Since my friend was the first one to recommend this spa and this particular product, I decided to give it a try:

Thalgo Cocooning Cleansing Milk.  $34 from the Nordstrom Spa and my new daily cleanser for day AND night.  I told the esthetician about my Shu Uemura Skin Purifier and how ecstatic I was about the oi cleansing method and she had me throw the idea out the window.  She told me that the oil was just clogging up my skin and not moisturizing whatsoever.   I’m still not 100% ready to give up on the Shu Uemura oil yet.   However, the Cocooning Cleansing Milk is paraben free and very gentle on the skin.  I’ve noticed a very (positive) difference since incorporating it into my regimen.

Lerosett Clay Mask.  Made by Gunilla of Sweden, this mask is organic and only has two ingredients: naturally organic clay and distilled water.  Once the mask is on the face, it feels, as one reviewer put it, “like the oil is just being sucked out of your face”.  You end up with a fresh and clean feeling face.  Any zits you might have on your face, also seem to either go away or feel much smaller within the next day or so.

And this is the next product on my list to try out:

Mario Badescu skin care is supposed to be very gentle and pretty affordable.  Since I’m gracefully aging,  night creams are becoming an important and necessary part of my regimen.   This Chamomille Night Cream is supposed to be a bit ligher and better for sensitive skin.  I was previously using L’Oreal Hydra-Renewal, but my face would feel extra-greasy.

The best thing I can do for my skin?  Water.  Lots and lots of water.

My plan?  To turn the state of my skin around in the next 6 months and see a noticable difference.  I’ve already seen a slight difference so far with the changes I’ve incorporated, so I am very enthused.

I’ve always been intrigued by the oil cleansing method, and I know many people who swear by it, especially when they use castor oil to wash their face.  I’m slowly getting into it and it brings me to my stellar review of Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium.   I was a bit skeptical of using oil on my face, when I already have combo skin and the oil can be insane on my T-zone and especially on the nose.  However, this cleanser is great!  My skin doesn’t feel stripped at all and instead it feels refreshed.   Plus, it does a great job of taking off makeup.

For $32, you can the 150ml bottle, which should last at least a good 3-4 months, if not longer.  A small amount of oil on the face can go a long way.  For the time being, I think I’m going to put this cleanser into my “keep it” category.