Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Facial Cleanser Review

My first post of the new year is going to be a review of a face wash I have been using for about the last month...and I have to say I love it! If you remember any of my posts from the summer, you would know I went mineral makeup crazy in search of more natural alternatives to cosmetics...well, that kind of is a running theme in my life haha. I really do try to use more natural products any chance that I get-so when I was approached by Sibu Beauty with the chance to try out their face wash for free, how could I say no? I have used this for long enough to have a really well formed opinion about it, which is why I would like to share my thoughts now!

Product Claims: 
-Leaves skin looking and feeling radiant and refreshed
-Removes excess oil and impurities
-Contains micro-particles for a gentle exfoliation
-Great for removing make-up
-Non-foaming gel formula for all skin types

What is Sea Buckthorn? 
"Known as the “beauty berry” across Europe and Asia, sea buckthorn contains over 190 bioactive compounds that restore, revitalize, and protect youthful beauty – from the inside-out AND outside-in. These hardy berries help nourish skin, hair, and nails with powerful antioxidants and essential fatty acids, including the rare Omega 7 – a key building block to healthy skin, hair, and nails, and also aids digestion and may help you maintain a healthier weight". In addition, it is key to know about Omega 7; "the often elusive Omega 7 is found abundantly in the sea buckthorn berry, the key ingredient in all Sibu Beauty products, in addition to the more common Omega's 3, 6, and 9.  All four of these are critical in providing cellular support for healthy skin, hair and nails".  (Information gather from Sibu Beauty site).

How I use it:
I use this morning and night-at night I don't use anything beforehand to remove my face makeup; I only use this and it takes everything off. I will use a makeup remover around my eyes, as this contains really tiny particles for exfoliation which I clearly don't want in my eyeballs! Speaking of the particles, they are definitely "micro"...I haven't had any issues with using this twice a day, because the exfoliation is very gentle!

My thoughts:
I agree with the claims of this product, and not because this was sent to me for free. I would have no second thoughts on buying this product once my trial runs out, because it is a very good cleanser. If you remember my mineral makeup reviews, you would know that I think "balancing" products are a godsend for us combination/oily skin girls. You don't want a product that completely soaks up all your oils-that will just make you over produce more sebum and you'll be a bigger oily mess (trust me, I learned my lesson by now!) This Sibu Sea Buckthorn Cleanser seems like it would work for all skin types, because it isn't drying in the slightest. One of my favorite things about this is that after I wash my face, my skin feels extremely smooth and almost seems to have a healthy glow to it, which I am assuming is the result of the Sea Buckthorn Berry that is in it! This, paired with my new favorite facial lotion, has really changed my skin in the past month. I will be reviewing the lotion that I am referring to in the coming days!

This cleanser retails for $17.95 on the Sibu Beauty website, and contains 4.5 oz. 

What are your favorite skincare products right now?

Thanks for reading!
Xo, Kelsey 

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*I received this product for free for consideration. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have been formed solely off using the product in the past month.

My Current Skincare Routine with Recommendations!

Hey lovelies! This past weekend my cousin asked me to talk about my skincare routine, so I am going to do just that! For a little background: My skin type is combination. This means that my t-zone area gets oily (very oily) and everywhere else is pretty normal, not really dry nor oily. The area right beside each side of my nose tends to get really oily too. Also, I have more noticeable pores in my t-zone.

 The t-zone is commonly shown to be similar to the shape of a capital T. This means that most of the forehand (top of the T), nose, and chin are in the t-zone. For me, this also includes areas on either side of my nose, but not completely onto my cheeks.

For my skin type, I focus on balancing the oil production in my skin, and controlling/preventing breakouts. I look for products geared toward those things, so here are a few of my favorites!

 

(Going clockwise): For face wash, I highly recommend Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control Foam Wash or Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser.  Both do a good job of cleansing the skin without over drying, which is great for keeping oily skin in balance. When I was using Aveeno, I noticed some redness from my skin seemed to vanish while using the product. For moisturizers, I love the Cetaphil Dermacontrol Oil Control Lotion and the Beyond Belief ABH Facial Serum. I am not sure I could pick my favorite of the two, but I can tell you that these products make a huge difference in the health, oil production, and appearance of my skin!  When it comes to an eye cream, I can't say I have ventured too far out in trying a lot of brands. I have a few higher-end brands that I would like to try, but for now, I have been using the Dermactin-TS Serious Dark Circle Treatment (which I love!)After using this {morning and night} my under-eye area feels so moisturized! When I am breaking out, my spot treatment of choice is the Clearasil Rapid Action VanishingTreatment Cream. This stuff is magic...I am not even kidding! I also use something else as a spot treatment, but I will get to that soon!

I am ALL about face masks! I own more than these 4, but these are the ones that really make a difference in my skin. I clearly like the Freeman brand-having two just in this post (and more in my skincare drawer!) I recently purchased the Freeman Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask...and holy crap. Not only does it smell amazing, but when I wash it off my skin, I have the healthiest glow! The Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Mask is great too...it really cleans out your pores, but is less exfoliating than the previous mask mentioned. The Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser Cleansing Mask has been in my skincare routine for a long time now, mainly because you can see results with it, it leaves your skin feeling refreshed, and it works great as a spot treatment! The last mask I use is the Ageless Derma Special Clay Masque. I was given the opportunity to try this for free, and I am so grateful! I have had it now for almost 2 months I think, giving myself a good amount of time to try it, and I have to say, I adore it. I have been only reaching for this and the Charcoal & Black Sugar Mask lately. Like the Freeman mask, it really purges your pores and leaves you with glowing skin. It smells earthy-which I don't mind at all, as it is probably from the clay in it. It only has 9 ingredients, which is awesome. I think with some masks your skin has an initial purging phase; I actually had a couple breakouts pop up after using it the first time, but I have had that happen with other clay masks, and I truly believe it is caused from the mask drawing out your impurities. After using this mask (regularly I might add!) I can see a difference in my skin. I have noticed the redness in my skin has diminished as well, which could be from one or two of the ingredients in the mask? Besides working its magic all over my face, I will use this as a spot treatment. I do think that this gives the Clearasil spot treatment a bit of competition! I will be purchasing this mask once it runs out, and as long as it is sold! Side note: I usually do a face mask 2 times per week, or occasionally 3 if my skin is looking a bit rough!

The last part of my skincare routine that has done wonders for my skin is the Face Complexion Brush. I got mine from Sephora after realizing I could not spend the $150 + on a Clarisonic (spinning skincare brush).

I use this in the shower, every few nights. I usually just move the brush in small, circular motions on my face for 30 seconds at a time (forehead, chin, nose, and each cheek). I think that this paired with the impurity drawing actions of the masks has changed my skin for the better. My pores seem smaller, I have less blackheads, and the texture of my skin seems to be improved. I highly recommend shelling out the $7 for this brush, as it could be an easy but powerful improvement to your skincare routine!

I hope this was helpful! If any of you out there with dry skin would like me to research the best products for dry skin, I can do so-just let me know! Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey 

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