Updated Foundation Routine

In the past few months my skin has been horrible, especially around the side of my face, the cheek area, where I have never ever broken out :'( I've really tried to go back to a stable routine, using only a few products on my face and as little base foundation or concealer as possible. I don't know what caused the massive breakout, but I'm just beginning to get it under control and I thought I'd share with you what I've been doing.

First off, to treat the acne I went back to my cleansing routine. I was using those makeup remover/moisturizer all in one cloths at the end of the night to remove my makeup instead of actually going and washing my face out fully, which definitely contributed to the acne. It just felt like too much hassle after a long day of work, classes, studying..try to fit a social life in and somethings gotto go. I've been using my Queen Helen Mint Jelep Mask and my Acne Free Terminator which have helped a lot! I've also been using a very basic moisturizer: aloe very. Now, I only use this during the day. I'll wear it under my makeup or I'll dilute my foundation with it to make a tinted moisturizer.


To make the tinted moisturizer I simply mix them on the back of my hand, usually half and half. If I need more coverage, I add more foundation, if not, less. It won't work well with all foundations, but works very well with my Clinique Even Better or Maybelline Mineral Liquid.


Simply mix and apply. It gives me sheer coverage and covers up my redness without looking like a mask. This way I only use my Smashbox HD Liquid Concealer only where I absolutely need it. I've been setting with my NYC translucent powder which I will review soon!

I like aloe during the day because mys kin is very oily and sometimes using a regular moisturizer, even my Clinique DD Gel is too much. I don't know what it is about aloe vera gel, but it sens somehow and makes my makeup last longer. Be careful what type of aloe vera gel you use if you do try this. I'm using Jason Natural Cosmetics Aloe Vera Super Gel. It's very affordable, around $10-$13 for 16 oz bottle (depending on where you buy) and it's 98% pure aloe vera. I use it everywhere: after shaving or waxing, being out in the sun, etc. It's a great multi-tasker. I highly recommend trying this stuff out if you need a very light moisturizer during the day. It won't work if your skin starts to dry out in the winter, but as I use a heavier moisturizer at night, it's not really an issue for me. If you try it, let me know how it goes!

EDIT: I put the aloe vera gel into a smaller container from a used up moisturizer because lets face it, 16 0z is affordable but crazy big and inconvenient when doing my makeup in the morn, lol!

Review: AcneFree Terminator Spot Control Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide)

So after using Clean Advantage Acne Spot Treatment for the past five years I didn't think that I'd ever find anything that works better. Well, I did. I'd recently run out and, when I was at Ocean State Job Lot I spotted Acne Free's Terminator Spot Control Gel for $4. Now, I'd never tried anything from Acne Free so I was a bit curious. And this a benzoyl peroxide treatment, not salacylic acid, like I'm used to and I wanted to see how well this would compare. I have to say that it blew Clean and Clear Advantage out of the park! It's that good!


The gel is 2% benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria that causes acne. As it is an oxidizing agent, it infuses the inflamed area with oxygen. This kills the bacteria as it likes an oxygen free environment.


One major reason that I really like this gel over Clean and Clears is the packaging. This one is in a squeeze tube with a flip top. Clean and Clears has a tiny little screw off cap. I don't like it cause I tend to lose the cap every now and then and have to hunt around for it, which is annoying beyond belief especially when I'm in a a hurry or just really tired. The flip top is definitely more convenient.

Here's the actual product:

It's a bit of a chunkier/thicker gel. I am in love with this product. While the gel is a bit thick (thicker than the C & C one) it dries very quickly and perfectly clear. The C & C one takes longer to dry and it feels odd. It has this odd texture and if you touch it it tends to rub off in these weird crumbles. The Acne Free one I can easily wear under makeup--it doesn't have any odd texture to it when it dries. Also, this gel works overnight. If I put it on before I go to sleep I see dramatic results the next morning. With the C & C gel I don't see results for at least two days. Also, unlike the C & C one, this one doesn't irritate or dry out my skin. When I put the C & C gel on I feel this strong tingle, an almost burning sensation. I used to be like, "Oh, well that's ok. At least I know it's working." I subscribed to the notion that harsh skincare was the only kind that worked, which is soooo wrong. Anyway, after using the C & C gel my skin would be sooo dry in that area. I would always hate to put concealer on as it would look so obvious over the dry, flaky, scaly skin. I have no such problem with the Acne Free gel. My skin doesn't dry out and it doesn't tingle/burn. It's very gentle but also effective at the same time, which I love!!! I'd tried Neutrogena's On The Spot acne cream which I was told was a gentle formula. It didn't work at all, so after that I would look for harsher products thinking that if I could feel them working they'd be more effective. Anyway, I was wrong and I've been treating my skin a lot more gently. Anyway, this gel is really good and I highly recommend it to everyone!!!

Oh, and if you're interested in Acne Free products, check out Ocean State Job Lot if you live near one. They had three step sets for $10, a 50% savings from the retail price!

Info:

Price: $5.99 (that's retail--I got it for $4 at Ocean State Job Lot)

Ingredients: Benzoyl Peroxide (2%), Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract (Licorice), Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil (Tea Tree), Bisabolol, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Algae (Seaweed) Extract (Seaweed), Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates (Vitamin E), Artemisia Vulgaris Oil (Mugwort/Armoise), Triclosan, Willow Bark Extract, Iodopropynyl Butlycarbamate, Diazolidinyl Carbamide

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.