About face

We've had a few interesting debates on here lately, from dealing with skin care woes to whether or not to wear animal skins. I love hearing all of you weigh in! Now I want to take a moment to further discuss these issues.

No moisturizer? Results!

A few weeks ago, I wrote about visiting a new dermatologist who told me I could defeat acne by simply cutting out moisturizer. As in completely. As in... Sahara Desert Face? Some of you shared that - surprise! - you agree, and never touch the stuff yourself. Others felt, like me, that they would simply shrivel up and die without it. So what's the verdict? My results have been mixed.

After my first day of skipping lotion, my face felt predictably dry and itchy. But instead of panicking and reaching for the nearest tube, I decided to wait it out. Eventually, my skin got a bit of a dewy, not oily, sheen, but overall looked pretty matte. When I added makeup, it stayed fairly matte, but only if I stuck to just concealer and mineral powder (the brand I use may contain some oil; I'm researching so I can swap it out). If I used foundation, my skin got dry and scaly. After moisturizing one particularly dry spot (I had to!), a pimple appeared the next day. This one was stubborn and stuck around for nearly a week! But I toughed it out and stopped moisturizing again. Now I've taken to exfoliating any dry skin gently with warm washcloth. I've switched to Cetaphil cleanser, and it seems to be working because it's super gentle (it drives me crazy that it doesn't foam, though!).

So for those of you afraid of foregoing lotion, like me... if you have oily skin, I recommend that you give it a shot. I thought that I had combination, not oily, skin, but skipping moisturizer has allowed the dry and oily zones on my face to even out. My complexion isn't perfect, but I feel confident with less makeup now. We'll see how things go in winter months, when I will probably need a dab of lotion here and there to avoid Desert Face. Otherwise, I'm sticking with the no-lotion plan!

When I do use moisturizer (naughty, naughty), I find that Neutrogena's oil-free formula for combination skin works best for me. I've tried other "oil-free" formulas from more high-end brands, but this one seems to be the least pore-clogging, most moisturizing lotion of them all. And it doesn't make my face too shiny! Win.

Leathering frights?

Sorry, lame attempt at a pun. Anyway, last week I posted a few faux-leather bags that are chic enough to pass for the real thing but at budget-friendly prices. You chimed in that you while you like to snap up a bargain from time to time, for the most part you prefer leathergoods for their durability.

Years back, I would have said the same thing (I would have also made a wisecrack about enjoying steak). I used to prize my collection of Fossil bags and my mom's eighties-era tan bomber jacket. And actually, I still own a few (vintage) leather items in my wardrobe: tan Frye boots bought for a song ($10 thrift find!) and an evergreen Oscar de la Renta purse. These are timeless, cherished pieces.

But they were purchased in my pre-vegetarian days. Now that I eschew animal products in my diet, I feel it would be hypocritical for me to wear animals on my person. I know that not everyone out there shares my views, obviously, or there would be no leather or fur in fashion (eco-conscious designers like Stella McCartney are working on that, however!). And of course, I would love to own a Chanel bag as much as the next fashion blogger. But I can't ignore my convictions, and how queasy it makes me feel to think of animals being electrocuted and ripped apart for their skins. Once upon a time, people needed animal skins and furs to keep warm; in the modern era, it's just unnecessary, and I can't justify animals suffering for the sake of fashion. These convictions are part of who I am, and the main reason I plan to eventually study and practice animal law. That might just be my special mission in life. I'm not asking you to do the same, but I am asking you to consider these things when you shop.

"Moo!" = "I love you."

Some of you have astutely pointed out that PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a chemically-produced thermoplastic material often used as a leather alternative, is arguably more harmful to the earth than leather, as the latter will naturally break down over time. And I agree; PVC is much more destructive for the planet. Obviously leather is more harmful to the animals. And obviously, I would have to choose the lesser of two evils here. But a true environmentalist would probably say no to both, and simply go vintage. A lot of my fellow fashion bloggers have a mean talent for thrifting, and I admire that!

What we need in the fashion marketplace are stylish, cruelty-free bags that will please even the most discerning shoppers, not just eco-fashionistas. Believe it or not, there are plenty of great up and coming designers who offer just that. To create bags that are fashion-forward, animal-friendly, and with leather's durability, these handbag crafters often reach for recycled materials. Here are a few of my favorite brands:

Matt & Nat

I'm sure you've heard of this stellar company by now. Trailblazers in the eco-fashion movement, Matt & Nat's "vegan leather" bags are made from some surprising recycled materials (paper! plastic water bottles?). And they look amazing! They are very high-fashion, and the prices are a little steep, but no more than you'd pay for, say, a purse from a good department store. The company's most recent endeavor is a partnership with Apple, creating stylish laptop bags.


Susan Nichole

Endorsed by vegan superwoman Alicia Silverstone, who features only the most eco-friendly products on her blog, these bags are crafted from recyclable materials, so no worries about them one day rotting in a landfill. And, oh, they're pretty! This is my favorite:

Maxine Dillon

Now here's a cool concept: got a jacket you never wear anymore but can't bear to part with? L.A. designer Maxine Dillon will upcycle it into a slouchy-chic bag. The bucket shape was a huge bag trend this year, so you'll look like you nabbed a cool new it-bag... sourced from your own closet! What an ingenious way to give that boyfriend jean jacket a second life.

You're all savvy shoppers, so if you can think of any other great brands or designers that deserve to be spotlighted, do share! As always, thanks for speaking your mind!

Got acne? Your moisturizer may be to blame

Ok you guys, I know I promised that I would rotate all the clothes in my wardrobe, and share daily outfit posts here. But you know what they say about the best laid plans... Life has just gotten crazy. And I'm seriously in the middle of a quarterlife crisis. I mean, I just started seeing a new dermatologist, and he told me to stop moisturizing. I mean, what? This simply defies everything that every Cosmo girl in America has been taught about modern skincare! Cleanse, tone, moisturize. Every day. All the time. That's the routine; never waiver! Right? So, is my new doc a loony, or does he have a valid point? I decided to find out.

Ah, you feel so good. How could you be bad? If loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right!

First off, I Googled (I mean, who wouldn't. Duh.). Many, many dermatology and medical websites claim that moisturizing is an essential part of a skincare routine. Ha! Just like I thought. "Experts" (at least, I hope they're experts) claim that moisturizing is needed to treat acne, because most topical acne meds are drying, and overly-dry skin can lead to more breakouts. But my derm swears that too much oil leads to breakouts (makes sense, actually), and that if we all would just leave our skin alone, it will produce enough oil to keep it hydrated. When I protested that my skin is super-dry and needs moisturizer, he said it's not my skin that's dry, but the products I'm using are drying it out. Using moisturizer is "a cultural thing." No way. He said that when you apply moisturizer, it's like rubbing in excess oil. But all of my products are oil-free! Not good enough, he said; even supposedly "oil-free" products can clog pores. Well, what about makeup? "We encourage people to use makeup," he said. "Makeup covers a multitude of sins."

But isn't makeup comedogenic? Apparently not. My doc says that since makeup sits on the surface of your skin, it doesn't penetrate enough to do any real damage; unlike moisturizer, which gets absorbed right away and seeps into your pores. Gross. So my derm gave me a sample of Cetaphil cleanser, told me to use that, and only that, and promised that I would notice a difference. "Stop moisturizing, and you will stop having acne breakouts." Just like that, eh? Well, heck. I'm 25 and have tried just about every acne treatment out there (I'm one of those who never broke out as a teen, but the minute I turned 20... spot city in my T-zone!) with mixed results. Sometimes I'll find what I deem a "miracle product," only to have my skin rebel within a few weeks of treatment. My skin, in addition to being breakout-prone, is crazy sensitive, and seems to ultimately reject whatever products I feed it. I have tried multiple brands. I have tried changing my diet. I have tried drinking tons of water. But the one thing I haven't tried? Not moisturizing. Even though the idea completely freaks me out, I've simply got to try it. What if my doc is right? I mean, he's the one with a dermatology degree, not me. Cosmo and Glamour are great and all, but my favorite magazines can't be my sole authority on skincare.

Step away from the moisturizer!

I'm worried that my face is going to look and feel like the Sahara, but other than that, I've got nothing to lose! So. Can I reduce my own dependency on oil? Check back to find out...

What about you? Are you completely dependent on your moisturizer? If so, what brand do you swear by? Every girl has a skincare story, and I'd love to hear from you!