Perricone MD

I’m sure by now if you are a regular blog reader, you know my affinity for cleansers. They are so easy to interchange in and out of a skincare routine and results are quicker than serums or moisturizers. I’ve recently been testing out three new cleansers that vary from the average cleanser out there in either formulation or technology. All are from brands that I love and respect (and use frequently), so I knew my skin was in good hands.

1. First Aid Beauty Milk Oil Conditioning Cleanser – The name completely confused me when I first saw this bottle. Was it an oil? Was it a milk? How could it be both? Well as you can see from the left swatch in the below photo, it’s a thick milk texture. The oil in the name refers many of the ingredients that are derived from different oils, but the overall feeling of the cleanser is a delightfully thick milk. It is designed to be used without water, and in a pinch can remove makeup and cleanse the skin by just massaging it on and wiping away with a tissue. I prefer to use it with water, but the results are still the same. This stuff cuts through some serious makeup – fast and easy. It feels so nourishing on the skin and while I normally follow my initial cleanse with a second cleanse (by a different cleanser), this was so effective I could use it alone and my skin felt amazing. Another hit from First Aid Beauty.

2. Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment – While I may have been a bit confused by the FAB Milk Oil Cleanser, I was totally at a loss on how to use this new Perricone MD Blue Plasma Cleansing Treatment. It says it can be used as a cleansing water to remove makeup and cleanse the skin, but we all know I wear a full face and this just wasn’t powerful enough to do that. However, that being said, I shortly after fell into my groove with this as a second cleanse and now can’t get enough of it. I find it best used on a cotton pad and swiped over the entire face which leaves my skin feeling so fresh and clean, yet still conditioned and hydrated. Because of the Blue Plasma technology, it helps to purify pores by removing impurities which is the first thing I noticed. I have been suffering from an awful hormonal breakout this past month, and only after a few weeks into the breakout did I decide to try this cleanser and soon began to notice that is why my skin began to take a turn for the better. It wasn’t overnight, but there was a marked difference when I added in this cleansing treatment. The congestion I was suffering from on parts of my face was beginning to subside and now I am in the homestretch and my skin is slowly getting back to normal. Just as I felt the original Blue Plasma was a winner, this new Cleansing Treatment is definitely award worthy.

3. GLAMGLOW Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment – Though not technically a standard cleanser, this new mud-to-oil treatment definitely straddles the mask/cleanser category and deserves some recognition. While I don’t use this to remove my makeup, I L-O-V-E this as a second cleanser step because it helps me knock out two birds with one stone – cleanse and mask. I apply this after my first cleanse, leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then remove. While it sounds basic and simple, it’s so not. The mud dries down and then once water is added turns into a glorious oil that really gets my skin super clean and soft. Because it’s such a deep cleaning treatment, I find it best used only once a week but that one time will leave your skin glowing. I have used other GLAMGLOW products and enjoyed them but this instantly stood out to me and became a favorite from the range.

Shop some of my other cleanser recommendations:

There is little I love more in life than a good facial peel. A little tingling, sometimes a bit of stinging but the result is always the same – glowing, fresh, radiant skin. Peels can help to break up hyper-pigmentation, exfoliate at a deeper level than granular scrubs, reduce the appearance of fine lines and give clearer/brighter skin. Though I can never resist trying a new peel, I do have my all time favorite peels that have made the biggest impression on me. Here are my five favorite facial peels:

1. Revive Glycolic Renewal Peel – This is definitely the strongest peel that I have and is saved for when I want to really bring out the big guns. Serious hyper pigmentation, rough skin texture, remnants from a bad breakout, dull lackluster skin – any of these (or all of them – ugh) make me reach for this peel. Because it combines both peel pads and an exfoliating gel afterwards, the two step system is what really makes the difference for my skin. The gel does tingle so make sure you test it first to make sure your skin can handle it, but if you can your skin is in for a treat. This gives me near perfect skin afterwards – pore appearance is minimized, skin is smoother, and fine lines are almost non-existent. *round of applause* Because my skin can be a bit red after, I do not use this on a night I am going out but rather save it for the evening before. Even using it a full 24 hours before a big event, I still have stellar results. This peel is by far the closest thing I have to an at-home spa treatment. Robe and cucumber water not included. 

2. Perricone MD Blue Plasma – I’ve been singing this product’s praises for years now. Not only can it be used daily both morning and night, but it gives the most gentle exfoliation without any of the side effects that come with peels. I had no redness, no irritation, no tingling and no stinging and my skin always looks better when I use this regularly in my routine. It’s easy to add into any regimen and works with almost any product mix I am using at the time. It has now secured a place in ‘Maree’s Skincare Hall of Fame’ (if there was such a thing). 

3. Arcona Raspberry Resurfacing Peel – The first time I used this peel, I did not know what to expect. And then after about 10 minutes, I removed the gel from my face and stared at my skin for what seemed like forever. It was absolutely glowing, and so hydrated which is rare for a peel! In the list of peels that I mention in this post, it is probably my second strongest one so I only use it once or twice a month. But when I do, I am guaranteed gorgeous glowing skin for the next week or two. I rarely get ready for a big night out or special event without doing this mask the same night – because my skin never fails to look its best after. There is a bit of tingling and stinging with this one so be prepared, but for me, I don’t mind it. Because the results are soooo worth it. Bring on the sting!

4. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads – As I have said over and over again, there is not one product from the First Aid Beauty range that I don’t absolutely love. And these pads are no exception – in fact they were the first product I ever tried from the range that got me hooked. I love them because they are incredibly gentle and suitable for every day use. Using them at the toning step of my routine is how I found them to be most effective since they give a light exfoliation right after cleansing. I then follow up with a hydrating mist, toner or essence, to help replenish the moisture in my skin and keep it balanced. And since these pads are so gentle, I find that they can work for almost any skin type, even sensitive (though you should always test things first to be sure). My skin regularly looks brighter and more even-toned when using these pads. And I have noticed a distinct difference in how my foundation wears on my face when using these pads – it seems to almost glide on with little to no pulling on dry patches, caking up or looking too heavy. It’s almost as if these pads were made for gals who love a full face. 

5. m-61 Power Glow Peel – When I feel I want to amp up the results from my First Aid Beauty pads, I switch to these from m-61. They are a bit stronger and I typically use them every other day so as not to irritate my skin. I find that these help me prevent stubborn breakouts, and have had a significant impact on any hyper pigmentation that I may be suffering from at any given moment. These were all I used after the summer was over to help erase any lingering sun damage that managed to get through my SPF. Rude. But regardless of the sun’s ruthless ways, these pads worked to help fade the dark spots and make my skin return to it’s non-patchy appearance.