Summer Dry Skin

For the past couple of weeks, my feet have been itching like crazy. I thought I had somehow gotten athlete's foot. I sprayed Lotrimin twice a day, but nothing changed. Perplexed, I did what many would do in this situation: I googled it. What I never considered came up; it was probably dry feet. So, I started lotioning my feet with great zeal, and turns out that my problem was a case of dry feet.

On Thursday, I visited the Bobbi Brown counter because I needed some corrector. The lady who helped me and gave me a complete makeover told me my face was very dry and that the products weren't working like they should because of it. Huh. I always put on moisturizers twice a day, but I wasn't as consistent these last few weeks. So, needless to say, I'm dry all over. I've been applying lotions and moisturizers more vigilantly than before. In case you're in the same boat, here's what I've been using.

I'll be honest. I have a thing for lotions. That is the main reason I have so many listed here.

My favorite hand lotion is Aveda Hand Relief. It has amazing, deep moisturizing properties. My hands are smooth and hydrated for hours. Plus, it smells like a spa retreat. Not that I've ever been on a spa retreat, but it's how I imagine it would be.

 

 

For my body, I use Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. This one is fragrance-free, so it's good for work. It glides on smoothly and gets soaked up pretty quickly. I also use Neutrogena Body Oil after my shower. Just a little amount will do! It has a great fragrance to it and makes the skin feel great. It's perfect after shaving.

Lastly, for my feet, I use Bath and Body Works Twisted Peppermint. This is only available at Christmas time. I love a mint feeling on my feet, especially in the summer. I don't like peppermint lotion in the winter since it makes me feel cold, so I save it for the summer.

This is my arsenal! I have to stop myself sometimes when I find other lotions and remind myself that I have plenty. What do you use?

Loves: Face Products

Growing up, my mother stressed the importance of taking care of my face. There are many products you need or want that you don't need to buy the most expensive or name brand option. Facial products aren't one of those. Having the right products for your needs can make all the difference in the world. After all, your face is what is noticed and scrutinized most.

The past few months, I have been playing with new products to find the one for me. Now that I live in Puget Sound, WA, my face has changed a bit with the new climate, so I've changed my products, too. No longer am I prone to oil; rather, I tend to be dry.

For my face wash/scrub, I use Neutrogena Naturals. Many dermatologists say that since the wash isn't on the skin for long, you don't have to invest a lot of money into your product. Still, you don't want plain soap. Neutrogena is always an excellent choice for any product you need. I really love their new Naturals line. It's very gentle.

After the washing, follow with a toner. Yes, toners are good. They help reduce pore size and remove any leftover dirt the cleanser might have missed. For now, I am using Burt's Bees Rose Water toner. I really enjoy it, but it contains alcohol which can dry out the skin. Not only does it smell great, it also can be used as a cleanser if you're in a hurry or your water is out.

Now, for my favorite brand: Clarins. After a long search, I have fully realized that Clarins works the best for my skin. Happily, there is a Clarins outlet store about an hour from where I live, so I can get my products cheaper than if I were to buy them in, say, Macy's. What I love about the outlet is they have gift sets of full-sized products for about the same price as the product alone. Needless to say I have racked up over the past few months. Below, is my treasure trove.

Aside from facial products, Clarins has amazing body products like body oils, makeup, and excellent lotion.

I truly believe in the power of face products. Preserve your face while you can, and put on sunscreen!