Tag: skincareroutine

First Aid Beauty Review

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As someone who has battled sensitive skin and blemishes for as long as I can remember, I have come to really value a good skincare routine. It is super important to me that I find products that keep my skin looking and feeling its best. Whenever possible I also try to opt for “cleaner” and “safer” ingredients. Three of my favorite tried and true skincare brands are First Aid Beauty, Beautycounter and Origins. I have re-purchased products from these brands repeatedly over the last four years.

In today’s post I am reviewing all of the FAB products I have tried over the years. I tend to call this brand “the plain Jane,” but for good reason! FAB products are made with sensitive skin in mind, so the ingredients are extra gentle; just what I like. The company is transparent about its ingredients too. FAB has over 1,300 ingredients on its “no-no” list, is cruelty free, dermatologist tested and always free from artificial fragrance (read more here). Many of the FAB products also earn the “clean at Sephora” label. Some products are great options for eczema and redness too. If you’re looking for gentle, hydrating and effective products, keep reading. You can still get 30% off your order and free shipping as part of their Cyber Monday sale with code Cyber30.

Pure Skin Face Cleanser: This cleanser is one of my most repurchased skincare products ever. It is gentle, fragrance free and takes off the majority of my makeup. I first started using this cleanser about 4 years ago when I was looking for a good cleanser to pair with my Clarisonic. Even without a cleansing brush it works up to a good lather and leaves my face feeling clean, but not tight or dry.

Ultra Repair Cream: This moisturizer has a light, whipped consistency and it really packs a punch in the hydration department. It can be used from head to toe, which initially made me skeptical of putting on my face, but it is an excellent facial moisturizer. Depending on the season/weather and the other products I am using, I can use this both morning and night for my moisturizer. Its great for soothing dry, chapped or irritated skin and is also a great option to have on hand as a nighttime moisturizer.

Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum: This serum is super hydrating thanks to hyaluronic acid and a few other super star ingredients. It is also non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores) which I perfect for me because I have dry, blemish prone skin. It can be a challenge to find products that are very hydrating yet don’t cause breakouts. I can use this product all year-round, but I especially love it in the winter months.

Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer: This is a great daytime moisturizer or if you are looking for something lighter than the Ultra Repair Cream. This moisturizer is hydrating and non-comedogenic; another great option for dry breakout prone skin. I often use this during warmer and more humid months.

Ultra Repair Hydra-Firm Night Cream: I was drawn to this night cream because it’s non-comedogenic and claims to combat signs of aging. It does its job as a hydrating cream, but I can’t say this particular product wowed me or actually combated aging. Although I have purchased it more than once, this would not be the first FAB product I recommend.

FAB Skin Lab Retinol Serum: In the “cleaner beauty” world, retinol has a bad reputation, but if you do some research you’ll also find that retinol is a often hailed as a must-have to combat fine lines and wrinkles. I was prescribed retinol by dermatologists as a teen to fight breakouts, but it was way to harsh on my skin. Since I love FAB so much and know their products are gentle, I gave this serum a try. I tried incorporating it 1 day per week for a few weeks, but this product was still too much for my skin.

FAB Skin Lab Resurfacing Liquid with 10% AHA: This product is similar to a serum and is one of my FAB favorites. It’s gentle enough that I can use it every night, but I may rotate it with another product depending on what else I am using. After using this for a weeks I definitely felt that my skin was brighter, smoother and more even toned. It helped to fade dark spots left behind from pimples and my breakouts cleared faster too.

FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads with 2% Salicylic Acid: I don’t use these pads regularly, but I have used these to clear stubborn breakouts when my skin has been in a funk. I use them in place of a toner and have found them to be effective, yet gentle on clearing up my skin. I definitely recommend these if you’re struggling with breakouts. Note: The last time I purchased these the packaging was different. I am hopeful that the ingredients are still the same. Update 5/5/21: FAB confirmed on an Instagram post that these are the same formula as the original. Only the packing was updated.

Skin Rescue Daily Face Cream: This is a great oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer. It’s soothing and hydrating too. If you’re breakout prone or just looking for a something light weight, this is a great option.

Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer: This moisturizer helps to “blur the appearance of pores and imperfections” gives your skin the prettiest glow. It can be worn alone or under you makeup as primer and has a light coconut scent. I love the look and feel of this product on my skin, but each time I’ve tried it, I felt that it lead to a breakout. Don’t rule this one out due to my finicky skin though, it’s definitely still worth a try.

Ultra Repair Oatmeal Mask: This mask is great for soothing and nourishing dehydrated skin. I love to use this when my skin is feeling dry and/or irritated. I have purchased it multiple times too.

10 Day Trial Kit: FAB always has great kits, but I especially love this small kit for travel. It lets me bring all my basics without having to bring my full size bottles. It’s also a less expensive option if you want to try a bunch of the products I’ve included in this post.

Current Beauty Routine

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This site contains affiliate links. When you purchase an item through an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission.  All opinions/recommendations are my own. Thank you for shopping through my links!

Hi friends! In efforts to post more consistently and share a variety of topics on RR&H, today’s post is all about my current beauty routine. I have been trying to keep my skincare and makeup routines consistent and simple. In this post I have included the products I have been using every day. Many of them have been re-purchased multiple times, so you know I really like them!

Even when my skin looks its best, I feel like I’m playing defense. If you’ve read some of my previous beauty posts, you know I have struggled with acne prone skin for quite a while. In the last year I also changed jobs and I now have a long commute into the city. This change made me realize how much the environment affects my skin. I have changed up my products a bit, but still have a few old faithfuls in the mix. This routine has been working well for me and my skin has been clear for months!

Daytime Skincare

I start off by washing my face with one of my all time favorite cleansers by First Aid Beauty. This gentle cream cleanser has been my go-to for over 3 years! I love that it’s fragrance free, removes my make up and does not dry me out. Next, I use Thayer’s cucumber toner with a cotton round and let my skin dry. I definitely notice a difference {not a good one} in my skin when I don’t use a toner. Thayer’s has simple ingredients and it’s gentle. After the toner I apply FAB’s Hydrating Ultra Repair Serum. This serum has been a game changer for my skin. It keeps me super hydrated even during the winter months, but does not cause breakouts. I finish off my skincare routine with Beauty Counter’s matte effect gel cream from the Countercontrol line.

Makeup

These days my makeup routine has become very simple. On weekdays, I usually have about 30 minutes to get out the door {chronic snoozer over here}. Below are the products I use everyday and in the order I apply them. I have been trying to make the switch to safer beauty, but have not fully changed over yet.

Nighttime Skincare

My nighttime skincare routine is very similar to my day time skincare routine, but I add in a few additional products {African black soap, micellar water and resurfacing serum}.

I almost always shower at night, so I cleanse my face in the shower. After using the FAB gentle cleanser, I cleanse my face for a second time at the end of my shower with African black soap. I picked this very inexpensive bar soap up from my local spa a few years ago. It does a great job of keeping my skin clear and I have noticed the best results when I use it in the shower which opens up my pores. After double cleaning, I use Garnier’s micellar water and a cotton round to remove any lingering makeup followed by my toner. At the start of summer I started using FAB’s Skin Lab 10% AHA Resurfacing Liquid and I have loved it results. My complexion has started evening out and it also helped clear up a very stubborn breakout. Once the resurfacing serum has been absorbed I apply FAB’s hydrating serum and Beauty Counter’s matte cream.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post! If you have any clean beauty and skincare recommendations, leave them in the comments below.

Skincare Routine: Adult Acne & Sensitive Skin

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I have been struggling with acne prone and sensitive skin since I was about 13 years old. Now in my late twenties (what??) I am still managing the same skin problems, along with my skin becoming more dry and wanting to prevent wrinkles! I have come a long way since those teenage years. The majority of the year my skin is clear, but there are times that I feel like no matter what I do I can’t clear up a break out. For those of you that struggle with pimples and acne you know how discouraging that can be. In this blog I am sharing my top skincare tips and the products that I have used over the last year that have worked REALLY well for me. I hope that this blog helps someone else too because there is nothing better than feeling good about your skin.

My go-to Products

FAB Cleanser – It’s super creamy and gentle. Pairs great with the Clarisonic and does a good job of removing makeup. Side note – I have been loving First Aid Beauty (FAB) products over the last year. They are simple, gentle and effective.

FAB Rescue Blemish Pads –  My go-to for stubborn breakouts. Sometimes I use 1 pad per day alternating with another toner morning and night. Other times I will use these morning and night. The pads always clear up my skin during during a bad spell.

FAB Ulta Repair Hydrating Serum – I love this stuff, but only use it at night for two reasons. 1) It’s not the cheapest and 2) Some of my makeup doesn’t apply well over it. This serum is not greasy, doesn’t make me break out and keeps my skin SO soft.

FAB Ulta Repair Lotion – I have been loving this light weight, non-greasy, super hydrating lotion! I use it both day and night. It’s a great value for the price – 8oz for $24 – HUGE bottle! But this is the sale price, so I am worried it is going to be discontinued. You should try this out before it’s gone!

Dr. Lin Acne Spot Corrector – This gel contains 5% benzyol peroxide which many articles show is a key product in clearing acne. I have found higher concentrations can be too drying, so when I found this one I knew I had to try it. It’s actually a bit difficult to find, but is available online at Target. I can use this product 2x a day year-round and it does not dry out my skin. During more humid months I do mix in a stronger formula from the drugstore. Even when my skin is clear I still incorporate benzyol peroxide into my routine to help prevent future breakouts.

Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner – I never thought I would really like a toner, but I’ve purchased about 5 bottles already. I will use this twice a day when I’m not using the FAB blemish pads. It keeps my skin clear, smooth and hydrated. Can’t say enough good things about it. I love it and would recommend anyone, regardless of skin type, to try it!

Origins Charcoal Mask – This mask is like my secret weapon for clear skin! I use it 1-2x per week and find it works best after showering and exfoliating. The charcoal really pulls the junk our of my pores. When I wake up the next morning my skin always looks great. I think my skin always looks fresh, clear and tight.  This mask can be drying though, so use with caution. I generally only use it on my chin, around my mouth and on the sides of my nose. It’s a little too drying for a full face mask (for me). After using this I always follow with a heavy night time moisturizer.

Clarisonic – I purchased a Clarisonic Mia 1 about a year ago and definitely think it helps keep my skin clear. I prefer the radiance brush head over the sensitive brush. I use it almost every night in the shower to remove my makeup and deep cleanse my face. I find that when I don’t use the Clarisonic regularly I tend to get black heads and sebum build-up on my chin. You may have to experiment with different cleansers to find which cleanser/Clarsonic combo works for you. I recommend a good cream cleanse that lathers up a lot. As I mentioned above, I love the one from FAB.

Nutrition Choices

Sugar – Without fail bad sugar and sweets make me breakout. Usually these breakouts appear in tiny bumps on my forehead and cheeks. For most of my life my acne has been around my chin and mouth, so I know when I have pimples elsewhere it’s from food or something very greasy touching my face. I am known to get a breakout around my mouth from salad dressing or oily spaghetti touching my chin too. Fruits and whole grain breads don’t seem to have an impact on my skin, but I really have to watch the desserts. My wedding is coming up this fall and I don’t have to have a sugar breakout! I indulged a little over Memorial Day weekend and by Thursday I woke up with bumps on my forehead. Some foods I have noticed my skin reacting to are cake, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cereal and store bought granola.

Water – I am guilty of not drinking enough water, but I know when I do I feel better and my skin looks better. I find that if I drink hot water with lemon when I get to work I will usually reach for another cup and keep drinking throughout the day.

Salmon and Nuts – I noticed an improvement in my hair and skin when I regularly incorporate fish and nuts. Yay for healthy fats!

Good Habits for Clear Skin – Overall, I think keeping your skin clear and healthy is attributed to a good skincare routine and good food choices. Taking all of your makeup off at night is very important. It’s also a good idea to regularly wash your makeup brushes because they can hold dirt and bacteria. I also finding that introducing too many products at once can be confusing for my skin. It becomes hard to tell which products are working and which are not. I always introduce one new product at a time. I have also made it a habit to change my bathroom hand towels and pillow cases often. I use a new hand towel every time I was my face. Like makeup brushes, pillow cases and towels can hold on to dirt.  If you do breakout, definitely try not to touch it because it always makes it work and you’ll end up making it more noticeable!