skin care – Page 8 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

ReVersital MicrodermaStick

Is your skin getting dry in the cold air? In the winter it is so important to exfoliate skin. It keeps it from getting scaly and uncomfortable. There are many great exfoliation products on the market, but which ones to use? Some irritate skin. That’s why I tried ReVersital’s 3-in-1 MicrodermaStick. It’s touted to exfoliate, moisturize and stimulate collagen production.

I like that this product is not a messy cream and that it come in a convenient stick. You just twist it up and rub on your dry spots. The website states “Resurfacing crystals are suspended in a solid anti-oxidant hydrating matrix (activated with a water rinse) producing a protective long-acting moisturizing shield on the skin and stimulating collagen production. Our invention takes advantage of the stick form to apply substantive and occlusive moisturizers to the skin during the Microdermabrasion process combined with beneficial herbal and anti-oxidant ingredients to provide a long-term (8-12) hour moisturizing and anti-inflammatory activity, non-irritants and skin firming agents. ” The product does leave a bit of a moisture film on the skin, but when it dries it is unnoticeable except for the fact that your skin is very soft!

I have the MicrodermaStick for body, elbows and feet ($80.00 USD and $90.00 USD for the MicrodermaStick for face, throat and decollete). To use, I wet the stick to activate it and use is on my hands, feet and any place that is dry. I have also used it lightly on my face to get rid of scaly patches. Don’t use it on your face if you have sensitive skin, though!

The MicrodermaStick has a wonderful fresh scent and is a nice luxury skin care product if you need good exfoliation! Visit the website at www.reversital.net to learn more.

Sephora Favorites Gifts Sets Have Somthing for Everyone!

Sephora has recently released five limited edition deluxe samplers of beauty products from some of their most popular brands. The cool things about these are they let you try many different products before doling out the cash to purchase full-sizes. The two that I have tried are:

Lip Service Deluxe Sampler ($119 Value) $38.00 USD — Do you love lipstick as much as I do? This is a way to try different colors and brands and to see what looks good on you. I often have a hard time deciding what I like at the counter. I like to wear it for a day or two. This collection includes neutrals, pinks, reds and berries and a great clear gloss from Smashbox. You get:

– 0.05 oz Duwop Private Red
– 0.12 oz Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Sheer
– 0.02 oz Sephora Nano Lip Liner in Beau Bordeaux 11 or Radiant Rosy 14
– 0.086 oz NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Roman Holiday (vibrant pink sheen)
– 0.06 oz Korres Guava Lipstick in Wine Red (burgundy wine)
– 0.14 oz CARGO Plantlove Botanical Lipstick in Muir Woods (sheer spiced mauve)
– 0.8 oz Tarte Vitamin Infused Lipstick in Hatha (shimmering berry rose)
– 0.04 oz Laura Mercier Lip Coulour-Crème in Pink Champagne (cool rose)

Radiant Skin Regimen Deluxe Sampler ($143 Value) $38.00 USD — I enjoy trying skincare samples before I buy, because it is hard to tell what will work well with my skin. The deluxe samples in this collection allow for a couple of weeks with the product, which helps decide if it’s something you want to buy. It includes:

– 1 oz Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash
– 1.35 oz Cosmedicine Medi-Morphosis Self Adjusting Exfoliator
– 0.5 oz Perricone Advanced Face Firming Activator
– 0.23 oz DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer Moisturizing Serum
– 0.24 oz Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment
– 0.14 oz Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF15
– 0.4 oz Philosophy Hope in a Jar
– 1 oz Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
– 0.5 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion

The three other collections are the LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler, Glitz and Glam Shimmer and Shine Deluxe Sampler, My First Makeup Kit Deluxe Sampler. Visit www.sephora.com to learn more about them or pop into your local Sephora today!

Mama Mio Boob Tube

Mama Mio is a skin care brand that began specializing in helping pregnant women with their skin care needs. Now, besides pregnancy skin care, Mama Mio creates safe products that give strong, elastic, healthy, well-toned, and fit skin.

I tried the Boob Tube (funny!) Bust & Neck Firmer ($45.00 USD). As the website so sadly states, “Girls, let’s face the facts, our boobs are on a slippery slope heading south. People say the first place you can tell a woman’s age is her hands. Forget about it – it’s your décolletage.” This is because the chest and neck are exposed a lot of the time, (of course not the whole chest). The skin is exposed to the sun and gravity. Use Boob Tube claims to “fight sag and droop by improving skin’s strength and elasticity. It gives you a more beautifully textured, well toned neck and bustline. Boob Tube has become our best-selling sensation which means there will be a lot of gorgeous cleavage out there, thanks to Boob Tube.”

I really like this product. I have been using it on my next and chest every morning and evening. I don’t know if my skin has become firmer, but it looks smooth, especially my neck and upper chest area. It has a pleasant citrusy scent that reminds me of lemon-lime soda. It contains CoQ10, Avocado Oil, Fenugreek, Shea Butter and Milk Thistle. It does not contain Parabens which is great.

Visit www.mamamio.com to learn more about this product and more.

Korres Quercetin and Oak Age-Reversing Collection

Korres Quercetin and Oak Collection is described on their website as, “Age-reversing skin care for younger, firmer, more elastic skin while dramatically reducing wrinkles and restoring skin elasticity and firmness”. As a forty-something woman, I could definitely use that! So I have been testing the Quercetin and Oak Age-Reversing Day Cream for Normal to Dry Skin and Age-Reversing Night Cream for about 10 days now and I am really enjoying them.

I use the Quercetin and Oak Age-Reversing Day Cream for Normal to Dry Skin ($48.00 USD) every morning after cleanser and serum. Some of the ingredients and benefits of the cream are:

• Regenerative Oak Extract firms and plumps aging skin, while radically boosting collagen and elastin production.
• Powerful Quercetin Active- The most active, well-established polyphenol for maximum antioxidant protection. It catalyzes Proteasomes in our cells, dramatically Improving Skin Cell Functioning: cells are turned back to a youthful state, creating younger, healthier and more elastic skin
• Proprietary blend of Shea Butter, Sweet Almond and Hazelnut oils provides instant nourishment and hydration.
• Mourera Fluviatilis constantly regulates the optimum hydration of the cells, maintaining their health and improving their quality
• Myrtle active extract enhances intercellular communication visibly increasing skin density, protects collagen fibers, and significantly boosts skin elasticity

The Quercetin and Oak age-reversing night cream ($52.00 USD) has the same basic ingredients with the addition of:

• Barrier-Repairing Everlasting (Amaranth) Lipids are naturally compatible with the skin and successfully control moisture loss while effectively repairing and restoring damaged skin.
• Time-release proprietary blend of Jojoba, Grape and Pomegranate oils provides instant nourishment and hydration throughout the night.

Both creams are thick, but not greasy, although the night cream is heavier. The day cream soaks in quickly — but you just need a little bit! I feel that my skin looks smoother and definitely plumper. I have been also using it on the back of my hands and they look smooth and very young (I am big on treating my hands well as they can give away a lady’s age!). The scent of the creams are earthy, but mild.

I recommend these products to really moisturize dry skin and give a nice glow. I haven’t noticed reduction in lines, but I have not been using them for long. I love that Korres uses natural ingredients and feel good about applying them to my face!

Visit www.korresusa.com to learn more and to purchase these lovely face creams. Enjoy!

Dr. Michele Green’s Skin Care

“I chose Dermatology because it’s one of the happiest fields in medicine,” says Dr. Michele Green. “People enjoy coming to my office because they know they will look and feel better when they leave!”

Dr. Green is a board certified Dermatologist with a private practice in New York City’s Upper East Side who specializes in cosmetic dermatology. She relies heavily on patient feedback in designing new products in making recommendations. As a result, she is an expert when it comes to knowing “what women want, what they like, and what products they are asking for. “If I’m going to recommend a product, I really have to believe in it,” she says emphatically.

I was lucky enough to test some of her skin care products, the Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, the High Potency Vita-C Serum and the Antioxidant Moisturizing Cream .

Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin ($15.00 USD) — I like to apply this gentle, lipid-free cleanser on dry skin, rub it in and then rinse. It leaves a thin, moisturizing film on skin that is touted to be helpful for people with rosacea, dry or sensitive skin. You can also apply it to wet skin. Either way it leaves skin soft and hydrated, not dry and it doesn’t irritate at all.

High Potency Vita-C Serum ($55.00 USD) — This serum has a high concentration of Vitamin C and claims to promote skin cell renewal and collagen stimulation, plus improving skin texture and radiance. This product contains alcohol so make sure you shake it before use and apply morning and night before moisturizer. I have been using it for a few weeks and my skin is clear and glowing (and less red).

Antioxidant Moisturizing Cream ($55.00) — My favorite of the three products, this anti-aging moisturizer includes Vitamins A, C and E which firms, reduces fine lines, strengthens and protects skin from free-radical-induced skin damage and sun damage. I love the deeply hydrating, yet non-greasy texture. I pile it on at night, because I love how it feels in the cold weather, when my skin is so dry, and it doesn’t get oily or greasy at all. Then, in the morning, my skin is glowing!

Visit michelegreenmd.com to learn more about and to purchase these great skin care products!

Borlind System Absolute

Being 40 (-ish), I am always looking for skin care that can slow down the aging process. I am fairly lucky with my skin (not many wrinkles), but I do have red areas and larger pores, which help show that my skin is not as young as it used to be!

Annemarie Linder is a German pioneer of natural cosmetics and co-founder of Borlind cosmetics. She devotes her passion to creating natural beauty products like the System Absolute (advanced skin care for mature skin) that I have recently tested.

Borlind’s System Absolute claims to deliver valuable botanical hydrating ingredients and potent antioxidant vitamins deep into the skin. The products I have tried are:

System Absolute Cleanser ($53.99, 5.07 oz): A creamy emulsion which gently, yet thoroughly, removes dirt, makeup, and other pollutants. This smells great and is refreshing as it cleans.

System Absolute Beauty Fluid ($92.99, 1.7 oz) : A potent antioxidant gel which hydrates and strengthens skin’s resistance to environmental damage. I love this light gel that instantly absorbs into the skin and gives my skin a nice glow.

System Absolute Day Cream ($109.99, 1.7 oz): A rich cream which provides intensive hydration, care, and protection against environmental damage. This cream is nice, but is a bit heavy for me. I have to wait a while after application to put my makeup on.

System Absolute Night Cream ($109.99, 1.7 oz): A luxurious cream which works to smooth, restore suppleness, repair environmental damage, support regeneration, and replenish moisture and oil. The cream is too heavy for me that it borders on greasy. My skin does look good in the morning after use, but I have been breaking out.

After a few weeks of trying these products, I have found that I really like them. I do think they are made for skin a little more mature than mine, but I will continue to use the cleanser and beauty fluid as I enjoy the feeling and results I get with these products.

Visit www.borlind.com to learn more and to purchase these products or items from their other skin care collections. Enjoy!

Erno Laszlo Skin Care

Hungarian dermatologist Erno Laszlo created luxury skin care that’s purpose is to make skin look and feel better. I have tried a few products from the brand, and I really like the results I have received.

Antioxidant Complex for Eyes ($50.00 .5 oz) is a refreshing gel that contains botanical extracts to reduce puffiness so you look less tired, plus soothing skin conditioners to firm skin and improve elasticity. It also to “shield against age-vulnerable skin with ingredients that work synergistically to lighten dark circles, strengthen and protect skin.” I like to use this morning and night, but it can be used just once a day. I have noticed that my circles are lighter and the skin looks tighter under my eye.

I have also tried Timeless Body’s ($90.00 4 0z), a body serum. The ingredients, including marine and yeast extracts, are touted to “increase elasticity and prevent the breakdown of collagen so that body skin is less vulnerable to premature aging. Vitamins A, E and F, essential fatty acids and kojic acid diminish the appearance of wrinkles and age spots while firming and nourishing the skin.” I haven’t used this frequently, but when I have I’ve noticed that my skin looks smoother. I like to use a moisturizer on top, for maximum benefits.

My favorite of the three is the Hydra-Therapy Skin Vitality Treatment ($50.00 4 treatments). This is a deep moisturizing mask that soothes and moisturizes skin. It is This is a two step product. You mix a liquid into a powder. I find that it was hard to get totally smooth, but it still worked very well. After I applied it, waited 15 minutes and peeled it off, my skin was so smooth. What a fab, luxurious treatment.

Visit www.ernolaszlo.com to learn more about and to purchase these incredible products.

Ole Henriksen Pick Me Up Tonic and All Purpose Aloe Vera Gel

Ole Henriksen creates skin care that celebrities, and regular folk (like myself) love. Mr. Henriksen had said, “My studies in cosmetic chemistry and experience from treating skin, hands on, has given me a clear idea as to the function and content of each product I have developed. This has resulted in a series of pure, natural, high-performance products that are forever evolving through my continued research.”

I am always looking for great skin care products, especially ones that will help my troubled combination skin by minimizing my pores. Ole Henriksen’s Pick Me Up Tonic ($21.00 7 oz mist, $30.00 12 oz) has really helped make my pores appear smaller. This oxygenating gentle toner claims to awaken skin & minimize pores. it contains alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C & chamomile oxygenates and is paraben-free. I have the mist and I like to use it both ways. For intense toning I apply with a cotton pad. For a mid-day pick-me-up, I spritz it on my face. It smells fresh and feels great!

I also have tried Ole Henriksen’s All Purpose Aloe Vera Gel ($30.00 8 oz) — I love this product! I is a coolingoil-free gel that helps sooth skin irritations with chamomile. It is touted to help skin that is irritated by a rash, cut or sunburn. It can be uses all over the body. It feels cooling and soothes after a tough day. I used it one day when I burned my finger on my stove, and it helped relieve the pain.

Visit www.olehenriksen.com to learn about and purchase these and many more great skin care products.

Juara — Natural Indonesian Skin Care

Looking for a different type of skin care company? Juara skin care is a fusion active botanicals of Indonesian herbal recipes and Western science to create products that represent the best the east and west. They combine active botanicals such as rice, tamarind, turmeric, candlenut oil, healing teas and red sandalwood with modern technology and innovation to deliver quality treatments.

I recommend the following products from the line:

Rice Facial Cleanser ($25.00) — This gentle cleanser contains rice starch to remove make-up and also condition the skin. Rice starch also contains soothing and softening properties and is rich in amino acids and protein. I enjoy a good cleanser, I believe that it sets the stage for a good skin care regimen. I really love that my skin feels clean but not dry after this cleanser and is ready for my moisturizer!

Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer (oil-free) ($48.00) — My skin is combination and can get a little oily throughout the day. The website describes that, “this light gel-creme combines the age-defying benefits of fermented sweet black tea with the shine-reducing and purifying properties of ginger for a luminous matte finish. Completely oil-free and specially formulated for oily skin, it immediately reduces shine while at the same time helping delay and reverse signs of aging.” I have used other mattefying moisturizers that dry out my combination skin, but this lotion is so moisturizing — just not greasy! It is also paraben-free, alcohol-free, unfragranced and oil-free.

Candlenut Lip Balm SPF 20 ($18.00) — It’s lip balm season! At least for me it is — my lips can really feel the cold air and they are already becoming dry. This protective lip balm arrives in a very lovely mirror compact plus it relieves dry and chapped lips. With a great SPF 20, it will protect your lips from UVA and UVB rays of the sun with effective broad-spectrum sunscreens to help prevent aging and skin cancer. It contains candlenut, jojoba and olive oils and is scented with Indonesian citrus fruits. Very nice!

Visit juaraskincare.com to purchase these wonderful products. Enjoy!

LaNatura Natural and Organic Skin Care

It’s wonderful how the beauty industry is evolving and that there are more and more choices for women who want to use natural and organic ingredients.

LaNatura is a body, skin and hair care company that pride themselves on using ingredients that are good for us. LaNatura’s mission is “to use only the finest and purest ingredients in their products, combining healing, mood-enhancing, and relaxing essential oils with highly active certified organic botanicals, vitamins and minerals to balance the skin’s functions, reduce stress, and promote an overall feeling of well-being.”

Matcha Green Tea 100% Vegan Pure Body Butter ($30.00) Matcha Green Tea Leaf Powder is a powerful anti-oxidant This product claims to be anti-aging, fighting free radicals that damage and age the skin. Contains vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids. This is a very rich body butter that smells very fresh. My skin is very smooth after use, but resist the urge to use it as a hand cream as it can be a bit greasy.

Anti-Stress Therapy roll-on ($12.00) claims to, “calm the senses while it gently restores circulation. This exceptionally soothing formula glides onto neck, temples, and pulse points to help relieve tension and everyday stresses. Infused with essential oils of basil, rosemary, eucalyptus, menthol, and peppermint, Anti-Stress Therapy is the ultimate solution for replenishing precious energy.” This smells and feels wonderful on! And I do feel calmer after using it. I recommend getting a few of these; one for the home, one for your purse, and most important — one for work! This has helped me through a few stressful work days.

My favorite of the products I have tried is the Shea Butter Lip Balm ($8.00). This extremely moisturizing balm is available in 21 flavors — there is something for everyone. I really like the Cocovanilla flavor. It is so yummy!

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