Let us begin with day moisturizers. These are distinguishable typically because of the SPF included in the product.
My ultimate fave: 3LAB Perfect Sun block SPF 55. Why is it my favorite? This product is very hydrating without giving a “chalky” or “ashy” look to the skin. It has a high SPF which is crucial in the summer months. A younger clientele may say this product is too heavy but I love the glow I get from it.
Most Luxurious: Chanel Precicision with SPF 15. I love the hydration and texture this moisturizer provides but I don’t like the low SPF and I really don’t care for all of the perfume in the product. That being said, my skin looks amazing when I use it. *The night cream is even better!
Great for Winter: Youth As We Know It with SPF 30. Bliss touts the moisturizer as a product for “mature skin” but I want that extra moisture! In actuality this product is not heavy or super-hydrating at all. It’s perfectly down the middle a great moisturizer to use in the winter (due to the SPF 30). It goes on well, makes my skin feel hydrated and I know I’m protected for my bike ride to work. The one thing I do not like about the Youth line is the fact that they use so many parabens in their products. Yuck.
The Moisturizer for Sporty Spice: DDF Weightless Defense Oil-Free hydrator SPF 45. I use this moisturizer when I go running because I want a high SPF without the heavy, thicker moisturizing benefits. I very rarely recommend oil-free products for my clients as they spend their entire life trying to dry out their skin for some reason, but this moisturizer is good for someone who is active, needs good protection, but still wants a good product on their face.
Next we move on to night moisturizers. A few of these can be used during the day as long as you put a sunscreen over them such as Ayur-Medic SPF 30+ or Remede Tinted UV Block SPF 30.
Most Active: StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate. This product is chalk full of peptides (collagen builders) and has the science and stats to back its results. It started as a cream for stretch marks, but some crazy broad decided to put it on her face and voila! Youth. It only takes a pea sized amount of cream to cover the entire face and then some. That took some getting used to, but that’s the good thing about some of the pricier ($135 for 5oz.) skin creams – they don’t require as much of the product to produce the results. I love how my skin looks after I put this on, and it even feels great when I wake up in the morning (feeling like P. Diddy). Caution: there is menthol in it, thus producing a “cooling” affect. It also states clearly on the tube to not apply this product to the upper or lower lid. I did for a month before reading the instructions. Dumb.
Strange but Still Good: Life Cell. It smells like a self tanner to me, but I believe that’s because it is full of antioxidants and a bunch of different fatty acids and more. It’s pricey ($189 per tube/bottle) but again, it took me forever to use up this product. A little went a LONG way and they encourage you to use it on the eye area (one less step!). My skin actually looked pretty good and felt hydrated, but for the hassle (it’s like a club – they send you a new tube every couple of months whether you’re ready or not) and the price I’d rather get StriVectin on my own.
Fairly Affordable: Youth As We Know It moisture cream and Youth As We Know It night cream ($79). The regular Youth felt good. It hydrated, I had a glow and the kojic acid and fermented black tea even caused a little tingly sensation when applied. The Youth night is a more mild formula. It just seems like a basic night cream to me with one problem: it kind of peels and rolls into balls. I prefer the O.G. version of these two over the night cream, but both are packed with parabens. Shame on you Bliss!
When you need a moisturizer because you’re going out, not going to bed: SK-II ($150). This was a “favorite” of Pat McGrath last year during one of those fashion weeks so I snatched it up to see what it was all about. I like SK-II because they do not add fragrance to their skincare. Whatever the ingredients smell like it what the final product smells like. Bonus points. But this moisturizer felt more like a serum for oily skin in my opinion. It had a very watery feel, didn’t hydrate and didn’t give my face any sort of glow. It’s probably one of the cleanest moisturizers on my list, ingredient-wise but I felt dry. Ick. If you are TRULY oily, this is the one for you.
Best All-Around Line: Pomega5 Grenade Anti Rides ($145). I love this entire line; the smells the textures, the results, the ingredients…you can actually EAT the Daily Revitalizing Concentrate capsules! This batty French woman concocted the entire line in her kitchen (my hero) and uses amazing high-quality ingredients. This particular cream just works. It feels amazing, smells amazing thanks to raspberry, cranberry and carrots and…it doesn’t have any preservatives! Yay!
What’s Missing: Skinceuticals. I’ve yet to tap into this line, I’ve heard the results are amazing and I’ve actually used the Epidermal Repair on one of my many cooking injuries and a few of my clients with completely freaked out skin. Both with good results.
Some things to remember: always wear sunscreen during the day and never at night, any pictures you take will give you a “ghost face” because of the SPF in the product. Wear moisturizer day and night, even if you think you have oily skin or acneic skin. Both need water and good hydrators in order to correct and properly adjust. Just because something is organic, it does NOT mean its better. Some chemicals are good, necessary and helpful. Some organic lines are shit. It’s a fact.
