Fresh Face: It’s All About Hydration
By: Jordan
IG: @jay_lasoul
My skin is something else. I say this in typical black fashion, as in, there are no other words to describe it, and so it is something else. I never experienced more than a pimple or two until I began applying for college, which lead me to believe that I must have had stressed induced acne. By some luck or over confidence, I have never felt the need to hide my skin, but having a connect-the-dots pattern on my forehead was not a fun stint. With the help of a few of my favorite products, including Trish McEvoy Cleansing Balm, Thayer’s Witch Hazel, and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel, the Mario Bedescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, Green Tea, has creeped it’s way into my starting lineup.
After much trial and error, I have learned that hydration was my main issue. My pores were congested and slapping my favorite oils on my face did not solve the problem. Oils work to seal moisture, not moisturize on their own. I won’t say water solved my moisture issue alone, but it made a difference. Drinking water hydrates your body from the inside out. I got serious about my water intake, especially during my morning and nighttime skincare routines. Before my face routines, I drink one 16 oz bottle of water. I then began looking for products that had a good amount of water in them (check the ingredients list, as they are listed in descending order by weight). The Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer fit perfectly into my routine because it was not oily and left my skin extremely supple. Additionally, I stopped using toners and astringents with alcohol, so I made the switch to Thayer’s and have been in love ever since.
But the star of this blog post is Mario Bedescu’s Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea. Aloe, cucumber, and green tea are often used to lessen inflammation, tone down redness, and boost hydration. Another beneficial ingredient included in the mix is peppermint leaf water, which has cooling and calming effects on the skin. I use this product after treating breakouts and before my moisturizer. I love a product that can be used for more than one purpose. This facial spray can also be used as a dewy setting spray and as a midday moisture boost.
For all of you ladies and gents who are looking to step up your skincare routine or are looking for ways to boost moisture, grab this useful and cheap spray ($7).