Category Archives: Skin Types

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Refreshing Cleansing Gel

I first tried Avalon Organics about three years ago. Of course, it was cleanser that first drew me in (favorite product). I’m also a big fan of Vitamin C use on the skin so when I saw their Vitamin C Refreshing Cleansing Gel I got very excited. (Y’all didn’t have to hear about me getting “very excited” about a cleanser to know how much of a nerd I am about products, did you?)

Here’s how I use it:
– 1/2 pump [yes! I love pumps and I love measured doses (and spreadsheets and organizing – it all falls in the same nerdy category to me)] massaged into wet skin in the morning and evening. I use it over my eyes and it works great at getting eye makeup off without irritating my sensitive eyes.

The upsides:
The Scent
– I’ve used products in the past that look like they’re going to Continue reading

Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner

My name is Addy and I am a toner user.

I know a lot of people don’t want to or can’t bother taking this extra step and I respect that.

However, if you use the right kind of toner, I find it a beneficial and inexpensive step.
I’ve been using Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner for probably 10 years. There are other formulas/scents but I’ve never tried any of them. In researching this post, I discovered that they have a medicated version that looks like it could work out really well for someone with large pores and oily, acneic skin. If that’s you and you want to let me know how you like this product, I’ll post a review here with what you have to say. You can email me at addy at addysesthetics dot com.

Here’s how I use it:
– After washing my face both am and pm, I pour a small amount
Continue reading

Pangea Organics Egyptian Basil & Mint Body Wash

This post is moot because the product has been discontinued. Maybe I’m not the only one who didn’t care for the scent… My friend Eliza loves Pangea Organics products and she gave me their Egyptian Basil & Mint Body Wash to try out. I happily obliged.

Here’s how I use it:
– In the shower, I wrench the flip top lid off, just barely containing my desire to use my teeth (dentists strongly advise against such use of the teeth) and just barely getting it open after pushing really hard with both hands (maybe it’s just my bottle but it’s really annoying!), squeeze out about a dime sized amount and lather up.

The upsides:
– A little goes a long way!
– It has a pleasantly interesting scent that doesn’t linger (that’s a plus for me as I prefer to smell like my perfume).
Continue reading

Pevonia Combination Skin Cleanser


In my quest to find natural products that are effective, I started researching Pevonia products by attending a seminar that they hosted. At the end of the session, I ordered some products to try for myself since this was my first time learning about them. The cleanser I ordered was their Combination Skin Cleanser.

Here’s how I use it:
Technique 1: 13 pumps (yes, I counted every time. yes, I tested more pumps and less pumps and found this to be just the right amount for me) massaged onto DRY skin for at least a minute and then rinsed with water.
– I found this to be the best way to get soft, smooth skin that felt clean.

Technique 2: 13 pumps massaged onto WET skin for less than a minute.
– I did this when I was tired or lazy (or both). I definitely didn’t feel as clean as with Technique 1 but it did the job.
Continue reading

Pangea Organics Combination Skin Cream

I got some samples of Pangea Organics cream for combination skin Nigerian ginger, sweet lavender & thyme over at Foxglove and I totally love it.

Here’s how I use it:
– After cleansing, toning & applying a serum, I apply a bit of this cream and massage it in. I do this at night and in the morning if it’s overcast (hello San Francisco!)

The upsides:
– I love it when products come in a pump. One because then each application can come from a measured dose. This makes the product last longer because there aren’t any accidental spills or “over scoops” of product. Two because it’s so much more germ free – no fingers in jars leaving behind whatever was on the fingers when they reached into the jars.

– The price point is very approachable. I wouldn’t call it Continue reading

SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30

Now that it’s June, I thought it would be a good time to discuss sunscreen. Also, a couple of you have asked me about sunscreen lately so I figured this would be a good time to devote a few posts to the subject.

My beloved SkinCeuticals has a winner with Ultimate UV Defense. For a few years it was my favorite sunscreen. Then I got a job at a new spa that doesn’t carry SkinCeuticals so I thought I’d try something new, which I did, and I love it more (more on that later). So, I’m divided between “like it” and “love it” because I USED to love it, until I found something better. You’ll have to decide on your own!

Here’s how I use it:
– Every. Single. Day. It’s my last step before makeup.
– I use enough to cover the last digit of my middle finger and I massage it into my face, front and back of neck (short hair or updos require back of the neck SPF application), ears and down the decollete. If I’m wearing a wide neck shirt on a sunny day, I always make sure that everything within the neck hole is covered with this sunscreen. Arms and elsewhere get a less
Continue reading

Aubrey Organics Sea Buckthorn Cleanser

This Aubrey Organics cleanser Sea Buckthorn & Cucumber w/ Ester C Facial Cleansing Cream for Combination Dry Skin has a mouthful of a name but is quite a simple and straightforward cleanser.
I purchased this creamy cleanser due to a co-worker’s suggestion that I was over-drying my skin with cleanser for combination oily skin. I figured I’d see if she had a point. It took me a while to find how well this worked for me but once I did, it turned out to be okay.

Here’s how I use it:
– I had to try different ways of using this cleanser. The best clean I got from it was by applying it to dry skin and massaging in for a bit before adding a little water. This technique got my skin feeling soft and clean and got completely rid of my makeup.
– Alternatively, when I applied water first, it didn’t quite get all of my eye makeup off or get my skin feeling clean enough.

Continue reading

MyChelle Deep Repair Cream

I purchased the MyChelle All Skin Types Sampler Kit and have been working my way thru it’s offerings. I recently over did it a bit with the retinol and had some flaky skin on my chin. Some say the flaking is a good thing but I don’t like it – I think the skin should be fresh and dewey often and that dry, flaky patches are not a goal. Some types of skin need the flakes to get results quickly, but I think everyone will get results from retinoids with regular, measured applications. However, I have sensitive skin and sometimes retinol can make the skin flake (especially if the same skin has a new scrub tested on it the morning after retinol is applied…).
I tried the Deep Repair Cream from my little kit to see if it would help and I used it every night until it was gone – I love it so much I’m probably going to go buy some at Rainbow now that I’ve used the last smidgen, even tho I’ve plenty of other moisturizers to use at night.

Continue reading

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

SkinCeuticals does a great job with serums. Their Hydrating B5 Gel is a standout. It offers the skin the water part of the water/oil mix necessary for healthy skin. That’s not to say that it’s just expensive water – the base ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid, which holds 1,000 times it’s own weight in water and is naturally occurring in our skin and other areas of the body.

Here’s how I use it:
– After cleansing, toning (if you do – optional) & applying Vitamin C serum (highly recommended if you don’t already), apply 1-2 drops to your whole face, including eyes.
– If you are dry & need additional moisture than your sunscreen offers, apply your moisturizer then your sunscreen. I use sunscreen as my moisturizer often so as to save a step.

The upsides:
The Ingredients
– There is no fragrance or color added and the list is pretty short. (unfortunately, I can’t confirm what’s ACTUALLY on that list because they don’t publish the ingredients anywhere but on the box, which is long gone)

Continue reading

Zia Men DualAction Face Lotion

Last month I told you about this product and mentioned that we got it along with the DualAction Face Lotion.
I said I was going to continue the test of this cleanser by switching his lotion to see if that helps, and sure enough, he’s no longer breaking out now that he’s stopped using this product. Makes me a little sad because I like a few other Zia products.

Here’s how he used it:
– With his face still wet from washing, he’d apply just a smidgen all over his face.

The upsides:
– It’s ingredients are relatively natural.
– It smells good – essential oils of sandalwood and ylang ylang, and a few others make a lovely scent that’s gender neutral.
– It’s very light – when applied, it soaks in quickly and well.

Continue reading