My skin and I hit a major rough patch earlier this summer. I’m talking rough as in bumpy, large pores, and super oily and that was just my face. My legs and arms just couldn’t get along with any product to make them smooth and soft.

So, I did what everyone should do when this happens; STOP everything! I stopped using the face wash that I had only been using for a couple of weeks that just wasn’t living up to it’s $55 price tag. I stopped using this moisturizer that I had only tested for a few days before realizing that it was just too heavy for my sweaty summer skin. Speaking of heavy…I definitely had to stop using this full coverage foundation that I initially loved, but like the moisturizer, it was just too heavy for my skin in this humid climate of the south.

After going makeup free for over a week and using only Cetaphil and my favorite Mario Badescu toner to cleanse my face, I purged all the gookiness out of my face and proceeded to start a new path to smoother, supple, and clear skin and here are the products that have made my skin (not just face) so much happier in the final lap of summer 2015.

• Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel in Lavender – When I first discovered that oil gel was a thing and the fact that it’s a great alternative to baby oil for us people with oily skin…I was all in! This Johnson’s formula is available in all of Johnson’s classic scents, but the lavender one, by far, is my favorite. It’s a very light and calming scent that’s perfect for hot summer days. FYI – baby oil is a great sealer for your favorite perfume or body spray. Apply a little oil on the spots you spray your perfume and follow up by spraying your favorite perfume and it will increase the longevity of your perfume. The More You Know *insert shooting star*
• Mario Badescu Super Collagen Mask – Yes, another Mario Badescu product. Hey, what can I say, my skin in my 30s has really adapted to this line and products. I use this mask 2-3x a week and since I’ve been doing this, my skin has gotten so much supple, soft, and clearer. My pores have minimized extremely and my skin is brighter and dare I say..is glowing. Well, it is! FYI 2 – I also used this, on a whim, for my chest. Supple skin…and boobs? Yes, the results were just as amazing!
• Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt – Another gel to oil product. I think this has turned into something serious. This makeup remover and cleanser squeezes out of the tube in gel form and you rub it over dry skin and the the gel gentle transform into a oil and rubs away all of your makeup and other impurties. Once everything has been loosen, just rinse with water. I love it!

Although I’ve been using these products to help me achieve swoon-worthy summer skin, these products can and will be used all year.

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