How To Prepare Your Skin For A Colder Climate

As the leaves change colours and as we say goodbye to the longer days and the sunny-weather, we are going to say hello to the shorter days and cooler weather. Your skin changes as the weather does. If you typically live in a colder climate you know that dry skin is a real thing. They do say your skin does loose moisture in the Winter because of the dry air. How can we help and prevent this you ask? Well you gotta really take care of your skin during these colder months. You are probably thinking… well duh… just moisturize more. Well, of course moisturizing is the answer, but I believe it is the way you incorporate it in your everyday routine that can help your skin during these colder months ahead.

Make sure you are moisturizing your skin immediately out of the shower!

My trick isn’t just a typical cream moisturizer… It is baby oil. I apply baby oil right after I turn off my shower. Make sure when applying baby oil after a shower that your skin is wet when applying. This will lock in the moisture. Since doing this trick my skin has felt so much softer. Try it out and I promise you, you will see improved results in no time! I have used other oils such as, almond oil but I always go back to the tried-and-true Johnson’s baby oil. It is a fairly inexpensive product that can be found at any drug store.

Apply lip balm and hand cream before bed every night!

I keep my lip balm on my nightside table along side hand cream. The last step before my head hits the pillow before bed, is to apply lip balm and hand cream. You will wake up feeling smooth and hydrated before you even start the day. This has helped me quite a bit. They say your skin does loose moisture throughout the night so this step is very helpful. The Bite Beauty Agave nighttime therapy balm is a game changer. I will not use any other product. This helps your lips repair themselves. Any hand cream will do the job. Just make sure you are applying hand cream before bed as well.

Use a heavier face cream at night.

Your skin needs to replenish at night. Restore your skins moisture by using a thicker face cream before bed. This cream from the Ordinary is a great option. This cream incorporates hyaluronic acid as one of its main ingredients. Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration in your skin and increases a plump appearance.

These steps will help keep you moisturized throughout the Winter!

Most Popular Skincare Brands of 2020

In my opinion 2020 has become the year of skincare. I love how others are turning to one another to crack the secrets of skincare marketing and truly cutting the bullshit and ditching products that can harm your skin. Are high price tags necessary for skincare? Are physical exfoliants necessary? Are eye creams necessary? What we learned this year to all these questions are NO! Let’s cut the crap and research what our skin needs. Let’s read ingredients and learn the industry. My blog was inspired from my love of skincare. My skin took a deep dive as soon as I became an adult. I got into skincare because I learned so much about the do’s and dont’s with my own journey and wanted to share my knowledge with everyone! I wish I had as many resources like this when I was in high school. Below are some brands that I have used this year in particular because they blew up in popularity! The three brands below are inexpensive and reliable brands that if you are just getting into skincare, they would be a great option to check out.

La Roche Posay

I have used this brand for a long time. It is shocking to me that 2020 was the year that made it “mainstream” What I love about this brand is that no matter the product I use, it generally is dedicated to sensitive skin. Most of their products that I have tried are fragrance free. The only thing difficult I have found about this brand is that their product names are not simple to understand. This brand is made in France. Their products are written in French. If you do not speak French or understand the language you will need to research the products ahead of time. Their prices are on the high end side of drugstore. Their products are worth the money. I have used several products from them. I will go into detail on the products I am currently using but, first I wanted to highlight the products I have used in the past that are worth mentioning. First, the Toleriane Dermo Cleanser. I loved using that product. It is very soothing. It did a great job of removing make up and cleaning the face. It was not stripping for my dry skin. The next product I have used is the Thermal Spring water spray. It was soothing and did the job. However, I have not repurchased it. I did enjoy it I just personally kept buying the Avene thermal spray instead.

Cicaplast Baume B5

First off, I want to say I love this product! This product is an overall soothing repairing balm. I first bought this product because I had tinea versicolour on my chest. I wanted a repairing balm to help soothe the area if I did not want to apply the medicated cream. This worked like a dream. After researching this product further I realized I can actually use this product all over my face on irritated dry spots. I sometimes have red flareups under my eyes and around my cheeks. Some days I just use water to wash my face on irritated days and apply this product all over. This product can be effective on face, body & lips. A little goes a long way.

Eau Micellaire Ultra

I am a huge fan of La Roche Posay but let me just say I was SUPER disappointed with this product. This is their Micellar Water and I did not carefully read the ingredients of this product before purchasing it. The scent of this product is overwhelming. It smells like old lady perfume. It has irritated my skin and I am just trying to get over this. Do not buy this product if you have sensitive skin. This is not like this brand… super disappointing product.

Rosaliac AR Intense

I have redness on my cheeks and my goal is to one day get rid of it! This is their visible redness reducing serum. I am new to using this product. So far I have really enjoyed it and have noticed that since using it, my skin redness has reduced a bit. This has no fragrance and is oddly a gold/orange colour. I use this right after I cleanse my face. It has not been a pain and does work well with other products I have applied on top. Make sure when trying something new, you are always being cautious about which products you layer on top of one another. If this can replace my current love, the Dr. Jart Cicpair Tiger Grass serum that reduces redness, that would be incredible. This product costs nearly half of what that product costs.

Cerave

Cerave! This company has MR.HYRAM himself to thank. This year, if you went into any pharmacy that carried Cerave good luck because nine times out of ten this product was SOLD OUT! The shelves were empty! This is the main reason why I have only tried one product form this brand.

Hydrating Cleanser

I LOVE this cleanser. I have dry skin and those of you with dry skin know it is tough to find a cleanser that does not strip your skin. This cleanser makes my skin feel clean and not stripped. 100% recommend.

The Ordinary

The Ordinary has really been the brand that has taken the skincare community by storm this year. Even those that did not know much about skincare got into skincare because of this brand. Their main hit this year was the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, the red blood looking solution. I have never tried this product because it seemed way too intense for my skin. If you used this product this year leave a comment down below with your experience. You may ask, why is there such hype around this brand? Well… it is inexpensive for effective ingredients in their products. Some may argue the percentages of ingredients for actives in their products are too high which can cause major irritation. That is why it is so important to know your skin and when you are playing around and getting into new products to make sure a patch test is done before applying certain new products all over the face.

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

Will I buy this product again? I wont go out my way to go repurchase this. I have dry skin so typically I prefer and do enjoy a thick moisturizer but I am not the biggest fan of this product. It takes a while to blend in. It is soothing but I do not really see myself reaching for this as much as some of my other moisturizers. It is worth a try for the price though. I have a feeling this will become my reliable “back up” moisturizer.

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

Love this Hyaluronic acid! Some of the complaints regarding this product is that it can be sticky and it is…but I do not mind this factor. You need to know how to apply Hyaluronic acid. Your skin needs to be damp before applying. I have another blog where I go into detail on how to apply hyaluronic acid. 100% recommend this product!

Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants

Since using this sunscreen I have found another SPF I enjoy using over this one. However, this is a must try. I finally found a sunscreen that did not break me out and for the price it is excellent. Like the moisturizer I have found it does take me awhile, to get this sunscreen completely absorbed into the skin.

Which products have you tried? Let me know in the comments down below! Which product should I try that you loved this year? Happy skincare loves! Remember to experiment safely!

How To Properly Layer Your Skincare In The A.M

The biggest mistakes you are making in your skincare routine is that you are possibly not layering the products correctly onto your face. Many active ingredients in skincare do not mix. You want to make sure you are pairing different products correctly, so that this does not cause a reaction on your face. If certain ingredients are not layered properly they will not work correctly together which, will not show positive results. The morning routine is set to protect your skin all day long.

How to layer?

  1. 1. Cleanser

This should always be your number one step! Simply, clean your skin. Especially in the morning this is a great way to feel refreshed and ready to take on your day. The Cerave hydrating cleanser is AMAZING. I have dry skin and this cleanser does not make my skin feel tight. It is worth the hype. Make sure when choosing a cleanser, you choose one that is right for your skin type. I cannot stress the importance of this enough!! I have seen online some people complain about certain cleansers and then, show a completely different cleanser that should be used on a different skin type that ended up working for them. If you have oily skin you may not like this cleanser. There are all types of cleansers that have different consistencies. Feed your skin what it needs. Do not spend a lot of money on a cleanser. Cleansers need to be effective but they are only on your skin for maximum thirty seconds. If you are unsure about which skincare items are worth spending your money on, I have a previous blog post that I go into great detail about this, read here.

  1. 2. Vitamin C

There are many benefits to Vitamin C. This is a powerful ingredient, it packs a punch with results. Vitamin C helps brighten, balance skin tone, helps hyperpigmentation, and reduces signs of aging. When I first got into skincare I did not think Vitamin C was important to incorporate. This was the wrong mentality. I have noticed such a difference in my skin when I started to incorporate Vitamin C in my everyday skincare routine. It brought the glow and overall look of a healthy dew to my skin. I do apply this product after I pat dry my skin from my cleanser. I have been loving this Vitamin C radiance serum from Honest Beauty. It absorbs into the skin quickly and feels very light on the skin.

  • 3. Moisturizer

Never forget this step in your routine! No matter your skin type you need to moisturize. Your skin needs to retain moisture in order to help with the natural glow. Pat do not rub when applying moisturizer to your face. Always apply in an upward motion. In a previous blog, I go in depth on the importance of moisturizing, read here. I have been loving the Kiehls Ultra Facial cream. The consistency of this moisturizer is a dream. It is whipped to perfection and feels cool and refreshing on the face.

  • 4. SPF

This is the most important step of a morning skincare routine. Do not tackle the day without sunscreen. Number one product to help with aging is right here! Sunscreen! This was part of my routine that I dreaded. This is because I did not find a sunscreen I preferred. This sunscreen, the Ordinary mineral SPF 30 with antioxidants I enjoy using. It has not broken me out and I love that it is formulated as a mineral sunscreen.

The consistency of the product pictured here looks quite thick. However, it is quite the opposite. This feels so light on the skin. It does not make my makeup peel when other products are placed on top. Once rubbed in all the way I do not notice a white cast to the skin. I do have a medium skin tone colour. It does take a bit of time to rub this product into the skin so please keep that in mind, if you are considering purchasing this item.

Remember a skincare routine is not effective overnight. Be consistent with your routine. Be gentle with your skin. Remember in order to get that glow you have to work for it girl! Glow on and love your skin!

The Importance of Moisturizing Your Skin

Many people ask, how can I get my skin to glow? There are many answers to this question. Now the more vague answer would be to take care of it, be consistent in your routine but… the real answer is to MOISTURIZE. Regardless of your skin type moisturizing your skin keeps the skin hydrated and healthy. As you age, the skin tends to become more dry. By moisturizing your skin you are regenerating cells that will in return show a natural glow. Moisturizing consistently can prevent future breakouts and help prevent wrinkles/signs of aging. Skincare should be used as a preventative measure. Moisturizing your skin consistently can also help with application of your makeup.

How to properly apply moisturizer?

Pat do not rub. I cannot stress this enough. Treat application of moisturizer like a spa treatment on your face. Try not to rub downward. Apply in an upward motion. Be gentle on your skin. Try not to irritate your skin when applying your skincare. Do not apply your moisturizer on dry skin. Work in the products you used before hand and let your moisturizer absorb into your damp skin NOT dry. This helps your moisturizer lock in the moisture into your skin.

Do I need two different moisturizers? One for at night and one for during the day?

Honestly, this is not necessary… but I do use a lighter consistency of moisturizer during the day under my makeup. I personally purchase moisturizers that claim to do different things for my different skin concerns. I love to test out different types of moisturizers. I have a certain consistency that I look for. I have dry skin so I do like a thicker consistency at night. I want to repair my dry patches at night and retain moisture in my skin. Just because I personally do this, it does not mean it is necessary at all. Stick with an easy routine when you first get into skincare. If you are new to skincare I broke down a beginners guide to skincare. Click here to read.

Current Favourites

I am a moisturizer addict. It is my favourite skincare product to purchase. Below I go into detail on some of my current faves and the moisturizers I am currently using. I have dry, sensitive skin. I do not like fragrance in my skin care products, the moisturizers below are all fragrance free as well. If you have skin similar to mine or just want some moisturizer options to look out on the market for, keep on reading!

Kiehl’s

Ultra Facial Cream

This moisturizer is very light weight. It packs a punch. It feels so refreshing and soothing while applying. I would say this is more of a day time moisturizer if you have dry skin. If you have oily skin you may enjoy this moisturizer because of its lightweight texture. This moisturizer blends out beautifully. The Kiehls Ultra facial cream is a bit on the pricy/mid price range side. I would say that it is worth every penny. Since purchasing this I have been reaching for this one the most.

Neutrogena

Rapid Wrinkle Repair

I have been really enjoying this moisturizer. I kept seeing this product when looking up moisturizers with anti aging properties. This kept coming up so I had to try it. I feel like this moisturizer has helped the redness in my skin. Beware this moisturizer does sting. It does declare on the packaging that you may feel some discomfort. The reason for this is, one of the ingredients in this moisturizer is Retinol SA. Retinol is known as an anti aging ingredient. It does have a thick consistency. I wear this moisturizer only at night. There are two different types of this moisturizer on the market. Make sure to pick up the fragrance free version.

The Ordinary

Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA

This moisturizer is AMAZING for the price. There is Hyaluronic acid incorporated in this moisturizer. As you may know Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to boost hydration in your skin. This moisturizer is on the thick side. Once it is rubbed in all the way it does feel lightweight under the skin. This moisturizer is great under makeup. The only downfall of this moisturizer is that it does take a while for it to absorb into the skin.

Why Fragrance In Skincare Is harmful for Your Skin?

This topic is debatable. I am not a doctor or skincare professional. This is a topic that I am very passionate about. If I could have it my way I would try to eliminate many products that include fragrance in their line of skincare. Everyone’s skin is different. I particularly have very sensitive skin. I do deal with many skin concerns and because of this I am VERY picky when it comes to choosing certain ingredients for my skin. Now, I understand some fragrance is actually natural and in some cases needed as an ingredient for a product. There are some products that I still use that have fragrance in it but these are few and far between.

Many companies on the market put fragrance in their products to simply make the product smell nicer. Would rather buy the moisturizer that smells like coconuts and reminds you of laying on a beach? Or buy a product that smells like nothing? We fall for this tactic, all the time. When I was a teenager you better believe I was purchasing the Victoria Secret body lotion that smelt like candy. Fragrance takes you back and in some cases makes you feel more confident or feel soothed. I completely understand why we use products that include heavy fragrance. I have fallen for this before. Everyone has.

When adding fragrance especially in skincare products it can actually mask the smell if the product goes bad, so you end up using the same product for a long time. Think of it this way, if you wanted to figure out what has gone bad in your fridge, what is the first thing you end up doing? SMELLING IT… right? If you only smell a heavy scent you would never be able to tell that your products went bad. Fragrance before it even goes bad can still harm your skin. Many people are sensitive to fragrance. Fragrance most times can cause redness and irritation to the skin especially if you do have sensitive skin.

Fragrance can be used in two different forms in skincare: synthetically or natural. Natural fragrance is usually from extracts from plants for example rose and lavender. A product like rose water for example would have this type of fragrance in it. Synthetic fragrance is created in a lab. Synthetic fragrance can be harmful. We want to sooth our skin with products and fix out skins issues. When having added synthetic fragrance we would be doing the opposite. You are essentially irritating the skin. Some people may claim that their products are not harming their skin because they do not see a difference. Their skin may not be irritated from products with heavy fragrance. This does not mean it is still not harming your skin. Damage can be done to the skin overtime.

How can you tell a product is fragrance free? This can be found in two different ways. Some brands will actually say this on their packaging. The second way you can tell if a product is fragrance free is by simply looking at the ingredient list. The ingredient to try to find on the product is simply called fragrance/parfum. If you do not see this listed than usually that means the product is fragrance free.

No one will look out for your skin more than you will. Take a hold of the damage control of some of the ingredients used in your skincare products and determine what is safe and not for you. There is so much information out there now. Take the time to research the ingredients in your skincare. I know you are about to be mind blown. Ingredient research is very important. Care for your skin and your skin will love you back.

Skincare For Beginners

Getting into skincare can be scary and overwhelming. What products do I buy? Why is everything expensive? How do I start? They say it is never too late to start a skincare routine but, the earlier the better. Starting a skincare routine in your teenage years is beneficial. Even if you are lucky enough to have clear skin in your teens years, a skincare routine is needed for prevention. Your body changes constantly and so does your skin. TRUST ME. Having gone through my teenage years with flawless skin it took a turn for the worst as soon as I became an adult. Skincare does not have to be expensive. You can take care of your skin on a budget. If you do not know where to start I am going to break down exactly what you need.

First thing you must do is break down what your skin concerns are. What would you like to achieve/resolve on your skin? Do you have acne? Do you have texture? Redness? Dark spots? Do you find that you have dry patches? Does your skin get oily? Before trying to resolve any major problems with your skin, you must figure out what is your skin type actually is.

When getting into skincare the question often asked is…how can I tell what my skin type is? Your skin type really depends on the hydration level of your face. What can be helpful as a test to figure this out is to wash your face with a gentle cleanser. After your face is washed and dried, how do you feel? If your skin feels tight you most likely have dry skin. If you start to see some oil developments on your forehead for example, you may have oily skin. If you see/feel both results you have combination skin. Some people have normal skin and would not see much oil development and will not feel a tightness to the skin. If that is your result then you are lucky!

Once you have figured out your skin type, what now? Regardless of which skin type you have, you must take care of your skin. Let’s get into how to create a introductory skin care routine. All you need are three products to get started!

Cleanser

Cleanser is the base product that helps clean your skin from the everyday grime and bacteria. There are all different types of cleansers based on your skin type. I have dry skin so I want to make sure when cleansing my skin that I am not taking moisture away and stripping it. Cerave is a great company that does carry cleansers for all different skin types. The cleanser from Cerave pictured here, is the Hydrating Cleanser from Cerave. The cleanser I used throughout my early years in high school was the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This cleanser is great if you are unsure about what your skin type may be. A helpful tip when getting into skincare and choosing products on the market is to avoid products with fragrance.

Moisturizer

There are so many different moisturizers on the market. In my opinion moisturizers and what to choose can be the most confusing part of a skincare routine. Not to mention moisturizers in most brands seem to be the most expensive part of a skincare routine. Do not let the marketing fool you. Research the ingredients of products before purchasing. Some moisturizers are worth the hefty price tag but when getting started into skincare it is not needed. Regardless, if you have oily skin or not, you need to use a moisturizer. Your skin still needs hydration. If you do have oily skin, try using a moisturizer that is lighter in consistency this can be helpful. The Ordinary HA moisturizer is a great moisturizer for all skin types. It feels light weight and absorbs into the skin nicely. The only downfall of this moisturizer is that, it does take a bit of time to blend it in. It is great for the price and provides AMAZING hydration. This is a great moisturizer to start out with.

Sunscreen

Your skins exposure to the sun is one of the main signs of aging. SPF is so important and should be used on your skin everyday. Make this apart of your routine. There are all types of sunscreens out there. I tend to gravitate towards a mineral sunscreen. SPF 30 is the amount I use. There are so many different opinions when it comes to the percentage of SPF to use on your skin. They say the higher the percentage the less affective it can be. I am not sure if that is 100 % true. I also hear the exact opposite. Just make sure to use a sunscreen that works well for you. What I love about this Ordinary sun screen is that, it is not sticky. It is lightweight and not to mention very inexpensive.

Remember, in order for a skincare routine to be affective, you must be consistent and enjoy applying your routine. Be gentle on your skin. Apply most products in an upward motion. Do not get discouraged from your skincare routine. You will not see results overnight. Results do happen with consistency. Skincare is not scary. Enjoy your new skincare journey! XO

Skincare Selfcare

I have used skincare as therapy for myself. This is how I fell in love with skincare. There is nothing like taking time for yourself after a long day. When starting to work full time I realized trying to find that balance is HARD. Skincare is what I turned to. Taking time for yourself is so important. Take time to relax. Forget about what happened during your day. Play some music in the background or sometimes having that silence with yourself before you fall asleep is necessary to help one mentally. Taking time for yourself will benefit you in every aspect of your life. Remember that your mental health matters! Put yourself first so that you can in return benefit those around you. Make your routine fun. Experiment with products. Switch up your routine to make sure you are benefiting your skins needs.

Enjoy Loves! Remember you are important!

Favourite Skincare Products Under $40.00

You do not need to break the bank on your skincare routine! Here are some of the skincare products I enjoy to use that are under $40.00!

Cerave

Hydrating Cleanser

If you have dry skin, you would know that cleansing your skin sometimes with the wrong products will make your skin feel tight. This product has been the best I have tried. It is not stripping to the skin and helps your skin retain moisture. Highly recommend. You can find this cleanser at most drugstores costing around, $17.99 CAD.

Bite Beauty

Agave Night time lip therapy

This product is a little pricy for a lip balm but I have not found anything better than this balm. You do get quite a bit of product in this tub. I do use this at night before I fall asleep and throughout the day, as well. This balm is smooth and keeps my lips hydrated! Think of this more like a treatment for your lips. The costs around $32.00 CAD! Totally worth it!

Kiehl’s

Ultra Facial Cream

This moisturizer is very light weight. It feels so refreshing and soothing while applying. I would say this is more of a day time moisturizer if you have dry skin. This moisturizer blends out beautifully. It works great under makeup. I highly recommend this product for everyday use. Side note, this moisturizer does not have any fragrance which is always a plus! This moisturizer costs around $38.00 CAD for 50ml.

The Ordinary

Hyaluronic acid

I have talked about this product several times. The Ordinary skincare is amazing for their prices! The complaints I have heard so far about this product is that it can be sticky. Make sure when applying Hyaluronic acid, that you do so with a damp face. This product has done wonders for my skin. Everyone does need a Hyaluronic acid incorporated in their routine, especially with more combination to dry skin. The product costs around $6.80 CAD! BARGAIN!

How To Apply Hyaluronic Acid

Why use Hyaluronic acid?

If you need a boost in your skins hydration… hyaluronic acid is a serum you should use. Hyaluronic acid boosts hydration in your skin and boosts a plump appearance. Hyaluronic acid is usually recommended for someone with more dry skin.

I have very dry skin and noticed after using Hyaluronic acid my skin was peeling. PEELING? How? This is supposed to increase moisture! Guess what? I had been applying it wrong. When applying hyaluronic acid especially on dry skin, your skin must be damp! Damp skin does allow your products mesh and work well into the skin.

After cleansing my face I do keep my face damp I then spray the Avène Thermal Spring Water spray to gain further moisture, before applying the product. Now this can be any Thermal water spray this is just the one I prefer to use.

Remember hyaluronic acid application does need moisture!

Three Skincare Products I Regret Buying Into

This past year I have really taken a deep dive into skincare. Well lets just say my opinion has grown and boy do I regret some of the products I have used on my poor sensitive skin. Please do your own research as well. I do not claim to be an expert by any means. This is all information I have learned and did do research on.

Biore Strips

I was obsessed with these and since doing my research on them I did not realize how much damage these strips can cause. It has been said that they may not only be pulling out blackheads… My skin is so sensitive and I will never use these again.

Sleeping Masks

Not proven for results & full of fragrance. I have learned that some of these sleeping masks have alot of fragrance in them, this can cause your skin to dry out overtime. Honestly I didn’t see any amazing results with my skin when I was using products like this. My skin is dry so I thought this would have helped with more moisture. A heavy moisturizer at night to repair your skin would work even better. No fragrance for me please!

Witch Hazel

This was a hard realization for me. I thought this was doing so much for my acne… My aesthetician recommended this product and I thought it was doing wonders for my poor sensitive skin. It was just increasing the redness which is not a good thing.