It took me three years to discover an affordable skin care routine that kept my face clean, moisturized and zit free. Besides being breakout prone, I have combination skin, meaning some of my skin is oily while the rest is dry. This generally means oil free products are recommended, but since some of my skin is dry, it also means I need sufficient moisture. It has been challenging to find oil free moisturizing products.
At times, my skin is also sensitive, so I am careful about using products with a lot of fragrance. Most organic products work for me, because they have only essential oils (no mineral oil), and no synthetic fragrances. My recommendations should apply to oily, dry, and some sensitive skin types. Some very dry skin types may be able to tolerate products with oil. However, for most people they clog pores and create breakouts. If you have recommendations for other skin types, please add comments or send me an e-mail to tranquilbeauty@tranquilbeautyinsight.com
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Cleansers – a. Desert Essence Throughly Clean Face Wash (recommended for very oily skin or only a few times a week for combination skin); b. Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Face Wash (can be used AM and PM) ; or c. CVS clarifying cleanser. I use b. or c. regularly in the morning, and a. occassionally when my skin feels oily or breakout prone. If you like a., like several of my other friends, you will want to buy it in bulk to save money. You can buy the regular size bottle at Vitamin Shoppe or Nature’s Food Patch to try, and then buy the bulk version online. I don’t know of any stores in my area that sell it in bulk.
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Tone – Dickinson’s Witch Hazel (I only use this a few times a week, but oiler types could probably use it everyday). This will help to reduce pore size and increase the absorption of your moisturizer.
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Moisturize – Lumene Vitamin C Protective Day Cream SPF 15 ; and a tinted moisturizer with SPF (I use it in place of foundation – see more makeup tips in my Affordable Lasting Makeup article) such as Cover Girl Aqua Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer, or Physician’s Formula Mineral Wear Tinted Moisturizer in Fair to Light (can be purchased at CVS) . If you will be out in the direct sun all day, use at least SPF 30 Sunblock that protects against UVA/UVB rays, and reapply every hour. I like CVS Oil Free Faces SPF 30, but don’t forget to apply it to your body before leaving as well!
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Cleanse (PM) – I use Neutrogena Oil Free Makeup Remover to take off eye makeup with a Q-tip. Tip: shake and then dip two Q-tips in the remover; use the wet side to loosen the makeup and then the dry side to remove it completely. Then, I use a makeup remover cleanser such as Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser or Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Face Wash (also in No. 1 above).
You can call me Tranquil Beauty. After spending a good portion of my life being disillusioned by my mind, I’m finally on a path led by my true self. I'm here because I've been blessed by the wisdom of so many others who powerfully emulate what it means to live guided by their own purpose. I'm profoundly grateful to share the knowledge I’ve gained after being enlightened by Neale Donald Walsch, Rick Warren, Eckhart Tolle, and Shakti Gawain (to name only a few). I feel this wisdom has permeated my being and shifted my focus from the past and the limitations of my mind to a state of pure consciousness that seeks to honor my true self. I've been a personal development fanatic since 1999. Some books that have influenced the website include Friendship with God, The Purpose Driven Life, The Power of Now, A New Earth, and Creative Visualization.
My passion for beauty started at a very young age. Though primarily driven by personal struggles with fine curly hair and combination skin, my beauty expertise grew over the years from devouring numerous beauty publications and trying mounds of products. After wasting piles of money testing top of the line products, I've learned that expensive beauty products aren’t necessarily better products.
Making a commitment to realize your beauty inside and out is a choice each and every moment. I believe strongly that we all have an innate power to create fulfilling lives. I vow to accept nothing less for those who wish to join me on that journey!