Tag: Skin Care

Simple Skincare Giveaway Just In Time For Back To School

Ready to turn over a new leaf? Get that skin care routine finally in order? Well, now’s your chance! I’ve teamed up with the folks at Simple Skincare and we are giving away the entire range of Simple’s offerings! That’s right, you’ll have wipes for cleansing, a great lightweight SPF, and a richer Vital Vitamin for those drier days coming up. One of everything. Just enter using the widget below. US Only and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

How I Stay Looking Rejuvinated

I’ve been particularly focused on looking rejuvenated lately. While I have been having the time of my life… I do acknowledge that I have just hit the 3-4 birthday. All in all, I have been pretty darn lucky avoiding those dreaded crow’s lines and under eye bags, but I know I need to step up my game if I want to keep it that way. Also, as a sufferer of hypothyroidism, my eyebrows can become a little….well, sparse…. around the outer corners. I am a huge believer in full brows adding a healthy and youthful appearance. Lastly, that bright, even and glowing skin keeps me looking fresh. So, these three winners from ReVive, NeuBrow and Tata Harper are keeping me in business:

NeuBrow by Skin Research Laboratories (of NeuLash fame) delivers that same potent serum that works so well on lashes, but this time to my weakened little brows (okay… they aren’t little or weak, but let’s keep it that way). The serum is powered with Dual-Weight Protein Complex™ and Keratin to nourish brows. Bioengineered polypeptides, a combo of amino acids works to improve shine and strength of existing brows. Biotin helps protect from further damage.

I’ve been focusing applying the formula to the outer ends of my brows twice a day for the past three weeks. And I’ll be darned, I am fuller, shinier and stronger. In fact, I am even finding myself having to tweeze more often. But I will take it!

ReVive Intensité Volumizing Eye Serum is one of those breakthrough products, powered by such cool technology, I just can’t resist touting it. ReVive is known for its Renewal Epidermal Science (RES technology) which works to rejuvnate and volumize delicate eye area. The skin filler works to fill in the “hollows” that can make us look so tired. I love the instant wide awake look this can give in the morning. And the nourishing formula heals and soothes that delicate and dry skin around my eyes.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask has become my go-to treatment when I need to spark up some dull skin. While it works great for those with blemish-prone skin, I’ve found it works well on my drier and hyperpigmented skin as well. Tata’s all-natural approach is loud and clear in this mask with Pomegranate Enzymes, Pink Clay, Willow Bark Extract, Which Hazel, Aloe Vera and Beet extract.

The Willow Bark brightens any dullness I have and adds a rosy blow. The Pink Clay helps clear pores. And you get a great dose of antioxidants, particularly helpful in the summer, with Which Hazel. Just apply and thick layer, wait 15 minutes and voila!

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Brand Spotlight: Bioelements

Bioelements is a skin care line focused on fostering younger looking skin with professional grade products you use at home. The skin care regimens are custom blended for ideal results according to your skin type. Their formulas are responsibly crafted, always free of parabens, fragrances and colorants. And never tested on animals. One of the biggest joys of using Bioelements is their glass skin care packaging. Not only does it feel more luxe, but it maintains the integrity of the products and is 100% recyclable.

I’ve been surrounding myself with some Bioelements best and brightest for the past month and have been thrilled with results. Not only are the products wonderful to use – they have honestly made my skin look better. My main issues are hyper-pigmentation and redness. The following four items have helped me moderate both and keep safe in the sun.

Again, an oil based cleanser that really can clean, the Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser is gentle and nourishing. Olive oil is used to lift impurities while calming and soothing. And your skin won’t be striped of precious moisture.

Using one of my most beloved skin care ingredients, Advanced VitaMineral C Complex has a double dose because it uses Acerola cherries, which contain 32 times more vitamin C than oranges. This extract is the most scientifically advanced C ester and can fight aging and brighten skin. I’ve been using this day and night and find my skin to be more radiant without any irritation.

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the sun. I know I needed something with a really high SPF on a daily basis to try to keep this sun damage at bay. The Bioelements SPF 50 FaceScreen has that broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection I need. At the same time, it works to firm and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The formula uses chemical blockers so you get that sunscreen smell, but on the plus side, you don’t get any whitish cast. The rich cream leaves my skin ultra-hydrated. Also to note, it was named ‘Best Anti-Aging Sunscreen’ by Dr. Oz’s YouBeauty.com.

I’ve been running more lately and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the way it leaves me feeling. The downside is my redness really ramps up… even hours after I finish a jog. The Bioelements Calmitude Hydrating Solution is one of the very few products I’ve found that can really calm that flare up. The spray soothes and calms upset skin while hydrating.

Find your closest spa here. Or order Bioelements products on bioelements.com.

Deals and Steals – Simple Skincare

If you are itching to try out Simple Skincare but haven’t gotten around to it… now’s your chance! Safeway is having a stellar “Buy 2, Get 2” promotion – buy two Simple Skincare products, get $2 off. What a great chance to get on a new summer regimen!

My two Simple Skincare picks with the warming weather? I keep reaching for the Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes. They seem to do an even better job at cutting through sunscreen and summer buildup. And, at the same time, Zinc PCA refreshes and helps control shine. The Vital Vitamin Day Cream SPF 15 also helps balance me out. Somehow, it manages to keep my skin moisturized without becoming greasy in the warm weather. Not to mention keeps those clogged pores away. It also provides that crucial UVA and UVB protection.

Don’t know if you have a Safeway near you? Based on where you live, Safeway is also known as:

Dominick’s
Vons
Randalls
Tom Thumb
Carrs

This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.

Summertime Medical Skin Care

Yesterday marked the moment of truth. While I have been on a quest to finally nip this hyper-pigmentation, I have come to the realization that I am a bit of a pool bunny. While I wear SPF 50 at least and reapply every hour, my forehead is just really prone to these dark spots. So, I visited my favorite Tulsa Skin Guru, Gabriel Horn, and we made a plan on action.

I already knew that summertime required a bit of a different approach to skin care. I have set aside my beloved retinol because, primarily, it makes us more susceptible to the sun. I, along with Gabe, will return to the heavy duty retinol/hydroquinone 1-2 punch in the fall. But all is not lost for these months I might spend a little more time by the pool.

First, don’t give up on your hydroquinone. It still helps block the body’s ability to make more melanin, preventing some of those dark spots. In fact, I learned today that it is often used post peel or procedure to keep that melanin suppressed. But as a note, results have shown it takes a 4% dose, twice daily. And for that, you need to see your doctor. Over the counter hydroquinone is at most 2%.

So, that’s what to do on the home front. During my office visit, we went after things in a more medical and aggressive format. But fear not: the biggest bonus of Gabriel’s DNA Reparative Brightening Treatment is you are left with glowy, healthy looking skin. No down time. (Tulsa folks, get more info here).

First, we cleaned things up with a eyebrow tweeze and extractions. Apparently, I was looking “bushy”. Ha, not anymore. Next, we did my favorite, microdermabrasion. The microdermabrasion clears out pores and gives skin a fresh start. Next, Gabriel applied ZO Skin Health ‘Ossential’ Growth Factor Serum.

Growth Factor Serum contains lab-developed growth factor that works to replicate healthy skin cells and repair damage or anything that ails the skin. The water-free gel was soothing and left my skin insanely soft. Over the Growth Factor Serum, Gabriel applied the Ossential Skin Brightening Sheet Masque (found only at doctor’s offices). This deposited much needed antioxidants, stabilized Vitamin C and a mega-dose of hydroquinone to brighten the skin.

After 15 minutes of mask time, my skin was revealed to be softer, brighter and glowing. While I still have to work on my sun damage in a couple months, the DNA Reparative Brightening Treatment is a great way to go after tired and dull skin in the summer.

Lastly, Gabriel applied with Dr. Obagi calls “the one product every patient has to have”. (note: Dr. Obagi left his namesake line, Obagi, to start ZO Skin Health). ZO Skin Health™ ‘Ossential™’ Daily Power Defense is a DNA repair lotion that also protects cells from future damage. Stimulating cellular activity, skin cells are encouraged to rejuvinate. This second line of defense is used under SPF.

Tulsa folks, I highly encourage you to stop by for Gabriel’s DNA Reparative Brightening Treatment. You can reach his office at 918.749.5522 or find more information on his Facebook page. Also, make sure to follow him on Twitter. And alert French Bulldog fans: his Instagram cannot be missed.

ZO Medical and ZO Skin Health products can be found at a dermatologist’s office near you. Find your closest here. ZO Skin Health products can be found at Nordstrom as well.

Shop my favorite ZO Skin Health products here:

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Favorite SPF Lotions for the Face

If you aren’t already getting your mug nice and protected every morning, now is the time to start. SPF is crucial and (along with retinoids) the only thing proven to prevent aging. Here are my current top five for both under makeup and for a day at the pool:

Hampton Sun SPF15 Super Hydrating Face Cream manages to be lightweight and super nourishing. The Calendula soothes my redness-prone skin while Canadian Willow Bark calms. I love how it quickly absorbs and is powered with gentle zinc oxide. Fragrance and oil free.

CeraVe SPF Sunscreen Stick is relatively new to the market, but you should be able to find this in your drugstore. Perfect for on the go, this stick is also powered with the gentle physical-only sunscreens. The formula finishes dry with no greasy residue.

Kate Somerville Daily Deflector Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 Anti-Aging Sunscreen has long been a favorite (initially reviewed here). It is the trifecta, offering hydration, UV protection and anti-aging benefits. The unique formula keeps the sunscreen in a “reservoir” on the skin, maximizing effectiveness.

Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 55 gives you superior sun protection without clogging pores. The water-light texture is weightless, letting skin breathe. At the same time, it is water-resistant, oil-free and fragrance-free. Not only does it look great under makeup, but also works for those days when outdoor activites call for a feather-weight SPF.

ZO Skin Health ‘Oclipse’ Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 is the ultimate sunscreen for under a full face of makeup. This stuff has a silky texture with nude coloring. It has no coverage but avoids that nasty white cast. Not only does it have broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection but it blocks natural melanin – BONUS!