Drugstore Gem: Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash

It's that time of the year when we have to start switching out certain skincare products. What worked during the summer may not cut it as the temperatures drop. About eight years ago I used Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash and I loved it.

The only reason I can think that I stopped using it is because I am such a product junkie that I moved on to something else.

I was in CVS a couple of weeks ago looking for a new cleanser after my facial and decided that since I loved Basis back in the day, I would still love it now.

The clean fresh scent of mint, lemongrass, and chamomile still do the trick. The formula has not changed at all. This is the perfect daytime cleanser for normal to oilier skin types and it's wallet friendly!

My New (Simple) Skin Care Regimen

Nothing annoys me more than the fact that I am well past my teen years and still suffer from the occasional breakout. I have tried to maintain my stress as best as I can but it hasn't been easy. Unfortunately, whatever I am going through acts out on my face. The past few months the breakouts have been crazy. Nothing I have tried has worked so I had to schedule an appointment with my dermatologist. I took all the products I had been using on my face and subjected myself to her gentle scolding.

My derm informed me that I was using way too much on my face and was probably making the situation worse. She suggested that I stop using all the cleansers and of course told me Cetaphil was the only cleanser I needed. Honestly, Cetaphil just doesn't cut it for my skin anymore. She prescribed Tretinoin Cream and a 60 day oral antibiotic, Doxycycline.

I tweaked the regimen a little, I know, I know, I should follow doctor's orders but I know that Cetaphil does nothing for my skin. It doesn't clean particularly well. While looking for a gentle cleanser with zero bells, whistles, and empty promises, I decided on Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash. I've been on this regimen for almost two weeks. I'll let you guys know how its working for me in a few weeks.

What's your current skin care routine? I'd love to know so please leave a comment!

A Life of Style: Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Plant

Good Morning Fabulous Ones!!!! Happy Thursday =)

Today is Tea Tree Thursday.

For the past month my face has been acting out. In addition to the monthly visitor breakouts (ugh!), I have had a couple of out of nowhere eruptions that have truly annoyed me. None of my standard products were working so I visited my local health food store to pick up some natural products. Having run out of my Body Shop tea tree oil cleanser which I swore was the *bee's knees and have used for quite some time, I decided to try Dr. Bronner's Magic Pure Castile Tea Tree Liquid Soap.

The first time I washed my face with this soap I was pretty blown away. My skin was super clean. Honestly it was the first time I actually felt a cleanser working. After I cleansed, I dabbed pure tea tree oil on a cotton pad and applied to the mini Mount St. Helens. Within a week I was all clear. I don't think any of my old stand by skin care products have ever worked this well. These products are now a part of my daily skin care starting line up. *grinning ear to ear*

Tea tree oil not only saved my skin, it proved to be a real gem while I was sick. Last week I came down with an awful sinus infection - severe headache, terribly congested, post nasal drip, and intense pressure. I was having such a hard time sleeping due to my nasal passages being completely closed. My humidifier was working overtime and not providing a lot of relief...until I added a few drops of tea tree oil. Soon after, I was able to breathe through my nose and sleep a lot better.

Gotta love that tea tree oil =)

Before I sign off, I want to share the ingredients for the Body Shop tea tree oil facial cleanser and Dr. Bronner's. I've been reading product labels a lot more and doing way more research than I ever have before I purchase certain items now.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Facial Wash:
Water (Solvent/Diluent), Glycerin (Humectant), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (Surfactant), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (Surfactant), PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate (Viscosity Modifier), Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier), Alcohol Denat. (Solvent/Diluent), Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (Natural Additive), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative), Benzyl Alcohol (Preservative), Allantoin (Skin Soothing Agent), Polyquaternium-10 (Hair Conditioner), Sodium Salicylate (Preservative), Limonene (Fragrance Ingredient), Citric Acid (pH Adjuster), Yellow 5 (Colour), Blue 1 (Colour).

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Tea Tree Pure-Castile Soap:
Water, Saponfied Organic Coconut Oil*, Saponified Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Glycerin, Organic Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Melaleuca Altenafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Tocopherol (*Certified Fair Trade by IMO)

*Bee's Knees

Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Hemp Tea Tree Pure-Castile Soap

Desert Essence Organic Tea Tree Oil

A Life of Style: Midday Oil Crisis

Having oily skin gets on my nerves. Usually by 11 a.m. I whip out my purse mirror and sure enough my forehead is gleaming and my nose is glowing. The midday oil crisis has reigned its shiny terror all over an otherwise cute face.

Blotting tissues in my purse are a must have at all times.

I alternate between the Tea Tree Oil Facial Blotting Tissues and Boscia Blotting Linens. Both products deliver their promised results of absorbing oil and leaving my makeup in tact. I only wish the Tea Tree Oil tissues were larger to cover more of my face. I have to use two or three at a time as opposed to one Boscia Linen. The sheets are $10 and you get 65 Tea Tree Oil sheets and 100 Boscia Linens.

If you're an oily gal, how do you combat your midday oil crisis?

www.thebodyshop-usa.com

www.bosciaskincare.com