I refuse to be dry this winter…

I refuse to be dry this winter…

I can’t speak for everyone, but winter is quickly approaching and for some of us that means less sunlight and drier air. That combination can lead to dull, dry skin but not if I can help it! I have a normal/dry skin type and have put together a nice list of moisturizers that are just right for this time of year. These moisturizers are known to replenish, brighten, nourish and overall be a great aid to keeping the skin barrier plump and hydrated.

Sunday Riley

C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream

MSRP: $65.00

This moisturizer is thick and rich in texture. Has a light citrus scent. The vitamin C in this cream is a well-known antioxidant and helps prevent and repair visible signs of premature aging. This cream also has lime pearl, this is extracted from the caviar lime and is a natural AHA, so it gently exfoliates the skin. I love how it brightens and hydrates the skin.

Neutrogena

Hydro-boost Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid for Dry Skin

MSRP: $21.49

This moisturizer was my first introduction to the benefits of hyaluronic acid. It instantly quenches the skin and holds moisture all day. It has a gel cream consistency. Leaves the skin feeling soft, supple, and plump.

Sweet Chef Skincare

Superfood + Vitamins Moisture Boost

MSRP: $19.00

Rich yet lightweight this moisturizer is super hydrating and full of antioxidants. It has hyaluronic acid and ginger, beet, and kale. Ginger is known for its healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits; in this moisturizer it revives dull skin. The beet helps boost the skins moisture levels and leaves it feeling softer and visibly smoother. Kale is known to naturally hydrate and calm the skin.

Fenty Skin

Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen

MSRP: $35.00

I love this moisturizer/sunscreen combo. Its rich is texture and has a light sweet cherry scent. This moisturizer brightens, hydrates and has added sun protection. Yes, you still need sunscreen in the winter. This moisturizer also helps visibly reduce dark spots and fine lines.

CeraVe

Moisturizing Cream

MSRP: $18.99

This moisturizer is rich and creamy. Its rich in ceramides and hyaluronic acid with a slow release system to help keep the skin hydrated all day. I love using it in the winter since it so rich.

FENTY SKIN UPDATE

FENTY SKIN UPDATE

It’s been a month and my verdict is THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!!!!

Okay so let us start with how I got my hands on their Start’r Kit. I ordered it the day before official launch thanks to signing up to receive emails from Fenty Skin. Once my order was placed it was a calm 10 days before it arrived on my door. By then I had seen plenty of influencer and esthetician first impressions of the products. I still went in with a clean slate and ready to give my own impression of this line so far.

In the Start’r Pack ($75) I received the:

Fenty Skin Total Cleans’r

Total Cleans’r $25

Remove- it- all cleanser. Hydra clean, soft skin without stripping or drying. Daily cleanser and makeup remover in one.

Fenty Skin Fat Water

Fat Water $28

Pore-refining toner serum. Instantly refines the look of pores. Reduces the look of dark spots. Evens skin tone and fights shine without stripping skin.

Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor

Hydra Vizor $35

Invisible moisturizer broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen. Use every single day – no excuses! Apply before makeup or the ultimate canvas.

Lets start with step one in this simple 3 step routine.

Cleansing

The container for the Total Cleans’r is pretty cool. It has this twist/snap top. “When you’re done, cut open the tube, scoop out (and use!) the last of the goop, then rinse the tube. Then, separate the cap and the tube and recycle both.” The cleanser itself is THICK. It reminds me of a mask how thick it is but once emulsified it feels as smooth as buttercream. It has a sweet aromatic scent. Not too heavy but it’s there. If you are extremely sensitive to scents/fragrance I suggest you use this whole line at your own discretion that acerola cherry and coconut scent is there. A little goes a long way so at $25 a bottle you are getting your money’s worth. It is said to remove it all, including makeup. Well they did not lie! Granted for my sanity I washed my face twice using the cleanser, but all the makeup was removed in the first wash and my skin did not feel dry after cleansing twice!

Now for the stuff that piqued my interest. The ingredients! I’ll keep it brief and just focus on what stood out to me.

Barbados acerola cherry – credited with antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties because of its high ascorbic acid content. It is also hydrating and said to enhance capillary strength.

Ginkgo Biloba– credited with antioxidant properties, it also appears to aid fibroblast cells in the production of collagen and elastin. It is also an anti-inflammatory and beneficial anti-aging ingredient.

Green tea – a powerful antioxidant. Known to be an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and a stimulant. Due to its antioxidant properties it is usually incorporated into anti-aging formulations.

What took away from these ingredients is this cleanser is going to keep me looking youthful for a long time. The Total Cleans’r is oil free, non-comedogenic and for all skin types.

On to step two: Toning.

The Fat Water is exactly what it sounds like, fat water. Okay in all seriousness this toner is a nice hybrid of toner and serum. It has a thicker than water but thinner than gel consistency. They were not lying when they said it “instantly refines the look of pores.” This is one of the few products I have seen make “instant” claims and saw the results for myself.

Toners are typically used to tone, or tighten the skin and serums are concentrated ingredients that target specific skin conditions, they are formulated with smaller molecules that are able to penetrate further into the skin thus making it more effective. Fat Water combines these two properties to create this great product that instantly reduces oil on the skin and improves the look of pores while targeting and reducing the look of dark spots.

How does it target dark spots? Well, lets check out the ingredients.

Niacinamide- used as a skin stimulant and skin smoother. A derivative of niacin and a part of the vitamin B family. Niacin also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble conditioning agent that improves rough, dry, or flaky skin. When used in skincare products niacinamide is proven to enhance the appearance of dry or damaged skin by reducing flaking and restoring suppleness. It is also said to help reduce the look of dark spots, even skin tone and fight excess shine.

Barbados cherry (acerola) – in the formulation the standout property is it is rich in vitamin C which is a natural skin brightener. Apparently, the acerola cherry has more vitamin C than an orange.

Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) water- credited with anti-inflammatory, astringent, and wound-healing properties.

Japanese raisin tree extract- helps to detoxify the skin

Just like the cleanser the Fat Water is oil free, non-comedogenic, and for all skin types.

On to the final step in this routine: Moisturize/Sunscreen!!

The Hydra Vizor is everything I love in a moisturizer, rich, hydrating, nourishing with a pleasant scent.  The cherry on top is the broad-spectrum SPF 30 property. Fenty claims Hydra Vizor will “clap back at dehydration, discoloration, dark spots.” And they kept their word. This sunscreen is also makeup friendly, meaning it does ball up under your makeup (pilling) and there is no flashback!

The sunscreen is lightweight, reduces the visibility of pores and fine lines. Now let’s get into the ingredients. This sunscreen was not featured in my sunscreen post because at the time I had yet to receive it and it is very new to the market.

Active Ingredients

Avobenzone 3%

Homosalate 9%

Octisalate 4.5%

Inactive Ingredients (that stand out)

Aloe vera (we already discussed this)

Niacinamide (see above)

Barosma betulina leaf extract- the main active component of Buchu leaves is a flavonoid called diosmin that can act as an APN (aminopeptidase N) inhibitor. Meaning it helps the skin produce less sebum.

Carthamus tinctorius (safflower) oleosomes- for starters oleosomes are micron sized spheres that store emollient plant oils among other things. Safflower oleosomes are created from safflower seeds and carry safflower seed oil and vitamin E. Oleosomes work both as natural emulsifiers as well as time-released delivery systems. They do not break down on the skin immediately, they instead collapse slowly and deliver the stored emollient plant oil and vitamin E over an extended period of time giving the skin long lasting moisture.

Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seed extract– in this form it is used as an emollient. It is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. Ingredient suppliers and product manufacturers attribute it with skin-regeneration and restricting properties.

Hyaluronic acid- this acid occurs naturally in the dermis. It plays a critical role in healthy skin by controlling the physical and biochemical characteristics of epidermal cells. Hyaluronic acid is a natural moisturizer with excellent water-binding capabilities. Its water absorption abilities and large molecular structure allow the epidermis to achieve greater suppleness, proper plasticity, and turgor. Its ability to retain water gives immediate smoothness to rough skin surfaces and significantly improves skin appearance.

As you can see this product is all about protecting and hydrating the skin. I love it! A moisturizer that hydrates, replenish and protect the skin from the sun? Send me all of it!!!

My overall impression and review of Fenty Skin is so far, so good. I thoroughly enjoyed all the products. I have not had any negative reactions to anything which I was afraid of before. Also these products really are for all skin types but those extremely sensitive to fragrance should probably again use at their own discretion. Scents do not bother me so I actually enjoy the cherry/coconut aroma.

Check out the videos below of me using the Fenty Skin Start’r Kit.

washing my face with the Fenty Skin Total Cleans’r
wrapping up my skincare routine