Skin Product Review: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser

I haven't really talked about skincare on this blog, so this is a first. I do think the condition of my skin is related to my haircare, since I'm sure hair products get on my face somehow. I'm sure my increased use of oils has had an effect on the skin on my face.

In February, I noticed that my forehead was breaking out. I've always had combination skin, but my forehead had become extremely oily. When I went to the doctor for a check-up in April, I talked to her about it, and she gave me a prescription for some cream. I can't remember the name of it, but she told me that it could dry out my skin. I used it for a couple of weeks, and it actually made my skin oilier, and caused more breakouts! I ditched the cream, and tried different facial cleansers- soaps, astringents, scrubs, etc. By the summer, the bumps started to spread to my temples and below my eyes. About a month ago, I bought some Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser. For some reason, I had been hesitant about trying a cream cleanser, since my forehead was so oily. Well, I saw a difference within a week. Now, my forehead is almost completely clear! I use it in the mornings and in the evenings, even though the directions caution about using it more than once a day. I noticed that if I only used it once a day, I saw more breakouts. I also moisturize after using it with a moisturizer with salicylic acid. I'm so glad I found a product to clear up my skin. I was starting to feel like a teenager with bad skin- and I didn't even have acne as a teenager!

Castor Oil Overdose?

My hair has been responding extremely well to castor oil lately. I think it's due to the season change- my hair seems to like this oil better in the cooler months. It has helped to keep my hair from getting too dry, and it has made my strands look thicker. I think I overdid it last week, though. Actually, I think I didn't wash it out enough. I applied a good amount of castor oil to my scalp a day before my wash day. I used diluted shampoo to clean my scalp, and I probably should have used straight shampoo. I proceeded to deep condition (using conditioner with a drop of castor oil in it!) and rollerset my hair. Although my hair looked good (=thick), it didn't feel good. It was really weighed down and felt like there was film of oil on it. On top of that, my scalp was flaky and a little itchy. At first, I thought I could keep it like that for a few days, but moisturizer and serum weren't doing anything but causing more buildup, and I didn't want my scalp to be clogged, so I shampooed again. I used a moisturizing shampoo along with some Hair One cleansing conditioner. When I finished, my hair felt great and was so easy to detangle. I airdried with a scarf and my ends clipped up. When I woke up, my hair was smooth and moist. My ends were a little dry, but I'm still working on this airdrying thing.

What I learned from this experience is that I can continue to use castor oil, I just need to use shampoo when I wash. I was afraid that the shampoo would remove all of the effects of the castor oil, but that's not true. Even though I don't like too much manipulation, my hair really does like being washed or co-washed more than once a week. I also learned that me and airdrying might be able to get along after all! I'm going to try to shampoo my hair once a week, and co-wash once a week. I'll airdry at least one of these washes and see what happens. I'm really trying to bun the majority of time this fall/winter, so maybe this will help.

Product Review: Moroccan Oil

I bought a bottle of Moroccan Oil about a year and a half ago, but I am just doing a review, because I've been using it off and on, in different ways.

Product Description
A great multi-tasker, Moroccanoil has been formulated to treat your hair instantly – a leave in product that leaves hair silky and shiny without any residue. Regular use of the Moroccanoil Oil treatment is said to help restore hair damaged by colouring or heated styling. Moroccanoil also works as a styling product, and is great for eliminating frizz on all hair types.

Ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Butylphenyl Methyl Propional, Argania Spinoza Kernel Oil (Aragan Oil), Linseed (Linum Usitatissimum) Extract, Fragrance Supplement, D & C Yellow 11, D & C Red 17, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone

Directions
Styling & Finishing:
Shampoo and Condition your hair as usual. Start with a small amount in the palm of your hand and work it through damp hair. Style as normal, enjoying the defining properties of Moroccanoil.
Protection:
If you're hairs frizzing or reacting to the weather (humidity or rain in particular) apply Moroccanoil as and when required.
Colour Process:
Before applying colour, prepare hair by applying a pea sized amount of Moroccanoil The Original Treatment Oil directly onto the hair. Gently rub the product through to enhance the hair's ability to absorb colour.

Do not rinse the hair before applying colour or bleach.

Add 4 to 5ml of Moroccanoil Treatment Oil to the colour mix and continue the process as usual. This will enhance shine, elasticity and depth of colour.

My Experience
I first used this product on damp hair before rollersetting. I had heard so many good things that I was really disappointed when I ended up with dull, lifeless hair. Then I tried it as a serum before flatironing. Still no luck. A couple of months ago when I was at the Dominican salon, I noticed they added some Moroccan oil to my hair after they took my rollers out. So I decided to do the same thing when I set my hair at home. The results were totally the opposite! My hair was shiny, bouncy and moist! I only need to use it one time between washes, which is great. This product is more a serum rather than an oil, and my hair doesn't like a lot of "cones" so it's perfect that I don't need a lot of it. This is definitely a staple for me now!

Sick Hair

I have a head cold, and it seems like my hair has a cold too! Every time I get a cold, my hair gets dry and crispy. What's up with that?! I've been moisturizing and oiling it, but it doesn't stay moist. I know I'm probably a little dehydrated, but I've been drinking lots of water. I want to wash and condition my hair, but I. have. no. energy. I'm tired from just putting my hair in a bun.

Hopefully, I'll feel well enough to deep condition in the next day or two.