My Favorite Cruelty-Free Products to Prep Skin for Spring
Spring is finally here. Most spend our winters preparing our spring and summer beach vacation bodies, but some of us are also lazy. Whether you're the former or the latter, I've found the best skin care products for sensitive skin that will get rid of that winter crustiness. Yes, crustiness!
I've been working out a lot more lately and on top of that, we've just come out of winter and I've started a new acne treatment so I can look a bit busted some days from lack of proper hydration. I spent an entire hour in Ulta Googling the best products for sensitive, acne prone skin. (I know I could have done research ahead of time but it was a spur of the moment thing.) Here's a list of the products I found that are actually doing my skin justice.
Face:
I typically wash my face with whatever gentle face wash I have in the house at the time. I'm more likely to reach for my African black soap or Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid face wash during the spring and summer months because it gets rid of the extra oils my skin produces. I either rub an ice cube across my face, focusing on my cheekbones because that's where my pores are the largest, or I use Thayers Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Formula to tone.
When it comes to mosturizers, I look for something simple enough for my sensitive skin but that is also anti-aging and contains a decent SPF.
I use Mario Badescu's Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 30 in the morning. This product applies smoothly and doesn't leave the oily residue that most sunscreens leave. Best of all, it's great for people of any skin tone. I have a medium olive skin tone and although the white film that's left behind by most sunscreens isn't ridiculously obvious against my skin, it's still annoying. I don't have that problem at all with this moisturizer.
I use First-Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration Skin Protectant at night. I have this product in both the Honeysuckle scent and fragrance- free. This product doesn't contain sunscreen, but it's lightweight and keeps my skin soft and hydrated. Lightweight moisturizers are ideal for the spring and summer months, especially in the muggy south.
I use Burt's Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask once, maybe twice a week to add extra hydration (or just for fun 🙂).
Eyes:
First-Aid Beauty's Fab Skin Lab Retinol Eye Cream is my current eye cream. I haven't seen any special results from this cream, but I like to apply extra care to my eye area every day, especially since reaching my mid-20s. I can see fine lines starting to form and prevention is key. I'm still on the hunt for a great eye cream or serum. If you know of a good cruelty-free one, let me know in the comments!
Face cream with the matching retinol. Retinol isn't nearly as effective as a retinoid, but this works as a good eye moisturizer for now.
Lips:
I'm serious about my lip care. If I don't moisturize anything else, I make sure to keep lip chap on hand. I received a ton of lip chap as a stocking stuffer last Christmas, so I haven't had to buy any. I'm currently using Joan's A Keeper lip chaps. I received about five or six in lots of scents. My favorite is unscented because I don't like when lip products have smells or tastes. I like this product a lot but I won't be purchasing replacements because its made from beeswax and I'm trying to only use cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics.
Body:
I use multiple shower washes. It's really whatever I grab that day. I'm trying to get rid of quite a few right now, but they're all cruelty-free. I'll make a separate post about my favorite body washes and soaps!
I also use the Thayers witch hazel to tone my body. I'm in the middle of a weight loss journey and I heard that witch hazel helps with reducing chances of forming stretch marks. I moisturize with olive oil or coconut oil. It really just depends on what bathroom I'm in and what's the closest. I just make sure to actually moisturize after each wash because sometimes I'm too lazy or exhausted, especially if I've just finished a workout.
What products do you use in your spring time regimen? Are they cruelty-free? Let me know in the comments! And don't forget to follow me on Instagram for other products and practices I use for my skincare.
- Maxx’s Mom
