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Proactiv® Deep Cleansing Wash – A Shower Staple

December 9, 2011 By

You know what I am loving right now? My Proactiv® Deep Cleansing Wash and whether you like it or not, I am going to tell you the reasons. Something I love having in our shower is something both me AND the man can use… I guess you could call it saving space? Well, in my overcrowded shower is something I consider to be one of my new shower staples. The Proactiv® Deep Cleansing Wash is an acne fighting weapon that is as easy to use as washing your body with it!

It has pretty much everything I am looking for in a body wash…

#1 It works. No one wants to get pimples anywhere on their body and as unlady like as it is to talk about it, blemishes are a fact of life and also are not confined to one’s face

#2 The Proactiv® Deep Cleansing wash is something I can use on my body and my face (ie bringing it to the gym or traveling) without concerns of drying out or my sensitive facial skin getting rashy. Bringing only one bottle instead of two? Score.

#3 It mildly exfoliates. There are little microbeads in there but by no means are they harsh or abrasive. Sloughing off dead skin is always a good thing. Yay!

#4 As I mentioned before, it is something that the man and I can both use. Acne is not specifically geared towards women or men for that matter. Straight to the point, we all need to take care of our skin. No frills, the man is not afraid of the Proactiv® products lying around.

I totally agree with Katy Perry: “The Deep Cleansing Wash is awesome. Your skin feels totally fresh and clean. And you can stop worrying about getting zits in places you don’t want them.” I don’t want zits anywhere and that includes my bod!

As always, you should test products on your skin before putting it in your full rotation but that being said, I did not experience any issues whatsoever with the Proactiv® Deep Cleansing Wash.

Have you guys tried any Proactiv® Products? What do you think and what do you recommend? Share your stories and join the conversation here, on Twitter (@proactiv) or Facebook!

*Proactiv® was awesome enough to let us try this product for the sole purpose of telling you, our amaaaazing readers, exactly what we thought of it. Though this post is sponsored, our opinions are 100% honest because we would never lie to you guys… we love you! xoxo

Filed Under: Acne, Body, Skin Care Tagged With: , , , , ,

Winterize Your Beauty Routine with DNA EGF Renewal™

November 14, 2011 By

We were very fortunate to be invited to attend a webinar with Dr. Ronald Moy, one of the country’s leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons in regards to our Winter skin health. It is not getting any warmer, especially here in the Northeast soooooo, what should we do to help keep our skin soft and supple? What should we avoid doing? What is the best for our skin? Dr. Moy covered it all and introduced us to DNA EGF Renewal™, his new line that helps keep our skin looking young with real science and thoughtfulness behind it. First let’s check out some basic facts from Dr. Moy:

HOW WINTER MOST IMPACTS YOUR SKIN:

•Dry skin occurs naturally as skin ages for most women as natural oils diminish; cold dry winter weather can dramatically increase skin’s dryness.
•Lower humidity increases dryness, especially indoor heating.
•Dryness decreases the skins natural lipids that keep skin cells together and prevent water loss. This natural lipid barrier is the essential first line of defense for your skin.
• Skin can become itchy, flaky, chapped and flushed as  you go between temperature extremes inside and outside.
• Frequent hand washing is crucial to controlling cold and flu germs, but it also increases dryness. Every time you apply night treatments to your face, apply any excess to your hands.
WINTER SKIN STRATEGIES:
•Avoid hot water on the face and body.
•Excessive exposure to hot water can strip the skins natural oils.
•Use a gentle, sulfate free, fragrance free cleanser and warm water.
•Apply moisturizers after cleansing while skin is moist.
•Stay hydrated.
•Eat a diet rich in Omega 3’s.
•Layer products to protect exposed skin.
•Don’t forget SPF.
•If itching, scaling or inflammation persist, contact your dermatologist.

So what is Dr. Moy and the DNA EGF team’s philosophy? REPAIR THE PAST. PROTECT THE FUTURE

Skin is compelled to act younger with the help of two scientific breakthroughs: Enzymes that speed the DNA recovery process. Epidermal Growth Factor extracted from barley that triggers cellular renewal. So how does that translate to something we can use in our daily lives? Check it.Growth Factor Serum was developed to help bring back the vitality to your skin. Skin glows, texture is refined, pores look visibly smaller, and younger, fresher skin emerges.

  • Barley EGF is the first and only plant-based Epidermal Growth Factor. It is the subject of a clinical study conducted by Dr. Moy
  • Most advanced serum to self correct the negative effects of skin aging and reprogram skin to act young again
  • Dramatic & rapid improvement of skin exhibiting advanced signs of photodamage to help diminish the appearance of age spots, pronounced wrinkling, and uneven coloration
  • Revolutionary plant-based (non-bacterial) growth factor is proven more stable and effective than standard EGFs
  • Ideal for all skin types
The Renewal Foaming Cleanser is a gentle, foaming formula that provides an innovative, non-irritaring version of glycolic acid delivering gentle exfoliating action. Removes old, dull, surface dead skin to reveal clean, vibrant skin. What is not to like about that combination?

  • Unique amino acid glycolic complex stimulates cell turnover and washes away surface impurities to prime skin for maximum regeneration
  • Encourages optimum absorption of Dr. Moy’s advanced anti-aging actives for highly efficacious results
  • FREE of artificial fragrances, sulfates, and parabens
  • Ideal for all skin types
  • Formulated for daily use

The DNA Night Renewal is a rich lotion featuring and advanced liposome deliver system that maximizes cell repair activity during the body’s sleep cycle to recover skin’s youth.

  • Induces cell regeneration and counters photo-aging damage to restore skin vitality
  • High levels of bio-advanced DNA Repair Enzymes, peptides, and botanical actives boost youthful cell turn over
  • Builds and fortifies a healthy lipid barrier
  • Ideal for dry or stressed skin
  • For night-time use

…and those are just a few of the great products that Dr. Moy and his team have developed for the DNA EGF Renewal™ line. They also offer Scar Therapy, Defense SPF 30 and oh so much more. Have you guys tried any of Dr. Moy’s products? We would love it if you shared your opinions with us!

Filed Under: Acne, Aging / Wrinkles, Body, Face, Fashion Advice, Hands & Feet, Skin Care, Sun Protection Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

BeautyMint.Com Launches Skincare Site

October 31, 2011 By

Image courtesy of Beautymint.com

First there was JewelMint.com, then came StyleMint.com, and today BeautyMint.com launched its new site.  The new site offers personalized skin care products, developed in conjunction with Jessica Simpson and Beverly Hills skincare expert Nerida Joy.

According to the BeautyMint website, Jessica’s life in the public eye has inspired a philosophy about beauty that celebrates every person’s unique qualities.  Jessica’s BeautyMint collaboration with Nerida Joy brings this philosophy to skin care. Though Jessica has access to the world’s best skin care products and treatments, she believes that expensive doesn’t always mean effective. In BeautyMint, she discovered the value of personalized skin care that matches targeted solutions with specific skin issues and goals. Now, she wants to share her discovery with you.

From what I can tell, after answering a series of questions about your skin a personalized collection of cleaners, toners and moisturizers is compiled for you.  The monthly subscription allows for automatic refills of your particular skin care products.

Image courtesy of BeautyMint.com

I guess I was expecting (dare I say hoping for…?) something more along the lines of Birchbox.com, where each month a tasty selection of beauty products in trial sizes arrives in a nice little box ready to be sampled and hopefully ordered in their retail size containers.  BeautyMint, on it’s first day at least, seems a bit like a dressed up ProActiv Solutions.  Where is the fun?  Where is the glitz?  Maybe I should be more generous, but at first blush, I can’t say I’m really excited about this site – unlike JewelMint.com and StyleMint.com which have my undivided attention.

I guess we’ll have to wait for Rachel Bilson’s site ShoeMint.com launching later in November…

 

 

Filed Under: Beauty, Face, Skin Care Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Dear 16-year-old Me

June 14, 2011 By

Image courtesy of drozfans.com

Before you head to the beach or pool this summer, even before you head outside to run errands without wearing sun block, please take 5 minutes to click on the link below and watch this important video.  If you have teens in your life, share this video with them.  The more you know about melanoma and skin cancer, the more you can do to take precautions.

Dear 16-year-old Me

Once you have watched this video, share it with someone you care about…

Filed Under: Body, Face, Random Info, Recommended, Skin Care, Sun Protection, Tanning & Bronzing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Beauty Adventure with Creme de la Mer

June 13, 2011 By

I have always been curious about the uber expensive Creme de la Mer.   While I never knew anyone who actually used the product, I would frequently read celebrity testimonials claiming it was the ONE beauty product that gave them flawless skin and a genuinely better life than we mere mortals.  I frequently sampled the product when passing the La Mer kiosk at department stores, but never had the stomach to shell out $135 for one ounce of this miracle potion.

Creme de la Mer, $130 at Bloomingdales

Originally formulated by an aerospace physicist to heal chemical burns, Creme de la Mer is loaded with sea kelp, vitamins, minerals, essential oils and other natural ingredients.  Claiming to leave your skin soothed, moisturized and rejuvenated, with consistent use you should expect to see a reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and redness.  It smells wonderful, and my previous department store encounters left me feeling dewey – special somehow – that I too was partaking in this miracle skin serum.

So one afternoon when I was feeling an odd combination of flush with cash and rather wrinkly and under nourished, I splurged on a jar of La Mer and went home, excited to become part of the cult that had flawless skin and a dewey radiance.  Imagine my disappointment when a week into my new La Mer regime my skin started breaking out.  By the middle of the day my skin would begin to feel dry and in need of another La Mer application.  I ended up getting a professional facial less than two weeks after starting to use La Mer (making this a MOST expensive beauty adventure!) and was told that the product was likely too heavy for my skin and that the creme was designed to trap moisture on the surface of the skin and didn’t really provide any long term and deep penetrating benefits to the skin.

I switched back to my regular moisturizer; my blemishes cleared up and my skin returned to a more hydrated state.  I will continue to use La Mer on those days when I need a little extra something, but guess that I’ll leave the “I can’t live without it” status to the celebs and the lucky few who don’t mind breaking the bank on beauty products!

Image courtesy of thebeautyglo.blogspot.com

 

Filed Under: Aging / Wrinkles, Face, Reviews, Skin Care Tagged With: , , ,

Made From Earth Organic & Natural Skin Care

April 12, 2011 By

Made From Earth has created an exceptional line of organic and chemical free face creams that are cruelty free, safe and surprisingly affordable.

I received a selection of Made From Earth products to test and review about a month ago. Shortly after receiving the products I went on a business trip and could only take a limited amount of toiletries and cosmetics with me, but I chose to make some of the Made on Earth products fit into my suitcase.

One of the items that made the cut was the Rooibos Tea Facial Scrub. This moisturizing face scrub was designed to release toxins and improve skin cell circulation. It worked great on my oily skin with no ill effects. It was gentle enough so I could even use it after sun exposure, but effective enough to exfoliate the dead skin that resulted from said sun exposure. I loved the light scent too. Not my favorite facial scrub in the whole world, but the most effective and reasonably priced natural facial scrub.

The other product I brought with me was the pH Equilibrant Moisturizer. The first time I used it, I thought “Oh no! I’m going to breakout from this!” but luckily, it proved me very wrong. I thought it was a little heavy and thick at first, but it actually soaked right into my skin and made it feel supple and young. Thankfully, I didn’t breakout from it either. It was fantastic after sun exposure too. It didn’t work well for me under liquid foundation though… I’ll have to try it with a couple other ones to see how it fairs, but so far, I couldn’t recommend it to wear under makeup. At least without waiting at least half an hour before applying the makeup to make sure it soaks in really well.

After I got back from my business trip I tried out the Tea + Protein Herbal Shampoo and Peppermint Herbal Conditioner. Both worked exceptionally well for being “natural”. The shampoo made effective suds and bubbles and cleansed my hair quite well. The conditioner wasn’t at all waxy but moisturizer my hair and made it soft and silky. Plus, I loved the scent of both!

Find these and other natural products on www.madefromearth.com

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Filed Under: Conditioner, Face, Shampoo, Skin Care Tagged With: , , , , , ,

5 Top Skin Care Products for Sensitive Skin

April 7, 2011 By

If you suffer from sensitive skin, you know how difficult it can be to find products that don’t cause further irritation. As a long-time sufferer myself, I can confidently recommend the following 5 skin care products for even the most sensitive skin. Give one or all of them a try!

I’ve tried many different peels over the years, but keep coming back to Juice Beauty Green Apple Collection Green Apple Peel, for Sensitive Skin ($39.) This gentle peel delivers powerful antioxidants and nutrients your skin needs to look its best, but isn’t harsh or irritating like many other peels. It’s also formulated with 100% vegetarian ingredients and is not tested on animals. Keep in mind that your skin may look a little red after using this peel, but it won’t feel irritated or itchy and the redness disappears very quickly. Pricey, yes – but it works!

If you’ve ever had a reaction to a sunblock, you know how important it is to find a sensitive skin formula that actually works. I’m a huge fan of Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 60+ ($11.16) both for its bargain price and powerful sun protection. This gentle, oil-free formula doesn’t leave skin with that greasy, icky sunscreen feel but rather glides on weightlessly and dries so quickly, you don’t even know it’s on!

I will tell you right now, I never used bar soap because of how dry and itchy it left my skin. Then, I stumbled on L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Extra Gentle Soap ($10) and fell in love! While I won’t give up my body wash for this every day, I do love how gentle and creamy this bar soap is. I’ve used it on my face and body without any negative reactions, and the fresh milk scent smells very clean. This is the only bar soap I will use!

Cetaphil products are known for their gentle formulations, and Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, SPF 15, Fragrance Free ($13.99) is no exception. This lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer offers SPF protection and superior hydrating properties without irritating dry, sensitive skin. Plus, it doesn’t leave a white cast behind like a lot of other face creams that contain SPF – definitely a bonus in my book.

Sensitive eyes need protection just like the rest of your face and body, but a lot of creams can be too harsh and irritating. Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream ($6.99) is one of the most inexpensive eye creams around – and it actually works! Whether your eye allergies are due to allergies or something else, this gentle eye cream will hydrate the delicate eye area and glides on effortlessly. Plus, it can reduce puffiness!

Have you tried any of these sensitive skin products? Which one do you like the best? Feel free to leave your experiences in the comments section.

Filed Under: Skin Care Tagged With: , , , ,