My Eye Care Products :)

The skin around my eyes has been very dry lately. I needed to find a moisturizing skin care product for the eye area quickly. I picked up a jar of Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream since it’s very affordable. I also started using The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% EGCG again. I know it may lead to another disappointment. I have it, so why not try it again?

Here are my thoughts on each product so far. I’ve been using both for less than a week. Let’s begin with Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream.

I didn’t think Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream did that much until I finished my last jar. It’s a creamy, rich formula that prevents the skin from feeling too tight and dry. Once I started using it again, my skin felt so much better. What I really love about this cream is that it doesn’t cost a lot, lol. It’s meant to be used on the whole face and neck, but I’m just using it as an eye cream. It seems to be working just fine. I needed a rich, heavy product to use on the skin around my eyes anyway. After less than a week, it’s doing something just a few days in. And that is, keeping the skin around my eyes from drying up and feeling too tight. The feeling of skin tightness is really awful.

I picked up using Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% EGCG again. I’ve tried this product so many times before. The first application felt great. It helped tighten the skin around the eyes. But it eventually left the skin feeling a bit dry. I don’t use Ordinary Caffeine Solution with 5% EGCG alone. I use it with Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream to prevent my skin from drying out. It’s working for the time being. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with ongoing use. I hope it helps with dark under-eye circles. I noticed that I developed darkening of the under eyes over time when I stopped using skin care products on this area of my face. We’ll see how both products will go. So far, so good. 🙂

That’s my first update on Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream and Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% EGCG. Stay tuned for my next update!

Review: CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum

I finished using CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum. It lasted about 7-8 months. Just a guess. I’ve been using it on and off for a while. More on this product….

• Defends the skin against free radicals
• Antioxidant
• Skin brightening
• Improves the appearance of fine lines, dark circles, and uneven skin tone
• Contains 10% vitamin c (L-ascorbic acid)
• Visibly brighten complexion
• Soft, radiant, and healthy-looking skin
• Contains 3 essential ceramides to restore protective skin barrier
• Hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 for hydration
• MVE Technology for controlled release for all day hydration
• For all skin types
• For sensitive skin
• Protective packaging to prevent oxidation
• Non-comedogenic
• Paraben-free
• Fragrance-free

I was very excited about this vitamin c serum since it contains 10% L-ascorbic acid, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. After skimming the ingredient list, I noticed that it contains ingredients that are not suitable for my skin type. I didn’t use it on my face for that reason. I ended up using it on my neck and chest area only. Here are my thoughts on the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum!

My Experience with CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum:

Texture & Application

As mentioned before, I didn’t use this vitamin c product on my face. The product contains denatured alcohol and isopropyl myristate. These ingredients are not compatible with my skin. Denatured alcohol dries my skin out and irritates it. Isopropyl myristate clogs my pores from my own personal experience. I debated whether to use the serum on my face or not. When I first purchased it, I was looking for a vitamin c serum that I could incorporate into my skincare routine. In the end, I decided not to. The idea floated in my mind for a bit. I wanted to make the right decision. I didn’t want to suffer from breakouts. So my experience using the CeraVe Skin Renewing Vitamin C Serum is on my body (neck and chest area).

The texture of the vitamin c serum is soft and smooth. It blends into the skin nicely and absorbs quickly. It’s very moisturizing. It didn’t leave my skin red, irritated, or dry. But, that’s just on my neck and chest skin. It could be different if I used it on my face, which is more sensitive compared to the skin on my neck and chest area. I really liked the texture and consistency of this product. It was very easy to use. Just dispense the product out of the tube and seal it with the cap. My skin didn’t turn orange using this serum either. It’s been a very nice experience using this vitamin c serum. I wish I could use it on my face. That will only happen if they remove the ingredients I mentioned.

It’s moisturizing!

Even though this vitamin c serum contains denatured alcohol, it’s moisturizing. My skin didn’t dry out or become irritated. I’m not going to test it on my face though. I wish I could, but it’s not going to happen.

Breakouts?

Same with breakouts, I didn’t see any breakouts on my neck or chest. But I don’t break out on my neck or chest often or at all. Once again, I would love to try it out on my face if it didn’t contain denatured alcohol and isopropyl myristate. Isopropyl myristate is at the end of the ingredient list, but I don’t want to bother with it and cause clogged pores. All products I have used in the past that contain isopropyl myristate ended up clogging my pores.

Results…

It’s difficult to tell if the vitamin c serum is doing anything for my neck and chest area. I guess it looks a little brighter and smoother. I can’t tell, haha. I enjoy using it. That’s all that really matters. I’ve had no issues like redness, itchiness, or any other signs of irritation. It’s a nice antioxidant product that’s moisturizing.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t use this product on my face, but my experience using it on my neck and chest area has been positive. It’s a nice moisturizing vitamin c product (10%) to incorporate in a skin care routine. I love that it contains 3 essential ceramides and hyaluronic acid. I wish CeraVe would reformulate the vitamin c serum and remove the 2 ingredients my skin dislikes (denatured alcohol and isopropyl myristate). Since I can’t use this vitamin c serum on my face, I most likely won’t purchase it again.

My Week 3 BP Results!

If you missed out on my updated skin care routine 👈🏻

Some changes have been made, hehe.

Here are my week 3 results!!

I took a break from tazorac and benzoyl peroxide as an all-over skin treatment this week. My skin looked a bit flaky and crusty. If I continued on with these products, my skin would look like crap. I just wasn’t feeling the all-over the face acne treatments like taz and benzoyl peroxide this week. I still used benzoyl peroxide though. Only as a spot treatment. I only targeted my breakout-prone areas. If I see a pimple forming or has formed, I’ll dab a little bit of benzoyl peroxide on that pimple. At the beginning to mid-week, I didn’t use any leave-on actives besides spot treating with benzoyl peroxide. At the end of the week, I noticed pimples that benzoyl peroxide wasn’t able to get at. I started using Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant again. Since I’m not using much (not even a moisturizer), I thought I would give this product a try again, haha. After eliminating so many products including moisturizer, the quality of my skin improved. It looks more natural. The texture of my skin is more refined and healthy-looking. Even with the positives, my skin has been extremely oily. And it’s not from not using a moisturizer. I think it’s my sunscreen. I’m currently using CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint. I haven’t been using Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 much. Maybe once a week or skip it? haha. CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint makes my skin feel oily/greasy, and it could be causing issues that I didn’t expect. I wish I could go sunscreen-free. No products on the skin is best for my skin. *sigh* But that’s never going to happen.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant used to dry my skin out (when used with a moisturizer). The times I used it this week, I didn’t experience skin dryness, redness, peeling, or any other skin irritations. Nothing. My skin took this product pretty well. It helped to decrease sebum on my skin, but it didn’t help much with my acne. Hmmm! I noticed even more pimples, which was not from purging. The bha liquid didn’t do much to unclog stubborn clogged pores. Boooo!! I’m not sure if I’m going to keep using it. Perhaps once or twice a week. It’s not as effective against acne (on my skin anyways) compared to when I first used it. Darn, I have a lot of product left too. 😭 So I went back to using benzoyl peroxide. I might take another week off of taz. We’ll see what happens to my skin next week. Nothing seems to work on my acne anymore besides benzoyl peroxide.

Some things I’m thinking about switching out: my sunscreen and cleanser. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel with Hyaluronic Acid Fragrance Free has been OK. I’m thinking about switching over to a face wash that contains benzoyl peroxide since I’m not using anything on my skin/face besides an acne treatment and sunscreen. I’m not liking my current sunscreens either. I need a sunscreen that’s more lightweight and less oily/greasy. The ones I’m using could be causing acne issues. Mostly CeraVe. I use it the most out of the two. My skin doesn’t look good after using it. I always make sure to remove it properly too. I think it could be the fact that sunscreens feel super occlusive on the skin, which could lead to breakouts. I have annoying skin. What to do? lol. Nothing ever works for my skin type. 😢

That’s my update for this week! Have a splendid day!

Catch up on my experiences!

Restarting Tret & My First Week Experience

My Week 2 Results With Tret. Changes I’ve Made.

Update: My Skin Care Routine

Not shown in photo: Taz & BP

Here’s my new skin care routine. 🙂

Face Wash: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel with Hyaluronic Acid Fragrance Free

I’ve been using this face wash for a little over 2 months now. I love how it foams up and feels soft on the skin as I wash my face. It cleanses the skin nicely. But, I feel like it’s kind of drying my skin out. It cleanses my skin very well, but my skin feels a little dry afterwards. It feels chapped. I don’t feel like switching cleansers right now, but I’ll use what I have left. I might search for another cleanser when I’m done. We’ll see what happens.

Skin Treatments: Taz & BP (Acne) & L’Oreal Revitalift 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum (Brightening)

I’m only using taz and bp (not together, separately) 1-2 times a week. My goal is once per week. I also spot treat with bp when I see any pimples forming. As for the vitamin c serum, I’ve been using it on my cheekbones and lightly tap it under my eyes. I noticed brighter under eyes after doing this so I continued to use it this way. I use it on my neck too. I can’t use it on my face because it clogs my pores. This vitamin c serum has a silicone feel to it, and it makes my skin feel very soft, smooth, and silky. It’s been working great for those areas of my skin. Unfortunately, just not my face.

Sunscreen: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint & Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40

I have two sunscreens that I’m using right now. It’s the CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint and Trader Joe’s Daily Facial Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40. I use CeraVe most of the week, but if I feel like it, I use Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s sunscreen leaves my skin feeling moisturized and protected at the same time. It works great as a makeup primer too. My skin feels so silky smooth after I use it.

I’m still trying to keep my skin care routine short and minimal. I’m really not into extensive skin care routines anymore. haha. I tried it. It didn’t work for me. I prefer to keep my skin care routine as simple as possible. It seems like my skin starts to break out when I’m layering on too many products. By the way, I stopped using moisturizer on my face. It’s time to call it quits. I’ve been trying to make it work for so long that it’s just not working. I keep getting random breakouts whenever I try to moisturize my skin. I decided to just leave my skin alone. I never used moisturizers years before either. I guess some people just can’t use moisturizers (like me). 🤷🏻‍♀️

That’s my updated skin care routine! Hope this was helpful. Have an amazing day! 😄

November Skin Care Empties 🦃

I didn’t have any empties last month (October). Here are my skin care empties for the month of November! If you missed out on my empties for August and September 👈🏻

SOME BY MI Niacin 30 Days Miracle Brightening Sleeping Mask:

I’ve been trying to finish my last jar of SOME BY MI Niacin 30 Days Miracle Brightening Sleeping Mask. I tried using it on my face and body. My experience using it on my face was not that good. The sleeping mask feels very drying on the skin. I could see the skin along my chin cracking. It’s not a good product if you have dry skin. I don’t. I have oily skin, and this sleeping mask dried my skin out like crazy. It helped to temporarily brighten my skin, but the brightening effect faded within a week. Maybe my skin just doesn’t like niacinamide in this product? I just know that it’s very drying and made my skin feel awful. With the rest of the product, I used it on my body and won’t repurchase ever again.

Kose Suncut UV Perfect Essence Super Waterproof SPF 50+ PA++++:

This sunscreen is lightweight, blends into the skin easily, absorbs quick, has SPF 50+ PA++++, comes in a 110 mL bottle instead of something tiny like 40-50 mL (yes!!!), sweat-resistant, water-proof. Ah, how this sunscreen could’ve been perfect because I can overapply and my skin wouldn’t feel sticky or greasy. But, this sunscreen lists ‘ethanol’ as the second ingredient on the list. It smells like alcohol and dried my skin out and irritated it. I couldn’t believe how my skin looked so aged after using it at least once. Sun protection is important, but this product is not for me if it makes my skin look all wrinkly because of how drying and irritating it is. I won’t purchase again. By the way, I also tried it on my body and hands. It made my skin super itchy. I ended up with a bad rash and blisters.

Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop:

This vitamin c serum feels gentle on the skin. It contains 5% ascorbic acid. The serum didn’t irritate or burn my face. But I wasn’t a fan of the texture of the product. It’s on the oily side. As for fading acne marks, I didn’t see much results using this serum. It didn’t help to brighten my complexion either. Maybe the 5% concentration is just too low for my skin? All I know is that I didn’t see any results while using it. So I wasn’t able to use the whole bottle, the serum turned really orange. It oxidized. Hmmm, note to self, never purchase a vitamin c serum that claims to be formulated with stabilized vitamin c that comes in a clear, see-through bottle. It’s clearly not stabilized. It turned really orange, and I kept it in a dark, safe place. I had to toss the serum out. Not recommended.

Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30:

This is a moisturizer with sunscreen. It feels like a moisturizer. It’s thick, rich, and feels heavy on the skin. I have oily skin, so it felt very rich and heavy on my skin. It left my skin looking more shiny and greasy on the surface, but it helped to moisturize and soothed my skin. I don’t think this is a bad product. It’s just that, it’s only SPF 30, and I’m using another product that contains similar ingredients to the Vanicream that works better for me. This product works to moisturize and protect. It’s not something I need in my life right now. It was nice to try it out.

CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Face Sheer Tint:

One of the products I finished this month that I really like! It contains ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide. The sunscreen moisturizes my skin and helps to brighten my skin up. I haven’t noticed any breakouts using it. I’m still keeping my eye out for any clogged pores just in case! Some things I would love to change about this product is to boost the SPF 30 to 50, make it water/sweat-resistant, and add more shades. The shade isn’t a perfect match for my skin. It does blend into the skin, but I wish it wasn’t too orangey. I wish it was a more natural-looking skin color. As for reapplication, it’s really easy to reapply sunscreen with this product. There’s no white cast. This sunscreen comes in a 1.7 fl. oz. (50 mL) tube. It would be nice if it was larger, especially for the price. It’s 13.99 where I am. It’s not super affordable compared to other sunscreens I have tried.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50:

I figured out that I still had a bottle of the SPF 50. I found it in my bag, lol. And it’s still usable and hasn’t expired yet. I didn’t use it on my face. It’s not the type of product for my facial skin. So I used it on my hands instead. The sunscreen absorbed into my skin very well and quickly. The fragrance was awful. I didn’t like it at all. Since I didn’t use it on my face, I didn’t have to worry about the alcohol content in this product. I used this sunscreen up and threw it out. I won’t repurchase. I hope this is the last Neutrogena Hydro Boost sunscreen that I have, haha!

August Skin Care Empties! 🧴

September Skin Care Empties 😎