Paulas' Choice Tinted Moisturizer

This is probably my all time favorite tinted moisturizer. I haven't been using it lately simply because I can't buy it at the grocery store, and, well, I tend to try a plethora of products! This is one that I'll definitely return to, though! It is a bit pricey, at $14.95 but a great product.

What's great about Paula's Choice is that you can order a sample before paying full price. I recommend purchasing a couple of different sample colors before buying the full size. If I remember correctly, I used the fair/light color and the light/medium was a bit dark. I think the colors in her makeup generally do run dark, so keep that in mind when ordering!

This tinted moisturizer is great for rosacea sufferers because it is gentle and covers flaws and evens out skin tone in one simple step, without leaving skin shiny. I used to wear this under mineral makeup instead of a thick foundation.

I love multitasking beauty products! :)

Cleansing with oil

Okay, so I know that the skin care industry really pounds the "no-oil" thing into our heads, but what if they're wrong? After purchasing JASON vitamin e oil and cleansing with it for 2 weeks, I am a believer in cleansing with oil! This is a serious break through because I actually have oily skin. The type of oil that I use is actually a mixture of oils (I blogged about it a couple posts back). Vitamin e is great for healing acne scars and blemishes. I have found that my pores are also smaller and the oil draws out junk. Combine it with my baking soda cleansing technique and you'll see a transformation!

Today I came across an article on www.theskinsite.com about making your own cleansing oil.

I would love to try this method because it's true that oil in a bottle can get messy! I think the downfall is trying to find the right ingredients all in the same place. Beeswax is not something that grocery stores usually carry and it might have to be purchased online. A little inconvenient, but it might be worth a try!

I tried cleansing with olive oil a while back and I didn't care for it. It left my face feeling very slick. Olive oil may not be the way to go if you have very oily skin. The vitamin e oil does not look oily or feel too greasy if I leave it on after cleansing (because oil doesn't wash off completely with water).

Have you had success with a cleansing oil? I'd love to hear your story!

Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Pads

Hi, Beautiful ;)

I recommended tea tree oil for blemishes a couple of posts ago. Well, I found a great inexpensive product that incorporates tea tree oil without the mess! Desert Essence makes tea tree oil cleansing pads and they work great! Only $6, which is actually cheaper than if you were to buy it in the bottle.

I highly recommend using these pads if you're using tea tree oil!

Vitamin E Oil

I recently purchased Jason Vitamin E Oil, when I ran out of my face wash. I decided to try cleansing with a vitamin e oil because I have acne scars that just won't go away! I was skeptical, since the cosmetic and skin care industries are really pounding the "no oil" theory. Well, I'm not so sure that "no-oil" is the way to go! So far, I have not had any new blemishes. In fact, I washed with vitamin e oil at night and the next morning my blemishes were reduced and my complexion looked brighter.

After cleansing with the vitamin e oil, I use Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Pads. I swipe it on my face and let it dry. Then I use pure aloe vera gel. If I am putting makeup on after, I have found that I need a bit more moisture than the aloe provides, so I might put on Cetaphil cream, or I have thought of trying just some more vitamin e oil.

I purchased this Jason vitamin e oil, 5,000 I.U. but there are several different strengths. Next time I'll probably try the 45,000 I.U.

The type of oil I bought smells great! I also use it all over my body in the shower and at the ends of my hair to prevent breakage.

Gentle and natural :)

Tea Tree Oil

If your skin is to sensitive to use benzoyl peroxide, try tea tree oil. It has been proven to be almost as effective as benzoyl peroxide, but less irritating.

Tea Tree Oil can be found in the vitamin section of grocery stores and drug stores. It is usually inexpensive, around $7. A little bit goes a long way, so it'll last you a while.

Tea Tree Oil does have a very strong smell. You can dilute it with some water, mix, and dab onto skin with a cotton ball. I recommend only using this at night if you're going to leave it on, or just use it as a mask in the shower, so that people can't smell your face all day!

Even with the smell, I still highly recommend tea tree oil! 

Exfoliation Tip

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If you're going to use a mask, exfoliate beforehand using baking soda. This will help remove dead skin and unclog pores, allowing the mask to sink in. I have shown Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Cleaser/Mask because that I what I am currently using. I use it about once a month because I have sensitive skin and it contains 3.5% benzol peroxide. If you'd like a more gentle mask option, try the Aubrey Organics I blogged about previously.

You can also make your own pore minimizing mask out of egg whites. I know it's a little gross, but it does work! Just use one egg white and mix it in a bowl. You can add essential oils if the smell gets to you!

NYC Lip Gloss

I know I just posted about Neutrogena lip gloss in red, but I just purchased a very inexpensive lip gloss that I will forever be in love with! It's NYC lip gloss in Park Avenue Punch. I love the color and smell! I think it's a good color for all complexions.

Be happy :)

Lemons

If life hands you lemons, make a facial toner! Lemons are great for brightening the skin and fighting acne and scars. If your skin is ultra sensitive, try diluting some lemon juice in water and swiping it on your face with a cotton ball.

Remember to moisturize and use an SPF!

Add some extra lemon juice to your drinking water to help rid the body of toxins. It's inexpensive and natural!

Makeup Tip

Here is my makeup tip of the day! If you don't have the guts (like me) to use bold red lipstick, try a sheer red lip gloss. You still get plenty of color without the scary!

I have tried Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Smoother before and liked it. There are some cheaper alternatives, however. Any sheer red lip gloss will do!

Avocados

Avocados make a great face mask! They are full of vitamin E, which helps fade acne scars and heal blemishes. It is also moisturizing and helps minimize blackheads. Just mash up one half of the avocado until you have a smooth paste. Eat the other half to get your vitamin E for the day! Or, if you're like me, and don't care for the taste, put the other half in a container, spritz some lemon juice on it to keep it fresh, and use it for another mask in a day or two.

An avocado usually costs about $1.50. Now that's a cheap face mask!

e.l.f studio makeup setting spray

I purchased this after using my mineral makeup foundation and feeling like it looked a bit too dry. It really works and only costs $3! I love e.l.f cosmetics because they're so inexpensive.

I think this would be a simple thing to make yourself, if you're worried about any of the ingredients. Once I'm done with my bottle, I will most likely mix up my own recipe and put it into a spray bottle.  You can find inexpensive spray bottles in the travel section of grocery stores. They usually cost about $1 and are the perfect size for makeup bags.


Some ingredients to try out for a makeup setting spray:

• Tea Tree Oil
• Vitamin E Oil
• Rosewater
• Aloe 
• Water

Let me know if you try out your own recipe!

Aubrey Organics

I know that many skin types cannot tolerate the drugstore brands that contain a long list of chemicals. I like Aubrey Organic's Sea Buckthorn and Cucumber (there's that cucumber thing again!) with Ester-C Moisturizing Mask. It brightens skin and exfoliates. Perfect!

It is natural and recommended for combination/dry skin.

This is the only Aubrey Organics product in the combination/dry skin line that I have really tried. I have also tried out the Natural Herbal Seaclay with Goa Herb Oil Balancing Mask. I prefer the Sea Buckthorn.

Cucumbers

My gentle skin care tip of the day is...Cucumbers! If your skin is irritated, place cold slices of cucumber directly on the face for about 10 minutes. I did this when my skin was red from my rosacea and it worked like a charm!

I also recommend Ponds Cucumber Cleanser. It is great for moisturizing and taking off all makeup. It is rich and creamy and smells great! It is an inexpensive alternative if you're on a budget like me!


Have you tried the cucumber trick? Let me know what you think!

Maybeline BB Cream

My product recommendation for today is Maybeline's Dream Fresh BB Cream. I use it in the light/medium color and it matches my skin tone well. This actually has a cream-like texture and covers light flaws. I use it under my mineral makeup.

I compare this to the Cover Girl's CG Smoothers tinted moisturizer (they are now calling it a BB cream, but it's not). It does work well to smooth out imperfections, but it has a thinner consistency than Maybeline's BB cream. 

I am almost out of my tube and then I will be trying out Pur Mineral's Peach Primer because I feel that I need something to help camouflage large pores. I'll let you know how it goes!

Pore Refining Cleanser

The problem with having sensitive skin with clogged pores and some acne is that if I try to treat one problem, I aggravate another. I am on the search for a cleanser that will unclog my pores and help rid them of blackheads. The baking soda scrub works wonders to help open pores, but I feel that I need an extra exfoliate with beta hydroxy to really make a difference.

I have read several reviews about Neutrogena's Pore Refining Cleanser and most seem to be positive. I wonder if my sensitive skin can handle this?

Some reviewers said that it is hard to find. I do know that it is available at Ulta.com, though.

I hope to try this soon, so stay tuned!

What are your favorite ways to exfoliate?

Aloe Vera Gel

For those of us with sensitive skin, layering on several products may only worsen our condition. So multitasking products are a must! Something that I like using as a moisturizer and primer is aloe vera gel. Plain and simple. It has soothing properties and actual tightens pores. It may also reduce redness and help even out skin tone.

Tip: If aloe makes your skin feel too tight or a little dry, try putting on a light moisturizer after the gel.

You can purchase an aloe plant and squeeze the gel right from the stalks, or in the more convenient form of a bottled gel. I personally use a bottled form of aloe and it works great.

Have an aloe vera gel success story? Comment below!

Pur Minerals

I have tried several types of makeup-- Mineral, liquid, tinted moisturizers, everything! I have recently settled on a mineral makeup. I like to use a primer or tinted moisturizer beforehand and then use a setting mist afterward. 

My favorite mineral makeup is Pur Minerals. It is talc-free and gentle on skin. I use it in "light." It does not get "cake-y" like most mineral makeup. It is lightweight, but can be built up for more coverage. I say it's worth the splurge!

4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Foundation


If this option is a bit too pricey for you, I recommend Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Compact Foundation. This can also be built up for more coverage. Make sure to use a good moisturizer beforehand, though! It can feel a little tight at first if you use too much.

Mineral Sheers Compact Foundation



Questions or comments are gladly accepted and appreciated!

Baking Soda

My skin care regimen is always changing and I am constantly updating my products to find just the right combination that works for my skin type. One thing that has remained constant is my baking soda mask/scrub.

I know some rosacea sufferers are not able to use a scrub at all, but for those that can, this is a gentle option.

How to:

1. Put some baking soda into the palm of your hand

2. Add a few drops of warm water or your favorite oil to make a paste. (I used to use a Vitamin E oil found at the drugstore, and I probably will start using it again soon).

3. Gently massage into skin. If your skin can tolerate it, leave on for 5 minutes or so. (I sometimes put the baking soda mixture on and then hop in the shower and rinse after washing my hair).

4. Moisturize!

I have found this to be the best inexpensive blackhead remover. Of course, blackheads never completely go away, but this does help minimize them.

Anti-Redness Serum

Anti-Redness Serum

First Aide Beauty

I recently stumbled upon a product line called First Aide Beauty. When I read through the products' ingredient lists, I knew that I had to try them! So far I have tried the Anti-redness serum and I am thrilled with the results! I highly recommend this for anyone with rosacea or sensitive skin.

This serum contains caffeine, which is supposed to be great for reducing the appearance of broken capillaries.

I also ordered the Daily Face Cream, Oatmeal Mask, and Radiance Pads.

Stay tuned for my First Aide Beauty experience!

Visit their website at http://www.firstaidbeauty.com/

Rosacea

If you struggle with rosacea, check out the National Rosacea Society's webpage. Here is the link to their frequently asked questions about skin care.

http://rosacea.org/patients/faq.php

Introduction

Skincare is a battle for me. I have oily acne prone/sensitive/rosacea ridden skin and it is a challenge to find just the right combination of skincare products that help reduce redness, minimize oil and pore size, and fight acne.

I have been do dermatologists numerous times. Some prescriptions and treatments helped, but it was beginning to become too expensive for a girl on a budget!

Through research and personal experience, I have learned some ingredients to include and some to get rid of from my skincare routine.

To find just the right products from the drugstores, I have tried almost every brand. Some have been successful, and others I had to throw out. I know how frustrating it is when you are excited to try a new product, take it home, try it once or twice, and realize that it just doesn't work for you. It is money in the trash!

There are so many products out there and it's nearly impossible to know what will work. So I hope that my recommendations help you in your skincare product choices.

Enjoy!




Note: I do not claim to be certified in skincare health. I only give advise through the lens of my own experiences with the skin type that I have. I still recommend that you see a dermatologist if you can afford it!