Avalon Organics Intense Defense Oil-Free Moisturizer

I've been on the hunt for a brightening lotion or moisturizer for my face, and when I saw this one at Target, I loved that it was an organic more natural product at a good price.

Avalon Organics Intense Defense Oil-Free Moisturizer
Claims from Amazon.com:

Lightweight cream rehydrates for improved texture & elasticity

Formulated with Vitamin C to combat environmental stress & damage

Contains organic ingredients

No GMOs, vegan & biodegradable

No parabens, harsh sulfates or preservatives, synthetic colors or fragrances, phthalates or animal testing

Restores & renews your complexion's clarity & vibrance by neutralizing free radicals that can result from sun damage

Weightless, rejuvenating oil-free moisturizer fortified with two powerful forms of vitamin C soothes oxidative stress for a firmer, healthy, youthful appearance

NSF/ANSI 305 certified, contains natural & organic ingredients

100% vegetarian formula, no animal testing

NO: parabens, harsh preservatives, synthetic colors or fragrance, phthalates or harmful sulfates

Price: 10.92 [Amazon]
Product Amount: 2 ounces

This moisturizer has a light orange scent that's really pleasant.  It can sting a little if you get it too close to your eyes, but that's not surprising.  It comes in a plastic pot-style packaging, which isn't my favorite for hygienic reasons, but I can look past that for a great product.

Avalon Organics Intense Defense Oil-Free Moisturizer

The formula is oil-free, so I thought that would be better than the crème version of this product for my combo skin.  I assumed the texture would be similar to the Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel [review here], but instead it's more of a thick consistency which made it super hard to rub into my skin.  It was like trying to rub in sunscreen where you have white streaks that just take forever to rub into your skin.  Another thing I could've looked past if it had worked better. 

Constancy of the moisturizer

This moisturizer didn't hydrate as much as I would've liked.  My skin still had that tight feeling that you get just after washing.  I didn't see or feel enough results to make this purchase worth it.

I wanted to loved this so much.   I loved that it was organic and cruelty free, but the negatives outweigh the positives on this one.  I'm going to finish off the jar, but I won't be repurchasing this one.

My search for a good brightening/Vitamin C moisturizer continues...suggestions more than welcome below!

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel | Review

The Neutrogena Hydro Boost line is a newer moisturizer line from Neutrogena.  I hadn't tried the line but needed a new moisturizer and decided to try it out since I had heard such good things.

There are two formulas: Hydro Boost Gel-Cream for extra-dry skin and Hydro Boost Water Gel for normal skin.  They've now added an eye cream (Hydro Boost Gel Cream Eye) and a version with sunscreen (Hydro Boost Water Gel with sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15).  Even though I consider myself normal to oily or combo skin, during the winter my skin has been feeling a little parched on my cheeks.  Hydro Boost Water Gel is a lightweight gel I figured it would be great for my combo skin so I picked up that version.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel
Claims from Neutrogena.com:
Hydro Boost Water Gel instantly quenches dry skin and keeps it looking smooth, supple and hydrated day after day.  The unique water gel formula absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of a cream.  It boosts skin's hydration level and locks it in all day.  Naturally found in the skin, hydrating hyaluronic acid acts as a sponge for dry skin cells, moisturizing with up to 1,000 times its weight in water, resulting in more supple and smooth skin.  Oil-free Non-comedogenic Purified Hyaluronic acid Wearable under makeup.

Price: $17.99 [Target] - on sale for $17.09

The Neutrogena HydroBoost Water Gel comes in a light blue pot with a twist off kid.  The packaging is pretty, but I would prefer a pump bottle so you don't have to keep sticking fingers in there, but it's not a deal breaker for me.

The formula and consistency reminds me of The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Day Cream which I used to use daily for years.  Both are lightweight and not greasy as all, which is great for my combo skin.  It sinks in super quickly, lays perfectly under makeup, and leaves my skin so smoot.  It acts as the perfect starting primer for my foundation not leaving it greasy at all.  Other moisturizers sometimes don't settle in fast enough or tend to make my foundation look greasy.

 

After applying this, I can see it hydrates all the little fine lines around my eyes and mouth and really smoothes everything out making my skin look much more even toned.  So the claims of more supple-looking skin are pretty spot on for me.

I found the Hydro Boost gave my slightly dry winter patches the pick me up it needed during these past few snowy months.  Even in summer, I think this moisturizer will be light enough to not make me a grease ball and will hydrate just enough.  It's a great addition to my skin care routine and I will definately be keeping it around.

Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 15

I have been searching for a great drugstore tinted moisturizer.  Sonia Kashuk is a raved about brand sold exclusively at Target, so I picked this up in the second lightest shade, Linen [24].  The brushes and makeup remover are fan favorites, so I was hoping this would be great.  I have her travel blush brush and love it.

First off, the claims from Target.com...
Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 15

• Sheer lightweight formula in place of foundation for aatural healthy glowing complexion
• Infused with a vitamin complex that helps stimulate collagen production to keep skin cells looking stronger and younger
• SPF 15 to prevent future sun damage
• Won awards in April 2014 and November 2012

Price: $13.69 [Target] - 1.75 fl oz

The color Linen was unfortunately was too pale for me, making me look much paler and almost sickly.  Beige or Honey would've definitely been a better color choice for me, however, I hated the texture so much, I probably won't be exchanging this for a better shade.

This formula is so thick that it was hard to spread over my face.  It almost seemed to skip over spots because it wasn't spreadable or fluid enough.  I went over my face twice, hoping for a bit more coverage on the bare patches.  The result looked more like foundation than anything else, but not even a great foundation.  It made me look all one tone, but in a bad way.  In my mind, a tinted moisturizer would let my freckles show through a little bit, and just even out my skin tone while also giving my skin some moisture and a little protective SPF.  I am starting to think that tinted moisturizers are putting more emphasis on the tint than the moisture and this one definitely lacked moisture.

When this product was in it's previous incarnation (the white bottle) people seemed to like the formula better.  I never tried it when it was in it's previous packaging, but I can understand why people wouldn't like this formulation.  It was a big miss for me.  I definitely don't hold this against the brand though, and I will be trying more products from Sonia Kashuk!

Skincare Sunday: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer Review

I always make a renewed effort on my skin care each New Year, so the beginning of 2015 has been no different.  At 32, I want to make sure I am being as proactive as possible about everything I put on my face.  Part of that renewal was giving up my old standby "acne" proudcts that I've been using forever and moving on to protecting and perfecting with retinols and SPF.  Boosting my skin now will hopefully put me ahead of the game later!

The biggest change in my routine has been the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer.  After I wash my face at night with the Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser*, I take a pea-sized amount of this night moisturizer and put it all over my face and down my neck (none of us wants turkey neck when we're older, right?)

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer - Claims from Neutrogena.com

• Accelerated Retinol SA fades wrinkles fast
• Brightens Skin Tone
• Smooth fine lines and texture
• Diminishes age spots
• Moisturizes and renews the look of skin
• Visible results in 1 week

Price: $17.99 at Target

This product is a keeper in my skincare routine.  My skin definitely looks more even, toned, and smooth.  Results are noticeable in the first week, as claimed.  It hasn't completely faded my old acne scarring, but it looks so much better than it did before.  I actually enjoy the scent - it's not super strong, but pleasant.  As a side bonus...the retinol is keeping most breakouts at bay, or at the very least, accelerating their downfall if any do pop up.

Overall, this is an awesome product.  If you have sensitive skin, you may want to start out applying it every over or every third night until your skin gets used to it.  I have elephant-thick (not sensitive) skin, so using it every day isn't an issue for me.  Here's to keeping all the wrinkles away for as long as possible!

*I will review the Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser next week for Skincare Sunday :)