Recommended by Dr. Dray: Top 10 Moisturizers for Oily Skin
Hello my clever and classy clan! Today we are going to discuss the second most important skin care product that needs to be added to everybody’s skin care routine. Moisturizers! No points for guessing what the most important skin care product is, sunscreen of course! That is for another post, lets focus on moisturizers for now.
Dr. Dray’s Pro Tip: If you are looking for a lighter weight moisturizer, go for products that are labeled as a facial lotion or even gel. Those tend to be more lightweight than creams.
I did not know the importance of moisturizing the skin until last year. I assumed that my oily skin meant that it was naturally moisturized, and I did not need to use an actual moisturizer to it. I WAS WRONG. Dr. Dray convinced me to start wearing moisturizer and I kid you not, I noticed a difference in less than a week. My skin looked radiant, healthy, and smooth four days after I started using a moisturizer. My experience with that is what made me get into skin care, and here I am.
You cannot build the house of your dreams without a strong base. Likewise, no amount of makeup will look its best if the skin is not taken care of. My point is, if you are still afraid of moisturizing your oily skin, test one of the following moisturizers out. Do not trust me? You will trust a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Dray. These are her recommendations for oily skin. Let’s go!
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
The Best Oily Skin Moisturizers (Non-Greasy and Light)
This is the moisturizer that I started with and still use, this is the nighttime moisturizer, I use the AM version of this, that one comes with SPF. This has niacinamide which helps reduce redness, it has ceramides that helps repair skin barrier. This product has never caused me any stinging, few people do complain about that, nonetheless.
This moisturizer is intended for people who are already using differin for their acne prone skin. However, it is a good moisturizer for everybody with oily skin. This product has avocado oil, which is usually harmless for more people, but people with seborrheic dermatitis should avoid products with oil in it. Other than that, the Differin Moisturizer is a good, affordable choice for people with oily skin.
This product is perfect for sensitive skin, it is not heavy or greasy. This moisturizer is perfect for people who find that niacinamide irritates their skin. This one by Neutrogena does not include niacinamide in it.
This lotion is formulated with minimal offensive ingredients, Dr. Dray loves this popular option because it is specifically designed for people with sensitive, acne prone skin, or people who deal with eczema.
This is a wonderful product that does not have any niacinamide or any oils, for people who want to avoid those ingredients. This moisturizer does not contain silicones. Silicones are fantastic ingredients, according to Dr. Dray, and ideal for oily skin. However, if you are bothered by silicones, this moisturizer is a good one to have by your bedside.
This moisturizer is a bit more expensive, however it works like a dream on people with oily skin. This product contains silicones, squalene and shea butter, all wonderful ingredients for people with oily skin.
This one is another favorite by Dr. Dray and other dermatologists, especially for people with acne prone skin. It is typically well received by people with extremely oily skin. There are no oils or niacinamide in this product.
Another fabulous choice for people who like to avoid silicones, niacinamide. It has alpha hydroxiacid which acts as a humectant. It is great for people with oily skin skin, it also helps remove dullness. This is a pricier option but a great one if you would like to test it out.
This is a thick moisturizer that can be applied to a serum or to clean damp skin. This is a hydrating moisturizer that is suitable for anybody with oily, dry, rosacea prone, sensitive or basically any type of skin. It is light weight, absorbs really quickly and good for people with acne as well. This moisturizer is a no nonsense product with amazing ingredients and Dr. Dray approved.
Wrapping Up
You do not need to have oily skin to enjoy these moisturizers, however, these are especially great for those of us with oilier skin, or those of us who simply prefer moisturizers that are not heavy. If you prefer video format, then check out Dr. Dray’s original video right here, and don’t forget, sunscreen and subscribe 😉.
Recommended by Dr. Dray – Top 10 Products from CeraVe
CeraVe is probably not the most exciting skin care brand when it comes to their simple blue and white packaging, but if you are somebody who is more about what is inside the boring bottles, you will love the products offered by this brand.
Dr. Dray did not disappoint us CeraVe shippers, here is a list of top 10 CeraVe products according to famous dermatologist, Dr. Dray.
Prefer to see the video format? Here is a link to her original video talking about the following products.
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
This is fantastic for all skin types, oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin? This cream has you covered. This can be used on your face and/or body. Also suitable for people using drying topical medications like tretinoin and Benzoyl Peroxide. This does not feel greasy or heavy but provides a good moisture barrier for your skin. In Dr. Dray’s own words, this product is a golden child and she highly recommends it in many of her videos.
This lotion includes salicylic and lactic acid to help soften and exfoliate dry, rough, built up bumpy skin. This lotion can be used on your face as well, especially for oily, acne prone skin with large pores. This product stings a little bit on areas with eczema or raw red patches because of the salicylic acid.
This product is a fantastic foot cream, it has salicylic acid that helps exfoliate the dry callus. This should not be used on the face because the skin on the feet is a lot thicker and this product is targeted towards that.
Dealing with the pesky, never ending itch? This product will help you find relief for that. It is great for anybody who has the itch. It imparts moisture into the skin and helps silence the itching signals and helps calm down the skin by silencing the itchy nerves. The cream is rich and moisturizing, especially for anybody with eczema. This product does not contain steroids in it, which is why it is a safer alternative to other itch creams that do contain steroids. Dr. Dray recommends placing this cream in the refrigerator for better results. It can also be used on the face for facial relief.
This ointment seals in hydration and reduces trans epidermal water loss. Unlike Vaseline this product has hyaluronic acid in it, which is a humectant, simply put, this helps bringing hydration up out of the deeper layers of the skin. This also protects the skin and helps with the skin barrier repair. This product can be used on the face, around the eyes, lips, or any area that feels dry or scaly, or any area that suffers from skin-on-skin friction.
This product has an ingredient that helps facilitate skin barrier repair by adding hydration to the skin. The niacinamide in it is anti-inflammatory, this product is a highly recommended night cream by dermatologist Dr. Dray. People with mature skin especially enjoy this for its skin renewing tendencies.
This little enigma has sunflower seed oil that acts as an emollient. It feels like a lightweight serum that creates a nice barrier to water loss. It is particularly good if you are going through the peeling stages when starting a retinol or prescription retinoid. It is safe to use around the eyes. People do complain about the pump, which does not pump as perfectly as it should, but other than that this product is a favorite. Dr. Dray recommends traveling with it, good to use on the plane!
This is a mineral tinted sunscreen; the tint will not be suitable for every complexion so it would be nice to choose wisely. This sunscreen is not greasy, it is a moisturizing formula, CeraVe nailed it with this product. This shade will work for people with medium skin tones. It is not water resistant, so probably not the best for outside sports, but this is great as an every day sunscreen moisturizer.
Retinol is fantastic for the skin; I have a post about the best retinols for the skin. Check it out here. This product can help improving the look of wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation. It reduced redness, soothes the skin barrier, it is moisturizing, and helps reduce acne and post acne marks or redness. This is a great anti-aging product as well. It is a winner!
This is a soap-free bar soap, which according to Dr. Dray is the best bar cleanser in the market today! Yes, a bold statement, but if dermatologist Dr. Dray thinks this is the best, we believe it IS the best.
This product puts the moisture back into your skin as you cleanse. It is not harsh, not stripping. It can be used on the face, body, bar soaps are better for the environment and work just as well as liquid soaps.
Wrapping Up
CeraVe is one of my personal favorite skin care brands as well, and Dr. Dray got me hooked onto the CeraVe AM Moisturizer. Though this product did not make the top 10 list, it was mentioned in the video and I personally love it. This product got me using moisturizers for the first time in my life and I always have a backup now. It is non-greasy and has SPF. They also have a PM version to be used at night.
Recommended by Dr. Dray – The Best Oil Cleansers & Cleansing Balms
Hello my beautiful people! We are back with another post about some of the best skincare products recommended by our favorite dermatologist, Dr. Dray.
The Double Cleanse Method
First, in case you are not familiar with the double cleanse method, allow me to explain. The double cleanse method consists of two steps to cleanse your face:
Gently massage your face with an oil to loosen up any dirt, sunscreen, makeup from the day.
Wash the face with a cleanser to get rid of the oil, dirt, sunscreen, makeup from the day. There are a few Dr. Dray recommended Cleanser options below. Keep reading!
I have been following the double cleanse method before I discovered Dr. Dray and it is great to have it validated by a professional. Some people like to just massage their face with oil, and then sleep without cleansing the face with a face wash.
There are a few problems with that:
While the oil has loosened up the makeup, sunscreen, dirt etc. from your face, they are still sitting on your skin, they need to be washed off by a cleanser.
While oils are fabulous when it comes to removing makeup, kept on your skin for too long, might lead to reactions. Oily skin, sensitive skins particularly might not tolerate oil sitting on the face all night very well.
As I mentioned, while I have been using the double cleanse method for several years, I was not aware of which oils to use. My main goal was simply to get rid of any makeup on my face. I made the mistake of using coconut oil on my face for several weeks, NOT A GOOD IDEA for anybody with oily and/or acne prone skin. I watched a lot of youtubers talking about the magic that is coconut oil for the face, and I went ahead and gave it a try. My skin hated me for it, and I ended up seeking a dermatologist. It took over a year to get rid of the acne caused by coconut oil.
Dr. Dray has also suggested to stay away from coconut oil if you have any kind of a skin condition. It has been known to cause acne, rashes, also not recommended for anybody with dandruff. Coconut oil is good for the hair strands, but not so much for the scalp.
So, now that we know which oil NOT to use, lets get into the ones that we can use. Of course, with the expertise of Dr. Dray, lets get right into some of the BEST oils for cleansing.
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
We are not saving the best for last! This one is Dr. Dray’s favorite cleansing oil. (scroll down for her favorite cleansing balm) This product contains olive oil and jojoba oil, both rich in antioxidants, both are suitable for people with oily skin or eczema.
You take a drop of water on the palm of your hand, two pumps of the oil and then gently dab it all over your face and eyes. It gets rid of sunscreen, mascara, makeup from the face without any heavy-duty tugging.
For the step two of the Double cleansing method, go in with your favorite cleanser, Dr. Dray recommends the Hado Labo Hyaluronic Cleansing foam. These two make a fabulous combo when it comes to the double cleanse method.
If you are looking for a more affordable option, this one is a good one to test out. This oil is a no-nonsense product that is useful to get the sunscreen off your body, however, this works just as well on your face as well. This is another product that Dr. Dray recommends for the double cleanse method. There is no fragrance, which is typically what you must look for in skincare products. The oil contains Polyethylene glycol which helps this rinse off so you do not have to worry about the oil sticking to your skin after cleansing. Just lather some to dry skin and you are good to go.
This is cold cream is another favorite of Dr. Drays. Ponds cold cream has been around for a really long time, but it was not until recently that Ponds came up with a fragrance free version of their popular cold cream. This cream is effective to remove sunscreen, makeup, dirt and oil. It is very hydrating and perfect for anybody with dry, oily or sensitive skin. This will not clog your pores and is suitable for anybody with acne prone skin.
Dr. Dray recommends washing this cream off with a cleanser, just like other cleansing oils. The label on this cream recommends just wiping the cream off, however there have been reports of women getting various skin conditions because of unwashed cold creams. Dr. Dray recommends washing this off, her cleanser recommendations are below.
This cleansing balm has liquorish extract for a brightening effect to the skin, aloe vera is a good moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredient. This product is not fragrance free but since it is washed off from the face, that fragrance will not be terrible and Dr. Dray loves this product, as she states in her video. However, be wary if you have overly sensitive skin. Just massage this product lightly onto your face and it does a nice job at taking off your makeup and is relaxing!
This one contains shea butter, DONKEY MILK (What!), coconut oil and fragrances so be wary if you have oily, sensitive skin. This one works like the Banila Co Cleansing Balm and works just as well.
This fragrance-free cleansing balm is one of the more popular ones. This is a little drier than the other two balms mentioned, it requires a bit more of a tugging but is a good option to test out of you are looking for a good fragrance-free cleansing balm. It also comes in a travel size so that is a plus.
This cleansing balm will come off easily with just water, if you are not one for a double cleanse, this is a good choice. This product has fragrance, while the cleanser is good, and Dr. Dray enjoyed it, she does caution people with sensitive skin about products with fragrance in it.
Last but not the least, Albolene is Dr. Dray’s favorite cleansing balm. It is fragrance-free, it has mineral oil in it. Mineral oils get a bad rep, but dermatologists love mineral oils. This non-comedogenic cleansing balm is a simple, affordable cleansing balm that gets your makeup off easily. You will need water to get this off, so double cleanse with it is necessary.
Double cleansing method is an effective way to make sure you get all your makeup, sunscreen, mascara off. However, it is not the only way to clean your face. You can test it out, if it works for you, you can continue, if it does not work for you, that is fine too. It is not a requirement for skin care, it is what Dr. Dray and a million other people, including myself, do to wash their face and it might help you too.
Calm that skin, but more importantly calm that mind. Stay safe!
Top 11 Neutrogena Skin Care Products – Recommended by Dr. Dray
Hello beautiful people! Our favorite dermatologist Dr. Dray strikes again! Neutrogena is one of the biggest skin care brands in the United States, and across the world. Neutrogena has been around for several decades and most of us have at some point or another used at least one of the products offered by the brand. So, it is great that Dr. Dray dermatologist came up with some of the best skin care products by Neutrogena, this would help you next time you are looking for some amazing skin care products to add to your daily routine.
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
Neutrogena’s Top 10 Skin Care Products
Lets just get right into it:
1
Clear Face Break-Out Free Sunscreen SPF 30
2
Sensitive Skin Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50
3
Oil Free Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
4
Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (Fragrance Free)
5
Hydro Boost Extra Dry Sensitive Skin Hyaluronic Acid Gel Cream
This chemical sunscreen is ideal for us oily skin, acne prone people. It is fragrance free. This product also has an SPF 50 version, but Dr. Dray mentions the SPF 50 burns her skin, but probably if your skin is more tolerant you could give that one a try. This non-greasy, absorbent formula is great for people who are weary of using sunscreen because it makes them feel like a frying pan.
If you use only one skin care product, let it be a sunscreen!
The first one is a chemical-based sunscreen, while this one is a mineral sunscreen. It has SPF 50 and great for people with more sensitive skin. The ingredients in this sunscreen do not burn or sting your face. It is water resistant, it is not super drying, it is safe to use around your eyes. Yes, your eye lids need that beautiful SPF protection as well! It is light weight.
Unlike chemical sunscreens, this one leaves a white cast on the face. People with deeper skin tones might not enjoy that. However, it is great to use under makeup. It has a matt finish, and the white cast will be covered with makeup.
This product can be used for anybody with oily, acne prone skin. It is fragrance free, non-greasy. Dr. Dray recommends this to patients who use topical acne medications that can be drying. It prevents dryness and irritation. Give it a try.
Do not forget your hands, we are all dealing with dry hands, especially with the increase in use of hand sanitizers and washing of hands. You need to moisturize those hands! This hand cream absorbs quickly, it has a thick consistency, and it will provide a heathy hydration to those over washed hands.
Like I said, if you are going to use one skin care product, let it be a sunscreen, and if you are going to add a second product to your skin care routine, it needs to be a moisturizer.
This product is instant hydration for your skin. Dr. Dray suggests using this product under your eyes, as an eye cream. It can be used under other moisturizers as a spot treatment for areas that require more focused hydration. It can temporarily help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. You need a tiny amount of this, so this jar will last you a long time. Use it on your neck as well.
This product has salicylic acid, which is an excellent ingredient for those with acne prone, oily skin. I have used and loved this product. However, after watching Dr. Dray’s video I realized the correct way of using this is to leave it on the face for a few minutes before rinsing off.
This cleanser will work well even if you do not have acne, it helps exfoliate the skin, and helps with enlarged pores as well. Of course, like any other skin care product to be effective, you need to be consistent with it. Yes, yes CONSISTENCY, adding a dash of that to my cart. 2021, lets do it!
Note that this product has fragrance in it, but as Dr. Dray dermatologist points out. Fragrance is more problematic when using leave on products, like moisturizers and sunscreens. If you are going to wash the product off, a little fragrance will not do you harm, so it is okay to have fragrance in cleansers.
A word of Advice –
Salicylic Acid Cleansers should not be used around your mouth, eyes, or neck. The skin in those areas is more sensitive and it can cause irritation.
Are you looking for a good over the counter retinol for anti-aging purposes? Neutrogena makes one of the best products in this category, that will help reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines. They have one with fragrance, but as mentioned, this is a leave on product, so go for the fragrance-free version.
This product has an instant brightening, hydrating and smoothing effect. It is a retinol so over time you will notice peeling and some irritation as a side effect, long term use of this product will subside the peeling and irritation.
This fragrance-free oil is great to use as an oil cleanser to remove water resistant sunscreen and that pesky mascara, that refuses to go without a few eye lashes. This oil will help with that problem. This product is also great for people with dry skin, just put a few drops of this oil to the bath water and it will help anybody with eczema or dry skin.
This is a clarifying shampoo, to be used once a week. This shampoo is perfect for people who use a lot of hair care products, like gels, mouses, creams, dry shampoo. I would say it is a fantastic shampoo for us curly haired girls, our curls just need that gel! Hence, also a good clarifying shampoo that will help take care of that product build up.
This shampoo is great for scalp care. This shampoo has 3% salicylic acid and is great for anybody who has an oily scalp, scalp dandruff, bumps in the scalp or build up on the scalp. Do not use it on the hair strands, lather it to the scalp, massage it in, let it sit for a few minutes and wash it off. You do not need to apply this product down to the rest of the hair.
Both the hair products are safe for color treated hair.
This is a new retinol product in the market. Dr. Dray recently recommended this in one of her instagram posts as one of the best drugstore retinol products. The sustained action retinol in this Neutrogena product is a slow release encapculated retinol, that is clinically tested on actual patients. This one gets a thumbs up by our favrite dermatologist and one worth trying if you’re looking for an affordable retinol product.
Wrapping Up
Dr. Dray videos are great for anybody who wishes to improve the skin, and well, who does not want beautiful skin?! Here is her original video. The point of these blog posts is simply to spread her word, and to help anybody who prefers to read, it is useful to have all the info on one page. Feel free to take a screenshot of the table that I have on this page. You can refer to it next time you are looking for some amazing skin care products that actually work.
THE BEST SKIN CARE OF 2020 – RECOMMENDED BY DR. DRAY
Our favorite dermatologist, Dr. Dray came up with just the video that I had been waiting for! Skin care has suddenly overpowered makeup in the last couple of years, and the reason is that people have realized the importance of a good base. Without a good base to apply your makeup on, it becomes extremely difficult to make any makeup look good, let alone flawless.
Also, I think people are just more interested in beauty that is more permanent, as opposed to washable beauty. Do not get me wrong, I love me some washable beauty products, but the trend seems to suggest the rise in more permanent beauty. This might also explain the rise in cosmetic surgery.
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
Dr. Dray recently made a video about her top picks in skin care from the year that is thankfully on its way out! Aka, Dr. Dray’s list of some of the most effective skin care products from 2020. Lets just get right into it!
This amazing moisturizer can be used on your face, as well as the body. This moisturizer does not just add moisture to the skin, but also gently exfoliates the skin to help remove dry, dead skin cells. This also adds a glow to your skin. If this stings on your face, then skip the face, but continue using it as a body moisturizer.
2. Aveeno Calm + Restore Oats Gel Moisturizer:
According to Dr. Dray, this facial moisturizer should be used by anybody with skin. Count me in! Oily, dry, combination, sensitive skin types, this product is wonderful for all skin requirements. Oats are excellent for the skin. Dr. Dray goes on to say that this drugstore gem is much better than the high-end moisturizers out there. Do not sleep on this product.
3. Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer:
The simply packaging of the product might not attract you, but the product should. This lightweight hydrating moisturizer is everything you need in a facial moisturizer. Good for people with rosacea as well.
4. Dermatonic’s Soothing Foot Cream:
This foot cream reduces callus build up without eliminating it, yes! A little callus is required. Go figure! A lot to learn from Dr. Dray here! This product also reduces excess friction on your feet caused by running. This foot cream can also be used on your hands, the ingredients in this product are fabulous for the nails.
5. Eucerin Daily Hydration Hand Cream:
This year has been all about hand washing, a lot of people were shocked to hear that washing hands is a must. Silver lining of 2020 – Some good habits. Yes, washing is required! With excessive hand washing, comes excessive dryness, which is why hand creams have become an essential. This product also has SPF which is the most important aspect of any skin care routine. This company, Eucerin does not mess around with their products.
They make useful, simple yet effective and affordable products. Wow, I just used a lot of adjectives there, but yes this product works!
6. Necessaire The Hand Cream:
Here is another hand cream worth a try. This is a non-greasy, fragrance free hand cream. Wonderful for impatient people who do not want to wait around for creams to absorb. It is effective and quick to get the job done. Just wash your hands, slather on this hand cream and you are good to go. It is a good essential to have on your desk.
7. Specific Beauty Advanced Dark Spot Corrector Pads:
This is a great dermatologist created brand that has some great products. These dark spot corrector pads brighten the face without drying it up. It calms down the redness and helps fight hyperpigmentation.
I could not find this product on Amazon, but here is the mask version of the same product
8. It’s Skin Li Effector:
This serum helps reduce redness and adds a radiant brightness to the face. Who doesn’t want some extra glow? This product has amazing reviews and has worked for a lot of people in soothing their acne scars and clearing up the skin.
9. Skinsmart’s Anti Microbial Spray:
This product helps fight off bacteria and infections. I love this because it is a spray, and you just spray it on your skin for it to work. This is marketed as a facial product, but it can be used anywhere on your body. Especially good for people dealing with acne, caused by wearing face masks, aka, ME. It is perfect for anybody with sensitive skin, will also be helpful to those dealing with eczema.
10. The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm:
This affordable cleansing balm is a no-nonsense cleansing balm, that works. It is fragrance free, like all other products in this list. It is best to use fragrance free products on your skin. As effective as some of the more expensive cleansing balms and it is cruelty free too. This is a best seller on Sephora so go grab yourself one.
11. Blistex Simple and Sensitive Lip Balm:
This lip balm helps retain water in the lips, helps get rid of chapped lips, it is flavor free and effective.
12. Avene’s Cicalfate LIPS Restorative Lip Cream:
Promotes recovery of lips. It is a great product if you deal with dry, chapped lips. A problem a lot of us deal with during the winters, or other dry seasons. This product is a bit sticky, so if that bothers you, you could put it on right before bed. It is good at facilitating healing of the lips.
On a sidenote, this year has been difficult to say the least. It has been a challenging year and stress levels have been off the charts. I have quite a few posts about different ways to relieve stress and anxiety. Here is one of my posts to promote peace of mind. I hope it helps!
2020 has been all about skin care. People drifted a little away from makeup and more into skin care. YouTuber saw a rise in popularity of dermatologists like Dr. Dray, whose channel focusses on the best and the worst skin care products there are in the market. The Ordinary is one of the many popular skin care brands that the world witnessed in the last few years. The concept behind the brand is simply put – affordable skin care.
The Ordinary keeps the ingredients used in its skin care products transparent, the packaging simple, yet effective. The wide range of different skin care needs and the transparency of the ingredients makes it easy for consumers to pick and choose ones suitable to them. One bottle will last you a while!
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
When it comes to skin care, I always say, less is more. Any time that I have shown over enthusiasm with my skin care by using a ton of different products simultaneously, my skin has fought back with vengeance. The point being it is not recommended to use every skin care gem The Ordinary has to offer.
Pick one or two that would be best suited to your skin care needs. My sister got a consultation from The Ordinary’s customer care and they recommended way more products than anybody should need. Of course, they will try to sell their products as much as possible. So, how do you choose the best product for your skin? Dr. Dray, the popular dermatologist and her expertise have you covered!
The Best Products from The Ordinary
1. Natural Moisurizing Factors + HA
Looking for a radiant glow to your skin, while hydrating and facilitate skin barrier repair? This is a good recommendation by Dr. Dray. Moisturizer and sun screen are the two most important requirements for any skin, test this one out.
2. Marine Hyaluronics
Looking to plump off your skin, soothe out fine lines and wrinkles and hyperpigmentation? This is just the product for you.
3. Amino Acids +B5
Looking to hydrate the top dead layers of your skin? This product will help improve moisture retention of your skin and help with fine lines and wrinkles. The B5 is great for skin barrier recovery, which is required if you use a lot of products and notice irritation of your skin.
4. Buffet
Looking to boost up collagen in the deeper layers of your skin? This is the product for you. Dr. Dray’s personal favorite product from The Ordinary is fantastic to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines. It hydrates and helps reduce inflammation and irritation in the skin.
5. Caffein Solution +EGCG
Looking to reduce hyperpigmentation, morning puffiness or skin irritation? This is the one you should be looking for. This product can also help reduce dark circles, of course if the dark circles are genetic, no product will help but otherwise, it is a good product to include into your morning skincare routine.
6. Azelaic Acid Suspension
Looking to reduce acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma, rosacea? Do you have sensitive skin? This product is made for you! It is gentle and safe to use during pregnancy as well.
7. Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Looking to reduce large pores, blackheads, acne, do you have oily skin? Here is the product you have been looking for. Use this once or twice a week to clean, dry skin and rinse it off after ten minutes.
8. AHA/BHA Peeling Solution
Looking to exfoliate your skin? Who isn’t! This is the product for you. This is the most popular of all The Ordinary products, probably because of the red color? Do not let the appearance fool you, this product works. Like the salicylic acid masque, this product is also applied to clean, dry skin and rinsed off after ten minutes. No more than once or twice a week!
9. Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
Looking to exfoliate your sensitive skin? Have a deeper skin tone? This product is a better choice for you than the AHA/BHA Peeling solution. Deeper skin tones might suffer from hyperpigmentation if the skin reacts with certain ingredients, this product will take care of that while smoothening out the skin.
10. Squalane Cleanser
Looking for a soap free cleanser for your oily skin? We have a winner! This product is great to remove makeup as well, super gentle and non greasy.
WRAPPING UP
There we have it, top ten best The Ordinary products recommended by our favorite dermatologist, Dr. Dray, here is a link to her video for reference. It is always better to take skin care advice from a certified dermatologist, you can be sure that they know what they are talking about. The Ordinary products are affordable but please do not proceed to use them all at once! Pick one or two to incorporate into your skin care routine, you will love them!
Must Have Amazon Products for Sensitive Skin – Recommended by Dr. Dray
Are you afraid to try new products because you never know what your skin might hate and act out in anger at your experimentation? Do you frequently deal with acne flare ups, inflammation, bacterial infections, fungal infections, Rosacea, eczema?
Well my friend, you have sensitive skin, but do not worry, I have you covered! Well, YouTube’s favorite dermatologist Dr. Dray has you covered, and I am happy to be a messenger. After all, good skin is your right, and good skin care a requirement.
Here I am with another helpful blog about skin care must haves, straight from Dr. Dray’s YouTube Channel. These products are specially designed for people with sensitive skin. All products mentioned in this post are hypochlorous sprays. It is not bleach!
Hypochlorous is a compound that our immune system makes and uses to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungal infections. According to Dr. Dray this compound is used to sterilize hospitals and ironically is absolutely safe to use on the skin, not only is it great to kill bacteria, but it is also non-irritating and gentle enough for sensitive skin or rosacea prone skin. It does not burn or sting, it is anti-inflammatory, it helps people with acne and will not dry out your skin, like benzoyl peroxide does.
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
As mentioned above this facial cleanser is a hypochlorous spray and can help with many skin conditions. I have named a few below. It is also helpful, especially now that many people are dealing with acne caused because of masks, just spray some on your face and you are good to go on the go.
Do you wear makeup? These products can also be used on your makeup brushes to disinfect them. Our makeup brushes, as useful as they are with our makeup application, are also magnets to viruses and bacteria. Frequent washing of makeup brushes is a must, and after washing, spray this product on them to get rid of any remaining bacterial on your makeup brushes, that might cause skin problems on contact.
In a nutshell, this product will help you if you are dealing with any of the following skin conditions:
Face or Body Acne: Even though it says facial cleanser on the bottle, it is still safe to use on your body.
As the name suggests this hypochlorous foot spray is great for foot hygiene. Dealing with smelly feet? Here is the answer to that! The most common reason for smelly feet is sweat, it can be trapped between the toes due to socks, or shoes or simply warmer temperatures.
This foot spray helps get rid of the bacteria that causes the feet to sweat and in turn reduces the odor that is caused by that sweat. Dr. Dray also says that this spray will help with fungal infections on feet or toenails. It is not a treatment for foot fungus, but it helps to spray this consistently on your feet to reduce fungal infections.
Dr. Dray recommends keeping this SkinSmart Antimicrobial Foot Cleansing spray in your gym bag and spraying it on your feet before you put on your shoes and socks to disinfect your feet.
If any of these products are unavailable on amazon, just purchase the SmartSkin Facial Cleanser and feel free to use it for all sensitive skin needs. The ingredients are all the same, with different packaging!
3. SkinSmart Antimicrobial Eczema Therapy
Dr. Dray recommends this brand to her patients and viewers but she also enlightens us that while the packaging is different for various products they offer, and they market the different products to different consumers with various skin conditions, it is good to know that the ingredients are the same for all the products they offer.
This means that if you purchase the SkinSmart foot spray, it is perfectly fine to use it on your face, or body. Likewise, if you buy the SkinSmart Facial Cleanser, it will work just the same on your feet, arms, legs, makeup brushes, body.
The targeting different consumers is simply good marketing sense, after all, people will eczema are always looking for products with the word written on the label.
Hence, this product by the brand is also available. I suppose seeing the word on the product packaging also helps psychologically. It is like assurance that we are reaching out for the correct product for our skin care needs.
Basically, what I am saying is, this product is like The Flash, he could be The Flash from Earth 1, Earth 2 or Earth 30, he will still be the super hero destroying all the super villains, namely all skin conditions in this case.
Here it is, another great product by the brand that focuses on skin injuries. It can be sprayed on wounds to disinfect them; the spray removes the bacteria and helps them heal better. Just a reminder that all products have the same ingredients, they all work the same, they are all effective and give the promised results.
It is up to you, which packaging you prefer, and which label attracts you more, but do not be afraid to use them for all sensitive skin needs.
Wrapping Up
These spray products are fantastic to take with you on the go and do not have easy access to bathrooms. Going camping? Just put one in your bag to spray on yourself and those with you.Even if you do not have skin conditions, I would buy this product just to spray on all my makeup brushes and kill that pesky bacteria! It is a great non-toxic addition to your skin care requirements.
Stress is a major cause for skin problems, especially inflammation and acne, I have several posts that will help you relieve stress and anxiety and bring you a step closer to peace of mind. Find themhere!
Top 6 Retinol Products – Recommended by Dr. Dray Dermatologist
Retinol is a term for topical Vitamin A. Vitamin A consists of retinoic acid or Tretinoin, which is known for its anti-aging benefits. It boosts up collagen production in the skin which improves the condition of the skin by repairing it and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It removes sun damaged skin cells, not only that but it has also been discovered that Tretinoin can remove pre skin cancer cells.
Keep reading for some of Dr. Dray’s favorite cleansers to be used with retinol.
Retinol vs Tretinoin
Both Retinol and Tretinoin are Vitamin A derivatives, both Retinol and Tretinoin are known to treat the same skin conditions. Both Retinol and Tretinoin:
Stimulate Collagen in the Skin, making it more elastic
Reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines
Exfoliate the skin
Have anti-aging properties
Help with hyperpigmentation
So, how are they different?
Tretinoin is a synthetic version of Vitamin A, only available via prescription because it is very strong and not well tolerated by sensitive skin.
Retinol is a natural form of Vitamin A, it is milder, hence less irritating, and more tolerated by sensitive skin. Retinol does not require a doctor’s prescription, and easily available over the counter. Therefore, Retinol is more popular when it comes to skin care.
Please remember that moisturizing your skin regularly is a must when using retinoic acid or Tretinoin. Dr. Dray has some of her favorite moisturizers that she recommends, and I have them listed for you right here. Click for some of the best moisturizers for you!
Top 5 Retinol Products – Recommended by Dr. Dray Dermatologist
Dr. Dray Dermatologist is whom I trust when it comes to skin care. If you watch her videos, you will see what I am talking about. She does not recommend every skin care product under the sun. The two most basic products Dr. Dray recommends in her videos are moisturizer, and sunscreen. I only started using both these things last year after watching Dr. Dray and I saw a difference on my face in less than a week.
I have oily skin which is why I was under the misconception that I did not need to moisturize. Well, low and behold – I was wrong. It does not matter what your skin type is, oily, dry, acne prone, “combination”; you need a moisturizer, and you need it every day. That is something I still do not follow to a T but yes, daily moisturizer and sunscreen is imperative when it comes to skin care.
Other than that, if you want smoother looking skin, you want to fight signs of aging, reduce fine lines, or deal with acne, Retinol or other Vitamin A derivatives are great to add to your skin care routine. Here are The Best Retinols for Hyperpigmentation and anti-aging as recommended by Dr. Dray Dermatologist. You can click on the link, if you prefer the video format.
Dr. Dray reminds us that it is important to remember to introduce these products into your skin very slowly to minimize irritation and this also allows your skin to adjust to these products without acting out, start with once or twice a week, for the first few weeks.
Note: The product links in this post are for your benefit and mine. If you use them to make a purchase, I will get a small commission from Amazon, as part of their affiliate program. Thank you!
Adapalene – A third generation retinoic acid, that is recommended for people with sensitive skin, used to be exclusively available via prescription but now it is available over the counter to be bought by consumers. Mainly used by people with acne, recent studies have shown that Differin gel also has some anti-aging benefits and reduces the appearance of sunspots. This gel is already in its active state, so the skin does not have to do anything to prepare for it.
Dr. Dray’s Recommendation 2 – La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel Acne Treatment
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel Acne Treatment is the same as Differin. They are both the same drug, manufactured by different brands. Adapalene is an evidence-based ingredient that can brighten sunspots and pigmentation caused by the sun. It can also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
This ingredient can be used at nighttime, Dr. Dray recommends. It can be incorporated into your night routine. Dr. Dray recommends washing your face at the end of the day, make sure to get off all the makeup, oil, dirt, put on a moisturizer and let it fully absorb into your skin, and then apply Adapeline, that is Differin or La Roche-Posay’s Adapalene Gel. This method of application minimizes the irritation that some people experience after using Adapalene.
Alternatively, it can also be used during the day, since unlike Retinoic acid, Adapalene remains stable in the presence of light. It can be used on your arms as well.
Retinaldehyde improves the look of the skin by reducing wrinkles, fine lines, improves the appearance of pores, boosts collagen production, removes hyperpigmentation. It is less irritating than Adapalene because the skin takes longer to process the Vitamin A. It is also why it takes longer to show results, but it will show results over time. This product can be used around the eyes, around your mouth or the neck. Clinical studies have shown that this ingredient can improve the appearance of crow’s feet around the eyes.
Dr. Dray Dermatologist recommends using this product in your nighttime skin care routine, it can work well as your nighttime moisturizer to your face and neck. Just make sure your face and neck are clean before you use this. It can also be used as a spot moisturizer. It is expensive so you can use your regular moisturizer all over your face, and then use this as a spot moisturizer for areas that need more help.
Let’s Talk about Retinol for Skin Care
The skin needs to perform two steps for retinols to work, which is why retinols take longer than adapalene and retinaldehyde to work. However, there is evidence that long term use of retinol can help improve your skin by producing more collagen into the skin, reducing fine lines, it has anti-aging properties as well.
Unlike, the before mentioned ingredients, adapalene and retinaldehyde, retinol is mainly a cosmetic and not an FDA approved ingredient for anything. Dr. Dray claims that not all retinols are created equally, which is why she is cautious and choosy when it comes to picking and recommending a product with retinol in it for skin care.
This product not only helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines, but it is also effective when it comes to getting rid of post acne redness and discoloration. It has niacinamide and licorice extracts, the combination of these two ingredients along with retinol, can work wonders when it comes to dealing with hyper pigmentation. A lot of people believe that topical Vitamin A should not used by people with rosacea, however, it has been seen that this product has helped people with rosacea. Start with one night a week and try building it gradually.
Apply a moisturizer first, and once that has completely dried up, use this retinol serum just before going to bed. It is best suited to people in their twenties and thirties that are looking for anti-aging products.
This Retinol product is Dr. Dray’s favorite, this product is super moisturizing, can be used as a nighttime moisturizer around the eyes (just do not get it inside your eyes, like all other Vitamin A products) face, neck, around the mouth and arms. This product stings a little when you apply it, it says so on the lable. The slight tingling sensation goes away soon enough.
Dr. Dray dermatologist recommends using this product at night. Cleanse your skin properly and apply this retinol product when the skin is a little damp. The slow release sustained action of this retinol will not cause an irritation on your skin if used this way, unlike the other Retin A ingredients, like Adapalene, which should not be used on damp skin.
This super moisturizing retinol product has been tested vastly in laboratories, and studies conducted over a year suggest that this product showed continued improvement in the condition of skin, by reducing wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation; it is an anti-aging powerhouse, and the fact this it is also a moisturizer, this product is particularly well suited for people with sensitive skin.
This is a new retinol product in the market. Dr. Dray recently recommended this in one of her instagram posts as one of the best drugstore retinol products. The sustained action retinol in this Neutrogena product is a slow release encapculated retinol, that is clinically tested on actual patients. This one gets a thumbs up by our favrite dermatologist and one worth trying if you’re looking for an affordable retinol product.
Cleansers to be Used with Retinols – Also Dermatologist Dr. Dray Recommended
Usage of retinol can really benefit the skin, however it can dry out your skin. A key to success with using retinol or Vitamin A derivatives is to avoid really hot water, avoid scrubbing your face or using a harsh cleanser. It is important to use a gentle facial cleanser, especially when using a retinol.
Dr. Dray recommends these gentle, non soap, fragrance free cleansers to be used with your Retinol:
This cleanser is another favorite of Dr. Dray’s. It has licorice root in it which is anti-inflammatory, and helps calm down redness. It also has glycerin which is hydrating, hydration is key when it comes to cleansers, especially while using retinols. Here is a travel size one that you can try out first.
Adapalene is the most well suited when addressing acne and hyperpigmentation, however it is also the ingredient most likely to cause irritation and dryness and not tolerated well by everybody. Retinaldehyde requires your skin to oxidize first, to work, which is why it takes longer to see results after using this product. It is best suited for people with crow’s feet around their eyes, wrinkles around the mouth and to rejuvenate the neck. Retinols require the skin to do two things before they can start working, the results definitely take longer, but with consistent usage, retinols, as data based evidence shows, can visibly help improve your skin.
Looking for an eye cream that works? Read on to find out the top 8 eye creams, recommended by Wayne Goss.
I am very much a minimalist when it comes to skin care and I often find myself wondering if a certain product actually works or is just a gimmick, a fad if you will. One of the most debated products when it comes to this are eye creams. Do eye creams work, or are they simply a fad created by major brands to sell more products to naïve consumers?
To find out, I did what I do best, research. Good old Google to the rescue. Here is what I discovered – There are two points of view when it comes to the practicality of eye creams.
Eye creams are not required, and any other face moisturizer can do the job.
It is good sense to use a specialized eye cream for the sensitive skin under the eyes.
Some believe that eye creams are not required, others say they are definitely worth it. However, everybody agrees that the skin under the eyes is much more sensitive than the skin on the rest of the face, whether you are on Team A or Team B, it makes good sense that different skin requires different ingredients. It is not a stretch to say that it is reasonable to have products specializing in different needs. After all, you will not wash your body with shampoo, now would you? One specializes in skin, and the other in hair.
As mentioned, the skin under the eyes is overly sensitive, which is why it ages faster than the rest of the face. It wrinkles faster, which is where eye creams come into play. The function of an effective eye cream is therefore to smoothen out the skin under the eyes and reduce or postpone the look of wrinkles. Thus, the ingredients that help achieve that have been suggested by skin care experts. So, what are some ingredients to look for when looking into an eye cream?
Retinol: It is no secret that retinol is one of the best anti-aging ingredients.
Vitamin C: Also, one skin care ingredient that a lot of brands have discovered, explored, exploited.
Ceramides: Super helpful when it comes to moisturizing. The only way you can avoid wrinkles, is through sunscreen and moisturizer.
Note: The product links in this post are for your benefit and mine. If you use them to make a purchase, I will get a small commission from Amazon, as part of their affiliate program. Thank you!
Who is Wayne Goss? Now if you clicked on this post, you probably already know who Wayne Goss is. But, in case you do not, Wayne Goss is a makeup artist, one of the original YouTubers and a businessman. People know and love Wayne Goss for his expertise, as well as his humble, honest opinions about makeup and skin care brands and products.
Wayne Goss recently uploaded a video about The Best Eye Creams that Really Work, and I wanted to share it in a blog post format. His video is linked if you prefer a video format.
Here it is:
1. Aurelia – Brightening Eye Serum:
It can be applied under and around the eyes, including the eye lids. It reduces inflammation, helps reduce wrinkles and helps the skin repair itself. Brightens the eye and helps reduce dark undereye circles. This eye cream also helps to minimize the puffiness that might come with age.
Identified earlier as one of the best ingredients for the thin undereye skin, Ceramides. If it is included in the name of a product, you know it is one of the main ingredients in it. This eye cream is very, very thick, and perfectly suited for people with extremely dry skin under the eyes. It also contains Vitamin C and Retinol, which are also incredibly effective ingredients when it comes to eye creams or serums.
3. Elizabeth Arden – Prevage
Super effective, and super expensive, this one comes with a metal spoon and an SPF 15. Sunscreen is imperative when it comes to skin care. No skin care will do any good if the skin is not being protected against the Sun. This product will help from sun damage, as well as smoothen out those wrinkles from under your eyes.
4. Skin Glow London – Glow Mask Eye Mask
This is an ideal eye cream for people who prefer using eye masks, as opposed to eye creams or serums. This Glow Mask Eye Mask has Vitamin C in it, also mentioned before as one of the main ingredients to watch out for when it comes to eye creams. Vitamin C will add a brightening effect to your eyes, which is never a bad thing.
5. CeraVe – Eye Repair Cream
This is a nice, pocket friendly option for those of us who need just a little TLC for our eyes. Not as effective as the other products, but still pretty good and gets the job done by keeping the dry under eye skin hydrated.
6. Charlotte Tilbury – Magic Eye Rescue
Similar to CeraVe’s Eye Repair Cream, this Magic Eye Rescue will not help fix your dark circles, puffiness or wrinkles but it works well in keeping that skin hydrated, healthy and moisturized.
7. La Roche-Posay – Redermic
This eye cream works wonders because it contains Retinol, which is a super product when it comes to skin care. However, this product can be used under the eyes but not around it. Retinol cannot be used too close to the eyes, so use with caution.
8. La Roche-Posay – Tolerian
Another eye cream that is not result based, but it will add hydration to the sensitive skin underneath the eyes and create a smoothness in that area.
Wrapping Up
Under eye creams are not as important as sunscreens for the skin, but for skin enthusiasts, it is a good thing to consider. Not a must have as far as I am concerned but if you are looking for something to reduce the dark undereye circles, wrinkles, or dry patches underneath the eye, these eye creams are definitely worth your time and money. And, it is worth mentioning, that these eye creams help create a smooth canvas for makeup application. You can reduce creasing of concealers, foundations, and powders by first applying an eye cream to the area. That is good news for makeup lovers!
Holiday Gift Guide – 7 Unique Gifts that Promote Peace of Mind
It is that magical time of the year again. The leaves are turning brown, the hot summer breeze is turning a bit cooler, a bit calmer like a balm for the tired soul. We are also getting closer to the holidays. It is going to be Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas and before we know if. We can finally bid adieu to this very strange year that is thankfully almost out the door.
It feels great to receive gifts, but it feels even better to give gifts. It is the entire process of selecting the best gift for someone amazing and watching their eyes sparkle with joy when they open it up in front of you. Sometimes the process can be a bit confusing, when you want to step away from the traditional candy and flowers, when you want to do something that is a bit more thought provoking than a gift card. While I have nothing against those gifts, sometimes you just want to put in a little extra effort into the art of gift giving.
Some people deserve just a little extra effort, and sometimes it is just fun for you to find these unique gifts for special people in your life. I wanted to also stick with the theme of cleverandclassy.com; so, this Holiday Gift Guide is not only going to consist of unique gift ideas, but also promote peace of mind.
Almost every single person is struggling with some amount of stress in his or her life, which is unfortunate, and calls for a little pick-me-up, a little relief from stress, a little me-time, so let’s get into some unique gift ideas for peace of mind and self-love; or we can say show them how they deserve some self-love and lots of peace of mind.
Note: The inserted images from amazon are for your benefit and mine. They give you a better idea of the products I talk about; and if you use my link to make any purchase, I make a small commission from Amazon as part of their Amazon Affiliates Program.
Holiday Gift Guide for Unique Gift Ideas
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 1 (Baths for Peace of Mind)
Think calming, think baths. Nothing relieves stress and anxiety, and brings peace of mind faster than a nice, warm, long, soothing bath. I am thinking bubbles, I am thinking bath salts, I am thinking bath bombs. Depending on your budget, you can make a little bath bundle of joy and it would make a lovely, thoughtful, unique gift for the wonderfully classy ladies in your life. Not trying to say that men cannot enjoy a soothing bath, I would definitely recommend the amazing men in your life to try it out; Chandler Bing loved it, they will too!
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 2 (Candles for Peace of Mind)
Candles! I did a post on candles and scented candles for peace of mind. Click here if you want to read it. Candles are soothing, they are known to relieve stress, they look magical, feel magical and are loved by elegant ladies and gentlemen throughout the world. Candles make a lovely gift for any occasion, be it the holiday season, birthday, Mother’s Day, or graduation.
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 3 (Music for Peace of Mind)
Give your loved ones the gift of music, one of the most common and the most effective ways to relieve stress and anxiety is by listening to music. I am not just saying that this has been proved by several surveys conducted over the past several years about stress, anxiety, and peace of mind.
I am not talking about buying some CDs, though that does not sound like such a bad idea, a mixed tape with some of their favorite songs is always a thoughtful gift that shows you bothered enough to put some thought and effort into the gift. Let’s take it a notch up, how about a Vintage Portable Record Player.
I came across this on Amazon and was amazed to see the price. It is under $45, looks amazing and it is available in so many classy, cool colors to choose from.
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 4 (Massages for Peace of Mind)
If you are interested in gifting gift cards or cash, then I would suggest gift an experience, a visit to the Spa, a gift card to a masseuse sounds amazing. Just the sound of a massage soothes you. There are a bunch of different massagers to choose from, and you do not have to break your bank balance to get one.
There are some amazing options ranging from $10 to $100. You can get a massager for the face, or a foot massager, a back massager, or a neck massager. The list is endless, looks like I might have to do a post dedicated to different massagers available. However, for now, I am linking some of my favorites below.
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 5 (Tea for Peace of Mind)
In my post about 7 Secret Foods for Instant Stress Relief, I mention Teas for peace of mind. Chamomile, peppermint, Orange tea is amazing to promote peace of mind. The chamomile or peppermint, the smell is enough to soothe your soul, and provide some instant stress relief.
These ingredients along with the calming aroma, the warmth from the tea combined with the sound of pouring this hot concoction into your favorite cup is enough to make you feel rejuvenated and a great gift for any tea lover in your life.
Holiday Gift Guide Tip: You can bundle up two or more of these gift ideas, or some of your own, into one gift basket, cutely wrapped with ribbons for some extra points. Yes, no one should be scoring you on what gifts you bring but you know what I mean.
Some assorted teas, a candle and a bath set would make for a perfect little goodie bag for any occasion. Ooohh, add in some dark chocolate to the mix and you are golden.
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 6 (Journaling for Peace of Mind)
Journaling is a fantastic way to relieve stress and anxiety. It is recommended by all therapists, and who am I to argue. Journaling is a healthy, simple, and effective way to heal yourself, and it promotes sharing your problems, venting out by writing them down. It does not require anybody else, just you, your thoughts, and your journal. There are some great options to choose from, and again this would be a great item to add to your gift basket if that is what you are opting for.
Holiday Gift Guide – Idea 7 (Weighted Blanket for Peace of Mind)
Personally, I am a big fan of cozy, fluffy, soft bed sheets, pillow covers, duvet covers, like many other girly girls all around the world. Weighted blankets are a fairly new concept, and they have become popular because of the comfy, cozy, feel. Weighted blankets feel like a big giant hug. What calms you down more than a long, meaningful hug? The answer to that is nothing. So, hugs for peace of mind. You do not always have someone to give you a hug when you need one, so a weighted blanket is the second-best option. Here is a great article about weighted blankets and every thing you need to know about them, on Forbes.
Wrapping Up
Gifts should not be about how much money you are spending, I know that is what it has become about, someone’s love for you cannot be measured by how much money they spent on you. Gift giving is an art, it is about the thought put into the gift. I would rather get a ten-dollar bath set, or an assorted tea set, than hundred dollars in cash. The former shows a little more effort, and that is the art of gift giving. I hope this Holiday Gift Guide was helpful, again, these gift ideas can be used for gifting, or for yourself, for any occasion. Happy Holidays!
Top 10 Cetaphil Skin Care Products – Recommended by Dr. Dray
Cetaphil is one of the most popular skin care brands in the world today, especially in the US. Nestle worked closely with medical experts to formulate the Cetaphil range of products, that are gentle, and suit people with different skin needs.
Cetaphil products boast of using very few ingredients, which is what you should look for when looking to buy skin care products. I have learned the hard way, that like many other things, when it comes to skin, little goes a long way. The more the merrier approach does not always work, and watching Dr. Dray videos reinforces that belief.
Every time I have been over enthusiastic about skin care, I end up using a ton of different products with a ton of different ingredients in them and all they did was ruin my skin, just before that party I wanted to look good for.
Note: The product links in this post are for your benefit and mine. If you use them to make a purchase, I will get a small commission from Amazon, as part of their affiliate program. Thank you!
The main reason why people love Cetaphil and the reason why the brand has managed to make such a name for itself is:
Gentle, mild skin care
Most of the Cetaphil products are fragrance free, fragrance in products can cause more harm than good. A lot of people are allergic to fragrance without even knowing it.
Affordable
Effective
I recently got into skin care and my favorite youtuber for all things skin is Dr. Dray, her channel has really helped me, and I wish I had started watching Dr. Dray videos sooner. I started wearing sunscreen and moisturizer only after watching her videos, and boy! I would have never known how imperative these two products are for your skin. I am pretty skeptical when it comes to a lot of things you see online but when Dr. Dray, who is a Dermatologist recommends a product, I know it is good!
Dr. Dray has never steered me the wrong way, when it comes to skin care. If you have not, I would recommend you watch her videos on youtube. She did a video about her top 10 Cetaphil skin care products, and I wanted to share, because I know it is going to help a lot of people searching for some good quality skin care. Here is the link to Dr. Dray’s video if you would rather see this in a video format. Not going to make it too technical with all the scientific derma terms, but here is all the necessary information you might want, in simple, layman’s terms.
Top 10 Cetaphil Skin Care Products
1. Cetaphil Dermacontrol Purifying Clay Mask: This product is useful if you have oily skin.
Removes grease and excess oil from pores
Helps rejuvenate your oily skin by waking it up
Helps you avoid excessive cleansing that will rip the moisture off your face
Improves appearance of blackheads and pores
It is a moisturizing product so it will not dry out your skin completely
Helps improve application of makeup
Use it a few times a week, rinse it after 10 minutes for the benefits
2. Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion: This simple, no gimmick, no hassle moisturizer can be used if you have oily, dry or combination skin.
Hyaluronic acid helps hydrate the skin
Lightweight formula
Gel like consistency
Improves the look of wrinkles and fine lines
Absorbs into the skin super-fast
Non greasy, serum like formula
Use it after cleansing your face
3. Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30: Useful for people who are dealing with acne and using topical products to help get rid of acne.
Chemical sunscreen that will not leave a cast
Moisturizer helps keep the skin nice and dewy
Sunscreen helps protect the skin from the sun, Duh!
Light weight formula
Improves the look of shininess
Use of moisturizer should not be reduced if you have acne, this product helps in that and in doing so helps with acne as well
4. Cetaphil Redness Relieving Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 20: This tinted moisturizer can be used for people with dry skin, oily skin, Rosacea, acne prone, sensitive skin.
The tint helps people with post acne hyper pigmentation
Calms down redness
The caffein in it is an antioxidant
Can be used by people with pale to medium skin tones because of the tint
Will leave a cast on deeper skin tones
5. Cetaphil Redness Relieving Night Moisturizer: Same as no. 4, but without the SPF so it is to be used at night.
Helps with redness and irritation
The niacinamide helps repair skin
Helps with hyper pigmentation and rosacea
6. Cetaphil Pro Eczema Soothing Moisturizer: Useful for people with eczema.
Helps people with eczema
This product does not sting, many moisturizers cause stinging sensation to people with eczema
Helps hydrate skin without causing excessive oiliness
Very Light weight formula
8. Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream: Such a simple name for a simple yet amazingly effective product for very dry skin.
It is very moisturizing, quite heavy
Ideal for the body, might be too much for the face
Helps Restore skin
9. Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash: Dr. Dray recommends minimizing the use of body washes, however cleansing your body is a must. For that purpose, this gentle body wash by Cetaphil is ideal.
It cleanses the body without stripping it off the essential oils
Gentle for people with eczema and sensitive skin
It is gentle, fragrance free and works as a simple body cleanser
10. Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream with Aloe: This is a new release by Cetaphil. Aloe vera is soothing for most skin, however some people might be allergic to it, so look into that before applying products with aloe vera.
Helps with sun burns
Brightens the skin
Helps restore the skin
Absorbs into the skin fast
Has a cooling effect on the skin that soothes itchy skin
Gentle enough to be used on the face as well as the body
Very few ingredients
Wrapping Up
Cetaphil is ideal for people who just need results and are looking for simple products for specific skin issues. There is something for everybody. I have started looking for dermatologists for advice related to skin, and it is useful to listen to an expert, who knows more than a thing or two about skin and skin requirements.
Like I mentioned before, keeping things minimalistic helps improve quality of life, as well as quality of skin. Makeup is great, I love makeup, but nothing will look good if the base is not healthy. That is where skin care comes in. You want makeup, but you NEED skin care, especially the two basic products – Sunscreen and Moisturizer.
Cetaphil is respected and loved throughout the world, so I am sure there is something for you in this list of top 10 Cetaphil products.
