Super Dry Winter Weather!

Us New Englanders have been having a pretty difficult winter! We've gotten three or four blizzards so far, but more importantly, we've been having truly nasty cold, dry weather. I think it's gotten above 25 degrees F about twice in the past two and a half months. My humidifier broke, too, so I've been in the coldest, driest weather in years with no sign of reprieve.

My skin is so upset!!

To combat the dryness, I've been patting water into my skin before I put my lotions and potions on, many of which I do before I leave for work, when I get home, and before I sleep. I also spot-moisturize between these times when I feel particularly dry or just when I think about it. I just can't get enough moisture, nutrients, or oil in my skin!

Here's what I've been doing lately. I've just been adding skincare product after skincare product to my routine... I know that the summertime is so much less painful, but I'm starting to feel a little hopeless.

I've been using my Paula's Choice skincare routine in the morning and at night, though I've stopped using the serum during the day. Using the retinol really helps cut down on my flaky spots, but if I use it more than once or twice a week (and even then, only a few drops for my whole face), it turns my face bright red for hours. It doesn't help that when I'm at work, I tend to turn red because I'm running around and going from super hot (next to the oven) to super cold (the walk-in freezer) in a matter of minutes. I'm dry and irritated to begin with! The days I've used it in the morning before work, I've actually had people ask if I'd vacationed in Florida recently because I'd "...tanned." How embarrassing. Because of that, I only do the serum the nights before I have a day off.

The serum, while it has retinol, really made the difference between feeling dry after I washed my face and feeling dewy, so I needed something else. I'd been using my Lierac Hydrachrono before the PC moisturizer, but I'd like to phase that out when I'm done with it. The jar packaging isn't hygienic, it's old (so the antioxidants are all expired), and it has fragrance. It still packs a moisture punch, though, so I'm happy to use it up. Even with both of those heavy duty moisturizers, though (and sometimes with two applications each), I still feel dry.

I started using the Argan Magic Argan Oil before and after my moisturizer, and that seems to help seal everything in. It doesn't help at all, though, when I'm in the middle of the day and I feel dry as a bone. I need some moisture in my skin for it to seal in. My skin feels so soft and moist when I use this to lock water into my face.

On my way to work, I've been putting Albolene on my face and forearms to combat flakiness for at least a little while, and I keep it in my car for when I'm on break or when I get out of work. I basically keep it near me at all times. It's also helpful because the skin on my upper lip tends to crack very badly, and Albolene and Aquaphor are basically the only things that don't make me feel like I'm tearing my skin even more when this happens. At the moment, I have a crack going into the upper left side of my lip (think the cracks you get on your knuckles when the weather's like this) as well as a crack on my right-hand "laugh line." Goy-geous.

When I'm at work, I've kept the argan oil in my purse and put it on over the Norwegian Hand Cream from Neutrogena.

On my body, I've been using The Body Shop Shea Body Butter, and it seems to be doing a pretty decent job. I'm not nearly as strict about keeping my body moisturized as my face, but it also doesn't flake or get irritated as often. My body is always dry, but since I wear long sleeves and pants almost all year round, there's very little sun damage, and the clothing helps keep some of my moisture in.

All of this just makes me more excited to go to Florida in March for spring break!

How are you guys fighting the winter weather?

Method: Allergies and Allergy-Proofing Your Home

People who have recurring eczema, especially since childhood, should get checked out for allergies. There's a documented link between allergies and eczema, because both are symptoms of the same immune system problems. If you can afford it, try to get a blood test from your GP for allergies, or see an allergist (even one time can help!). You may need a prescription antihistamine to keep your immune system at bay. This can help your eczema immensely.

If you find that you're allergic to anything, you'll want to get that out of your house immediately. Common allergies are to dust and mites, not to mention pets. If you're allergic to your pet but unwilling to get rid of him/her, you'll have to be extreme about cleanliness. Any hair should be vacuumed up immediately (sweeping can just push it back into the air). Dander (which is often what people are allergic to) comes right with the pet fur, so you'll need to make sure that someone else in your household brushes your pet often, if not daily. This removes dead hair and dander, making less shed in your home. For best results, have them do this outside. If you can't, have them do it in a room when you're not home, and then have them thoroughly vacuum the entire area.

Another thing that can help is putting a case on your mattress and pillow. Mites are a common allergen, and they can and do live in pillows and mattresses. To combat this, you can buy cases for both. I have used the same pillow case for years, and I only wash it every few months.

The mattress cover helps just as much, if not more. The both of these only cost a few dozen bucks each, and you can keep them for years and years. You can wash them with your clothes if you happen to spill a drink on them, or just want to clean them over time. I don't have very oily skin, nor do I keep drinks in bed, so I only wash the covers maybe once every three months or so. If you have very oily skin, you might want to wash the pillow cover more often, but they can take a whole bunch of gentle cycles. I don't think I've replaced mine yet.

I think that that makes them a fantastic deal! Now that I think about it, I think I'm going to take my pillow cover with me when I travel!

Method: Nonirritating Detergents

When I was a little kid, I would hate sleeping over my grandma's house. I had a great time, I loved her cooking, and she would let me color till kingdom come, but every night, I would lay awake on the bed, unable to sleep. It was particularly bad on my scalp, and I would be so incredibly itchy that all I could even think about would be the burning pain all over my head. It would also be on my body, to a lesser extent, but I'd throw the covers off so early that the pillow would be my main area of contact.

I just wish that I'd taken an oatmeal bath treatment, and had felt comfortable enough to ask for help running a bath at 2 in the morning as a lod. It would have made my childhood so much less stressful.

More recently, I would stay over my boyfriend's house every once in a while, and while I loved holding him at night, I would start to get the worst itch in my arms, legs, and scalp. I would freak out in the middle of the night and have to walk outside while he was sleeping, just to sit in the cold and try to let that soothe the burn.

Does any of this sound familiar? I certainly hope not. It took me a little while to realize, because when I was a baby, my mother switched to a detergent that didn't irritate my sensitive skin. They're not as popular, though, so other people still use fragranced, harsher detergents and fabric softeners. They make sleeping more stressful than being awake, which it really shouldn't be. Here are the things that I've found are helpful when it comes to laundry detergents.

1) DO NOT USE A FABRIC SOFTENER. You should be wearing 100% (or close to it) cotton clothing, because that is the least irritating fabric. It also wicks off sweat, which can make you itchy. If you're using cotton clothing, your clothes are already soft enough. Fabric softeners only add fragrance and irritation; skip them completely.

2) USE A GENTLE LAUNDRY DETERGENT. You can get a lot of specialty detergents, but why bother? You can get gentle detergents from your drugstore or Walmart. I use Tide: Free and Gentle.

Another detergent that I've heard good things about is All: Free and Clear. It's actually much cheaper at my local Walmart to buy that instead of the Tide, so I think I'll switch to that when my gallon of detergent is done.

After I moved in with my boyfriend, I just bought the Tide (though I'm going to try switching to the All), ad I've avoided so much irritation, frustration, and pain for myself. They don't leave a lasting smell on clothes, but they do make them clean, and they do make them smell clean. If you have recurring body eczema and you haven't tried these detergents, PLEASE TRY THEM. They may make all the difference.

Method: Oatmeal and Bleach Baths

I"ve had such severe eczema for so long that I feel like I've gotten so much advice on how to control it. Whether it be from my dermatologist, allergist, GP, or folk advice from the internet, I'd like to share with you what I've found helps. My Methods posts are all life changes I've made for my eczema, and while I can't guarantee that they'll work for everyone, they've worked for me.

Today I'm going to talk about baths. When your skin is really flaring up, showers can be painful. If your skin is very raw, then the stream of water hitting your skin can hurt so incredibly badly. In those cases, and cases where I really need to cool my skin, I like to take a bath. A lot of my eczema stems from stress, and baths are very emotionally soothing. If I add skincare ingredients to my bath, I'm killing two birds with one stone.

NOTE: Do not take hot baths. The hotter it is, the more it can cut into the barrier on your skin that you've been able to form. Take lukewarm baths, and only take them for about 20 minutes. That will let the ingredients in them soak into your skin while not letting all of the ingredients that you've been putting on your skin wash away. If you're getting white and wrinkly, it means that your barrier has been washed away, and you are bathing for too long.

Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Treatments

Whenever I feel super itchy and raw, this is the thing I add to my bath. It's very easy to have an oatmeal bath -- you just open the packet under the running faucet while you run the water. Often, if I've had a very stressful day, I won't be able to sleep at night. That, or I'll wake up scratching like there's no tomorrow, and I'll be so upset about being so itchy and sensitive that I can't calm down. In those cases, I run an oatmeal bath. It's so soothing to just sit in the tub for a little while -- I like to put some earbuds in and listen to music, or read a little, or even do sudoku.

The oatmeal makes the bath a bit beige and cloudy, so when you get out of it, you can still feel a little film on you. Don't worry about that, it'll only keep the itch away for longer. I've found, at my very worst, it can stave off the itch for a few hours, but when I'm at my worst, so little helps. I've found that this is the most effective treatment. For best results, follow with a colloidal oatmeal moisturizer as well as your normal cream.

I would say that for people who are prone to eczema breakouts, keep a box of this in your bathroom closet. When you're feeling the pain, this is the best, most lasting relief I've found. The name brand for this is Aveeno, though there's a whole bunch of drugstore knockoffs that work just as well. It comes in a box of 5-8 packages, and I highly recommend keeping at least one package around to put out unexpected fires.

Bleach Baths

Having eczema means that we're extremely prone to infection. All of the itching, the open wounds, as well as the fact that our skin barrier is compromised, means that we're very prone to staph, herpes, and other skin infections. I had a huge problem with recurring skin infections a couple years ago, and one way that I helped defeat them was decolonizing my skin with bleach baths.

A bleach bath sounds very scary -- we have sensitive skin already, and you want to put bleach on it?? But really, it's no different than swimming in a pool. You can put a capful or two of bleach under the faucet while running a bath, and it's actually LESS chemicals than they put in swimming pools. I was a little skeptical of even that, but what irritates my skin when I swim is the chlorine, not the bleach. The bleach, even at that tiny amount, kills bacteria that's living on the skin. This is very helpful for people who are prone to staph infections, like I am. When my skin is open for a long period of time, I try to take a bleach bath once or twice a week, and then once every two weeks after it's died down a little.

The downsides to a bleach bath are that bleach is drying, so you have to have a serious moisturizer afterwards, and then (I had to) put an ointment on top. I put Cetaphil cream (in the jar) on, for nourishment and then put some Aquaphor (jar as well) right on top, to seal in as much moisture as possible. This leaves your skin really sticky and ointment-y, so I recommend doing this after you get home for the day, and wearing loose cotton pajamas afterwards.

Another downside is that it makes you smell like a laundromat. I hate fragranced skincare items, because fragrance is so irritating to your skin. That said, I wish I could put something on to cover the bleach smell. As it is, I put my moisturizers and pajamas on, light a candle for the smell, and watch some television for the evening. I definitely wouldn't recommend this as a morning bathing option -- you need multiple hours to let the bleach smell fade off you, and the moisturizers that you should use afterwards don't soak in for a very long time.

Those are the two treatment baths that I take! Do you have any special bath treatments? I love baths because they're so soothing, and the amount of time that they take makes you slow your routine a little bit. As someone who's afflicted with seasonal, allergenic, and stress-related eczema, a little bath break is just what the doctor ordered!

Time-Tested Goodie: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream

Neutrogena: Norwegian Formula Hand Cream (Unscented)

Man, oh man, this stuff is magic. I have honestly not found a better-feeling cream in my life. I use it on my hands, forearms, itchy/scaly parts of my face and neck, and as an overnight eye cream. It's super gentle and hasn't irritated a single part of me, which is really something to rave about. I get hour-long redness on my face when I poke my cheek!

These Norwegian fishermen sure knew what they were talking about when they formulated this (the story on the back of the tube says that fishermen used something like this to keep their hands healed even in the dry, windy snowy winter of Norway). It's super thick, and looks a little cloudy when it comes out of the tube. It spreads like a dream, and it's true -- only a little does what you need it to do! My peely, wrinkly, superdry hands need a few squirts, but if my neck is feeling a little tight, I only need the tiniest dab. I can't even compare it to a coin size, because it really is only a dab.

I would definitely recommend having this in your purse at all times for emergency itchiness and dryness. It's also just fantastic to use on your hands after you wash them, and it lasts a few washes. Get the fragrance-free kind; it's just as well-circulated as the fragranced kind. Even if your skin isn't particularly sensitive, fragrances break down your skin barrier over time. It doesn't smell like anything, so you don't have to worry about smelling weird. My only complaint is that it only comes in 2 oz tubes -- at the rate that I use it, it only lasts about two weeks! At this price and effectiveness, though, it's absolutely worth it.

Price: $5.62
Where to buy: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Neutrogena.com, CVS, Walmart, Walgreens

FANTASTIC for dry skin.
FANTASTIC for sensitive skin.
GREAT for normal skin (at this price, why settle for something less?)

In My Closet: Argan Magic 100% Pure Argan Oil

Argan Magic 100% Pure Argan Oil

This is a find from TJ Maxx! I got it for $10.00. I've heard so much about Argan oil that I've been jealously searching for something that I can get that's within my budget. I've heard so much about how cheap argan oil can be fake, so I'm not going to say that I believe the ingredient list: it reads only Argana Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil. For $10? And $20 on the website? 2 oz? I don't think so. I don't think that it's entirely pure, but it does do a fantastic job.

I've been putting this on after my moisturizer, though I'm thinking I might want to do it before I moisturize. It's a wonderful texture, it has a golden tint, little fragrance (though I only use about two pumps at a time), and it absorbs so quickly. I lightly pat it onto my cheeks, forehead, eye area, and neck, and if I have any left over on my palms, I rub it onto the backs of my hands. I can say right now that I've noticed a big difference from using this, though it has little to no effect if I use it when my skin is already dry. It only works right after I wash my face or get out of the shower; it seals in moisture as opposed to providing it. That said, I can say that it's helped me keep my flaking down in this cold, dry weather. It also keeps my skin "not feeling," by which I mean I'm not just constantly feeling tight, dry, oozing, what-have-you. My face feels comfortable. I feel like it also heals the open spots that I've itched faster than they would have on their own.

Bonus: It hasn't broken me out at all, and that's saying something. So many oils give me clogged pores or deep, cystic pimples, and I normally don't break out at all. Even extra virgin olive oil gives me whiteheads. This oil is light, super moisturizing, and hasn't given me a single clogged pore.

Bottom line: I don't think this is actually pure argan oil, but it sure does have some great effects. I keep it in my purse for midday itchies and flakies. It's only so-so as an emergency treatment, but it sure does moisturize when I use it in my regimen.

Price: $20.00

Where to buy: Ebay.com, Jocottbrands.com (Mine was at TJ Maxx)

GREAT for sensitive skin.

GREAT for dry, flaky skin.

GOOD VALUE for normal skin. You may not need to use this daily, but your skin can sure use a little TLC sometimes, and the nourishment in this is just what the doctor ordered. Especially at this price!

Just Acquired: Lierac Sensory Oil With Three Flowers

Lierac Sensory Oil with Three Flowers

My mother gave this half-full bottle to me when she told me she wasn't going to use it. I absolutely love the way oils feel on my face, but a lot of them are comodogenic to me. This one wasn't comodogenic, but it had so much perfume in it, as well as three different kinds of citrus. Citrus is a skin irritant and (personally) makes me more sensitive to sunlight. A definite no! It didn't seem to irritate my skin at first, but I noticed that I was definitely a bit itchier than normal during the day. After a few applications, though, it started to burn. Really, really bad. That, plus the fact that it didn't really hold in a whole lot of moisture, makes me want to throw this away. I've read that you can use it on hair... Maybe I'll just run the rest of it through the lower half of my hair. This is really a disappointment; I know that Lierac tends to use a lot of fragrance, but this is really too much. It smells like the perfume counters at a department store!

I've decided that I'm going to post the ingredients of each product I review. Here they are:
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Diisopropyl Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Dioleate, Peg-8 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Squalane, Fragrance (Parfum), Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Caprylyl Glycol , Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Coleus Forskohlii Root Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Polygonum Cuspidatum Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Gardenia Florida Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid.

I was a little iffy about taking this from my mother because of the Hazel seed oil (I'm allergic to hazelnuts), but I was also a little concerned that fragrance was so high on the list. I was right. It's definitely very fragrant, and therefore irritating. It's so unfortunate, because this oil was a nice supplement to my moisturizer, and it didn't break me out! Oh well, I guess my dry hair can use it.

Price: $25.99
Where to Buy: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Skin1.com

BAD for sensitive skin.
DECENT for normal skin (I can see this being a fantastic massage oil!)
OKAY for dry skin.

Empty: Studio 35 Moisturizing Lotion with Ceramides

Late last year, my boyfriend asked for help with his skin. He has had oily, cystic-acne-prone skin on his face, neck, shoulders and back for as long as he's been past puberty. We did a lot of research and I ended up buying him the CeraVe foaming cleanser, a CeraVe moisturizer knockoff, and Stridex. The cleanser and the Stridex have done his skin wonders! Any pimples he gets now are tiny and infrequent, not a daily emergence of deep, cystic acne. I'm so happy for him! He does have dry skin, now, though, because both the cleanser and the Stridex are drying. Unfortunately, he refuses to moisturize because he loves the feeling of being a little dry as opposed to saturated with oil. I guess I can't blame him... I love the feeling of a thick moisturizer/oil because it soothes the perpetual dry feeling.

Anyway, this knockoff CeraVe moisturizing lotion has been kicking around our room for months now, and when I ran out of the Curel, I picked this up. I love it! It's such a good formula.

Studio 35 Moisturizing Lotion with Ceramides

Note: This is a knockoff of the CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion. It has the same ingredients, it was just a couple bucks cheaper.

Ceramides are so good for skin because they are the kind of fats that your skin should be producing, so they help build up a damaged skin barrier. Itching, flaking, and irritants are things that damage the skin barrier, so people like us can use all the help we can get!

This is a lotion, so it's not as intensely moisturizing as I needed. That said, it was a lovely little stopgap between my heavier moisturizers, and it absorbed so quickly that I was able to use it on my way out the door to work and school without having to wait for it to soak in. The formulation was lovely and didn't irritate my skin at all; it only gave me the temporary redness of having touched my skin.

I absolutely love this stuff. It's light, it's moisturizing, and it keeps me feeling moisturized for quite some time. I think this will be the only extra moisturizer I need in the summertime, but it's just not enough for this nasty, cold, dry climate. I think I might get the CeraVe cream in a tub for this time of year.

I particularly trust CeraVe because it doesn't have irritants or fragrance, which is fantastic for my kind of skin. It's also recommended both by my dermatologist and the SkincareAddiction subreddit, a place I go constantly for advice on skincare and information on ingredients.

This is a definite rebuy, and something to keep in stock.

CeraVe lotion: $11.76

Buy from: Walgreens, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Walmart, Ulta

Studio 35 lotion: $7.49

Buy from: Walgreens, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com

Winter Blues

I live in New England, and we've been having such a cold streak. The past month it has consistently been 0-15 degrees F, and the cold dryness is killing my skin! We just had a Nor'Easter, and now another one is on the way. I'm so done with snow and cold!

I've really had to up the ante with my moisturizers just so that I'm not always a horrific flaky monster. I've been using a lot of oils and making sure to wash my face often. Even so, I've been breaking out horribly. I've never had bacne before, but I started getting deep, cystic pimples on my back and sides this past month. It's even spread to my forearms now! I don't really know what to do about it; pimples have never really been a problem for me. I've been using my boyfriend's Stridex when I feel a deep bump, and it's significantly reduced the "cooking" time of the pimple. It might just be the cold and stress combined with my time of month... stupid hormones.

I have an old steroid ointment that I've been using on my worst spots. The left side of my chin is so raw that it's started to scab over, same with the "smile line" on my right side. I put a little on there, and now I've gotten a pimple on my upper lip. The problem with these steroid creams/ointments for me is that they make me very prone to breakouts, especially on my limbs.

My hands are so wrinkly, like always, but now they're also peely. It's gross, and it's so hard not to pick at the loose skin flakes! I need to find a decent exfoliant for my body. My face never needs extra exfoliation, but because of the pimples, infected follicles on my legs, and the dead skin buildup on my hands and arms... I need something. I haven't found anything yet -- I'll keep looking!

Review: Paula's Choice: Skin Recovery

So, after using the Skin Recovery system for a little while, I really like the results! I got the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer to begin with, and I got a sample of the serum. The website says that it's a 5-step system with cleanser, toner, exfoliator, serum, moisturizer (one for morning and one for evening. The only difference is that the morning moisturizer has SPF30). I didn't have enough money for the whole thing, and the sample of the collection was out of stock. I decided to just start with the basics.

See my Haul Post for pictures/more information!

The cleanser I really liked. It didn't burn at all, and only slightly stung the particularly ripped-up parts of my face. The stinging didn't last more than a few seconds, and the thick, milky texture made me feel like I was moisturizing while cleansing! It didn't feel stripping at all. It took my BB Cream right off, but I had a little harder time with my mascara. I'd definitely recommend using a gentle makeup remover (Thank you, Albolene!) beforehand for more stubborn eye makeup.

The toner was very different than toners I've used in the past. It was exactly the consistency and color of milk -- it wasn't a clear astringent. I could actually feel the moisturizing in this product, as well. So many toners are just glorified alcohol or witch hazel. They're super irritating and drying! This was the first toner that I can actually recommend for people with fragile, flaky, super dry skin like mine. It was hydrating and still got the remnants of dirt and other nasties off my face. Again, it only stung the really open parts of my skin, and even that faded momentarily.

I have mixed feelings about the moisturizer. It feels so thick and rich when it goes on, but I feel tight again after only a few minutes. You only get 2 oz for $24.00, so I don't really want to lather it on. I've been using an oil and my Lierac Hydrachrono to supplement the moisturization. I only bought the PM-suggested moisturizer, because as I said, I'm low on cash at the moment, and I'm only outside long enough to get in and out of my car. I'm thinking about getting the AM moisturizer as well, though, because I'm very sensitive to the sun. I will burn in 15 min or less, especially with all the emollients and petrolatum that I put on my face.

I'm not going to lie, I'm awful about washing my face in the morning. I've actually timed my alarm so that I get every second of snooze time possible before I roll out of bed, throw on clothes, put my hair up, and go to work. When you work at 6am and you're an incurable night owl, every moment counts! I usually end up putting a little lotion on before I head out, and then a heavier moisturizer and mascara at red lights on my way in to work. That said, I feel so moisturized and dewy when I use these before I sleep that I'm actually in pretty good shape in the morning when I'm rushing out the door.

I like to put some Albolene over the moisturizer to seal it in, and some Vaseline over my eyelids and on my upper lip (which is always irritated, dry, and super flaky due to forever blowing my nose in the cold weather) about an hour before bed. That gives it enough time to soak in, and I can reapply lotion or cream as needed before I sleep.

I also got samples of the Antioxidant Serum with Retinol and the Clinical: Advanced Redness Relief. I'm always so red at work, sometimes people ask me if I've gotten a sunburn or spent too much time under a sun lamp. It's so embarrassing! I suspect it's because I keep an occlusive (Albolene or Aquaphor) on my skin to keep it from flaking, and when I work, I work hard. I work hard enough that I'm running around constantly for 7-8 hours at a time, and I overheat. I don't think that the occlusive lets me sweat properly, so I end up just overheating and turning cherry red. I'm working on finding a moisturizer (or combination thereof) that lets my skin breathe, but no luck yet.

Anyway, the Redness Relief stung. It didn't fade quickly like the other products, either. It's supposed to be made of anti-irritants, but you don't want your products to sting! It means that they're irritating your skin, not that they're working. That said, after I used it, I used the moisturizer, and the stinging went right down. It did work as promised -- I looked much less red and I didn't turn into a tomato like I normally do after skincare (even touching my face with my fingers turn me red!). It's on my list of things to buy the full size of, but I'm not in a huge hurry. I have such a reputation for turning red at work that it's not my highest priority... how sad is that?

The Antioxidant serum was great. It felt like a super thick oil that I put on my skin. I got maybe three or four uses out of the packet, which was awesome for a free sample! It definitely gave my skin the extra moisture it needed, and made the moisturizer much more effective. I can see why it's supposed to be sold as a set. I ended up buying the serum because it was so moisturizing.

And that's my Paula's Choice Haul Review! Let me know what you guys think. What skin care regimen do you use? Do you like a certain line? I'm always up to try new things!

Product Haul! Paula's Choice: Skin Recovery

Ever since I started haunting the SkincareAddiction subreddit, I've been hearing about Paula's Choice. Her reviews of skincare and makeup are incredibly clinical about exactly how good a product is for your skin, and why. A lot of the things I have reviewed on here aren't reviewed very well on the Beautypedia section of her website, but the information that she gives in the product breakdown is vital to my opinion. I especially look to the website to see if there are any fragrances or other irritants in a product I am about to buy (much of the stuff I have reviewed so far I have gotten as gifts).

It was time that I take the plunge and actually get some of her products!

The site recommended to me the Skin Recovery line, which is formulated for dry/very dry skin, redness, and eczema. Bonus: a lot of the products in that line also are recommended for wrinkles. I'm starting to get some lines around my eyes and some smile lines, even though I'm only 24. Mom got smile lines around then, but I think the fine eye wrinkles are simply from dehydrated skin.

The entire line was a little more than I wanted to spend so soon after Christmas (and of course my boyfriend talked me into splitting a PlayStation 4 with him, so I was pretty broke), so even though it was a 5-step program of cleanser, toner, exfoliator, serum, and moisturizer, I ended up getting the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer to start with. There are two moisturizers in the line, one with sunscreen for the day, and one without for night. I got the night one, because I'm outside for maybe 3-4 minutes a day, and that's walking to and from my car. I have sunscreen for when I'm going to actually be outside 15+ minutes, but that's rare. With the three products, I got the free over $50 shipping, and I got to choose 3 samples. Here's what I got:

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Softening Cream Cleanser

The first time I used this, it was like 3:00 in the afternoon, and I'd been wearing an occlusive (yay Albolene!) all day. It tore right through the grease, but didn't feel like much other than a lotion on my skin. This morning, I forgot to wash my face (when you have to be at work at 6am, some things get deprioritized), and by the time I got home, my skin was rough and flaking. I'm not gonna lie -- after I put on Aquaphor, I rubbed, and I rubbed, and I ended up tearing right into it. It's super super sensitive right now, like after a chemical peel gone wrong. The cleanser stung like all hell when I first rubbed it on. It cooled right off, though, and to be fair, everything stings when your skin is that raw. The fact that it was so forgiving on my worst, just-raked skin is huge.

I only had a little mascara and the tiniest touch of foundation on -- if you have some stubborn eye makeup, you might want to try a makeup remover first. On the site, it had a couple of reviews saying that they needed quite a bit to remove their makeup. The point of this line is to nourish, so there's no point in wasting that nourishment on trying to remove liquid liner and mascara.

Price: $16.00 for 8 oz.

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Enriched Calming Toner

This stuff calmed my skin right down after I used the cleanser that second time. The only other toner I've used was the Rose Dew Toner by Annemarie Borlind, and that had alcohol as its second ingredient. The PA one wasn't astringent like the AB was at all. Alcohol is a huge irritant to skin, not to mention troublesome skin like mine. I remember that when I used the Rose Dew collection my skin was the best it had been yet, so the fact that this toner is actually moisturizing and not irritating is very encouraging.

Price: $18.00 for 6.4 oz.

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Replenishing Moisturizer

This tube is small. It's small enough to take on airplanes. I was quite sparing in using this, though I definitely needed more moisture. The cream itself is nice; it feels quite thick and emollient going on, and it absorbs like a dream. That said, my skin drank it up and I put on a second coat, which it drank up... I ended up using a layer of Lierac face oil and then some of my Lierac Hydrachrono (that always makes me feel quenched). The first time I used it, I ended up putting all that extra stuff afterwards, and because I went ice skating afterwards, I needed more by the time I got home. The second time, I used my serum sample pack beforehand, and OH MAN did it make a difference. I put two coats on and felt quenched right away, though after about 10 minutes I put on another layer of cream, this time the Neutrogena Norwegian Formula. It feels more moisturized that it has in ages. My only complaint: the price for the money. I'm thinking I'll go lighter on this and use more of the Norwegian Formula for the moisturizer part of my routine, for the sake of my wallet. I do want to put this on, because of the nutrition that I'm not getting with the Norwegian Formula, but I can't put enough of this alone on to really feel quenched.

Price: $24.00 for 2 oz.

SAMPLES~

Paula's Choice - Clinical: Instant Calm Advanced Redness Relief

Man oh man, did this sample convince me to buy this. Because I am prone to allergies and colds, my upper lip, right under my nose, is very often bright red. I blow my nose, it flakes like crazy, and then all that's left is a hypersensitive red patch that makes me look like a rosaceous Hitler. Sometimes it even breaks the healthy skin, so it oozes a little. It's basically gorgeous. And that's not my only problem with redness. I work in a grocery store bakery, so half the time I am working next to a hot oven, and the other I'm in a deep freezer (kept at -10 degrees F - about 0 degrees F) getting items that we ship in. Either one of these would make someone a bit red, but with my sensitive skin? I'm tomato-red all the time at work. Some of that might be attributed to me wearing occlusives all day on my face so I don't start flaking, but as my skin has gotten worse the past year or so, I've definitely gotten redder. People will ask me if I've been out in the sun (ha! I'm a cave dweller) or if I'm okay. I'm all done with that, which is why I chose this sample.

I haven't tested this in the bakery field yet (though I'm hoping it'll at least help!), but I turned my beautiful, slightly sallow white almost immediately after I was done washing and moisturizing -- something that can take up to 30 minutes for me. I've used it twice, and I'm very hopeful. I'm going to buy the full size sometime soon.

Price: $18.00 for 4 oz.

Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery: Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum

I'm going to be honest. Even though I only got the barest of bones of the recommended set to begin with, I probably wouldn't have bought this unless I got the sample. Serums, for me, have tended to be watery, milky-looking liquids that I haven't really felt did too much. The most I ever liked a serum was a skin-smoothing serum meant for fine wrinkles that I used when I was just going into high school, and I was only using it because my mom bought it and it was in the bathroom. This was an extremely thick, yellowy, oily ooze. The second that it went on, I thought that this might be all the moisture that some people would even need. It hydrated to the point of radiance, on the spot. I won't lie, I was actually floored by the difference this made. The first time that I used the moisturizer in the line, it didn't do the trick. Nowhere near. After this, though, even my extraordinarily flaky, thirsty skin was sated with the moisturizer. I'm definitely going to end up getting this.

Price: $28.00 for 1 oz.

Paula's Choice - Moisture Boost: Hydrating Treatment Cream

I got this because I had a third sample that I could get for free with my >$50 purchase, and nothing else was really jumping out at me. I knew that the moisturizer I bought was only 2 oz, so I thought I'd supplement it with this. The Skin Recovery line is so nice, though, that I think I'll let this sample sit for a little while I pump some nutrients into my skin. When I end up trying it, I'll let you know.

The last skincare regimen I really followed was the Annemarie Borlind Rose Dew for Skin Hydration Line. I used it when I first entered high school, and I remember really liking it. I fell out of the regimen, though, and afterwards I couldn't find it anywhere (in those days, I had no credit cards, haha). Soon it fell out of mind. I do remember having increased hydration using that system, but looking at it now, I see all kinds of irritants that my skin wouldn't be able to handle. I've been having a poor couple of years, skin-wise, and I'm so ready to change that. The CeraVe system didn't really do enough for me, and I'm hoping that the intense nutrients that the PA's line has will make a serious difference. I'll give it time, but I'll definitely update with my results.

I'm fairly confident in my choice of line, due to the lack of fragrance and other irritants, the way that it goes onto my skin, the lack of intense red reaction I have to it, and their openness about their ingredients and what each of them do. It was founded by Paula, a woman who, initially, would go and review other skin care products, and evaluate them based on their ingredients and effectiveness. With all of her experience in what worked and didn't, she started this line. This makes me more confident than many "dermatologist-approved" brands, because dermatologists are educated in skin diseases, not the many ingredients that could irritate your skin. Every time I go to them, they have the same old recommendations, even though I've personally found better products. I don't want to use steroids unless I absolutely have to, because they're awful for your body, long-term. My hips have actually changed shape due to too many courses of oral steroids. They can't keep up with the ever-changing, ever-lying world of skin care these days, and that's why I decided to start this blog in the first place.

I'll be updating soon!

Time Tested Goodie: Sarna Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion

During a particularly bad flareup, I was told by my allergist to try out this lotion. The Benadryl Anti-Itch lotion didn't do much for me, because my trigger at the time wasn't allergy related, it was stress combined with the changing of seasons. If the reason you're itchy is because of something you touched, breathed (such as pollen), or ate, I seriously urge you to try the Benadryl lotion out. It's not something I keep at my house, though, because that's not often the cause of my itchiness.

Sensitive Sarna Anti-Itch Lotion

This lotion claims to be moisturizing as well as stopping the itch. Well, when I'm itching bad enough to reach for this stuff, my skin is already raw enough that the little moisturizing that this does goes unnoticed. That said, I love this for when I'm painfully itchy. I won't go on vacations without it. The lotion is thin and watery, so it spreads very easily. This is a selling point to me, as I end up desperately squirting it into my hands and covering my face with it. It has a lovely, cooling sensation just seconds after it goes on your skin, which really helps cool the "burn" of the itch. If your skin is very raw, it can sting quite painfully for a few moments before the cooling really sets in. It's fast-acting enough that I feel markedly better after only 10 - 15 seconds of application, even if the first 5 - 6 are agonizing from the sting. This irritation is NOT from fragrance -- the Sensitive version is fragrance-free. It's also higher-strength than the original version, so I would recommend the sensitive version.

I've found that keeping this in the refrigerator (and no, it doesn't interfere with the medication -- I checked) really helps keep the stinging under control, and has the added effect of being cold when I slather it on. It's so, so nice.

Where to buy: Walmart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Target, Skinstore.com, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com

List Price: $10.49

Normal to Slightly Dry Skin: 1/5. This isn't for poison ivy or insect bites, which is probably what you would need this for. Use the original version instead for those things.

Very Dry, Flaky Skin: 5/5. Cools the itch very effectively.

Sensitive Skin: 5/5. Cools the itching from irritants while not being irritating itself. A must.

In My Closet: Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Intense Rehydration Balm

This is something my mother bought for me a long time ago. I haven't been using it as much lately, mostly because it's just expensive for such a small jar. Every time I'm able to get samples, though, I stock up on them.

Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Intense Rehydration Balm

This stuff comes in a luxurious, thick, slightly pink cream. It feels so gentle over the skin, and it hydrates amazingly. I don't even care that it seems to be for maturing skin - the hydration is fantastic. It contains a whole bunch of moisturizing plant oils, such as almond, coconut, shea, and apricot kernel. My only complaint is how much you get for the price -- it's such a small amount that I tend to be stingy when applying it to my face, so I end up needing a second coat of something else to seal the moisture in.

Where to buy: Walgreens, Amazon.com, Dermstore.com
List Price: $50.00

Normal to Slightly Dry Skin: 2/5. This is a heavy-duty product for a high price. Just not worth it if you don't need serious moisture.
Very Dry, Flaky Skin: 4/5. Still very expensive, but it makes good on its hydrating promise. The ingredients are also so good for your skin -- I don't use this as my only moisturizer, but occasional use has definitely nourished my face.
Sensitive Skin: 4/5. Doesn't sting at all, rather feels thick and velvety on raw and/or sensitive skin.

Time Tested Goodie: Stridex Maximum Strength

Every few months, I get some crazy, hormonal breakout. They're incredibly deep, and take up to a week to even come to a head. They hurt, and I get some serious swelling around them. Currently I have one on my left cheekbone (yay, beginning of the semester!), so I thought I'd share my one acne product.

Stridex Maximum Strength Pads (red box)

These are nice because they deliver 2% salicylic acid (a BHA, beta hydroxy acid), which is the highest over-the-counter concentration. The pads are just soaked with the liquid, and one box lasts quite a long time. I started buying these because my boyfriend has very persistent hormonal acne along with dehydrated, yet oily skin. These pads have helped him diminish his very prominent sebaceous filaments (often confused with blackheads), and, after a short detoxifying time, cleared his skin right up. He Stridex-es twice a day, and when I get a pimple, I'll use the pad right before him and just hold it on my pimple for a second. You can feel the liquid coming out of the pad, and you can feel it working for a short time afterwards. It's tingly, but not painful. Used twice a day, it helps my pimple come to a head much faster, and helps the blemish heal much faster. You should NOT pop pimples, but put a bandaid with antibacterial ointment or a hydrocolloid bandage over it during the night, which helps the pus be drawn out.

Something I didn't know when I used these for a short time when I was younger: You need to let the medication work for some time before washing/moisturizing your face. I would use this before washing, because it has detergent ingredients and menthol, which are irritants. I would give it at least five minutes, or until it feels like the liquid has dried and stopped tingling. Otherwise, the salicylic acid will be neutralized by the water/cleanser/moisturizer, and stop working.

Where to buy: Walgreens, Wal-Mart, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com

List Price: $6.29

Normal to slightly dry skin: 5/5. 

Time-Tested Goodie: Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

I've been using this product for about two and a half years now, and I still am loving it. It was recommended to me by my acupuncturist (it was covered under my insurance, and I thought I'd try it out). I bought one tub that I keep mostly by my side (I keep it in my car when I'm out), and it's still going strong.

Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

Claims: Removes makeup gently and effectively. Moisturizes. Help prevent dry, irritated skin.

Verdict: First of all, this is in a tub, which is somewhat unsanitary. It wouldn't be able to be dispensed in a tube, though, because of its consistency. To keep the tub sanitary, you'll have to use something to scoop out the Albolene. I use a fro-yo spoon. That said, I love this stuff. It was recommended to me as both a makeup remover and just a moisturizer. I put it on in the morning over my moisturizer to keep myself from flaking, I put it on at night to remove my makeup... It's great. It's a solid that tuns to liquid with your body temperature, so it doesn't feel as thick or greasy as Vaseline or Aquaphor. It's an occlusive layer -- something to keep moisture in and irritants out. Definitely something to keep if you have flaky, eczema-y skin, but don't only use this. It really only has paraffin and petrolatum in it; your skin needs emollients, antioxidants, and vitamins to be truly healthy. This is a great addition, but not something to replace your normal moisturizer with.

Where to buy: Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS

List price: $13.99

Normal to slightly dry skin: 3/5. You could use this as a moisturizing, gentle makeup remover, but there are so many on the market. Using this as a moisturizer would be greasy and probably feel uncomfortable.

Dry, Flaky Skin: 5/5. As I said, don't use this alone on your skin, though it is both a cleanser and moisturizer. Highly recommended, though, for de-flaking patches on the go, taking stubborn makeup off, and keeping skin soft and the moisture in.

Sensitive Skin: 5/5. This is the most effective, gentle, no-scrubbing-necessary makeup remover I've ever encountered. Even when it takes a little time, like with stubborn mascara or eyeliner, you just slather some on and leave it or massage lightly for a time. It comes right off with a tissue. I have been putting this on my face for so long now and never have I had a red, blotchy reaction. 

Just Acquired: Sebamed Moisturizing Body Lotion

I found this bottle of lotion in a box I hadn't yet unpacked from my move (even though it was like 5 months ago!), and I had just finished off my Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion (last post). I was ready for something more heavy-duty to make up for the lackluster moisturizing of the Curel, but I hate having greasy lotions. It looks pretty promising.

Sebamed Moisturizing Body Lotion for Sensitive Skin

Claims: Hypoallergenic, noncomodogenic, same pH as healthy skin (5.5), quickly absorbed, nongreasy, nonirritating. 

Verdict: It's definitely a light lotion, I'll give it that. I have had no problems with breakouts, and it seems gentle enough for my face. The pH thing is a big seller -- one of the things that I had to use as a teenager was a pH balancing prescription cream since my skin was always too alkaline. Once I'd used that for a while, I saw some serious improvements. This isn't quite as great, though it keeps moisture in much better than you'd expect for such a watery lotion. It does have fragrance, which is odd for a lotion specifically marketed at sensitive skin. It actually smells fairly strongly of perfume. It didn't bother my face or my arms, but my back gets seriously blotchy whenever I use it there.

Where to Buy: Sebamedusa.com, Walgreens, Drugstore.com, Amazon.com

List Price: $12.99

Slightly Dry to Normal Skin: 3/5. Absorbs quickly, nongreasy, won't clog pores, moisturizing. The smell can be unpleasant. There are cheaper options available.

Sensitive Skin: Your mileage may vary. It didn't bother my face, but bothered my drier shoulders and back.

Very Dry Skin: 2/5. Used right out of the shower, it feels like it locks moisture in. I haven't noticed any moisturizing effects when I use it on dry skin, though.

UPDATE: After using it for a little while, I can say that the moisturizing effect isn't as great as I thought. I'm left feeling tight and dry, though it helps deal with my flakiness. It may be a better product when combined with a body oil.

Empty: Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion

Hi guys! Winter is really in full-force here in New England. It's been about 20 degrees every day, and it's just so incredibly dry and windy. I have to have my humidifier going 24/7, otherwise my just-woke-up face is a horrifying flaky mess. I've been going through lotions and creams like crazy.

Curel Skin Nourishing Lotion

Claims: "Advanced Ceramide Therapy," which is supposed to hydrate the surface of the skin while giving nutrients to the skin that repair over time. Shea butter is supposed to soothe and smooth. Non greasy, noncomodogenic (won't clog pores), absorbs quickly, gentle enough for face.

Verdict: I bought this because I had the Itch Defense by Curel for a while, and while it didn't noticeably defend from itching, it was a good moisturizer. I'd throw a little on my face or hands at random points in the day, and it absorbed quickly and didn't feel greasy. I thought the Skin Nourishing would be more moisturizing, but it ended up stinging a little when I put it on (due to the amounts of eucalyptus, an irritant), and did little to keep my skin moisturized or nourished. The texture was nice, and it smelled a little of vanilla and honey (it's not actually fragranced; those are both ingredients that are supposed to be nourishing and/or moisturizing). I can't say that my skin feels nourished or moisturized at all after I've applied this. There are much better things out there.

Where to buy: Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Rite-Aid, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com.

List price: $8.49 (most of the above places are about $5.50)

Slightly dry - normal skin: 3/5. Smells nice, doesn't clog pores, lightly moisturizing. Good price.

Sensitive skin: 1/5. Stings due to the eucalyptus. Made me blotchy for a while after applying.

Very dry skin: 2/5. Might be an okay hand moisturizer during the summer. Otherwise, just doesn't have enough power.

About Me

I'm 23 years old, and I've been struggling with eczema my whole life. I've tried dozens and dozens of products, some better than others. I'm still on the hunt for the best products to help soothe my extremely dry, extremely flaky, extremely sensitive/red skin. I was looking around online for a skincare reviewer who had similar skin concerns, but the closest I got was "dry" or "mature" or "sensitive." None of those were quite, well... severe enough for me to have confidence that I'd have a similar experience.

I work in a bakery, so I'm either next to an oven or in a freezer for most of my day, and often go back and forth between them. The temperature changes are brutal on my skin, so I need something thick and emollient that will last me at least the 8 hours I'm at work. I don't want to have to reapply lotions and creams to my face all day at work. Basically, I'm looking for noncomodogenic, moisturizing, skin barrier repairing, gentle formulas that will help me battle itching, flaking, and the chronic dry tightness.

A lot of the things I'm going to review can be bought at drugstores or Walmart. I'm not exactly overloaded with cash, as I'm a part time college student who also works part time. As I go through the things I own, I'll post "Empties" posts, "Just Acquired" posts, "In My Closet" posts, and "Time-Tested Goodies," for products I like enough to repurchase.

Hope to see you soon!