My Current Obsession - Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer

When I went home to America, I went on a huge splurge at Sephora and picked up the Hourglass Illusion Tinted Moisturizer which is Oil Free and great for sensitive skin. With a base of shimmer, it is the one product that provides great coverage and blends extremely well with my skin. It's a bit difficult to find a color for a mixed base, but Illusion is able to fill in the gaps. This light and gentle product is one thing I am obsessed with and will recommend to anyone with sensitive skin and psoriasis. The coverage on this product is amazing! Because it is a moisturizer with color, it saves on the amount of time you need to pile on the extra moisturizer. It is definitely great for hot summer days or humid spring days when you just don't want to pile on the extra moisturizer but need to keep your skin's elasticity! 

My Current Obsession - Nature Republic's Aloe Vera

Nature Republic is the leading Aloe Vera Soothing Gel distributor in Korea. I am obsessed with the 92% aloe vera plant in this gel for such a low price! A 300 ml ounce bottle that can be used for both men and women on any part of the body as a soother and moisturizer. I definitely suggest it for those with sensitive skin and psoriasis being that it is hydrating. I actually prefer using aloe vera, the natural plant that helps all kinds of skin types rather than using chemically developed lotions.

Compared to the other aloe products that are on the market, this is the closest to all natural that you can find. It feels as if you are gliding a gel version of the aloe vera plant on your skin which is pretty amazing. The best part is the low price for the big quantity that you are receiving. The only con would probably be the fact that it is a product you have to scoop from meaning you'll have to use something else to scoop the aloe out and wash. It would be a lot better if it was from a squeeze tube, but it is a product that I would buy and have bought for family back at home. 

My Current Obsession - Face Shop Deep Care Gel

This gentle deep care gel is able to penetrate into the skin overnight, fighting acne and leaving you with clearer in the morning. I am happy that it only takes one night to see the difference on my face. More importantly, it is compatible with extremely sensitive skins. This clear gel can be used on dry patches such as eczema and psoriasis, helping to reduce the visible marks, providing a duo for the skin. It is less harsh than topical creams and is great for all skin types, even soft enough for babies. I am a big fan of this product and suggest it to all!

Being that the product is "good for babies" it is actually soft enough to put on the skin. Be sure to use it at night away from the sun because it can leave the skin red when under the sun. It is a product that I will buy again, especially for over the counter product that you do not need a prescription for. It works especially well with my sensitive skin and psoriasis which is a big surprise because it helps to reduce the marks on my face.

Beauty Review – First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser

This is probably the one product from First Aid Beauty (from what I’ve used so far), that I am not a fan of. This face cleanser is a whipped texture that becomes creamy with water, or so they say. I gave this product a try because it claims to calm redness and is PH-balanced, so it will help to maintain a natural acidity of the skin which reduces flare ups and reactivity.

I did not use the product enough to see that, but I did use the product a few times with my Clarisonic Plus. It might be that it did not blend well with my Clarisonic Plus, but I was turned off by the smell of the wash. I am a bit picky when it comes to my face wash. I believe that if I’m using a bad smelling product on my face, others will be able to smell it, not an attractive factor. Therefore, I try to eliminate that factor and this product got the boot. 

I admit that it was soft on my skin and I did not break out to it, but it did leave my face a little drier than usual. I don’t recall feeling an immediate change in my skin after using this product, but it may be different for you. If you aren't looking for a product that works well with your problematic skin of psoriasis, eczema, and such, I suggest skipping this product and move on to the next one. That is, unless you like the smell of this face wash. 

My Current Obsession - Innisfree Almond Sugar Scrub

I am absolutely in love with this all natural sugar scrub from Innisfree. Innisfree is one of my favorite beauty stores in Korea for their all natural products that is great for the skin. The Almond Sugar Scrub is perfect for those with sensitive skin like me. It is one of the most gentlest scrubs that I have used thus far. Made with sugar and almond, this almond paste scrub has bits of almonds that helps to rub off dead skin cells in the most gentle way possible. It is extremely soft to the skin, but the only bad thing is the not so appealing smell of the scrub. Aside from that, it is a definitely recommendation on my hands that is great for those with psoriasis and other skin conditions as well. 

Beauty Review – First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

I am absolutely in love and obsessed with this brand. First Aid Beauty works extremely well for those with psoriasis, eczema, sensitive skin, anything problematic. One of my absolute favorite products from First Aid Beauty is the Facial Radiance Pads that exfoliates, tones and brightens the skin with no chemicals. Using these pads once or twice a day will help to promote a clear face, reduce visible pores, and even diminish the appearance of fine lines. I love how it is so gentle on the skin, but it works with my skin to promote beauty.

With sixty pads at a price of $30, it is a little pricey for everyday use twice a day being that it is just an additional way to tone and brighten the face. The best time to buy these pads is when Sephora is doing a kit on their website where you get other First Aid Beauty products to try. Either way, it is still one of my absolute favorite products from First Aid Beauty. I would much rather swipe a pad through my face rather than pile on the cream and lotions. 

Beauty Review – First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream

I am not big on lotions and moisturizers because I usually have a cut from my psoriasis which will give me an unwanted tingle and burning sensation when I pack lotion onto my skin. Being that I have psoriasis, I must constantly moisturize my skin and keep it hydrated. First Aid Beauty is a brand developed for those with skin problems like me, as well as sensitive skin, eczema, dry skin, patchy skin and such. Their Ultra Repair Cream is my ultimate favorite because it is so gentle on the skin.

When I first got the Ultra Repair Cream, I assumed that it was meant for the body, since I bought the 12 ounce jar, but I am glad that it works on the face as well. This repair cream is so light, it absorbs into my skin quickly which doesn’t leave me with the greasy feeling that I get from most lotions meaning no shiny face.  With use of colloidal oatmeal, shea utter, eucalyptus oil and ceramides, this repair cream provides me with instant relief which helps me to stop scratching—ultimate plus for those with psoriasis.

Because there is a big price difference from the 6 ounce and 12 ounce jar on the Sephora website, I suggest getting the 12 ounce jar if you plan to use it on your body. It’s the better offer and I’ve tried to pick up the 12 ounce jar numerous times before, but it was sold out in stores and unavailable online. I learned to stock up!

Problematic Foods for the Skin

For those of you who have skin problems, which include psoriasis, eczema, acne, rashes and such, it is important to watch what you eat. It is best if you can cut out such foods from your entire diet but I admit, it is difficult to cut these foods from your life. It has a proven record to help your skin out in the long term which takes a lot of determination. I suggest cutting down the amount that normally consume, that’ll help control your skin a bit.

It’s one of those cause and effect games. Because you’re consuming these foods, the effect shows on your skin. From the outside in, the foods get absorbed into your system which plays an effect as to how it comes out.

• Shellfish – Any seafood with shell exterior is known to irritate your skin, which includes, but not limited to shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels, clams, crawfish. After consuming shellfish, many people will start to itch. A lot of people believe they are allergic to shellfish, but that's not the case, its a general reaction for all, stronger for some than others. If you have a skin problem, this will only cause you to be more irritated which leads to you scratching. Any type of scratch is not good for the skin because you are transferring the germs from your fingernails to your skin which can cause it to infect.
• Beef – Red meat is not good for open cuts because it will end up leaving scars all over your body. Anytime you get an open cut, from falling or from scratching, refrain from eating beef. The rarer it is, the darker and less likely your scar will fade away. Another major problem of consuming beef is the breakouts that many people have. Beef is one of those tasty but deadly foods.
• Duck – Duck is known to be "poisonous" for the skin, it falls under the category of shellfish. Duck causes a lot of irritations so do avoid duck when you have an open wound because it will take longer to heal. Eating duck will make you itchy, but not as itchy as shellfish.
• Chocolate – This sweet thing made from oil causes many breakouts and of course the more you eat, the worse your skin gets. When I say chocolate, I mean chocolate everything—chocolate candy, chocolate cake, hot chocolate.
• Spicy Foods – Consuming spicy foods will cause your internal body to be “flamed.” What I mean by flamed is having internal heat in your system. When there is internal heat, your body will start to feel more uncomfortable and find ways to release this heat. Ever feel a few extra break outs or canker sore is developing when you eat spice? Or maybe even having trouble with a bowel movement? That’s the cause and effect chain of spicy foods.
• Sour Foods – Having an irregular balance to your body’s ph level by eating too much sour foods will cause your stomach to cringe. I haven’t quite figured out how sour food has an effect on the body, but it’s one of those things that you just need to balance out.

Moral of the story is to balance out what you eat, everything has it harms and benefits for the body. Try not to eat too much of one thing—at least not all at once. If you’re able to control your diet and eat a healthy meal 24/7, you will see a change in your skin. The better you treat your body, the more it will reflect on your skin. 

A little about me

A little about myself. For the time being, I do freelance work in Public Relations and other writing jobs. There's a great opportunity for me in another country at the moment, but I am still deciding whether or not I should take it with everything that's been going on in my life. I am not your typical girl who's in love with fashion and beauty. I have a lot of other passions in my life and one of them is good health. I have to admit, I do not always attend to my health, but I try my best to! I have always grown up with a weak immune system which started off with stomach aches, head aches and later developed a skin problem called psoriasis.

Many people are not familiar with psoriasis, but is is much like the popular friend, eczema. If you look up how it looks, let me warn you, you will see some gruesome pictures. My case of psoriasis is not as serious as many others, I get small little baby patches all over my skin. It all started with my scalp (my parents though it was some viral fungal and cutting off my hair would help the situation -- so they did). Unfortunately, cutting my hair like a boy's while going into the eighth grade did not help, it only made things worse. I went through my whole eighth grade (most important year of grammar school) laughed at by everyone and I mean everyone. It's like the whole school knew about my wig, too bad it wasn't a fashion statement then. 

As the years gone by, I've learned to understand my skin and adapt to all the rude comments I get, "Hey, is that chicken pox" or even worse "Is that contagious" with an ugly face -.- I admit, it's been hard, and I still get the icky face from family and friends, but I've learned to love my skin and not care what other people say (it's not easy). Now just because I have psoriasis does not mean that I cannot be a beauty junkie or fashionista like everyone else, I just have to find ways that are compatible with my skin. This time around the year is the best for me with the sun and salt water ready to clear up my skin so I've got some great tips in stored :D