For those of you who have very dry, sensitive skin you know the challenges faced in finding a beauty routine that does not lead to irritation, break outs and aggravated skin. After many years of trying all of the hyped up products that promise glowing skin, I found a quaint little spa tucked away in Waltham, Massachusetts called Life's Simple Pleazures that I really owe my facial sanity to. Their careful review of my skin care needs led to my discovery of a line of products that have kept my skin balanced, moisturized and able to withstand the humid southern weather that awaited me after I moved away from the Northeast.
Here are some of my true and tested favorites that I have purchased from their salon that leave my face clear, clean and feeling wonderful...
Facial Cleansing Gelee. This full bodied cleansing gelee combines deep cleansing action with the stimulation of massage. It is neither greasy nor drying and it is pH correct at 5.5. The naturally derived ingredient Sucrose Cocoate will gently cleanse your skin helping to balance moisture levels. I love it because my sensitive skin has a tendency to feel tight and dried out with other cleansers but this one leaves my delicate face feeling clean, soft, smooth. For those suffering from sensitive, combination skin this product calms down break outs while keeping your skin feeling hydrated. It's also an awesome make up remover so serves many uses in one product. An added bonus is it contains no detergents or artificial fragrance. And, best of all, it lasts me at least 2 months which makes it very economical. Price $18
Repechage Hydra Dew Smoothing Toner Pads. I can't say enough great things about this product. It comes with 60 soft petal pads which last you about a month if you use them twice a day. It has a dual purpose of being a toner and light moisturizer in one. After application, my skin feels dewy, hydrated and wonderfully silky to the touch. They tell me this is due to these pads being super saturated with seaweed to bind moisture and maintain proper moisture balance. Unlike most toners, my skin doesn't feel tight and I can apply my makeup within minutes since these pads also act as a primer. Most importantly, I have zero incidents of rash, break outs or acne when using these pads. Price $36.
Glycolic Face Cream. This light 8% glycolic acid treatment contains antioxidants of vitamins A and E with extracts of grape seed and licorice. It is ideal for mature, sensitive and dry skin types. Like most people with dry sensitive skin, most glycolic acid products made my skin red, blotchy and were too strong for my skin to handle. However, my skin really took well to this product with absolutely no irritation. I would use it as a night cream before bed and I really started to notice a difference in how my skin looked and felt within a few weeks of using the product. My skin texture was smoother, moisturized and some of my blemishes began fading away. I liked the combination of the glycolic acid for natural exfoliation with the built in moisturizer aspect. Price $45.
Control Serum with Anti-Bacterial Complex. A powerful anti-bacterial booster to help normalize oily combination or blemished-prone skin. This is one of my favorite products because I can use it in combination with my moisturizer or masque for a deep penetrating treatment. Whenever I have an acne breakout, I massage a few drops of this oil onto the blemish and within a day or two the blemish redness diminishes and the pimple dries out. I also like the fact that it's a clear oil so you can wear it during the day, without it being noticeable. The main ingredients of salicyclic acid, camphor, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus really seem to work well together to keep my skin problems under control. Price $16.
Special Clay Masque. This product has to be the best kept secret I've found out there for drying out acne break outs in under 2 days. This highly potent masque is made with bentonite, a rich mineral clay effective in drawing out impurities. Also included is the ingredient Ichthammol, derived from mineral deposits containing fossilized fish remains. Ichthammol is also rich in sulfur making it valuable for cleansing and purifying problematic skin conditions. I've tried over hundreds of masques that claim to dry out acne or breakouts and have been disappointed. Either they don't dry them out completely, or take a week to do the job or even when they do, create redness or irritation afterwards. This product draws out the impurity, dries it out and does not irritate the skin in the process. So, it has earned my stamp of approval. Price $15.
Vitamin C Crème. For a lightweight moisturizer for those living in both warm and colder climates, I recommend this one. This lightweight cream contains stable vitamin C and antioxidants that firm and protect. Squalane and jojoba oil further nourish and hydrate. This formula is ideal for sensitive to dry skin, but may be used for all skin types. It's super-hydrating, great for treating fine lines and wrinkles. I like to use at night when alternating between the Glycolic Face Cream. I also use this vitamin c crème as an under eye treatment since it does not irritate my sensitive eye area and does the job beautifully. Great for people who suffer from allergies and need a face cream that meets their sensitive needs. Price $30
I hope you take the time to give these product life-savers a try and see the difference they make to your skin complexion too! And, if you are ever in the Waltham, Massachusetts area, I definitely recommend dropping by their salon and checking out their wide-range of products and services. This reviewer has been a loyal customer for over a decade now and feel their facial treatments and products are the best therapy for a skin in crisis or to keep skin looking beautiful with a day of pampering.
Here are some of my true and tested favorites that I have purchased from their salon that leave my face clear, clean and feeling wonderful...
Facial Cleansing Gelee. This full bodied cleansing gelee combines deep cleansing action with the stimulation of massage. It is neither greasy nor drying and it is pH correct at 5.5. The naturally derived ingredient Sucrose Cocoate will gently cleanse your skin helping to balance moisture levels. I love it because my sensitive skin has a tendency to feel tight and dried out with other cleansers but this one leaves my delicate face feeling clean, soft, smooth. For those suffering from sensitive, combination skin this product calms down break outs while keeping your skin feeling hydrated. It's also an awesome make up remover so serves many uses in one product. An added bonus is it contains no detergents or artificial fragrance. And, best of all, it lasts me at least 2 months which makes it very economical. Price $18
Repechage Hydra Dew Smoothing Toner Pads. I can't say enough great things about this product. It comes with 60 soft petal pads which last you about a month if you use them twice a day. It has a dual purpose of being a toner and light moisturizer in one. After application, my skin feels dewy, hydrated and wonderfully silky to the touch. They tell me this is due to these pads being super saturated with seaweed to bind moisture and maintain proper moisture balance. Unlike most toners, my skin doesn't feel tight and I can apply my makeup within minutes since these pads also act as a primer. Most importantly, I have zero incidents of rash, break outs or acne when using these pads. Price $36.
Glycolic Face Cream. This light 8% glycolic acid treatment contains antioxidants of vitamins A and E with extracts of grape seed and licorice. It is ideal for mature, sensitive and dry skin types. Like most people with dry sensitive skin, most glycolic acid products made my skin red, blotchy and were too strong for my skin to handle. However, my skin really took well to this product with absolutely no irritation. I would use it as a night cream before bed and I really started to notice a difference in how my skin looked and felt within a few weeks of using the product. My skin texture was smoother, moisturized and some of my blemishes began fading away. I liked the combination of the glycolic acid for natural exfoliation with the built in moisturizer aspect. Price $45.
Control Serum with Anti-Bacterial Complex. A powerful anti-bacterial booster to help normalize oily combination or blemished-prone skin. This is one of my favorite products because I can use it in combination with my moisturizer or masque for a deep penetrating treatment. Whenever I have an acne breakout, I massage a few drops of this oil onto the blemish and within a day or two the blemish redness diminishes and the pimple dries out. I also like the fact that it's a clear oil so you can wear it during the day, without it being noticeable. The main ingredients of salicyclic acid, camphor, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus really seem to work well together to keep my skin problems under control. Price $16.
Special Clay Masque. This product has to be the best kept secret I've found out there for drying out acne break outs in under 2 days. This highly potent masque is made with bentonite, a rich mineral clay effective in drawing out impurities. Also included is the ingredient Ichthammol, derived from mineral deposits containing fossilized fish remains. Ichthammol is also rich in sulfur making it valuable for cleansing and purifying problematic skin conditions. I've tried over hundreds of masques that claim to dry out acne or breakouts and have been disappointed. Either they don't dry them out completely, or take a week to do the job or even when they do, create redness or irritation afterwards. This product draws out the impurity, dries it out and does not irritate the skin in the process. So, it has earned my stamp of approval. Price $15.
Vitamin C Crème. For a lightweight moisturizer for those living in both warm and colder climates, I recommend this one. This lightweight cream contains stable vitamin C and antioxidants that firm and protect. Squalane and jojoba oil further nourish and hydrate. This formula is ideal for sensitive to dry skin, but may be used for all skin types. It's super-hydrating, great for treating fine lines and wrinkles. I like to use at night when alternating between the Glycolic Face Cream. I also use this vitamin c crème as an under eye treatment since it does not irritate my sensitive eye area and does the job beautifully. Great for people who suffer from allergies and need a face cream that meets their sensitive needs. Price $30
I hope you take the time to give these product life-savers a try and see the difference they make to your skin complexion too! And, if you are ever in the Waltham, Massachusetts area, I definitely recommend dropping by their salon and checking out their wide-range of products and services. This reviewer has been a loyal customer for over a decade now and feel their facial treatments and products are the best therapy for a skin in crisis or to keep skin looking beautiful with a day of pampering.
