Skincare – Page 56 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

NIA24 Niacin-Powered Skin Therapy

Looking for a different type of skincare skincare “>regiminethat will work from the inside out? NIA24 is a Niacin Powered skincare line that claims to bring a continuous-release form of Niacin to restore skin’s barrier and reverse signs of skin damage.

The collection includes Gentle Cleansing Cream ($30.00), Physical Cleansing Scrub ($35.00), Skin Strengthening Complex ($85.00), Intensive Recovery Complex ($110.00), Eye Repair Complex ($65.00), Sun Damage Prevention 100% Mineral Sunscreen ($45.00), and Sun Damage Repair for Decolletage and Hands ($55.00).

I tried samples of these products and liked them. Although the claim is that your skin can get red and patchy the first 7-10 days and then clear up. I used the products for 4-5 days and never saw any redness.

One of my favorite products is the Gentle Cleansing Cream which offers 24-hour prevention, repair, and protection and is physician recommended, fragrance, color & dye free, allergy tested and non-comedogenic. It is very gentle and feels great going on. I feel like I’m cleaning, but not stripping, my skin.

I also loved the Eye Repair Complex. Along with Pro-Niacin™, this lovely product contains Matrixyl™ to reinforce collagen and elastin to visibly reduce fine lines and wrinkles; Vitamin C, licorice and white birch to visibly brighten and illuminate under eye discoloration and Caffeine to reduce the appearance of puffiness. I could see a difference after a few days with my dark circles. Very nice.

Visit www.nia24.com to learn more and to purchase these products.

The Quality Products of Prescriptives

Prescriptives creates quality skincare and makeup that makes you look great and is good for your skin, too.

I have recently tried a few products from this line. They are:

False Eyelashes Plush Mascara ($19.50) — This fantastic mascara pulls triple duty by creating volume, length, and curl. Oh yes, I said curl. This is the first “curling mascara” that I have tried that has made my eyelash curler obsolete. It’s quick and easy to get great lashes and my pin straight lashes look long and full. The formula includes conditioners to keep lashes smooth and healthy.

Flawless Face Primer ($27.50) — This smoothing primer creates a silky canvas for smoth foundation application. It claims to “helps diminish the appearance of large pores, lines and wrinkles, while simultaneously helping to reduce the appearance of redness and discoloration.” This is a very nice primer, it is creamy without being greasy or oily. A little goes a long way, and once applied only a small amount of foundation is needed for a flawless complexion.

Armed with a Super Antioxidant System (SAS), Super Line Preventor Xtreme ($48.00 1 oz, $76.00 1.7 oz) claims to “defend against the visible aging effects of free radicals triggered by environmental assaults both immediately after exposure and again up to 72 hours later. It helps strengthen skin and boost its natural defenses by helping skin bolster its collagen production to improve visible skin tone, radiance and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Skin looks stronger, smoother and more radiant…one step ahead of environmental assaults.”

I really enjoy this serum. It is light and non-greasy and sinks into the skin quickly, so one can apply moisturizer. My skin has been looking smooth and radiant lately and I think this serum has a lot to d with that.

Visit www.prescriptives.com to learn more about these great products!

Pevonia Botanica Skincare

Pevonia Botanica is an elite spa-exclusive natural skincare brand. Treatments are given at their spas, but the home products are touted to help people maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin. The website states that, “Pevonia Botanica is passionately committed to providing effective skincare solutions to teens, women, and men of every age and ethnicity.”

I really like that “Pevonia International believes that protecting and preserving the planet is a global responsibility.” They offer natural, cruelty-free formulations in eco-packaging (fully recyclable and biodegradable). I tried a few different types of products from this line:

Youthful Lip Cream ($48.00) The claim is that “this combines the repairing effects of Retinol with regenerating Collagen and Elastin, to smooth lines, hydrate, prevent wrinkles, and even coloring. Your lips are rendered smoothly toned and lusciously rejuvenated.” I have been using this every night and some mornings for a couple of weeks. I apply it around my lip line first, then rub it in and around my lips. It is non-greasy and fragrance free, just like a light lotion. I have noticed that my lips to look smoother and a little plumper, probably because the lines are diminishing. Very nice!

Restore Neck & Bust Cream ($62.00) is touted to “firm and tone your delicate neck, bust and décolleté. A potent blend of Kigelia Africana, Elastin, and Vitamin E reduces visible signs of aging, smoothes overall texture and improves skin elasticity for a visibly, youthfully restored neck and bust/chest.” This is a luxurious product that smells like sweet flowers, (maybe lilacs or gardenia?) and is thick and creamy. I my neck and chest are in pretty good shape, so I haven’t noticed much of a change, but I feel great using the product and it is quite lovely!

Blemish B Gone ($24.00) “Radically effective, this spot treatment heals blemishes through a Micro-Matrix advanced time-release delivery system with Organic Benzoyl Peroxide and Organic Salicylic Acid. It counteracts bacteria, preventing future breakouts and hyperpigmentation.” Even though I’m forty (something), I still break out once in a while. Yuck! I like to apply this extremely gentle cream at night and in the morning my pimple is smaller! After a few day it is completely gone. Yay!

Visit www.pevonia.com to purchase the products and find a spa near you. It might be nice to be pampered by someone else for once!

LUSH’s Fab Face Masks

LUSH makes wonderful, fresh beauty products for skin, hair, and bath time. I recently tried a couple of their fresh masks.

Oatfix Fresh Face Mask – This mask is described as “a delicious blend of banana, vanilla and oats to cleanse, soften and moisturize dry and sensitive skin.” This smells really yummy, like a dessert. It is a very gentle mask that does not irritate at all and softens the skin nicely. This is great if your skin can’t take harsh mud masks. It also makes a gentle scrub when you are in a hurry.

Love Lettuce Fresh Face Mask – “An effective, exfoliating face mask wich gives normal to oily skin a softened smoothed and radiant glow. Polishing almond shell is balanced by the skin softening qualities of almond oil and seaweed gel.” This is a great scrubby mask that will leave skin glowing. I like to leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then scrub it off with water for an extra bit of exfoliation. This smells like lavender, which is another ingredient, and is very green!

You can only buy the masks at LUSH stores. Since they are made fresh daily, they can’t be shipped. So visit your nearest LUSH store and enjoy!

H2O+ Face Oasis Ultra Hydrator

H2O+ is a company that successfully marries skincare with a spa experience that you can enjoy in your own home.

To commemorate their 20th Anniversary, H2O+ is introducing an ultra-hydrating version of their best-selling Face Oasis. The new Face Oasis Ultra Hydrator ($40.00 1.7 oz) is a lightweight, water-based gel. This can be used morning or night, for refreshing, non-greasy hydration. The formula includes bio-marine extracts that are touted to moisturize, leave skin firmer, plumper and more youthful. It also contains Nutri-spheres, small little white beads that are doses of Polyvitamin Profusion, a synthesis of antioxidants that help diffuse free radical damage.

I have been using this as my moisturizer day and night for a couple of weeks now. What I love about this product is that it goes on silky smooth and gives my skin an instant cooling sensation. Then it soaks in quickly, leaving my skin soft and not at all greasy. It is a wonderful before-makeup hydrator. And it smells great. It has the H2O spa-like scent that is so nice.

I am still trying to decide if I like the Polyvitamin Profusion beads. I love that I get an extra shot of antioxidants, but they are hard to dissolve on the skin, and they need to be rubbed in quite a bit.

Still, my skin is soft and glowy using this product and I highly recommend it.

Visit the webiste at www.h20plus.com to purchase this product or for more details.

Hampton Sun’s Sweet Smelling After Sun Care

Even though it may be sunny after this weekend, Labor Day seems like the unofficial last “soak up the sun” weekend of the summer season. This is the last weekend in my area that the outdoor pools will be open. Last chance for some sun (but of course use sunscreen)!

Hampton Sun’s line include suntan and sunscreen products, plus after sun products, like the ones I am reviewing.

After Sun Moisturizer ($30.00) — This is a very light moisturizer that is great to rub on sun-stressed skin. It contains a blend of natural ingredients — Emblica Fruit extract, Aloe, Almond Oil, Walnut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Cocoa Butter, Tea Tree Oil, Green Tea Oil, and Chamomile. The formulas is touted to help prolong a tan. As I am not really tan now, I love using it as a daily moisturizer.

Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray “Pearl” ($32.00) — This shimmery body mist cools and hydrates the skin with Aloe Vera, Chamomile, natural botanical fruit extract and Vitamins A through E. Once you shake it up, a lovely pearl swirl is activated and it gives the skin a light shimmer. This is nice in the summer, but will also be wonderful for the holiday season. Spray a bit of this on arms and legs before you put your party dress on. Pretty!

Both products are infused with the Privet Bloom fragrance. The website describes the scent as, “A delicate scent that captures the purity and elegance of summer in the Hamptons, with a fresh and unique blend of sea spray, dune grass, blue plum and the captivating privet blossom. This signature fragrance new from Hampton Sun.” The scent is a light, clean floral that is not overpowering. I like to moisturize with the After Sun Moisturizer, then spray the Serious Shimmer Cooling Spray on to layer the scent.

Visit the website at www.hamptonsuncare.com to learn more and to purchase these fantastic products.

CosMedix Skincare

Looking for anti-aging products that are gentle on the skin? Try CosMedix. These skin care products claim to to be the answer to a healthy complexion without irritation. I have been testing the following products for the last few weeks and I have to say that I like the youthful glow that my skin now has. They products I have tried are:

Purity Clean Exfoliating Cleanser ($34.00 USD) — This exfoliating cleanser has peppermint essential oil to cool the skin and stimulate circulation. The claims are that it, “penetrates deep, eliminating cellular debris, decongesting pores and hydrating, to keep normal to oily skin healthy and glowing.” This does make my skin tingle, but it irritates my eyes so I keep it away from the eye area. I feel that it cleans without drying my skin out and my acne has been clearing up, which is great! This product can also be left on the face for 1-3 minutes and used as a mask.

Radiance Skin Management Serum ($92.00 USD) — This serum claims to “shield against harmful free radicals and glycation aging (hardening of the skin) while stimulating collagen to rejuvenate damaged, aging skin.” It contains antioxidants like spin trap and blueberry extract. I notice that after I use it my skin glows. Make sure that you do put on a moisturizer with sunscreen while using this product as it makes the skin sensitive to the sun.

Reflect SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen ($44.00 USD) — This is the first titanium, non-chemical, spray-on sunscreen on the market. It offers broad spectrum SPF 30 protection in a non-irritating, oil-free formula. This is a great everyday sunscreen because it goes on dry and is absolutely not greasy. Yay! It is not waterproof, so I wouldn’t use this at the pool. I use it doing everyday activities because you never know when you will be exposed to the sun.

Visit www.cosmedix.com to learn more and to purchase these products.

Get Glowing With Skyn Iceland

Want your skin to glow? Skyn Iceland creates products that are free of harsh chemicals and they use pure ingredients like pristine glacial waters, powerful antioxidants, potent anti-inflammatory elements, skin-soothing moisturizers, medicinal herbs and purifying extracts. These ingredients are touted to help stressed skin regain its natural glow.

Skyn Iceland’s products do not include parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petroleum, formaldehyde or paraffin, are allergy and sensitivity tested, and are cruelty-free. Another great plus is that the packaging is 90% recyclable.

This all sounds good, but how do the products work, you ask? Well, I tried two Skyn Iceland products that have been recently released, the Glacial Cleansing Cloths and the Arctic Brightening Serum, and I really like the gentle and soothing way that they treat my skin.

Glacial Cleansing Cloths($15.00 for 30) – These pre-moistened cloths are fantastic for nighttime, when I’m too tired to wash my face (which is often). They are infused with Icelandic glacial waters and natural extracts to remove makeup, dirt, oil and other impurities while refreshing and soothing the skin. The formulas is non drying and soothes the skin. This is also touted to help prevent breakouts, and since my skin does appear clearer, maybe it is helping! They do sting my eyes a bit, so I use a different eye makeup remover on my eyes and this one all over my face.

Arctic Brightening Serum ($65.00 1 oz) — I love this serum! The claim is that it helps, “reverse the progression of stress-related damage to restore luminosity and improve texture. Arctic Brightening Serum helps protect against premature aging” Ingredients in the serum include arctic root, Siberian ginseng, and maral root, which is touted to “delay cell aging by bolstering skin’s cellular defenses and resistance to stress. While your skin is being fortified, kombucha goes to work to brighten skin and bring back the glow you left behind. A gentle retinol derivative helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Arctic Brightening Serum helps restore the skin’s immune system to optimum levels so skin looks and more importantly, acts younger than ever.”

I apply this serum every morning and evening before moisturizer. I have been using it for a few weeks and my skin is noticabley brighter and smoother. I swear I look younger! It also feels so good when I apply it, it is cooling and soothing. I really recommend the Arctic Brightening Serum and think it is worth the price!

Visit www.skyniceland.com to learn more and to purchase these great products!

THEFACESHOP — Cool Korean Beauty Products

THEFACESHOP is Korean skincare and cosmetic brand that has arrived in the United States in the last few years. The brand is inspired by nature and many of their products reflect this.

There is a vast array of skincare products by THEFACESHOP. One of my favorites in their Mask Sheets. This is a sheet made from natural pulp that you apply to the face to do such things as revitalize, soften, firm, or tone the skin. I really like the Fresh Fruit Aloe Mask Sheet, because it is very cooling on stressed out or sun-burnt skin. I also like the Pomegranate Mask Sheet, because it smells great and the Ceramide Mask Sheet because it is so moisturizing. At $2.00 each, they are a steal! As wonderful as the masks are, it is a little disconcerting to see yourself with it on (have you ever seen Halloween?)! A very fun product to give to friends!

I also love their Herb Day Cleansers — especially the Purifying Lemon and the Green Leaf Bubble Foam Cleansers. They both are very light and refreshing and do not strip the skin and dry it out.

You can purchase the products at Walgreens, but THEFACESHOP launched their online US store on August 15th. Visit www.thefaceshop.com to shop the brand’s extensive collections. For orders over $25, you’ll receive a free Mask Sheet and for orders over $50, you’ll get free shipping and a Nature Garden Cleansing Bar for Face & Body.

Avon Anew

Avon is a trusted brand that has been around for quite awhile. Their ANEW line targets anti-aging and is very highly rated. I have recently tested two Avon ANEW products, the ANEW ALTERNATIVE Intensive Age Treatment SPF 25 Day and the ANEW Ultimate Night Gold Emulsion.

The Avon ANEW ALTERNATIVE Intensive Age Treatment SPF 25 Day ($32.00) is a combo moisturizer and sunscreen. I like that the SPF is 25 and that the cream absorbs fairly quickly. Unfortunately, unless I use a tiny bit, it leaves my face greasy. I think it will be good in the winter time, when my face is dry and flaky. The scent is a little strong, but it is easy to get used to.

The Avon ANEW Ultimate Night Gold Emulsion ($34.00) is a sheer gel that is absorbed right into the skin. This product contains Pro-Sirtuin TX Technology to stimulate sirtuin youth proteins for healthier cells, and activate remodeling proteins to help restructure and strengthen skin and Gold Polypeptide Complex to help replenish skin’s moisture reserves and maintain its youthful structure.

Avon claims that this will help you look 5 years younger in 14 days or your money back! I think that’s a good deal. I used this product for approximately 10 days and I saw a big difference, especially that my skin tone was more even and the skin around my eyes was smoother and brighter. My under-eye circles were lighter. I highly recommend this product because it worked for me and because there is no risk, with the money back guarantee.

Visit local Kansas City Avon Representative Heidi Walker’s website at http://www.youravon.com/hwalker to purchase and to learn more about these products.