Beauty, Charm & Style

A man once said, ‘If I owned Hell and Texas, I’d live in Hell and rent out Texas.”

Anyone having visited the Lone Star State in the summer months (March – October) knows that there is no relief from the sun, the heat or the humidity and the only hope for a breeze is the occasional tornado.

Luckily, I carry in my clutch my Murad Oil-Free Sunblock with an SPF 30.

Murad Oil-Free Sunblock

As a fair skinned lady, I know my sunblock.  And so does Dr. Murad; he’s been influencing modern dermatology since the 80s.  A believer of good body health leading to good skin health, Dr. Murad has been utilizing antioxidants; such as pomegranate to help treat the environmental damage skin faces every day.  Thinking back, my skin always looks clearer when I’m healthy and looks terrible when I’m sick.

As part of the Age-Proof Suncare line, the Oil Free Sunblock gives me the coverage I need and it doesn’t sweat off!  That is THE most important part of my sunblock regime.  As an active girl, I’m outside most of my weekends.  Biking, walking, gardening, softball practice – I can’t worry about my sunblock melting away and leaving me exposed.

It’s oil free so I don’t break out the next day.  My face stays clean and smooth and protected and never shiney.  Pro-active about sun exposure, I’m so glad Murad’s got my back…er, face.

The Breakdown:

• Oil Free Matte Finish
• Infused with pomegranate extract – a great antioxidant
• 1.7 oz bottle for $30
• Not tested on animals

Tips:

• Apply 30 minutes before going out into the sun
• Also available in an equally awesome waterproof version

I’m allergic to 2 things in this world.  Diaper Rash Cream and soap. I hate to imagine how my parents found my allergy to diaper rash cream – ew!!!  I discovered my allergy to soap when I was 16.  At a routine visit to the dermatologist, she told me to start using Johnson & Johnson Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash, a soap free solution to clean skin.

Johnson & Johnson Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

I always have had pretty, clear and manageable skin and I am lucky to have never dealt with acne, other than the occasional zit.  So when my skin started to get red and irritated, I became concerned. My dermatologist talked to me about my skin’s sensitivity, pH balance and its acute soap allergy. And after her recommendation, I started to use Purpose, and my face cleared up and, like a magic potion, no more redness.

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash does the same job as soap and works the same way as soap, but without the harsh effects soap can have on skin. It’s a basic, practical, to the point, no frills face wash, but that’s what I like about it.  No sent, no dyes, no added tealeaf, fruit or vitamin extract – just a gentle wash that gets the job done. I mean, it’s from Johnson & Johnson, the same company that made the bubble bath your parents bathed you in while a baby, you know it won’t hurt you.

You pump a quarter size of the cleanser on your palm and add some water.  Lather it up and wash your face and neck just the same way you do with any facial wash.   Don’t rub too hard or scrub your skin, think of it as a piece of expensive silk and treat it that way. Finally, rinse with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel.

I’ve been using this stuff for years, and make no plans to change my routine.  Some pharmacies don’t carry this stuff, and the ones that do usually hide it on the bottom shelf, in the corner so if you’re out make sure to search, because it’s well worth it!

The Breakdown

• Available in a 6 oz plastic pump bottle
• $5.50
• No prescription required but doctors recommend it!
• Soap-free, oil-free, non-drying and non-irritating
• Hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic [won’t clog your pores]

Tips:

• Can be used daily, even twice daily because it is that gentle.
• Also available in bar form if that’s how you roll.
• You only need a quarter size pump with each wash, don’t overdo it.