Aveeno Clear Complexions Foaming Cleanser

I think this is my fifth bottle... I have no idea why I haven't reviewed this before. Lets see I started using this when I was about 14. I really like this for the gentle cleansing action it provides. Now I WILL NOT call this a foaming cleanser, while the dispenser does dispense the cleanser as a foam, the foam doesn't  last. AT ALL. The foam may last a couple of seconds at most.

This product contains the BHA known as salicylic acid. There's also; Butylene glycol, citric acid, cocamidopropyl betaine, disodium EDTA, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, fragrance, glycerine, glycine soja (soybean protein), PEG-16 soy streol, PEG-6 caprylic/capric glycerides, polysorbate 20, sodium benzoate, sodium C14-C16 olefin sulfonate, sorbitol, water, xanthan gum.

Its strange that this product claims to be 'soap-free', but still contains glycerin, which is a form of soap.

This cleanser is Oil-free, Noncomedogenic, Soap-free, and Hypoallergenic.

This cleanser is the first of two that I use in my regime and it cleans pretty well, especially when mixed with pearl powder. I'm okay with the scent and it doesn't bother my super sensitive skin. I believe it does prevent breakouts, but you have to leave it on for about five min, as it is a chemical exfoliant. It's a bit drying, so I recommend using a moisturizer after washing your face, which you should do anyway. After cleansing, my face does feel a bit tight, but again moisturizing will help. I don't support the claim that this evens skin tone. Overall, I give this 7 out of 10.

When Asian's say Translucent...

What do they mean? Do they mean blemish free, like when Westerner's say 'clear skin'? Do they mean translucent skin like being able to see the veins? Which isn't a good thing btw, it's a sign of anemia. This is driving me crazy!!! Does it mean pale? Can anyone help?!!! 0.o....'''

Mentholatum Hand Veil Spf 15

I bought this from Sasa.com a couple of months ago. I was worried that it contained mentholatum, but it doesn't.

Ingredient List:

• Urea (An organic ingredient found in Teeth whitening products, skin creams, ect. mainly used in dermatology to rehydrate the skin.)
• Sodium Hyaluronate (also used in hydration)
•  Daucus carota (Wild Carrot.)
• Sativia(There are many variations of this species of plant, but I assume they mean A. sativia which is Oats. )
• Aloe Barbadensis (Common Aloe, for hydration and cell restoration.)
• Olea europaea (Olive Oil)
•  Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (Jojoba Oil)
•  Hydrolyzed Keratin (Similar to Lanolin)
• Prunus armeniaca (Apricot, could be apricot seed oil, which is great for hydrating the skin.)
• Butylene Glycol (Skin conditioner. Type of organic alcohol.)
• Phenyl dimethicone (Silicone derivative.)
• Glycine (Buffering agent.)
• Propylene glycol (Emulsifier)
• Ricinoleate (Ricinoleic Acid. Unsaturated Omega 9 fatty Acid. Comes from Castor plant.)
• Cellulose gum (derived from cellulose. Thickens and stabilizes mixtures.)
• Magnesium sulfate (compound in Epsom salts. Used for Hydrating the skin.)
• Algin (Comes from Brown Algae and is used to hydrate the skin.)
• Menthol (Synthetic or derived from Peppermint, in this, used as a fragrance enhancer.)
• BHT (Butylated hydroxytoluene. Used as an antioxidant.)
• Alcohol (Solvent)
• Paraben (preservative.)
• Fragrance
• Olefin (Alkene. Used in toiletries, but not sure what its for. Olefin Sulfate, however, is a detergent.)
• Polyglyceryl Pentaoleate (Skin conditioner and emollient.)
• PEG-1 Distearate (Thickener.)
• Mulberry Bark Extract.
• Arbutin

NOTE: I'm not sure how complete this list is. Please double check if you have any concerns. If you happen to find anything please let me know! Thanks.

I really like this hand cream. It contains Spf 15 which is nice, especially since it's a whitening hand cream. Contains Arbutin and Mulberry, which both lighten freckles and scars. Since I've been using this cream, I've noticed significant results in the look of the backs of my hands. My freckles have lightened and the tone is more even.

This cream absorbs really quickly and hasn't caused any irritation. It makes my hands super soft and smooth. As far as I've noticed, it doesn't leave a greasy residue, but it does have a mild residue which is mostly noticed when my hands get wet. Its not terribly annoying, but I could see some people having issues with it.

The fragrance isn't terrible, in scent or in power. Its a very mild, sweet scent, and once this cream absorbs it's completely unnoticeable.  

Price wise, this is very affordable! I bought this at Sasa.com for $2.50.


Overall, this is one of my favorite products so far. So 10 out of 10.

Vov Daily Fresh Wash Off Pack: Berry and Berry

This pack works really well! I just wish it smelled like berries! This pack was so inexpensive! $1.40 for the package, and you can get two-five uses from it. To use this product you apply it to a freshly exfoliated face (for better absorption), and allow 15-20 minutes before washing it off. Vov is a Korean brand, so the instructions and ingredient list is in Korean. But this pack is supposed to be lifting and tightening for the skin. After washing it off, my skin was softer, smoother, more supple, and more translucent.

I guess I understand the phrase "Translucent", though in English it doesn't make sense in a positive light. Usually, to have translucent skin means to have anemia. To have very visible veins is a sign of anemia. Once I believed that "transparent skin" meant clear. Like to have clear skin. But now I see that it means supple, bright, and vibrant skin.

I bought this pack at sasa.com

4th Chemical Peel

This one was different.... Um I made mistake number 1 that no one doing a chemical peel should do... I mixed chemicals. Okay so in the directions it says to cleanse the skin with rubbing alcohol before treating the skin with the Lactic Acid. This improves the chemical peel by removing the oils from your skin. Well I had just gotten Mario Badescu's Cucumber Toning Lotion, which is 4% alcohol. I wasn't thinking and added that to my skin before the chemical peel. The chemicals mixed and my skin... its not burned, but at the time it was VERY uncomfortable. I left the peel on for four min, but it was when I was taking it off that the burning sensation became very intense. I moisturized immediately, and my skin isn't burned or severely peeling it just appears red. Its not sensitive or hurting, its just red. The skin feels very smooth and my pores are almost gone. Like my open pores are soooooo clean, they almost blend entirely into my skin!

Review: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask

I love this product!!! Its really refreshing on the face, when first applied, it feels really cooling. I use this even though I have sensitive skin, but I have no idea how this will work for other people. I don't find that this peel mask unclogs pores, but for healing acne and purifying the skin I find that it works really well. This is a peel mask, so you will have to be careful when removing it, and you are supposed to use it twice a week. I do find that this works better than a lot of the other peel masks I've used. It significantly smooths and softens my skin without being too harsh. I bought this online from Bosciaskincare.com, for $34. This comes in a 2.8 oz tube. 9 out of 10 because of the price tag!!!

Today I was going to start my Dietary Cleanse...

But because I'm still sick I've decided it would be better to wait another week. Yesterday I did my second Chemical peel, this one for 2 min. My skin is significantly smoother and softer. As for my Cleanse... I've decided to do a month long dietary cleanse, in the healthiest way.... By eating a very high fiber diet, the only part of this cleanse that I'm worried about is that I've been dealing with anemia and hypoglycemia, while the hypoglycemia should be fine since that's sugar related, I fear I won't be getting enough protein or Iron, despite that fact that I'm on a Iron supplement. If I can't do the entire month then I will probably change my plan, otherwise I think I'll be fine. The week after my high fiber cleans I will be doing a liquid fast for one week. A liquid fast isn't like what people normally think of when they think of fasting. A liquid fast is basically a liquid diet, which is much easier to digest than solid food. This is to let my body rest after such an extensive fiber cleanse. I will be posting more on this in the following weeks.

I have also sort of made a promise to Rachel, the youtuber TheRakel749, that I would be sort of doing a dieting/health series alongside hers to keep her company and give her support in her journey as well as mine.

Review: Rare Minerals; Blemish Therapy

I bought this for 28 dollars. I'm okay with this but I don't usually use it. Mainly because it really sinks into the pores and because of the smell. It has sulfur in in, so for the same reason I can't use the Mario Badescu Drying Cream. The scent is very sulfuric. The color is really yellow, too. 5 out of 10

Cosmetic Acne

I believe I have cosmetic acne, probably from using an exfoliator that is too abrasive, and from using too many skin care products... Even natural skin care can cause cosmetic acne, and men can get this as well. Something to remember is.... not all oils will clog your pores... one of these is sunflower seed oil.

Right now I'm really hating my skin... I have acne all around my mouth area, this can be a sign of hormone imbalance, by the way, so it kinda looks like I have herpes..... Yay.... But I know for a fact that I don't have herpes, because I've been tested for it. I'm going to only wash my face once a week with a cleanser for a while and see how that works. Otherwise, I'll just use water...

My Favorite Skin Care Company!

Is, of course, Mario Badescu! Their products are pretty fantastic, and even though there upper end, they aren't very expensive... Mario Badescu

Skin whitening... myths

If you use a skin whitener, this doesn't mean you want to be white, nor will skin whitening products work this way... sorry they just don't.

What skin whiteners are for and what they do...
Skin whiteners/bleachers/brighteners... these are all variations on the same thing.

Skin Bleaching: is high intensive bleaching.... these products actually contain bleach, and/or other harmful chemicals, which I don't recommend.

Skin Whiteners: Whiten/ brighten skin discolorations, such as; freckles, scars, moles, acne scars, hyper pigmentation, ect. These can contain: vitamin c, kojic acid, vitamin e, exfoliates, sunscreen, ect. These are mostly natural, and I use them often.

Skin brighteners: These can be as simple as exfoliation, which brightens the skin for a healthy look and feel. They can also contain vitamins and sunscreens.

Normal skin whitening ingredients:

Hydroquinone:
This is considered safe by dermatologists. It is a primary inhibitor of melanin production... basically, it inhibits the skin from producing a tan or freckles. It has been know to irritate some skin, be careful.

Uva ursi:
AKA Bearberry. Contains arbutin, which can have a similar effect as hydroquinone.
Similar to Uva ursi... mulberry extract, white mulberry, and paper mulberry.

Others:
Licorice, Vitamin C, azelaic acid, pomegranate, vitamin E.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid:
Lactic acid and glyconic acid.

Kojic acid:
product of making Japanese sake.

Ingredients you have to look out for:
Mercury
Bleach

All Natural Facial Scrubs that You can make at Home!

What you will need:
An Exfoliant: This will be your base.

An Exfoliant can be:(If you can't find these products around your home, you can be sure to find them at your local whole foods store or even in your grocery store.)
Jojoba beads/grains
Coffee Grounds
Finely ground Coconut Shell
Finely ground Pearls... this is great because it adds calcium!
Finely ground Activated Charcoal
Granulated Sugar
Sea Salt... table salt works too, but I prefer iodized sea salt.
Very, Very fine, clean sand... this one I wouldn't recommend... there is just too much that can go wrong and it can be too abrasive.

Exfoliation can also be accomplished through hydration! None of these are a substitute for drinking water, so be sure you drink plenty!
You can use:
Vitamin E oil
Olive oil.... astringent as well...
Sweet Almond oil... astringent
Apricot Kernel oil... astringent
Jojoba oil
Liquid Lanolin... I wouldn't recommend this one, especially if you are allergic to wool or sheep products, it can also be thick and clog pores.
Oatmeal.
Wheat Germ.

Now you will need a binding agent; the oils listed above will work, but if you want something that will: moisturize, soften, cleanse, brighten, or fight acne, then I would try adding one of these products:

Moisturizing:
Honey
Milk
Yogurt
Any oil... though I wouldn't recommend baby oil or mineral oil.
Shea Butter
Coco Butter

Brightening:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Honey
Lemon... any acid fruit really.
Buttermilk
Green Tea
Red Wine
Coco powder
Sake

Cleansing:
Honey
Lemon
Apple Cider Vinegar
Green Tea
Sake
Coco powder

Acne fighting:
Tea Tree Oil
Any astringent oil
Lemon... any acid fruit as long as your skin can tolerate it.
Apple Cider Vinegar... don't use white vinegar... this is too harsh for your skin.
Witchhazel
Sake

Softening:
Any oil
Honey natural
Milk
Yogurt
Shea Butter

So now you can mix these ingredients, pretty much in any combination that you prefer. Just add enough liquid/oil to lubricate the exfoliant and the skin. If you have extra product, just put it into a jar, place in your refrigerator, and be sure to use it within two weeks!

Review: Mario Badescu Silver Powder

6 Stars. This product is for the treatment of clogged pores, oily t-zone, and blackheads. I haven't noticed a dramatic change in my skin after using this, but I hear really good things about it, and thought I'd try it since it only cost 12.00. The 1 oz container will last you forever!!!! I use a cotton swab, but it says to use a cotton ball. I run the cotton swab under hot water(to help open my pores), dip it in the powder, and swab it all over the places that need it. For me that's the T-zone and around my nose, like on my cheeks. I would recommend this product to people with really bad oil control problems or with severe blackheads. I have heard of people having problems getting it off after application, but I haven't had problems with this. I think its because I use apple cider vinegar for my astringent, but if that's too strong then you could use lemon juice, honey, olive oil, sweet almond oil, or apricot kernel oil. All of these are astringents and they are very gentle on the skin. Hope this helps!

Review: Mario Badescu Acne Repair Kit

1. Drying Cream - ALL skin Types. 3 Stars. I don't have a use for this product, so, for me, its a waste of money. The smell is chemically, but not unpleasant, it just smells like they were trying to cover up the sulfur. It can be used day or night, but if you use it during the night, then your not using the other two products, which I think work better. If you use it during the day, then you smell like sulfur, which can bother the other people around you.
   
2. Buffering Lotion: C,O> combination/oily skin types. 7 Stars. I don't know if this product works or not, I haven't seen much of a change in my skin since I've been using it alone, but on the bottle it does say that it takes about three applications for results to be noticeable. A 1 oz bottle costs 17.00.
   
3. Drying Lotion - ALL skin types. 10 Stars! I love this product. I think it works the best out of the entire acne system. Use it every other night if using it with the Buffering Lotion, otherwise you skin might become extremely dry and flaky! When I first got this product I would wear it on top of the Buffering Lotion, and it made my skin so dry that every time I moved my face the top layer of skin would crack, this wasn't painful, but it was embarrassing. The 1 oz bottle alone costs 17.00, but the Acne Repair Kit costs 46.00.
   

My Acne Story

All throughout puberty, I didn't have a single serious breakout. I would get maybe one or two pimples a month. But when I turned 18, and a few months before, my face just exploded. I would have six or seven new pimple every day. I'm not really sure what happened, but my skin just went crazy. My diet didn't change, my stress level was high, but it usually is. So I really have no idea what happened. All I can think is that my hormones were thrown out of balance from turning 18. But I'm now happy to say that I am in recovery, most likely because of the products I've been using recently.