A Beauty Must #2: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

I have written before about the impact Mario Badescu Drying Cream has had an (almost) eliminating effect on my adult acne. It is one of those products that I will keep multiples in my skincare stash so I never run out; however, there are times when a need to grab something else to tackle my acne.

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion is what you use when you have a pimple below the skin that has yet to come to the surface. Often this type of acne is on your chin and is associated with hormonal fluctuations (aka that time of the month); it usually hurts and the skin is raised and red; and, no matter how much you mess with it, nothing is going to come to the surface in order to clear the pore out and allow healing. The bacteria is blocked in by dead skin cells and sebum which it consumes to continue growing.

The Drying Lotion works by constricting the skin and drawing all the unwanted material up and eventually out. Its power ingredients are calamine, salicylic acid, and zinc oxide. The calamine gives it its unusual pink color and the acid penetrates into the pore to start the unplugging process. It also contains alcohol which doesn't bother me, so it is something to consider before purchasing.

When you get your bottle, you will have this instinct to shake it up. But don't! It is meant to be separated. To apply you stick a clean q-tip into the pink powder and pull straight up. You will be surprised at how much product actually clings to the cotton bud. You just need to dab the lotion on the pimple. There is no need to rub it in. You will most likely feel you look like a little kid covered in calamine because you walked into poison ivy, so plan on using it when you know you will be staying in.

If your experience is like mine, the pimple will have come to a head overnight to allow you clear the debris out of the pore. But, as always, don't over do the extracting. You really need to stop once all the white matter is gone. Continuing to squeeze after that will take the spot longer to heal and it will likely leave a scar.

If you buy this beauty must, come back and let me know your results.

The best shampoo to use for scalp psoriasis

I have had psoriasis since I was in my Tweens. It is a autoimmune disease that is often hereditary.  Basically, the body goes on hyperdrive and produces skin cells at a much higher rate than normal. Instead of every 28+ days, psoriasis sufferers produce cells every 6+ days. As a result the dead skin cells build up very quickly into these white, thick patches that can be unsightly and itchy.

These patches can appear almost anywhere. I have small spots and patches on a few places on my body, like my left elbow, but my biggest area is on the back of my scalp. Anyone who gets to know me will notice that I subconsciously scratch my head because it is often extremely itchy. It truly can drive you crazy from time to time. And when I scratch, small flakes of skin fall off and collect on the top of my shoulders. Luckily, my closest pals will whisper to me to give it a good swipe from time to time.

There are so many "options" for scalp psoriasis sufferers out there and believe me, I have tried them all. And, for the most part they generally are worse than just leaving it alone. I have fine, "blond" (aka dyed) hair so using tar shampoo darkens the hair that I am spending tons of money on to lighten. Can I get a hashtag Fail. The other topical creams, potions and lotions just seem to make my hair greasy or clumpy and my vanity prevents me from using them. So, I went years just using regular shampoo and struggling with the flaking and itching.

And then everything changed. Enter Sebamed Everyday Shampoo.

Sebamed is a German company that focuses on developing non-soap products that maintain the ideal pH level of 5.5. The result is healthier and less dehydrated skin.

I used it for about a month a really thought it had made a huge difference, but I became sure when my hair stylist of 15 years told me she had never seen my scalp looking as good as it was. It was the confirmation that I needed to know that I would definitely repurchase.

If you have scalp psoriasis, I highly recommend Sebamed.  Come back and let me know if it worked for you too.

A Beauty Must #1: Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat

Every once in awhile you run across a product that is life changing. I know that sounds over the top but in this case it is true. Seche Vite is a must-have for anyone who loves painting their own nails.

I have never been a great nail painter. I tend to apply multiple coats very quickly, never allowing enough drying time. I also tend to change my color right before bedtime knowing full well they aren't dry but convincing myself they are. I wake up to find that my nails have tiny little bubbles that never go away no matter how much a I press them down with my thumb. And, more often than not, they are covered with unattractive textile patterns because they stuck to the sheets. By the end of the next day I have fretted so much about the mess I made, I have picked most of my previous evening's efforts off onto whatever floor I happen to be standing on. Not good. Not good at all.

Seche Vite has stopped all of this. I usually put on two layers of my nail polish and pop on a quick layer of the top coat. It instantly works its chemical magic and I have nails that look shiny, presentable, and almost look like acrylic nails. No need to fret. No need to pick. And for an extra bonus, I have noticed that it creates a strong bond so I don't seem to break or tear the tips as often as I used to. 

If you have ever experienced this beauty woe, I encourage you to try it out.