Face creams and moisturizers. They can be a hit or miss especially for people who have dry sensitive skin like I do. I recently tried Wild Carrot’s Vanilla Bean Luscious Face Cream. Unfortunately, this face cream did not work for my dry sensitive but I do feel like someone with normal/dry skin can benefit from this moisturizer.

First off, the smell is quite wonderful. It has a earthy vanilla smell that is not overbearing or perfumery. There is nothing like a product that has a strong perfume fragrance. If you have sensitive skin, run from those skincare that have strong fragrances. This face cream comes in a beautiful glass jar. This cream is fluffy, thick, and white. It glides on the skin so smoothly. It soaks into the skin well and does not sit on top of the face. I have tried a couple different face creams these past two months and they sat on top of my face causing a burning sensation. If this happens to you when you try a new product, discontinue the product. A little goes a long way with this face cream. It gave me a beautiful glow and if you know me, I am all about the glow honey. I enjoy looking like a grease ball lol. I mean, who doesn’t like a good glow? I know I say this all the time, but I feel it is necessary to re-iterate this to ya’ll.

After a week of using this face, I had to discontinue using because it irritated my cheeks. I am unsure what ingredient caused this, but I was extremely bummed about it. This face cream felt so nice on my skin. Wild Carrot is a all natural skincare brand. They have several other products that cater to different skin types. On top of that, they are inexpensive compared to other skincare brands. I was also able to converse with the owner and she was extremely nice. She informed me that this skincare line was created for this with sensitive skin who’s skin gets irritated by harsh chemicals in skincare products. You can find select products in Marlene’s, Whole Foods, Metropolitan Market and other grocery stores.

Check out this wonderful natural brand. You will not be disappointed. Always remember, what works for one person, may not work for you and vise versa. Everything is all trial and error.

I made a vow that I will always be honest, authentic, and real with you all. Acne is something I was not familiar with during my pre-teen and teen years. I was use to having flawless skin and the only blemishes that would pop up would around that time of the month. Noxzema and Palmers Coco Butter were my holygrail products that left my skin smooth and flawless. Unfortunately, Unilever bought out Noxzema and changed the formula of this amazing product millions loved across the world. The betrayal I felt when I learned about this formula change left my heart into a million pieces. My thing is, why changed a good thing if it isn’t broken? My heart ached so bad and as some of you know, when you have dry and sensitive skin, it is not easy to find products that work for your skin type. It can take years and years to find a routine that truly works🙄😆🤔.

After I turned 21, I started experiencing hormonal acne off and on constantly. During the Summer, I expressed to you all I was experiencing breakouts due to the hot weather. I was breaking out on my forehead, sides of cheeks, and my jawline. I was consuming more sugar as well. I mean how can you say no to ice cream? I sure can’t, especially almond poppyseed or mint chocolate ice cream. Due to those breakouts, I am dealing with hyperpigmented, dry, and irritated skin. Yes, it is winter time so your skin is more prone to breakouts and being dry and irritated. That is me right now. My skin looks like it is battling a war zone literally. Okay, maybe not a war zone but this is by far the most horrible breakout I have experienced in my adult years.

The products I normally use were not cleaning nor moisturizing my face. They were irritating my skin and my face became so inflamed. I tried purchasing a couple different moisturizers to test out and within days my skin was on fire. In the morning, I am only washing my face with water and moisturizer. Sometimes, I will use micellar water to cleanse my face if my skin can handle it. At night time, I am using fresh avocado and yogurt to calm my skin. FYI, if you are not familiar with avocado and yogurt, they have amazing moisturizing and healing properties to the skin. There are a ton of DIY (do it yourself) face masks you can do at home with yogurt and avocado.

I felt like it was important to update you all on my skin journey. Just remember, acne does not define who you are. I have a mild case of acne, but my hyperpigmentation is something I am insecure about at times. No, I do not have a severe case of acne, but when I do breakout, my skin hurts terribly. I am going to show you all the condition of my skin right now. Okay, I am done with my TED talk now 😂

Back at it again with another one of Ms. Angie Watts products. This woman never ceases to amaze me. Every product I have tried of hers, my skin just loves it. As I said previously before, exfoliates are not usually my first choice but this scrub stole my heart. My skin craves this exfoliate and I am not mad about it. Literally when I use this facial scrub, it feels like a layer of dead skin cells just falls off of my face. No, I’m not being dramatic because this face scrub is the real deal. I am literally glowing from the heavens after I rinse this face scrub off and moisturize with my sweet almond oil and Celestial face moisturizer. Okay, maybe not glowing from the heavens but baby I am glowing with flawless skin. This face scrub is so popular, it usually is sold out. So if and when you can, be sure to snag a jar or two. Might I remind you, Angie Watts products are all natural and vegan. This is also a black owned company so please support as much as you can. I have had several conversations with Ms. Watts and she has such a warm and beautiful spirit. She is absolutely stunning too.

About the Product:

This facial scrub is a turmeric and adzuki bean exfoliate that is suitable for all skin types. I have the most sensitive skin and this did not irritate my skin at all. The adzuki beans are gentle yet effective enough to remove excess oil, dirt, dry skin, and impurities off of your face. Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in this exfoliate. Turmeric has amazing antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties. It helps fight off bacteria, keep acne at bay, helps fade hyperpigmentation, and gives the skin a good healthy glow. Once again, I am all about the glow honey.

I use this exfoliate at night and when I wake up and my skin is nice and soft. Some of my most stubborn black and white heads either rise to surface or shrink in size which makes me a happy camper. I do get occasional breakouts, especially when I stress, my red dot comes, or the weather changes. Over the Summer, I broke out due to the heat. This exfoliate helped keep my acne at bay. Right now, I am experiencing a mild breakout on the right side of my jawline and this exfoliate has helped reduced the size of my pimples and brought up those under the surface pimple that take decades to rise. I am also dealing with major hyperpigmentation I am trying to clear up. Please remember that it is normal to have breakouts, especially since our hormones are constantly changing. If you are experiencing severe breakouts, I suggest you schedule an appointment with your dermatologist or doctor.

How to use this product:

• Wash your face with your gentle cleanser first
• Rinse your skin off with warm water
• Pat your face dry
• Apply the face scrub to a clean and dry face
• Massage the face scrub in a upward circular motion for 1 to 2 minutes
• Rinse the face scrub off with warm water
• Pat your face dry
• Apply your face moisturizer(s) and you are done

Please note that this face scrub needs to be placed in a cool dry area and you should not get this face scrub wet. Here is the website link to purchase this product: http://www.angiewatts.com

Face exfoliation. I have a love and hate relationship with exfoliating. It can be a hit or miss for me since I have sensitive skin. I have tried numerous face scrubs, but the Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub stole my heart about two months ago. Mind you, I went a year without exfoliating my face since I had a rough skin journey last year. First off, the smell is quite delicious. It smells so fresh and lively. I think I look forward to the smell and tingling sensation more than anything LOL. This is a physical scrub so if you don’t like physical scrubs, this is not for you. I have tried a chemical exfoliate before, and it ate away at my poor skin. The perks of having normal but dry but sensitive skin, UGHHHHHH! I exfoliate my face once every other week. If I feel like I need to exfoliate my skin I will once a week. I rather opt for a clay detoxing mask since my skin LOVES clay masks. I must note that you should only exfoliate your skin 1-3 times per week. You don’t want to damage your skin barrier causing your skin to become dull, dry, and flaky. As I said before, and I will continue to say, listen to your skin.

Why it is important to exfoliate your skin:

• It removes dead skin cells off of your face
• It helps unclog pores that are congested
• It helps moisturizer penetrate deeper into the skin
• It helps with acne and hormonal breakouts
• It leaves your skin looking fresh and healthy
• It improves skin appearance and texture
• It helps fade acne blemishes (sometimes)
• It gives your skin a good glow

How to exfoliate:

• Wash your face with your gentle cleanser first
• Rinse your skin off with warm water
• Pat your face Dry
• Apply the face scrub to a clean and dry face
• Massage the scrub in a circular motion going upwards for 1-2 minutes
• Rinse the scrub off with warm water
• Pat your face dry
• Apply your face moisturizer(s) and you are done

I purchased the Biore Scrub off of Amazon but I have seen this scrub in Fred Meyers, CVS, and Target. Biore also has a wide range of products that I read are amazing. They have facial cleansers, masks, scrubs and much more.

FACE MASKS. I love me a good face mask that detoxes the nasty gunk my skin cleanser cannot get out on its own. I discovered the Angie Watts Detoxifying Clay Mask by accident. I thought I was ordering the Oshun’s Skin Food Facial Scrub but ordered this by mistake. To be honest with you, this is the best mistake I have made in such a long time. Shout out to the Style & Beauty Doc for introducing me to this brand. I am so picky when it comes to face masks. I love a clay mask that doesn’t make your skin feel like the Sahara Desert after you wash it off. Trust me, I have tried numerous face masks, and NOTHING compares to this one. Mind you, Angie Watts Beauty is CLEAN BEAUTY. Yes, you read that right, it is CLEAN BEAUTY. So these products are a win win for your skin. Most importantly, this is a black owned skincare company. So please support this brand as much as you can!

About the Product:

This is a clay mask. Clay mask are meant to detox the skin of all impurities, extra sebum, pollutants, and dirt. So basically, clay masks are meant to unclog pores. This mask is made out of clay, kaolin, mineral rich, and bentonite. It has a rich cream texture that applies smooth on to the skin. This mask is extremely hydrating which took me by surprise. This mask dries down as a demi-matte finish, so it never hardens. This face mask is best for oily and acne prone skin. Directions say to use this face mask twice a week. Always be sure to listen to your skin. If you feel you don’t need to use a face mask twice a week, only use it once a week.

Applying the Product:

I apply this face mask to clean skin. Majority of face masks require you to wash your face before applying a face mask to the skin. After I wash my face with my gentle cleanser, I pat my face dry. I then apply the mask all over my face in a upward circular motion. Please avoid applying any face mask on your eye or lip area. I leave this mask on for 10-15 minutes. Once my time is up, I rinse off the mask with warm water, pat dry, apply my face moisturizer and boom you are done. Please avoid washing your face with hot water. You compromise your faces skin barrier when you do so.

My thoughts:

Personally for me, my skin craves a clay mask once or twice a week. I have dry & sensitive skin that experiences hormonal acne. I am prone to white and black heads that are extremely irritating to deal with. They are so stubborn. Lately, I have been experiencing forehead acne as well. After using this product twice, my forehead acne has shrunk in size. My black and white heads have reduced. This product is seriously pulling out all of the nasty gunk on my face I have been battling for awhile. I should note that I was under a lot of stress within the past few weeks. I was indulging in sweets more than usual as well. So I am sure stress and poor eating habits caused me to breakout. I am less stressed and cut out majority of “bad sugars” I was eating. Just remember, diet, sleep, and life balance plays a significant role when it comes to your skin. Drink your water, eat a balanced diet, get 6-8 hours of sleep per night, and stress less! I have to remind myself of this often.

Here is the link to Angie Watts website. I hope you all find something on her website that fits your skin needs. I sure did! https://www.angiewatts.com/

MOISTURIZER. This is my favorite step in my skincare routine. I have SO MANY PEOPLE EXPRESS TO ME THEY DON’T MOISTURIZE AFTER THEY WASH THEIR FACE. Please, save yourself some heart ache and distress, MOISTURIZE THAT SKIN. This is another HUGE step towards beautiful and glowing skin. If you don’t moisturize your skin, your skin will produce extra sebum causing the skin to look oily. Your skin will also appear dull, irritated, dry, dehydrated, and tight. I mean think about it, who doesn’t want dewy looking skin? I LOVE looking like a grease ball lol. I feel so sexy and unstoppable and when my skin looks and feels flawless.

The Importance of moisturizing your skin:

• Helps prevent acne breakouts
• Reduces the chances of future skin problems
• Balances out your skin complexion
• Helps balance out redness and irritation
• Helps reduce dryness and oiliness
• Helps reduce skin blemishes depending on the ingredients in the moisturizer you use
• Helps fight wrinkles and keeps the skin looking fresh and young
• Helps the skin look healthy, dewy, and plump
• Provides hydration throughout the day

Always remember it is important to pick a moisturizer that CATERS TO YOUR SKIN TYPE. Once you determine your skin type, you will be able to pick the moisturizer for your skin needs. If you need help determining your skin type, please read my previous post.

The face moisturizers I use are the Aura Cacia Sweet Almond oil and Lush Celestial Face Moisturizer. These moisturizers are my babies. I cannot express how much my skin loves this dynamic duo together. Now remember, I have dry & sensitive skin. THIS WORKS FOR MY SKIN. What works for me, may not work for you. Last year, when I discovered I can use oil on my face, I was determined to find the right one. I tried avocado oil and rose hip oil but they broke me out terribly. I then researched deeper and found the Aura Cacia Sweet Almond. This was my saving grace when I had such a terrible breakout last year. I then added Celestial into the mix, and my skin started to flourish like no other. it gave me such a beautiful dewy finish, I was hooked. I apply the sweet almond oil first then follow up with a dab of Celestial. It is best to apply any oil on the face and body when it is slightly damp. This allows the oil to absorb into the skin.

Aura Cacia Sweet Almond Oil ($17.00 16oz)

• Light weight
• Hypo-allergenic oil and absorb-able
• Reduces Inflammation
• Moisturizes skin
• Improves Complexion
• Reduces wrinkles
• Prevents hair fall outs
• Fades dark circles
• Protects your skin from UV-Rays
• Anti-bacterial properties
• Always remember when picking a face oil, make sure it is either 100% cold pressed, natural, and/or organic

Lush Celestial Face Moisturizer ($27.00 1.5oz)

• Made for sensitive skin
• Vegan
• Medium thick consistency
• Gentle yet effective
• Extremely moisturizing
• Helps reduce redness, stinging, and irritation
• Gives a subtle glow
• Dewy finish
• A little goes a long way
• Smells delicious
• main moisturizing ingredients are cocoa butter, almond oil, vanilla water, almond milk, and fresh dove orchid

Aura Cacia has several other oils you can choose from. You can purchase their owls at select whole food stores, supplement stores, grocery stores, and their online website. Lush has several moisturizers to cater to all skin types and needs. You can purchase their products online or in store.

Please remember any face products cause stinging, burning, breakouts, or irritation you need to discontinue using them on your face. Your face is very delicate and it can take weeks or months to repair the damage.

UPDATE: Aura Cacia Sweet Almond Oil is no longer cold pressed. It is now expeller pressed. I now use this oil on my hair and body. It still is magic, just not on my face. Still a wonderful brand that offers a variety of oils for every skin type.

SKIN CARE. SKIN CARE. SKIN CARE. I cannot reiterate enough how important it is to have a skin care routine that is beneficial to your skin type. When I talk to someone and they tell me they don’t wash and moisturize their face daily, it makes me cringe. Literally, I can feel my skin crawling. Okay, that was a little dramatic, but you catch my drift, right? Just think about all of the nasty debris that floats around. We shed skin cells throughout the day, so it is important to have a solid skincare routine to keep your skin healthy and glowing. You don’t need to have an extravagant or expensive routine. Simply using face wash and moisturizer daily is effective enough. Be sure to wash your face TWICE A DAY, in the morning and at night. You don’t have to use a face cleanser in the morning. Washing your face with warm water and a rag is good enough. I do suggest you wash your face with a physical cleanser (gentle if possible) at night. Remember to follow up with moisturizer after. This is a step you should not skip.

Always remember less is more when it comes to skincare. Again, LESS IS MORE WHEN IT COMES TO SKINCARE. Last year, I had a horrible breakout. My skin was extremely dry and irritated. My hormonal acne was so inflamed and I would constantly breakout throughout the year. From January 2019-July 2019, I put my poor face through so much. My skincare routine, I was so familiar with, stopped working after 13 years. I used that good ol’ Noxzema and Palmers Coco Butter in the jar. I didn’t understand why my face was tight and dry even after I moisturized. I started doing research and learned that Unliever bought out Noxzema and changed the formula to my beloved, holy grail face cleanser. If you are unfamiliar with this company, please do you research on them. They own several of our trusted brands and have been changing the formula to products. They will substitute expensive ingredients for cheaper alternatives.

My heart was so broken, I had to breakup with my beloved skincare routine because Unliever betrayed me. So of course, I was on the hunt for something that would treat my skin right. I tried using African black soap and Shea butter, that was a disaster. I tried different exfoliates that left my skin as dry as the Sahara Desert. I tried different face oils and lotions, DISASTERS. My poor skin was going through it. Little did I know, I was compromising my skin barrier. Once you damage your skin barrier, it takes several weeks or months to repair it. My skin was not retaining moisture at all. During this, I tried out a new foundation that completely burned certain parts of my face. I could not wear any makeup for 1.5 months. I did not wash my face with any skin cleanser for 3 weeks. I washed my face with warm water and moisturized with Aura Cacia Sweet Almond and Jason Vitamin E 5000 I.U. Oil. Those face oils were my two saving graces during that torturous time. Yes, I know, I am being dramatic, but I have never felt such an uncomfortable pain like that ever. I then discovered Simple Waterboost Micellar Water and that easily became a hard staple in my skincare routine.

Before I talk about the two face cleansers I use regularly, I want to remind you my skin type. I have dry & sensitive skin.

My holy-grail cleansers at the moment: Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash & Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water. These babies have been serving me so well, my skin couldn’t be happier. Simple is known to be a gentle skin care brand that caters to sensitive skin at an affordable price. They have several other skincare products as well.

UPDATE: Unilever bought out SIMPLE Skincare and I no longer use their products. They no longer sell the Water boost skincare line. It is so unfortunate because this was such a great affordable skincare line that catered to sensitive skin. I have also read that they changed the ingredients in their other products they sell. People are experiencing irritation, burning, and inflammation when applied to the skin.

• Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash ($7.00)
• Easy to use
• Thick gel consistency
• Doesn’t strip the skin
• Gentle yet effective
• Face feels extremely clean and fresh without feeling tight after I wash and dry (your skin should never feel tight after you wash it)
• Has not caused any new breakouts
• Evens out skin tone
• Skins looks fresh and bright after washing
• Infused with rich and healthy ingredients
• Best for skin types who are: sensitive, normal, dry, and combination

• Simple Water Boost Micellar Cleansing Water ($7.00)
• Easy to use
• Gentle yet effective
• Cleans extra debris off the face
• Doesn’t cause irritation to the skin (usually)
• Hasn’t caused any new breakouts
• Hydrating but not oily
• Infused with rich and healthy ingredients
• Removes makeup
• Best for skin types who are: sensitive, normal, dry, and combination

My Routine:

• Wash with Micellar Water first
• Soak cotton pad with micellar water
• Wipe the cotton pad all over face
• Let micellar water sit for about 1 to 2 minutes to active on the skin
• Rinse face off with WARM water
• Apply micellar gel face wash in circular motion (up & down motion)
• Rub face wash onto skin for about 1 to 2 minutes (however long you desire is fine)
• Rinse face off with WARM water
• Pat dry
• Moisturize your face to glowing skin (DO NOT EVER SKIP THIS STEP)

SKIN CARE. It’s the big talk around town. Everywhere you turn, you see it. You see the latest trends surface on social media. Videos surface of outrageous beauty hacks to gorgeous skin, BUT how many of you can say, you truly know your skin type? Knowing your skin type will help guide you to the right products and skin care routine. Before we dive deep into skin care routines, let discuss skin types and some helpful tips on choosing the right products. Once you can determine your skin type, you will be on your way to luscious and glowing skin. Just be sure to choose a cleanser and face wash that caters to YOUR skin type. I cannot stress this enough.

Let’s learn about the different skin types and figure out which skin type best fits you. I have provided information on the different skin types below.

Skin Types:

• Normal skin–balanced skin that is not too dry, oily, or sensitive.
• Dry Skin-skin that produces less sebum, lacks moisture, and appears dull and rough.
• Oily Skin-skin that produces excess oil and will appear shiny and greasy.
• Combination Skin-skin that is dry and oily in certain areas. The t-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) is usually shiny and greasy.
• Sensitive Skin-skin that is inflamed, red, itchy, irritated, and swollen.
• Side Note-you can have normal skin (or the other skin types) but still be sensitive to certain products and etc.
• Side Note-your skin changes every SEVEN years, so you may have to explore new skin care products that cater to your new skin needs. LISTEN TO YOUR SKIN.

Personally for me, I have dry & sensitive skin. My skin is extremely dry, and I am prone to irritation, inflammation, and scarring if I don’t use the right products on my face. I am also prone to white and black heads, especially when my red dot creeps up on me. I do scar after my pimples have popped and healed. So pretty much, I have blemishes on my face that are transparent, and I wear them proudly. If you want to figure out your skin type, there are several websites that provide skin tests for you to take. Always be cautious when taking these tests, they may not be 100% accurate. You can also consult a skin care specialist to determine your skin type as well. I have provided a skin test below for you take.

https://www.tryinteract.com/quiz/what-skin-type-are-you

Skin Care Tips:

• You should never wash your face with hot water. You are compromising your skin barrier and your skin will not retain the moisture it needs.
• You should never exfoliate your face everyday. Limit exfoliation 1-3 times per week depending on your skin type.
• You should never use the same wash cloth everyday. Bacteria will form on the cloth and cause breakouts and irritation to the skin. Switch out your wash cloth daily.
• You should never apply a face mask and exfoliate your skin on the same day. This is very harsh to the skin.
• You should never continue using any products that cause burning, stinging, or irritation to the skin. You are causing severe damage to your skin barrier and it can take weeks/months to repair.
• You should never wash your face more than two times per day.
• You should never go to sleep without washing and moisturizing your face especially if you work out and wear makeup. Bacteria will form on your skin.

Let’s talk about it. Majority of us have it or experience it. It hurts. It is irritating. It itches. It can make you feel insecure about yourself. Sometimes it never goes away. When I turned 21, I had my first acne breakout. I never experienced such a thing, where I felt so insecure about my face. Mind you, I did not know you can experience acne breakouts as an adult. I know, silly of me to think that right? My friends and family even noticed it. I deal with hormonal acne which forms on the chin and jawline. It is caused by stress, your menstrual cycle, poor eating habits, and your testosterone levels. Yes, us ladies can produce testosterone. Personally for me, when my red dots comes along, my acne becomes more inflamed and I get cystic pimples that form under the skin. I also noticed when I consume lots of sugar and processed foods, I tend to breakout as well. This pattern continued off and on between the ages of 21-26. I had a terrible breakout last year that left my face feeling tight, dry, and inflamed. I tried several remedies but nothing worked. Once I changed my eating habits my skin cleared within two weeks.

By all means, I am not a doctor. The methods I try, may not work for you, but what you put in your body, will show on the exterior. That is why having a balanced lifestyle, not matter you do, is key. It is okay to indulge in sugar and carbs, but in moderation. I have learned to substitute my sugar cravings for healthier alternatives. If I want chocolate, I will eat 72% dark chocolate. If I want fries, I will air fry or have a small amount of them. At times, I have slip ups, that is normal and it is okay. We are human. We were not put on this earth to be perfect people. One thing I won’t give up is ice cream. That is my treat to myself when I have been eating fairly well.

Your water intake is another huge factor to beautiful and clear skin. I cannot stress this enough. Drink your H2O daily. I try to drink 2.5 liters or more per day. Sometimes I don’t reach that goal, and that is alright. Water is my main beverage I drink on a regular basis. Fruits and vegetables are important to. Work your alkalines into your diet. I try and stay away from red meat as much as possible, unless carne asada is involved. I cannot say no to that. There are different forms of acne. I deal with a mild case of acne. Acne can be hereditary and sometimes your diet may have nothing to do with it. Depending on the type of acne you have, I suggest consulting a doctor if it becomes uncontrollable and severe. I have shared a photo with you below of my acne breakouts that have occurred in the past.