Current Skin Care Products

I have had a long history of a love and hate relationship with skincare. I barely had a pimple throughout high school, until my final year where I developed cystic acne on my chin due to hormones. Until then, I had sporadically cleansed my face. Suddenly, I was thrusted into the world of skin care and dazzled by a myriad of products –both high end and low end. Night moisturizers, treatments, oils. Cream cleansers, chemical exfoliators - I had no idea where I was and often bought the wrong thing.

The above picture shows the products I am currently using. I still am not 100% satisfied with what I put on my face, and the products I use are constantly evolving.

I hope you weren’t too shocked at my uncaked face. And my crazy eyebrows.

My skin type has stayed pretty consistent since high school. It is dry and dehydrated, often making me feel and look like a scaly reptile. I still have hormonal cystic acne on my chin and redness. I have pale skin and freckles, leaving a high chance of skin cancer, especially in this crazy Australian sun. Finally, I have large pores and my skin’s texture is quite rough.

So if you have the same problem areas as me, maybe you will find a product listed below that will help you just as much as it has helped my skin. And if you have a different skin type, I leave a comment recommending what skin type I believe this product is suitable for.

*Note, all product prices listed below is in AUD and may not be the same for you.

REMOVING THE CAKE FACE

Garnier Clean Sensitive 2 in 1 Gentle Makeup Remover ($11.01)

This is an oil based makeup remover that I have been using for over a year now. I use these oil-based removers as it takes off makeup quickly without removing moisture from the skin.

This product states that it is suitable for sensitive skin and contains no perfume or alcohol, and will not make you rub to get product off your face like your face is a magical lamp and the genie is refusing to grant you wishes.

I do personally experience the need to rub a little bit when wearing mascara and eyeliner, but it melts of pretty much everything you want on your skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and clean. I would recommend for people with sensitive skin due to the lack of fragrance and harsh chemicals.

I would not recommend this product for oily skin.

Prior to owning this product I only used a makeup wipe and a cleanser. While I still use makeup wipes if I am feeling especially lazy, but rarely and only if they are on sale.

EXFOLIATING AND CLEANSING THE FACE PREVIOUSLY CAKED

Swisse Purify Cream Face Cleanser ($10.95)

This is the first cream cleanser I have ever used. I’ve always had ridiculously dry skin – until I bought this baby! It has a wonderful witch hazel and almond oil smell. If you don’t like fragrance, run away from this bad boy. I definitely recommend this for dry and dehydrated skin even though it states it’s suitable for all skin types.. This is actually my second tube of it and I will definitely be buying it again.

It states that it is natural skin care, leaving out parabens, SLS, SLES, synthetic fragrances, petrolatum, silicones, mineral oils, PEGS, TEA, DEA, urea, peroxide and nano particles. It also is not tested on animals meaning that you can cleanse that face feeling morally correct.

The only issue I see with this is that it doesn’t completely get rid of all my makeup and as it is not foaming or a gel, my face doesn’t feel overly clean (which I like).

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (Travel Size)

This is only travel size and I received it when I bough some magazine ages ago. I love travel size skin care so when I end up staying at my parents I don’t have to lug my gigantic toiletries bag around.

The bottle states that it is soap and fragrance free making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. It does a good job of cleansing but, once again, it is not extremely foaming so you don’t get that overly cleansed face feeling. It is suitable for normal skin types. I would not buy the full sized version of this product because I am not completely amazed. It is ok.

Garnier CleanDetox Gentle Exfoliating Scrub ($7.99)

I use to abuse the hell out of this scrub. I know what you are thinking, ‘hey, don’t you have dry skin?’ Well yes I do, so now instead of using it EVERYDAY (it says daily ok?) I use it twice a week. I know, still waaayy too much but I like tiny particles of scrub buffing my skin. I feel like it does a pretty good deal of eliminating dead skin cells (ewww) without being too harsh due to the creaminess of the formula. It states that it detoxes and boosts radiance, but I don’t fully think the product backs the claims.

Overall, it is a good cleanser/exfoliator but I’m not likely to repurchase. Not because I don’t like it, but because surely there is something better out there. I recommend it for normal to dry skin, but the bottle states it’s ok for all skin types. Just don’t go crazy and abuse it like I did. My skin still hasn’t forgiven me.

TONE YOUR FACE (NOT YOUR BODY)

T.N Dickinson’s All Natural Witch Hazel ($6.99)

I have never been one for toner. To be honest I still don’t really get the hype, so if anyone has words of wisdom on this – comment below. The bottle says it is to ‘smooth pores, promote clear fresh skin while assisting with moisture and make-up performance. I haven’t used it long enough to have any opinion on it except for the smell. Dat smell. It definitely has alcohol in it an it is very strong. This is also not tested on animals. I probably wouldn’t use it for sensitive skin but other skin types will like it.

OILY? MOUISTERISE. NORMAL? MOISTURISE. DRY? MOISTURISE!

Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizing  Lotion SPF 30+ ($13.94)

Not gonna lie, my grandma used this. It has that olay-grandma-scent that all olay moisturizers have. I love it.  It’s light in texture and SPF 30+. That is a huge bonus for everyday, a bit of a negative for cameras. This baby flashbacks. Doh! I would suggest this for normal type skin, and as much as I love it, I probably won’t be buying it again. Once again, not because it is not good but because simply because I want to try other things.

Olay Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin ($16.95)

This is a very thick, very hydrating cream that I firmly recommend for night (unless you want the U.S to invade your face for oil). Unfortunately, it does take a while to sink in. It’s fragrance free, making it awesome for those who are sensitive (skin type and scent type) and this product lasted for ages. In short, I still have half a tub left and I’m pretty sure I’ve had it for nearly a year.

If you have dry to normal skin and don’t mind that grandma-smell, or your so sensitive you have a hard time finding moisturizers, pick this up.

Cetaphil Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion (Travel Size)

I can probably tell you what I think of this product in a sentence; why couldn’t I have received the full size product in that magazine? This is good, so very, very good. To be fair though, if you hear hollieforrest rave about it, of course it is.

What I like most about this product is how light and thin in consistency it is, especially as it is crazy hydrating. It is suitable for dry, to very dry skin. It also has no fragrance, awesome or you sensitive people.

I cannot rave about this moisturizer enough. It will be replacing my Olay Moisturising Cream when I manage to finally rid myself of that one.

MASKS, OR SMOTHER MY FACE IN THIS CONCOCTION AND SCARE MY BOYFRIEND

Quick Fix Facials Mega Moisture Gel Mask, Dry and Thirsty Skin ($9.00)

Lets be real here, I picked these up because of their packaging. But they turned out to be pretty good products. This mask takes 5-10 minutes to dry and is extremely moisturizing. I would definitely not recommend for anything but dry skin. It is a cooling thick white gel without any scent, making this ideal for people with sensitive skin.  I use this once-twice a week and definitely will be repurchasing.

Quick Fix Facials Anti-Blemish Mud Mask, Oily and Spot Prone Skin ($9.00)

If you want to try one of these Quick Fix Facial products but your skin is oily, never worry! This Anti-Blemish Mud Mask is amazing. I use this whenever my skin is feeling gross and spotty. It’s thick, has a cooling texture and works wonderfully on pores. Those with sensitive skin may not like it as it does have a tea-tree fragrance to it (which I like btw). This tube will probably last forever and while I will buy it again, maybe not for a little bit just so I can try out something new.

TREATMENTS – TO … TREAT THINGS

Clean & Clear Advantage Fast Clearing Spot Gel ($7.69)

This little tube claims to ‘reduce pimple symptoms from four hours’. This tube may be exaggerating just a little. It’s full of salicylic acid and Jesus-grab-the-wheel it buuuurrrrnnnnsss! I don’t recommend this at all, and don’t be surprised if you see it in an empties post one day soon.

JUST A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS I THOUGHT I SHOULD ADD

Banana Boat Sport, SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum ($8.95)

I’m super pale. With freckles. In the Australian climate, this is a recipe for disaster. So I use a lot of sunscreen, and right now I’m using this one. It has a really high SPF, is broad spectrum and waterproof. It does feel a tad greasy and does flashback in photos. But that is a small price to pay for the wellbeing of my skin.

Crabtree and Evelyn Pomegranate, Argan and Grapeseed Oil Body Lotion ($32.00)

This is heaven in a bottle. Now I don’t usually make these claims, but when making a moisturizer, Crabtree and Evelyn really know what they are doing. It smell ridiculously amazing and is thin in consistency. It absorbs super fast and my skin is kept completely hydrated. Did I mention the divine smell?

Vaseline Total Moisture Hand Cream ($6.12)

Really, this was just on special. So I bought it. It is good, it keeps my hands hydrated, has no fragrance and isn’t greasy. I would use this again.

So these are all the products I use to keep my skin happy currently. However, I am always trying new products and would love it if you had any suggestions. Also if you would like a full review on any of these products or any other post, please comment so down in the description. What are your favourite products to keep your skin happy and healthy?

Wanna have more updates on what I’m wearing and trying, check out my Instagram: @shaydoesthething.