The Dream Cream

The Dream Cream from Skin Actives is a moisturizer with additional benefits, which I'll discuss in a moment. First let me tell you a small bit about Skin Actives:
Skin Actives has what seems to be a truly endless variety of products for absolutely any skincare need you may have. How is that even possible? Because Skin Actives offers specific products such as the Canvas Base Cream which I'll review soon, that you can mix your very own "actives" in. This may be a little confusing at first, but you have the kind, knowledgeable customer service as well as forums where you can get advice from other users. You can purchase actives for you cream, cleanser or serum and mix to meet your own personal needs. I'm a perfume mixer, but I'm not so expert when it comes to mixing and creating your own skincare product. However, I'm learning and working on trying different things from Skin Actives. I'll be reviewing some that I already have (samples) and then when I've used enough of the samples to know what I'll need, I'll purchase that and let you know how it goes!


You have a lot to choose from with Skin Actives. Rosacea, Eczema and more and more and more! Like I said, I'm not very experienced in mixing the actives or knowing what it is I need just yet and that's why I stuck with sampling some of the pre-made products. Yes, you can buy Skin Active's ready-to-use products! You may already know what actives you want to use, but if not, I encourage you to check into what others have to say. See what others with the same conditions (acne, rosacea, etc) recommend on the Skin Actives forums! They are customers too and share what they like best.
 


What does Dream Cream do?

  

Why, I'm so glad you asked! (Ha.) The Dream Cream is a good, paraben-free moisturizer choice for those who suffer from very dry skin, (ME!)  psoriasis, eczema, rosacea. This has to be the best moisturizer I've used for my dry skin that doesn't leave some type of residue or problem. 

 You can also use Dream Cream around for a cuticle softener and the like. It works wonderfully for softening the cuticles before removal during a manicure/pedicure! 

 Based on my own experience and results with the Dream Cream, I would label it as an intensive, great long-term moisturizer. Usually I rarely will refer to a moisturizer as so great because it's so hard to find one that will really make a difference for my dry skin. 

  The Dream Cream can be used on dry skin, combination skin and normal skin types. As far as oily skin types using Dream Cream, you'll just have to use your best judgement here. For my oily T-zone, the cream did not make it worse or cause break-outs. If you recognize specific ingredients though, that do tend to cause your skin problems then you may want to choose something else, but I'm pretty confident that most skin would respond well to this.

 Skin Actives says that the Dream Cream can be used from basically babies to elders! That's pretty awesome. Babies, teens, those in their 20's-30's, 40's-50's and 60 years of age can benefit well from this.

INGREDIENTS:

 Water, Jojoba Seed (Simmondsia chinensis) Oil, Sea Kelp Bioferment, Shea Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, C14-22 Alcohols, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Stearyl Alcohol, Rosehip Seed Oil, Sesame Seed (Sesamum indicum) Oil, Sweet Almond (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) Oil, Avocado Seed (Persea gratissima) Oil, Coconut Endosperm (Cocos nucifera), Ceramides, Tetrahydrocurcuminoids, Natural Active Peptides, Coenzyme Q10, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pomegranate Seed (Punica granatum) Oil, Astaxanthin, Lycopene, Alpha-D-tocopherol, Tocotrienols, Lutein, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol. 

This dream cream contains SAS antiOx booster with the best lycopene, lutein and more, the antioxidant benefits of cumin (in tetrahydrocurcuminoids), complete nutrition provided by sea kelp bioferment and coconut endosperm, plus the emolliency of shea butter and the essential fatty acids of rosehip oil.

The Dream Cream has a wonderful whipped/mousse like texture and is so rich! When I first began using it, I was used to having to use a large amount of my normal moisturizer so I plunged my fingers in the Dream Cream expecting to need that much and ended up having to put half of it back in the jar! That's a good thing because it means you don't need much of the cream to cover your face. The rich and super creamy cream spreads nicely and evenly over the face.

I like to apply moisturizer before bed and immediately before applying makeup and sometimes I even mix the moisturizer with my foundation so it's necessary to have one that won't interfere negatively with the makeup. Dream Cream creates a nice surface for even application and won't add that shine/greasy look to your face! As for mixing Dream Cream with my foundation, that's not working for me. I have found a better way to actually reap the benefits though.

The problem was, when I would rub it into my face, the Dream Cream would roll up into little Dreamy, Creamy balls! I hate when that happens. The first time I used it, it did not do that, but as I've continued using only the Dream Cream (no other moisturizers or products except my makeup and face wash) it keeps doing that.

So instead, I went back to my old Lumene moisturizer today for mixing into my foundation and it's OK because it doesn't roll up in balls, but it leaves my face shiny as heck. Then I have to add lots of powder to reduce the Lumene grease.

I mentioned that I did not use Dream Cream in combination with any other product. That's because I want to be able to give accurate info on the specific product alone. I do this any time I use a new skincare product. Then, I'll put it in with my other products/routine if needed.

Today I changed it up and had to add the other moisturizer for my foundation. I started using the Dream Cream a few hours before I apply the foundation for the past couple of days so that my foundation won't roll up in balls too. That worked out really well! I could even do this before bed and then wipe the rolly balls off in the AM before makeup. When I did this, even though a lot of it rolled off in those balls, my skin is very velvety and smooth and has a nice, matte finish. This is after using the cream and before using foundation. So I know it's doing nice things for my skin, but it's just not compatible with makeup. Since I'm really liking the results of the soft, smooth and nice looking skin, I'll continue to use it and then let the rolly balls do their thing and then go on with my day.

Everyone may not experience what I did, but I never wash the Dream Cream off due to the way it rolls up. I just use my hands to rub the little balls off that way I'm not removing the Dream Cream entirely.

The Dream Cream can be used on your  face, hands and body.The Dream Cream does not contain parabens which is awesome and if you're a person that's sensitive to parabens or prefers not to use products that contain them, this is absolutely perfect.

Skin Actives says:

NOTE:

Cream may settle during shipping. If this happens use a hand whisk to whip it back to its original texture then place the cream in the fridge for three or four hours.



*To learn more about my sponsored reviews see my disclosure page and you can view my honesty pledge at the top of this page!* 

Paula's Choice Skincare Samples - review

  In the photo above you see a few of Paula's Choice skincare sample packets. At the top, in the blue packet is the Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleaner. On the left, the red and white packet is the Clear Acne Fighting Treatment and the 2 packets beside it are the 1 and 2% Skin Perfecting BHA Lotions.

  First, I'll talk about the Skin Perfecting BHA Lotion. Just incase you're not aware of what BHA is and what it does, I'll give a brief overview. BHA stands for Beta Hydroxy Acid.I'm so fascinated by how this works. I've used every drugstore acne meds since I was a teen and even used a product called Nature's Cure which is these acne pills and cream and it stopped working shortly after beginning usage. I've tried everything and never had my face take such a drastic change so quickly and to be honest it has never looked so healthy. I will absolutely be puchasing a full size of the BHA Lotion! Now onto that brief overview...

  
BHA Helps with hormonal breakouts, lightens skin, prevents and rids blackheads, minimizes pores, gives a clean face, fades scars, rosacea, exfoliates majorly, gentle but can sting if you're overly sensitive. BHA is the best thing for severe acne, adult acne and teen acne. I've even heard some say it helped with their millia!

What's so strange to me is that my skin is suddenly near perfect with no signs of recent products use. You know how you use an intense cream for acne and you peel like crazy or have severe tightness/dryness? With one use of this stuff it's like I suddenly have a different face!  Using a lotion with BHA rather than cleanser or other product is a better choice since Beta Hydroxy Acid needs to be absorbed into the skin in order for it to improve your skin. Beta Hydroxy works as an exfoliant. It's neat to me that Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA Lotion isn't gritty, but smooth and creamy and yet it still exfoliates.

It sloughs away dead skin cells which in turn makes room for immediate regrowth of new, glowy skin. Beta Hydroxy is also said to improve aging, rough skin, even pigmentation, and more. Beta Hydroxy Acid penetrates the skin to truly clean dirt, oil, etc. from pores where as most cleasners only clean the surface and a lot won't even clean the makeup from the surface of your skin! Ick! 

I won't use a cleanser that doesn't at least clean makeup off. If you want to know if your cleanser is actually making it to your pores and cleaning, wash your face as you normally would and wash well! When it dries take a damp muslin cloth  and gently swipe over the cheeks in circular motions. Look at the cloth. If you see the color of your foundation, bronzer, blush or powder then you can be sure that your cleanser is not doing his or her job!

ALWAYS be careful when using BHA as it increaes your skins sensitivity to the sun. Even if you aren't prone to sun burns you should avoid using BHA if you're going to be exposed to the sun for more than a few moments. It can also cause scarring from pigment changes so be very careful! From my research on BHA, I've learned that those with darker skin are more prone to this. I am careful not to use this daily just to be on the safe side. These are only a couple of reasons why it's a good idea to start off with a 1% BHA lotion rather than 2%. You can work your way up to 2%, but I still use 1% occasionally. You can get the Skin Perfecting BHA lotion from Paula's Choice in both 1% and 2% BHA. 

  
  Love the BHA!
Upond using the Skin Perfecting BHA Lotion I didn't have extremely high hopes, but after only hours of my first application I noticed a big, big, big change! My face looked so much like it did when I was a kid. My small forhead breakouts vanished and I knew there was much more benefits to come with continued use. 

I noticed my pores were drastically smaller, hardly noticable and my skin was left with a slight glow, no greasyness and no residue. It looked just the way a child's skin looks. I have slight under the skin bumps around my jaw and I've seen an improvement in those lately as well! They're a pain to get rid of. 


I've heard people say BHA irritates their skin, but it doesn't mine and Paula's Choice BHA Skin Perfecting Lotion hasn't irritated mine either. I've heard some with extremely sensitive skin may experience slight burning, but I don't know many who have experienced that. I have no dryness and haven't even needed my regular moisturizer. However, I did notice my skin turning a lighter color. I've limited my use due to this and worries of pigmentation changes causing scars. Speaking of scars... ALL of mine are gone! Gone! There were only a few on my right cheek from a random breakout that left scars and made me feel awful about my skin. They weren't deep and with use of tons of different products they would appear smaller for a short period of time, but it actually seems that they're gone for good!

I would recommend this for anyone with acne scarring or even with hormonal breakouts or just regular old pimples.

It's also a God-send for blackheads and we all know those are a pain to get rid of.





   Resist Optimal Resulst Hydrating Cleanser
  
  The Resist Optimal Resulst Hydrating Cleanser is a rich, but light weight, creamy cleanser that takes away dirt, oil and even waterproof mascara! I've tried everything for my waterproof mascara and nothing works! I end up soaking my eyes with a warm washcloth and then just having to pull my darn eyelashes out to get the mascara off! I've had to use lash growing stuff because of it! I've used everything out there to remove it and nothing worked. I've used Clinique's highly overpriced "makeup remover" it would wipe some off, but then it'd be permanantly smeared under my eyes giving me the 'I haven't slept in days-raccoon eyes look' I've ordered stuff specifically for waterproof makeup. No use.

  Tonight while showering I dreaded trying to get that mascara off, but knew I had to since it'd been on my lashed for 2 days (I couldn't get it off!) Lol. I was so frustrated I looked around the bathroom and spotted the one thing I haven't tried. The Resist Optimal Results Cleanser. I squeezed some from the packet and smeared on my lashes. I used a washcloth and with a little massaging of my lashes, it came right off! Amazing! 

  Besides removing impossible mascara, Resist Optimal Hydrating Cleanser also a good every day facial cleanser and gives a nice moisure boost. Since my skin is very dry, I did feel a tiny need to use a dab of moisturizer after using this cleanser, but it wasn't necessarily needed. It does a great job of moisturizing without leaving a nasty greasy residue behind. My skin is high maintenance and I almost always have to use an exfoliant daily, I started combining the Resist Hydrating Cleanser with my regular exfoliant and it balanced things out and looked wonderful! I didn't expect it to do such a great job at cleaning my face so well, but I love that it takes all the makeup totally off. I hate left behind residues, makeup, etc. It also seemed to give an extra glow when used with the BHA Lotion. 

  There's a whole line of Resist products available. I get overwhelmed with so many products so I prefer sticking with something that has a 2 in one like the Resist Hydrating Cleanser since it hydrates, removes makeup and cleanses. I don't always have time for a cleanser, a seperate make-up remover, a toner, a moisturizer and an anti-ager. Lol. That's just way too much. That's what I call skincare overkill! Lol. What I'm saying here is, whether you choose to go with the full line or not, your skin will benefit. For someone who has already developed wrinkles you may want to consider more than one product from the Resist line, but for someone my age (21) who wants to keep away dark circles, bags, fine lines and prevent wrinkles, this cleanser is a perfect choice. 




            Clear Acne Fighting Treatment

  One of the first Paula's Chocie products I wanted to try was the Clear Acne Fighting Treatment. As I mentioned, I have used it all. I've hardly ever seen results that truly made me feel good about my skin. Some products gave me nice skin for a week, but it never lasted. I've stuck with only 2 favorites for a while now for my skin and I enjoy them, but they don't always keep away my breakouts. 

  Clear Acne Fighting Treatment contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. When I decided to use this I was fully prepared to have super dry skin afterward. I even had my super moisturizing cream ready. I wanted to see just how drying this stuff would be and since I had small breakouts scattered here and there I went ahead and smoothed some all over my entire face! I was really impressed to find no dryness or even tightness or irritation. However, I did have only tee-tiny specks of dried out breakouts! I was in good shape by the next morning. Since then, I've dabbed it on the tiny under the skin bumps around my cheeks and temples and never had another come up! It minimized my pores too. I'm kind of torn between this and the BHA Lotion since I had such great results with both. I would highly recommend this to anyone with acne and epecially for teen acne.  

  Since it contains Benzoyl Peroxide it can irritate the skin, but it's a very gentle treatment. I've not had irritation. If you've used benzoyl peroxide before and never had irritation then this shouldn't bother you. If you're unsure, you can always do a patch test on your wrist before using on the face. Even if you are sensitive to it a lot of times the sensitivity and irritation will subside after a few uses. 

  It leaves no greasy residue behind! It leaves a soft, matte finish that looks almost as if I've applied a primer to my face. I would even use this for too much shine. It's not a thick paste that leaves you with a chalky spot. It's actually runny and goes on easily. A little goes a long way, but for very inflamed acne, it's best to apply, let dry and apply again a couple times. Layering it over a bad pimple will help reduce the inflammation, redness and make it go away much quicker.