The Lost Post

Hi Guys!
Again, sorry for the lack of posts. Everytime I have a difficult time with my skin, my posts fall off, while I try to figure out what my problem is and how to fix it!

I have been doing a lot of research on skin care ingredients. I have more irritations than I realized and now am reading all I can on various irritants that may do the following:

1. Make my eyes itchy and red
2. Activate my allergies (my nasal and sinus passages specifically)
3. Create large pores and pimples

Number 3 is lower on the priority list now that I've found a workable skin care regime. BTW - this has changed since I last posted so I will do an update at the end of the post.

See my previous post on ingredients that can cause a flare up.
I'm going to add these items to MY list:

methylisothiazolinone
parabens - Methyl and Propyl and Butyl and Ethyl Paraben
Petrolatum
Glycol - often used as solvents for preservatives and other materials. Examples are Propylene, Butylene, Pentylene, Hexylene, and Caprylyl Glycol.
PEG - Polyethylene Glycol - https://www.truthinaging.com/review/what-is-it-pegs 

Phenoxyethanol - "2-hydroxyethyl phenyl ether and 2-phenoxy-ethanol. Other names, however, could be a bit trickier to spot, such as rose ether. To make matters more confusing, some manufacturers don't even disclose the preservative on their product labels. Phenoxyethanol can also be used as a fragrance, and in some cases, manufacturers simply list it as "fragrance" on the product label. So, if a label states it contains "fragrance" but does not specify what kind, be aware that it may be phenoxyethanol."

The thing is... some of these items are ok for most people and that there is debate as to whether there is a danger for any of these ingredients. I've read some forums where a few people report their sensitivity to Butylene Glycol, but not Propylene Glycol and vice versa. Petrolatum for example is in most lip products. Some say it's just plain bad. Others say it's only bad if it's not from a plant based source.  On some lists Aloe Vera is also listed! So it really depends on who you are listening to.

What I've learned from all of this is that everyone has different sensitivities; mine are very particular. Yours will be too. You will have to test out different products to narrow down your trigger. Because I am so sensitive I am trying to weed out the offending ingredient. It means that I have to find the line between clear skin, eczema and all the other symptoms I've displayed recently.  
In the last few months, I've been reading blogs and science articles on chemicals, and watching youtube videos that describe skin care products that are supposed to be natural and not irritating. I find that a lot of products that tout themselves as natural still have one or more ingredients that can be irritating to some wearers. I read a lot of reviews before I try something. I've found that even after a lot of research,  and four stars, I will have a reaction with that item.

My goal now is to simplify my regiment. I've been using a lot of hydrating products, and some of them were contraindicating. Some are only good for me during the day, while others I use only at night.

The quest continues!

On my pinterest board, I've posted some items that I've either tried or want to try. I also note in the description the name of the ingredient that may be a point of sensitivity.

Update: Bad Breakouts and Eczema

Hi Again, Guys!
Sorry I have not posted in a long time. Holidays + Stress. I just wanted to update you on some findings that I have on what sparked my current problems with my skin.

We were correct with the diagnosis of a cheese allergy. Cheese created a very specific reaction in my skin. Itchiness to the point of raised and broken skin began to plague me. It was very distracting. After cutting out most cheeses I found that I could still have mozzarella, but because it's buffalo dairy, not cow's dairy.

While at Jessa's Skin Care, Jessa mentioned salt(excluding sea salt) as being a possible problem. I found that if I stick to sea salt, I don't have a bad outbreak. After lot of testing, I found that Ritz crackers are both my weakness and my downfall. After eating a few, I will have a ferocious outbreak around my chin.

If I don't eat Ritz, my skin is dry but I don't have outbreaks.

Still on the quest to find the right hand cream. Just came back from Arizona a few days ago and my hands have not recovered.

My advise for you... test a few things that you are eating, if you find that your eczema AND blemishes flare up!

Write a comment below if you have any tips for me!
Happy New Year!

Recent Bad Acne Breakout + Eczema

Hi Guys,
It's been awhile since I last posted and there is a reason. At some point in the last two weeks, I had a very very bad reaction on my face to something. It's still unclear what that item is. At the moment, it could be any of the following: cheese, soda, stress, peri-menopause, a new product. I'm sure there are more possible culprits, but after seeing my aesthetician, I'm thinking it's a combo of those main items.
Because my eczema is a fairly new diagnosis and also because until two years ago, I had near perfect skin (THANK YOU MOM!), I reacted poorly. In my home lab, I experimented with everything. I threw anything I could think of, at it. I also pulled back on all of my usual products and habits. In the end, all of that was WRONG!
I forgot some very basic things...
1. You cannot treat 41 year old skin like it's 16. Applying hot water and then cold water, and not using moisturizer, is NOT the answer. DUH
2. What works for everyone else (your husband, your dad, your coworkers) may not work for you.
3. Picking at it like a teenage boy isn't a good habit.
4. Be careful about changing your habits. Using new hair products could impact your eczema or skin care regimen. 

Not ever having had a bad acne breakout, I had no tools in my arsenal. I never had picked at my skin. I had rarely popped a pimple successfully. Why I didn't go straight to my dermatologist or my aesthetician, I don't know. I just freaked out! I picked and poked and applied products that were too strong, I didn't change my diet, and stressed out more.

I've decided to follow a regiment that is informed by my aesthetician and use products made by their company that are all natural and some products that I already use that fill the regimen that they suggest. I plan to adjust their prescribed regime to my preferred products after my face calms down. Hopefully this is a one time deal and not an ongoing problem, though I understand that acne can be about managing it and not eliminating it.

First things first:
1. swap out cotton pillow case with satin
2. wash two times a day. (previously I washed once and used a facial wipe at other times, to avoid drying out the skin)
3. Change the order of "applications" after showering and in the AM. Face first, body, and then hair.
This is in response to the idea that a new product was the culprit.

At the moment, I am using the following, in this order:
1. EO Products Cleanse for face
2. adding Jessa Vanilla-Soda Blemish scrub to my face cleanser every other night
3. Jessa Anti-oxident Blemish Toner
4. Hada Labo Hyaluronic Moisturizing Lotion- tap into skin
5. 100% Manuka Honey Hydration + Mask 1oz - use as mask every other day for moisture. 

6. Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation®  for moisturizer

I'm on day 4 after my visit to the skin care specialist and most of the blemishes are scarring over, a few are less red and a few are erupting after microderm treatment.

So the following posts will be about my journey. I considered posting pictures, but I will be participating in a video series by my aesthetician. Those photos will be good quality and hopefully we will see some good BEFORE and AFTER comparisons.

I hope you will join me in my Journey!

If you have any comments or suggestions, I will take them. Comment below!

Review: One's Care Snail Mask Sheet

I had heard about snail masks as having some great results while watching youtube videos and other skin care sites. So I chose one while on my usual shopping trip for skin care.

The Rating: ★★★☆☆

This mask had great moisturizing, and felt good while I was wearing it. I felt my skin was softer after wearing and I thought my skin looked plump afterwards. Also, I felt the few pimples that I had, were reduced afterwards. The problem was the next day. Intense itchiness and redness around the nose, made this a "never use again" product for me. If you don't have sensitive skin and are not prone to eczema, this mask may be great for you. For me it was so uncomfortable and distracting the next day, that I'm going to have to say no thanks to another use.

Review: Glysolid Glycerin Cream for the skin

I have been struggling with trying to find a suitable moisturizer and body lotion. If I don't use any lotion, I feel uncomfortable, distracted and my skin looks dull. If I do use something, I often have a reaction. I've been reading labels and doing a lot of research on what is working for others. So far, everything I've tried has not been great. I end up using anything with a scent only on my feet because my feet are rough anyway. I have to wash anything with a fragrance off of my hands before I go to bed. It's a real pain.

Features and Benefits:

Glycerin and Allantoin is designed to treat sensitive, stressed and damaged skin.
The Glycerin used in Glysolid is vegetable based.
Principle effect of Glycerin: A skin softener; it keeps skin cells supple and flexible.
Principle effect of Allantoin: Stimulates skin cell regeneration and the healing of small injuries, nicks, scrapes and minor burns.

The Rating: ★★★★☆

I finally found something that works well enough for the eczema. Glysolid Glycerin Cream, 3.38 oz jar. I am using the cream that comes in a red tub. It's very thick and paste-like, which is not ideal for my taste, but the product itself, once rubbed into the skin, helps with itchiness and moisturizing. I apply it twice a day and like the way my skin feels afterwards.  I want to point out that I did not try the version that comes in the tube. I would like try the tube version to see if the formulation changes between the two dispensers. I personally like a product that is a little thinner. If you like a super thick application, you will appreciate this item.

The Ingredients:

Glycerin, Aqua, Cetearyl Alcohol, Decyl Oleate, Ceteareth-12, Allantoin

Dimethicone, Sodium Cetearyl Sulfate, Ceteareth-20, Silica

Review: Hask Macadamia Oil Hydrating Deep Conditioner with Keratin

As you know, I am still looking for the holy grail hair conditioner for my 4a hair. I have reactions to various ingredients: the ubiquitous "fragrance", parabens, possibly witch hazel. It's difficult to know what will create a "flare up," so I am testing all types of hair conditioners. I have such a dry scalp, that nothing has relieved it so far except avocado applied to the scalp as a pre-treatment. But I continue to try various products. So here is my breakdown for this item.

Product's Benefits

• Repairs dry, damaged hair
• Enriched with Keratin
• Moisturizes hair

My Process

I used these products, in this order, with a rinse between each application:

1. Free & Clear™ Shampoo
2. Beyond the Zone Shock Therapy Extreme Clean Clarifying Treatment
3. Hair One Hair Cleanser and Conditioner with Argan Oil only applied to the back
   
4. Ovation Cell Therapy only applied to the front hairline, above the forehead.
5. Free & Clear™ Conditioner

The RATING: ★★★☆☆

This was ok at conditioning. Very shiny curls, no itchiness. I had some flaking by the end of the week. There is a scent and as you know I am sensitive to fragrance. This one is pleasant and not too heavy and it does disappear. You won't smell it the next day or on your pillow.

If you are interested, my husband's feedback: "There's a nutty aspect to the scent that makes your general scent less earthy, more nutty."

In general, this product is great as a deep conditioner unless you have allergies to fragrances and have dry scalp and dandruff. If you are like me, you would need to apply a pre-shampoo treatment. This isn't the holy grail but it's nice. I probably won't stick with it, because there are other conditioners that worked better.

Ingredients:

Water/Eau(Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Lanolin, Quaternium-18, Macadama Ternifolia(Macadamia Nut) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Keratin(keratin Protein), Silk Amino Acids, Juglans Nigra(Black Walnut) Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis(Jojoba) Seed Oil, Panthenol, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Caramel, Yellow 5, Green 5, DMDM Hydantoin, Fragrance/Parfum

Review: Touch Theraphy Total Defense Deep Moisture Ampoule Mask

On a recent trip to Japantown in San Francisco, I stopped in at a beauty store. They had a whole section with just face masks. Now, I am of the age where face masks were mud, peel off, seaweed or some packet of cream that you applied and kept on for a 10 minutes. This type of mask is fairly new to me. As I've stated in other posts, I am just now paying attention to my skin since my early 30s. I've since tried about four different types. I was very excited to try the Touch Theraphy Total Defense Deep Moisture Ampoule Mask when I first saw it.

This item has argan oil and I've been trying everything that I see that is affordable that has argan oil. I just want to see if this is a good additive or just a trendy thing. Other sites have listed this item as having hyaluronic acid which I like to use anyway to enhance the moisturizing properties of whatever I use right afterwards.

The Rating: ★★★☆☆

I liked this mask because of the moisturizing. It has a stronger fragrance than I prefer. For many, this will not be a problem. For me, fragrance of any kind, even if it's pleasant to me, can be a problem.

The fluid was kind of soupy. I'm not sure of any other way to describe it. After I removed the mask, and tapped the rest of the product in, it appeared to take over an hour to absorb into the skin and felt tacky for way too long. I went out for the evening and it still felt a little tacky, hours later. I'm not entirely sure what that means. Was my skin not able to take the product?

Another issue with this product was that it contains parabens. I'm kind of ok with this, but who is to say that my itchy eyes was not due to that. Hard to know. For this reason, I am giving it 3 stars. I may try it again. I have another to use. If that trial goes well, I'll be sure to let you know.

If you've tried this product and had similar or different results, please comment below!

Update: I've tried this mask a second time, and with good results. The fragrance was not irritating the second time and I felt that the mask did a great job with moisturizing. No irritation the next day and I felt that the results were lasting.