Favorite Skincare Products

Hi everyone!  I recently placed a Sephora order since they had their 20% off for V.I.B.'s, so I thought I would post a review about the skincare products I stocked up on.  Whenever Sephora has a sale, I ALWAYS stock up on my skincare because the products I mention are things I love and know I will use as long as they keep carrying the line (please don't stop!) 

My skin type:  I suffered from severe and cystic acne about 3 years ago.  I believe it had something to do with the birth control I started.  I stopped the pill, but it was still pretty bad.  Eventually I linked my cystic acne to dairy!  It never fails, if I drink regular milk I have a huge cystic zit on my face a few days later.  And let me tell you, they last months for me!  It's horrible.  If you suffer from acne, seriously consider cutting out dairy for a few months to see how your skin changes.  I replaced milk with almond milk and cut back on using cheeses when I cooked.  This made and still makes all the difference in my skin. 

So here is a list of my favorite skincare products from First Aid Beauty:

Cleanser
$18 for 5 oz

What it does:This Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin—removing surface oils, make up, dirt and grime—and its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It's infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals. It calms redness and is pH-balanced to maintain the natural acidity of the skin. Daily use will result in fewer flare ups and reduced skin reactivity.

My opinion:  This does a fantastic job at lathering and removing my long wearing makeup without over drying my skin.  It has a mousse-like whipped texture that foams so nicely and makes it easy to spread around my face.  It doesn't dry out my skin like other foaming soaps and washes. 

Serum
$34 for 1/7oz
What it does:Anti-Redness Serum is packed with caffeine, a natural vasoconstrictor that can help with visible skin redness. This product is for anyone with facial redness, whatever the source, including redness due to rosacea, ruddy skin, and chronic or temporary irritation. By shrinking blood vessels, the serum improves unsightly redness in the dermis. Colloidal sulfur works to combat the root cause of facial redness and Aloe soothes while ginger works as a natural, powerful anti-inflammatory. Bisabolol is an exceptionally gentle anti-inflammatory that aids penetration of the formula's actives. FAB Antioxidant Booster completes the picture by defending the skin against free radical damage.

My opinion:  I use this twice a day in the winter and once a day in the summer or whenever I need a little more moisture.  It is a great serum for balancing my skin and reducing redness. I love how my face feels calm and lightly hydrated afterwards.  It is oil-free which is a must for my acne prone skin.  A half a pump is more than enough for my whole face.  I found that this did help a lot with the redness caused by acne and acne scars.  It didn't work overnight though.  The acne scars and redness takes a while to go away.  I would say that after using the serum twice a day for about 6  months my skin really showed a drastic improvement in redness and irritation.  Stick with it, don't give up after a month!

Moisturizer w/SPF
$38 for 1.7 oz
What it is formulated to do:Supply your skin with all the ingredients it needs to stay young and vibrant. This formula uses five active facets that work together to keep your complexion healthy.
- Zinc Oxide sits atop the skin's surface to reflect harmful ultraviolet rays.
- Bisabolol offers soothing properties.
- Alpha Arbutin evens out skintone.
- FAB Antioxidant Booster (comprised of licorice root, feverfew, and white tea) combats free-radical damage.
- Homeostatine® (a complex of two natural botanical ingredients) prevents and reduces wrinkles by protecting younger collagen fibers from unwinding and becoming brittle.

My opinion:  I cannot say enough good things about this product!  I have never found another moisturizer with the same milky feeling that hydrates, balances, and protects my skin.  It is also oil-free so I never have to worry about it breaking me out.  Another plus with this SPF product is the type of sunscreen it contains.  Avobenzone breaks me out every time I use a product with it-no joke.  I've learned that the physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide work better for me.  That makes it so much harder to find good moisturizers w/SPF now days that don't use avobenzone.  I am so happy I found this!  I use it in the morning all year and love the way it spreads so easily on my skin.  In the summer I do use a tissue to blot my skin because I'm much more oily in the summer.  In the winter I just rub it in and apply my foundation right over the top and it never causes my makeup to move around. 

Night Cream
$12 for 2 oz, $28 for 6 oz
What it does:This Ultra Repair Cream is a thick, rich, emollient product that hydrates deep down with exceptional penetration. This cream is for anyone with severely dry, scaly skin due to harsh winter weather, aggressive cosmetic treatments, or any of the following conditions: atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris. With the help of colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, soothing eucalyptus oil, and ceramides, Ultra Repair Cream provides immediate relief and visible improvement for distressed skin. The FAB Antioxidant Booster defends skin from free radical damage and the cream deeply hydrates with exceptional penetration, providing immediate relief and visible improvement. The cream is immediately absorbed into the skin and can be used all over the body and on the face.

My opinion:  I use this at night in the summer and winter.  In the summer I use the Anti-Redness serum a little less because I don't need the extra moisture.  This cream sounds like it would be a heavy-duty product, but in reality it has that great whipped texture that sinks right into your skin.  If you're very dry, I would recommend something with more moisture.  If I have a dry patch or two in the winter, I apply Cerave cream (in the tub) on my dry spots.  That product also never feels greasy but is much thicker in texture.  This works great for my combination skin.  It never feels greasy at all, which I think speaks volumes about this cream.  I also like how you can purchase it in a small tube or a big tub.  The tube is great for controlling the amount of product you use and is perfect for travelling.

I have found many of the products in this line to be amazing.  I only use the oil-free products, so I can't compare or review the others that I haven't tried yet.  It's only sold at Sephora and on the First Aid Beauty website.  I will literally cry if they ever stop carrying this line! 

I'll do another post about the other skincare products I sprinkle into my routine that are from various lines.  If you're struggling with acne and want to try something, I would definitely give this a try.  I've used these products for the last 2 1/2 to 3 years.