moisturizers – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

EnPointe Skin Solutions

I always enjoy bringing you, my discriminating readers, new ways to take care of your skin and maybe even help you look a little younger! I recently discovered EnPointe Skin Solutions, a line created by plastic surgeon, and former dancer, Dr. Cristine Rodgers. Dr. Rodgers has this to say on her website:

“As a plastic surgeon for over 20 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting inspirational women through my work and my love affair with dance. Many of these women have been my patients and colleagues. Others I befriended when I laced up my dancing shoes to help heal my body and spirit during my battle with breast cancer. These extraordinary women inspired me to develop EnPointe Skin Solutions, a luxurious skincare line that I formulated to address the skin concerns of women.”
~ Dr. Christine Rodgers

The website also states that the products “are formulated with natural botanicals, active extracts and a proprietary anti-aging complex to nurture and rejuvenate stressed skin. They help fight against environmental damage, hormonal effects and pre-mature aging of the skin. The result- beautiful balanced skin with a natural, healthy glow.”

I tried samples of the following three products:

Encore Renewal Serum ($85.00 USD 1 oz) — This products includes natural brighteners, powerful anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants to help decrease melanin production, reduce pigmentation and minimize the appearance of age spots. Formulated with Dr. Rodgers’ proprietary Bio-Energy Complex to smooth, hydrate, and promote radiant skin. This serum is safe for all skin types and ethnicities and is paraben-free.

Fouette Firming Moisturizer ($85.00 USD 1 oz) — This fragrant moisturizer delivers intense moisture, helps stimulate collagen production and helps create a barrier against cellular damage from environmental and free-radical damage. Formulated with Dr. Rodgers’ proprietary Bio-Energy Complex to rejuvenate, tone and diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Paraben-free.

Pas de Trois Age Delay Eye Solution ($75.00 USD .5 oz) — This powerful blend of moisturizers, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants is a triple threat against the signs of aging. Shea Butter and Almond, Coconut and Olive oils provide maximum moisture. A combination of the latest peptides and botanicals helps deliver instant lift and diminish the appearance of fine lines. A trio of specialized ingredients works together to reduce puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles.

I used these products for a couple of days and have to say that the serum and moisturizer are very thick and concentrated and should only be used at night or on very dry skin. When I applied them it felt like I was coating my skin with product, and some was still on my face in the morning.

The product that I really like is the eye solution. It is creamy, not greasy and can be used day or night. It smoothed the skin under my eye and feels wonderful on.

Visit the website at http://empoweryourskin.com to learn more about and to purchase these products.

Cold Weather Defense — Yes To Carrots Skincare

C is For Clean Gentle Expoliating Facial Cleanser — C is For Clean Gentle Exfoliating Facial Cleanser

Kansas City is very dry in the winter. This year especially, since we haven’t had the rain or snow other regions are experiencing. My normally combination skin is so dry. I need help!

That’s where Yes To Carrots skincare comes in. It helps put back moisture in my thirsty skin and has made it glow again.

The C is for clean Exfoliating Facial Cleanser ($9.99 USD) really scrubs the face. I can only use it a couple times a week because any sort of exfoliation can be a little rough, especially when my skin is so dry. When I do use it, it gives me a nice scrubby glow. Formulated with Dead Sea Mud, organic carrot juice and natural apricot scrubbing particles, C is for Clean removes dead skin cells leaving your skin balanced and nourished.

I follow this up with the C Today or C You in the Morning Moisturizing Day Cream ($14.99 USD) .

The spring water based day cream combines the anti-oxidant power of organic carrot and orange juices with 26 purifying Dead Sea Minerals. C Today Moisturizing Day Cream softens, smooths and firms your skin, leaving you with a radiant glow.

I do not recommend this moisturizer if your skin is oily. Even though it is water based and absorbs fairly quickly, you can still feel it on your skin after applying. That is great when your skin is dry, but not great if you tend to break out.

I know I’ve said it before, but check out this organic, paraben-free brand. It is good for your skin and feels great on!

FFF’s Skin Care Musts — Hydration and Protection

Luckily, I have been blessed with pretty good skin. But as I get older (40!), I have noticed my skin looking a bit dull. So I have turned to — gulp — anti-aging moisturizers.

This is new to me. In the past I have only worried about SPF in my moisturizer, but now I’m looking for ingredients that will keep my skin looking fresh and slow the onset of wrinkles. Yes, I am vain.

Oh, well.

So to begin my quest I am reviewing two anti-aging products with sunscreen. Philosophy’s Hope In A Jar SPF 20 ($45.00 USD) and L’Oreal Skin Genesis SPF 15 Lotion (20.99 USD).

I really like the classic Hope In A Jar. It is a heavy cream, but it makes the skin very soft and glowing. So I was really excited to hear of the Hope In A Jar SPF 20. But would it be the same wonderful cream, with the added benefit of SPF? Not really. It does have a little of the lavender scent of the original, but with a slight sunscreen smell to it. When I first put it on, it is very greasy and it never really sinks it, just gets less greasy over time. My skin is combination and still breaks out sometimes. This has not helped and I seem to be getting more breakouts.

As much as I wanted to like the Hope In A Jar SPF 20, I don’t agree with the claims that it “hydrates the skin, provides a gentle exfoliation, and helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, texture, and tone.” If it didn’t make my skin so oily, I might over time find that it does all it claims. But I will not be continuing using this product to find out.

With this next product, the L’Oreal Skin Genesis SPF 15, I did something crazy. I bought it without trying it first. I was hoping that it would be a light lotion that would soften my skin, make it glow and protect it. Tall order, yes, but this product delivers.

This lotion claims that it “reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, combats the signs of aging, helps to even skin tone and texture, helps to firm and tone skin, helps moisturize dry skin”. I don’t really have wrinkles yet (knock on wood), but this lotion does reduce my pores and makes my skin glowy, without leaving it greasy.

I think the best advice I can give while looking for a skin product is to keep your skin type in mind. Having combination skin, I shouldn’t be looking for heavy creams. But as I’m aging, I do need to look for skin brighteners, pore minimizers and especially, SPF.