Scrubs, Peels and Masks — Oh My!

Cold weather starting to make your skin look dull? Try exfoliating or treating your skin with a rejuvenating peel or mask. The three below are luxury products that may completely change the texture of your skin. Give one a try!

Ona Spa Rejuvenating Pumpkin Peel ($60.00 USD) This mask is described as, “A highly effective, deliciously scented exfoliation treatment to dramatically improve clarity and texture of all skin types, diminish fine lines, and reveal silky, smoother, more radiant skin.”

The ingredients are Pumpkin Pulp extract, water, sunflower oil, avocado oil, corn meal, corn starch, C12-C15 alkyl benzoates, glycerine, glycolic acid, bromelain enzyme, papain enzyme, asafetida extract, phytohyaluronate, phytocollagen, willowbark extract, calendula extract, green tea extract, lavender extract, allantoin, panthenol, carrot tissue extract, vitamin E acetate, liquapar optima, essential oils of orange and frankincense.

What I think: My skin is becoming more sensitive the older I get. The instructions on this mask say to leave on for 10 minutes (which I did) and it may tingle for the first few minutes and then stop. Well. this tingled the whole time and even stung a bit after a while. When I rinsed it off, my skin was very red and my pores were irritated. The next day, the redness was gone and my skin looked fine, but I didn’t notice much of a difference in the texture or my pores. I do think that this mask smells fantastic and if your skin is not sensitive, give it a try.   

The Indige Skincare Anti-aging and Deep Cleansing Salicylic masks ($100 for 4 masks) are like a salon facial at home. They are weekly micro-peels with a natural botanical alpha-hydroxy acid that causes the dead skin cells to exfoliate. The mask’s function is two-fold: To deliver medicinals to the skin for repair and revitalization and to loosen and remove dead skin cells in order to stimulate the rejuvenation process.

The Anti-Aging Mask uses a combination of AHA’s and botanicals to reduce fine
lines, rehydrate your skin and even out complexion tones, a gentle micro-peel at
an affordable price. The Deep Cleansing Mask helps treat problem skin such as
blemishes, blackheads and pimples through a combination of salicylic acid and
botanicals, exfoliating dead skin which holds bacteria. Simply apply the masks to your face for 30-45 minutes once a week and you’ll have that glow which comes from healthy, well-moisturized skin.

Indige Anti-Aging mask lightens and brightens skin, improving radiance and
balancing pigmentation, increases the appearance of firmness and elasticity and
reduces skin roughness and texture with a powerful micropeel. The mask is
activated when is comes into contact with wet skin.

What I think: This was difficult to apply as your face needs to be wet and has to stay damp for part of the application. When I did figure out how to correctly apply the mask, I really like the results I received. My skin glowed and looked smooth and was very gentle on my sensitive skin.

Visit www.indigeskincare.com to learn more and you can purchase these masks at your dermatologist’s office.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate ($85.00 USD) — This is my favorite of the three products that I tried. This intensive exfoliation can be done twice a week for glowing skin with minimal irritation.

visit www.katesomerville.com to purchase and learn more. Enjoy your beautiful skin!

More about ExfoliKate:

  • Fruit enzymes clarify skin by removing dead cells & eliminating bacteria
  • Highly effective in combating acne, including stubborn blackheads
  • Polishes skin, revealing a smooth, glowing complexion
  • Healthy skin, healthy glow, healthy you!

What I think: I love this product! It makes my skin instantly glowy and clear.

REN Keep Young And Beautiful SH2C Serum

Keep Young and Beautiful SH2C Serum

REN Keep Young And Beautiful SH2C Serum ($75.00 USD) is youth in a bottle! This light and lovely serum is gentle enough to use twice a day, but has really made a difference in the clarity of my skin.

So what exactly is this miracle product? The REN website states that its, “an advanced bio active serum formulated to keep skin looking smoother, firmer, younger and more radiant.”

Results:

  • Reduces and prevents the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Skin looks plumper, firmer, lifted
  • Gives skin a healthy, glowing radiance
  • Corrects and evens skin tone
  • Keeps skin looking younger for longer

Bio Active Ingredients:

  • Hexapeptides from yeast stimulate skin renewal and synthesis of skin firming proteins
  • Native peptides act as a safe alternative to Botox to smooth expression lines, also encouraging natural collagen filling of fine lines
  • Glycosaminoglycans from corn provide lasting hydration, whilst hyaluronic acid increases moisture levels to plump up the skin
  • Sirtuin increases the longevity of skin cells to promote natural repair of sun damaged skin, whilst vitamin C corrects skin tone, illuminates and brightens the complexion

How to use:

Apply onto clean skin, follow with moisturizer. Use morning and night.An advanced bio active serum formulated to keep skin looking smoother, firmer, younger and more radiant.

Visit www.renskincare.com to learn more and to purchase this fantastic serum!

Get Beautiful Skin In Time For The Holidays With Peter Thomas Roth

Want smooth and clear skin for the upcoming holidays? Start using one of these fab Peter Thomas Roth products now, and your skin will look more radiant in a couple of months! 

Peter Thomas Roth Clini-Matte™:  “This multi-tasking moisturizer works at the cellular level to eliminate excess oil, minimize the appearance of pores and control shine, all while protecting the skin from UVA/UVB rays with an SPF20.  Designed for normal, combination and oily skin types, this sheer lotion instantly delivers a smooth, long-lasting, matte complexion. With regular use, Clini-Matte™ also helps to regulate skin’s oil levels so the skin becomes more balanced.”

What I think: Fantastic! I love that this is basically three products in one — moisturizer, sunscreen and a primer. It instantly smooths out my skin by eliminating shine and also minimizes the appearance of my pores.  

Price: $48 available in September 2010 at www.peterthomasroth.com and Sephora

Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion AM Moisturizer SPF30: This oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizer uses a 1.5% time release retinol solution to gradually deliver the ingredient over an eight hour period as well as SPF30 to protect the skin from UVA/UVB rays.   This encourages the skin’s renewal process while minimizing irritation.  With regular use, Retinol Fusion AM Moisturizer SPF30 is clinically proven to deliver a 48% improvement in skin smoothness, 35% improvement in skin tone and 30% reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  The result is a complexion that is refreshed, restored and brighter. 

What I think: Immediately after the first use of this moisturizer, my skin looked clear and smooth. I had a little bit of irritation when I used it everyday, so I started applying it every other day to get use to it. I now apply it once a day and my skin looks fantastic! I have never used retinol for skin before and I really love the clarity that it has given my skin.

Price: $78 available in September 2010  at www.peterthomasroth.com and Sephora

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx: Temporarily tighten your skin and rewind the clock – instantly  with the new Instant FIRMx.  This revolutionary rinse-off formula means that the white residue is rinsed away, while active firming agents remain behind to instantly tighten, firm and smooth the appearance of fine lines, deep wrinkles and pores to look years younger all day long.  Instantly look younger while minimizing crow’s feet, under eye bags, nose-to-mouth lines, forehead creases, etc.

What I think: How cool is this product? So cool! This does what it says by instantly firming and smoothing the face. This is great for everyday, but especially good for special occasions or photos. I also think that the price is extremely reasonable for the quality and “wow” results this product gives!

Price: $48, available in September 2010  exclusively at www.qvc.com

GoodSkin Labs Exten-10 Instant Youth Boosting Moisturizer SPF 15

Exten-10 Instant Youth Boosting Moisturizer SPF 15
Want a great anti-aging skin cream with an SPF that is affordable, too? Get out of the drugstores and big department store makeup counters. EXTEN-10™ Instant Youth Boosting Moisturizer SPF 15 (regular $39.50 USD).
 
The Claim is:  Younger looking skin. Right now! The scientists at GoodSkin Labs know modern life is stressful, hard on skin. Poor diet, insufficient sleep, pollution, the sun – they add up, and show up, on your face. So they developed Exten-10 to help restore skin’s youthful appearance. Helping it visibly renew, repair and defend itself like it used to. Exten-10 unlocks skin’s natural regenerative potential with three new youth-prompting discoveries:

1. HA Brightening Blend. An advanced combination of skin’s ultimate hydrator, hyaluronic acid, with brightening technology instantly and measurably helps restore youthful vibrancy to dull, aging skin.

2. Sirtuin Power Complex. Supports skin’s natural stimulation of proteins, boosting its ability to reduce the look of lines and wrinkles with impressive results. Also helps skin resist daily, aging stresses to prevent future damage.

3. Triple Sunscreen Technology. Of course, the scientists at GoodSkin Labs didn’t forget about the #1 cause of aging: sun exposure. Exten-10 includes a unique broad spectrum SPF 15 complex to keep skin protected from UVA/UVB damage all day long.

What I think: This is an effective day cream. It absorbs quickly for a cream with SPF (which is very important for day) and I was able to apply my makeup right afterwards. I have noticed that my skin looks brighter and clearer. I have been using this for a few weeks and am going to continue it to see if it helps with my wrinkles. I am lucky to only have a few on my forehead, but would love them to go away!

Visit www.kohls.com to learn more. Enjoy!  //

Yves Rocher Replumping Serum Foundation

Replumping Serum Foundation

Looking for a high quality, affordable foundation? Yves Rocher’s new Replumping Serum Foundation ($14.00 USD) aims to plump, comfort, and give radiance to your skin.

The claim:  The 1st Yves Rocher foundation, which concentrates at the heart of a formula of sensorial touch and maximum comfort, includes 4 high performance rose extracts. Your moisturized and plumped skin regains its suppleness for an instantaneous, “fresh complexion” effect. Signs of fatigue and fine lines are reduced, skin texture is smoothed. Your complexion is perfectly even without a “mask” effect. Formula tested under dermatological supervision. The Plus: Its pump-bottle dispenses the correct dose.

What I think:  I love good-for-the-skin makeup and a combination foundation and serum is fabulous. This one glides on nicely and blends well into my skin, leaving a natural, glowing look. My skin looks fresh and not cakey with it on.

Visit www.yvesrocherusa.com to learn more and to purchase this fab foundation.

Fight Aging Skin With The Body Shop Natrulift Skin Care Line

The Body Shop has released a new firming skin care line called Natrulift. As with all of the Body Shop products, Natrulift contains natural, organic and Community Trade ingredients. This makes the products as good for our environment as they are for the skin! Some of the products I’ve tried are:

Natrulift Softening Facial Wash ($14.00 3.38 oz) — Best if you want to: Minimize the signs of aging and create a velvety-looking complexion with a softly-cleansing and refreshing facial wash. How it works:

  • Daily cleansing is the first step to beautifully soft and smooth skin, removing impurities and preparing the skin for daily moisturizer.
  • Pomegranate seed oil moisturizes skin and is rich in antioxidants to help minimize the damage cause by environmental aggressors.
  • Community Trade Brazil nut oil moisturizes and softens skin.

What I think: This is a fantastic face wash! When I first squeeze a bit out, it is very creamy, pearly and smells like pomegranates. So far, so good, right? Then I smooth it on my skin, gently massaging it in and rinse it. My skin is soft and looks smooth, too!

Natrulift Firming Serum ($36.00 1 oz) — Best if you want to: Minimize signs of aging and leave skin feeling firmer and more toned with a hydrating serum. How it works:

  • Has a temporary lifting effect: skin is plumper and hydrated.
  • Pomegranate seed oil moisturizes skin and is rich in antioxidants to help minimize the damage cause by environmental aggressors.
  • Organic Community Trade honey moisturizes and conditions skin.

What I think: This is my favorite product of the line. It is like a dose of instant gratification as immediately makes my skin look more even, smoother and lifted — and yes, younger! I apply this morning and night time before moisturizer. It is light and not sticky like some serums.

Natrulift Firming Day Cream ($30.00 1.7 oz) — Best if you want to: Minimize fine lines, smooth wrinkles and leave skin feeling firmer and hydrated with a day cream that moisturizes for up to 12 hours. How it works:

  • Has a temporary lifting effect: skin is plumper and hydrated.
  • Pomegranate seed oil moisturizes skin and is rich in antioxidants to help minimize the damage cause by environmental aggressors.
  • Community Trade Brazil nut oil moisturizes and softens skin.

What I think: This cream on top of the serum really firms and smooths the skin. It is almost the consistency of a balm, though, and may be too heavy for day time for some skin. If your skin is naturally dry, or dry in the winter like mine, this will be a perfect day cream.

This collection also includes the Natrulift Softening Cream Cleanser, Natrulift Softening Toner and Natrulift Firming Night Cream. You can learn more about these products and purchase them at http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com.

Fight Aging With Boscia Skin Care

I love that so many new skincare companies use natural ingredients and limit the use of preservatives. Boscia is a brand based in Yokohama, Japan, that creates preservative-free, botanically-based skincare. I have recently tried some of these wonderful products and they make my skin look as beautiful as the natural ingredients they use to make them! 

Recharging Night Moisture ($33.00 1 fl. oz, $44.00 1.4 fl. oz) is described as, “A concentrated cream of Oriental botanicals works overnight to nourish and revitalize your skin. An advanced penetrating, Encapsulated Ampelopsis Grossedentata, absorbs quickly to condition skin and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Phytoglycogen helps restore the look of vitality to damaged skin. Hydrolyzed Yeast promotes new skin cell production while Soybean helps balance skin from the sometimes harsh effects of hormonal and environmental changes. Jojoba Leaf, a powerful antioxidant, combats free radical damage and Willow herb, soothes tired skin.”

What I think: This cream is very light yet nourishing on my skin. I have noticed that immediately after use my skin looks smoother and a few weeks after use, it seems brighter. I also think the price is very reasonable for the quality of the product.

Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment ($38.00 .5 fl. oz.) — “A silky cream that hydrates and revitalizes the delicate eye area. Two combined amino acids, Alanine and Glutamine, and a powerful antioxidant, Jojoba Leaf will improve softness and prevent the signs of aging. Coix Seed and Tocopherol-Vitamin E reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. Willowherb, a unique anti-irritant, Jujube Fruit and other beneficial ingredients help accelerate cell renewal and smooth the appearance of fine lines.”

What I think: I really love this light and soothing eye cream. I have been using it every morning and every night. Like all eye creams, I smooth it under my eye, at the outer corner of my eye and under my eyebrow. It is absorbed into my skin very quickly and leaves my eyes looking lifted and awake. Over time, it has diminished the dark circles under my eyes, which are my main area of concern around my eyes.

Visit www.bosciaskincare.com to learn more, they can also be purchased at Sephora and www.sephora.com. Enjoy!

Refresh Your Skin With A Cooling Toner or Face Mist

Toners and Face Mists are fantastic ways to get your skin a little extra clean and refreshed. Place any one of the following fab products in your fridge for a bit of summer cooling! All of them offer different benefits, so be sure to find the tonic that is perfect for you!

Arctic Face Mist with Multivitamin Complex ($29.00 USD 3.99 fl. oz) — Refreshing, toning mist with a multivitamin for skin to instantly soothe and protect stressed, irritable skin. Has your frantic lifestyle led to a surge in stress-related hormones and histamines? If so, your skin may be irritated, exhausted and depleted of vital hydration and nutrients. You need relief and protection against future damage — and you need it fast.

The newly reformulated, dye-free Arctic Face Mist instantly helps calm and stabilize irritable, depleted skin with a cooling burst of natural mineral water, while fortifying it against the aging effects of free radicals and environmental stress. Powerful antioxidants and a daily dose of multivitamins for skin help energize and replenish for a radiant, healthy glow.

What I think: I always feel pampered with Skyn Iceland products, and the Arctic Face Mist is no exception. It not only feels great going on, it leaves the skin glowing, and smells lovely.  Learn more at www.skyniceland.com.

H2O Plus Oasis Mist ($16.50 USD 6 fl. oz.) — An energizing mist of nutritive hydration enriched with natural vitamins and minerals to replenish skin instantly.

Sea Mineral Complex™ delivers hydrating extracts of wakame, sea lettuce and sea fennel plus anti-aging extracts of himanthalia, spirulina and nori to help restore skin’s natural balance. Enriched with vitamins A, C, E and Provitamin.

What I think: This is the only mist in a can of the bunch. It sprays on pretty hard, so it’s like a blast of hydration. You’re face will be instantly moisturized and freshened! Purchase at www.h2oplus.com.

Zensation Deep Purifying Toner ($35.00 USD 4.2 fl. oz) — A detoxifying and revitalizing toner with tea tree oil to control misbehaving skin and for occasional spot prevention, this toner is dedicated to soothe and refresh the skin as it removes any excess of dirt, debris or cleaners residue, the mixture of essential oils of thyme, sage, lavender and mint to produce a calming, yet mildly astringent effect.

What I think: This luxury line is new to me, and I was happy to try a product from Zensation. Not a face mist, dab a bit of this toner on a cotton pad and wipe away all of the crud. I like that this is alcohol free, but will help with blemishes. Visit www.zensationbeaute.com to learn more.

Boscia Clear Complexion Tonic with Botanical Blast  ($19.00 USD 4.06 fl. oz.) — This soothing, preservative-free tonic gently clarifies and refreshes skin that needs pampering and deep cleaning.

Preservatives have been shown to over-dry and cause further irritations to the skin. Our preservative-free, botanically rich proprietary formula offers a gentle and effective means to ensure your skin stays clear and healthful.

Botanical Blast technology is a pure, highly effective problem skin treatment using a select blend of the finest botanicals available to improve skin clarity, tone and texture. This product contains Willow Herb, a unique anti-irritant, and Jojoba Leaf, a strong and effective antioxidant.

What I think: I can really tell that this mist cleans the skin, it is so refreshing! It is a soft spray that soothes as it cleans. Visit www.bosciaskincare.com to purchase.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque

Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque

Need a little help with your skin this Winter? Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque ($43.00 USD) is touted to help environmentally damaged, irritated and hypersensitive skin.

This effects from this mask are described as “Super-concentrated antioxidant vitamins and botanicals dramatically reduce the inflammation and redness associated with stressed, prematurely aging skin. Antioxidant Vitamins A and C help promote collagen and elastin production for increased suppleness.”

I have used this mask 3 times in as many weeks. I smooth it on my skin and leave it on for 15 or 20 minutes then rinse it off. Afterwards, my skin is SO soft, dewy and the redness on my cheeks and around my nose is lessened. Plus, the more I have used it, the better my skin looks.

I highly recommend this anti-aging treatment, it’s quite a help in the cold, dry winter!

Visit www.dermalogica.com/us