Anti-Freddy Krueger Winter Beauty Regimen

Since the frigid temps can make your face feel like it's actually been ripped off...

...clearly the results of lack of moisturizing*

My Daily Winter Beauty Regimen

When I first wake up I always rinse off my face with cool water (warm is okay, but hot will dry out the skin). Then I follow up with a few drops of pure jojoba oil, which I have spoken about before as one of my holy grail products. It mimics sebum, which can help prevent acne and other skin issues.

The next step is even more important though, sunscreen:

I've been using Aveeno sunscreen for years now, starting with SPF 15 then after doing some research, I learned even black people have to use at least SPF 30. I haven't seen that level for a while now (maybe it's been phased out since global warming is real and the sun is meaner these days) so I use SPF 50. This formula is so hydrating and doesn't leave a weird white cast like some sunscreens do; it provides the perfect long-lasting defense against the icy outdoors.

Everyone knows about Burt's Bees chapstick and I love how they moisturize without leaving the lips dried out when they wear off. Another BB product I just recently started using is the peach and willow bark deep pore scrub. 

I randomly picked it up when I was in Minnesota and it didn't make my sensitive skin break out so I decided to keep using it.

I don't think it's very new, but for those not familiar, it's a cream based formula with very loosely packed exfoliation granules. It leaves my skin feeling very supple and moisturized. I usually use it after I scrub off all my make up in the shower.

After the shower I replenish my skin's moisture with a layer of jojoba and that's pretty much it.

You obviously don't have to take my advice, but at least take note that I do not look like Freddy.

Totally make up free, beret by Eugenia Kim.

*photo credit Tumblr.

Aveeno Active Naturals Smart Essentials Daily Detoxifying Scrub Review

Even people who enjoy wearing make up everyday still want their skin to be presentable on its own. In order to have a natural glow, exfoliation is essential to help the skin look its best without any cosmetic assistance. I have used exfoliation products in the past (St. Ives, Clean and Clear), but they were either too harsh on my skin or had ingredients that left it feeling dried out. I decided to give this Aveeno Daily Detoxifying Scrub a try because I love the brand and after years of using my usual cream cleansers, I needed a change.

Purpose of the Product: According to the label, the scrub is to be used everyday to help combat noticeably dull, uneven complexion and polish away debris to reveal brighter, smoother skin. Much like other exfoliation products, the formula is designed to promote your natural beauty and decrease your flaws by purging all that gross crap in your face while leaving you with fresher-looking skin.

Duration of Use: So far, I've been using it for at least 9 weeks once a day.

Performance/Opinion: First of all, I really like the gel-like consistency and the fact that it has very fine particles instead of large ones because I feel like it's more gentle on my sensitive skin. 

When I first started using it, I noticed my skin had a slight increase in breakouts as more and more crap was being brought to the surface. However, because I don't like using too many products on my face, I was using the scrub in the place of my usual acne cleanser which might have been the cause. 

When I rub the product on my face, I feel like it's being very gently sand blasted; it literally feels like very fine, wet sand instead of little glass bits or tiny stones like other products I've used in the past. I usually scrub for about a minute and when I rinse it away, my skin feels silky smooth and refreshed. I always get mild hormonal breakouts, nothing serious, but they still leave scars and the exfoliation really helps speed up the fading process. Overall, I think it basically does what it says.

  

It's a very dense consistency and only requires a pea-sized amount for the whole face.

Those specks are the tiny granules; they're very effective and more suitable for sensitive skin.

Would I repurchase? Yup. It's about $5.50 at Target and I think it's well worth it.




*this was totes unsponsored okaaaay.