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Skincare Routine Update ~ Paraben Free, Cruelty Free Options

I’m switching up a few things in my skincare routine to include some Cruelty Free and Paraben Free options, and to try to reduce the size of my pores. Also, a change concerning Phytoceramide Supplements.

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CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser: Ulta, Amazon
Earth Science Healthy Skin Ceramide Lotion: Target, Amazon
Paula’s Choice Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster: Paula’s Choice, Nordstrom, Amazon
Mad Hippie Face Cream: Drugstore, Amazon
Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum: $5 Off at Timeless Skincare use this link: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY ($5 discount will automatically be applied at checkout, no code needed)
Timeless CoEnzymeQ10 Serum: $5 Off at Timeless Skincare use this link: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY ($5 discount will automatically be applied at checkout, no code needed)
Timeless Matrixyl Synthe’6: $5 Off at Timeless Skincare use this link: https://www.timelessha.com/discount/HOTANDFLASHY ($5 discount will automatically be applied at checkout, no code needed)
SportsResearch Phytoceramides 350 mg Softgels: Amazon

FTC: Not sponsored. All opinions are always 100% honest and my own.
Links are affiliate links. If you click the link and buy something, I receive a commission for the sale. It doesn’t cost you anything extra and you are free to use the link or not as you choose. If you do use my links, I appreciate your support.

31 Responses to "Skincare Routine Update ~ Paraben Free, Cruelty Free Options"

Paula says:

November 26, 2016 at 10:55 pm

Hi Angie! Have followed you now for 2 years, and purchased Phytoceramides after your recommendation. Took them for 6 months and I think I saw some mild results re. dryness. However, I am switching to Sea BuckThorn (from Sea BuckThorn Wonders) since my Swedish mother-in-law started taking them a while ago and reports her hair and skin have never looked so hydrated and soft.

I see we often have the same opinions on products (PrepPrime is my HQ sunscreen) and would like to suggest Replenix Ultamatte sunscreen (tinted) — really good!

Have you looked into Deciem and their The Ordinary line? They have great Niacinamide, Peptides and different kinds of Vitamin C — it really is worth visiting the site.

Have a great evening!

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carla says:

July 24, 2016 at 9:40 am

I was wondering if you have considered or your thoughts on bioidential hormones to regulate hormones which lead to more aging?

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1. Angie says:
  
  July 24, 2016 at 3:26 pm
  
  I haven’t looked into it, but I really do need to…
  
  Reply
  1. carla says:
    
    July 24, 2016 at 8:26 pm
    
    I trust your opinion and I know from your blog you do your research well. There are so many conflicting ideas about hormones. So I thought I’d ask? I haven’t yet reached menopause but they say it starts years sometimes in our 30’s before the first symptom and hormone levels drop rapidly and speeds up the aging process. I’m curious as to how early to start supplementing deficient hormone levels. If anyone here has information or is taking bioidential hormones I’d really be interested to learning more.
    
    Reply
Heidi says:

July 23, 2016 at 3:13 pm

Thank you for all your research on cruelty & paraben free options. I look forward to learning how you like this protocol. As soon as I run out of my True Nature Botanicals (a whopping $50-$350 per product), I’ll try these instead and hopefully save a whole lot of money in the process. Again, much appreciated!

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Joan says:

July 3, 2016 at 5:51 pm

Hi Angie,
LOVE your website and your YouTube channel. I have been following your advice for over 3 months and have been shocked by the improvement in my skin. I am now going “make-up free” because my rosacea has disappeared. I am shocked by how many people tell me I have beautiful skin. Thank you!! I visited my dermatologist last week and she turned me on to 3 very good products: 1. CeraVe Sunscreen 50 with invisible zinc, 2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen and 3. Galerma’s Excipial daily protection hand cream. If you haven’t tried these out, I think you will like all of them. Let me know what you think! Thanks again – Joan

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Jill says:

June 30, 2016 at 2:38 pm

What about cruelty-free/paraben free sunscreen? I use CeraVe AM for my sunscreen. But seeing that you replaced the CeraVe PM with the other products I am guessing it contains parabens and since the products are exactly alike except the AM has the sunscreen then I’m guessing its not paraben free either. What sunscreen would you suggest that is cruelty-free/paraben free?

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An says:

June 28, 2016 at 6:42 pm

I’ve been using the Bare Minerals Prep Step Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Shield Daily Prep Lotion (the name is a mouthful) for my daily sun protection and it is really great. It is color-adapting and doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin even though it is a mineral sunscreen. I got is on sale at skinstore.com and Beauty.com, but it is also at Ulta and Sephora.

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1. Audrey natalia says:
  
  February 12, 2017 at 2:59 pm
  
  Do i need to wear another separate sunscreen under Baremineral Prep Step Mineral Shield SPF 50?
  
  I saw it’s got 22% zinc oxide & am very excited to get it now, although i’m not really sure liquid makeup will work well with it. It has score of 1 from EWG and approval from Skin Cancer foundation though.
  
  I have been wearing $30 Bareminerals Complexion Rescue hydrating tinted gel religiously for the past 2 years and i found out it only has 6.5% titanium dioxide. I wanna switch to zinc oxide-based sunscreen for more UVA protection.
  
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Leslie says:

June 18, 2016 at 10:08 pm

This video has been very informative as I seem to have the same issue with sensitivity to sunscreens. Has there been a review on sunscreens and stinging with sweating/excercise? That has become a problem for me now that warm weather is here. I love you”real life” videos and honesty about aging and how to be and look our best…very authentic!

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1. Angie says:
  
  June 29, 2016 at 10:23 am
  
  I switched to mineral-only sunscreens and the stinging and irritation has stopped. Look for ONLY Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide in the “active Ingredients” portion of the sunscreen label.
  
  Reply
wina says:

June 18, 2016 at 3:07 am

I love your list of skincare items. They are all items that work and not bought just because it’s brand name.

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Ann says:

June 15, 2016 at 8:36 am

I started using the CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser when I first saw your blog because I don’t really need a moisturizing cleanser and I absolutely love it. I makes my skin so soft.

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Shay says:

June 14, 2016 at 1:03 pm

Angie,

My dermatologist put me on Tretinoid .025%.
Maybe you should try that on your neck every night!

Shay.

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Linda says:

June 12, 2016 at 7:42 pm

Hi Angie,
I enjoy your blog and videos very much. I am looking forward to trying the new cerave cleanser to see if it helps my pores as well. My main concern is the vertical lines above my upper lip. I was a sun worshiper in my younger years and now it looks as though I am a smoker! What in your opinion is the best way to soften these lines? Thank you for your insight.

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Julie says:

June 12, 2016 at 6:33 am

Hi Angie, thank you so much for your video update. Can you tell me what you are using now to take off your makeup? Also if you are still using Thayers Witch Hazel?

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1. Angie says:
  
  June 12, 2016 at 11:49 am
  
  Same as before… the Yes To Coconuts Melting Hydrating Cleanser, then the new CeraVe SA Renewing Cleanser, then the Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner.
  
  Reply
  1. Julie says:
    
    June 14, 2016 at 9:01 pm
    
    Thanks for the reply. I went out to my Whole Foods here in town and bought some of the Mad Hippie face lotion. It was even on sale for $16.50. I used it tonight and I must say a little goes a long way. Loved the texture. Thanks for your update!
    Julie
    
    Reply
  2. anne says:
    
    June 17, 2016 at 11:55 am
    
    Hi Angie –
    
    I haven’t been commenting recently but have been tuning in to website and your HF channel all the time!!! So good!! FYI – I have been using the Cereve Renewing Body Lotion for my hands for years! It’s great! Will be trying the new Cereve Foot Cream. I keep the lotion wherever I have water in the house, to use on my hands after….will now try the cleanser. 🙂
    
    Reply
2. Sharon says:
  
  June 14, 2016 at 9:07 pm
  
  I use jojoba oil to take off my waterproof mascara, foundation, etc.. I get it from Trader Joes
  
  Reply
Kimberly says:

June 11, 2016 at 10:26 pm

Great info. Your skin looks beautiful!!

I’m interested in Boris for my forehead and “11s” area. When was the last time you had Botox injections? How many units do you typically get? And hiw long does it last?
Thanks!

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Kelley says:

June 11, 2016 at 5:30 pm

The CeraVe Baby lotion contains ceramides, niacinamide, & hyaluronic acid. It is also paraben free & not tested on animals.

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Patrice says:

June 11, 2016 at 2:41 pm

Thank you for your videos, you make everything very clear and understandable. I love my Timeless Vit C & E & Ferulic Acid serum! I have only been using it for about 6 weeks but I notice a big difference in my skin glowing and also less dry. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico where it is very drying on the skin. I highly recommend this product.

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Liz says:

June 11, 2016 at 11:15 am

I’m rather skeptical about the effectiveness of salicylic acid in a cleanser. To be effective, it really needs to stay on the skin and penetrate the stratum corneum. One of the BHA exfoliants from Paula’s choice would probably better address issues with pore size. Just wipe it on after cleansing then go to your vitamin C. If irritation is a concern, you could use a lower concentration and/or apply every other day.

Speaking of vitamin C, from what I’ve read, the concerns about combining it with niacinamide are largely related to PH. Using a different form of vitamin C that is not so PH sensitive might work better. L-ascorbic acid formulations such as Timeless make me break out with whiteheads so I don’t use them anyway. I’ve had better success with SAP serums. When my current bottle runs out though, I’m thinking of trying a tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate formula.

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1. Meme says:
  
  June 14, 2016 at 7:09 pm
  
  I was going to post the same thing about SA in a cleanser, where it is not on your skin for any real length of time. I don’t think it will be effective at all. I would recommend a BHA product at the right PH for your pore issues, applied in the morning (I do mine after the vitamin C, and usually every other day). I used to use a Neutrogena product, but it was discontinued, so now I use a Paula’s Choice product. She has several different concentrations and types.
  
  Reply
2. Phyllis says:
  
  June 15, 2016 at 9:20 am
  
  You are correct that SA in a cleanser does not provide as much benefit as a leave-on product. However, the Cervave SA cleanser overall contains excellent ingredients – very gentle. I prefer it over the other Cervave cleansers. The issue of VC and niacinimide … well we need to really research that further. Please correct me if I’m wrong; all of the VC derivatives become L-ascorbic once they enter the skin. The various forms may contain oil to further assist the product to be absorbed. Therefore, any form of VC possibly should not be used with niacinimide. Unless you have time to wait 30 minutes between applying so that the skin pH can normalize. I love that Paula’s Choice is now selling a Niacinimide Booster. With PC BHA and the niacinimide booster, goodbye pores! 🙂
  
  Reply
Christine says:

June 11, 2016 at 10:06 am

Hi Angie,
I have been following your blog for a few months now and love it!!! Have you had any experience with Nerium products? They are becoming very popular where I live and the eye product is supposed to be a “wonder” product. The before and after photos are incredible. I just wanted an honest review just not ones on the people who are selling the products website. Thanks, Christine

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Kate McHughes says:

June 10, 2016 at 10:15 pm

Have you tried the Lytic TX products (depending on skin type) by Epionce -at night- for your large pores? Even for skin that is slightly dry, the Lytic TX Plus can be used. Just allow it to dry for 7 minutes and then follow with a good moisturizer. Start with twice a week and work up. Spendy, but amazing. Would love to hear if this works for you.

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Lisa says:

June 10, 2016 at 8:20 pm

Hi Angie!
I found your videos last week and love them. Thank you for sharing great information.
I am a makeup junkie but have found a product line you should try if you haven’t already.
Both my oncologist (for NHL) and dermatologist (for chemotherapy related skin scarring) have suggested gloMinerals to help reduce the risk of further cancer from cosmetic-related chemicals.
I have used EVERY high end product out there but gloMinerals has made my skin look fabulous. Scars have faded, chemo related acne is gone
I use the tinted primer with SPF, pressed base, and the eyeshadow so far. My skin has changed for the better.
It’s theraputic grade makeup with no harsh chemicals and cruelty free, which is great.
Thanks for the fabulous videos and take care!!

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April says:

June 10, 2016 at 7:46 pm

On your list of products you have Timeless Matrixyl Synthe’6. But I did not hear you mention it in the video. Are you using this product? If so when do you incorporate it into your routine? I read it can be applied AM or PM. You said you are using the CeraVe SA twice a day, are you still using the Yes to Coconut, I know that it is cruelty-free? I saw that Eucerin is not cruelty-free. I absolutely love the Konjac sponge by the way.

Do you do at home chemical peels? Any that are cruelty-free? This might be listed somewhere on here already and I just didn’t see it.

I really appreciate you doing this segment on cruelty-free skin care.

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Rebecca says:

June 10, 2016 at 2:07 pm

Thank you for reviewing cruelty-free products! I would like it if you (when you do your reviews for try-it-tuesday, foundation-friday, etc) also gave info if a product was cruelty-free. Hopefully that would make people more aware!
Perhaps also explain to people why products sold in China are considered as animal tested. I’m not sure everyone is up to date on that one..?
Have a lovely day!

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