Summer Skin Essentials

Every Summer I make my annual trip(s) to the store (or my computer depending how lazy I feel that day) for some Summer essentials. I fill my basket with sunblock, after sun care, lotion, lip balm and other goodies. I've gathered a few of the Summer necessities to maintain that beautiful skin of yours!

Face Sunblock

Because we are Whoreders and like things nice and cheap, I will tell you my favorite, inexpensive moisturizer/face sunblock is Olay Professional ProX Clear UV Moisturizer. It is lightweight, non greasy, provides sun UVA/UVB protection, oil free and most importantly for me non-comedogenic  (it will not block your pores). However, my absolute favorite moisturizer/sunblock, despite the price, is Clinique Super City Block, Oil-Free, SPF 40, $19 for 1.4 oz, ouch! It not only blocks UVA/UVB rays, but also softens your skin, is non-greasy, and doesn't ever clog your pores PLUS it has such a high SPF! According to some reviews however, it can leave you with a bit of an ashy tone if you are a bit on the darker skinned side so watch out!

Simple Skincare Review

Recently, the lovely people at Simple Skincare sent me some products to try out and review. Simple is a popular brand in the UK that is now available here in the U.S., in 2011 they were counted as the #1 facial skincare range. You go, Simple Skincare! The Simple line of products can be used by all skin types, but it was specifically for sensitive skin. There are no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh irritants, the entire line is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and pH balanced.

Heather's Top Ten Bargain Beauty Favs

We all have our favorite beauty buys that are reliable and cheap.

These are mine, ladies.

1. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil. This stuff smells great, lasts a long time, smooths out my hair and makes it feel healthy. $8.

2. Dove Beauty Bar. Gentle enough to use on my face, I always keep a bar in the shower.

The Bee's Knees

I've always been lucky with my skin, never having major issues like acne or scaliness. I've treated it well from a very young age, thanks to countless lectures from my mom (annoying, but she was right), and was rewarded with good skin. As I made my way into my 30s, I noticed it was changing and required more maintenance than before. My regular products weren't giving me the same results, I noticed dry spots even my most trusted moisturizer couldn't remedy.

And so began my search for a moisturizer suitable for my 30-something skin. I've been using Philosophy Hope In A Jar, I like it well enough but there was room for improvement. Enter Burt's Bees new sensitive line... I received the facial cleanser ($10) and daily moisturizer ($15) from BzzAgent, and it's the latter that has blown me away. It felt a bit heavy at first, and I lost a little hope. But once I let it absorb into my skin, I was pleasantly surprised. No greasy film, no wet feeling! Just smooth, perfectly moisturized skin. My biggest complaint about Philosophy is that it stung my eyes. Not that I'm in the habit of regularly smearing moisturizer into my eyes, but if it got anywhere near my eyes, they'd start to sting and tear up. After regular use of Burt's Bees, and the occasional contact with my eyes, I am pain and tear free!

I've been using both products for almost a month, and am loving them! My biggest praise is for the moisturizer, but the cleanser has been holding its own too. It's soap free, which I really like, and although it does feel a bit strange at first (it doesn't lather up the way normal washes do) I quickly noticed that my skin didn't feel tight or irritated after washing. There is also zero redness, something that always happens around my nose with other cleansers. Could it be that as I age like fine wine, and whine about aging, my skin has become more sensitive? Instead of looking for new anti-aging products, I should have been looking for something simpler and less harsh. So, is this it? Have my skin prayers been answered? Perhaps... it seems at least that my winter skin woes will be soothed by Burt's Bees Sensitive Daily.

P.S.
My fellow Whoreder Charlotte found you some extra Burt's Bees savings! Just become a fan of Burt's Bees Facebook page by clicking the "Like" button for a $2 coupon. Thanks, Charlotte!