WEEKLY MUST-HAVE: Neo Strata Foaming Glycolic Wash

Neo Strata brings me back to my years in high school. I used to use the AHA Toner religiously. Just recently, Neo Strata re-entered my life in the form of a Foaming Glycolic Wash, AHA 20.

While being a teen, AHA helped to fight acne flair ups. As an adult the same exact ingredient is used to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Worth noting, I think I got a head start on this. Maybe teen acne isn't that bad for the skin afterall!

This wash is truly genius. It foams on application and washes away all dirt and grime without leaving a residue. It doesn't over dry or strip the skin of natural oils but it DOES CLEAN! You can use morning and evening without fear of irritation.

Benefits of AHA Foaming Glycolic Wash:


Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
18% Glycolic Acid
Self-foaming delivery
Soap-free
Mildly exfoliates
Creates an even skin tone
Treats and prevents acne blemishes

While the packaging looks more medicinal then cosmetic, the ingredients really work and this is a cleanser that can be used by those young and old to fight acne and aging. I am so thrilled to have rediscovered an old gem!

PRICE TAG: $29.99

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE: Emergency Zit Stick

Oh, zits, be damned! Not everyone has acne breakouts but everyone has an acne flair up. Some of us just have an unsightly pimple pop up during PMS. Or others, from wearing a certain foundation. Maybe even the pollution or humidity. Point is, it's likely that everyone breaks out at one point or another, some are just fortunate enough to have the breakout be minimal -- i.e. the zit from hell forms on your chin right before a big date.

Oh, zits, be damned! Bremenn mergency Zit Stick is damning those zits away. The paraben-free solution clears up acne blemishes on impact. It comes in a tube with a wand so you literally just apply the wand to your zit -- never having to actually touch it with your bacteria-filled hands. The active ingredient is good old Benzoyl Peroxide, 2.5 %, so chances are, that zip is getting zapped -- and fast.

This is a great product to have in your beauty arsenal. Carry it in your purse for those "in case of emergency" moments. Apply on the go. No mess, no fuss, no dirty application. Watch the zit disappear.

Fans of the Zit Stick include Jersey Shore’s Snooki and Adrienne Bailon. Now I, too, am a convert.

PRICE TAG: $21.00

REN Tackles Acne

I'm a huge fan of acne treatment systems. Proactiv is, of course, a favorite. I also love the Burt's Bees acne combination therapy products. They are an amazing alternative to the harsh and synthetic ingredients found in most acne products.

Well, ladies, I just discovered another incredible anti blemish system -- REN ClearCalm3. It's all natural and follows a 4 step process: cleanse, control, treat, comfort. Simple as that.

First, there is the Clay Cleanser ($32.00), "a purifying, antibacterial cleanser formulated to combat and help prevent breakouts and blemishes." Next, you have the Day Fluid ($40.00), "a light fluid formulated to combat and help prevent breakouts and blemishes leaving skin looking clear, healthy, even-toned and mattefied." For the evening, there's the Replenishing Night Serum ($30.00), "a soothing and replenishing gel-serum formulated for use overnight to leave skin comfortable, clear and calm." Finally, there's a twice a week Treatment Mask ($45.00) that is "formulated to reduce visible blemishes and leave skin looking clear, calm and even-toned."

When used in conjunction, these products remove excess sebum, build up of dead skin cells and blemish-causing bacteria... without harshness.

While the clay cleanser doesn't foam, it does clean immaculately. All of the products feel wonderful on the skin and left my face more radiant and even-toned.  But my favorite product has to be the Replenishing Night Serum. It smells so fresh and absorbs into the skin to calm and refresh after a hard day of polluting my face.

I must say, I am extremely impressed by the outcome of these products. Yay for REN! Finally, a high-end, all natural acne system.

Tips To Eradicate Backne

Backne: acne on the back. Not a fun topic but a necessary one now that we are well into Spring (then Summer - YAY). The last thing you want is a big, blistering pimple chilling on the nape of your neck. I can't think of anything less attractive - well, of course, unless it was taking up residence on your face!

The creators of Kairos --the first ever hair care line designed to treat acne-- Nurse Practictioner, Catherine Parker and Registered Nurse, Doreen Campbell have put together a list just for YOU on ways in which to eradicate backne:

• A very simple tip is changing your pillowcase more often. Oils from your hair care products and also just your natural production of oils create a loop of contact from your pillowcase back on to your skin all night long.
  
• Use a treatment. Kairos Acne Care Solutions Oil-Reducing Pore Perfecting Treatment can be used directly on the back to help prevent breakouts and clear acne. This product contains salicylic acid which is a mild exfoliator that gently gets rids dead skin over time and helps dry up lesions without irritating them.
• You should toss your loofah or back brush, (if you use one) after 3 or 4 months of use because they accumulate bacteria over time.
• Change out of your workout clothes immediately after exercising or sweating and shower or rinse off.
• Definitely do not pick at your bacne. Never squeeze the lesions on your chest, back or other areas of your body can cause unsightly scarring and blemishes, as well as the risk of infection due to the bacteria that can be transferred from your fingernails to the affected skin.
• You must evaluate your diet. Many people think that foods like chocolate, greasy foods, or sodas cause acne breakouts. When, in reality, there are no studies that prove that is the case. What has been proven is that the hormones that are added to our dairy and meat products can definitely increase acne on your face and back. If you are a dairy or meat lover, try switching to organic foods instead and see if that doesn’t help reduce your breakouts.
• Simple relaxation is a must! Stress causes an increase in hormonal release, and as we just mentioned, hormones can wreak havoc on acne. Just some downtime everyday to regroup and relax can work wonders for our appearance!

Kairos Acne Care Solutions offers a line of seven hair care products that are completely safe for acne sufferers. They contain only safe oils and also contain acne-fighting medication so that not only do they prevent acne, they also fight existing acne. More info on Kairos products by clicking here.

Katy Perry Faces Proactiv

Breaking Beauty News!

Proactiv hits the inter-web with a new and improved formula AND celebrity face... It is the same effective formula now enhanced with exclusive new micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide acne medicine designed to get acne fighting medicine into the pores fast, penetrating even clogged pores quickly.


Katy Perry will front the celeb-endorsed combination therapy acne treatment line. Mrs. Russell Brand battles the pimple? She must have some kick-ass air-brushers, her skin always looks flawless....

Can't wait to try the enhanced Proactiv... will you be trying it?

ECO-FINDS FROM FRIENDS: suki® organic cystic acne treatment

I’m not sure what I like most about this site: the beauty or the banter. What I love is when the two intersect and comments introduce me to new ways to use hair products or when someone recommends a lip gloss I’d seen but was on the fence about trying. While going green has meant rethinking what products I use, it certainly hasn’t reduced my options. And with so many products removing synthetics, petrochemicals and other toxins, the variety grows larger every year. And I am always looking for something new. So, when my friend Becky told me about an organic skincare line she loved, the beauty banter began.

Becky is a gifted dog trainer and spends a ton of time outdoors. She grew up in the beauty business (her talented hairstylist parents have created looks for Chanel, Dior and Versace, amongst others) and tried everything for her sensitive, cystic acne prone skin. Yet she found many products hurt more than they helped because her skin became so sensitive in the sun. Recently, something at Whole Foods caught her eye: an organic cystic acne system from suki® advanced. organic. science™. I couldn’t believe it. Over the counter, organic care for cystic acne? The only way I knew to deal with cystic acne was a trip to my derm. Becky filled me in on the line.

“I started with the suki® balancing mini skin kit that lasted about two weeks. It’s very concentrated so you don’t need a lot.” Now she uses products from the entire sukiface® line and even her derm sees the difference. The cystic acne treatment was developed by suki® “with immune system boosters, skin clearing anti-inflammatory & anti-bacterial agents, formulated to treat the underlying causes of acne.”

Becky’s sukiface® favorites:
To soothe and clean skin, “I really like transformative cleansing clay,” a multitasking cleanser/mask/targeted spot treatment that reduces breakouts, redness and inflammation and bacteria production. Made with zinc, white willow bark for natural salicylic acid, and kaolin.
“I use pure facial moisture – balancing. (But) I was a little freaked out about the oil.” Instead of a typical lotion, suki® moisturizes with an oil concentrate which is actually the best way to combat oil imbalance in skin. “As soon as I put it on it sinks in as opposed to moisturizer which felt like plastic on my face. It was like my pores couldn’t breathe.” Made from organic echinacea, organic chamomile & organic borage oil, it balances oil production, soothes irritation, clogged pored and boosts immunity.“My absolute favorite product, the one I heard phenomenal reviews about, was
exfoliate foaming cleanser.” This cleanser is not part of the cystic acne regimen but works for Becky’s skin and flakiness caused by prescription topicals (check with your derm if you’re taking any meds). The foaming formula made with organic lemongrass, organic non-GMO rice flour & natural sugar exfoliates without harshness. “You’re in control. The more you rub your hands together the more the sugar crystals dissolve, the less gritty the scrub.”

As a bonus, now through November, suki® is donating 100% of sales from this and their sensitive cleansing bar to Think Before You Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Get your own suki® skin prescription by taking a short Q and A here. And find suki® products for face, body and hair at Whole Foods or online here and here. Thanks for the intro to suki® Beck, and girls, let's keep the banter going! xo alex.

Burt's Bees Acne Free

I receive more questions about how to rid the skin of those pesky little pimples than any other concern so I am dedicating this entire post to a new acne-free regime I've been using.

Burt's Bees recently launched an amazing collection of acne products that, when used in conjunction, actually leave skin blemish free sans the stripping and drying of traditional acne medications.

The new Natural Acne Solutions line—the first FDA-approved natural acne care system -- includes a gel cleanser, scrub, spot treatment (genius), and daily moisturizer all featuring the key ingredient of Willowbark, nature’s answer to Salicylic Acid. Bye bye medicinal flaking skin. This stuff leaves your complexion smooth and glowing while still working deep into the pores to clean them and free them of dirt and grime. I love it, possibly even more than ProActive. This is definitely a natural alternative for all of you who are greening your skin care regimine. And as I always say, my skin simply reacts better to the natural stuff. It's like the difference between eating a meal from McDonald's or Whole Foods. We are what we ingest, ladies and gents.

Fans of the line include Julianne Moore, Jessica Stroup, Halle Berry, Alicia Keys, Julia Roberts, and Kristin Cavalleri.

4 Steps to Treating Acne

With the success of Proactiv, it seems like every skincare company is trying to duplicate the few easy steps to healthy skin routine. I've tried and tested many of them - Murad, Juice Beauty, Clean & Clear, to name a few - and some work, most don't. Then I came across Pevonia. I'd never heard of the brand but I liked the ingredients - a focus on organics, when possible - and paraben and fragrance-free. So, instead of smelling medicinal, these products smell citrusy!


The Spa Teen Blemished Skin line is a little misdirecting. Yes, it is for teens with problem skin, but it works just as well for adults, too.

Here's what you get:
Exfoliant Cleanser
Toner
Moisturizer
Blemish-B-Gone

The cleanser has tiny exfolliants from walnut shell extract Instead of using harsh ingredients like alcohol, Pevonia's toner has witch hazel. The blemished moisturizer contains Organic Benzoyl Peroxide and Organic Salicylic Acid - both are acne-fighting ingredients although some people are weary of benzoyl - but also has citrus and flower oils to soothe the skin. The Blemish-B-Gone stick is a quick zit zapper - you only need to apply to infected areas. It contains Organic Benzoyl Peroxide and Organic Salicylic Acid to counteract bacteria, preventing future breakouts and hyperpigmentation.

My 2 criticisms are as follows: The exfoliant cleanser smells very harsh - but it's really gentle and easy on the skin so I'm not quite sure what ingredients are giving it that soapy aroma. Second, the packaging is quite obtrusive and juvenile. I don't need the entire world (a.k.a. the people who venture into my bathroom) knowing that I am fighting acne loud and proud (with eye-blinding neon green container tops).

Other than that, I'm really liking these products! They're quick, easy and effective without over-drying or irritating my skin. In fact, when I'm done with my daily routine, my face feels smooth and rehydrated.

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE!

These days, concealer is a necessary step in my beauty routine. I need full coverage, but nothing that looks cakey (I loathe the piled-on appearance). I've tried - and loved - many a concealer, but my current fave is tarte's The Eraser... genius name as it really does erase skin imperfections!

It's called the 4-in1 tool because it's one product that does four things....

Let's break it down:

1. Covers up blemishes
2. natural ingredients that treat and soothe irritated skin and blemishes
3. eye shadow base (to ride the creasing)
4. lip base (to stop the feathering)

This "click" stick works like a gem (and reminds us a bit of YSL's coveted Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighter, but for half the price and full coverage). I'm SO pleased with the results and I'm confident that by using the cover-up on my zits (yuck), it won't clog my pores or lead to further breakouts.

Such a need-to-own-asap product.... especially for us ladies prone to unruly breakouts!

PRICE TAG: $19.00

Feast on Body Deli

I've raved about Body Deli before (remember the berry scrub?) and I'm going to rave about it again. With products like Spanish Fly Body Oil (Spanish flies?!?) and the Fruit Smoothie Masque, it's no wonder these products have such a devout following... there's nothing else on the marketplace like them!

The products are inspired by the science of living foods and are designed to provide nutrition for the skin... foods that are healthy on the inside are also healthy for the outside.

The products are handmade in small batches and offer an expiration date (like a carton of milk). Many of the products need to be refrigerated to preserve the raw and natural ingredients, such as organic yogurt, amino acids, fresh fruit and vegetables, and all-natural plant oils.

It would be an understatement to say that I'm obsessed with these products -- I want to devour them!

My current faves are the Glacial Mineral Mud Masque and the Radiance Enzyme Peel. Used together, it's like a jaunt to the spa... superb!

The mask is INCREDIBLE for acne-prone skin. It dries very hard and literally sucks up the excess oil and blackheads (I wouldn't recommend for dry skin). I keep my mask in the refrigerator so when I apply it, it's very cool and soothing. Also amazing as a spot treatment. PRICE: $24.00

The enzyme peel is pretty brilliant too. It regenerates the complexion with uncooked superfoods and wild harvested therapeutic grade Manuka Honey. You slab a bunch of the stuff on your face and you leave it on for about 15 minutes. It feels part gooey, part exfoliation. And even if a little drips into your mouth, it's all good -- it tastes sweet like a honey comb! PRICE: $48.00

The combo is fabulous for oily/ acne skin. And if you're into the natural and organic thing (it really is better for the skin), than this is the product line for you. I swear by these products!

Check out all of the goodies by clicking here!

Spotted...

Kelly Rutherford (or Mrs. Bass) of Gossip Girl is obsessed with Verabella's Natural Skincare Kiss Zit Goodbye spot treatment. "It's the most elegant way of getting rid of a blemish," says Rutherford.

The all-natural formulation includes organic willow bark, tea tree oil, witch hazel and camphor.

Apparently, all skin is created equal. Even that of television stars.

xoxo,
Beauty Banter

PRICE TAG: $18.50

*source*

Fight Acne with PTR's Sulfar Cooling Masque

I am a huge fan of Peter Thomas Roth products - I've doted on their Lips To Die For Lip Facial and their Blemish Buffing Beads Body Wash. Well, my fellow beauties, here is another PTR favorite!

The Sulfar Cooling Masque is a must for anyone with acne or problem skin. As I've mentioned earlier, sulfur is a natural ingredient used in the treatment of acne (click HERE to read about all of its benefits). In short, sulfur contains anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties that are great for unclogging those stubborn pores.

In addition to acne-fighting sulfur, PTR's masque is loaded with therapeutic eucalyptus, aloe vera (for soothing) and kaolin (for purifying). My favorite aspect of this mask (compared to other sulfur masks) is that the eucalyptus actually tingles like a menthol (and smells like it too) on your skin. The real treat here is the medicinal quality of eucalyptus - it penetrates deep into the pores and soothes broken and infected skin.

This is a heavy-duty mask - not intended for dry skin. It exfoliates, cleanses and clears oily, acne-infested pores with a single use - allowing the gunk to rise to the surface for a speedier recovery time. After using the mask, my skin felt tighter, my pores appeared smaller, and those nasty little zits seemed almost non-existant (at least, a lot less noticeable)!

To use, apply a generous layer all over the face, allow the mask to dry, and remove with cool water and gentle finger tips. Your skin is left feeling smooth, refreshed and totally clean!

PRICE TAG: $40.00 for 5 oz

Acne-Fighting Foundation

One of my all time favorite concealers EVER is the DermaBlend Cover Duet Custom Corrector - two cream colors on either side of a wand, perfect for custom blending.

Truth be told, DermaBlend makes fabulous concealers and foundations for all skin types! It's like red carpet, perfection coverage!

Well, I just found my next favorite product by DermaBlend and.... GASP!... it's been discontinued! (Fret not, we've found a few extra tubes surfing the web).


DermaBlend's Acne Results Treatment Foundation is a wonderful product for those of us who suffer from problem-skin. It contains .5 % Salicylic Acid (long known for fighting acne) and it provides light, even coverage. Of course, it's buildable so the the more you apply, the stronger the coverage is. It's oil-free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and non-acnegenic. This is a must-have product for anyone with acne-prone skin or for those who want to prevent acne by using a foundation that actually fights the bacteria as it covers!

A word (or several...) from the company:
"The advanced oil absorbent system helps control oil breakouts all day and provides 8 hours of shine control for a natural looking matte finish."

The foundation comes in 6 shades ranging from ivory (for you pale girls) to brown. I use the natural and I love it! It's not cakey and, as I mentioned, it really is a light coverage that leaves skin-tone even and less blotchy. I also feel perfectly secure that this product will never cause a breakout!

But, hurry and stock up now, before the product is completely gone... If you live in NYC, you can purchase the foundation at Clyde's Pharmacy or you can buy it by clicking HERE.

R.I.P. Acne Results Treatment Foundation! I hope you are reincarnated very, very soon!

PRICE TAG: $22.50

The Ongoing Fight to Erradicate Blackheads...

Conquering acne can literally seem like fighting a long, hopeless war... Sometimes you win a battle, most times you lose. That's why we need to come armed with the best and most reliable products on the market!

My current mission: A face mask strong enough to destroy and detonate blackheads....



My find: DDF's Sulfur Therapeutic Mask. This mask is a necessary addition to your weekly skin routine, especially if you suffer from oily skin and congested pores.

Sulfur is an amazing ingredient for problem skin. Back in the day - like wayyyy back - Grecians used sulfur to treat rosacea, dermatitis, and dandruff. Nowadays, sulfur is added to products because it contains anti-microbial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties that are great for treating acne and unclogging those viciously clogged pores.

DDF's mask also contains aloe vera, which soothes the skin (great for sensitive, oily types), and purified clay to dry the oil glands. The mask hardens in about 10 minutes and once I rinsed it off (warm water, pat- not rubbed - dry), my skin was smooth, refreshed, glowing... and, the beat part, my pores actually appeared smaller!!!

Mission accomplished.... blackheads demolished!

Friends of mine have raved about DDF's entire product line.... the mask is the first item that I've tried but I'm definitely going to be stocking up on some of their other facial goodies!

Price Tag: $34.00 for a 4 oz. tub of clay

Do you have a favorite DDF product that I just have to try?!? Let me know!

10 Things YOU Need To Know About Retinol...

Love this!

Retinol has long been used to clear problem skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimize pore size, aid in erasing hyperpigmentation and sun damage, and exfoliate skin to bring new, healthy skin to the surface.

Thanks to Johnson and Johnson's Roc and their newest skin product,RETINOL CORREXION® DEEP WRINKLE DAILY MOISTURIZER with SPF 30, we now have a cheat sheet on how to use Retinol.

Here are the 10 things YOU need to know about Retinol:


1. Retinol products containing pure and stable Vitamin A are most effective. Retinol’s structure allows it to immediately set to work improving skin’s appearance. In contrast, Retinol esters (pro retinol, retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, etc.) first have to be converted into Retinol before they can begin to work.



2. Retinol fights fine lines AND deep wrinkles. Whether you’re looking to prevent future signs of aging or hoping to appear years younger, there’s a Retinol product suited to your needs. For deeper wrinkles, opt for a formula that offers an ultra-effective combination of Retinol and an Essential Mineral Complex.



3. Retinol’s strength is not only determined by its concentration. Retinol’s efficacy relies heavily on its formulation and delivery system. A product containing a higher percentage level of Retinol will not necessarily work better or faster.



4. Retinol must penetrate skin to improve it. Delivering Retinol in an encapsulated form enables it to penetrate into the skin’s surface, improving performance. Many other over-the-counter products only topically coat the skin, compromising results.



5. Retinol can degrade if not packaged properly. An air-tight, opaque tube or bottle helps maintain the formula’s stability by preventing oxygen or UV-light penetration.



6. Retinol works best when introduced gradually to your regimen. Using Retinol is like training for a marathon. Slowly build up your tolerance level—begin by applying a product containing Retinol every other day. Once your skin adjusts to this effective ingredient, you’ll be able to incorporate it into a daily skincare regimen with little chance of flaking or redness.



7. Retinol products can be safely used on sunny days. You don’t have to forego Retinol’s anti-aging benefits during daytime hours. A formula containing SPF 30 will provide adequate protection from the sun’s rays (like RoC’s newest addition, the RETINOL CORREXION® DEEP WRINKLE DAILY MOISTURIZER with SPF 30)



8. Retinol will complement AHA usage. Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin, enabling Retinol to penetrate into the skin’s surface even more efficiently. A product containing both ingredients is best used at night to avoid sensitivity.


9. Retinol can help prevent the signs of premature aging. Early use of products containing pure and stable Retinol will help to combat fine lines before they start to appear noticeable, so skin continues to look years younger than it’s true age.


10. Retinol improves more than just wrinkles. It not only reduces the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles, but also improves skin tone, the signs of photodamage and pore size. Combined with sun protection, it’s the gold standard in anti-aging.

Tea Tree Oil In A Blue Mask

I love tea tree oil. As I've reported on previous posts, one of my favorite zit fighters is Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick with Eco-Harvest Tea Tree Oil (read my rave review HERE).

Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial. It is fabulous for oily, acne-prone, and problem skin. I've been using a purifying mask with tea tree oil on a weekly basis for some time now, and it's really helped to eradicate excessive oiliness and tighten my pores.

Astara's Blue Flame Purification Mask is my saving grace for problem skin. It mixes tea tree oil with botanical detoxifying, antibacterial, and healing agents for a ten minute mask that leaves your skin refreshed and revitalized. It's a blue clay that dries hard, seeping deep into your pores to remove buildup from oil and environmental hazards. It's also pretty brilliant as an overnight on-the-spot treatment as well.

A 2.0 fl oz tub sells for $41.00
We want to know, what's your favorite mask???

ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT THE ALPHA

I'm totally obsessed with Alpha Hydroxy Acid. I've used it, in some form or another, since I was a teen (like 3 years ago... wishing...). It's meant to help with aging, but it's also fabulous for acne-prone skin and skin tone and texture issues.

Wikipedia.org defines alpha hydroxy acid as, "a class of chemical compounds that consist of a carboxylic acid substituted with a hydroxy group on the adjacent carbon. They may be either naturally occurring or synthetic. "

Here are some forms of AHA:

• Glycolic acid is the most widely used of out of the group and is usually manufactured from sugar cane. It is fairly well known and considered the most effective of the AHAs.
  

• Lactic acid, derived primarily from milk is considered to be milder and less irritating than glycolic acid, [citation needed] and is therefore considered ideal for those with sensitive skin. Its origins can be traced back to Cleopatra, who purportedly used sour milk on her skin.

• Citric acid from citrus fruits, malic acid from apples and pears and tartaric acid from grapes are not as common and their effectiveness is still not clear.

DDF makes great glycolic acid daily cleansing pads 10% which aid in eliminating acne and combating signs of aging. They're pre-soaked pads that also get rid of all the crud on your mug!

You know my favorite anti-acne product, MaMa Lotion (CLICK HERE to read my review)? Well, that's a form of citric acid - it contains both malic and mandelic acids. This product is awesome for evening out the skin tone and clearing up blemishes.

Another great product is Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA Anti-Wrinkle. It's my must-have alpha hydroxy item! It's a lotion, so it moisturizes, but it also brings blackheads to the surface, evens out skin tone and texture, naturally exfoliates the skin AND helps to reduce visible signs of aging. The lotion is a mere $10.99 and it actually works! I've tried a ton of them and, so far, this one is my fave!


Have a favorite AHA product! Leave a comment... Let us know!

Dr. Brandt - Perfect Skin Kit

People spend hundreds of dollars at dermatologists, facialists, plastic surgeons - all in the hopes of "buying" a perfect complexion. I know I've fallen into the money trap, armed with the dream of problem-free, wrinkle-free skin.

Well, stop wasting your money! Dr. Brandt - an actual practicing dermatologist - has created a great little kit that offers you everything you need for perfect skin. The Discovery Kit contains the four products that will replenish your dull, stressed, over-tanned, broken-out, wrinkled mug!



What it contains:

* mini microdermabrasion instantly polishes away dead skin cells leaving skin smooth and radiant - 0.5 oz
* mini r3p- anti-aging formulation of three intense polypeptides, and potent antioxidants to refinish, replenish and retexturize your skin 0.5 oz
* mini laser tight- tighten and tone, leaving skin firm and improving elasticity. 0.5 oz
* deluxe size crease release targeted formula to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 0.25 oz

What it does:

• diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• visibly smoothes and refines, leaving your skin radiant.
• instantly tightens and tones your skin, while improving moisture and elasticity.

Price is $85.00 for the entire kit.

***I've got to be honest - I have very sensitive skin, so I don't like to try many different products, but I totally trust this skincare line. Please follow instructions for your specific skin needs.

Have a favorite microdermabrasion product? Tell us!!! We'd love to try it!

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE!

I'm usually pretty apprehensive about applying oils to my face... I already have enough natural oils! But when I received a sample of Superfoods Rx Complex Age Defying Serum, I promised myself - a month of the oil. And let me tell you, this stuff is genius! Not only did I not break out, at month's end, my face was more firm, skin tone more even and I had an overall dewy look.

A word (or several...) from the company:
"SFRx™ Complex is a patented formulation that took years in the laboratory to develop. Containing l-ascorbic acid, this pure form of Vitamin C together with other antioxidants and whole-food based ingredients—or SuperFoods—was the key scientific breakthrough to developing an efficacious Vitamin C formulation with the power to produce the results you’re looking to achieve.

It feeds your skin with a patented complex of super nutrients. These vitamin-based antioxidants and other active ingredients are scientifically proven to help your skin look younger, softer and more radiant by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and increasing collagen synthesis to protect your face and neck from future damage."

So what does the serum really do? Well, it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, reduces blemishes, improves skin firmness, protects from environmental damages, increases collagen production and restores natural moisture. Basically it injects your skin with a large dosage of vitamin c and important anti oxidants that feed your skin the same vitamins and nutrients that leave your body healthy too!

Our month is up, but we're keeping this product in our daily face care regimen!

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE

For anyone who has ever suffered from acne, consistent break-outs, uneven skintone, age spots, freckles or any other skin condition, THIS POST IS FOR YOU!!!

For those who know me well, they'll attest to the fact that I'm a bit of a skin freak. My dermatologist actually told me to find a new one. I've had three facials within three weeks. I spend countless hours searching the internet for that "perfect product" that will give me equally "perfect skin." As a pre-teen, I stole my mother's magnifying mirror (you know, the one that lights up and magnifies your pores times 100...) and didn't leave my room for a week. Suffice it to say, mom confiscated that thing real quick...

It's taken many years to understand (and be okay with the fact) that there really isn't a miracle skin product that will make my face look like that of a porcelain doll. But I have found a product that comes pretty close!

Let me introduce to you an incredible product - MAMA LOTION! It's a combination of Mandelic and Malic acid and it literally changes the texture and composition of your skin within weeks! I've been using the gel for 2 months and I can attest to this, first-hand.


A word (or several...) from the company:

This remarkable gel-lotion is the ultimate agent for those wanting to get more out of their anti-aging routines. This 20% AHA formulation contains 10% mandelic acid and 10% malic acid with a 2.5 ph. Because of the protective and moisturizing qualities of malic acid, this lotion takes about 10-15 minutes to fully sink into the skin. A bit sticky at first, the MaMa lotion will dry to an ultra smooth, glowing finish that will draw compliments throughout the day. Excellent for evening out pigmentation or softening feet and elbows as well.

During our extensive testing, we have seen the following improvements in patient's skin:

- Evened Skin Tone, Including removing age spots & freckles
- Faded Acne Scars
- Significantly Reduced Acne Breakouts
- Tightened the Skin & Pores
- Shrunk or Eliminated Blackheads
- Reduced or Erased fine lines and wrinkles
- Significantly reduced the symptoms of Rosacea
- Faded Melasma."

Click HERE to view the astounding before and after pictures....

This product will change your life!