Another Devoted Fan of Double Cleansing

I had posted about cleansing quite a while back, and a comment gently chastised me I was going about it wrong. "Double cleansing," HH recommended. 

I have to say I was dubious. 

Any previous forays I had had with my face and oil had not ended well. I had once tried moisturizing with jojoba oil and had a terrible breakout. 

So it took some time for me to come around. Like a year or so. 

"Double cleansing" kept popping up everywhere, with stalwart enthusiasts. One of my favorite IG skincare gurus swears by it, and her skincare dragon is acne.  

For those who don't yet know, "double cleansing" is when an oil-based cleanser is used first to melt away the day's grime and makeup, and then once the skin is free of goop, a water-based cleanser comes along and washes away the oily residue. 

Eventually, I bought Palmer's Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil, and then ignored it for a few more months. Until I finally decided I was being ridiculous, what's the point in having it and not using it, and tremulously popped it open. 

Huh. Well, that actually worked.

My one lingering fear is that an oil cleanser will clog up my sink, as other cleansers have, so instead of rinsing it off I gently wipe it off my face with a wet paper towel. Then I follow up with Cerave Hydrating Foaming Cleanser. 

My skin feels wonderful afterward—soft and moisturized, not tight and squeaky. 

However, I once did have a chin breakout and I think it was because I hadn't washed off that area properly. So if prone to blemishes make sure to rinse off the oil-based cleanser well.  

I Know We'll Meet Again

I haven't put on lipstick since March. 

I don't know who I am anymore.  

I would put on lipstick if I could. But with a mask, it would end up all over my face. Same with foundation/cc+ cream. 

And in fun other news, I'm getting some seeeeerious maskne. The kind that has Luke pointing and going "Ha ha!" and has Han tenderly dabbing my face with Mario Badescu Drying Lotion (which he found reduced in Nordstrom Rack, score!) Oddly enough, this breakout started when I began to actually wash my masks with regularity. Sigh. 

What does one do when a good chunk of their identity and image is tied to "War Paint"? OK, I still do my eyes, but I'm usually behind sunglasses, so the effect is sort of lost. (I never figured out the difference between "effect" and "affect." I should look into that.) 

Ben loved my makeup, once upon a time. He'd coo happily to see my Face. Will he know who I am, when this is over? It reminds me of the time Ma had the flu and didn't go out for a month. When she finally was able to go out again, her Face threw me off. 

But I think Corona has made all of us reconsider our identities in certain ways. I always thought I'd be fine with a life of hermitude, but now that I'm here it's getting rather old. 

I do believe I'll be reunited with my lipstick hoard again. When I'll buff my punim with long-wearing foundation. When—mmmm—I can get my eyebrows threaded.

And if Mashiach is there too, nuch besser. 

Eye Makeup Remover is Serious Stuff

Once upon a time, when Sephora would have their 20% off events, I would stock up on enough makeup to last me quite some time. So it was only a few months ago that I noticed I was on my last bottle of Philosophy Just Release Me eye makeup remover. 

I moseyed over to the internet to find my baby, only to discover that it had been discontinued. 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Before you pat me on the back in a comforting fashion, bear in mind it took me forever to find Just Release Me in the first place. The usual favorite, by Lancome, left behind a greasy residue (in my mind). Every other product I tried merely smeared the mascara into racoon circles around my eyes, as opposed to removing it. 

I researched "dupe" frantically, and found an obscure post on an obscure blog claiming that they, too, panicked at the disappearance of Just Release Me, but found that the eye makeup remover by Neutrogena was an excellent replacement. It even had the same ingredients, the blogger wrote. 

I was dubious, as I had tried nearly every drugstore eye makeup remover already and they were disappointing. But, I tend to believe everyone's recommendations so I thought I'd give it a whirl. 

And . . . she was right! 

So, while I feel slightly stupid for paying so much over these past who knows how many years, I am thankful I do not have to rub my eyes into an early wrinkly future. Shiver.

The Repurchased! VII Skincare

• Kleem Vitamin C Serum 

It took me a long, long while, but I FINALLY found a vitamin c serum in pump form, as opposed to dropper. I was never keen on the dropper. It exposes the serum to the elements, to air, to contaminants, decreasing the potency over time. 

I was adamant about a pump or tube, and now that I've found it I go through it like matzah vaaser. I also love the consistency; most vitamin c serums found on Amazon performed well, but other options—including a very expensive one from Sephora—was sticky, or did not melt into my skin, or left an orange(!) residue.

In the mornings, I use witch hazel toner with a cotton pad (instead of washing my face) to prep my skin, then apply the Kleem (on top goes SPF, then makeup). 

• Alpha Skin Care Products:  
• Essential Renewal Lotion (10%) 
• Renewal Body Lotion (10%) 
• Intensive Renewal Serum (14%)  

The above are the ones I have tried and loved. Additionally, there is an Essential Renewal Gel (10%) for oily skin types, and an Enhanced Renewal Cream (12%) for dryer skin.

I have been a fan of this line when it was still called Alpha Hydrox. These are anti-aging treatments of various percentages that do lovely work. I rotate them with my retinol products (but I haven't yet tried their retinol cream).  

For those who are new to AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), it would be wise to apply a layer of Cetaphil moisturizer first, then this on top. The serum, for instance, is so potent that it stings if I put it straight on my face.   

• Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Differin, at 0.3%, is still prescription; this one, at a lesser strength, is available over-the counter. While it is referred to as an "acne treatment," the main ingredient is a retinoid, which means it's for anti-aging too.   

The same premise applies as with the AHA; apply Cetaphil first, then this on top. (A dermatologist told me to do that, by the way.) 

The Vitamin C Showdown

I've gushed to y'all before about Vitamin C Serum. I'm still in love, and apply it religiously every morning. I could also slather it on at night under other anti-aging creams since it plays well with retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids. 

I've become a bit savvier in how I shop on Amazon; there is a whole "fake review" business that goes on there. There are multitudes of serums being sold with questionable user feedback. 

Additionally, I'm not crazy about the standard dropper dispenser; product shouldn't be constantly exposed to air and contaminants. That means pumps or tubes only. 

Yet there aren't many of those. Most of the Amazon options were of a watery, gel-like serum, a consistency I wasn't crazy about. I even tried an expensive product from Sephora, but the texture was worse—sticky and bright orange, and the results aren't any better than the others. 

I found one now that I like: Kleem Organics.

The pump emits a smooth, non-sticky serum that sinks directly into skin. The results are on par with the others I've tried so far. I ignored the reviews, like I tend to ignore Amazon reviews nowadays. I've decided to trust it.

Enjoy the collagen! 

BB vs. CC

I'm still recovering from Sephora's recent VIB 20% promotion, an annual delight. I tend to stock up on favorites at this sale, as well as experiment with new products, secure that returns are painless (yes, you can return cosmetics! To Sephora, and to department stores, and yes, USED. So try!). 

Wintertime is a thorny issue for me in terms of everyday makeup. In the summers, my combination skin favors mineral makeup, but that's too drying for the winter months. Tinted moisturizers are too moisturizing, leaving me uber-shiny by noon. 

Enter the BB and the CC—Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+. 

What usually happens when I buy two similar products, I either become attached to one and spurn the other, or I find both disappointing. In this case, I'm actually torn.  

I like them! Both! There are pros and cons, however. 

In terms of performance, both provide enough coverage to even skin tone and shield minor boo-boos. Both do not make my skin oily—no need to blot my face midday. Both go on light, and do not smother my skin, yet it feels . . . nourished, dare I say? 

The cons of the Smashbox is the packaging. Products, ideally, should not be exposed to air and contaminants until application; the rather liquidy cream dispenses with an annoying dropper, opening the whole bottle to contamination.

Whereas the IT is a breeze in sensible, responsible, easy-to-operate tube.

In terms of color, though, the Smashbox in Fair/Light is probably a better match for my skin than IT in Light. The IT goes on looking ideal, but it is slightly too dark. Yet perhaps the touch of extra warmth is flattering? She hopes? Looking a tad orange?

And so I dither between the two. Worst come to worst, I suppose I can be hedonistic for once (ha!) and keep both.    

TGIF

• "How do you say 'email' in Yiddish?" My particular Yinglish (although technically Heblish) favorite for "butt-dial": "al pi tuchas";

• How to groom your eyebrows; 

• Can foods fight acne? Oh yes.

Comfy Beauties

In my teenage youth, I loathed makeup. I found it false, and worse, an effort. 

Yet here I stand before the bathroom mirror, 90 minutes before a date or wedding, applying and dabbing and penciling with gleeful care. I feel fabulous. I love it. I no longer think of paint as "false," nor do I consider it work.

I also love my cleansers, creams, serums, oils, shampoos, conditioners, Dead Sea face masks . . . the list goes on.

Via theodysseyonline

Ta always claimed there was a Gemara or something that said fathers must provide their eligible daughters with cosmetics and skincare, so halachically, a little chein and yofi (also known as sheker and hevel in Eishes Chayil) is fine. 

Now there is a "No Makeup Movement." Alicia Keyes no longer wears any. True, but she has plenty of product to treat her skin and style her hair. Where is the line when it comes to "natural" beauty? 

 

Haley Mlotek considers this in "To Wear Makeup or Not to Wear Makeup?"  She claims, "The question is surprisingly fraught, but the answer is simple": 

. . . comfort is the root of confidence, and not the other way around. This is true whether a person is wearing makeup or not.

And (don't be surprised to hear this) I believe that to be true. If a gal walks into a room without "enhancement," she'll bowl everyone over with her ear-to-ear grin. She could be followed by an exquisitely crafted Face who refuses to make eye contact or smile, and people will nervously edge away from her. 

I'm comfortable in my Face. Other women aren't, so it won't give them that boost of attractive confidence that I experience. Thankfully, we are not all the same. 

Although, would you be willing to try a touch of mascara? It's a miracle-worker.  

Clayface II

"Ooh, you must get this face mask," she gushed. "It makes my skin sooooo soft." 

I went very, very still. I was, of course, proud that my niece was taking care of her skin, but I was reminded how a once integral part of my routine lapsed in practice. 

Products have to be user-friendly, or else they won't get . . . used. When I posted about face masks, I was currently using one in a tube—simply squeeze and apply. But shortly thereafter I purchased the internet-acclaimed Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. 

Which has to be measured out and mixed with liquid. Even when using official measurements, it never came out right. Too thick or too thin. So I gradually stopped using it, unwilling to wrestle with it, but since I officially had a mud mask in the house, I didn't purchase an alternative. 

Until the recommendation from the teenager. As soon as we parted ways, I fumbled open Amazon and desperately searched. It had to be in a tube—I had bought one once in a tub, and it dried out—and preferably from the Dead Sea. I love the Dead Sea. It's a skincare addict's dream. 

There were two I settled on to try. The first is by Adovia, and it spread on easily, sank in, and did its job. After washing it off in the shower—golly! How bad of me to fall off the mask wagon!

This review echoes my experience too—that while it gets nice and tight, it "gives" enough so it doesn't flake like mad when dry. So I can talk with it on.

Via cosmeticsanctuary.com

The next (I like having backups), for one day soon, is by 27 Minerals. But times may change, and new products available by then. (Yum yum!) 

Now, I can breathe easy at not being sandbagged by kinfauna. . . until next time.    

Fave Oils

The oils are back, my peeps! Good fats are making a comeback, in the kitchen and the medicine cabinet. 

For the last few years argan oil has been my baby. I use it on my hair—I rub a few drops between the palms and run my hands through the strands. Instead of a bushy 'do, it behaves itself come Shabbos morning (my hair always looks great on Shabbos afternoon, never during Shacharis). The ends of the mane are so soft.

As the weather has cooled, I've been dabbing it onto my face after cleansing, before applying my other nightly creams. Nourished skin is young skin. I have to avoid the milia-prone areas, although argan oil is considered not to block pores (I had a bad experience with jojoba oil). 

When selecting oils, check the ingredients. Many can be cut with nastiness like mineral oil. Get 100% only. 

Next, coconut oil. I hate coconut, the taste of coconut. Bleh. I do not cook with it, but use it on my hair once a week for an intense mask. Previously, I used standard tubs of the stuff, which in winter would solidify and be a pain to extract and spread. 

Enter Carrington Farms Liquid Coconut Oil. It remains liquid, no matter the temp, making it easy to apply. I also don't have to use as much since it doesn't have the consistency of thick goop, and in turn, less shampoo to remove the grease. 

It's also great for applying to the body. Don't neglect that as chilly days threaten. Coconut oil supposedly reduces inflammation and redness. 

The Repurchased! IV

1. To highlight the brow bone, I rely on L'Oreal Infallible Endless Pearl. Of course it's matte. 

2. For the lid, I like to use a lighter shade of gray as opposed to the darker one that goes in the crease. L.A. Minerals Dove Gray is bright and cheerful and opens up my eyes. I also use it alone for all-over cover when not going so evening-y dramatic. 

3. After a long day, the above eye makeup should be thoroughly removed. I have tried so many (so so many) eye makeup removers, and keep running back to Philosophy Just Release Me. I'm so ashamed, every time, for ever questioning our attachment.

Via makeupandbeauty.com. Before . . .

. . . and after. Shazam.

4. For those new to anti-aging creams, I recommend OzNaturals Retinol Moisturizer. It contains a less-potent retinol derivative, but it still does lovely work. For the newbie, this will guide you gently over the threshold. 

5. For the hardened cream fiends, I am getting along swimmingly with SkinMedica Retinol Complex 0.5 (there is one in 1.0, but even I'm not ready for it yet). 

It is so potent that I have to mix it with—

6. —Cetaphil before applying. Yum yum.

 

I firmly recommend this step. Loved ones have accidentally "burned" their skin by applying straight retinol that their skin had yet to adjust to. 

7. I'm surprised at the unhappy reviews, but I like 40 Carrots Eye Gel. I've used many an eye serum and I'm pleased with this one. I feel as though it is doing its firming job. 

Clarisonic Review

It was during the 2014 annual Sephora sale that I finally got me a Clarisonic, hubba hubba. It remained in the box for nearly a full year following, as I waited patiently for my previous electronic face brush to die a natural death. It didn't. Well, YOLO, right? 

I've been using it for a few months now, so I'm due for a review. 

The Clarisonic is different from other face brushes in that the brush head does not rotate, it oscillates; it "wum-wum-wum"s deep into the pores while the user physically rotates the thingy across the face. 

I initially got into electronic face brushes after I bought one on a lark and my blemish-breakouts diminished exponentially. I got the Mia 2 model, which is smaller than the original. I noted that after I started using the Clarisonic, my facial skin improved in glowiness. I don't know if it is because of the brush massaging or because of the claim that deeper cleansing leads to better absorption of product, but cool. 

The one feature I don't like is the automatic timer, which they terrorize you with: 20 seconds on forehead, 10 seconds for each cheek and nose and chin. There is a hiccup in the vibration to alert you to move to a different zone. Then it automatically shuts off. 

I don't like this, see, because my forehead doesn't need 20 seconds of scouring, and I would like to spend as much time as I like, thank you very much, cleansing the facial areas that I want to cleanse, like my nose and chin. Just a few more seconds, please, that would be great. 

Clarisonic informs me that the timer on the Mia 2 cannot be disabled, but I'll keep my toy anyway. Wum-wum-wum.   

The Repurchased! III

Okay, ladies, summer is almost upon us (yes, I said "almost"), which means I stock up on heat-sensitive products (such as SPF) now, before they can get cooked in shipping. 

SPF!

• For a number of years running, my go-to is Elta MD Clear SPF 46. I hated every other SPF until I was introduced to this one. In the summer, my combination skin needs no incentive to over-grease, and this one protects without oils. 'Tis the Amazon best-seller in SPF.

• Lip skin is thinner and just as susceptible to sun damage, if not more. Alba Botanica's Very Emollient line is beloved by many. I've been religiously using the Suncreen Lipcare SPF 25 and keep on returning to it. 

• Another constant in my cabinet is the Alba Botanica Very Emollient SPF 45 Pure Lavender. It's easy to apply, and it keeps mosquitoes away (in my experience), better than official "bug begone" sunscreens.  

 

Moving on to other beloveds: 

• For cleansing, an idle T.J. Maxx purchase has become my holy grail: Giovanni D:tox System Purifying Facial Cleaner. It contains charcoal, which pulls out impurities. And I mean it pulls them out; I can see gook rising from my pores (I know, I know, TMI). Yet, it doesn't strip my skin. In the interests of being open I tried another face wash, and missed the Giovanni terribly until I finally used up the other one (waste not). 

There is also an accompanying Facial Scrub with fine exfoliating bits that I like. I use it after cleansing once or twice a week.

• Desert Essence has a coconut line, and the three that I've tried rock: the Coconut Shampoo, the Coconut Conditioner, and the Coconut Hand Wash. 

The shampoo cleanses without destroying; the conditioner goes deep without oiliness; and the hand wash lathers up and moisturizes my skin at the same time.

• For the last few summers, no matter the many other nail colors in my basket, I end up applying OPI Dutch Tulips, either alone or with a different color coat beneath. It's a divine mingling of red, pink, and orange.

• While I was initially wowed by the Beauty Blender, and do still love how it performs, it became dotted with black spots of mold despite my careful cleaning and air-drying. 

I tried the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge instead, for even if it becomes moldy at some point, at least it's priced for swifter turnover.   

  

Ladies, any recommendations? 

Be Calm and Cream On

Smell that? 

There's a distinct scent to the air when the greenery begins to poke cautious shoots out from the melting snow. The aroma is pleasing, and yet there is an undercurrent of anxiety. 

For spring, as we know, means Pesach. 

Hear that? 

That is the sound of a clueless husband getting yelled at for dropping crumbs all over a freshly disinfected dining room. 

We definitely do overthink and oversweat Pesach. While it certainly does involve a lot of work, most enjoyable things in life do. 

While I'm frantic (in general), I'm not too tense over Pesach. Thanks to my face creams, I don't look tense, either. So, for all the wrinkles sprouting around eyes and mouths this season, here's a product for the counterattack: Oz Naturals Super Youth 2.5% Retinol Moisturizer. 

 

For those new to anti-aging products, I would suggest applying moisturizer first, then Super Youth on top to mitigate the stinging. A dermatologist recommended once Cetaphil Daily Advance Lotion, and I use it every night along with the rest of my skincare routine. 

If there had been any blemishes lurking beneath the surface, the retinol will yank them out into the sunshine, so initially there may be some breakout activity; it doesn't necessarily mean the product isn't for you. Rather quickly, though, the blemishes should go away, and the retinol will keep them at bay (Differin, prescription-strength retinol, is marketed to teenagers with acne).

I love yontif, but it does involve work, no doubt about it. Slather on some retinol along with the rest of Pre-Pesach Prep, and keep on smiling.   

Touchable Hands

She grasped my hand while making a point. 

"Your hands are so soft!" she gasped, momentarily distracted. 

Yup, also part of the regimen. 

Every night, I rub lotion thoroughly on my hands, then place on gloves that are meant to keep the moisture in. 

My hands don't chap in winter anymore, even after washing dishes on Friday night, when I can't re-moisturize. 

However, due to a circulation issue, while my hands may be soft, the skin itself looks freakish in cold weather. They take on a blotchy, reddened/empurpled hue. The only time they look good is first thing in the morning, nice and warm from under the covers.

Anywho, in the winter, my moisturizer of choice is Nourish Organic Raw Shea Butter. It's 100% shea butter. It's firm, so I scrape it off with a nail, but it melts deliciously into skin.

Due Diligence

"Oh, I have RoC, it doesn't do anything." 

"But do you actually put it on? Every single night?" 

Silence. 

Yes, it is a royal pain in whatever part of the anatomy that you prefer, but if one has the future remotely in their sights, the only way to successfully route wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other signs of aging is with a skincare routine. 

The sad but indelible fact of the matter is, our skin won't be bouncing back forever. Without regular application of SPF, damage can accumulate and then rear its ugly head. Simply purchasing a night cream is certainly not enough, nor is applying it sporadically.

Americans aren't a patient people. We want quick and simple, even if that means getting injections that make us look as though we're recovering from an allergic reactions to peanuts. 

Five minutes in the morning (SPF) and five minutes at night (wash and cream) can mean a world of difference thirty years down the road.

Don't come crying to me because you wouldn't slap on a little AHA before bed.   

Vitamin C!

Sailors of yester-year would suffer crippling illnesses due to a lack of vitamin C; all they needed was a shot of lemon juice to return them to duty. Vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid) is vital to tissue repair; that's why produce-deprived sailors pretty much fell apart.

Vitamin C is necessary for collagen, the means by which the body rebuilds itself. Collagen? I know collagen! That's the stuff I need to keep my facial skin plump and wrinkle-free. 

Eating foods high in vitamin C is great, but you can up your game with topical products. Apparently, when applied under SPF daily, vitamin C helps prevent hyperpigmentation and further havoc as well as correcting damage.

When I heard that, I went vitamin C shopping! 

The first I bought was an Amazon best-seller, Pure Body Naturals Vitamin C Serum. It's light-weight, sinks in easily with no residue, and my skin does look happier.

I have, however, for backup, another Amazon best-seller, one by OZ Naturals. I like to experiment. 

In the mornings, I don't cleanse my face; I swipe it with a cotton round soaked in homemade toner composed of water and apple cider vinegar. Following, I apply the serum all over my face, including my neck and eye area. After allowing it to sink in (it doesn't take long), I then apply my SPF products. 

All sorts of companies have spewed forth SPFs paired with C, like The Body Shop, Ole Henrikson, and Murad, but I prefer the serum option. There are a plethora available on Amazon; I may have to try them all. 

Vitamin C doesn't have to be applied only by day; it is a great nighttime treatment option as well. It can also be used in conjuction with other anti-agers, like retinol and AHA.     

The Repurchased! II

Okay, about time I shared a few more repurchased favorites! The ones listed in my first "The Repurchased!" post I am happy to report have remained beloved, despite the stiff competition.

 Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 01 Black. When I began to apply daily paint, I tried pencil but ended up looking rather terrifying as kohl tendrils would dribble down my cheeks. I used pressed powder liner for years until I tried all the top rated pencils at Sephora. This one is quite affordable and performs the best. Creamy, easy application, then smudge it in, and I look smashing until I take it off at night. (Disclaimer: Great for everyday, but not my option for Shabbos Face.) 

 Murad Oil-Control Mattifier SPF 15 PA++. I have combination skin, which means my cheeks feel deprived of moisture while my t-zone gets greasy. This, somehow (maybe I don't want to know), keeps the oil in check while the dry areas are soothed. That's right, it's also a moisturizer. I always have a spare tube of this lying around. It must, and I mean must, go underneath any major Face.

  Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Electric Pink Matte. Apply it with a lip brush on top of balm, lips are prettily enhanced; full on application for strong, feisty pigment. It's not as drying or hard to work with like other matte lipsticks, and can be made appropriate for any occasion. Although, come to think of it, the coral pink shade may not be the go-to for fall. Oops. Should have put this in an April post.

 Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Without primer my shadow makes a run for it; on weekdays, tinted moisturizer on my eyes does the trick, but I use this to keep my shadow on for simchos. A must before Shabbos and Yontif, obviously, but I do admit that on Shabbos morning there is a 50-50 chance that one eye's shadow will be gone. "A Clockwork Orange" look, sadly, has not yet taken on. (I'm currently experiencing with face setting sprays on top for bulletproof wear. Reviews soon.) 

 FAIRYDROPS Scandal Queen Mascara. I originally discovered this in Sephora, but then they stopped carrying it; bless thee, Amazon. If you aren't a fan of bodacious lashes, this may not be for you; the brush packs a lot of product. But it is ideal for Shabbos and Yontif Face, when applied in layers and with other alternating mascaras. Some mascaras leave a sticky finish that can result in clumped lashes Shabbos morning, but so far, not this baby. Ma and I get a little panicked if we run out.  

 

So, my frumanistas: Anyone want to contribute their "Repurchased!" loves? C'mon, I know you want to . . . 

Body Scrubbing

At one point I dabbled with a body scrub, which ended up being a huge pain. The apricot pit bits got wedged into my shower floor and clogged up the drain. Alternative?

Earth Therapeutics Hydro Gloves easily exfoliate skin. Add a squirt of body wash or rub 'em against some bar soap, and they lather up beautifully.

 

There are also exfoliating bath towels, which are longer to make back scrubbing easy, like the Salux Nylon Japanese Beauty Skin Bath Wash Cloth/Towel. They are quite loved, but I don't find them as easily negotiable as the gloves. 

The Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Body Sponge and Buf-Puf Double-Sided Body Sponge were, in my opinion, a wee too harsh. 

This idea can also be for the dudes. Don't be afraid of polishing the skin, men! (No one has to know. Or that you follow up with moisturizer afterward.)

Hearken to My Cream

I've been trying to terrorize you people to put sunscreen on every day, and I don't know to how much success. For those stragglers, watch and weep: