Paula's Choice

Dry Skin & Dark Spots, and Skin Care Hits and Misses From The Ordinary, First Aid Beauty and Biossance

May 21st, 2021 by Karen 9 Comments

I will not add another step to my skin care routine.

Nope.

Not gonna do it. I WILL NOT!

I figure, if I keep up with this mantra, it’ll eventually come to pass…but so far, no dice.

These are the latest additions to my skin care routine — what I’ve been liking, and what I’d characterize as just “eh.”

Just to add a little background, in case you don’t know me from a slice of watermelon, I have combo skin and tend to break out around my mouth, chin and forehead, and I’m in my mid-40s (about to turn 46, as a matter fact). Right now I’m fighting the good fight against the occasional hormone-related breakout, along with, ugh…hyperpigmentation. SUNSCREEN IS MY HOMEGIRL.

With that said, let’s go…

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

I recently picked up this hydrating product from Ulta, and I’m lurving it. I’ve read that incorporating a hyaluronic acid serum into your skin care regimen can be great for dry skin, but, apparently, there’s a trick to making this tip truly worth your time, which is that you have to apply the product when your skin is damp, then immediately follow up with a moisturizer to seal in said hydrating yumminess.

What’s the deal with hyaluronic acid? Well, it’s a sugar found naturally in our bodies, and its job in the skin is to hold onto water, so it keeps things plump and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is also found in our joints and eyes as well.

As a skin care ingredient, it’s believed to act as a humectant because of its ability to draw and hold water, keeping your skin hydrated throughout the day!

There are lots of different hyaluronic acid serums at various price points (I’ll link some down below), but I picked up this one because it was only $7 for a 1-oz. bottle, and I’ve been steadily using it for the past month. I’m about a quarter of the way through it now, and my usual dry spots don’t feel as tight as they did before I started, so I’ll happily buy another bottle.

Yes, it’s an extra step…but if your skin’s been feeling parched, it’s totally worth it, IMO.

A few hyaluronic serums

Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Skin Booster Serum and Moisturizer ($28 for 1.69 fl. oz.)

SkinCeuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier ($102 for 1 fl. oz.!!!)

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Serum ($22 for 1 oz.)

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum

This serum for fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation, among other things, is from First Aid Beauty.

Niacinamide, a.k.a. water-soluble Vitamin B3 is a heroic ingredient that gets mega-love in skin care circles because of how well many people think it works for various skin types (even sensitive), and it seems to do everything and then some, from minimizing large pores, moisturizing and, yes, evening out skin tone. Its rock star status is also due to how well it layers with other active skin care ingredients, like peptides, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, retinols and acids.

This particular serum is lovely. It works well with all of the other things I’ve had in the mix, and also works great under copious layers of sunscreen (you gotta reapply all throughout the day, my love) and makeup.

I’ve been using it for a couple weeks now, and it seems to help with fading post-acne dark spots. It’s pricey, though, at $42 for a 1-oz. bottle, so I’m going to wait a few more weeks to determine whether or not I’m going to keep it in the mix… I do like it so far.

Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND A GOOD BHA TONER?

I know, I know. Everyone loves the Paula’s Choice BHA Toner and talks about it like it’s the one BHA toner to rule them all, but even though I’ve gone through a bunch of bottles and have been desperately wanting to drink the Kool-Aid, I don’t think it does all that much for me.

I recently started exploring other options and stumbled onto the Biossance Squalane + BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner.

With this one, you really have to dig into the ingredient list because it actually doesn’t contain salicylic acid.

Instead, it has willow bark extract, which contains salicin, which is where salicylic acid comes from. Biossance says that it’s a natural BHA and acts more as an “anti-inflammatory” ingredient, while also gently exfoliating, tightening pores and balancing oil.

I do feel like it’s very gentle, and it does a decent job of not irritating my skin. It also seems to help calm it down… I had some angry red bumpy patches from overdoing the retinol, and this toner really helped my skin chill-the-eff out.

I like it, but don’t love it. Yes, it’s not super aggro, which I appreciate, but I don’t feel like it’s moving fast enough.

I do have to say, though, that it seems like this bottle will last a long time. I’ve been using three or four drops every morning for a month, and I’ve barely made a dent in it.

Bottom line? If you want a gentle version of a salicylic acid toner, this might be your jam.

I’m going to keep looking for a BHA toner that rocks my socks off… If you have one you love, I’m all ears! So far, these are on my “look into it” list:

Typology Purifying Toner 1% Salicylic Acid: This is $24 for 7.2-oz, so it seems like you get a lot of bang for your buck. I like that it contains actual salicylic acid, along with aloe vera (which my skin likes). OMG, DID I JUST HIT “add to cart”! How did that happen? LOL!
Naturium BHA Liquid Exfoliant 2%: There’s YouTube drama surrounding this line and its founder. I dunno, but the word “shady” has been thrown around. Anyway, I’m not super enthusiastic about this product, but the ingredient list seems decent, and I could easily pick it up at Target. It’s $20 for a 4-oz bottle. *shrugs*
SkinCeuticals LHA Toner: Effin’ SkinCeuticals. Why you gotta be so good? I’ve had more than my share of euphoric moments with their Vitamin C serum, which is the main reason I’m curious about this toner, which is on the pricier end at $40 for 6.8 oz. It contains a blend of lipo hydroxy acid (LHA, which is a derivative of salicylic acid), glycolic acid and salicylic acid. UGH, want!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

Sunscreen Roundup, Part 1: Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+, CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint and Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 50

May 6th, 2021 by Karen 14 Comments

sunscreen roundup neutrogena paulas choice cerave — Sunscreen Roundup, Part 1!

I’ve been trying quite a few new sunscreens lately, and this is a new series reviewing the hits and misses!

I’ve gotten a few requests to do a deeper dive into the sunscreens I’ve been ~~hoarding~~ applying with enthusiasm lately, so next stop — SUN PROTECTION CITY. ?️

Let’s go!

Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+

I straight-up LOVE using this chemical sunscreen on my body, but I do not like using it on my neck or face because it makes me break out! — and I don’t mean break out into song. It also makes my eyes itch when I sweat. ? For arms, legs, tummy and back, though, it’s bomb.com.

You know I cannot deal with the backs of my knees feeling sticky, and this formula absorbs in less than a minute. It’s also on the watery side, and my skin doesn’t feel sticky or greasy afterward.

It’s so easy to apply and reapply throughout the day, too, which is probably why I — drumroll please — already finished the tube.

Also, the quick dry time seems to help keep this sunscreen from staining clothes, which is GREAT. I’ve already taken the plunge and worn it with white shirts, and it doesn’t leave any yellow spots behind, even though it does have a lovely yellow-ish golden tint, which, FYI, you can’t really see once you rub it in.

I must say, I don’t know why the yellow tint is there, but it seems to help this not leave behind any cast.

Oh, and the finish!? It looks all glowy and schmexy when you start rubbing it in, and then it dries to satin, which is very pretty, especially on arms and legs.

As for the scent, it has a light one that reminds me of Bobbi Brown Beach Perfume. I like it.

Another thing I like is how it does not budge, even when I sweat. It’s so good at staying put that when I get into the shower at night, it takes elbow grease and a washcloth to completely remove it from my body.

If you already have a sunscreen you love for your face and neck, I say give this one a try.

A 3-oz. tube at Ulta is $17.99. I really like this for my arms, legs and feet, and because it’s especially easy to reapply throughout the day, I’ll for sure buy it again.

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Sheer Tint

This physical sunscreen has a tint… It’s on the deeper side, so if you’re a lighter lass, you might have some issues with the tint looking too dark or too orange. I’m an NC42 in MAC, and I think it suits me pretty well, although I can see a subtle, sheer cast when I apply multiple coats.

I don’t worry about it too much, though, because the product has so many positives. It’s unscented, doesn’t sting my eyes, and it feels comfortable on my face and neck (I don’t really use it on my body). It’s also quite moisturizing, which I think is due to CeraVe’s three signature ceramides.

I’ve noticed that physical sunscreens take much longer to settle into my skin, and this takes about three minutes to rub in completely. After that, once it’s absorbed, it feels light and doesn’t feel greasy or sticky.

FYI, I’ve noticed that this tinted lotion can rub off on lighter clothing, so just pointing that out. So far I’ve been able to remove it from my clothes in the wash (knock on wood), but it’s worth noting.

This is pretty affordable at $16.99 for a 1.7-oz. tube (I bought mine at Ulta).

I wish it came in an option with a higher SPF, because if it did I’d totally get it again. It cooperates with other skin care products, looks great under makeup, and it’s super easy to apply.

Paula’s Choice Youth-Extending Daily Hydrating Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 50

I’ve been using this chemical sunscreen on my face, where I have combo skin, and there’s a lot to like about it.

The good — it’s moisturizing, lightweight, and it absorbs quickly. I can also put it on my lids and my under-eye area without it bothering my peepers, and because it’s unscented, I can apply as much as I want without getting a headache.

Oh! — I also like the demi-matte finish.

The not-so-great part? I can see a very slight grayish cast on my skin when I use it… Granted, it settles down and disappears, eventually, but it takes a while… About an hour. Also, it doesn’t play all that well with other skin care products in the mix. It balls up and pills quite easily, so reapplying it throughout the day is challenging when I’m wearing more than just this.

A 2-oz. tube is $33, which is a lot for a sunscreen that’s just OK… I liked it enough to use most of the tube, but I don’t think I’ll be keeping it in rotation when I finish it. *shrugs*

Have you tried any of these sunscreens? Are there any others you really like?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

Toner Collections Should Be a Thing | A Quick and Easy Meal | Midi Skirts!

March 24th, 2021 by Karen 16 Comments

I suppose one could collect stamps or coins or Fabergé eggs or Banksy paintings…but why, when you could just collect toners?! HA HA HA!

Remember all the toner commercials in the ’90s and how you always had to apply toners with a cotton ball? I used to do that, but now? Forget about it. I pour a little in my palms and press and rub the liquid right into my skin. I think the liquid absorbs quicker that way and, bonus, I don’t feel like I’m wasting any of the product on the cotton ball!

There are currently five toners gracing my bathroom shelf. They’re mostly for exfoliation because I’m forever dealing with hyperpigmentation and acne, so I rotate among them, depending on how my skin’s doing. I usually apply them in the morning right after washing my face and before any serums. Sometimes, I’ll use just one; other days, I’ll layer two.

Lately, my skin’s been in the mood for extra moisture, so I’ve been using Fresh Black Tea Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence or Paula’s Choice BHA. Sometimes both.

I’ve also been using and liking REN Ready Steady Glow AHA Tonic, which is a triple threat with three exfoliating ingredients — willow bark, lactic acid and azelaic acid. Side note: DUDE, azelaic acid! If you’re not on that train yet, get on it already.

Occasionally, I’ll dip into the Niacinamide Brightening Toner by Good Molecules (niacinamide, vitamin C, arbutin and licorice root extract) or Kate Somerville Liquid Exfolikate (glycolic, malic, and lactic acids), if I’m craving something different.

On a side note, you know what I miss? Clinique’s old-school BHA toner, Mild Clarifying Lotion. They reformulated it a while back, and it just isn’t the same now. I should’ve stockpiled the O.G. version while I could… Le sigh! #BeautyRegrets

Are toners a “thing” for you too? Maybe we can start a toner enthusiasts club, ha ha ha! ?

A quick-and-easy meal

Not related to toner at all, but this is my new favorite quick meal: a rice and edamame bowl. (Yes, you gotta have it in a bowl!)

I usually add a few shakes of Nori Komi Furikake Japanese Multi-Purpose Seasoning, but Coywolf prefers it plain.

edamame rice no furikake — Connor likes hers plain.

edamame rice furikake — I like mine with furikake (seaweed).

Speaking of TJs, you can get this meal in your belly in less than five minutes with a couple of Trader Joe’s-assisted shortcuts! First, we usually have leftover white rice in a tupperware in the fridge, but when we don’t, I reach for the microwavable white rice from the TJ’s frozen food section, which takes all but three minutes to make. Trader Joe’s also has shelled, salted edamame in the freezer section too. Just defrost in the microwave.

I think this could also be delish with a sunny-side-up egg on top, but I haven’t tried it yet.

Midi skirts!

I’m still slowly but surely chipping away at the wardrobe checklist recommendations (I’m on a mission to look and feel put-together) I found about a month ago and wanted to tell you about these pull-on midi skirts from Gap.

Both the black and white skirt have pockets (SAY WHAT!) and come in regular, tall and petite lengths.

FYI, it looks like they’re still on sale, in case you’re interested (I’m totally my mother’s daughter and hate to pay full price).

I haven’t seen either of these skirts in person yet, and I can see how they could potentially be 1) super cute and casual, or 2) make me look like I’m in a cult…so we shall see! I suppose that’s a major downside to not visiting a fitting room in months.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen