REN Face Scrub

I’ve been complaining a lot about dry flaky skin lately. A bit of a history lesson here: I’ve had oily skin since day one. I was one of those people who would go to the washroom mid day, blot with toilet paper covers, and still be oily. Especially around my t-zone, it was always a mess. Then I switched birth control pills and now I am the definition of the Sahara desert. It’s kind of alarming how much a tiny little pill can change the chemistry in your body, but regardless I am now dry as a bone, and seriously suffering. I popped into Sephora to pick up an exfoliator to slough off all that dry flaky skin, so I thought I’d share my thoughts on it.

REN Rosa Centifolia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser – $36.00 CAD

I went with a REN product, mostly because cruelty free options for skincare at Sephora are far and few between. Murad is a good cruelty free option, Josie Maran has some skincare items, but apart from that, Sephora hasn’t got much in the department of animal friendly skincare. This scrub was not at all what I expected. The tube is 3.3oz, and has a really nice and fresh peppermint scent. The scrub has really fine, waxy exfoliating particles that are supposedly made of jojoba oil, which is great for me because my skin seems to love jojoba oil. The recommended use is to cleanse your skin until the jojoba wax beads have melted, and then the melted beads are supposed to moisturize the skin. My issue here is that I have sensitive skin, and I also don’t have time to sit there and rub this exfoliating cleanser on my skin for 5 minutes until the wax beads melt. I have never, yet, been able to get to the point where the jojoba beads melt.

Apart from the bizarre recommended use, I do really feel as though this scrub has helped even out my skin, removed all dry patches, and gets my skin really nice and clean. I like to use this at night to mostly take off my make up, and then go in with a non-exfoliating cleanser. In just a few weeks use, I’ve really seen a dramatic change in my skin. I haven’t found it to break me out at all, and I feel like I can get away with using it every day, however I try to stick to just using it a few times a week.

Talk soon,

Xx Brianna

Empties #2

It’s that time again for another empties post. I feel like there’s a lot of skincare in this one, as I’ve really been focusing on my skin lately, trying to clear everything up and get my skin to a steady state. Let’s get straight into the junk!

One product I felt I used up way too quickly is the REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask. To be fair I was using this mask twice a week. I really feel as though it made a big difference, and helped clear out my pores and clean up my skin. Once I started using this mask I really started to see a difference in the health of my skin. I had fewer new blemishes and the ones I had caused by coconut oil healed a lot faster than before I started using the mask. I used to use the entire Aloe range from the Body Shop, and the last product I used up was the Aloe Soothing Night Cream. I have quite sensitive skin, and this was a nice night cream. For the mean time I haven’t repurchased but I’m not opposed to it in the future. I always feel really accomplished when I finish up a lip balm, and of course it had to be my favorite Grapefruit formula from Burt’s Bees. I loved this balm and I would most definitely buy it again. Last up with the JĀSÖN Powersmile Toothpaste which I have already repurchased. It’s a great all around toothpaste.

I finished up this deep conditioner by the brand OGX, formerly Organix. I hauled this deep conditioner some time ago, this is the coconut formulation of the OGX deep conditioners that I love. I go back to these time and time again, and have since repurchased a different scent. Another sad good bye is the Urban Decay DeSlicked setting spray. I love me a good setting spray, this one smelled fantastic and helped any extra powder from caking up my make up. I haven’t repurchased because I find it to be ridiculously expensive for what it is, but it would be a nice little luxury buy in the future. I used up my Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic face mask in its allotted two weeks shelf life. I’d definitely consider getting this mask again once I’ve accumulated 5 black pots from Lush. I wouldn’t be opposed to just buying it again either as it’s only about 7 dollars, a great pick for sensitive and sore skin! Lastly I bid a due to my Rosehip Oil. This rosehip oil really moisturized my skin and helped any break outs heal a lot faster. Because my skin is doing so much better I don’t feel the need to repurchase, maybe in the winter months when my skin dries out I’ll pick up another bottle!

Off the the recycle all these guys go. Only makes more room for more goodies 🙂

Talk soon,

Xx Brianna

Face Mask Heaven

In my ongoing fight with my skin, I was starting to feel as though my skin was winning the battle. In the middle of April my skin broke out in a way I had never experienced before. I had a lot of small, under the skin zits that wouldn’t come to the surface, but would be red and raised. I’ve never experienced this type of acne before, usually I just get a zit that comes to a head in a day or so and I can extract it easily. After a month and a half of being incredibly frustrated with my skin, I turned to a brand I had heard great things about: REN Skincare.

REN Clarimatte Invisible Pores Detox Mask – $41.00 CAD

I picked out this mask because of the detoxifying aspect. I’m so happy with this purchase, as it’s from the combination skin range. I was previously using the Origins Clear Improvement Mask that I had since before my days of being cruelty free (Origins is not a cruelty free brand). I found that the Origins mask was really starting to irritate my skin, it would burn after I applied to my skin: no bueno. The REN mask is so refreshing! It has a great, spa-like scent, that’s herbally with a hint of fruit. The mask is a kind of light green colour that’s a great thick consistency. How you use this mask is you apply a generous amount to your clean skin, wait for it to dry(15 minutes or so), and then you rub it off. Yes… you rub it off your skin… sooo bizarre.

I recommend using this product at night, because after rubbing the mask off your face, your skin is quite red for some time after. Rubbing the mask off provides a physical exfoliation. I’ve used this mask twice a week for the past two weeks, and I really can see improvements in my skin. The little red under the skin blemishes surfaced, which was a bit alarming at first because I had a lot of active acne, but once those spots healed, my skin has been much more clear. I love that the first ingredient in this product is lavender flower water. This mask also has clay, which is the purifying agent.

You get 1.7 oz of product, which is a really nice step up from the usual 1 oz, and also helps me justify the price. The packaging is great, the pump makes application a breeze. I definitely prefer a pump to the squeeze tubes on other masks. Just like all other REN products, there’s no parabens oh phthalates, the ingredients check out alright on the Think Dirty app, it has a yellow rating.

Here you can see the mask in action. The light colour allows you to see the areas that it has drawn oil out of your pores. I suspect this mask will do nicely with blackheads. The mask dries fairly quickly, and leaves your skin feeling really soft and clean. I notice a light drying effect, which I actually like, because I have oily skin. I follow up this mask with either a hydrating toner for day time, or rosehip oil if I’m off to sleep shortly.

I have to say, I’m starting to see real results with this mask after two weeks, I feel as though my skin has less junk underneath the surface, and I think with continued use, I’m going to be on my way to clear skin.

Talk soon,

Xx Brianna