Lotion Potion, My Magic Potions

When I tell my friends that I have acne problems they don't believe me. Since I was 13 or 14, I've been going to a dermatologist due to severe acne. I would keep getting pimples on my T zone to the point that it hurts and will have to have medicine pump directly into the pimple using a syringe to make it die down. And the continuous use of prescription topical medications which tends to be very harsh, leaving your skin dry and flacky.

Even so many years later you would think that I should be fighting winkles and fine lines instead of acne.... it's not true, it does persist... I have to keep on using some product to keep it acne free (ok one or two during that time of month doesn't count) which include birth control pills.

One thing that I stick with are Neutrogena's product which include the Oil-Free Acne Wash (middle) that I've been using since 13 when they only had the bar soap at the time. I also love their Moisture Oil-Free Spf 15 which is the only day moisturizer that I can use during Summer that I won't break out and of course they also have some extra powerful SPF sunscreens. If you don't like the thick consistency of most sunscreen as I do, please try their UltraSheer Water-Light daily face sunscreen which is SPF 60. And btw, a SPF 100 Sunscreen this year came out this year, I think it's the only drugstore brand that you could get such high SPF. I have also been using their Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunscreen this summer when I spend hours on the patio =D Even my boyfriend is converted, he'll either use my Acne wash or the Neutrogena MEN's Face Wash and Shave Cream. I first bought these 2 bottles (right) for him during a buy one get one free promotion and only after the first use, he rush back to stock up on 2 extra sets.

My 2nd favorite skin-care brand is NeoStrata
which is Canadian. I was introduce to it when my dermatologist recommended that I keep using their Toning Solution (it comes in 2 Level, I'm using the stronger Level 2) while I try quitting the prescribe topical medications. It works wonders and I've added it's Blemish Spot Gel since for those sudden pimple pop ups. Some other product that I've tried and love (from left to right): 1) Skin Resurfacing Duo which include the crytals & the activator that are use together, it's the best Exfoliate product I've ever use, 2) Skin Renewal Peel Solution, 3) Skin Brightener, wake up your skin right away after a night of partying too hard (aka hangover), 4) Oil Free Smoothing Lotion Level 3, 5) Eye Contour Smoothing Cream (for everyday use) & Anti-Wrinkle Cream (for the days that I need extra help). Please follow the links for more info.

I've been trying to find a serum this year for Radiance and my friend recommended the Caudalie Radiance Serum (right) which she has been using. We head to Sephora right away to get one and I loved it.... Loved it so much that I went back to get their 1st Wrinkle Eye Cream (2nd right, the one w/green cap) which was in a special packs which come with the 3 bottles on the left and the samples. So I went ahead and try the Night Infusion Cream Sample (which btw last quite a while) which works great too, since I tend to break out from my  anti wrinkle night cream. I'll definitely be heading out soon to get that.

I also like using a cleansing oil as make-up remover especially since I love gel-liners which tends to be quite waterproof.... it's also because the skin around the eye are very delicate and the easiest to get wrinkles, so we shouldn't rub or pull too hard which the cleansing oil comes in and my favorite so far is Shu Uemura high performance cleansing oil and it comes in a cute pink bottle, it can't get much better than this

Another product that I swear by is the St Ives Blemish & Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub that's $2.99 at Walmart. When a lot of people using scrub, they don't cleanse well and the left behind scrub, the"sand" will end up cloging up their pores which will create blackheads or even pimples.... this Apricot Scrub, the "sand" is bigger than your normal face scrub will solve that problem... yet it's still gentle enough not to feel rough plus it contain 2% Salicylic Acid for better exfoliation and fight acne. I also use this as a Body Scrub since it cheaper than most other body scrub out there =P

The above products are my favorite at the moment but I've also tried a lot of other brand. The right hand side picture only show some that I tried and didn't work but still haven't throw away...I've tried a few of Lancome skincare line but none of them work although I love their makeup, while their oil-free moisturizer sucks, their anti-wrinkle cream of any stage make me break out. Both Vichy and Biotherm are more expansive then Neutrogena doesn't do any better (even worst) so why spend the extra $$$. My boyfriend just started to use the Body Shop tea tree oil Blemish fade away night lotion, I'm not sure about this since I tried it one night and didn't like it at all. Although I'm a fan of their tea tree body wash, face mask and the peel off mask which they don't carry anymore =(

Masks/Facials review next..... I love doing mask at home, probably have more then 10 different type =P