Furloughed: Will Canada´s broke businesses care about its 2020 Pride?

𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 is a customized skincare subscription service - i’m sure we’ve all heard of it! Ever since I learned about prescription tretinoin, I knew I had to try it. I like that Curology can prescribe Tretinoin through an online consultation so it saved me a lot of money. I signed up and I received my first bottle in the first week of 2020. ⁣ ⁣ 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞 & 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬:⁣ I have combination, sensitized, acne-prone skin with PIH⁣ ⁣ 𝐌𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 & 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭:⁣ I used two formulas: ⁣ First month (January): Tretinoin 0.01% , Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic Acid 4%⁣ Next two months: Tretinoin 0.018%, Clindamycin 1%, Azelaic Acid 8%⁣ ⁣ *NOTE: I specifically asked for tretinoin and azelaic acid ⁣ * I have been using Adapalene for two months before I started Curology and was at the purging stage. ⁣ ⁣ 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡: ⁣ My free trial arrived the first week of January and I tried it right away. As per the instructions, I washed my face with a gentle cleanser, applied moisturizer then the cream. I used it 2x a week. I was alternately using it with Adapelene. For the first month, the effects weren’t super obvious - other than my skin becoming smoother and softer feeling than it ever had before. ⁣ ⁣ 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡: ⁣ I think my skin was at its worst in my second month of Tretinoin (4th month adapalene). I had more cystic acne and I was literally red all day -- I like to call it my full-on purging stage. I just stuck to it anyway. By this time, my skin was also feeling dry and I had slight peeling. My routine was: cleanser, thick moisturizer, and tretinoin. I was using my formula 3x a week. ⁣ ⁣ 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡:⁣ The last weeks of the third month was when I saw the big changes in my skin. I was able to use the cream nightly by this time. Only word I can use to describe it is - shocked. I went from having cystic, red acne and rough patches to having smooth and completely calmed skin. Though left with hyperpigmentations, my skin was better than ever. ⁣ ⁣ 𝗪𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐰: ⁣ After 3 months with Curology (with simplified skin care routine and adapalene) almost all of my cystic acnes were gone. Something I had thought months ago never would be possible. In April, I started my Triluma journey (tretinoin 0.5% + hydroquinone +mild steroid) to treat the hyperpigmentations left behind. I finished my tube last May and from then on used another brand of tretinoin (0.5%) for maintenance and to treat PIH. ⁣ ⁣ 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: ⁣ All I gotta say is that Curology is a great service, for most people. Unfortunately there are some of us for whom the base and/or certain ingredients simply won't work, and I believe that's no fault of Curology.⁣ I thoroughly recommend Curology. It’s a great option to get our hands on prescription strength products, like Tretinoin cream, without paying for an expensive private consultation.

You may have read articles about this ingredient used in both kitchens and beauty counters - Propylene Glycol (PG) but what exactly is this chemical? I decided to do some research on credible sources online to find out if the ingredient is beneficial for my combination skin.   A colorless and odorless liquid that is completely water-soluble, PG is mainly regarded as a moisturizing agent used in skincare products to attract hydration and locks it into the skin. Generally, anyone who is seeking deep hydration and smoothness of the skin can use products containing the ingredient.   The Cosmetic Ingredient Review board (an organization of scientists who review the safety of cosmetic ingredients) have confirmed that it’s ”safe for use in cosmetic products when formulated to be non-irritating.” This means that companies need to conduct skin irritation testing on new formulas to ensure PG does not cause irritation when mixed with other ingredients, which is a standard test that many skincare companies run before launching any new product.   As long as you do not have an allergy to PG, it is a safe ingredient to use regularly. Due to its multiple functions, PG works well with almost all other ingredients.   While I do not specifically seek products that contain PG, I find that products that contain PG helps to hydrate my combination skin well, giving it a dewy glow throughout the day. Other than its main function as an emollient, there are also various other benefits, including addressing visible signs of aging, enhancing penetration of the skincare product, and prevent skin hydration loss.   I have two products containing PG in my bathroom counter now. I use Nivea Oxygen Boost Micellar Water as a make-up cleanser before my gentle facial wash. Micelles in the liquid cleanser help to attract water, oil and the dirt that comes with them, which is effective when combined with a cotton pad or wipe work to remove stubborn make-up. Micellar water works well for my combination skin as a gentle and hydrating cleanser that is powerful to remove water resistant make-up at the same time. My skin does not feel too tight and taut after using this, thanks to its water based formula of hyaluronic acid, golden algae, Hydra IQ and marine salt.   Another product containing PG is CLINIQUE - Dramatically Different Hydrating Jelly. The lightweight water-jelly face moisturizer looks and feels different than most creams. The unique clear water-jelly texture feels fresh and penetrates quickly into my skin, especially for hot summer days. It delivers round-the-clock hydration repair, plus pollution protection with the formula’s “Clean Shield Technology”, formulated with a moisture barrier blend of sunflower seed cake, barley extract and cucumber fruit extract to strengthen skin’s barrier and retain skin’s moisture levels. On days when I want a lighter and more refreshing moisturizer, this is a nice change of texture.    

Also known as vitamin B3 and nicotinamide, Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin that works with the natural substances in your skin to help visibly - *minimize enlarged pores *tighten lax pores *improve uneven skin tone *soften fine lines and wrinkles *diminish dullness, and strengthen a weakened surface I don’t think there is one person out there needing help in at least one of these areas!! Niacinamide + Zinc @ $6.00 This water-based serum is has a light gel texture that absorbs quickly and layers perfectly – loads of people rate it as a primer because it instantly makes skin super smooth. Ideal for oily skin, apply it twice daily and you’ll soon notice you skin balancing out. Plus, it has the added bonus of zinc, which helps with healing blemishes. Zinc aids in healing the skin and prevents acne by regulating the activity of the oil glands. Zinc promotes a healthy immune system and the healing of tissues. It is also an antioxidant which helps to fight and prevent the formation of free radicals. Niacinamide can aid in reducing inflammation, which can help with acne, eczema and other inflammatory skin issues. It also helps regulate our natural skin oil production. And the benefits just keep coming...Niacinamide can help slow down the production of Melanin and lighten existing dark patches of skin. Additionally, Niacinamide has been shown to boost collagen, improve skin hydration levels, and even strengthen the skin to protect against environmental pollutants. When working with Niacinamide you want to use it early on in your skincare routine. Always remember- “thinnest you thickest.” Niacinamide is a serum and think of serums as extra treatments that address individual skin concerns outside of regular cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. So Niacinamide should be after toning but before moisturizing. Like most skincare products you are not going to see immediate results. Visible results can take up to 8 weeks, although you may notice a change in your skins texture. I like to use a product for 2-3 months before deciding to keep on with it or move onto something else. For me, Niacinamide will always be apart of my skincare routine. I’ve noticed positive changes in my pores, reduced acne and overall I feel it pairs well with the other products I use, boosting their effectiveness. I especially like to add mine after Cleansing, toning and then applying it after my Hyaluronic Acid. Then I follow up with my other products. There has been debate whether or not Niacinamide is safe to use with Vitamin C, but more and more information is coming to light that it is indeed safe and the two actually pair well together. It was said that Niacinamide cancelled out the effectiveness of Vitamin C, but research now indicates that unless you have overally sensitive skin, the two can be used together. Just be sure to test patch an area of your skin if you are prone to sensitivity. (Some of my facts and info were taken from: www.healthline.com)

I have combination skin that is sensitive and acne-prone. I’m also someone who doesn’t like anything with a sticky feeling on my face! 🌱This is the Centella Green Level Unscented Sunscreen and it is gorgeous. ✨First of all, it passes the Not Sticky test and doesn’t leave a white cast at all. It’s basically another hydrating moisturizer for your face in the way it applies and interacts with the skin. For this reason, reapplying doesn’t feel gross or heavy and this is one of the few sunscreens I actually enjoy reapplying throughout the day which is so important! ✨This has Hyaluronic Acid in it as well as Centella to enhance the skin barrier which provides protection from ultraviolet rays and any external stressors. It also avoids things like fragrance and essential oils so it is good for sensitive skin. ✨This is $16 for 2 oz which in my opinion is great for what you’re getting. What’s your favorite sunscreen? 🌞

A little background about thisGLOW RECIPE - Watermelon + AHA Glow Sleeping Mask . It is a hydrating and lightly exfoliating nighttime mask that retails for $45 USD for 80 ml and $22 USD for 30 ml. It’s also made for all skin types. I used this mask once a week for a month and a half. My first impression was that, like most of their products, it smells so good I want to eat it. Their watermelon scent is just like sour watermelon candy and not too overpowering either. Upon my first application, I noticed that it has a very thick slip to it, similar to a facial oil. I thought this was the natural separation but even after mixing the mask, the same thing happened. I don’t think it affected the performance of the mask, but it did make washing it off my hands a little bit of a hassle. Just make sure to mix it well to minimize this! I have sensitive skin, so I opted to wear the mask for about 3 hours instead of overnight. I used a nickel-sized amount, and that was enough to cover my whole face. One feature of this mask is that it’s supposed to be pillow-proof. I haven’t tested that myself, but I can say that the mask dries down completely and no residue comes off when I tap or rub my face. If you plan to wear it to sleep, I recommend waiting at least ten minutes before coming in contact with your sheets! And unlike some exfoliating masks, this one didn’t give me the “exfoliating” sensation as it dried down. All in all, this mask is pretty comfortable to wear throughout the night (or day) and it isn’t tightening on the face. Towards the end of the 3 hours, I noticed some peeling around my inner cheek area and forehead. Glow Recipe said that this effect is normal – it’s just the exfoliating part of the mask doing job. I used a warm washcloth to remove the mask (didn’t experience the weird slip like when washing it off my hands) and saw the usual things I experience after face masks. My skin was soft and looked a little more luminescent. One difference I did see was that the pores around my chin were significantly cleared up! I usually get most of my white heads in that area and this mask totally erased them. That was an unexpected yet huge plus for this mask! For the following weeks, I went through the same process and saw similar results each time. The mask is good for upkeep in the sense that my pores stayed clean and I kept my skin cell turnover high. I wouldn’t call this mask a hero product, but it certainly is a pretty darn good one! I really enjoy the experience of putting it on and would recommend the mini size to anyone who wants to try. A little goes a long way and it’s not something you use everyday. I like mild products like this that still allows me to get the resurfacing effect I’m looking for every now and then. And it’s such a cute present to gift your fellow skincare pals :) #CherieCreator