Sensitive Skin: Finding Alcohol-Free Products

Recently I started paying closer attention to the ingredients of the products I was using on my skin, since I was still having reactions once in a while. I finally decided to look up what ingredients to stay away from for eczema prone skin and then the light bulb went on!! The reason for my skin getting these reactions was right in front of my face! Alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate and a few others, but those two first ones are the biggies! Once I read this I started checking out my products and one by one I saw either alcohol as one of the first few ingredients or sodium laureth sulfate or both! So I stopped using them cold turkey! Now just a little side note, my skin used to not react to products like this. It has just been in the past few years that my skin has decided to change. So I am not saying no one can use products with these ingredients, but if you find you have sensitive skin and you keep trying new products but something keeps reacting with your skin, you can always try what I have and see if it works.

Why they put alcohol in beauty products:
- Fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners in skincare
-It makes products feel weightless and quick drying
- Skin is good at keeping ingredients out, alcohol helps breakdown skin barriers to help retinol or vitamin c get deep down
-Alcohol harms your skin's protective barrier, which triggers free-radical damage and can make oily skin and redness worse
-alcohol based acne products increase irritation and dryness
-Alcohol can irritate Roscacea & Eczema 

Why they put sodium lauryl sulfate in products? It helps to make products foam and is inexpensive. Sulfates like this one can compromise the skin's permeability , allowing moisture to escape, which can thin our protective layer. Basically this is one of the most irritating cleansing agents used in skin care products.

What are parabens? Parabens are used as preservatives in  beauty products. They have been found to cause less irritation than other preservatives used in products.

What are sulfates? Sulfate, generally speaking, are used as detergent cleansing agents. They show that the product is "working" by foaming or creating suds. They are just like parabens and not harmful to you in the grand scheme of things but they can cause irritation. The most common cause for irritation is caused when products don't have the correct amount of sulfates in their product, possibly used more than recommended as a filler. 

What is benzyl alcohol? A naturally occuring or synthetic ingredient used as a solvent and preservative. Though less likely to cause a reaction, the synthetic versions may cause contact allergy. Usually in bath products, soaps and detergents, eye makeup, blushes, cleansing products, shaving products and makeup.

What is cetearyl alcohol? Wax derived from grape seed and wheat. It helps to keep oil and water parts from separating. Can effectively condition the skin and hair. 

Here are some great alcohol-free products:

Skincare

Dior Cleansing Oil
I use this year round morning and night

For all skin types,
Alcohol free

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, soaps, alcohols, or detergents

Lancome Alcohol- Free Toner

Dermatologist tested; pH balanced; gently tones , refines and softens skin

Dior Gentle Toning Lotion

With velvet peony extract, which soothes and help inflammation; alcohol a free

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face Tonic

Instant hydration to the skin and helps balance skin so it is prepared for the rest of your products

No parabens, sulfates, phthalates or alcohol

Apply to face after cleansing

Boscia Cool Blue Hydration Essence

Apply after toner

Hydrating gel-serum lasting moisturization and firmness, calming and cooling the skin

No alcohol, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, preservatives, color, gluten

Dermatologist tested

Dior Oil Serum

Hydrating and anti-aging oil serum; corrects all visible signs of aging specific to dry skin
Alcohol free

NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Oil-free Moisturizer

Hydrates and revitalizes the skin

No parabens, alcohol, synthetic fragrance or oil

Non-comedogenic

Dermatologist tested



Embryolisse Concentrated Lait-Cream
I am currently using this cream morning and night
Paraben free and alcohol free



Embryolisse Hydra-Mat Emulsion
I use this in my kit at times
Absorbs excessive sebum and reduces shininess
paraben and alcohol free

Makeup



NARS ProPrime Light Optimizing Primer
Broad spectrum spf 15
Oil free primer
For a radiant complexion- I use this in my kit
No parabens, alcohol, or synthetic fragrance



Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation
Long-lasting and lightweight
No parabens or alcohol



NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
All skin types
Hydrating, multi-action skincare benefits and light diffusing technology to create a softer and smoother complexion
No parabens, sulfates, phthalates, alcohol or fragrance
Crease-proof, longwear
Dermatologist Tested
Non-comodeogenic



Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix
All skin types
Alcohol-free
Dermatologist tested


I hope you all find this article helpful in your search for your perfect skincare and makeup wardrobes! Let me know what you think of the products I have listed.

Source www.paulaschoice.com

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Boho Dream

Outfit Details: 

Kimono top/dress: Asos (similar) 

necklace: Charming Charlies 

shoes: Madden Girl via Nordstrom Rack

The bohemian lifestyle has always been a distant dream of mine. To travel from location to location, following your heart and wherever the wind takes you. However to live that life I would have to give up so much that I need to survive- structure and a steady schedule. 

My schedule already is pretty varied, but I never take the time to wander or to take a spontaneous trip because I am too worried about missing out on work or ignoring that never ending to-do list. 

Once in a while when I pop on a piece like this; colorful, free flowing and comfortable; I feel instantly relaxed and "zenned out". I feel that I can breathe and even if I don't drive anywhere relaxing, if I just step outside and appreciate the nature and space immediately around me then I can imagine even for a moment that I am living that "boho" dream. My mind and soul are at rest and my body starts to rejuvenate itself. 

My body and soul are forever split between being a structured "boss lady" and a free spirited artist craving the unknown. When I sit and relax the two halves are able to co-mingle peacefully without forcing one or the other into submission. There is a definite necessity for both halves to exist in my body and soul, but I need to be true to myself and allow both to exist simultaneously so that I am not continually hiding half of my personality in order to blend in and become assimilated into every group I am present in. 

My emotions want to rule my thoughts and by constantly locking them away they are becoming mingled with all of the emotions I absorb around me and I don't even know what I feel anymore. I need to get back to what truly drives me and react how I want to react and how my body needs to; instead of trapping it all away because of not wanting to lose control over myself or my emotions. Once they are out there and once I am able to let go it will allow me to become weightless and regain the ability to live without the constant burden of all of my negativity and overpowering structure.

Letting loose is necessary to truly live and to fully enjoy life instead of watching it go by. This will help me to become a stronger "boss lady" because I will be whole and not split between two worlds. I need to release the burdens of my heart and end the inner turmoil. Once this is achieved I know I will be able to view the world more openly and jump at opportunities instead of tip toe towards them.  

I put this out there because maybe some of you have gone through this and need to know that you are not alone! 

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photos by Margaret Thombs

Summer Blues

Outfit Details:
top: Asos
skirt: Bcbg Maxazria
belt: Bcbg Maxazria
shoes: Via Spiga via Nordstrom Rack
purse: vintage

All winter long I am praying for summer to get here quickly because frankly I really hate the cold. I love a few snow days and could handle winter for maybe a month, but longer than that and I begin to feel like a bear who didn't get to go into hibernation. So finally the summer is here! And trust me I am so loving being able to show off my bare legs!

But there is such a thing as too much heat and humidity, especially when I am trying to take blog photos outside. No matter what I do, I always break into a waterfall of sweat. My make up stays put, but then I get the little beads of sweat sprouting up along my upper lip line (those of you who get this know how much of a pain it is) and the in between the brows area. Of course everywhere else begins to emit a fine dew as well but those specific spots are the worst to get under control. Usually for the boob sweat I get some paper towel to put under my boobs to catch any sweat before I get any on my top. It is so annoying when that happens, especially when I don't notice it until I'm editing the shots, ahhhh!

So yes I hate winter and love the summer time, but at times when that humidity index is super high and I have to wear clothes and go in public I miss the cool AC indoors that can resemble the temperatures of early winter.

Anyone else suffer from the Summer Blues?



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