Summer's coming. Is your face ready?

Hello everyone!

It's nearing the end of May, for those of us in the northern half of the planet, this means summer. And summer means being out in the sun!

But we all know that sun damage is one of the leading causes of premature aging and skin cancer.  What a killjoy.  But with developments in science, this can be prevented or lessened, with our good buddy sunblock!

Sunblock (especially on the face) is actually something we should be wearing all year, even on cloudy days. The UVA/UVB rays are still getting in through the clouds.  I have also read that even if you are predominantly indoors, wear your sunscreen on your face especially if you work near windows. Yep, those pesky harmful rays can penetrate glass.

I recently bought my facial sunblock for the summer, switching brands this time.  I normally wear Shiseido suncare on my face, but I wanted to go a little less expensive and a little higher SPF.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock Lotion in SPF 110.

This product can be found at most drug stores for about 14$, and on www.drugstore.com for $9.99. I paid almost 40$ for my Shiseido sunblock in the past.

This product contains helioplex, which is a proprietary blend that screens out the burning UVB rays and helps stop the UVA rays (the rays that age skin) from penetrating.  It also claims to be non-comedogenic (not pore clogging), PABA free, oil-free and non greasy.

So, how did I like it? I do not like it. I love it.   It felt as luxurious as my more expensive sunblocks in my past.  It goes on very smooth, a little goes a long way. It feels like a nice facial moisturizer and in about a  minute, it dries to a soft, velvety, near-invisible matte finish.  I also love how it comes in 110 SPF (I am fair skinned so I need all the help I can get) and for those who don't want or need so much I believe it also comes in 55 SPF.   Here's the part where it gets tricky- the smell. It smells like sunblock, and the smell is a little strong. I don't mind it because it DOES go away for the most part, and the smell is still pleasant.  Also, be careful applying this product around the eye area. If you sweat before the sunblock has dried and you have lotion applied near the skin, it may run and it DOES sting.  The best way to protect the skin around the delicate eye area is to wear sunglasses when you are outdoors during the day /or wear a wide-brimmed hat.

Pros: Feels great on, non greasy, high SPF, not very expensive, good as an everyday sunscreen

Cons: stings eyes, strong smell for some, not very sweatproof

OXY Clinical Acne Treatments

Hello everyone-

I got a sample in the mail the other day of Oxy Clinical, Oxy's latest skin care system.

It came with a small sample of the cleanser and acne treatments, and it looks interesting to me. 

The information provided with it claims that in most cleansers that contain salycilic acid (main ingredient in a lot of acne washes and treatments), the medication washes off when you rinse your face.  Their product, however, claims that at least 80% of the medication stays on the skin after rinsing. Sounds pretty good.  

The treatment's active ingredient is Benzoyl Peroxide, which this product also claims theirs is more long lasting and deeper penetrating than the average benzoyl peroxide treatment.

Does it work? I have yet to test it myself.  Depending on how the samples make my skin feel, I may buy an actual kit and give it a run for its money.  I usually use Shiseido Pureness (which is the only thing to really consistently keep my skin clear, lately I have had the tendency to be blackhead city) so I wonder how the Oxy Clinical, a drugstore brand, compares.

Have any of you guys used this or tried it yet? Comment below if you have!

Have a great Friday and have a great weekend!

Loreal Ever Pure Volumizing Shampoo/Conditioner

Hi everyone!

Over the weekend I bought some new shampoo and conditioner that happened to also be on sale.  The shampoo/conditioner are the Everpure Volumizing Shampoo/Conditioner by Loreal.

This is one of Loreal's more recent products.  These shampoos and conditioners (they also come in other formulas) are safe for color treated hair because they are sulfate-free and have no harsh chemicals or salts.  They use natural botanicals, have a built in UV filter to protect your haircolor from the sun, and 100% vegan.

This particular formula has a minty smell, to me it does not smell masculine or feminine, more like a unisex smell.  It also does a decent job moisturizing for a volumizing shampoo/conditioner (I find that a lot of them dry my hair out more than regular) and a little bit of shampoo lathers up a lot. Even though it makes a lot of lather it rinses cleanly and easily. 

Pros: Not too drying, fresh minty fragrance, no harsh chemicals, Vegan/cruelty-free, color safe, UV protection

Con: Can be a little expensive

For a drugstore shampoo, this one is a bit on the medium/expensive side.  I got these for $6 each tube, on sale. (Usually about 8$ and the tubes are not that big) However, taking extra gentle care of colored hair may be worth the cost.

Would I recommend this? Yes.