Ask Marissa...Balancing Extreme Combination Skin

Jane Doe: I have normal / combo skin and in winter it usually gets a little dry...but this winter it's behaving very differently. My skin is very dry in the cheeks and around the eyes, enough to where it is tight and uncomfortable most of the day. But my t-zone is just as oily as it would be in the summer and seems to be more prone to breakouts than usual. Any suggestions for how to tackle this? My current system is to cleanse with a normal cleanser, use a mild alcohol-free toner and moisturize with philosophy hope in a jar / eye hope for the eyes. I also exfoliate 4x a week and do an at home peel every other week.

Me: I would say stop using Hope in a Jar. Any oil on your face will make the oily areas worse. I don't want you to waste your money though, so just use it at night with an oil control lotion on your t-zone. During the day, I would suggest MAC's Studio Moisture Cream ($32). It's safe for oily skin, but is very moisturizing. It gives time released moisture throughout the day and has spinach to help circulation. It will also add radiance to dry dull skin. Keep using your cleanser for normal skin, but switch to one with a toner in it. A toner's main purpose is to pH balance your skin after using a cleanser that is too acidic. All of MAC's cleansers a pH balanced, so you don't need a toner. No tone r= no irritating dry skin and no under-toning oily skin. Try MAC's Creamwash ($19.50) or Green Gel cleanser ($19.50). Both are ok for all skin types.

Jane Doe: Perfect thanks! I haven't tried any of MACs skincare maybe it's time to give it a go. I think I'll have to grab something from the Champale collection too.

Me: Champale was made for you! All of MAC skincare is made with natural ingredients. No synthetics. No animal testing. All cruelty free.


Jane Doe: I love everything in that collection, I really want the quad though. It reminds me a little of my fav MAC quad Liza eyes which is really really old but just very pretty neutrals. Does the MAC skincare smell good?


Me: Some of it has no fragrance. I don't remember what Studio Moisture cream smells like, but the Green Gel cleanser is very crisp and clean. It's got green tea and algae extract.

Ask Marissa...Acne Scars & Rosacea

Jane Doe:  I have horrible skin and I have tried a lot of cleansers and toners ect for it I look forward to trying a mask I hope it will help, 'cause so far nothing works and it is embarrassing. I have even had women tell me you need to wash your face more. It's Rosacea and acne scaring I tell them but still get the looks of question .


Me: I can only really tell you how to cover up and soothe rosacea. Only dermatologist prescribed treatment can cure or control it. 

As for acne scarring, you might want to try Stri-Vectin. It's pretty pricey ($135), but it lasts a long time and works wonders. Within 2 weeks of using stri-vectin, my purple stretch marks turned white. Stretch marks are scars too. For something less expensive, start out with Maderma (you can get it at Walgreens, $30) until you notice results are not improving anymore, then move up to stri-vectin. You will need to use a very good moisturizer on top of Maderma and Stri-Vectin, because there is a lot of retinol in it and will make your skin feel dry and uncomfortable.

When you cover up acne scars, always wear a makeup primer underneath your foundation. This will fill in any lines, wrinkles, pores and acne scars so that your skin will have an even texture. Since you have a lot of redness, I suggest using the Sephora brand green corrector primer ($15). The green hue will neutralize any redness. Follow with your foundation, and setting powder.

Jane Doe: Ok I will do when I can find one in my area and TY for the advice. Doctors are way to expensive for me right now to go to for skin care. I used to have a face wash with tea tree oil in it that worked wonders for the Rosacea but it is no longer made I have looked for a new one to try but can't find anything like it. Never thought of using Maderma on my face I have some and will be using it thank you.


Me: If you can find pure tea tree essential oil, one drop in your cleanser and/or moisturizer should do the trick.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Solid Serum for Oily Skin

My new love is Lush skincare. Everything is handmade with natural, perishable ingredients. The most interesting of my purchases is the Saving Face solid serum ($13.95). I have to admit that the bizarre idea of a solid serum is what initially attracted me to this product. After reading the ingredients and viewing a demo, I took one home with me and fell in love after the first use. I have now been using it for 3 weeks and still get as excited to use it as I was the first time. This vegan wonder tablet is loaded with so many skin delicious ingredients, I can't believe it all fits into something I can hide in the palm of my hand.

Super Awesome Face Saving Yummies:

On top of powerful antioxidants found in all the cirtrus oils, shea butters give just the right amount of moisture oily skin types need while kaolin clay and talc absorb excess oils.

Thyme - This key ingredient helps with acne because it is a natural astringent, helps keep skin clear due to its anti-fungal and anti-viral properties, and protects skin because it's a free radical crime fighter (powerful antioxidant).
Jojoba Oil - lasting moisture and antioxidant
Chlorophyllin - Naturally derived from plants, it is a great antioxidant and repels pollutants such as cigarette smoke, smog, and diesel emissions.

Don't let the the "oils" in this recipe scare you. What a lot of oily skin types don't know is that natural essential oils are good for us. It's mineral oil that is our enemy. My skin started clearing up when I added Saving Face to my regimen. Try it out at your local Lush store. They are VERY generous with samples.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - 18 Uses for $15

It's gratifying when you find a product that exceeds your expectations at a great price. It's even better when you find one that works 18 different ways! Peach Nut Oil Liquid Soap 18-1-Uses (C.O. Bigelow, $15) is a must have in every home! I have used this wonder soap on my face, hair, and body, and I've given my children a bath in it. It's great for sensitive skin and smells so good! I've also used it to clean my leather couch and car dashboard. The oil makes the leather and vinyl soft and shiny while effectively cleaning.

C.O. Bigelow has been selling this product since 1905 in their little West Village apothecary in New York City. The main ingredient, peach kernel oil, is a fast absorbing moisturizer perfect for sensitive skin. This essential oil soothes itching and irritations such as eczema. Lavender extract is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that balances, soothes and heals. This added ingredient can help treat acne and balance oily skin. Since ancient times, Lavender extract has been used as a household cleaning agent. Other ingredients include glycerin to retain moisture and vitamin E for antioxidant protection.

List of uses:

1. body wash
2. shampoo
3. face cleanser
4. shave soap
5. hand soak
6. nail soak
7. foot soak
8. dish soap
9. laundry soap
10. floor cleaner
11. car washing
12. boat washing
13. surf board wash
14. pet baths
15. jewelry cleaner
16. comb and brush cleaner
17. household cleaning
18. carpet shampoo

Beauty on a Budget Tip #1

Baby wipes are great for removing makeup. The best ones are cotton and fragrance free. My favorite wipes are Parent's Choice Organic Baby Wipes (Walmart, around $2 for one pack or $8 for a wholesale box of 6 packs). These biodegradable wipes are made with organic cotton. If you want to "splurge" a little, Pamper's Sensitive Wipes (drugstores, around $3 for a tub of 60 or $13 for a wholesale box of 6 packs). These alcohol free cotton wipes are hypoallergenic and soothes irritated skin with chamomile.