Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control (Power cream wash, Power clear scrub, 3-in-1 hydrating acne treatment)

So as I said before I was looking for a new face wash that had salicylic acid in it to help with my clogged pores. I have been using Neutrogena for the last few months and it has helped my skin a lot and I’m pretty happy with the results. It didn’t get my skin flawless, but it significantly helped to clear my pores and keep my skin free of blemishes. I used three of the oil-free Acne stress control products. The Oil-Free Acne Stress Control- Power Cream Wash, Oil-Free Acne Stress Control- Power Clear Scrub, Oil-Free Acne Stress control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment. I thought that the combination of all three products really did help my skin. The face wash smelled really good (like a fruity melon-y scent) it didn’t irritate my skin, it had a cool menthol effect and did a good job at cleaning my face without over-drying it. It left my face smooth and soft. The exfoliator (which I used initially everyday but switched to three times a week) is really good a removing dead skin cells and clearing pores without irritating skin. It has a stronger menthol effect but nothing that is irritating. The Three in one hydrating treatment, is my favorite of all three products. Like the face washes it smells good, is almost serum-like in consistency, is light and really made my skin soft and smooth. It dries very quickly and surprisingly is quite hydrating. Because it is an acne treatment and in serum form I assumed it would be drying, especially for my already dry skin. A few other reviews I read said that it irritated their skin and dried it out. It didn’t do that to my skin which was a pleasant surprise. Its suppose to 1) treat acne even before it emerges 2) hydrates and softens 3) reduces redness. It does these things well. Well I used the hydrating treatment with the other two products the salicylic acid in the treatment really helped my pores. As opposed to the face wash which washes off and has little contact time with your skin. The cream helps heal blemishes, prevent new ones, and help unclog pores. It also makes skin soft and smooth and does a good job at reducing any redness that you might have. Its actually hydrating enough that I haven’t been using my Burt’s Bees radiant creams (day and night versions). The three products also helped to reduce oiliness (especially in the T zone) and to smooth and even out my skin removing excess skin cells and rough patches on my face. Overall the three products really worked well together in unison but are also good standalone products. I’m currently trying out two new products, a face wash and exfoliator and when I finish them I’ll compare them to the Neutrogena products. 

Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask

Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask

I haven’t used too many facemasks. In fact this is only the third I have ever tried. I have used Proactiv Sulfur mask, which is okay but not amazing. Not to mention the fact that it smells of sulfur which is a gross smell, and the scent of the mask lingers even after you wash your face with cleanser. The Proactiv mask is good for pimples, however I don’t have a problem with pimples so much as I have problems with really clogged pores (blackheads and whiteheads). The other mask that I have used is Burt’s Bees Pore Refining Mask. Which was also okay but not amazing. I won’t be reviewing either mask. I won’t review the Proactiv mask because I haven’t used it in a long time and it wasn’t my favorite mask.  I won’t bother reviewing the Burt’s Bees Pore Refining mask because they actually discontinued it, so reviewing it would be useless.

However, Formula 10.0.6 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask is an exceptional mask and I really liked the results. The first time I used the mask I was a bit skeptical, despite its high reviews. The mask kind of burns a bit when you first put it on. However it only last a few seconds and doesn’t irritate your skin (I have sensitive skin). Your suppose to leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, however I find it isn’t usually dry by then and I leave it on for much longer. In fact I have left it on for longer without any adverse side effects (although I strongly advise you to follow the directions on the bottle). It leaves your face very soft and smooth and really does clean out your pores if you use it frequently. I try to use it 3 times a week (as the package suggests 1-3 times a week) and if I can’t use it 3 times I try and use it at least once. It really clears my pores, which helps to eliminate the blackheads and whiteheads and also makes my skin care regimen more effective. I was really surprised how much it cleared my blackheads. If you use it frequently it really makes your skin near flawless. I may try other masks just to see what’s out there but at least I know this is a really good staple if there isn’t anything better.

Overall I highly recommend this mask, it does a great job at clearing pores and eliminating blackheads. It also helps with blemishes. I am usually skeptical because every mask claims to be the best but this mask really does what it claims. It refines pores and makes them smaller. Despite a slight burning when first applied, it leaves skin soft, smooth, and not irritated, red, dry or flaky.

Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme

Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme

I really like the Burt's Bees radiance creme line. I reviewed the Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme also. I have never used eye cream before this, so I don't have any other eye cream to compare it to. Even without a comparison I really like this stuff! Here is a Blurb from Burt's Bees website*

*Royal Jelly, one of nature's most nourishing substances, and bee pollen naturally replenish and renew your skin's essential nutrients, restoring a smooth, youthful appearance. This highly-concentrated formula also contains chamomile, cucumber and rosehip extracts, which are known to promote skin renewal and reduce puffiness and swelling. Natural mica diffuses light to minimize the look of fine lines.*

This is definitely good if the skin around your eyes is dry. This really makes your eyelids and surrounding eye area feel moisturized and soothed without feeling heavy or like you have cream on your eyelids. It absorbs pretty quickly, and works perfectly under eye makeup. It seems to work well as a primer for eye makeup, making the makeup go on smoother and more even. I don't know how it works for puffiness, because my eyes aren't excessively puffy. The only fine lines I have are two little lines directly under my lash line, that usually only appear when the skin under my lashes is dry. When I use this eye cream they usually disappear or are barely noticeable. My two favorite things about this eye cream are: the smell and the mica light diffusing effect. For whatever reason this eye cream has a good smell, it doesn't really smell like the Radiance Day Creme but has a more perfume-y type smell. The mica light diffusing effect is by far the best thing about this creme. It makes dark circles look so much less noticeable. Your eyes look brighter and more awake when you use this, and the difference is quite noticeable. While this is not a permanent effect, (the creme washes off and along with it the mica goes) it doesn't really matter if you apply the cream after you wash your face. While the price is a bit high for a drugstore type brand the jar lasts a really long time. A very little of this eye cream goes a long way. The half ounce jar I have been using twice a day for months doesn't even look like its been used at all.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for a good eye cream.

Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream

This is one of my favorite cream cleansers. Like I have been saying in other posts I have dry sensitive skin, and lots of cleansers irritate my skin. This cleanser is very gentle and non-irritating. I am also prone to blackheads/whiteheads and the occasional blemish. This cleanser is very good at getting rid of blackheads and whiteheads and tightening up pores. It isn't oil free, however I didn't have any problems with it clogging my pores. It also has menthol in it so it has a cooling refreshing tingle. The menthol has never irritated my face either. It might take a little getting use to using a wash with menthol if you never have before. I wouldn't recommend using this as a makeup remover, for me regardless of what kind of makeup I wear it didn't effectively remove it. I usually remove makeup before I wash my face so this didn't bother me. I would also recommend keeping this cleanser away from your eyes, because it has menthol I wouldn't recommend you use this to remove eye makeup. I would recommend this cream wash if you have normal skin, or if you only have occasional blemishes, because this doesn't have any salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in it.

Burt's Bees Rosewater and Glycerin Toner

Burt's Bees Rosewater and Glycerin Toner

Of the few different toners I have tried this is by far my favorite. Like I said in my last post, I have dry, sometimes sensitive skin, and most toners are very drying and irritating.  Especially, toners that have high levels of alcohol seem to irritate my skin. I have used toners that make my skin feel like its burning, and  leave my skin red and dry. Needless to say I wasn't really seeing the benefit of toners and had eliminated them from my skin care regimen, until I found this Rosewater and Glycerin toner. When I tried this toner I was pretty shocked at how good it works. Firstly, it didn't even remotely burn or irritate my skin. Instead it made my skin feel calmed and soothed. It also didn't dry out my skin, instead it helped moisturize my skin. After using this product for a while my skin tone evened out and my pores got much smaller, although I'm not sure if I would contribute the results to this toner alone because when I started using this toner I also started a whole new skin care regimen. This toner definitely did help though, even if it was in conjunction with other products.  I would definitely recommend this toner if you want a toner that does all the things a toner should do and none of the things it shouldn't do.

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme

Blurb from Burt's Bees website*

*This quick-absorbing formula is light to the touch, but heavy in nutrients. Royal Jelly, one of nature’s most nourishing substances, is packed with 134 nutrients, including 17 amino acids, and vitamins A, C, D and K, as well as multiple B-vitamins, helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and renew your skin. Bee pollen in the formula helps skin maintain its essential moisture and restore its natural radiance.*

I have tried lots of low-end creams. Being someone with dry skin, I want a cream that is moisturizing without being heavy and greasy. I also want a cream that will help the tone and texture of my skin as well. While on the hunt for a good face cream, I decided to try Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme and I'm glad I did. I really like this cream, and it seems to have helped my complexion.  It makes my complexion look brighter and more "radiant" it also smooths out the texture of my skin and overall makes my face look more even toned. It's also 98.2% natural, which I also like because my face is sensitive to the harsh chemicals that are found in some face cosmetics. Although it is not oil free and has both sesame seed oil and castor oil, it has Not made my skin breakout. I read in some reviews that people didn't like the smell. I personally don't think it smells bad, it smells, light, fresh, clean, nature-y,and earthy.  So if you are used to perfumes, this might take getting use to. If you hate chemical perfumes, you will probably really like the smell of this. The cream comes in a 2oz jar that lasts a long time. I have been using it for a few months now and it isn't even half way done yet. All in all I would definitely recommend this cream if you have dry skin and want to improve your complexion.