My favorite facial cleansers and treatments

Hellllllllo world!

Sorry for the huge gap in between posts! I'm still trying to get into the swing of blogging. Anyways, with the weather changing so rapidly on the east coast, I've been thinking a lot about how my skin changes from season to season. Generally, I have acne-prone, combination skin that gets really dry in the winter. I'm always up to try new products and samples I receive in my Birchbox or Sample Society, but I have found a few that I now consider my must haves/ holy grails.

 (Top left to right; Bottom left to right: Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment, Philosophy Purity One-Step Facial Cleanser, Dr. Brandtt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant, Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel, Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleansing Lotion,  Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, and Clarisonic Mia 2)

 These are cleansers that I picked specifically for my skin type, but most of them can be used for any skin type, which is great. Anyways, let's get right into it! 

  

Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment:

(Sample size that I received in one of my Ipsy bags)

Summary:

- Combination of menthol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid work quickly to minimize blemishes

- Can be applied under moisturizer and makeup

- Get 7.5 ml for $35.00 at their online shop here! (If you sign up for their newsletter, they will send
  you a coupon for your first order, too!)

Ok guys and gals, anyone who knows me or is just starting to tune into my dinky blog knows that I will never recommend a product that I didn't like, even if I like the brand. That being said, I LOVE this product! Ever since I was young, I suffered from acne- all kinds of it, too- whiteheads, cysty buggers, and your typical kind of pimples. Unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky ones that Proactiv magically worked for. It worked wonders for my twin sister, but for me, I felt like it made my acne worse. Needless to say, I've always been weary of any "acne treatment". When I received this sample in one of my Ipsy bags, I approached it with caution, especially since I had never heard of the company. I decided to give it a go and try it for about a week or so. 

Now, the directions say that you can use it up to four times a day, but generally I tried to do it twice- once after I washed my face in the morning, and once after I took off all my makeup and washed my face at night. Also, be sure to apply the treatment to freshly cleansed skin BEFORE you add any other serums and/or moisturizers. You want the product to seep into the blemish to be most effective. Y'all, I am not kidding when I say that this stuff is like liquid magic for anyone who has blemishes. I can say that any blemish I used it on either completely or mostly went away by the next day, and that's only using it twice a day. For those deep, more cyst like buggers, I would apply it probably three times a day, and while it did take a bit longer for the blemish to fade, it did go down noticeably quicker. I haven't delved into any of the other products that Clear Clinic Laboratories offers, but now that I am hooked on their Vanished treatment, I am excited to try them! And seriously, while $35 might seem a bit pricey for some, the product is effective and you don't need to use a ton of the product to get your desired results. This is a product I will definitely be adding to my skincare arsenal! 

Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser:

(I got this 3 fl. oz container for $10 at Sephora during the holidays)

Summary:

- Gentle cleanser that can be used on any skin type

- Can be used to wash makeup off eye area without irritation; perfect for sensitive skin

- You can get it at Sephora's online website here! Prices start at $11 for 3 fl. oz.

So, do you remember that moment from the movie, Mean Girls, where all the girls are like, " I saw Regina George wearing army pants and flip-flops, so I wore army pants and flip-flops"? That's pretty much how I feel about the gorgeous beauty-guru Jaclyn Hill. Seriously, the woman can make me buy pretty much anything, so naturally, when she said that one of her favorite cleansers to use was Purity Made Simple by Philosophy, I was like 'BAM! Heading to Sephora!' I did first get a smaller sample size in one of the Sephora Favorites boxes and I LOVED it, so I went back and got more! So why do I love this cleanser? It is SO gentle on my skin! Because I do have combination, acne-prone skin, I'm always on the hunt for a more simple, mild or scent-free cleanser for days where I'm not wearing a lot of makeup, but I still want to clean my face. Plus, once I figured out that I could get my mascara off, without irritation, with this bad boy, it was all over! This has exclusively become the cleanser that I use to remove eye makeup, even if I am using a different cleanser for the rest of my face. Now that my Peter Thomas Roth cleanser is finished, I use this with my Clarisonic, which I will touch on in a few minutes. If you are having any hesitation or doubts, don't forget that you can always get a free sample from Sephora to try out! 

Dr. Brandt Skincare Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant:

(I bought this when Dr. Brandt was running a deal on Groupon for only $39.99! Totally a steal!)

Summary:

- Finely processed pharmaceutical-grade crystals that scrub away dead skin and polish your skin

- Smells lightly of lemons and helps reduce appearance of acne scars and fine lines

- Don't be afraid of the initial price! A tiny pea size scrubs your whole face and this is truly a quality
  product! Get 2 oz. for $78 and free shipping at Sephora's online website here!

The first time I heard of Dr. Brandt Skincare was when I got a sample of this scrub in one of my monthly Ipsy bags. I have since then cancelled my subscription, but this was one of the gems that I discovered through them. Holy macaroni! This like the creme de la creme of exfoliators that I have tried out thus far! What really impressed me was that I only needed a super tiny amount, and it was enough for my whole face. Not only that, but it was more gentle than other scrubs I had tried out. Because I still get blemishes on my face, some exfoliating scrubs either irritate or hurt my skin, but this one felt amazing. My skin felt so smooth, and it really left my skin feeling fresh and radiant. I believe this has definitely helped the appearance of old acne scars become reduced drastically. I'm not going to lie to you guys, the price makes me cringe, too, so when I saw that Groupon was having a deal, I RAN! My advice, if you have the extra dough and you're looking for a great exfoliating scrub, splurge on this one, but if not, go into Sephora and ask for a sample. Because you're not supposed to exfoliate everyday, the sample should last you a good while. In the meantime, keep an eye out on Dr. Brandt's Instagram account for upcoming deals, including when they have Groupon deals! 

Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel:

(I bought my Clarisonic on QVC and it came with this cleanser as well as a Peter Thomas Roth facial gel. This is a stock photo I found from Pinterest of the set)

 (I got this image off of the internet to show you what the bottle looks on it's own since my bottle is empty!)

Summary:

- Facial cleansing gel that helps with anti-aging

- "...extracts of peach, white oak bark, lemon, lime, linden, grapefruit, and arginine. (from Sephora's
  website)" helps with reducing the appearance fine lines and wrinkles, as well as leaving your face
  feeling clean and refreshed

- You can pick up this gem at Sephora's website here for $35.00 for 8 oz. 

So, after hearing so much about the amazing Clarisonic, I knew I had to get my hands on it, so I went straight to the internet to find one. Luckily, I found out that QVC was not only selling the Mia 2 for a great price, but that it was designed with flowers and it came with this Peter Thomas Roth cleanser, as well as a facial gel. But we will get to the Clarisonic after this review! So, I began using the Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Cleanser with my Clarisonic when I showered, and even from the beginning, I noticed that it really made my skin feel clean and tight, but not dry tightened (does that make sense?). I always moisturize after cleaning my face, but I didn't feel the need to rush to get my lotion after washing my face with this cleanser. It also has a pleasant smell to it! I will likely be purchasing this cleanser in the future and definitely recommend this one to anyone that is looking for a gentle cleanser that really goes to work on those fine lines and wrinkles. 

Clarisonic Mia 2 Cleansing Device:
 

(This is the color combination that I bought from QVC) 

Summary:

- Facial cleansing device used for deep cleaning and removing makeup

- Comes in two speeds- Delicate and Universal, as well as interchangeable brush heads

- The Mia 2 (in an adorable pink and white polka dot, travel case, and cleanser (bonus!) can be

  bought at Sephora here for $149.00!

- To find out which Clarisonic is right for you, head over to Clarisonic's comparison chart here! 

Ok, so I know I started touching upon a bit about the Mia 2 in the previous review, but that didn't even begin to tell you about my love for this cleanser! This little cleanser is no joke! It comes with the sensitive brush head to accustom your face to using a brush cleanser, but even from the beginning, I could feel how well the device worked to not only clean my face, but remove any remaining makeup on my face. Wherever you order yours from, whether it be Sephora or the Clarisonic website, I believe each Clarisonic comes with a travel case and their magnetic Universal Voltage Charger. For myself, I have always had my Mia 2 on the Universal setting and I keep mine in the shower because this baby is WATERPROOF! That might honestly be one of my favorite features. I love not having to get out of the shower to use my Mia 2 and it really is an appreciated convenience. It has timed cycles, totaling 60 seconds, so you know how much time to spend on your cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. I followed them in the beginning, but now I just go at my own speed and just go over areas more than once. I also upgraded to a generic deep pore brush head (Dupes are always being sold for cheap on Groupon! Keep a lookout for them if you aren't ready to make the full financial commitment to a brush head). A good point to note- don't press the Clarisonic too hard on your face and don't go too fast. The brush starts rotating once you turn it on, so let it do it's work! Once your face has accustomed to using a cleansing brush, you can look into the other brush heads. Brushes are available in the following (taken from Sephora's site for the brush heads here): 

- The normal brush head provides an invigorating cleanse for normal to oily skin and is ideal for men to prepare skin for an extra smooth shave.
- The sensitive brush head is ideal for most skin types, including sensitive or combination skin.
- The delicate brush head is ideal for delicate, compromised skin without dryness.
- The acne brush head features extra-plush bristle gradation to provide an ultra-gentle cleanse for acne-prone skin.
- The deep pore brush head is engineered with graduated dual-action bristles to flush out oil and debris in clogged pores for a super smooth finish.
- The radiance brush head gently and effectively cleans and addresses dark spots and uneven skintone for a more radiant and youthful complexion. 

 

I can't begin to tell you how much using this little guy has helped reduce acne, plus, it really does get every last ounce of makeup off my face! It can be used daily, as most people do, but I opt to use it only a few times a week. Either way, honestly, you can't go wrong with this cleansing device, no matter your skin type/issues! 

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel and Cucumber Cleansing Lotion:

(I bought an acne bundle set of these two, as well as an oil free facial moisturizer, hand cream, olive oil body lotion, mirror and bag from Hautelook)

Summary for Enzyme Cleansing Gel:

- Gentle gel cleanser that can be used daily

- Non-foaming, yet strong enough to remove all makeup, as well as fight breakouts and acne

- 8 oz. bottle can be found on the Mario Badescu site here for $14.00 or 16 oz. for $24.00

Summary for Cucumber Cleansing Lotion:

- Gentle cucumber extract astringent that only has 4% alcohol

- Use after the gel cleanser to tone the face and remove any remaining makeup

- 8 oz. bottle can be found on the Mario Badescu site here for $15.00 or 16 oz. for $26.00

 I know you guys are probably sick of me shouting out to Jaclyn Hill, but the lady really knows her stuff. I had never heard about the company Mario Badescu before I started watching her YouTube channel, but I am so glad that she mentioned them. Whenever anyone asks me about daily skincare, I immediately think of Mario Badescu. They have such a wide range of products and they really do have something for all skin types. While doing my research, I found out that Hautelook has deals on Mario Badescu bundles often, so I was excited to try some of their products for a cheaper price. I have always had issues with acne, so I thought I would give the acne bundle a chance. SO HAPPY I did! When I first used the Enzyme Cleansing Gel, I will admit, it was a different texture than I was used to. It was like using gel lotion on my face because it truly does not foam up. To be honest, I wasn't even sure if it was cleaning my face. It wasn't until I had finished rinsing with water that I could immediately tell how clean my face felt. It really took all the extra oil off my face. This is my go to cleanser if I am breaking out and want something gentle on my blemishes that won't rip them.

Afterwards, I always follow up with the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion. Now, don't be fooled by the name of this item. It says that it is a lotion, but it really is an astringent/toner. I'm not sure why it is called that, but I'm glad that it works. After I have pat-dried my face with a washcloth and my face has completely dried, I take some cotton circles with the Cucumber Cleansing Lotion and use them to tone and remove any remaining makeup off my face. The Enzyme Cleansing Gel really does a good job because I rarely wipe anything else off, but every now and then, I miss a spot by my ears or neck. This astringent is SO gentle and never leaves my face stinging or feeling too tight. I really love this combination and wouldn't mind using them everyday, I just love trying out new products!

 

Ready for something amazing? Mario Badescu is so confident in their products and their quality, that they not only send you free samples, they will send you samples specific to your skin's cleaning regimen, as well as instructions on how to use them and why they chose them for you. Answer the questions found in the questionnaire here and look out for your samples! I received about 6 in mine and I am already planning on buying some full sizes in the ones I received!

Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator:

(After trying a sample in a past Birchbox, I HAD to get the full size!)

Summary:

- Powerful exfoliator that not only removes dead skin cells, but leaves your face radiant and brighter

- Can be used three to five times a week and won't irritate your skin

- This 4.23 oz bottle can be found in the Birchbox (<-- you can create an account here) store for

  $34.00 here with free shipping!

 This was one of the first exfoliators that I fell in love with. I have so many acne scars and redness in my face, so I was on the hunt for a good one when I received a sample of the Vasanti Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator in a past Birchbox. After the first week of using it, I knew it was true love. I noticed that my skin felt noticeably smoother and brighter. The redness in my face didn't feel as vivid, either. They said that I would see results after one use, which I laughed off, but they were right! I was pleasantly surprised! The texture is a bit thicker, in comparison to the Dr. Brandt exfoliator, and the crystals aren't as noticeable, but I feel like this one brightens better. Days when my face is feeling a bit sensitive and red and I want to scrub away dead skin cells, I'll opt for this cleanser. Also, I got this exfoliator for free by using points earned from my monthly Birchboxes! (At $10 a month for 5-6 samples, you can't go wrong!)

HOLY MACARONI! That was seriously the longest blog post I ever wrote, but I really wanted to give you all my honest opinion about each! If you end up trying any of them, or if you already love them, please leave a comment and let me know! 

Peace and Love <3,

Farrah