My Attempt At Using Tret Again.

I started using tret again. My skin was looking dull. It was lifeless. I needed to do something about those issues. Acne marks became more prominent as well. I can’t use too many skin care products, but I thought I could give tret another chance. So here I am using tret again. Here’s my 1 week experience using tret.

I was able to use tret 4 times this week. I used it back-to-back for a total of 4 days and took a break for the rest of the week. During my use of the product, I was using a moisturizer. It was the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face Gel Hydrator. It worked amazingly for my skin. My skin felt extremely moisturizing. At one point, I thought it gave my skin too much hydration. I thought about dialing back on the product. I didn’t. I just kept using it. Tret and this moisturizer went well together. I noticed smoother skin that’s brighter (probably the niacinamide in the hydrator). I was so happy that I was seeing results with this combination of products. Yesss! Finally! It’s working! Sadly, the moisturizer ended up breaking me out. I had clogged pores in areas that were acnegenic. I had to stop using it. Once I did, the breakouts went away. Once I stopped using the moisturizer, my skin couldn’t take tret daily anymore. It burned my skin. For the rest of the week, I took a break. I picked up another moisturizer called Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream for Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin. I purchased this to use as an eye cream, which works so much better than what I was using (Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Sensitive Skin Face Creme). Eucerin wasn’t that moisturizing and did nothing for my skin. I noticed some fine lines and wrinkles underneath my eye area vanished with Cetaphil! It works better as a moisturizer! I’m switching!

So! The Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream helped to alleviate any scalding, burning, and redness. This is awful! I burned my skin again. I’ll have to use a moisturizer with tret. I hope Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream works! I’ve been using it for 3 days and night without any issues. No breakouts. Nothing yet. It leaves my skin feeling soft too. It’s a two-in-one product for me. It works as a face cream AND an eye cream. Hey! Let’s see what happens. So far, so good.

Stay tuned for what’s going to happen next! 🙂

Which Sun Care Products Am I Using Now? 🤔

I tried using mineral sunscreens, but it just didn’t work. So I’m still using Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (mainly around my eye area) because it doesn’t sting my eyes compared to a chemical-based sunscreen. I might even purchase it again since it’s pretty affordable for a mineral sunscreen/skin care product. It seems to work on my skin. I haven’t had any allergic reactions to it. As for Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50, I stopped using it. Maybe I’ll use it as a makeup primer or something like it. It seems to work well for that purpose.

So what sunscreen am I using now? I went back to using a chemical-based sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens were so drying that it made my skin look parched and crusty. It made my makeup application look terrible. It accentuated every single dry skin and pore on my face too. Ugh! And fine lines and wrinkles. Chemical-based sunscreens are more moisturizing. SO! I started using La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 again. It’s the most moisturizing without making my face appear too greasy. I tried using Altruist SPF 50 again, but that sunscreen made my skin look even more greasy. I prefer La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Face & Body Sunscreen Lotion SPF 100 instead. My skin always looks good with this sunscreen. It’s a moisturizer + sunscreen in one. But, once again, I don’t use sunscreen every single day. I only use it when I’m outdoors exposed to UV rays.

All in all, it wouldn’t hurt to use up all of the sunscreens I have right now. I haven’t spent any money on sunscreens ever since I decreased my sunscreen use. Not that I’m not using it. I am. As I mentioned, I only use it when I’m exposed to UV rays…but also when my skin feels a bit dry from my acne cream. I really wish LRP would come out with a moisturizer like this (the SPF 100 sunscreen product) but without the SPF. I can only hope. Oh well. I’ll use whatever I have in the meantime.

Another Update on Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30!

I’ve been using Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 consistently. I used it every morning. I didn’t reapply throughout the day. I didn’t think I needed to. I’m rarely outdoors during this time in my life, haha. I’ve been trying to make a mineral-based sunscreen work. But after weeks of using Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, my skin became very dry. The sunscreen does give off a sense of moisturization when applied to the skin, but it has left my skin feeling extremely dry and tight after it settles into the skin. I can’t even move my face without feeling uncomfortable. It accentuates every fine line and pore. It makes my skin look awful. I’m not a fan at this point. I wish it were more moisturizing.

Another thing with the Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 is that I get a few clogged pores from using it. I’m able to take care of the clogged pores. I just wished that it didn’t clog my pores. A product should not be clogging any pores. So I’ve stopped using Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 for the time being and see what happens. I don’t want to continue to experience clogged pores.

Since my skin became so dry, I started using Altruist Sunscreen SPF 50. It’s a hybrid sunscreen (mineral + chemical). I wasn’t able to use any mineral-based sunscreens due to the dryness. My skin couldn’t endure it any longer. So! Altruist Sunscreen SPF 50 is moisturizing, but it’s a bit on the greasy side. Be careful when using it near the eyes. My eyes burned a bit. I accidentally got a little bit of the product in my eyes. It somehow leaked into it. My skin looked shiny throughout the day, but it felt moisturized. It wasn’t dry and tight. I liked the way it felt on my skin for a change. By the end of the day, my skin looked so much better. Zinc oxide did a number on my skin. My skin looked terrible using it every single day. I know that zinc oxide has astringent properties, but the sunscreen was supposed to be moisturizing. It’s just not. I’ll use Altruist Sunscreen SPF 50 for UV protection (for now) while I search for another mineral-based sunscreen.

Those are my thoughts on Vanicream Mineral Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Hey, I gave it a shot. I’ll use the rest on my body or something. Gotta use the rest up!

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.

Review: Sun Bum Face Mist, Aveeno Protect & Hydrate, Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Sunscreens

I tried out some new sunscreens! They are…

• Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
• Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60
• Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30

Here are my thoughts!

Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45:

Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 comes in a 3.4 fl. oz. (100 mL) spray bottle. The packaging is really cute. It’s a pale yellow color. It’s a nice color that I can look at, ha. The sunscreen is a face mist, but on the packaging, it says to spray liberally into the palm and apply evenly to the face and neck 15 minutes before sun exposure. Once again, it’s supposed to be a face mist, but it states to use it another way. I didn’t use it as a face mist, by the way. I sprayed it into my palm and applied it to my facial skin. I’m not a fan of spraying products on my face. The application would be uneven and a waste of product. Yeah, it defeats the purpose of a face mist, but whatever.

When I applied the sunscreen to my face, it smelled like bananas, felt really greasy, and ruined my makeup application. It smeared all over my face. I wasn’t happy about that, but I gave it a go anyway. I can’t tell if it protected my skin in a day of use on my face, but I noticed breakouts after using it once. It gave me pimples on my chin and jawline. I’m pretty sure it’s this sunscreen because it was the only new product I introduced. So, Sun Bum Face Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 didn’t work for me. I used the rest of the sunscreen on my body instead. Since it contains alcohol denatured in it, the product sinks nicely into the skin. I loved that aspect of the product when used on the body. My face didn’t like it at all.

I was able to finish this sunscreen product within a month of using it on my body. It absorbs so well. But I won’t repurchase it because it is too costly for a sunscreen spray. I just don’t think it’s worth the money. It was nice to try, though.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60:

I’ve been eyeing Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60 for some time. I finally picked it up this summer. This is another sunscreen product that contains alcohol denatured. That is one of the reasons why I hesitated to purchase this product. My experience using sunscreen products with alcohol denatured (for my face) has been mainly misses. They don’t seem to agree with my skin. But here I am, giving Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60 a try.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Face Lotion SPF 60 comes in a 2.0 fl. oz. (60 mL) bottle. It is a sunscreen lotion. I love the texture of this lotion. It absorbs into the skin well and doesn’t leave it feeling sticky. Pretty sure it’s the alcohol that’s doing that. My oily skin really loved this sunscreen. It just sunk right into my skin without leaving it all messy like a bunch of other sunscreen products. Loved it! But not so fast! Unfortunately, my skin started breaking out after one day of use. Thankfully, I caught the breakouts on time! Yep, breakouts. This sunscreen made me break out. And yes, another sunscreen that contains alcohol denatured that clogged my pores.

This is another sunscreen that truly works well on my body. Just not my face. The smell of the product is pretty bad, too. It smells like plastic to me. I guess I finally killed my curiosity about this product. I won’t purchase again.

Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30:

I’ve been meaning to purchase Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30. I needed a face powder that would decrease the shine on my face. I’ve been walking around with an ultra-shiny face all summer, lol. So, I finally picked up a face powder. Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30 is a loose face powder that comes in a retractable bottle with a brush. The brush feels really soft on the skin. The packaging of the product is terrible. Do not twist open any caps on the bottle, or you’ll risk the powder spilling!! I can’t imagine tossing this product into my bag. The cap may loosen from movements and will get everywhere. I was disappointed in the type of packaging when I first received it. Fortunately, I was able to catch the powder from spilling everywhere. Just a heads up!

The ingredients in this product are fairly straightforward. The sunscreen active is Zinc Oxide (24.5%). Here’s the ingredient list if you’re interested:

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 24.5%

Inactive ingredients: Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Fragrance, Sea Salt, Ceramide Np, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Plumeria Acutifolia Flower Extract, Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract, Iron Oxides.

The powder is fragranced, which I didn’t like so much. It’s pretty intense. If you are sensitive to fragrance or powerful scents in general, this may not work for you. Once again, I didn’t like it at all. Since it’s a loose powder, it can really get in the air, and you know what happens next. I had to transfer the powder into one of my powder containers to prevent spilling any of the product. The packaging is just plain terrible. Applying the powder was relatively simple. I would take a brush, tap the excess powder off, and lightly brush it onto my skin. The powder has amazing staying powder. It doesn’t budge. I tried applying concealer on top of the powder because I do light touch-ups sometimes. It didn’t work. I couldn’t even blend my concealer in. Not even a little bit of concealer. I’m amazed at the staying powder!!

The finish of the powder is light and smooth while absorbing excess powder. I really liked how it made my skin look! But, sadly, I experienced breakouts from this powder. It reminded me of those mineral makeup days. Those powders also irritated my skin and gave me acne. I had the same experience with Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30. I stopped using it on my face and am attempting to finish the rest of it. I won’t purchase it again. Another product I was curious about that didn’t work on my skin.

That’s my review of some of the summer sunscreens I’ve tried. I hope this was helpful! 🙂