You may ask me,  “Jen, do you ever try a product you don’t love?”

“Uh, yeah.”

I have a big box filled to the brim with various creams, lotions and potions that come my way. I don’t have much patience for a crappy product. I am human just like everyone else, sometimes I’ll get wowed by the marketing, sometimes I get wowed by the packaging or the philosophy behind the product (example: Eminence). However, if I put it on my skin, and it causes a reaction, triggers a break out, and doesn’t feel fantastic – I’m done, good-bye and onto the next new product that captures my attention.

So in 2010 Boske, a fairly new company on the skin care circuit approached me with their all-star product, Molecular Repair. I was having some fairly tough skin issues over the summer, so I made a first attempt and after a few uses,  pushed it to the back of the bathroom cupboard for a future trial. (more…)

We often hear the benefits of using Vitamin C and E in skin care, but do we honestly know why?

One of my favorite skin care sites, SkinCareRx.com recently added some very well researched content articles on several ingredients and skin care conditions. Here is a little excerpt from their Vitamin C page:

“Vitamin C is an antioxidant which protects skin from the sun and neutralizes free radicals. It effectively promotes collagen production and tones and tightens the skin to help repair the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It has also been proven to reduce skin discoloration due to sun damage, aging, and acne scarring. Vitamin C is very unstable and can easily oxidize, making the compound ineffective, so it’s important to pay attention to expiration dates on products.”

Vitamin E is another highly praised antioxidant ingredient, and when used topically can hydrate and heal the skin, as well as reduce the scars left by acne.

In honor of Vitamin C & E, Mythbuster Beauty is giving away two SkinMedica Vitamin C & E Complex (Retail Value of $90). I have enjoyed using this complex because it leaves my skin feeling smooth and protected. The Vitamin C is suspended in silicone to prevent the dreaded oxidation (read quote above), and enjoy the extra hydration of the Vitamin E, as well as the added Bisabolol which is an anti-inflammatory.

And with this contest, there is a question. On the SkinCareRx.com Vitamin C page, which form of Vitamin C is found in SkinMedica’s C & E Complex?

Hyperpigmentation never became an issue for me until I hit my mid-30’s and Boom! – Larger, more prominent dark spots (and I am not taking about cute little freckles either) which started to appear around my cheeks and forehead.  At one point I made an appointment with my Dermatologist for solutions.  Over the next six months, I began a series of Glycolic Acid Peels that did help with the overall texture, clarity and evenness of my skin.  However, I did keep noticing that there were a few spots that just wouldn’t go away.  Earlier this year I started using a prescription strength Hydroquinone cream. (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…)

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…)

It’s been a while since I’ve mentioned one my favorite all-natural skin care companies on the planet, suki.  After being introduced to suki’s lemongrass cleanser a few summer’s ago, I included it in one of Mythbuster Beauty’s very first posts.  I also was able to interview the founder and name behind the brand, suki kramer.  Since then, suki’s uncompromising integrity and skin science smarts has led to the development of the sukispa line.

The first product I tried from the sukispa line was their renewal bio-resurfacing facial peel. My face, neck and decollete feels so smooth and soft after using this.  All with no irritation, intense redness or burning like other enzyme masques I have tried. (more…)

This is a great tutorial on how to optimize your skincare regimen. 

Amp up products’ effectiveness by applying serums, creams and treatments in the right order.

 

Do antioxidant serums go before acne treatments? Eye cream before moisturizer? Does it matter? Read up to see what experts had to say about your morning and evening regimens.

View order

Yes, you read correctly.  Any Prescriptives fans out there?!  Well if you are, this is your chance to stock up or try some Prescriptive cosmetic and skincare items.  25% off and free shipping, swweet!

Some of my Px favorites? 

Px’s Flawless Face Foundation, great build-able medium to full coverage and works well on my sensitive, combination skin. 

Px’s Vibrant-C Skin Brightening Lotion Moisturizer, as Mo will attest, this moisturizer packs a nice vitamin-c brightening punch.

Super Line Preventor Xtreme - This is Prescriptive’s Pink Ribbon Item.  I just received this skin treatment for review so I cannot vouch for it yet, but for every purchase a donation is made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Site Unseen Brightening Concealer SPF 15 -  With one swoosh you can lighten and conceal your dark circles and complexion flaws and spots.  I really love this concealer!

This discount runs until Friday the 24th, and don’t forget to pick your free sample!

In the post, “Let’s Talk about it: Acne and Battle Scars,” I mentioned the benefits of a high potency vitamin c skin serum to help even skin tone and calm sensitive skin. I recently received and have been using Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum Collagen Booster. This serum contains a 10% vitamin c complex and well as rosehips, green tea extract, hyaluronate, licorice, orange and grapefruit extract and vitamin e. All beneficial skincare ingredients that help repair and boost our skin’s natural collagen production.

I absolutely fell in love with this product! I used this in the evening after my regular cleansing and toning routine. OH’s Truth Serum felt light and absorbed into my skin immediately. The serum has a naturally refreshing citrus-y smell and did not make my skin feel sticky afterwards. My sensitive skin continued to be clear and balanced while using this skin serum. If you are looking for a high potency PM vitamin c serum to nourish and repair your skin, I would highly recommend using Ole Henriksen’s Truth Serum.

You can purchase this product at www.sephora.com and www.olehenriksen.com and it retails for $42.00.

Here is a wonderful skincare question from my blogging friend Tracy or “Dandelion Mama.”  She is experiencing some fun changes that many of us encounter after the magical age of 35, aka “the dark side of 30.”  I have some suggestions, but would appreciate any other advice from the Council of Jedi-Master skincare experts out there.

“Ok, I have a question. I’m heading towards the dark side of my thirties, and I’m noticing my pores on my cheeks and nose much more than I used to… help. Is the sugar rub above a good solution? Is there anything I can do about it getting worse?”

First and foremost, I am right there with you.  Those 30’s ticked by WAY too quickly.  From what I have read, there is no known way to shrink your pore size.  In writing this, I am reminded of  the wish cast by the good Fairy Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty, “I cannot take back that wicked spell, but perhaps I can soften it.”

By keeping your pores clean, by either a scrub, exfoliation, or a deep professional cleaning, you can make your pores appear smaller.   Once a week try a homemade facial using yogurt, ground almonds or flaxseed, or using the fruit enzymes found in papaya, lemons, or pineapple.  Not only are these products organic and affordable, I think we just created a recipe for a wonderful fruit salad!

I have been testing another very nice product from Renee Rouleau called, “Matte Moisture“ which is good for the appearance of pores and provides an oil-free moisture that combats shine.  This product uses Sodium Hyaluronate which is known for its ability to retain moisture.  This lotion is very soothing and contains cucumber and mallow extract.  They add dimethicone to smooth the skin’s appearance and make your skin feel soooo lovely.  It retails for $33.50 for 2 ounces.  

The treatment product that I swear by is Perricone’s Ceramic Skin Smoother.  After using this, I noticed that the large pores on my nose appeared significantly smaller.   I am searching for its equivalent because this product costs a small fortune ($75).  Mo’s review of Dr. Brandt’s ”Pores No More”  ($45) was good for her pores and made her skin feel like velvet, but she had some reservations on its color.   Two Drug Store brands I would recommend are Olay’s Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum ($20 for 1.7 ounce), and Boots No7 Restore & Renew Beauty Serum (1 ounce for $21.99 at Target).

Tomorrow, I will revisit the Dark Side and discuss another of  Tracy’s skincare dilemnas, the cursed beauty mark! 

BTW:  Check out Dandelion Mama’s brilliant, original artwork at her ETSY boutique shop!   Tracy, you rock!