Skin Care: Moisturizing

So, we are finally at the end of our skin care series... because only here doe it take months to post 5 posts about skin care. Thank you to those who have been so patient. For those of you tuning in when this is all finished, well- you are the lucky ones. :)

Here are the quick links to the rest of the series:

1. Exfoliation
2. Cleansing
3. Toner & Astringents
4. Moisturizing- this is where we are today.

I will warn you now, this post is going to be so boring! I don't have a ton to say in regards to moisturizing. I should, but I don't! This is the one thing I know to say- it is a must! If you have learned anything throughout the words I have written about skin care- it should be moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. So when it comes to what I use for moisturizer, I am not objective to trying something new, as long as I feel it does the job, I will use it to the end of the bottle. Now, knowing we have some acne prone peeps reading this I will tell you about some stuff I used when I was really struggling.

Here is the list of stuff that I seem to rotate through, as in I seem to always have a bottle lying around or in storage. Again, this is what I have used and like. There may be others that work well for you:

Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer: I use this for my day time moisturizer, more specifically when I am going out into the sun with no make up. It has sunscreen, and that makes it it one less thing I am putting on when I go out to weed or work in the yard.  I know it might be a hassle for some to have different bottle for different things, but I love it! I have had absolutely no reactions to it, as I seem to be sensitive to fragrance.

Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream: I use this one most days under my make up. It runs about $16 a jar, and I know you can get it on Amazon with their delivery subscription (you specify how often you want to receive it. If you have a membership to the box stores, I get mine at Sam's club. It is 2 jars for about $28. So when I open the second jar I have time to fit it into my budget to buy a new one.

Oil of Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream: Let's face it, nothing on our bodies seem to be in the same condition it was 5 years ago. I am happy with the aging process, but the does not mean I will not do my darndest to slow it where I can- or at least create the illusion of aging gracefully! I have loved it. The first time I used it, I woke up. When i touched my face, I couldn't believe how my skin felt. Smooth, moist and completely cared for.

Coconut Oil: If you have not read the post on exfoliation, now would be a great time. Scroll down to the sub heading of Coconut Oil and look at all the many benefits it has, and of course, it is non-comodogenic.

Clinique All About Eyes Cream/All About Eyes Rich: So, yes, I believe very strongly in using a separate product for your eyes. It is a whole different ball of wax when we are talking about the skin around the eyes. I have listed 2 different links here. They are the "same" product per say- one is more hydrating than the other. The cream seems to be a lotiony gel like consistency.The Rich is a more solid cream. I prefer the Rich now that I have used it. It is great for sensitive eyes. It is also great  for those of you that struggle with puffy eyes or darker circles (if this is your deal-drink enough water and make sure you are getting your B vitamins... you will be Uh-mazed!)

Homemade Lotion: This is another one that falls under eye cream. I also use it on my "11's"- those pesky little marks between your eyebrows that are marks that look like 11's in the making. Hop on over to this post and you can read about the all natural ingredients in my hard lotion, and how Kokum butter is an amazing treat for your skin.

I know there are other products out there, and yes I have used them but they were products that are like, eh...they're okay. Not anything I would rave about. As for Acne prone people, here is what I would recommend-because it really works (the whole line):

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion: This stuff really is great. I think you might need to use their whole line of products for a little bit to help clear it up. That is what I did (seriously, I had cystic acne all over my cheeks, it was painful as all get out). And for whatever reason, now it is under control and I don't struggle any more. But I also started to make sure I was moisturizing well, and honestly I think that was the big difference.

Okay, a note about applying moisturizer. There is actually a way that is better than other. Yeah, who would know, right? When you get your moisturizer out of the bottle/jar, it is best to put it into the palm of your hand and rub them together once or twice (or hold it for a few seconds). This warms it, so when applied to your skin the pores open to it, being better absorbed. Gently massage it in with your fingertips, in an upward motion. If you rub it all over your hands, well then, your hands absorb it!

I hope this as helped some of you out. Like, really helped you. I know there are some things beyond our control that seem to try our patience, love of self, and and belief in things that are different. Hormones seem to always play a huge role in this area.

I am going to totally embarrass my cute sister in law. She is married to my little bro, and she totally has to put up with me- and those of you with younger siblings, know what I mean when sometimes you have to stop yourself from treating them like they are still "younger than you" and remember they are an adult. When I started this series, I begged her to use my stuff. And she was gracious enough to accept my very weird challenge. And then about 6 weeks later I get this really cute text from her telling me people were complementing her on her skin! Yay! That made me SO happy for her. Because that is what this series is about, you!

* I am not an esthetician. I am not a dermatoligist. I am not a doctor.  I am not offering medical advice.