Winter is always harsh on our skin but this winter my skin is especially grouchy. Perpetually rolling waves of stress, anger and sadness coupled with self-imposed isolation are visible across my ravaged face. Add to that the constant hum of – keep them safe keep them safe keep them safe – plays softly in my subconscious. Emotion can be taxing on the body, both inside and out.
As my children have 100% virtual school I morphed into a schizophrenic teachers’ aid, lunch lady and security guard. Yes, I do mean security guard. These kids will just get up and wander off every ten minutes without me there to stop them. Apparently, there’s always something incredibly important to tell me or a sibling that can’t wait until break time. Consequently, it’s only safe to leave home for groceries, although that is twice as often as usual since they’re perpetually eating. In hindsight, I should’ve fitted locks to the kitchen back in March 2020. Of course, it’s too late now, I’ve completely given up protecting food from them.
A PANDEMIC WINTER
Winter during a global pandemic requires an entirely new level of skincare. As my body is subjected to indoor heating almost 24/7, I’m itching like mad. Naturally, I slather on body moisturizer to alleviate this but if I do that to my face I’ll break out within a week. Plus I also developed rosacea to go with the dehydration. Take a look at the close-up photo of my face in the previous post to see how rough my skin looks. My pores are like craters of the moon, dry and dusty. It’s a disaster, to be honest, and I don’t know what will help. Besides a holiday alone. Hello, again global pandemic.
At 53, am I 53? Oh boy, what a year… anyway at 53 my skin probably won’t recover as well as it would have ten years ago. So I’m willing to try new things rather than wait this out.
Perricone MD has never steered me wrong before so I get the new CBD range with guarded optimism.
WHAT IS CANNABIDIOL?
True story, I’ve only smoked weed once in my life. My girlfriend and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about so one sunny Saturday we got some pot from the friend of a friend. We smoked it behind the local train station then hopped on the first train that came along. That train went to a very pretty, tiny seaside town on the far south coast of Sydney, called Kiama. Not that we frolicked in the sea that day. Rather, my friend and I spent the entire day throwing up on the Kiama station platform. Then we hopped back on the train and went home. It was awful, we were fourteen. I never touched marijuana again. I learned a valuable lesson that day and I wasn’t about to repeat the mistake.
Well except that one time in Amsterdam six years later, when I ate the best chocolate cake I ever tasted in my entire life. Managed to keep it down too. That was some trippy choccy cake.
Apart from those two times, I haven’t met Mary Jane again and doubt I ever will. That doesn’t mean I’m not keen to try CBD though. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, the other active ingredient in the plant, CBD doesn’t make you high. You might wonder what the point of it is? Well, the wonderful thing about CBD is that it may be effective in alleviating anxiety, chronic inflammation and pain, insomnia and childhood epilepsy.
When applied topically, CBD is an antioxidant that can reduce inflammation and acute dryness. Potentially calming my distressed skin and reducing the redness of my rosacea.
Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Rebalancing Elixir
Let’s start with the product that impressed me the most. This serum, or elixir as Perricone MD calls it, is miraculous on my skin. I usually don’t go overboard when describing skincare but I have to say, this is probably the most impressive product I’ve ever tried. Perhaps it’s the fact that the condition of my skin is so terrible at the moment? Would that make the serum seem more potent than it actually is? Maybe. In any case, I can attest to its efficacy when I needed it most. Something akin to medicine for my face. Within the first week of daily use, my redness and rosacea had visibly reduced. And most noticeably, the first application was like giving my face a big drink of water. The relief was so real, I actually sighed.
Apply 3 drops to one palm, put both palms together to moisten evenly then press onto your face and say ahhh.
Rebalancing Elixir is not only plastic-free but also free of fragrance, gluten, sulfates, silicones, parabens, formaldehyde, butylene- and propylene-glycol, PEG, phthalates, BHA and BHT. What’s more, it is Vegan, non-comedogenic and cruelty-free. And of course, dermatologist-tested.
Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Nourishing & Calming Moisturizer
Usually, lightweight creams do nothing for my skin in winter but this one packs a punch. I expected tightness, particularly on my forehead which has felt rough, even bumpy, for months. What I got was the perfect amount of hydration. My skin isn’t greasy, yet has a light glow to it. Remember to go all the way down your neck when you apply it.
Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Soothing & Hydrating Eye Cream
It’s important to choose a good eye cream that compliments your moisturizer. I used to love Caudalie but it doesn’t work so well for me now. Everyone knows our skin changes as we age but I really noticed a big difference after I turned fifty. Everything in my skincare arsenal is almost useless and no amount of application helps. It’s time to up the ante.
This CBD infused eye cream would normally be my choice however, I felt something more potent was required under the current circumstances. If you don’t have the same acute dehydration as me, this eye cream is for you.
As with all the products in my post today, this one comes in glass. As you know, reducing my intake of single-use plastic is of great importance to me. However, it’s often quite difficult to refuse plastic when it comes to the beauty industry and THAT’S ON THEM. Most products are contained and packaged in plastic. We consumers can do our best to buy the glass or refillable options when it’s in our budget and shouldn’t feel guilty when it isn’t.
BEST EYE CREAM FOR TIRED EYES
Do your eyes feel hot, tight and sore, particularly at the outside corners? So far this winter, mine feel like that most days. The outer edge skin is quite red, papery and dehydrated. I’m using eye drops which help my burning eyeballs, although drops do nothing for the surrounding skin. So I decided to up the ante and get a super-duper eye cream.
Now what you want with an eye cream is featherlight weight. The only thing worse than dry crepey eyes is greasy heavy cream around them. I was worried that Cold Plasma Plus Advanced Eye Cream would be too intensive. Happily, my concern here is unfounded. This initially feels like a thick cream, but when applied sparingly, it’s quickly absorbed and instantly hydrating. Sounds contradictory but I promise you this is exactly what happened. Remember to use sparingly though as its easily wasted. On my first try, I plunged my finger into the pot only to discover how little was necessary. I ended up wiping a lot of excess onto my neck so as not to waste it but I won’t be doing that again. Using more than the tiniest amount isn’t helpful just costly. I really love this cream a lot.
What’s your experience with marijuana, have you tried anything containing CBD?
Comments ( 1 )
LIzzy
Ah Michelle. This has come at such a good time. My skin is misbehaving and I look and feel like I’ve aged a decade over the last year. Like you, both kids are home and I too cannot keep up with the food shopping. Anyhoo, I need to up the ante on my skincare routine ahead of my wedding. These products sound brilliant. Thank you so much for this useful and rather excellent review xxx