This year I’ve really gone through a lot of creams and potions. In the end I must say that it wasn’t easy to bring you an ensemble of favorite. Not that I have so many, quite the opposite. When I really think about it, not much has really impressed me. But that may and may not be because, well my face, it’s better, but I still have problems with it. I love everything skincare so I’m always open to trying out new products.
I wish there would be some more make up related things in my favorites, but as said:
- My face hasn’t been the prettiest in make up
- We’ll leave it to be one of my new years resolutions and do a make over in my make up bag to contain more natural stuff.
Let’s jump right into the categories!
CLEANSER
Raw Gaia Skin Divinty Cleansing Spray
You should see my bathroom, it’s full of different facial cleansers that I’m trying to use up, but the only one that actually felt nice and kind was the little sample from Raw Gaia. I was pretty sad to use it up so quickly without even trying. It also gets a bonus point for being revolutionary and creative with it being a “Spray Cleanser” – how many cleansers are actually in spray format? And doesn’t have to be washed off?! I rest my case.
Other favorites in this category that impressed:
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm + Cleansing Cloth
One that I always fall back to but isn’t that natural:
Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Skin Wash
TONER
Salcura Antiac + DIY
I’m still discussing if toners really are necessary and important in your skincare routine, but I’ve found two that really works on calming the face. I never did repurchase the Antiac, but I feel as if I should. I loved the minty eucalyptus smell, and it did a good job in calming down my redness, and a bonus: it is all natural!
I’ve lately seen that they’ve released a new one and updated version if this one is supposed to replace the old formula I don’t know, but I hope not. The old one had a very little ingredient list with names I could pronounce and imagine in front of me. The new on the other hand has a very long list of things like: Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Polyglyceryl-3 Caprylate, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, and Alcohol Denat. high up on the list. Doesn’t really matter if they are safe or not, if I can’t imagine it in front of me, it can’t be good. And having alcohol denat so high up in the list… What the #€&% are they thinking when trying to treat acne?!
Therefore, on shared first place comes the DIY toner. I make mine ever week out of organic Chamomile Tea and a few drops of Lavender Tea Tree Oil. It’s calming, good for redness, cheap and no nasties. But don’t forget to change the water or it’ll do the quite opposite!
MOISTURIZER
Raw Gaia Hemp Heaven
Or any Raw Gaia moisturizer for that matter. I love the smell and that a little goes a long way. It doesn’t seem to irritate my skin and 100% natural with ingredients you can pronounce! A year ago I was experimenting with oils but not did I believe I would become so anti towards commercial brands.
It has gone to that point that I can’t even imagine myself using that old white stuff in the face, even if it comes from a natural brand for me it has become quite fake and not even close and powerful as to what I’m using now. Oils and fats has become my #1 treatment for skin and I love slathering them on and massaging them in. It’s all become quite an art form, really.
Facial MASK
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel
While Pai’s Rosehip Mask is delightful, it’s a picture typo, it should be Juice Beauty’s full strength mask.
I’ve tried REN’s Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask which is very similar to the way they work, but I liked JB’s better. I don’t use it often, but when I do I definitely notice a difference in skin texture the next morning! And that’s somewhat important for me when it comes to masks, to actually feel a difference right after.
SCRUB
Estelle & Thild Micro Scrub Lily
I’ve tested a few scrubs in my life to know that the best ones come in microformats. The smaller the beads the smoother the result will be. I really like this one also for its hydrating properties.
FACE OIL
Neem oil
Seriously, move away Argan, Coconut, Rosehip and all other oils that have been hyped to the teeth, ’cause they don’t even contain half of the magic as this smelly oil has!
I haven’t used it for that long actually, it just popped up this December and because of the fast and visible results I had with it it became clear the winner oil of the year!
It has a con though, as you may know, it smells of bad onion. I’m still working on the “masking the smell”, but right now it’s only resulted in the opposite face: quite irritated and red.
But at the moment I’d rather have a smell face than an ugly one hehe
BODY OIL
Monoi Tiki Tahiti Vanilla Coconut Oil
It makes me soft and smell like a cupcake on a tropical island.
I don’t use it on the winter ’cause I want it to always remind me of hot summer days.
I usually get quite sick and tired of vanilla smelling scents but this one makes me want to buy both the soap and perfume version! Hoping to play with it with some future DIY skincare too!
LIP PRODUCT
Korres Lip Butter
You want to believe it’s all natural but unfortunately, it is not. But in a weird way, of all the lip balms I’ve tested (Hurraw, Naked, EOS, Burt’s Bees) this kind of takes the lead. Maybe I’ll change my mind someday, but right now in winter, it’s my go-to.
HAND CREAM
Nonique Anti-Aging Hand Cream
To be honest, any hand cream will do, but this one has been following me in my purse and so it’s the clear winner. I like that it doesn’t have a strong smell, it goes away quickly (not like Rosenserien and Dessert Essence that lingers on quite strong). Also, always fun with super ingredients like Noni and Acai for a good price.
DEODORANT
Rosenserien Deodorant
I made my own, which resulted in fiery red armpit holes, but dry they were. Both I and my boyfriend actually have stopped using deodorant, but certain occasions are in need of being confident, and that’s where this one comes in. I got a sweet deal on it, otherwise, it is quite expensive for a deo. I’m not fond of the rosy smell, so next time I will try the more “sporty”-one.
2013 was really a massive skin care year so I apologize for the lack of makeup, which I’m hoping to update and invest in for this year. All of that testing and trying did upset my skin, but thanks to all of the guidelines from researching and of course You guys, my skin is finally seeing better days and so I’m getting more confident to try on some natural makeup.
