Travel Favorites

1. Favorite Destination Visited in 2021: San Diego, California

I visited San Diego with my boyfriend back in September, and had the most perfect trip. San Diego has beautiful weather, amazing restaurants, and tons to see. We enjoyed delicious tacos, saw the seals along the water, explored Balboa Park, and enjoyed many breakfasts at one of our favorite spots, The Mission.

Runner-up Favorite Destination Visited: Boston, Massachusetts (Check out my blog post on How to Spend 24 Hours in Boston)

2. Favorite Source for Accommodations: AirBnB

I utilize AirBnB for almost every trip I go on. I always enjoy finding a great deal on accommodations, as well as a more private stay.

3. Favorite Travel Hack: Skyscanner.com

If you are looking for airfare to a destination and want to find the best price out there, then I recommend using Skyscanner.com. This website generates all of the different airline/flight options to and from specific destinations. I have been using Skyscanner for years now, and it always helps me find the best deals.

4. Favorite Destination Restaurant I Ate at: The Mission – San Diego, California

I have to put The Mission in San Diego as my #1 favorite destination restaurant I ate at for 2021, as I went multiple times while on my trip to Cali. The food is incredibly fresh tasting, the service is very friendly, and the atmosphere is laid-back and cute. The pancakes here melt in your mouth and are served with real maple syrup. The Mission offers some dishes with Mexican flare such as the breakfast burrito, rancheros verde, and breakfast quesadilla. I highly recommend this restaurant in San Diego; they have a few different locations throughout the area.

Style Favorites

1. Favorite Place to Buy Clothes: Poshmark

Last year I told myself that I want to thrift most of my clothes to be more sustainable. Poshmark has made it incredibly easy and convenient for me to thrift right from my phone. I have purchased most of my clothes in 2021 via Poshmark, and have also saved a good amount of money shopping second-hand. Additionally, I’ve made some money selling my own used clothing.

2. Favorite Clothing Brand: Aritzia

Aritzia is my favorite clothing brand of 2021, as most of the clothes I purchased either on Poshmark or new, have been from here. Specifically, I love the Aritzia TNA brand as they have great quality and cute athleisure wear.

3. Favorite Pair of Jeans: Abercrombie Curve Love Ultra High Rise Ankle Straight

The Curve Love line at Abercrombie is amazing for those with a larger waist-to-hip ratio. They give an extra two inches in the hip/butt area which I personally appreciate as I have a 13 inch waist-to-hip ratio. I specifically love the ultra high rise ankle straight jeans as they cut off nicely at the ankle and pair nicely with a variety of shoes. They also have a nice stretch to them, and I find them pretty comfortable to wear all day. I wear a size 25 regular Curve Love and have a 26 inch waist and 39 inch hips.

4. Favorite Jewelry Piece: Luvmeishop (Etsy) Gold Chain Ring 5mm

I purchased a few gold-filled rings on Etsy this year, and the 5mm gold chain ring from Luvmeishop on Etsy is my favorite. It’s a perfect stacking ring, but I love to wear it on it’s own too. I purchased a ring size US 7 and wear it on my middle finger typically. It retails for $21.50 on Etsy. Check out my blog post on my Etsy jewelery finds here.

Beauty Favorites

1. Favorite Skincare Product: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream

The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream has been my go-to moisturizer for over a year. I have purchased multiple jars and it never disappoints. It’s a slightly thicker consistency (but not too thick) and truly moisturizes my dry skin. Check out my full skincare routine here.

2. Favorite Hair Brush: Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler

I recently switched from the Wet Brush to the Tangle Teezer Ultimate Detangler Brush, and have been loving it. I still like the Wet Brush, but the Tangle Teezer is my new fav of the year. I find that it gets the knots out of my fine, straight hair pretty quickly and also doesn’t create excess breakage. This brush retails for around $14.

3. Favorite Hair Product: Redken All Soft Condtioner

I have tried quite a few hair products in 2021, and my all-time favorite is the Redken All Soft Conditioner. It has a super thick consistency and really moisturizes and helps detangle my fine, straight hair. I purchase a large bottle of it from Harmon’s usually and it lasts me basically all year.

4. Favorite Makeup Product: Benefit Hoola Bronzer

The Hoola Bronzer from Benefit Cosmetics is my good ol’ reliable choice! I always buy the mini size which is $17 at Sephora, and it lasts me so long. I use the natural bronze color, and I find that it suits my lighter skin tone year-round. I use it to warm up my forehead and cheeks, lightly contour my nose, and also as an eyeshadow.

Comment below your favorite product or experience 2021!

The post 2021 Yearly Round Up: Travel, Style and Beauty Favorites appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.

My Backstory with Acne

My skin is something I have put a lot of effort into during my late teens and early twenties. In highschool, my skin rarely broke-out. When I went off to college, and decided to go off the birth control pill, my skin was in a frenzy. At 18, a few months after stopping birth control (which I later went back on and take currently), my skin starting breaking out, specifically in the chin area. The pimples were deep, painful and under the skin. They were very red and inflamed. I tried many different treatments to get rid of them.

Between 18 and 23, my skin was a rollercoaster of acne and breakouts. Even though I went back on birth control, my acne didn’t quite go away. I personally didn’t suffer from acne on the forehead or cheeks at this time, but my chin was a struggle area. I paid a few visits to the dermatologist and tried prescription treatments such as clindamycin gel which worked for a few months, but then the acne would came back. I tried numerous drug store treatments such as salicylic acid and low percentage benzoyl peroxide. Again, these would provide temporary relief, but my acne would not completely go away.

In March of 2020, when I was 23, my chin acne was raging and I was feeling frustrated with it. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel beautiful with blemishes, but I was tired of dealing with the constant pain, itchiness and discomfort of my cystic acne. I eat generally healthy, drink lots of water, exercise, take my makeup off before bed, etc… I was starting to question if my acne would ever go away…

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Treatment

In March of 2020, my mom took her usual trip to Harmon Face Values (a popular drug/cosmetic store in NJ), and brought home an acne cream I had never tried before: Adapalene Gel 0.1%. She knew I was frustrated with my acne and wanted to help. When she showed me the Acne Free Adapalene Gel 0.1% (a slightly cheaper dupe for Differin), I was intrigued. I had recently watched a Dr. Dray video on youtube where she discussed adapalene gel, so I was interested in this product.

Adapalene Gel 0.1% is only recently a drugstore, over-the-counter acne treatment. In 2016, the FDA approved the use of Differin gel 0.1% (adapalene gel) as an over-the-counter use to treat acne. This product is a once-daily topical gel to treat acne in people 12 years and older, and is the first retinoid approved for over-the-counter use. Retinoids such as adapalene gel 0.1% are helpful in regulating skin cell turnover. They are commonly used to treat aging skin/wrinkles, acne and more.

My Initial Experience Using Adapalene Gel 0.1%

On March 18, 2020, I began using the Acne Free Adapalene Gel 0.1% to treat my acne. For roughly the first six weeks of me using only adapalene gel to treat my acne, I dealt with dry, itchy, peeling skin that some people classify as the “purge” stage. While this word is very intense, my acne did become quite ruthless in the beginning of my treatment. It actually became worse before it became better. I applied a pea-size amount of the gel to my entire face (except the delicate eye area) once per day only at night. I started to develop acne on my cheeks almost immediately after starting usage of this product, but continued to push through. It can take 2-3 months for skin to start showing improvement, so I knew I needed to stick it out!

I have a video on YouTube that you can check out to get a very specific breakdown of my skincare routine at this time, plus my transformation journey.

A Simple Skincare Routine

It is recommended to not mix adapalene gel with salicylic acid or vitamin-c serums. I realized about a month or so into my usage of adapalene gel that I was using a face wash with salicylic acid in it every morning. So after about a month of using this salicylic acid face wash, I removed it from my skincare routine. I then began to use my nighttime face wash (Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser) in the morning as well. I kept my skincare routine very minimal and realized I didn’t need a different face wash for morning vs. night.

In the morning, I washed my face with the Cetaphil gentle cleanser, applied the CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion to my face, and used a facial sunscreen. At night, I washed my face with the same gentle cleanser, applied the same CeraVe moisturizer, and then applied a pea-size drop of the adapalene gel to my face. Applying the gel after moisturizing can help ease the dryness and irritation. I felt it definitely helped, but my skin did still suffer peeling and dryness. For an in-depth look at my current skincare routine, check out this article I posted!

Using Adapalene Gel 0.1% with Benzoyl Peroxide

After about 2-3 months of using only the adapalene gel as my acne treatment, I decided to add Benzoyl Peroxide to the mix. Dr. Dray on YouTube has a video where she recommends using these two products together. These two drugs combined are supposedly like a make-shift Epiduo gel. I purchased the Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10% (10% benzoyl peroxide acne medication). You can also use a lower percentage benzoyl peroxide if you prefer.

So now at night I would do as follows: wash my face with the Cetaphil cleanser, moisturize with the CeraVe PM lotion, apply a pea-size amount of adapalene gel, and then add a pea-size amount of benzoyl peroxide on my problem areas such as my chin and cheeks. My morning routine remained the same: I washed my face with the Cetaphil cleanser, moisturized, and applied sunscreen.

Timeline of my Skin Progress

Start Date: March 18, 2020 – May 2020

My acne became immediately worse within the first week of using adapalene gel. I suffered peeling, dryness, redness, and more acne in my first 2-3 months of treatment.

June 2020

My active acne began to subside and I was dealing with mostly acne scars and intense discoloration. I personally didn’t have scarring or denting in my face, but rather dark red marks of discoloration. Dryness and peeling of skin was still evident, but was gradually becoming less harsh.

End of June 2020 – August 2020

My discoloration and acne marks were subsiding/fading. Around Mid-July I had VERY minimal active acne. By August I had basically no active acne. My skin wasn’t really peeling or super dry and itchy anymore.

August 2020 – Current (October 2021)

Around the end of August 2020, my discoloration and acne marks were mostly gone and far less noticeable. My skin was not peeling, itchy or suffering dryness anymore. This is truly when I felt my skin really started to look clear and smooth. By November 2020, when I posted my How I Cleared My Skin Video, I felt genuinely impressed with my results.

I began incorporating my daily serums into my routine again. I use the Skinceuticals Vitamin CE Ferulic in the morning before applying moisturizer. I use the Skinceuticals H.A. Intensifier at night before applying moisturizer. I personally don’t experience any issues with these products while using adapalene gel 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide at night.

CURRENT THOUGHTS

My skin truly looked the best it had in years by November 2020, just 8 months into treatment. In the past year since then, I have continued the same skincare routine despite having minimal acne these days. I believe continuation of using the adapalene gel and BP has helped me maintain clear skin. I am excited to continue my skincare journey, and am so incredibly happy with the results I’ve had in the past 18 months!

My current skincare routine can be found here!

The post How I Cleared My Cystic Under-The-Skin Acne: Adapalene Gel and Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.

My Morning Routine

Cleanser

I begin by washing my face with the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. This is a very simple cleanser that does not irritate my skin. You can purchase it at almost any drugstore and it typically retails in the $10-$12 range for a 16oz bottle.

Serum

I then apply my holy-grail vitamin c serum: the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic. While this product comes at a hefty price point ($166), it truly does last a long time. I usually purchase the Skinceutical serums from Blue Mercury when they do their seasonal sales, so that I can get a discount. You can easily get 6-8+ months out of this bottle. I apply a few drops to my entire face and gently pat in.

Moisturizer and SPF

Following the serum, I apply the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream which is around $58 for a 4.2 oz jar. I personally use a good amount of moisturizer, and love this Kiehl’s one. Lastly, I apply SPF which is crucial to healthy skin, especially while using a retinoid. I have tried a few sunscreens in the past, but my current favorite is the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30. I feel for a mineral sunscreen, it blends well into my moisturized skin. This retails around $15 for a 3 fl oz tube. Another favorite of mine is the Blue Lizard Mineral Sensitive Face Sunscreen SPF 30, which is around $16 for a 1.7 fl oz tube.

My Nighttime Routine

Makeup Removal & Cleanser

If I am wearing makeup, I always use the Trader Joe’s 100% Pure Jojoba Oil as a makeup remover. I love the Trader Joe’s one as it only costs a few dollars. Also, I purchased a pack of reusable cotton rounds on Amazon which I love to use with the jojoba oil. I typically wear makeup 2-3 days per week.

I wet my face, and apply a few drops of jojoba oil onto my hands. I then massage the oil into my face and around my eyes to remove the makeup. I take a wet reusable cotton round and gently rub my face to remove the makeup and oil from my skin. Once I have thoroughly removed my makeup, I will go in with a cleanser.

I use the same Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or if I want to manually exfoliate, the Acure Brightening Facial Scrub. The scrub costs roughly $10 at Ulta, and a little goes a long way. I’ve had the same tube for months and it still has plenty in it. I truly think that gentle and manual exfoliation has improved the overall texture and look of my skin. The Acure scrub is amazing as it is made with sea kelp and french green clay. Physical exfoliants such as this scrub can be harsh on the skin, especially while using a topical retinoid, so it is best to be very gentle and not do it too ofter. I personally like to do it every week.

Serum, Moisturizer, and Eye Cream

After my makeup is fully removed and cleansed, I will apply a pea size amount of the Skinceuticals H.A. Intensifier. This serum amplifies your skin’s hyaluronic acid levels, reduces fine lines/wrinkles, and enhances your skin’s hydration. Like the CE Ferulic, this serum is pretty pricy at around $102 per bottle. I am able to make this bottle last me roughly 6-8 months+. I apply to a slightly damp face after cleansing, and then immediately go in with the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. Now when it comes to eye cream, I am usually good with just using my same facial moisturizer, but I did recently find a cream that I like. The Acure Radically Rejuvenating Eye Cream is roughly $15-$16 for a 1oz tube, and has a light and creamy consistency.

Acne Treatment

After I have applied my serum and moisturizer, I will apply a pea size amount of the Acne Free Adapalene Gel 0.1% to my entire face (minus the delicate eye area). This adapalene gel is the same drug as Differin, and only costs around $10-$12 depending which drugstore you purchase it at. Lastly, I will apply the Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 (10% benzoyl peroxide acne medication), which retails for around $5-$7 at drugstores. I have been using both of these acne treatment products since last year, and have seen a huge improvement in my skin. I have very minimal active acne these days, and my acne marks have significantly faded.

If you want to learn more about my acne journey & how I cleared my skin using these products, then check out this article I wrote here.

The post My Acne Skincare Routine: Holy Grail Skincare Products appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.