Like there are 7 days in a week, given diverse weather conditions across the US and other parts of the world, it’s important to take care of your skin! Here are 7 different products that I know that should or could fit into your skincare or body care routine. This is not a “one size fits all” post– it’s just some ideas that you should keep in mind!!
1) Sunblock!
‘Sunblock is crucial year-round and at any time from just before sunrise til after the sun has vanished and the sky is that tawny blend of colors. What does that mean? It means no matter if you are a girl or a guy, it’s raining, snowing or the sun is out, you need SUNBLOCK!!
Which ones fill the bill in my book?
La Roche Posay SPF 30 or 50
A chemical sunblock that is super-stable and is light, non-greasy and works well on face or body. It’s suitable for guys and girls. Do be careful that if you start sweating you need to not get this in your eyes.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Dry Powder Sunblock – Physical sunblock that is water-resistant and lasts for about 7 hours. Dust it on and go. Reapplication is necessary!
2) Moisturizers
Everyone needs a moisturizer- regardless of skin-type. If you have oily skin, your skin particularly needs moisture to prevent the skin from going into over-drive producing oil to hydrate the skin. Particularly there is no one-size fits all when it comes to moisturizers. Given that there are many variations for different skin types as well as adding in an SPF – or not- there is a lot to choose from in this category.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer, Ultra-Calming, SPF 15 4 fl oz (120 ml) is a great choice because it will soothe and protect the most irritated skin and it’s very affordable.
There are other choices in this category. For guys, I would look at Boots No 7 at Target, Walgreens, Amazon and Drugstore.com
For women, tons of choices: I personally like oils to provide moisture and balance out my skin such as Tarte’s Maracuja Oil which is wicked good.
Other names to look out for in the OIL departments include Michael Todd Organics and 100% Pure Facial Oil (Nourishing)
3)Peels: Essential for exfoliating any skin type other than the most sensitive, exfoliation is a process to eliminate dry skin cells at the top most layer and reveal a fresher skin. Very useful during winter as well as summer because of the reflective exposure to UVA and B rays. These peels are just two of many but there are choices that take anywhere from 20-30 minutes. Sunblock is ALWAYS required post peel for more than a week if not daily as part of skincare regiment.
Ellen Lange Retexturizing Peel: Chemical gycolic peel is a great kit with a couple of prep steps (products provided) as well as the actual peel. Follow the directions carefully and you will find it doesn’t hurt, doesn’t take long (since you are washing your face anyway) and it works really well.
4) Cleansers: Do not use soap! You are using detergents (like those for the dishwasher and laundry) on your face. So try something a bit gentler and more prone to help rather than aggravate your skin.
TONS of choices here but if you need something “right now”, head out to CVS pharmacy and pick up Cerave Cleanser. This hydrating product will soothe skin as well as cleanse it from the grime and dirt of your day- not to mention makeup removal. Works equally well for guys too. It’s also very affordable.
There are tons of other cleansers out there and one can buy them from Clarins, Clinique, Dermna e, 100% Pure, Arcona Studio and a slew of other brands from price points from low to high. This one is truly one you can either test drive affordably from your drugstore or hit your department store or specialty store for samples to find one that fits your needs.
5) Lip Balm
No matter what time of year or your sex or age, you need a lip balm (at least 1 in the car, your desk and a couple at home)
Here are a couple that I love. Note that some of your favorite (and least expensive ) brands are not listed here. Courtesy of my child, we did a lip balm science project and found that most lip balms are made of mineral oil (a petroleum derivative) or petroleum jelly (yes note the word PETROLEUM). Petroleum is not safe for human consumption and because you apply it to your lips, you are consuming it. Also the mineral oil and petroleum compounds actually ultimately dry out your lips making it much worse. You want at the very least some form of shea butter or coconut oil for soothing this fragile body part– 365 days a year.
Suki Skincare Lip Butter
Not the least expensive product but very guy and kid friendly, this lip butter is in a tube and it really works. Soothes like nothing else I have seen.
Korres Lip Butter is in a pot rather than a tube . Before you freak out over the photo, the Korres Lip Butter comes in a variety of flavors from guava to wild rose and the colors range from clear to deep red- but all are sheer. So guys can use this too. It really is nice for the summer too
The last two categories are related!
6) Hand and/or foot balm or butter
Atopalm is a relatively new line but it’s terrific in lots of categories one of which includes a eucalyptus foot and heel balm. The smell is very clean and unisex. The texture is non-greasy and affordable and it really works!
Another product that works is L’Occitane hand cream. LOVE this product and it’s available in tubes and the product has different scents too so it’s easy to tell his tube from yours just by a sniff or two.
7)Body Butter or Lotion
This is one of the harder categories because there are lots of brands that put the junk ingredients at the top and the valuable effective treatment ingredients at the bottom – which means there is very little of those ingredients. Most of the products you find in the drugstore or supermarket are full of stuff you don’t want.
One brand that’s so rich and intoxicating with how it smells and feels when you apply it is Four Truffles. Lush, luxe and really effective, a little goes a L O N G way!
Others that you do want you have to hunt for BURTS BEES and other similar more natural and organic products
How to choose the best one for you? Read the labels!! If you find the ingredients at the top of the label virtually unpronounceable or you need to google up how to understand what they are (much less pronounce them) put the bottle or jar back on the shelf!
These 7 products or categories are by no means complete or are they showing you only the best products. What I have shown you are top quality products that deliver. How do I know they deliver? I have BOUGHT THEM.
While some products I was given samples for review purposes, the reason why I featured them here is prior experience with the brand. My opinions are not affected by someone giving me product to test but it does help me give you a current commentary on the brands mentioned. Again, I reiterate, this is not a complete list of the best of- that would take weeks!! I have other things to talk about!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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I love l’occitane and burts bees – AND we can get them over here
Hey Fiona.. I think you might be able to find Suki. At least I think she ships overseas.. as would 100% Pure– both organic clean lines!!
I have ALL these products — maybe not in all the large sizes– but samples to test drive. 90% of them I have purchased myself.
Some of these brands are new to me..as usual, high quality. I need a hydrating cleanser..might check this one.