Pandemic Skincare Hacks: Foreo, Ceramides and Hyaluronic and Salicylic Acids Are Saving My Skin

A few years ago, I was gifted a Foreo LUNA Mini and Foreo UFO. But I was intimidated by the fab and intricate packaging and tech talk that an app connection was necessary for the devices to work. So they remained in my beauty supply closet, pondered but unopened.

Fast forward to 2021 and nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic. Maskne happened. My skin was breaking out around my mouth; not a surprise after wearing face masks daily since March 2020. But I also had a few unsightly blemishes on my forehead. So I went back to the battle-ready skincare hacks I've used -- salicylic acid cleansers to combat the acne and glycolic/alpha-hydroxy acid to brighten and banish the blemishes.

My adult skincare routine also includes daytime and nighttime moisturizers packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Day and night, I also pamper my skin with different types of masks chocked full of holistic skin savers like aloe, charcoal, turmeric and black tea. Brands I love include Fresh, Eminence, CeraVe (and the knockoff version at Harmon Face Values), Andalou Naturals and whatever bargain skincare gems I find at Marshalls.

But the exfoliation piece of the puzzle was still missing. During the pandemic, I haven't gone to my usual skincare spot for microdermabrasion treatments, which does wonders for my skin. So for months, my skin has been intermittently dull and dry, and in desperate need for some intensive exfoliation TLC. Shedding those dead layers of skin helps to pump up the effectiveness of the daily skincare products I use. So just when I was planning to pick up a pack of old-school buff puffs, I cracked open the Foreo packages. After just one 30-second use of the Foreo LUNA paired with one of my cleansers of choice and the Foreo UFO with one of the Foreo activated masks (I was gifted a 7-pack of Make My Day and Call it a Night), my skin is already noticeably smoother and brighter. The dark spots are fading, too.

(Photos courtesy of Everything She Wants)

The unique, portable silicone products provide deep yet gentle cleaning. Unlike harsh buff puffs and bristled cleaners (sorry, Clarisonic), Foreo devices are nonporous and resist bacteria buildup. And in just 90 seconds, the Foreo UFO Mini delivers full-spectrum LED light therapy and ultra-fast heating, together with T-Sonic pulsations and warming Thermotherapy.

So the moral of the story is that sometimes you already have what you need...buried in your beauty closet.

Comments

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

It's the end of an era. Conway discount stores are closing . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to New York City, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore. I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued. I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store. And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and white checkered pants with a matching lime green

Memorial Day Weekend 2023 Cultural Highlight: DanceAfrica Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and Throughout Brooklyn

In her essay, " African Dance is Medicine for the Mind, Body and Spirit ," dancer, teacher and choreographer Cherie Hill wrote, "The more I perform African dance, the more I discover and enjoy euphoria. When the drums are beating and the body is dancing everything fits in sync and I feel limitless and powerful." Photo by Nate Palmer Hill is honored with a portrait by Cecilia Lamptey-Botchway that's on display at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House during the annual DanceAfrica Festival . The festival celebrates Black joy and resilience and the regal power of African dance. I mark my calendar each year for the DanceAfrica Bazaar, where I often run into old friends and see familiar faces. In a Brooklyn that has quickly become gentrified, I love to see us walking tall, beaming with pride and to quote Bey, "shining, shining, shining, y

Soak Up the Last Weeks of Summer Sun At The Rockaway Hotel

Summer is winding down, but there's still time to soak up the sun -- while wearing sunscreen, chic shades and a protective hat or sun visor, of course. If you're in New York City, The Pool at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa is a cool place to swim, lounge and discreetly people watch while swaying to beat of ambient music. It's a vibe! Day passes are available for non-hotel guests Monday through Thursday (excluding private events, 10 am -7 pm). Located in the heart of the Rockaway Beach community in Queens, New York, the Rockaway Hotel is just a few short blocks from the sand and surf. Besides the outdoor pool, the newly built 84,000 square foot hotel offers around 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a large event space. And it's a nice addition to the area. When my husband and I visited the popular pool, we enjoyed yummy sips and bites poolside. Lounging chairs are first come, first serve so the early bird gets the spot of their choice. After chilling at t

Everything She Wants

Search This Blog