Am I using the products incorrectly?

[mlle.gnome]

Hi there

I just got my lovlies from SN, and would like some guidance on using certain products, and if I'm doing it wrong. I'll start with cleansing.

-The Kiss cleanser takes off makeup including eye makeup like a dream! Never have I experienced that from a facial cleanser!! But, my face was left feeling really dry and parched. Not sure if that means I have super dry skin or what, the consensus seems that it doesn't strip skin. There was not any redness just really dry like I needed some vaseline all over my face asap The apricot was great though and i can tell we will have a nice relationship. I am afraid of using anything with a lather on my face as my skin can get really dried out super easily from those, I love milky cleansers and hope one will be available Im so hesitant to just clean with the oil... like some ladies I want to wash with something after just in case!

-The Pore Toner is interesting... I really have to get the hang of these products. I maybe rubbing into my skin too much and making it red. Do I wait for this to dry before putting on serum?

-I used the Oatmel Serum and misted my face and hands with rose water to help the serum get distibuted on my skin. Is it supposed to feel like, sticky? It didn't feel like it was going into my skin, I thought it was supposed to do that? It felt like it was more on top, maybe thats from the Kiss? Also, how long should I be waiting until I can use moisturizer?

-The raspberry moisturizer I want to work for me sooo badly, but again it feels sticky. I am kinda waiting for the serum to dry then smoothing on the Raspberry Moisturizer. Am I supposed to put it on a dry face, or slightly moist from the serum? It got sticky when I was putting it on and didn't feel like it was hydrating, still had that tight feeling. I want to use this as my daytime moisturizer, as its hydrating without being heavy. I went to apply my MMU but my face was still sticky I guess and it looked funny, so I ended up just washing my face again and using a cetaphil lotion instead. Need to figure out how to use these correctly...

*I was using cetaphil moisture cream as my day moisturizer, but its a bit greasy of course! So I switched to the lotion. I really don't want to use these chemicals, but they are hydrating to my skin and make it feel supple. At night I use that Egyptian Magic and really glop it on. I dare not use it during the day OMG lol

Sorry this was sooo long... im so new to this! and really want natural skincare Thank you Karen for making these products <3
~christen ^_^

[Xarata]

My routine for reference:
Cleanse (KISS), Tone (PRT), Treat/Serums (I use an immortelle HA, have been adding superserum), Moisturize (Hemp), Target (Holy Crow)
*If I add a mask, I Cleanse, Mask, Cleanse..... same as above. If my skin is having issues, i'll also do a "soothe" round at the end usually with something designed to target scars.

Cleansers: If you're finding your skin dry at the end of your routine (after moisturizing), then I would skip the KISS cleanser. If, at the end of your routine, your skin feels nice and moisturized, I wouldn't worry about the KISS cleanser drying your skin. Since you like the ACO, Experiment with it, usually using a damp wash cloth when rinsing is enough to leave skin not feeling oily. You might find a good relationship with both cleansers using the oil cleanser and then the kiss cleanser.

Toners: The toners (for me) work best when sprayed. I don't usually worry about it drying before applying serum- i just keep going. They really don't need rubbed in (you shouldn't be turning your face red), just gently swabbed on with cotton or misted on.

Sticky: The serums and moisturizers are going to feel dewy when you apply them. Walk around the house or brush your teeth or something to give the serums a chance to soak in. I DO let the serums dry before applying a moisturizer as the moisturizer can get "pilly" if you apply it while the serum is still wet. It should only take a few minutes (let's say up to 5) for your face to be dry and ready for makeup. If you get impatient, you can always gently press your face into a towel to speed things up.

Amounts: You need very small amounts for everything which, if you're using too much, could be part of the problem with drying time/stickiness. I would say i use a couple drops(serums) to a pea sized amount(moisturizers) for just about everything. Anything more is a bit overkill.

[freesilk]

I second what Xarata said!

[zeebs]

I often have trouble with products not soaking in properly or feeling sticky. This may not be a problem for everyone, but I just have to try a bunch of different samples until I find something that soaks in and feels nice. For me, the raspberry was super sticky while the hemp was beautiful. I had problems with the green tea and aloe serum, while the oatmeal soaks in perfectly (though I do have to wash the excess off my hands afterwards or they get sticky). I don't know why this is - it just is. Maybe Karen knows?

And everything Sam said was good advice.

[mlle.gnome]

Thank you everyone for the tips!

My routine is going very well now. Ive totally gotten down applying the serums and moisturizers, my skin is feeling great.

The Kiss cleanser is a bit drying for me, but I love the Apricot oil! The Aloe/Green Tea serum leaves me too dry, but the Oatmeal and Vit-C Peptide serums are great for my skin. The Raspberry is good, but I think I want to try the Emu moisturzer as its more moisturizing. I got a sample of the Intensive moisturizer as a night cream and I love it!! I really want to use it as my daytime moisturizer too, but it may be too much, will test the Emu first. I'm kind of unsure about the Pore Refining Toner, I switched to an Apple Cider Vinegar toner recipe and saw results quickly, but I think it may be drying my pores. Will be going back to PRT. It seems like one side is seeing results better than the other! oh well

Just got my sample of BHA and AHA toners and they're wonderful so far. The little bumps (closed comedones) on my cheeks are dimishing and simply disappearing by morning in no time. Based on the reviews, I thought I would really feel some stinging, but I hardly felt anything! Maybe my skin is really used to exfoliating, gah!... I will be doing the AHA everynight for two weeks max, then just for maintaining after. Tonight will be my 3rd night of AHA. Also using BHA in the morning.

Would it be too crazy to do AHA at night as my toner and then do a yogurt/honey mask after?? I love to yogurt/honey my face a few times during the week, as its really gentle, moisturizing, calms down redness from any picking, and gently gently exfoliates from the natural lactic acid. Since the AHA already has lactic acid, would that be too much to mask after?? I really want to, the mask is so gentle.

Also, would it be okay to put the AHA on after OCM/extractions?? Better yet, OCM/steam/extractions, then AHA, then mask? Not as an everyday thing of course!

Thank you lovelies!! Loving Silk Naturals products <333