did a little happy dance standing in front of my bathroom mirror.

I love happy endings like that.

I have been an ardent user for almost a year now and here are some great things you can expect from this soufflé:

• It is fragrance-free so if you have sensitive skin, rejoice.
• I get breakouts at the drop of a hat but this oil free formula has not caused me any so far. Touch wood!
• It has helped reduce the appearance of fine lines and who doesn’t love that?
• You will notice a more even skin tone, so ladies you can go easy on that foundation.
• Because your skin has been thoroughly exfoliated, you can expect better results from your expensive night creams and serums.

All this, and you don’t break bank. Seriously, far more expensive creams do far less. 

So ladies, if you’re looking for something powerful yet sensitive, well, I’d love me a hunk straight out of Mills and Boons but for now, this will do just fine.

PS: Even Paula agrees :)

Love!

What would Paula say?

This post is dedicated to the quintessential Paula Begoun, the original Cosmetic Cop, author of the bestselling books “Don’t go to the cosmetic counter without me’ & ‘The Beauty Bible’.

So, here’s why I consider her cool.

By her own admission, when she was 25, she read the ingredient on a skin-care product that she was using, and the 4th ingredient was acetone. That’s nail polish remover! This started her on a path of rigorous research through which she put together a skin care routine that completely transformed her skin. By 1995, she had her own skin-care line, Paula’s Choice.

A perfect example of a ‘happily ever after’ story.  Isn't it?

I was inspired!

It kick-started me on a journey of self-awareness. I started reading labels. I started to question brands, their philosophy, my own skin and its needs. There was so much to un-learn and re-learn.

You know what’s most admirable about Paula?

She is the only cosmetic company in the world who recommends other brands and products besides her own. If you visit her website, you will find expert reviews of all brands. That’s so refreshing in a world full of insecurities.

Today, I rarely ever purchase a product without first checking its review on www.paulaschoice.com

Let me give you a small example.

Growing up, I absolutely lusted after Crème De La Mer. Who hasn’t, right? This Rolls Royce of creams has enjoyed a cult status for decades among the rich and famous. There are beauty products, then, there is a pinnacle and then there is La Mer, up there, with the stars.

Today, I have the resources to purchase one but do I want to? The answer is NO. It’s just too rich for my skin. Yes, I said it. The thing is, I have begun to understand what my skin wants and it certainly isn’t La Mer. 

I am still taking baby steps, but better late than never. A few lessons I've learned:

• We all love delicious smells. But when it comes to your skin, fragrance-free is the way to go.
• Exfoliate and, do it right. Throw away those gritty exfoliants and take the AHA & BHA route.
• Eye creams are the biggest marketing ploy the cosmetic industry has pulled on us. What’s good for the face is good for the eye. Period.
• I am beginning to get a sense of my skin and I understand that it evolves with weather, age, diet, menstrual cycle and other internal and external factors.
• Expensive does not necessarily translate into a better product. There are good and bad products in all price ranges.

So, you want brilliant skin? Work for it, girl. Take it out on a date and figure out what makes it tick. Who knows, you might just end up with a soul mate :)

Love!

Mon Amour: Bioderma

It’s only the most befitting tribute to the wonderful gift the French have given us.

Ladies, it’s true. Bioderma is everything everyone is raving about and much more. Legend has it; a bottle of Bioderma Crealine H2O is sold every 6 seconds worldwide. Wow! Right?

Bioderma Crealine H2O is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, soap-free micellar water.

So, what’s Micellar water? That was the first question that popped into my head. I researched a bit and here’s a gist of it for all of you (Thank you Ziba-Blog)

Micelles are spherical structures that surfactant molecules form when they reach a certain concentration in water.

Surfactant molecules have a hydrophilic (water loving) head and a lipophilic (oil loving) tail. In aqueous solutions, the water loving heads spontaneously position themselves to be closer to the water, while the oil-loving, water-repelling tails group themselves in the centre in order to be far away from the water.

Cotton is hydrophilic, and when you pour the micellar solution on the cotton pad, the hydrophilic heads are attracted to the cotton, leaving the oil-loving tails sticking up to trap oil and wax based substances, like makeup and sebum.

So, the ultra-gentle micelles help capture fatty molecules such as dirt, oil, and make-up from the face, leaving the skin well-cleansed. And not a drop of water, can you believe it?

Here’s why I love Bioderma:

• It’s so gentle that you feel butterflies are kissing your face. No redness, no irritation. My sensitive skin thanks you.

• I am a little partial towards fragrance-free products. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a perfume junkie all the way, but when it comes to skin care, the fewer chemicals and additives, the better.

• It’s a one-stop-shop for lazy bums like me. I prefer not to stand in front of a mirror for more than a few necessary seconds. And that’s all the time Bioderma takes to effectively clean my skin.

• A loyal travel buddy, it’s the easiest cleanser on the go. If you need a bigger incentive, Bioderma has a cutsie travel-size bottle too. 

• The tough water-proof mascara. Gone! Just soak two cotton pads and apply it on your eyes for about a minute each. The best thing? It doesn’t irritate your eyes one bit. 

• My make-up needs are virtually non-existent but if it works for runway models and make-up artists then who am I to question its magic.

I use the Body Shop organic cotton pads with Bioderma. It’s only fair to use Michelin Tyres for your swanky Mercedes. Right?

These pads are gentle to use, have two differently textured surfaces for lotions and liquids, do not tear during use and do not leave any flaky residue on your skin like cheap synthetic cotton does. And so, I love ‘em. Even my bottle of Bioderma approves.

So ladies, all I can say is that it’s the beginning of a love affair that will never end. Sometimes, you just know it, at the first touch ;)

Love!

Cleansing Must-Have: The Clarisonic

Do you need a Clarisonic? Yes. Every girl must own a Clarisonic. Period.

I have had mine for about 4 years now. Still as shiny as I first bought it, the robust machine still gently whirs into action, ‘300 movements per second’ cleaning the dirt and grime from my face, one pore at a time. Yes, I admit, it broke my bank at that time but it was madness! Everyone was raving about it and I had to have it. So, a few skipped meals, some heart-breaking window shopping and I made my peace with it in a few months.

Now ladies, it wasn’t a whim. I spend hours researching any and every product that I purchase. This was no different. Almost all reviews were positive, if not profusely glowing. There were a few negative comments but they didn’t faze me. These mostly dangled $10 brushes and claimed they did the exact same thing as the Clarisonic. Blashpemy!

I had to test it out. I bought one of those. Just to put that one nagging suspicion at the corner of my mind to rest. Rest assured, my purchase withstood those claims. My bank heaved a sigh of relief and I stuck my tongue out at those nasty comments.

Anyways, let me list out some of the wonderful things about Clare (Is it so bad that I named mine?)

• It is water-proof, so I don’t need an extra step in the cleansing routine. Just pop it in with me while I shower.
• It comes with the option of different brush heads to suit your skin type. I use the sensitive brush head. Guess what, its mild enough for daily use!
• The beeps tell you when to move to a different part of the face. (That really helps when you’re in the shower and out of the blue! George Clooney pops into your head)
• The black heads are gone. Poof!
• A much more even skin tone, not an airbrushed effect per se, but definitely a marked improvement from the previously bumpy skin.
• The Clarisonic goes deep into the pores and pulls out hidden debris. This means, lesser breakouts.
• The pores around my nose are like craters. Ok, slight exaggeration but you get the idea. Regular use of the Clarisonic has greatly diminished the size of the pores.
• It sloughs off the dead skin. Those expensive night creams finally get a chance to absorb into the skin & work their magic.

I use mine with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and fragrance-free. I have found the combination of the two almost like Thelma & Louise.

And if the going is good ladies, then, as Thelma said “Let’s keep going”.

Love!