December 31, 2021

A glow-getting SkinCeuticals regimen, benzene in haircare products and pre-Omicron panic sets in.

I’m ringing in 2022 with radiant skin

Our holiday break got off to a great start yesterday thanks to a camp get-together for the kids AND moms. The rosé was flowing and my favorite tuna abounded—it doesn’t really get better than that! Adding to the excitement were the compliments I got on my skin. I’ve been using a new regimen for the past week, and I got plenty of verification that it’s working.

I received a lovely holiday gift from SkinCeuticals (a long-time client of mine), and immediately edited my product tray to make room for my new arrivals. It goes without saying that the bottle of C E Ferulic would have been enough to make me happy because it’s been so long since it was part of my lineup (and I almost forgot how amazing it is).

Since the “theme” of the gift was glowing skin for 2022, my package also included the Glycolic Renewal Cleanser and the Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight. Together, these products deliver an exfoliating, texture-smoothing, radiance-revealing double-whammy—but I’ve only been using them every other night to give my skin a chance to get acclimated.

I also got the Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2, which is one of the most comforting moisturizers I’ve even used. It’s a perfect match for any exfoliation-heavy routine since it replenishes the skin barrier’s natural lipids while giving the skin’s plumpness a boost.

In just one week, I’ve seen a dramatic difference in my skin (and so did my friends). It definitely feels smoother and looks more even, healthy and just overall YOUNGER. I can’t think of a better way to wrap up this sh*t show of a year—and get 2022 off to a bright start.

This benzene problem isn't going away

There are many reasons you may choose to go “clean” with your personal-care products, and avoiding toxic chemicals is definitely one of them. Remember when dozens of sunscreens were recalled this past summer after the carcinogen benzene was found to be present in products from major manufacturers like Neutrogena, Coppertone and Banana Boat, as well as many generics from CVS and Walgreens? (I remember because we got an email from camp that they had tossed ALL the sunscreen to play it safe—and we needed to send more ASAP.)

Just a few weeks ago, benzene was in the news again, this time found in antiperspirant and deodorant sprays. Products from Secret, Old Spice and other BO-fighting brands were found to contain benzene (which is actually one of the few ingredients that the U.S. FDA has zero tolerance for).

And now, benzene has cropped up in aerosol haircare products like dry shampoo and dry conditioner. Pantene, Herbal Essences and Aussie are among the brands affected, which is disturbing since these are some of the top-selling mass lines that can be found at virtually every supermarket and drugstore.

All this doesn’t mean that we’re destined for skin cancer, body odor and greasy roots. But perhaps this could be just the push you need to switch to safer product alternatives. I have plenty of recommendations in all of these categories, so don’t hesitate to ask if you’re unsure where to start!

Pre-COVID surge prep (and panic)

It’s starting to feel eerily like 2020 again, and I’m not sure if it’s déjà vu or PTSD. There’s a lot of cancelling going on, and it’s definitely a trigger for me. When I got the email that all of this week’s tennis clinics were being called off I started to spiral. Apparently they are still on for next week, but we all know by now that the COVID situation will be even worse then (especially once all the holiday visitors flood into town). Come on people, this isn’t our first rodeo.

Just like I had to get a HydraFacial the Tuesday before schools closed and we were on lockdown (for much longer than anticipated), I’m seriously considering scheduling a more-than-mild resurfacing treatment ASAP since I don’t think I’ll be going out all that much for the next few weeks. (This will be completely my choice, since I live in Florida and everything would remain wide-open even if a COVID bomb was dropped on the state.)

I’m also going for a pedicure tomorrow—even though I’m not due yet—and I’m having flashbacks to doing my own nails as I type this. Unfortunately I’m back to obsessing about my hair, too. I have a color appointment on January 12, with no shot of getting in sooner. That’s going to be a stretch as it is, and if any of the parties involved get sick, that is not going to be a good situation. (Again, I can say with a fair share of certainty that the salon will remain open—although I hope I don’t come to regret publishing those words.)

I pray to G-d that my housekeeper comes tomorrow, because if she cancels it might send me over the edge. (I literally cannot handle the thought of being responsible for cleaning the entire house myself again.)

This forthcoming COVID tsunami spiral is only heightened by the fact that Wednesday is the last day of school before holiday break. If my son’s basketball camp is cancelled, listening to him bitch about being bored and having nothing to do will be enough to make me start day-drinking again. Cheers to 2020 2.0!

On the bright side, I definitely have enough toilet paper. That’s all I got.