Tag: Cerave

A Year in SPF

On By andrewdhutch

As mentioned in my last post, I was recently on the quest for a new daily SPF. Well guess what, I’m still on that journey. I am always on the search for what’s next in my skincare regimen. I thought it would be interesting to review all the SPFs I used in 2020, so here we go.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Line Smoothing Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15 – Combination to Oily

  • When I bought it – This list truly runs 365 days of daily SPF because I purchased this on January 1, 2020 after having New Year’s Day brunch (RIP brunch)
  • Why I bought it – I bought this because I wanted a nice “skincare” SPF, and found some of the ingredients interesting. The marketing for this boasts plumping fine lines and wrinkles, boosting a youthful look over time. Sign me up. Also, one thing you’ll find with the products I talk about, is that I am often trying and then 5 years later retrying. Clinique is no exception, I had originally used the non-spf version of this product in 2013 (when I was truly young and wrinkle free).
  • What I thought – It had that nice skincare scent, and I liked the texture. I felt fancy applying an SPF from a jar. It gave my skin a nice glow, but was overall not amazing. It was good, not great. On to the next.
  • Would I repurchase – Not no

Olay Total Effects SPF 15, Fragrance Free

  • When I bought it – February 1, before a trip to Mexico (RIP traveling)
  • Why I bought it – For sunbathing days in the Caribbean sun, of course. If I am sunbathing (GUILTY) I apply spf to my face AND body every 40 minutes, no exceptions. This is an SPF that I have used regularly for over 5 years. It has a nice texture that sinks in easily with very little white cast.
  • What I thought – I first fell in love with this product because of the ingredients for the price. Niacinamide is near the top, an ingredient that has all around benefits from helping pores, dullness, skin barrier strength, etc. I have long felt it helps keep my skin blemish free, or at least reduces the redness in my skin tone. We love that. I will say, it feels like they may have reformulated this product, as it has started to smell like sunscreen, in a bad way. But, my skin still likes it, so that’s most important.
  • Would I repurchase – Yes, and I have since

Elta MD UV Replenish SPF 44

  • When I bought it – Since I used so much of the Olay sunbathing, I was nearly ready for a new SPF. After brunch (RIP brunch, part 2), I walked to the local skin spa (shout out to Shoshi at Spa Derma) to buy this Elta MD that I had been researching.
  • Why I bought it – Kourtney Kardashian told me to
  • What I thought – VERY thick and white, takes a LONG time to rub in. I am pale, so a white cast is sometimes okay, but there is a danger zone – it cannot be so thick and white that it tints my beard hair, which this did. And that’s a no from me, dawg. Aside from that, the texture, was almost pore filling, providing a very smoothing effect, so I did enjoy that.
  • Would I repurchase – No

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

  • When I bought it – April 2020, and purchased it on monthly subscription from Dermstore until like October 2020
  • Why I bought it – Since I had mixed feelings on the previous Elta MD product, I wanted to try another from the brand. Again, love the ingredients. Niacinamide!
  • What I thought – Love the texture, thin and runny, no white cast for me at all. I love the scent! My bfffffff Lily (who has her own blog, The Lately Blog) describes it as an almond scent, and that’s accurate.
  • Would I repurchase – Yes

Cerave AM SPF

  • When I bought it – November 2020
  • Why I bought it – I was done with the EltaMD UV clear, but not sure what I wanted next. I had used this one like 4 years ago and thought, let me try it again. It feels like one of those products that is a staple, very safe, and works for everyone (TBD on that one). The ingredients are good, ceramide forward, hydrating, all those good things.
  • What I thought – First and foremost, I think my skin loves it, so that’s important. It has a slight white cast at first, and takes a little time to sink in, but for me dries very smooth. My skin feels less shiny throughout the day.
  • Would I repurchase – Sure

What’s next? Here are the SPFs on my short list…

  • Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor SPF 30 (#rihannanavy)
  • Jack Black Double Duty Moisturizer SPF 20

Helping Hands

On By andrewdhutch

Sometimes (a lot of the time) I’ll get a text from a friend like this…

“I have tiny bumps all over my face, and my pores have def gotten bigger. What do I do?”

My friends love to ask for advice, mainly product recommendations. And I love to help in any way I can, while recognizing that everyone’s skin and needs vary. If you recall from my previous post, I am that skincare nerd who is reading each ingredient list on a product. I spend hours at home researching the clinical studies of ingredients. Just like what we put in our bodies, I want to know what benefit I’m going to get out of a skincare ingredient and formulation. So if I recommend a product, I try to sneak in some skincare E-D-U-C-A-T-I-O-N at the same time.

First up, I ask for additional details about the issue. In this case, my friend described the bumps as acne – think whiteheads and a few blackheads. Also of concerns about oil – “it seems like it’s just oil that’s getting built up.”

Previously I had recommended the Pixi Glow Tonic (glycolic acid/AHA) for this friend, as they were transitioning to summer and noticed acne caused by sweat and wanted an affordable acid/toner step in their routine.

For these new skin concerns, I recommended trying some oil cleansers to deep clean, and switching from an AHA (Pixi Glow Tonic) to a BHA or salicylic acid product to help with the acne. #maskne

When recommending products, I always trying to stick to things I’ve either tried and loved, or that I have on my list to try. This provides a certain level of comfort, since I’m not a professional. I’m not out here trying to make my friend’s skin any worse! The oil cleansers I recommended are…

I also recommended a BHA product that is hot right now:

And for my final commentary, I had to throw in some skincare tips and tricks for all the products I was recommending. Had to really push my agenda for everyone to have glowing skin. Double cleansing. First cleanser on dry skin to remove sunscreen/makeup/dirt, second cleanse to treat the skin. Inspired by queen of all skincare, Caroline Hirons!

Finally, here’s the real kicker, my friend is moving to London and in short order. This meant product availability was a key factor.

I thought of all my trips to the dermatologist in high school, and drugstore availability, and recommended the Cerave Renewing SA Cleanser, and the Versed Weekend Glow Daily Brightening Solution. Both available at any number of drugstores here in the states. One quick trip.

Stay tuned for follow-ups on the results!