fall faves

I haven't fallen this hard for a product in a while. My moisturizer is meh, and I rotate cleansers constantly...I'm content with all of them, I just like to try new products. Basically, I like to keep my skin guessing. Anyway, I recently tried Sunday Riley's Good Genes and oh my heaven's do I wish I had skin like this all the time and I wish I could afford it! This is a product that my skin loves and it's obvious when I haven't used it...so I guess it needs to stay in the routine! It's a nighttime serum that is primarily a 30% lactic acid. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy (think: glycolic) but because it is derived from milk, it's the gentlest of all the AHA's. That's why a 30% isn't such a scary amount when it's a gentler ingredient from the get-go. But if you're super sensitive you can apply it a couple times a week and leave on for a few minutes, then rinse. I personally use it about 4-5x a week (without rinsing it off), put a moisturizer on over it and go to bed. I wake up with skin that is clearer, more even, pores are tighter and fine lines are harder to see. Now you see why I love this product?

Ole Henricksen Empower Me Cleanser is a gentle, creamy foaming cleanser. When the weather turns cold I know my skin needs more moisture so I like that this doesn't strip my skin of it's hydration. It's also pH balanced, so it has a built-in toner and technically removes makeup too. Oh, it also smells fabulous!

I know the EOS Shave Cream is a bit random here, but I'm really crazy about this lately. I've used it all summer long and it's a rich cream that doesn't lather (unlike most shave creams that foam) so a little goes a long way. I get such a smooth shave when I use this, and my legs feel so soft and hydrated that I probably don't even need body lotion after.

The Peter Thomas Roth Blue Marine Algae Mask is a lovely mask that makes my skin feel cushioney soft and plump with hydration. It's a gel mask that is loaded with algae and hyaluronic acid, which infuses dehydrated skin with loads of moisture. This is also great at calming inflammation and can be used 2-3 times a week, or everyday if needed. And in the winter, it might just be needed everyday.

So now that the season has changed, do you change your skincare products too? I'd love to hear what your using!

drink it up

1. Ren Instant Firming Beauty Shot 2. Dermadoctor Wrinkle Revenge Serum  3. Clarins Hydra Quench Bi-Serum 4. Perricone MD Hyalo Plasma   5. Peter Thomas Roth Viz 1000 Serum 

Taking care of your skin couldn't come at a better time. Most of the country is swept up in Arctic temps, which will leave your skin chapped, red, and dehydrated. Maybe you live in Arizona and are dealing with dry, desert landscapes that equally create Arctic-like havoc on your skin. Or maybe you have oily skin, which breaks out really easily, so the idea of a heavy moisturizer has you terrified. Regardless of your environment, or fears, most of us need more water in our diet, and coincidentally on our face.

That's where Hyaluronic Acid comes in. It sounds scary and potentially dangerous but it's quite the opposite. Hyaluronic Acid (aka Sodium Hyaluronate) is naturally occurring in our skin and plumps up the cells with water-like moisture leaving your skin lubricated, soft and fine lines filled in a bit (if you want a lot of filling, then you get this filler which is primarily made up of Hyaluronic Acid).

The five serums that are featured all contain high amounts of Hyaluronic Acid. A cosmetic chemist once told me that Hyaluronic Acid is a very expensive ingredient, so if you see it high on the ingredient list then that probably explains why you have sticker shock. I have personally tried 4 out of the 5 serums and can tell you that they were like a drink of water for my skin, without feeling greasy (my favorite one is the Perricone Hyalo Plasma though. It has a cushion-y texture that my skin loved and needed). Just apply the serums to clean, dry skin; let it absorb and then follow with your moisturizer (or if you're oily skin, then that is your moisturizer!).

Has your skin changed with the season too? Have you needed to change your skincare routine because of it? I'd love to hear what you're using!

Lay it on thick

I don't know about you, but the minute the weather got cold, my skin drastically changed. I became instantly dry, red, flakey and sometimes itchy- not a glamorous combo. I've pretty much changed my entire skincare routine to incorporate more moisture (more on that later) and I've found a hydrating face mask is an extra boost of much-needed moisture to sooth and moisturize my skin. I've personally used all of the above masks, with the exception of the H2O+ mask (I used to work for them, like a million years ago, and their products are wonderful and I'm sure this is no different).  

1. GlamGlow ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment is a cream-gel consistency and stays on the skin for 15-20 minutes. There's a slight cooling sensation and it leaves the skin plump and malleable. I pretty much love everything this company comes out with.


2. Sephora Collection Rose Face Mask is a gauze-like sheet mask that drapes over your face for 10+ minutes. One of the best parts of this mask is that there's no rinsing required when the mask is done- just rub in any extra serum and your skin will be super soft.


3. ~H2O+ Aqualibrium Hydrating Marine Moisture Mask uses a blend of marine botanicals to moisturize the skin, but the fact that it's oil-free will appeal to even acne skin folks who are experiencing surface dehydration but don't want to risk a breakout.


4. Fresh Rose Face Mask leaves your skin glowing, dewey and chunky. Wait, what? Ok, the mask is chunky, not your actual face. Fresh uses real rose hips and petals that are suspended in a gel, so when you apply it to your face, it's like your smearing a crushed rose all over it. It's pretty amazing.


5. Korres Nectarine Velvet Moisturizing Mask really lives up to its name. My skin actually did feel velvety soft after applying this! It's a cream mask that you slather on a thick application, and 15 minutes later most of the mask had absorbed into my skin (always a good sign).


What about your skin, does it change with the seasons? Any hydrating masks you've used and loved?