So I've decided to start with my most recent purchases. I recently was lucky enough to be at The Body Shop while they were having their 3 for $30 sale and stocked up on a few things. There are also some random items and I will specify where they are from! Oh, and keep in mind these are all the Canadian prices!
Aloe Protective Serum (30ml) $20.00
Review: So, it is extremely rare that I repurchase an item because I love to try new things but this is an exception and my go to serum. Because I react (redness, blotchy, breakouts) to a lot of things, this simple serum gives me moisture without giving me oil or grease. You will notice through my
reviews that I like to read product labels and try (key word being"try" it doesn't usually work out that way and I need things that give me great results) to avoid excess chemicals and go towards natural ingredients. The Body Shop isn't quite as natural as I had expected but they still make some great products without an excess of chemicals and preservatives. That being said this is a great serum with the first ingredient being Aloe so it will give the soothing, moisturizing benefits. I find it works great for my skin and it would be a great addition to anyones skin care routine for an extra boost of moisture. (The only thing is I wouldn't recommend this for dry or very dry skin as it probably won't be enough moisture for those skin types)
Vitamin C Intensive Night Treatment (30ml - 1oz) Sale: $8.00
Review: This treatment doesn't seem to be available anymore as I believe that The Body Shop is getting rid of their Vitamin C line (which makes me sad). That being said if your lucky enough to find this on the sale rack PICK IT UP! It has really helped to even out my skin tone (acne scars, dark spots) in a very short time and I wish I had bought 2 (or more)! It has the strangest texture I have ever felt in a skin care product, almost like a balm that melts when you warm it in your hands. The word "balm" terrifies me too with my breakout prone skin bit this is a silicone base so it doesn't clog my pores or make me breakout. A little bit of this goes a LONG way if you warm it in your hands and then pat it into your skin. I don't wake up feeling greasy either which is a pro. If you do see this in The Body Shop please try it out, I don't think you will be disappointed no matter what your skin type! Especially for the price of now $8.00 CAD! (PLUS it smells like fresh oranges!)
Neutrogena Acne Stress Control 3 in 1 Hydrating Acne Treatment (59ml) Roughly: $8.00-$10.00 (Wal-Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart)
Okay, I'm already contradicting myself but here is ANOTHER product that I repurchase. This stuff is great! It's inexpensive and it works like nothing else I've used. It is a 2% salicylic acid treatment that also hydrates, and it actually does. I have never had a problem with dry skin while using this and it keeps my breakouts under control! I've actually bought this like 4 times now and get anxious when I'm about to run out. Whatever else I change in my skin care routine this always stays! If you suffer with breakouts seriously SERIOUSLY consider this product it is so refreshing (smells like cucumber), hydrating and has a great liquidy texture to it, sort of like a serum. I use it at night but you could easily use it twice a day (I used to) without any sort of irritation. It also has green tea and cucumber to calm your reddened, irritated skin! Bonus, bonus, bonus!
Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting Moisture SPF 30 (29ml) Roughly: $19.00-$25.00 (Wal-Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs)
Review: Again, contradicting myself because this would definitely fall into the Anti-Aging category but I use it as prevention. Sunscreen is the #1 most important thing you can do to prevent aging and keep your skin healthy so I'm always looking for non-greasy, non-thick facial sunscreens. This (for me) is a double whammy! SPF 30 which is great and its got Neutrogena's "Helioplex" sunscreen so its very reliable PLUS it has a good dose of retinol which will help any complexion. It has a great texture, a little bit sunscreen like but definitely workable and I don't feel greasy after I apply it or throughout the day! I don't know if its helped with any discolouration but I've only had it for a few weeks so maybe in conjunction with my Vitamin C night treatment it will help! Overall, its a great double duty product with moisture (not too much), retinol and sunscreen protection.
Josie Maran Argan Oil Stick (0.55oz) $8.00-$27.00 (Sephora)
I actually have the mini version($8.00, picture is full sized at $27.00) of this stick because both of my Sephora's were sold out of the big ones, plus the small ones are GREAT for your purse. I have two of the little ones and one is always with me. They are great little multi taskers! Its super hydrating and you can use it anywhere, lips, cuticles, dry spots, anything! I actually use this as my eye cream because I have the driest skin around my eyes! Its always flaky and painful from all the acne products I use on my face that migrate over there. It works great as an eye cream for me and gets rid of all the flakeys and dryness. The only problem I have with this is it is kind of rough straight from the tube, like grainy. To counteract this I rub my finger over the stick to sort of melt it to an oil then apply it where I need it and that really works well. The smell isn't the best around but it isn't too strong and definitely bearable. This one should be good for all skin types although I don't use it anywhere on my face but my eyes because it may be too much for me, on dry to very dry skins I think it would definitely be helpful in moisturizing extremely dry patches or for all over moisture. Also dry skin should consider the Josie Maran Argan Oil (not in the stick) to use daily (I have not yet tried that one but I believe it is generally the same and would be easier to apply to larger areas).
So those are my newest buys (and all I have time for right now)! I hope you all learned something about the products and please don't hesitate to let me know what you think about them or what your favorite products are! Also, if I missed anything or if you have any questions let me know!
Enjoy.
