The Post-Flu Emergency Skincare Edit

People always talk about their skin suffering when they are sick, but it's not something I've ever experienced until this past week when I was laid up with a stomach virus.  Aside from feeling sick, I was barely able to manage basic skincare - or really anything much more than lying in bed - and my skin definitely started to show it.  It became simultaneously dull, congested and dehydrated.  Not a great combo!  Once I started to feel better, getting my skin back in shape was one of the first things I did!  Here's what I used...



SkinnySkinny The Cleanser + Root Science Face Scrub*
I've been using SkinnySkinny's cleanser for close to two months now and I really like it.  It's extremely gentle, but still leaves my skin feeling very clean, and it also works amazingly well as a base for the Root Science Face Scrub, which I received in September's Petit Vour box.  Mixed with just water, the scrub is a little too harsh for my face, but the SkinnySkinny cleanser helps it glide across the skin a little more softly, and the pair has become my favorite, most-used exfoliant of late.  These were were the first things I reached for to get my skin back to normal and they worked great for both exfoliating away dry patches and kicking dullness to the curb.

Terra Tribe Green & White Detox Facial Dry Mask*
While I was sick, I received a lovely package from Indie Beauty Shop, a Canadian online store specializing in natural products made by smaller, independent companies, and this face mask sounded perfect for revitalizing my post-virus skin.  It contains a mix of kaolin and green clay, as well as green tea extract and white willow bark.  The two clays detoxify your skin and absorb excess oils, while the green tea extract delivers antioxidants and the white willow bark - which contains salicin, the natural precurser of salicylic acid - gently exfoliates and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.  I've only used the mask the one time so far, but I was impressed.  My skin was left looking clearer, brighter, and overall healthier.

The Honest Co. Organic Healing Balm*
Another lovely side effect of this stomach bug was being left with some of the driest, most chapped lips ever.  Regular lip balms weren't cutting it, so I decided to try The Honest Co.'s Organic Healing Balm.  (I got a mini size of the balm in the company's Discovery Kit - which you can still get for free here.)  The ingredients list is superb, packed with moisturizing organic sunflower, olive, tamanu, and coconut oils, as well as organic beeswax, shea butter, and calendula extract, and it's a great multipurpose ointment to have on hand.  It smells sort of earthy and natural and the tamanu scent is definitely noticeable - though not overly strong - so it's probably not something I'd use on my lips except under extreme circumstances like this, but it worked great and quickly whipped my ailing lips back into shape.

The Bottom Line
Being sick sucks, but at least there are great skincare products to help bring your skin back to normal!  These four really came through for me this week, and they're also products I'm happily incorporating into my regular routine.  
Do you have superhero products you reach for when your skin is not at its best?


*Press sample
Contains affiliate links

17 comments

  1. I've been wanting to try out Root Science for awhile now, but all these picks sound great! I'm a sucker for balms so I'm also interested in trying the one by The Honest Co. As for my superhero products, I have to say the Dr. Alkaitis Soothing Gel and YÃœLI products. When my skin is acting up, it usually means breaking out so I also rely on manuka honey and a good mask, like the affordable Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay.

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    1. Oooo great suggestions :) I want to try YULI and I actually just got my hands on a sample of the Dr. Alkaitis Soothing Gel - I've heard so many good things about it recently! I'll definitely be giving it a try soon.

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  2. Lovely sounding choices! I love the SW basics cream when I am ill, it's great for dry sore skin Xx

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    1. Thanks! I've heard so many great things about the SW Basics cream - my skin doesn't generally do well with coconut oil but part of me wants to give it a try in spite of that. Glad it works so well for you!

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  3. Glad to hear you're feeling better! It's quite simple, I want to try everything you mentioned ;) When I'm sick, I mostly have to deal with really dull-looking skin, so usually S.W Basics Hibiscus mask and Pai's brightening exfoliator do the job for me. xx

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    1. Thanks Liz! Pai's exfoliator is a great choice - I've gone through a couple samples and keep meaning to buy the full size. S.W. Basics' hibiscus mask looks awesome too!

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  4. i love garden of wisom's blt-rc serum. it's super healing & moisturizing as well as being a great antioxidant.

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    1. Thanks for the suggestion! I haven't tried anything from Garden of Wisdom before, but I'll have to give the serum a look :)

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  5. So glad to hear that you're feeling better by now and I really want to try the Terra Tribe green & white detox facial dry mask - it sounds great! Have a beautiful day. xo

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    1. Thanks Diana! The Terra Tribe mask is lovely, I think you'd definitely enjoy it :)

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  6. I could really go for that Green & White facial dry mask today. The changing Canadian weather is doing my face in! Love supporting local brands -- I'm glad you & your skin are feeling better!
    xoxo
    Audrey

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    1. Thanks Audrey! This time of year is always awful for skin, isn't it? :)

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  7. When I need a little brighten-me-up, I exfoliate with MLS the clean dirt, followed by Laurel's honey berry mask or Tata Harper Resurfacing mask. :)

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    1. My skin didn't get on with the Tata Harper mask (I had such high hopes too!) but the other two sound like a dreamy pair. Laurel's Honey Berry Mask has been on my mental wishlist for a while :)

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  8. Ooooh I also posted similar post today! :)) Lovely choice, glad to hear you're feeling better! xx

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    1. Thanks Jana! I just saw your post actually :) Great minds and all...
      Glad you're feeling better too!

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  9. Hope you feel better soon! Great post and nice looking brands. Only heard of Root Science x

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