2015 FAVOURITES { SKINCARE }

Skintype - Extremely Sensitive. Prone to rashes and allergies. Very oily during summers and very dry during winters. Here's the detailed version. Also check it to know how I cleared my skin.

I'm hoping similar skin types can get some help/reference from my favorites. These are what have really worked for me.

So...Here are a few of my favorite things! 

2015 FAVOURITES - SKINCARE

1)      Neutrogena deep clean Facial Cleaser – HG!! Does not strip my face off moisture. Cleanses it thoroughly. Best of all it suits my ultra sensitive skin. Controls my break outs.

  2)     TBS Tea tree face wash-  Summers in Kolkata are horrid. This was a saviour. It feels so fresh and tingly. Cleanses beautifully and does not irritate my skin! 

3)      TBS Aloe toner – Game changer. I never realised the importance of toner until this came into my  life. This solely soothed my hyper sensitive skin and rashes. Gem!

4)      TBS Aloe soothing Gel –Again, in combination with the Aloe toner...Amazing. If you have hyper sensitive and irritated skin, you need to try this combo!

5)      Neutrogena Oil free moisturiser (Sensitive Skin) – Basic moisturiser which does its job to the T. Keeps my face moisturised. Gets absorbed in the skin within a minute. Does not make my face oily.

6)      Lotus Herbals 3-in-1 matteDaily Sunblock – Oily skinned people, this is your man! Can also be used as a tinted suncreen. Although this does not really give any coverage. Only slightly evens out the skintone. My staple during Summers.

7)      Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock(spf 50+) – The best Sunscreen ever! Does not make your skin oily. Feels like a primer.

8)      Neutrogena brightening serum – Used up 2 bottles of this. Again, sensitive skins should try to incorporate a serum in your routine. Helps to soothe the skin a lot. Not a fairness cream, mind you. But this helps to even out my skin tone.

9)      TBS Drop of Youth Bouncy sleeping mask – One product which literally worked on my skin overnight. Expensive, but guys one jar has lasted me 8months and counting. I’m no where near finishing it. Amazing product! Worth all the hype.

10)   Maybelline Baby Lips –Mango pie/Berry – Staples again. These obviously need no explanation.

11)   Boroline – Old and gold. The ONLY thing that cures my dry chapped, bleeding lips. CANNOT live without it.

12)   TBS cocoa body butter – The only thing that worked on my swollen pregnant hands and feet to keep me moisturised.

13)   Bio Oil - Really worked when I had itchy stomach and breasts during pregnancy. Can't say if it prevented stretch marks 'coz I did get some. But I like to believe it could’ve been a lot worse if not for this.

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Have you used any of these? Did you like them? 

Let me know your favorites. It could help me!

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

Product Claims:

A brightening and lightening serum that you always wanted, presenting Neutrogena Fine Fairness Serum.

This wonder serum absorbs easily into your skin and refines your skin texture. Infused with Neutrogena Healthy White Complex which is known to inhibit the production of melanin, the serum gives your skin a healthy and radiant glow. Over regular use you get visibly improved skin tone and texture.

Features:

Evens our skin tone

Alcohol free and oil free

Lightens and brightens skin tone

Dermatologically tested

Wont clog pores

Absorbs quickly into the skin

Pleasant fragrance

Price: Rs.699/-

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

I’ve had my eyes on this for quite some time now. Heard some great reviews and couldn’t wait to try it myself.

The first thing I noticed was the packaging.

I think it’s very classy and has that luxurious feel t o it. A  sturdy ground glass bottle with a pump and a transparent cap which fits in tightly. 

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

The pump has a lock-unlock twist technique, which is great since it keeps the product airtight and prevents it from oxidizing.

It is quite compact and not very bulky even though the bottle is made out of ground glass. It might not be travel friendly. Although, I wouldn’t mind carrying it if I’m going somewhere overnight. The bottle won't really break unless you drop it or throw it with force. Like really hard.  Also since it twists into a lock mode, it shouldn’t leak.

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

The texture of the serum is very light.  Pale yellow in color.

I require 2 pumps for my face and neck. On applying, it soaks in the skin immediately. Not oily at all. Gives a matte effect. Some have felt a tingly sensation on applying this, but I did not.

I prefer not massaging it on my face. I like to apply this with a light hand and spread it evenly.

It has a very light and pleasant fragrance as claimed. However it immediately wears off on applying.

Neutrogena Brightening Serum

The sales assistant at the store told me this serum alone should be enough and no other moisturizer is needed.

However after 10 mins of applying the serum, my  face feels the need to be moisturized. BTW I have combinational skin type.

I do require my regular moisturizer now, during cooler weather but I think this serum will be enough for the summers.  However this may be quite drying for those with already dry skin. So make sure you moisturize well after applying this.

I am really liking the serum. Please keep in mind,  this is NOT a fairness serum. This claims to "even" the skintone. Which I think it does. I can already feel the difference. I have ultra sensitive skin but this did not break me out.

I anyways wanted a serum for my routine since they do a better job seeping in the skin and keeping it moisturized. Also the retinol content in this was another reason I wanted to try this. This does not claim to be an anti-aging cream. But retinol is known to lighten tones and control the fine lines.  I can already see the even-ing of the skin tone. Clears fine lines or not is yet to be seen….

HOT/NOT: Really liking it. Shall definitely repurchase this.

My everyday Skin Care Routine for Winters!

Hey There! 

Kolkata is perfect right now. Perfect chill in the weather. Not too cold but cold enough. And this obviously demands a change in the skincare/haircare/clothes and practically everything. 

My skin loves the cold… it behaves itself, it’s not angry or grumpy. (Of course minus the mood swings during PMS times )

Thankfully the routine I’ve been following since a month is working well for me. Touch wood…  And I hope this helps you some way…

My Skin type- Unpredictable. Combinational. Ultra Sensitive. 

Hence i'm trying to make a consious effort to use products with less alchohol and parabens.

Skincare routine

Step I-

 I use Johnson’s Baby Oil as a makeup remover/cleanser. And it works beautifully! It breaks down every bit of the makeup. It works on waterproof mascaras Like. A. Boss.

I’ve literally forgotten about my Loreal makeup remover after using this. I’m not even tempted to use that or anything else for that matter.

 Does not irritate my eyes. Does not break me out.

I know a lot of you’ll be thinking…”Girl! That baby oil has mineral oil in it!.”  Yeah. I know. With regards to the debate whether mineral oil is good or bad, I think it's all a MYTH. If it’s good enough for a baby…it’s damn well good enough for me.

Anyhow here are a few links you can check out and make up your own mind.

https://askanesthetician.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/why-does-mineral-oil-get-such-a-bad-rep/

http://skincare.about.com/od/skin101/tp/Skincare-Myths.htm

Basically I believe if a product works for you… Use it. It’s not necessary that a natural product won’t break you out. It’s all about what works for YOU. Individually.

Price:  50ml ; MRP: Rs.48/-

Step II-

After I’ve scrubbed the oil out of my face, along with the dirt and all, with cotton, I use my Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash. It does not foam too much. And I like that for the colder season. The foaming face washes dry out my skin too much. Just finished my Neutrogena Clean Facial cleanser (Look out for my empties post for this quarter). Love it. Also Clean and clear facial wash has been my staple since like…ever! (Do you realise my mental affiliation towards Johnson & Johnson related products)

Price: 250ml ; MRP: Rs.695/- 

Step III-

After I’ve dried my face with a clean towel, I use The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner. Just a few drops on cotton suffice. 4 drops, to be exact, for my face and 2 drops for my neck. It soothes my skin and removes any remaining dirt on the face (Believe me even after all those previous steps the cotton turns out dirty :\)

Initially I didn’t realize the importance of this step. But before, I would get these acne kind bumps on my face. Not really acne or pimples. It did not hurt or itch, nor did they turn into white heads. The skin specialist said it was kind of an allergic reaction to something.

But since I started using this toner, the bumps (I don’t know what to call them!) have visibly lessened. Toner majorly helps to maintain the PH level of the skin and calms down the irritations. Now someone with a normal skin type might not realize the difference after using a toner. But those with sensitive skin, I’ll urge you to start using a toner. Start with rose water. Use it religiously twice a day, if you don’t want to invest in something costly.

Price – 200ml ; MRP: Rs.795/- 

A 200ml bottle is going to last me forever!

Step IV-

I let the toner set and dry for 4-5 mins. During daytime on weekdays when I have to go to work I put on my Neutrogena Ultra sheer Dry touch Sunblock, over it.  

At night or during the day when I’m home, after the toner dries, I then apply the Aloe Soothing cream. Just a pea sized amount is enough for the whole face and neck. This range also has a night cream. But this is moisturizing enough for me. Need to be a little careful since excess makes the face oily. But that's ok for the night when I'm retiring to bed anyways.

Neutrogena Ultra sheer Dry touch Sunblock Price- 88ml; MRP:Rs.499/-

TBS aloe Soothing cream Price- 50ml ; MRP: Rs.995/- 

STEP V-

I then apply the Vitamin E Eye cream under my eyes and on my eye lids. This I apply only at night while I’m retiring to bed. Keeps the eye area super moisturized. Claims to reduce appearance of fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. Everything that I need.

Honestly I still don’t know if it’s working or not. But I know it's an essential for the longer run and I’m a hopeless optimist.

Price- : Rs.995/- My Buy: Rs.746/- ; 25%OFF

Step VI-

When I’m all moisturized and squeaky clean, I finally dab on some lip balm and I’m done!

So that's my routine and has been helping me for quite sometime...

*What do you think works for you best? *