Even if you don’t follow skin care, at some point or another you have probably heard of an AHA.  AHAs or Alpha Hydroxy Acids are often used in skin care to aid in the exfoliation of the skin.  Many moons ago (about 15 years ago I think), the Alpha Hydrox line was released and constant ads were touting its amazing skin rejuvenating powers.  I kept saying to myself, it sounds promising, but put acid on my skin – is that really safe?  This is also about the time that chemical peels were becoming popular and the tabloids would report about “deep peel horror stories” and women being scarred for life.

The pH level of the skin ideally should be slightly acidic (at about 5.5).  The skin is designed to create an Acid Mantle which protects the skin from the elements and other nasty intruders (like bacteria and fungus).  To learn more about the Acid Mantle, there is a very informative article on the SkinCareRx.com site about maintaining the proper pH balance of the skin, “Maintaining the Ideal pH:  Create beautiful skin that will last a lifetime.” (more…)

First off, my apologies all around for being MIA last week. My husband came home after a little bit of time in the desert and I took some time with my family for a vacation. And while it may have left you feeling unloved my dears, it was certainly worth it when I heard my 2 year old wake in the middle of the night and call for her daddy to comfort her.

So now onto the stuff you really care about, this weeks product review!
Chella Professional Skin Care is one of those companies that has somehow managed to fly under my radar for way too long. Focusing solely on their dedication to charities it’s a company I can support, but there are plenty of other reasons to try these products as well. Lots of research and plenty of proven botanical ingredients certainly don’t hurt.

With oily, blemish prone skin I have occasion to use clay masks on a regular basis. They’re great for drawing out impurities and helping to clear my skin during the most troublesome of breakouts. However, they also have a tendency to be very drying and can be too harsh for sensitive or delicate skin types, and sometimes even oily skin. Chella’s Balancing Clay Mask (more…)

During this back-to-school frenzy, who acknowledges the poor parents that have to get up EVEN EARLIER, to help their children make this transition?

These next weeks are going to be brutal on all of us.  So to help ease into this early morning routine, how about a great way to rejuvenate and repair your skin in the evening time?  I think it is high time for a giveaway!

Mythbuster Beauty is going to give away one Jan Marini AGE Intervention Regeneration Facial Mask (which retails for $90 online).

The AGE Intervention Regeneration Facial Mask is an entirely new concept in topical anti-aging and skin regeneration that benefits any skin type.  It incorporates resurfacing technology with a host of powerful anti-aging anti-inflammatories including the new red wine longevity extract, Resveratrol, all combined with a remarkable skin rebuilding peptide blend.

• Gives skin a beautifully resurfaced and luminous appearance
• Delivers and infuses superb skin rebuilding, anti-inflammatory and repair properties
• Leaves skin noticeably softer and rejuvenated for days
• Provides amazing progressive benefits for any skin type and condition

The deadline for this contest is Monday, September 14, 2009. All rules are found in the Contest Machine box.

I’ve actually heard the MaMa Lotion named bounced around occasionally in conversations about acne, but I’d never gotten around to trying it. Recently I got to remedy that, with the opportunity to try MaMa Lotion as well as a couple products from the newest MaMa line, M2.

The formulation for these may seem like a typical AHA product, but there are a few subtle differences. For one thing, they contain Mandelic and Malic acids. Malic acid is the acid found in tart apples and as an additive in candies like SweetTarts. Malic acid brightens and helps to hydrate the skin. Mandelic acid is derived from bitter almonds and is a great antioxidant which also has antibiotic properties, in addition to the regular exfoliating properties of AHAs. One of the key things about the choice to use Mandelic acid is that the molecules are larger than glycolic acid and are generally more tolerated by the skin. Together, these two ingredients play off one another and boost the efficacy beyond what would be available from only one of them. And, because they’re more easily tolerated than some other acid products they can be ideal for sensitive aging skin, particularly aging skin that is still battling mild to moderate acne. (more…)

A while back, Mo reviewed a super neat-o all natural skin care line, Garden Girl Skin Care.  Garden Girl was born out of a passion of providing natural skincare and promoting a healthy lifestyle.  Adore their name! I would like to consider myself a bit of a garden girl.  My garden this summer has had a slow start, due to an unusually cool start to our summer here in Utah. Got a bunch of heirloom tomatoes growing, peppers, cucumbers and squash and a few varieties of herbs.  I guess you could call it a salsa garden.

Time to get off my garden tangent and get back to this skin care review!  I recently got hold of Garden Girl’s Break Free fruit acid gel for oily/problem skin, $50.00 (4 oz.).  The gel contains a combination of glycolic, lactic and pyruvic acids.  This fruit acid peel was created to benefit those who suffer from break-outs and have sun damaged skin.  These AHA’s gently remove the outer layers of damaged or thickened skin.  Garden Girl claims that by using Break Free regularly it can improve dry skin, treats age spots, can improve oily and acne prone skin, and will decrease fine lines and wrinkles.

My response?  (more…)

Many of us would like to use Alpha Hydroxy Acids but cannot tolerate using Gylcolic Acid (the most commonly used and considered one of the harsher forms of AHA’s). So what do you do if you want the exfoliating and anti-aging benefits of using an AHA, but have sensitive skin?  I recently discovered a wonderful Gylcolic Acid alternative skincare line called NuCelle.   Not only does it incorporate the use of the a gentler Mandelic acid AHA, NuCelle has created a skincare line that responds beautifully with sensitive, dry, oily or acne prone skin.

The secret ingredient that will reveal your naturally beautiful skin is NuCelle’s almond-based Mandelic Acid. Physicians have long recognized the powers of this anti-bacterial alpha-hydroxy to treat common skin problems such as photo-aging, irregular pigmentation, and acne. (more…)

“Unwanted Facial Hair:  What’s a gal to do?” remains the most popular and poignant post at Mythbuster Beauty.  If there is one point I can emphasize with all women on the subject of hair removal is simply you are NOT alone!

HisWifey understands our plight:

Wow- although it is upsetting that we as women have to go through this, it feels kind of good to know that I am not alone in this. I am 36, and until 2 months ago, was pretty happy in my skin. I have always been a little hairy (controlled with waxing) but I have noticed this dark line above my upper lip that won’t go away with waxing. Went to the Dermatologist and in her wisdom, she diagnosed me with Melasma and prescribed me with a bleaching cream containing Hydroquinone. I was hesitant to use it as I have read not so good things about it. Well, I caved and finally used it. What a mistake! All it did was lighten the upper lip area, making the dark hair below my skin more visible than before! I am devastated and not to mention extremely depressed. Makeup helps it but I just want my skin back. It is embarrassing to say the least. (more…)

Before I launch into my thoughts on the Garden Girl products, I just want to say that I love the fact that you can host a “Garden Party” in your home as well as simply purchasing these products online.  Just because someone is buying from a home party doesn’t mean they should be handed a bottle full of junk for twice what it’s worth. SO many home sales companies are offering little more than cheap fillers and harsh ingredients and I am so happy to see a responsible product in a setting that reaches so many more consumers. There aren’t too many consultants (yet, if you want in then do it now!) but you can have a sample party and still get some goodies for being a hostess while offering your friends some of this  paraben/petroleum/sulfate/phthalate free goodness.

Okay, that part of my fawning is over with, let’s move along….

I’m definitely not the first to get the word out about Garden Girl products, and Joycey Couture beat me to it over at Bionic Beauty, but I was pleased to read her review today and find that she had the same results I did…lots o’  love! (more…)

One of the biggest perks of reviewing beauty products is that you receive many products from wonderful companies (I know… any beauty obsessed girl’s dream!).  Although, I often find myself saying, “Too many skincare products and not enough face to try them all.”  This is especially true when we review skincare because I like to test a line for at least a month before writing up my review.   Luckily I have acquired some trusted, smart beauty review partners!   I am very pleased to introduce you to this particular new beauty reviewer.  She is one of my closest personal friends, my sister Monique.

The Somme Institute promotes “the biggest industry breakthrough” since the introduction of Alpha Hydroxy Acids in the advancement of skin rejuvenation. Somme Institute developed a new technology in skin care called MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology). This formula boasts free radical fighting anti-oxidants, allowing 5 highly engineered essential vitamins (A, B3/B5, C and E) to penetrate the inner skin layers with high concentrations of polypeptides that target specific skin cell receptors.  (more…)

I’ve had acne prone skin since I could remember. With my fair complexion it has, at times, been a difficult and embarrassing struggle for normalcy and comfort. In my early twenties I discovered Benzoyl Peroxide products and the huge impact they had in keeping my skin clear. As I entered my thirties though, I realized they were just making my skin feel dry and abused, and my blemishes began to return. Then I got a tip: In your 20’s, focus primarily on acne and a bit on anti aging, in your 30’s, focus primarily on anti aging and a bit on acne. Well, my skin was changing, why not my routine?

So I found acne cleansers and treatments designed to be more gentle, and I began to focus on things like peels and scrubs that could fight fine lines AND keep my pores open and clear. Here are a few I’ve enjoyed: (more…)