Product Junkie: Skincare

Ever since I can remember, the smell of Oil of Olay brings me the BEST memories. It always takes me right back to visiting my grandmother who used to wear Oil of Olay everyday.  When we would ask what gifts she wanted for birthdays or Christmas, she would ask for a jar, and later a bottle, of Oil of Olay.  It was the first cream I ever put on my face. I always remember the wonderful way she smelled.  Fortunately for me and my face, Olay has come a long way since the days of Oil of Olay.  While I haven't worn cold cream on my face in years, I am certainly a product junkie and I am always looking for ways to slow the effects of aging now that I am a young babe no more.  These are some of my favorite products and items you can find in my crowded share of the bathroom cabinet! Full disclosure: I moved my skincare items to the guest bath to photograph them. :/

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair and Oil Free Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub; Bliss Fabulous Face Lotion with SPF 15

Face Wash/Scrubs:
I suffer from Rosacea and while I don't need daily medication, I have to be very careful about what I can and can't put on my face.  In addition, I also have a very oily T-Zone and very dry cheeks.  I alternate between Neutrogena's Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Scrub and the Oil-Free Cream Cleanser (not pictured) because I can't scrub everyday.

Moisturizers:
After I wash my face, I always wear a moisturizer with SPF. In the summer, I love Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over Moisturizing Gel because the cool gel feels really good against my skin and it also soothes the skin on my cheeks and nose, which tend to redden the most.  In the winter, I switch to the Fabulous Face Lotion by Bliss because it is thicker, but soaks right into my skin and doesn't feel sticky or greasy afterwards.

Undereye Treatments:
At my age (36) I worry about fine and not so fine lines on my face, particularly the crow's feet at the edge of my eyes and the dark skin under my eyes.  In the past I've regularly used Neutrogena's Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream. Recently, I started using Olay Fresh Effects Bright On Schedule Eye Awakening Cream.  I love that it has a trio of stainless steel pellets on the top of the applicator which give your under eye area a gentle massage as you apply the cream in the mornings.

Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over Moisturizing Gel, Everything Off Wipes; Bright on Schedule Eye Cream c/o P&G

Other Products I use nightly and as needed:
One of the hardest things for me has always been remembering to wash my face at night.  Academically, I know that shouldn't sleep with my make-up on, but realistically, I don't always remember to wash my face after I brush my teeth at night. Several times I've heard that I should keep make-up removing wipes by the bed so I don't have to jump up when I remember and last year at LuckyFABB, we all received a packet of S'Wipe Out cleansing wipes from Olay Fresh Effects.  Keeping them in my nightstand has made a huge difference in my skincare routine. Once I ran out of wipes, I was happy to discover that I could buy them at Target, Walgreen's, even my grocery store for only $5.  They have become a staple and I was thrilled when P&G Beauty gifted us another pack of the Olay Fresh Effects Everything Off Delux Make-up Removing Cloths at this year's conference.  I know I will be upgrading mine as soon as I run out.

c/o Algenist Algae Brightning Mask; Murad Acne Spot Treatment; Montagne Jeunnese Mask

For face masks, I alternate among a number of brands. My current favorites are Algenist Algea Brightening Mask,  almost all peel-off masks by Montagne Jeunesse - found at grocery stores for $2, and homemade ones that include honey & lemon or papaya & pomegranate seeds.

Finally, another product that I discovered at LuckyFABB two years ago at the first FABB West was Murad's Acne Spot Treatment. I probably would never have tried this product on my own, but it is nearly magical in its ability to get rid of zits and blemishes almost immediately. It is also the single most stolen product from my medicine cabinet! I always share it with my sister, the boys, or friends who visit and complain about life-threatening pimple and then I can never find it when they leave and have to go to Sephora to buy another tube. ;)

So that is my skincare routine. I admit to being a product junkie, but I try to listen to my body and especially my face when I am trying new products. If something feels like it burns, I immediately wipe it off because I know that my skin isn't liking it and I will likely end up with red welts on my face from something that was not Rosacea-friendly.

What are some of your favorite products?
*I have received some of the mentioned products to try for free, but this post reflects only my own experiences and opinions and I was not paid to write any portion of this post by any brand named above.*