FOUNDATION FRIDAY #2: IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

MICHXMASHLeave a comment

When I found out IT Cosmetics launched a new complexion product, I immediately added it to my Sephora cart to try out. Back in 2018 I tried and adored their Your Skin But Better CC Cream, so I was super excited to see how their Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare performed!

Information on IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare claims
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare claims and ingredients

Experience an instantly better-looking complexion and better bare skin in two weeks! Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare features medium buildable coverage that instantly perfects skin—minimizing the look of pores and imperfections while delivering all-day hydration and wear with a natural radiant finish.

Suitable for all skin types and infused with skin-loving hyaluronic acid, aloe vera extract, vitamins E & B5 and hepes acid, your skin-improving makeup works behind the scenes as you wear it. After just two weeks, skin looks smoother, skin tone appears more even and skin texture is visibly refined. IT’s truly your foundation for better skin!– Itcosmetics.ca

PRICE: $52 CAD
SIZE: 30ml
Made in: U.S.A
Total # shades: 40, various undertones
MY SHADE: Light Neutral 22 (picked it myself online)
Undertone: Neutral leaning pink, not my undertone. I feel like the Warm version would’ve been better and possibly similar to the Estee Lauder swatch.

Michelle's foundation swatches from top to bottom: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare Light Neutral 22, MAC Studio Sculpt NC20, Estee Lauder Double Wear 2N1 Desert Beige
Foundation swatches from top to bottom: It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare Light Neutral 22, MAC Studio Sculpt NC20, Estee Lauder Double Wear 2N1 Desert Beige. Last 2 were matched by a MUA.

PACKAGE: Clear glass bottle with a pump
TEXTURE: Thick fluid. It travels down my hand but not very fast.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare Ingredients

itcosmetics-foundation-ingredients

AQUA/WATER/EAU, DIMETHICONE, ISODODECANE, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, PEG-10 DIMETHICONE, METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, HYDROXYETHYLPIPERAZINE ETHANE SULFONIC ACID, CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, HEXYL LAURATE, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, TOCOPHEROL, SILICA, PANTHENOL, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, HYDROXYETHYL UREA, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE POWDER, SODIUM HYALURONATE, TIN OXIDE, HYDRATED SILICA, METHICONE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, [+/-: CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/IRON OXIDES, MICA, CI 77007/ULTRAMARINES, CI 15985/YELLOW 6 LAKE, CI 42090/BLUE 1 LAKE, CI 45410/RED 28 LAKE, CI 15850/RED 7]. D247442/1

Highlighted Ingredients:
– Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe Vera: Instantly hydrate and visibly smooth skin.
– Hepes Acid: Gently exfoliates for a brighter-looking complexion.
– Vitamins E and B5: Moisturize and fight free radicals to support skin‘s barrier.

– Sephora.ca

Skinthusiast Perspective…

Contains moisturizing ingredients such has various -cones (mostly for texture but nice as a type of occlusive in skincare in general), Glycerin (5th ingredient), Panthenol (vitamin B5), Hydroxyethyl Urea, Aloe Leaf Juice Powder, and Sodium Hyaluronate.

Antioxidant Tocopherol (vitamin E) and Iron Oxides are also in the formula to help protect against visible light.

Taken from a previous Foundation Friday post:

Both antioxidants and Iron Oxides have shown to reduce the effects of visible light and help with pigmentation issues. Lab Muffin does a great job at explaining all of the research behind this in a digestible manner – be sure to check out her blog post and others as well!
https://labmuffin.com/does-visible-light-cause-skin-damage-and-how-to-protect-against-it/

– Me

Now let’s look at this HEPES Acid, a.k.a. hydroxyethylpiperazine ethane sulfonic acid. Skinceuticals describes its function as a “synthetically-derived acid [that] activates natural enzymes in skin to help break the bonds that bind dead skin cells to the surface for even exfoliation.” INCIDecoder and Paula’s Choice lists this ingredient as a buffering agent. The Derm Review also shares that HEPES Acid is pH neutral and commonly combined with Glycolic Acid as a buffering agent. Browsing the interwebs further, Skinceuticals actually formulated their Discoloration Defense serum with 5% HEPES Acid, and Vichy’s Idealia Peeling also has the same concentration, both exfoliating products are however formulated with other acids. Overall as a consumer I’m quite confused. For me personally, I don’t use exfoliating products in my skincare daily in general, and I don’t really want that feature in a potential daily wear foundation either.

Experience with IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

PREP: Regular skincare routine, I always wore the foundation over a moisturizing sunscreen base that doesn’t add or subtract to foundation longevity. Eg. Purito Centella Green Level Unscented Sun SPF50 PA++++.

Overall Activities: Sitting on couch working, working out, walking outside, wearing a mask for 2 minutes. Wore it to the mall with wearing mask for a few hours.

Application:
1st Attempt: 1st layer Split-face application with Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki Brush and Beauty Blender. I dotted the foundation on various parts of my face and neck, brush-side had some minor streaking. 2nd layer I used the sponge all over face and neck, still using the dotting technique. Used about 2 pumps total. Looked very cakey, dry patches all over, radiant finish, medium coverage, pores looked more textured. I decided to wash my face and start over.
2nd Attempt: Decided to just apply 1 layer with the Beauty Blender. Instead of dotting all over, I dotted in one area and only applied more when I needed it. I used 1.5 pumps all over my face and neck with this method and it was the best one.

Coverage/Buildable?: 1 thin layer is a light coverage. 2 layers it is a low medium coverage.

Finish: Radiant, not borderline oily. Seems to be the particles in the foundation that disperse light more nicely. 1 layer skin looks smooth, pores look blurred despite radiant finish. Noticed some dry patches but it is forgiving, I don’t see them unless I look really up close. 2nd layer of foundation skin looked cakey, the radiance was a bit extra, sitting into pores, more dry patches, pink undertone was more obvious, wasn’t flattering at all on my skin.

Feel: Light, slightly tacky. Skin started to feel dry every time within 2 hours of wearing the foundation. Sometimes I felt itchy.

michxmash-itcosmetics-foundation-with-flash

Flash Friendly? Yes. My face is lighter than my body (and ears) so I don’t consider this flashback, just a mix of my lighter-skinned face and a wrong shade match.

Oxidize? No, however with 2 layers I notice the pink undertone more.

Oil Controlling? I don’t get super oily until end of day, I found my oils did peak through around that time.

Long Lasting? After work outs, low activities or just chilling all day, I found most of the coverage still lasted after 8-10 hours. I didn’t notice anything significantly disappear unless I wore a mask in which it rubbed off my nose and chin.

End of Day: 1st layer skin always looked like skin from either far away or up close, coverage was still there, some of my natural oils came through.

Natural Light: Looks like my skin but better with 1 layer. 2nd layer looks terrible.

False Light: Looks fine most of the day with 1 layer. End of day I find I notice my skin texture in general but it’s not grossly emphasized with the foundation. When I tested with the 2nd layer I saw texture on my forehead and pore area from a distance near end of day.


OTHER WAYS I’VE WORN THIS FOUNDATION:

  • With powder (over 1 layer) – Emphasized dryness in the center of my face, made my skin look more dehydrated, nasolabial folds looked more prominent. I did a split-face with my Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation (NC20) and my Mac side looked moisturized, no dry patches, and skin still looked plump and moisturized.
  • Cream and powder cheek products – Both work fine.

Final Thoughts on the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare

DID IT MEET THE CLAIMS?

  • Better bare skin in two weeks – With the handful of times I wore this foundation, my skin felt dehydrated every time I wore it and I actually feel like this broke me out.
  • Medium buildable coverage – More like light to medium buildable coverage.
  • Minimizing the look of pores and imperfections – Yes. Skin looked smoother and I like how my pores looked most of the time with 1 layer.
  • All-day hydration – Nope, opposite actually! (Refer to first claim)
  • Natural radiant finish – Yes, I noticed the particles and felt like light was reflecting off my skin differently. Looked too much when I layered though.
  • Suitable for all skin types – Meh, I guess, it’s just up to you how you want to work with it/can work with it.
  • After just two weeks, skin looks smoother, skin tone appears more even and skin texture is visibly refined – Did not wear this foundation long enough to see, but I have my skincare routine to do this stuff. I never rely on foundations for skincare benefits other than maybe not drying out my skin, and potentially protecting against visible light. I actually noticed my skin broke out every time I wore this foundation, quite a bit on my cheeks.

OVERALL PROS:

  • Quick and easy to apply all over face and neck with a brush or sponge.
  • Radiant finish doesn’t look borderline greasy.
  • Improves the look of my skin texture, makes skin look smoother.
  • Buildable coverage.
  • Pores look blurred despite radiant finish.
  • 1 layer looks the most skin-like and not cakey once I finished my makeup routine.
  • 1 layer it looks really good up close as I wear it throughout the day.
  • 1 layer dry patches are not exaggerated.

OVERALL CONS:

  • Cannot build the coverage without the foundation looking horrible on me. 2 layers don’t work for me because it increases how cakey my face looks, the dry patches, and gathers near my nasolabial folds.
  • Can’t use powder to subdue shine without it making my skin have more dry patches and look dehydrated.
  • On its own, 2 layers makes my skin look dehydrated.
  • Feels drying within 2 hours with both 1 and 2 layers.
  • I don’t like exfoliating ingredients in my foundations, it just invites more skin problems than improvements in the long run.

MY BEST FACE: 1 thin layer applied with the beauty blender, no powder (other than cheek product).
michxmash-itcosmetics-your-skin-but-better-foundation-skincare

Overall, the It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation + Skincare is a pass for me. I was hoping this could be a potential go-to for an effortless, medium coverage, natural, long-lasting, pore blurring foundation. Alas, I just don’t like my skin feeling tight and dry throughout the day, and building coverage does not work for me. If you’re not prone to dry patches, do not get easily sensitized to drying products, like radiant finishes but want a skin-perfecting quality, you may actually like this foundation! It overall has a good shade range with a variety of undertones and has good coverage, so it may work for you more than it did for me!

WHERE TO BUY:
It Cosmetics
Sephora
Ulta

All links are affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you so much if you decide to use it! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

And that’s it for this review! Hope you found it helpful and informative!

xo, M

REVIEW: Avon Elastine PropoliThera Shampoo, Conditioner & Hair Mask

MICHXMASHLeave a comment

In the last year or so, I’ve become more into haircare due to what seemed to be like never-ending scalp issues, dry hair, and just a general plateau in my scalp and hair’s health. Now that all my bleached ends have been cut and I have my virgin hair back, I’ve managed to normalize my scalp health and keep my hair shafts pretty healthy, but they do seem more prone to dryness – I’d think it is due to my scalp’s health at the time, my age, and environmental stressors. I have been using Avon’s Elastine PropoliThera haircare* for the past few weeks and am ready to share my experience in what it’s done for my hair. Spoiler: I’m impressed!

Products sent for review purposes. All thoughts are my own, always *casts doe patronus*

INFORMATION ON AVON ELASTINE PROPOLITHERA HAIRCARE

avon-propolithera-haircare

SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER: Catch the buzz. Beeswax, honey and royal jelly (what bees eat) combine with vitamins and amino acids to form this rejuvenating shampoo/conditioner. Treat your tresses to our soothing formula, which will repair damaged hair while giving it a smooth and manageable appearance. Benefits: Repairs damaged hair, Smooths & softens hair

HAIR MASK: Catch the buzz. Treat your tresses to our rejuvenating hair mask, made with beeswax, honey and royal jelly (what bees eat). This nutrient-enriched formula will help deeply nourish your hair and repair damaged split-ends. Benefits: Infused with nutrients and antioxidants that help provide deep nutrition and protection from heat and damage

Our Elastine PropoliThera is formulated to add new life to your hair. Free of sulfates and parabens, it infuses every strand with healthy-looking body and shine.

– Avon.ca

ADDITIONAL CLAIMS:

  • Suitable for all hair types, color-treated hair, permed hair or chemically-treated hair
  • Paraben-free, sulfate-free
  • Made in Korea

PACKAGING:  All are packaged in plastic components, the shampoo and hair mask are opaque orange. Shampoo and conditioner are pump bottles, the hair mask is a large jar with a twist-off lid.

HIGHLIGHTED INGREDIENTS:

  • Propolis (tree sap plus beeswax) – Contains minerals, vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants to help restore weak and brittle hair.
  • Honey (made by bees from the nectar of flowers) – Helps restore moisture.
  • Royal jelly (the food of bees) – Helps lock in shine and restore hair’s natural luster.

These three key ingredients all share the same primary function, acting as a moisturizing ingredient to prevent hair from becoming dry and brittle. Although they are quite high in the ingredient list, I’m quite pleased with the overall formulation of each product for I can see how they help add and retain moisture. Another thing I noticed is Fragrance being high on the list, and I definitely smelled it! It’s quite sweet but I personally like it and really enjoyed using the shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask each time. It also lingered for a while as well.

AVON ELASTINE PROPOLITHERA SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

AMOUNT: 16.9 fl. oz
PRICE: $24 CAD / $18 USD
WHERE TO BUY: Shampoo – Avon.ca, Conditioner – Avon.ca

INGREDIENTS

avon-propolithera-shampoo-ingredients

The Elastine PropoliThera Damage Repair Shampoo contains gentle surfactants that cleanse the scalp and hair root without stripping them of moisture. It also has Dimethicone to help close the cuticles at the top of the head. It’s interesting to see Iron Oxides on the list as well, I’m wondering if they happen to stay on our scalp and hair root after washing to protect the crown area against visible light, or maybe I’m over-analyzing and it’s purely used for adding colour to the shampoo. Either way, it’s a nice-to-have in my books! Moisturized and protected scalp and root definitely help pave the way for healthy-looking hair shaft.

avon-propolithera-conditioner-ingredients

The Elastine PropoliThera Damage Repair Conditioner is also formulated with Dimethicone, but in this use case it’ll help close the cuticles at the mid-shaft to ends. The conditioner also contains some nice emollients such as Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, and Tocopherol.

With both shampoo and conditioner, I’m quite impressed with the list of ingredients that are beneficial to my hair health!

EXPERIENCE

  • Smells delicious
  • Did not need to use a lot of the shampoo to sufficiently massage onto my entire scalp
  • Shampoo lathered nicely
  • Used a typical amount of conditioner I needed to coat the mid-shaft to ends
  • Hair felt very soft from scalp to ends
  • I never experienced buildup from the Dimethicone because I always used a clarifying shampoo on the following wash

AVON ELASTINE PROPOLITHERA HAIR MASK

avon-propolithera-hair-mask

AMOUNT: 10.1 fl. oz
PRICE: $24 CAD / $18 USD
WHERE TO BUY: Avon.ca

INGREDIENTS

The Elastine PropoliThera Damage Repair Hair Mask has a pretty awesome whopper of great ingredients, and I really wasn’t expecting there to be that much!

Alongside the key ingredients mentioned prior, there are more than a handful of additional moisturizing ingredients high on the list such as Glycerin, Shea Butter, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Collagen, and Panthenol.

I was most excited to see Amodimethicone in this hair mask as well, an ingredient I recently learned about from Lab Muffin. In short, it is a silicone with amino-acid groups that selectively attaches to damaged hair more strongly, moisturizes the hair and leaves a protective film, without buildup!

EXPERIENCE

  • Smells delicious
  • Left it in my hair for 20 minutes – 2 hours prior to washing
  • Bleached ends felt noticeably softer – I have never experienced a hair mask making a difference before!
  • Now that I have a full head of virgin hair, I still notice my ends feeling extra soft after using the Hair Mask

FINAL THOUGHTS ON AVON ELASTINE PROPOLITHERA HAIRCARE

Based on ingredients and performance, I am really impressed by Avon’s Elastine PropoliThera Damage Repair haircare! I have never tried haircare products from Avon before, but I’m really glad this was my first experience. Every time I used these products, my hair felt soft, looked shiny, and didn’t feel weighed down. I enjoyed the fragrance in these products and rarely had headaches after using them. Overall using Avon’s Elastine PropoliThera haircare a pleasant experience and I do feel like they have contributed to my scalp and hair’s overall health.

As always, I hope reviews like these are helpful and informative.

xo, M

REVIEW: By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum

MICHXMASHLeave a comment

Another day, another vitamin C serum for review! Once I finished up a bottle of By Wishtrend’s  Pure Vitamin C 15% with Ferulic Acid *, I cracked open their Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum * to compare!

I’ve had the latter serum in my fridge for a few months while using the former serum, and have now been using it for about a month or so. With that said, I’m ready to share my thoughts!

This product was sent as a gift.

DESCRIPTION

This high concentration vitamin ampoule is made with 70% Vitamin Tree Water and 21.5% Pure Vitamin C to deliver the concentrated effects of vitamin C to the skin. The serum removes dead skin cells to even out the skin tone and brighten the complexion.

– Wishtrend

Amount: 30ml
Price: $30 USD
How to use:
1) After cleansing, prep the skin with the toner.
2) Dispense 1-2 drops of the vitamin serum on hands and apply over dull areas that lack elasticity.

INGREDIENTS

by-wishtrend-advanced-c-ingredients

Hippophae rhamnoides water, ascorbic acid, sodium lactate, 1,2-hexanediol, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, cassia obtusifolia seed extract, allantoin, xanthan gum, ethyl hexanediol

Hippophae rhamnoides water: 70%
Ascorbic Acid: 21.5%
pH Level: 3.0 ± 0.5

INCIDecoder

I’m happy to see that the serum is minimal ingredients, low pH and with a good concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid! Usually the sweet spot for LAA serums are 5% – 20%, so that additional 1.5% may be too much for those who cannot tolerate LAA at high concentrations. The reason you want L-Ascorbic Acid serums is because it is the most scientifically backed ingredient when it comes to skincare benefits. It is an antioxidant shown to boost collagen synthesis, fade hyperpigmentation, boost UV protection under sunscreen, brighten complexion. Vitamin C serums are probably one of the few OTC products that skin professionals recommend to add in your skincare routine (if your skin can tolerate it) so I personally do for the antioxidant benefits.

Hippophae Rhamnoides (a.k.a. Seaberry, Seabuckthorn, Vitamin Tree) Water never really striked my fancy – I find high percentage of it just makes everything feels sticky (more on feel in the experience section of this post). I recall the Hippophae rhamnoides extract having a good source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, and B – but water, as you can guess, will have these potential benefits watered down. Expect the antioxidant benefits mainly from the actual vitamin C molecule in the formula, not the water. It is however a nice-to-have in this type of product.

I also like seeing Panthenol and Allantoin on the list to provide skin soothing and protecting properties. In a high LAA percentage product, soothing ingredients are welcome!

EXPERIENCE

Packaging: Dark dropper bottle.

Texture: Liquid. It looks clear when you open a new bottle.

Fragrance: Faint smell of the Seabuckthorn water, but only if I hold up the bottle to my nose. Otherwise, I never really noticed it on application.

Application: The directions say 1-2 drops on specific areas, but this is LAA we’re talking about. I’m applying a full dropper of this all over my face and neck and getting good use before oxidization sets in!

Finish: Thin and adds some glow.

Feel: Somewhat sticky, there have been occasions where my hands are momentarily stuck to my face lol. Also, it tends to sting. I feel like this has been more frequent the more I used it.

Instant Results: Surprisingly smaller pores, face looks glowy, takes a while for an even complexion to come back because of how much this irritates my face.

Long-Term Results: Haven’t noticed much myself since I’ve been using Vitamin C serums for a while solely for the antioxidant benefits. I also have been using vitamin A for a couple of years so any anti-aging benefit mainly comes from that ingredient.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m happy that the By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 21.5% Advanced Serum has a low pH, good concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid, and that it can last while refrigerated before it oxidizes. However the stinging is just way too much for me! I know the directions say to apply to specific areas, but the serum will turn orange before I get halfway through the bottle. It reminds me of the 2 unsuccessful bottles of the Timeless CE Ferulic serum I tried in the past. I also would’ve liked to see Ferulic Acid and vitamin E in this formula – instead they recommend purchasing the By Wishtrend Vitamin 75 Maximizing cream for the vitamin E in the formula to boost this serum. I prefer this serum over their new C 15% with Ferulic Acid for the low pH, but the new one is more gentle and has a host of other nice ingredients in the mix.

I will be sticking with my PC Super C15 Booster for now, and I plan on purchasing the Geek & Gorgeous vitamin C serum in the future to see if it’s a good, gentle, and affordable option!

WHERE TO BUY:
Wishtrend *
Use “MICHXMASH15” for 15% off
Yesstyle *
Use “YESMICH” * for 5% off first order, 2% off returning orders

* Affiliate codes/links. This means that if you click on the link or use the code to make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much if you decide to use it! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

As always, I hope you found this review helpful and informative!

xo, M

My Summer 2020 Nighttime Skincare Routine Ft. Retin-A Micro & Aczone

MICHXMASHLeave a comment

Following my 2020 Morning Skincare Routine (Summer Edition), here is a breakdown of my nighttime skincare routine for the warmer months!

Skin type: Acne prone, normal to dry. Becomes easily sensitized from drying products or environment.
Skincare Focus: Acne control, hydration, barrier protection.
What my skincare addresses: Acne prevention and healing, hydration, barrier protection, graceful aging,  fading pigmentation, minimizing pore size, reduce redness, reduce inflammation, improve texture, promote collagen synthesis, skin thickening.

Products marked with * are PR Samples/gifts. This does not change my opinion of the product. My thoughts are honest, always *casts doe patronus*

All links are affiliate links. This means when you use the link to make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE

wp-1597845827568.jpg

The products below are my tried and trues out of the rotation of items I receive from PR, gifts, and my own purchases. Each are purposeful and contribute to my skin’s overall health.

1. Eye Makeup Removal

Product: Marcelle Gentle Makeup Remover for Sensitive Eyes
How I use it: Apply on a cotton round and rest on eyes to break down waterproof mascara. After a few seconds, I lightly move the cotton round through my lashes to remove as much as possible.
Why I use it: My eyes are quite sensitive – any oil-based cleanser I have used around my eyes for a few seconds burn them. I need to go in with something gentle, especially when I wear eye makeup. The Marcelle one has been repurchased multiple times for the simplicity, price, and how effective it is while still being gentle.
Where to Buy:
Well.ca

2. 1st Cleanse

Product: Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing
How I use it: Dispense a full pump and gently massage all over my face and neck. After 30 seconds or so, I wet my hands and massage my face and neck again to emulsify the oil. I do this for another 30 seconds and then rinse.
Why I use it: It’s important for me to remove a day’s face, especially in the summer time. I’m sweating a bit, my sebum production is higher, I tend to reapply sunscreen more, I still like to wear makeup, and I’m outside exposing myself to environmental pollutants more frequently. It all must go! The Hada Labo oil cleanser is cost effective for the amount you get and I enjoy using it to massage my face longer to remove grit as well.
Where to Buy:
Yesstyle
DokoDemo

3. 2nd Cleanse

Product: Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel
How I use it: Dispense half a pump and lightly massage all over my face and neck, with a focus on my T-zone.
Why I use it: It is also a cost effective cleanser for the size and amount you get. It is pH balanced around 5.5 (last time I checked), low foaming and surprisingly it softens my skin despite its marketing for oily/combination skin. I also use it on my body as a shower gel and a shaving gel!
Where to Buy:
Dermstore
Well.ca

4. Hydrator

Product: By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence *
How I use it: After patting away excess water with a face towel but skin still damp, I immediately pour a nickel-size amount onto the palm of my hand and massage all over my face and neck. Depending on how skin is feeling, I may apply another layer or 2.
Why I use it: Due to my problematic skin, I do not like completely drying out my face so I only remove the excess water. Layering something as light as a hydrating toner/essence/lotion really helps reduce my skin’s chance of becoming dehydrated without feeling congested. I also find hydrators make my skin just a bit plumper, brighter, more even, softer. I don’t find implementing this step prior to my prescriptions irritate my skin at all.
Blog Post: REVIEW: By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence
Where to Buy:
Wishtrend
Yesstyle

5. Retin-A Micro

Product: Valeant Retin-A Micro 0.04% Tretinoin
How I use it: Dispense one pump and apply it all over my face and underneath my jaw. Because my skin is acclimated to it, I also bring it underneath my eyes.
Why I use it: It is the star ingredient that controls my acne. It works by normalizing my skin cell turnover so there is no buildup of dead skin, and reduces my skin’s sebum production. Tretinoin in particular is also the only FDA-approved ingredient effective at diminishing the signs of photoaged skin (pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines). Since I’m turning 30 this year, I’m really happy I got an upgrade to my vitamin A prescription! I have also noticed it help refine my skin’s texture and minimize my pores, making my skin look overall clear and healthy.
Blog Post: SKIN UPDATE #4: Switching From Adapalene (Differin) to Tretinoin (Retin-A), Taking Spironolactone, Acne Scar Revision?

6. Aczone

Product: Valeant Aczone Gel 5% Dapsone – (prescription only)
How I use it: Once the Retin-A has settled a bit, I apply a thin layer all over face and under jaw.
Why I use it: It’s very effective at reducing inflammation around any active acne lesions, it also helps to control non-inflamed lesions. It also pairs well with my Retin-A Micro, Vitamin C serum, and chemical exfoliants. After my skin acclimated to it, it always feels mild – never sensitizing my skin, doesn’t add or subtract moisture from my skin.

7. Moisturizer

Product: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
How I use it: Apply once Aczone has settled. Massage half a pump or more all over face, neck and chest.
Why I use it: Another cost-effective skincare item! Skin always feels comfortably moisturized without feeling congested. Calms my skin, softens it, and leave a non-greasy residue. It is pretty much my HG moisturizer at this point!
Where to Buy:
Dermstore
Well.ca

Video:

And that’s it for my nighttime skincare routine during the warmer months! As always, I hope you find this type of content helpful and informative!

xo, M

My Summer 2020 Morning Skincare Routine Ft. Aczone

MICHXMASH3 Comments

If you live in Ontario, we really have 2 seasons – Summer and Winter lol. I decided this year I will share my skincare routines by season – I usually mention here or there the slight changes I do in my routine based on the warmer or colder months, but I thought it would be more helpful to not only demonstrate it, but to talk through my thought process as well when it comes to how I approach my skincare.

Skin type: Acne prone, normal to dry. Becomes easily sensitized from drying products or environment.
Skincare Focus: Acne control, hydration, barrier protection.
What my skincare addresses: Acne prevention and healing, hydration, barrier protection, promoting graceful aging, fade pigmentation, minimizing pore size, reducing redness and inflammation, improves texture, promotes collagen synthesis, skin thickening.

Products marked with * are PR Samples/gifts. This does not change my opinion of the product. My thoughts are honest, always *casts doe patronus*

All links are affiliate links. This means when you use the link to make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE

michxmash-morning-skincare-routine-summer-2020

The products below are my tried and trues out of the rotation of items I receive from PR, gifts, and my own purchases. Each are purposeful and contribute to my skin’s overall health.

1. Hydrator

Product: By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence *
How I use it: Apply on a cotton round and wipe face to remove a night’s buildup or fluff. Depending on how skin is feeling, apply another layer or 2.
Why I use it: Due to my problematic skin, layering something as light as a hydrating toner/essence/lotion really helps reduce my skin’s chance of becoming dehydrated without feeling congested. I also find hydrators make my skin just a bit plumper, brighter, more even, softer.
Blog Post: REVIEW: By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence
Where to Buy:
Wishtrend
Yesstyle

2. Vitamin C

Product: Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster
How I use it: Apply immediately while skin is still slightly tacky from hydrator step. Massage a full dropper all over face and neck and pat once evenly spread.
Why I use it: Mainly for photoprotection, and it’s nice that it maintains my bright and even complexion. Vitamin C is the most expensive and finnicky product in my routine – L-Ascorbic Acid oxidizes in 3 months and I can’t visibly tell if it’s working. I spoke with my derm about it, and she’s pro-Vitamin C. I decided to keep it in my routine as an extra boost to the graceful aging aspect.
Blog Post: My 3 Must-Have Actives After 3-6 Months of Differin
Where to Buy:
Paula’s Choice
Nordstrom

3. Aczone

Product: Valeant Aczone Gel 5% Dapsone – (prescription only)
How I use it: Apply a thin layer all over face and under jaw
Why I use it: Helps reduce inflammation around any active acne lesions, also helps to control non-inflamed lesions. It also pairs well with my Retin-A Micro, Vitamin C serum, and chemical exfoliants.

4. Moisturizer

Product: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
How I use it: Apply once Aczone has settled. Massage half a pump or less all over face and neck
Why I use it: Skin always feels comfortably moisturized without feeling congested. Calms my skin, softens it, and leave a non-greasy residue on my skin.
Where to Buy:
Well.ca

5. Sunscreen

Product: La Roche Posay Anthelios Ultra Fluid Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+
How I use it: Apply once moisturizer has settled. Shake up bottle and pour a generous amount in the palm of hand. Lightly massage in 2 separate layers all over face, ears, and neck
Why I use it: Due to my nightly use of Retin-A Micro and other actives, sun protection is a must. I also have found that the generous amount I apply and the high UVA protecting susncreens I use have made a big difference. It’s helped to further prevent pigmentation from lasting on my skin, I rarely have irritated skin or an uneven skin tone, and in pair with my prescription topicals my skin texture seems softer.
Where to Buy:
Well.ca

Video:

And that’s it for my morning skincare routine during the warmer months! As always, I hope you find this type of content helpful and informative!

xo, M